Editor, News-Register:

Amidst this wretched COVID pandemic, it is time to consider the long-term damage that has been done to a generation’s education.

Although the effort has been sincere, online programs simply have not provided anywhere near the same amount of learning as a normal year. Certainly by next fall we should be on a normal, five-day-a-week schedule.

It is time to consider massive efforts to catch up these children that have lost a year of school, and any way that time may be caught up.

Could we extend the school day, or the school year?

Any plausible approach should be looked at. The harm of simply hoping “normal” will get students back on track would be immense.

Joshua Phillips

McMechen