As a pediatrician for Oregon children, I am calling for the immediate opening of Portland Public Schools.

No longer is it appropriate to stand by and see almost 45,000 school children without access to education, reliable school meals, social emotional support, physical education, arts programming and their consistent connection to trusted adults.

With the strike now in the third week (with 11 school days canceled), there are serious mental health impacts on students with toxic stress due to working parents losing access to a safe space for their children to learn. With the uncertainty of when school will open, this is not just a summer break in November.

While caring for children in the aftermath of COVID-19, I have seen the long-lasting mental and behavioral health impacts due to school closures. During the pandemic, research showed that school closures were associated with worse child mental health outcomes, and even worse outcomes in children from families with lower income.

If you care about the health of Oregon children, immediately open Portland Public Schools.

Elizabeth Super, Portland

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