I support Nick Menapace for state Representative. As a teacher, Nick knows first-hand that our students need help to overcome the effects of the pandemic, and the fear associated with school shootings. Nick sees that the isolation from the pandemic has caused students emotional and behavioral stress, which has led to a loss of academic progress, which continues to worsen.

Nick taught school during the pandemic, and he is witness to the effects of isolation, and the lack of socialization with classmates and teachers. Nick knows that the pandemic has stretched teachers to their limits even more than they had been. Teachers can only fill so many roles, they need help to bring their students back academically and socially to where they were before the pandemic.

Nick also sees the effects which school shootings have on students. Routine shooter drills where students and teachers seek the safest shelter within a classroom in the event a shooter is in the building. This has an impact on our children, and it is not good. Nick wants highly trained social workers in the schools to help students be able to live more like the kids that they are.

Beth A. Hogan

Niantic