District 13 legislators outlined recommendations to restore full in-person learning in a letter sent to the governor and state superintendent of public instruction earlier this month.

Many school districts in eastern Washington oppose Gov. Jay Inslee’s Healthy Washington - Roadmap to Recovery plan, the letter states. As school districts continue to comply with the state’s guidelines, the youth continue to suffer.

“I’m trying to support (school districts) and move the needle as much as I can,” Rep. Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake, said. Dent wrote the letter, and Sen. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, as well as Rep. Alex Ybarra, R-Quincy, signed it.

Dent said the lack of social interaction, apparent mental health issues and attempted suicides among students is “more dangerous and bigger” than the COVID-19 pandemic. Some school districts can only do so much to tackle those issues.

“These kids are really, really suffering,” Dent said.

The letter can be read at https://houserepublicans.wa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/lettertoinsleeschoolreopening.pdf.

One of the recommendations in the letter includes decreasing the physical distancing requirement in schools from 6 feet to 3 feet. Other recommendations include resuming more sports programs, as well as prioritizing vaccinations among school personnel.

Dent said when the state gives “too much guidance,” people begin to feel resentful because people can do things without being told.

“That’s just human nature,” Dent said.

Expediting students’ COVID-19 test results is another recommendation listed in the letter. The last two recommendations include increasing funding for school nursing staff, as well as modifying the recommended time frame when quarantining.

Warnick said she signed the letter to ask the governor to encourage teachers and school boards in the state to be more proactive with reopening schools.

“It’s about the kids,” Warnick said.

Warnick said she was disappointed with the teachers union in Seattle that voted against returning to in-person classes because “it’s obviously not about the kids if they’re not bringing them back.”

“There are so many kids that don’t learn well virtually,” Warnick said. “They need to be in the classroom.”

On Thursday, a Seattle teachers union voiced opposition to returning to classrooms, according to MyNorthwest. The union is “not confident” the school district’s plan would ensure educators will not contract COVID-19.

“I just want to see those kids back in school,” Warnick said.

As of Feb. 22, the only school providing full in-person instruction in Grant County was the Royal School District’s elementary school, according to the state OSPI’s website. More than 100 school districts in the state are currently offering partial in-person instruction.