Many parents are opposed to the school closures in the Kinshan School District. One of the schools affected is Yick Wo Elementary School, which was named by the Kinshan City Council in 1983 to honor the Chinese civil rights pioneer Li Yihua. Parent Li Fengzhu voiced her concerns, stating that the closure would have a significant impact on the Chinatown community.

Many Chinese families do not have cars and primarily rely on walking to drop off and pick up their children. Some even depend on grandparents for transportation due to work commitments. The area surrounding Yick Wo has various facilities and after-school activities that are very convenient for families. After the closures, parents would face increased challenges when it comes to transporting their children. Currently, Yick Wo starts classes at 9 AM, but the new schools require students to arrive by 7:50 AM, which would significantly heighten the transportation pressure. Moreover, the targeted schools, Redding with a rating of 4 and Sherman with a rating of 6, raise the question: “Why should our children attend a school that has a lower rating?”

Another parent, Heather Yin, shared her experience with Yick Wo, saying that the school feels like a big family. The Parent-Teacher Association is very cohesive; when special funding is needed, everyone comes together to support the cause. She expressed concern that if her child were to transfer, they might not find the same sense of community.

Mr. Ren, another concerned parent, highlighted the diversity at Yick Wo, which opens children’s eyes to a wealth of knowledge and culture from various ethnic backgrounds. He worries that such advantages might be lost if his child transfers to a different school.