These Elmhurst D-205 Employees Absorb 'Rage': Official

Elmhurst IL

10 February, 2022

6:46 AM

Description

ELMHURST, IL — Officials from Elmhurst School District 205 on Tuesday thanked employees for their handling of the pandemic over the last couple of years. The superintendent singled out one group of workers — nurses. "Oftentimes, they receive the brunt of parents that are wondering and need additional information to understand how to navigate. And sometimes these moments are expressed in frustration and even rage. And our nurses absorb that," Superintendent Keisha Campbell said at a school board meeting. "So I want to pause tonight to say that I am so grateful and so thankful to be part of team 205." The thanks and praise were toward the end of a nearly three-hour meeting. Earlier, the board heard comments from more than two dozen residents, many of whom contended the district's pandemic-related actions failed students. One woman who opposes mask mandates threatened to file a claim on the district's surety bond, which she said would prevent board members from running again. Most of the speakers were gone by the time of Campbell's report on pandemic efforts. Board member Athena Arvanitis noted the anger among residents. She said the district cannot move forward until everyone starts behaving and treating each other with respect, dignity and acceptance. "We don't have to agree with each other, but I can accept where you are," Arvanitis said. "Our kids are watching us. And we see anger and really big emotions that are out there. We have to take a turn as a community. This is not who Elmhurst is. This is not why we moved here, what we saw tonight and what we've seen happening over the course of the last two years." Arvanitis said she was thankful for the residents speaking before the board and those who have sent emails.