Local student offers perspective on how to safely reopen Del. schools

GEORGETOWN, Del. – A local student is doing her part to help the state of Delaware figure out how they could safely reopen schools in the fall. “I was selected to be the student representative for the Delaware Department of Education reopening committee by a teacher at Sussex Technical High School,” said Emma Brower.

Brower just graduated from Sussex Technical High School in Georgetown. She was selected to help advise the department of education and department of public health, and offer student perspective. “We focus on the logistics of what a school year may look like if we are ready to reopen, and we focus on the possibilities of if the virus gets worse this summer, if the virus gets better, if schools will be online, if schools will be in person,” said Emma Brower.

Brower tells 47ABC that the working groups meet every week, and discuss different scenarios to figure out the best way to reopen schools. “We give our opinions on what we may think needs to be added, needs to be taken out. Everybody has a chance to speak up and give their opinions,” said Brower.

Brower says that she’s planning to attend nursing school in the fall, and she feels that helping to be a voice for students is a once in a lifetime opportunity. “I think it gives you a little bit of hope, and it’s an honor to have such a position that you get to help in making the decisions for the school year next year. So, it’s like – you might be a little bit bummed out that you didn’t get your last senior year, but it’s a great opportunity and I think it’s definitely a once in a lifetime thing,” said Brower.

Brower tells 47ABC that the meetings are being broadcast on YouTube so other community voices can also be heard. If you’d like to offer some perspective on how to safely reopen schools, you can email the group at reopening ideas at reopeningideas@doe.k12.de.us.