Dear City Council, Future closure of MCC and Belle Haven is in stark opposition to best practices put forth by the field of education as it pertains to the health and well-being of children during this pandemic. Additionally, it raises several ethical concerns that demand attention. The temporary school closures children are experiencing now are warranted by public health and epidemiological research. In support of this, the field of education recommends prioritizing the mental health and emotional well-being of children throughout this pandemic. Eliminating the MCC and Belle Haven programs during this pandemic do NOT prioritize the mental health and emotional well-being of children, nor their families. Termination of these educational programs also raises ethical concerns. While there may be financial benefits in this decision for the City of Menlo Park, there will be disproportionate burdens placed on its residents and the employees of both programs. This inequity begs the question: is the Menlo Park City Council a proponent of inequitable distribution? Sincerely, An Early Childhood Education Specialist and Resident of Menlo Park Received on Tue May 12 2020 - 14:12:37 PDT
