Why Barron Trump May Not Be Returning To School In The Fall

When First Lady Melania Trump and her son Barron Trump moved from New York City to live with President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., there was immediate interest in where the commander-in-chief's youngest child would attend school. According to Business Insider, Malia and Sasha Obama went to the Sidwell Friends School, the same school from which Chelsea Clinton graduated. But Melania and Donald decided to go another route, and ultimately settled on St. Andrew's Episcopal School in Maryland, which costs about $44,000 a year for grades 9 through 12. Melania said in a 2017 statement about the decision, "It is known for its diverse community and commitment to academic excellence. The mission of St. Andrew's is 'to know and inspire each child in an inclusive community dedicated to exceptional teaching, learning, and service,' all of which appealed to our family." The education of a president's child is of interest to many, so it's not too surprising people took notice when news broke in July 2020 that Barron possibly won't return to school in the fall. Amid the coronavirus pandemic, there has been a heated debate about whether American schools should reopen for in-person learning. Some schools have decided on remote learning for fall 2020, while other institutions plan to open with precautionary measures in place. And some schools, like St. Andrew's, are considering a mix of the two. The New York Times quoted a letter sent home to parents: "We are hopeful that public health conditions will support our implementation of the hybrid model in the fall. As we prepare to make a decision the week of Aug. 10 about how to best begin the school year. We will continue to follow guidance of appropriate health officials and refine both our hybrid and distance learning plans." As the Times noted, a hybrid model means "Students in Grades 7 through 12 would rotate between on-campus and distance learning, with half of the students learning remotely each week." So, although there's a chance Barron will spend time on campus, it's unlikely he'll have a traditional school experience in the fall. White House adviser Kellyanne Conway was asked about whether he'll return to school: But President Trump made his broader feelings about reopening schools clear in a July 7, 2020, speech: The president continued, "We want to get [schools] open quickly, beautifully, in the fall. And the — as you know, this is a disease that's a horrible disease, but young people do extraordinarily well." Melania Trump appeared to echo her husband's sentiment. She added, "They're missing the laughter of their friends, learning from their teachers, and the joy of recess and play. For children with disabilities, without access to technology or whose homes are not a safe place, the situation can be even worse." Even so, it's not entirely clear that every parent wants to send their kids back to school in person. According to a July 2020 poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs, only "Eight percent of Americans say their local K-12 schools should open for in-person instruction as usual." The president and first lady aren't the only members of the first family who have openly expressed an opinion on reopening schools. Donald's daughter, Ivanka Trump, took to Twitter on July 7, 2020, to advocate for in-person learning, writing, "Single mothers will disproportionately bear the burden of school closures in the form of lower pay, less job security and general overwhelm in part because work in jobs without the option of telecommuting. We must prioritize safely reopening America's schools." Ivanka didn't reveal whether her eldest daughter, Arabella Rose Kushner, will return to school in the fall. Arabella, who was born in 2011, was rumored to attend the Milton Gottesman Jewish Day School of the Nation's Capital in Washington, D.C., according to Town & Country. There's no mistaking that the Trumps have strong views about reopening schools, but it appears they'll have to make do with what their children's learning institutions decide. This sentiment especially applies to Barron Trump, who will likely not be having a typical fall semester in 2020. Watch the video to learn Why Barron Trump May Not Be Returning To School In The Fall! #BarronTrump #Trump