A new poll of parents of Boston Public Schools students finds parents remain concerned about their children’s physical safety and emotional well-being while at school. In all, 68% say they are at least somewhat concerned with their children’s physical safety (see chart). Parents of color express greater concern about physical safety than do white parents. Parents of high school children are particularly concerned, with 81% at least somewhat concerned.

Parents also express concern about their children’s emotional well being (70% concerned). Mental health concerns have been growing since long before the COVID-19 pandemic, though the disruptions of the pandemic appear to have exacerbated long running issues. A recent statewide MPG survey conducted for The Education Trust in Massachusetts found 44% of parents very or somewhat concerned about their child’s “child’s mental and emotional health.”