Salt Lake students rally to return to classrooms as more are earning failing grades

Salt Lake City School District students of all ages rally in favor of attending school in person outside of East High School in Salt Lake City on Monday, Dec. 7, 2020. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News

More than 4,000 junior and high school students had at least one F or incomplete grade during first quarter

SALT LAKE CITY — Students who attend Salt Lake City School District schools rallied at East High School Monday, urging the school board and administrators to resume in-person learning.

Students read letters to administrators urging a return to classrooms because they are failing in school, struggling emotionally and having a hard time paying attention after months of online schools.

“Every day I ask my mom to please get me enrolled somewhere that I can actually go to school. This isn’t working,” said Luke Williams, a ninth grader, in a statement.

“I thought I would be OK, but I’m not.”

There is growing evidence that many students in the district are struggling academically and socially.

The number of high school students who have completed assignments has plummeted compared to the first quarter of 2019.

Moreover, 4,057 junior high and high school students received a F or incomplete grade during the first quarter of school — up from 1,506 failing or incomplete grades a year ago, according to school district data.

Steve Griffin, Deseret News

Salt Lake City School District students of all ages rally in favor of attending school in person outside of East High School in Salt Lake City on Monday, Dec. 7, 2020.

Salt Lake schools have operated solely by remote learning since the start of the school year, the only Utah school board to select that option. Most Utah public schools returned to in-person learning, at least part time, but most districts have also offered an online learning option to students.

In the Salt Lake district, remote learning has drastically reduced COVID-19 spread in elementary, middle schools and high schools compared to other school districts that meet in person, according to Salt Lake County Health Department data. There have been 197 cases total, including adults, with other school districts in the county exceeding 2,000. Some Salt Lake students, such as English learners and students with individualized educational programs, receive services in-person.

Masae Vatuvei, a mom of three children in Salt Lake schools, said her children have struggled academically and emotionally with online learning.

She cut her hours at work so she can be home to help her kids with their schoolwork. One of her children attempted suicide after learning that school would be conducted online, she said.

An older son who plays football for West High School has been offered Division I scholarships, but those offers won’t materialize if he doesn’t get his grades back on track. He’s enrolled in a separate online program for credit recovery to make up for failing grades he received the first quarter, she said.

“His college depends on this, you know, and especially for me because I can’t afford it,” she said.

Vatuvei said she understands the risks of COVID-19. “We absolutely know it’s real,” she said, adding that she fully appreciates that some people would risk their health in a school setting, but for others there needs to be an in-person option.

“For those who are pretty healthy, they just want that choice, you know, to choose for themselves to attend school,” she said.

Viviena Wolfgramm, a junior at Highland High School, said she wants that option. If the school board doesn’t act soon, she said she will likely transfer to Skyline High School in Granite School District.

This is the year she takes the ACT test, which some colleges use for admission purposes, and she’s worried she won’t be prepared after months of online learning last spring and this fall.

“It’s been really hard. I’m no longer motivated. I used to be a student that enjoyed challenging myself but now I just kind of dread it,” she said. Her younger siblings’ enthusiasm for learning has also diminished.

Viviena said the school district needs to give students options.

“I feel like by attending today’s rally we’re just saying that we would like to choose. It’s our preference that we learn better in school so we would just like to be there,” she said. “I do have respect for the people that like online and they have an OK time learning on that. I think that’s great. But I think for those who would like to learn in person that they should have an option, too.”

Meanwhile, an email to Clayton Middle School parents said about 30% of all Clayton students received one or more failing or incomplete grades while just under 10 students failed all their classes.

Steve Griffin, Deseret News

East High School student body president Mya Bateman speaks about wanting to have a choice whether to attend school in person or not during a rally outside of East High School in Salt Lake City on Monday, Dec. 7, 2020. Students of all ages gathered outside the school and spoke about wanting to attend school in person.

“Parents, if your family is experiencing extenuating circumstances, I urge you to share this information with me and/or with your student’s teachers so we can find additional ways to support you,” wrote Principal Dallin Miller.

The school has a community outreach team that contacts students and families who are struggling. The school is also considering lengthening Zoom classes so student have more face time with teachers.

Attendance is an issue. “The majority of the Fs are because students are not attending their classes,” Miller wrote.

Peter Gardner, a high school senior, said fewer of his classmates are showing up to Zoom classes each day.

“I’m worried they’re starting to disconnect from online school and I wonder if they’re OK,” he said.

Ninth grader Tucker McCormick noted that it’s been nine months since Salt Lake students have been in their schools between last spring’s soft closures due to the pandemic and the school board decision to start the school year by remote.

“I’m so sick of it. It’s hard to focus. My parents work and I just hang out by myself. It’s depressing,” he said.

The Salt Lake school board voted recently to allow elementary school age students to return to in-person learning in phases starting in January, but did not act on a specific plan for middle or high school students. The board’s next scheduled meeting is Jan. 5.

Interim Superintendent Larry Madden said in a statement that “the district has always been supportive of students engaging in their communities and safely exercising their First Amendment rights. Today’s student rallies are no exception.

“We welcome student voices — especially on issues that directly impact them — and encourage our students to continue to speak out on issues that are important to them.”

This story will be updated.

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