As a pediatrician, I know firsthand how much stress and anxiety our teens are under these days. It affects everything from their peer interactions to extracurricular activities to family dynamics, but where I most see its deleterious effects are in the schools. Put simply, it’s hard to learn effectively if you’re under the constant stress of modern-day life.
This is why I support Nate Mellman and Josh Gertz. They will bring a straightforward philosophy to the District 200 high school board: Teens have to first feel safe in order to learn and, ultimately, thrive. And it’s important to note that they are not cowboys advocating for new, untested policies — they simply want the current state standards enforced. Who could argue with that?
Every OPRF teen, irrespective of gender, skin color, religion or sexual orientation, deserves a safe school environment where they can reach their true potential. Voting for Nate and Josh is, I believe, an important step toward this worthy goal.
Eddie Pont
Oak Park