Imagine a "leader" signs away a department built to protect children's right to learn, while smiling children--likely unaware of the long term impact--they're being used as political props. There's a sharp emotional dissonance between the smiling children and the grim reality of what the order represents.

The Department of Education plays a crucial role in protecting and uplifting students' right and access to quality education. It ensures civil rights protections, especially for students of color, students with disabilities, English language learners, and low-income students. Without federal oversight, states could underfund or neglect these students entirely, leading to a fragmented system where a child's zip code determines the quality of their education. Many school districts, especially in rural and underfunded urban areas, depend on federal funding for essentials--teacher salaries, school lunches, special education services etc. Removing the DoE could mean losing this funding, leading to overcrowded classrooms, underpaid teachers, and reduced services.

In essence, the scene is haunting reminder of how easily power can be used to erase years of progress under the guise of reform, and how the most vulnerable--children are often the ones left to pay the price.

https://time.com/child-care-crisis/

Some students don’t have access to clean clothes, deodorant, or even the chance to brush their teeth before school. This often happens due to poverty or housing insecurity, not neglect but the result is the same. Kids get teased, feel embarrassed, and may struggle with confidence. They’re already trying to navigate friendships and academics, and it always stands out to me that some of them are also worrying about how they look or smell.

Another issue I thought about is school lunches. A lot of them are super processed and not very healthy. Some kids barely eat breakfast or dinner, so lunch is their only real meal of the day and even that isn’t always nutritious. Or even at home they might not being eating healthy or know what is healthy. It’s sad because we expect kids to learn and behave, but how can they focus when they’re hungry?

Schools can be a place where basic needs are supported through hygiene closets, food pantries, or better lunch programs but more awareness and action are needed.

One thing that breaks my heart is children's lack of access to healthy foods. Many children in minority or impoverished communities live in food desserts, limiting their access to healthy and nutritious food. Children are unable to eat fresh fruits and vegetables, essential for their growth and development. They instead eat highly processed and unhealthy foods that burden their growth, development, and health significantly. These unhealthy processed foods are linked to many learning disabilities and health concerns that can significantly affect a child's education. I believe every child should have access to healthy and nutritious food and we should work to create a better way to feed our children and allow them to thrive!