Governor Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) explained her plans for South Dakota’s reopening of schools in the fall during an interview on Fox News, as reported by the Daily Caller.
When asked about having in-person classes once again after the coronavirus lockdowns, Noem declared that “the science is clear, our kids need to be in school,” since “it’s better for them.” Noem further added that “it’s really our most vulnerable population that needs to be back in those classrooms.”
Noem pointed out that not only is online learning not nearly as effective as in-person schooling, but also that “a lot of kids don’t have a stable home environment” and “don’t have parents that are really being responsible to make sure they’re learning,” thus necessitating a return to schools so children can be in an environment with other children away from their own home.
Noem’s directive to reopen in-person schools is in line with the CDC’s latest recommendations, which defied expectations by officially recommending that schools reopen in the fall, for the mental and physical wellbeing of America’s children. Noem’s views are also aligned with those of President Donald Trump, who has called for schools to reopen for the fall semester; Noem previously gained widespread recognition for her speech introducing President Trump when he spoke at Mount Rushmore on July 3rd.