This last week has been one of renewed hope in this pandemic. By working together, the District, parents, and teachers worked quickly and efficiently to share updated information about vaccinations. In one week, we were able to get half of our members either their first vaccination shot or an appointment to get one. Not only will this help reduce the spread of the virus, but a vaccination is the only way to protect teachers from the more severe effects of this disease.
Each week more studies and information comes out about COVID and reopening schools. As teachers, we understand and respect science. We also have a great deal of experience with the reality of groups of children. We know, with certainty, that the almost 300 students on an elementary school campus will not remain 6 feet distanced nor masked as much as we would like. We also know that we will have no control about what happens to those students if their families choose to travel or get together with others. We will also be the ones inside, in close contact with these students for two hours each day during in-person learning. If keeping everyone safe was as simple as a mask and keeping 6 ft apart, surely every school in the nation would be open. Clearly, it is not impossible but, clearly, it is not that simple either.
The CDC and the District’s COVID Health and Safety plan are providing many guidelines for safely opening schools. These are the important details that will keep our teachers, students, and community safe. ATA is bargaining with the District to make these details a reality. It is not simple, but we are committed to making it work because, like you, we want to be with our students.
Lastly, Chris and I want to share our appreciation to the many, many parents who wrote letters to us, both in support of distance learning or passionately stating the need for schools to reopen. We can assure you that ATA is doing its part by bargaining in good faith, quickly and thoughtfully, while still providing the best learning experience we can. We also trust the District to continue to do its part by working on implementing the Health and Safety plan in the classrooms and school sites. Together we can do this.
Thank you.
Stephen and Chris