Comments on: Tate Drama Production Has Not Been Canceled, But Will Be Different Due To COVID-19 Protocols

By: Mama Bear

Mama Bear — Fri, 23 Apr 2021 15:44:14 +0000

I have 2 students. 1 is a super athlete, the other is an amazing performing arts student. My athlete gets to do everything – and I am thankful. My band student has everything canceled. I love both my children the same, I wish Escambia County Schools did the same. This can be fixed Mr. Superintendent – let them perform outdoors.

By: Fed Up

Fed Up — Fri, 23 Apr 2021 13:19:10 +0000

Bob, you clearly have no one in the school system. Teachers can wear masks and so can kids. Extra curricular activities are optional. Scared? Don’t go. It’s very selfish to expect all kids and teachers to “protect” the few. They have them choice to do virtual school or wear masks. This is not only my opinion, but the opinion of fellow teachers, parents, and students. I have seen EXTREME mental issues due to the restrictions.

By: Bob

Bob — Thu, 22 Apr 2021 20:48:31 +0000

@FedUp

I’m disappointed to hear that you believe your kid’s right to have fun is more important than the health and safety of your community.

There are immunocompromised teachers, kids who live at home with their grandparents, and janitorial staff that should not be subjected to potential infection because your child is bored.

By: DK

DK — Thu, 22 Apr 2021 01:15:03 +0000

@Bob=Sheep

By: DK

DK — Thu, 22 Apr 2021 00:50:41 +0000

@Fed up.Your 110% correct with what you said it’s sad to say but superintendent is just like the wonderful mayor Pensacola has.not

By: Tate Student

Tate Student — Wed, 21 Apr 2021 22:22:11 +0000

Dr. Smith tells us there hasn’t been a change in protocol… but if that’s the case, why was the band able to have a concert in March, but not now? We were planning to have an *outdoor* concert in a couple of weeks, but now we can’t, despite the fact that outdoor band performances have been approved since before school started (check the FAQs on the school district reopening page).

By: Fed Up

Fed Up — Wed, 21 Apr 2021 18:54:54 +0000

This experimental year to appease people has shown there have been no super spreader events in schools. What has happened, however, is kids missed out on basic milestones, memories, and activities. It has shown us that the kids need normalcy and need social interactions and extracurricular activities. There have been more than enough options for parents who are worried. Time to move on and let these kids live. Masks should be optional, activities should go on, and life should resume. As a parent of a middle schools and someone who works in the school, the mental repercussions have far outweighed the potential for illness in kids. Scared? Do virtual school. It’s time to give these kids back the best years of their lives and to stop inducing fear.

By: Angry Parent

Angry Parent — Wed, 21 Apr 2021 18:42:26 +0000

These kids have followed protocol all year. If nothing has changed then why were they able to have a show in January but not now???? Cast wore mask, shortened performance, no intermission, limited seating, guest wore mask, more that 6ft social distancing, no concession, no silent auction (which means no fund raising for a department that is already financially strapped). Dr. Smith and Mr. Shackle could have seen this first hand if they would have bothered showing up to any of the 4 performances.

By: Ian

Ian — Wed, 21 Apr 2021 18:22:06 +0000

Typical Tate high school for ya all about the sports but can careless about any student that’s not in a sports program pathetic.

By: Jason

Jason — Wed, 21 Apr 2021 16:33:07 +0000

When Dr Smith speaks of protocols being in place in one hand and contractual obligations to FHSAA in the other he is showing everyone where the disconnect is. Something he and his staff can easily fix. Escambia County is treating our students differently. Allowing one type of student to participate in something but not the other type of student. So, because of a contract are we are allowing one thing and not the other. OK, how about we start the…. Fine Arts Performance School Association. We can have a 1 dollar contract with the county that FORCES them to allow students to participate in fine arts performances…..WAIT an even better idea. We will now keep score at all fine arts performances and at the end of each season we will crown a champion! That should allow the band . chorus, orchestra, and drama clubs to battle it out. (Think the FHSAA would sanction those events?)The thing is, it really shouldn’t even get to that type of a solution. It should be common sense that you are discriminating against a type of student and it should be stopped. I have an athlete and a fine arts student. Nobody wants sports to stop, certainly not me. I do want my fine arts student to be treated equally to the athlete one though. You have the ability, you have the power, and you have the right to stand up against this. Understand this, the issue is not with the State of Florida, just one small county over in Pace they had band concerts, at school during the day. Counties are allowed to make their own decision about these things. Escambia county is the issue. Please spread the word and contact your School Board representatives, Dr Smith, and any School official that you feel might need to hear your voice. That is how things will change.