Boston Teachers Rally For Safe School Restart
Thursday rally and car caravan advocated for a remote restart of Boston Public Schools this fall with a phased-in, hybrid approach.
Educators say “no” to BPS’ hopscotch plan
BOSTON — Nearly 300 educators, parents, students, and community allies joined a caravan of vehicles that traveled through the streets of Boston to the steps of City Hall on Thursday.
They delivered the Boston Teachers Union’s proposal for safely restarting the city’s public schools to Mayor Walsh.
Clad in red, practicing social distancing with masks on, protesters gathered in a parking lot behind Madison Park Technical Vocational High School to decorate their cars and bikes, then traveled downtown to rally at City Hall Plaza.
The event was the latest in a week-long series of civic actions calling attention to what organizers say are deficiencies in plans to reopen the city’s schools.
“We call on BPS to plan for a fully remote opening to begin the school year, and a phased-in return to any in-person learning only when it is safe to do so — when all health and safety protocols, including facility upgrades, are in place and have been verified,” said BTU President Jessica Tang.
“We are saying no to BPS’ hopscotch plan and yes to our more thoughtful and measured plan. Our plan will ensure a safer transition for students who need it the most to in-person learning.”
Educators in dozens of cities — including Los Angeles, Chicago, Denver, and Milwaukee — have held rallies to call attention to their concerns about reopening schools as corona virus cases continue to rise in many parts of the country.
Protests are calling for safe conditions, including lower class size, adequate PPE, cleaning, testing, and other health safeguards. The BTU proposal warned of the dangers posed by failing to correctly reopen local schools.
Across the country, schools reopening without proper safeguards have resulted in a spike in COVID-19 cases, including in Georgia and Florida.
“If we reopen without a thoughtful plan and science-based protocols, we will contribute to a resurgence of COVID-19 in our communities. Parents, grandparents, and educators – may be even students – will die,” the proposal states. “This is unacceptable. Our priority must be the health and safety of everyone in our schools and preventing a resurgence of COVID-19 in our communities.”
“With limited time and resources, we should be focused on improving remote learning first. In-person teaching and learning have to be carefully planned, and then phased in when and where we know we can do it safely and effectively,” said Melanie Allen, BTU member and educator at the Hernández K-8.
“The District should be fully engaged with us in regard to creating reopening plans, from the policies and supplies that will be implemented for cleaning, to the air quality and ventilation needs that have to be addressed,” said Jonathan Haines, BTU member and nurse at McKinley Middle School.
About the Boston Teachers Union
The Boston Teachers Union proudly represents more than 10,000 teachers and other professionals including school nurses, psychologists, guidance counselors, paraprofessionals, and substitute teachers. Together, we advocate for the interests of students, parents and education professionals throughout Boston. We support investment in public education to ensure a stronger future for our students and our city. As a union of educators, we are part of a movement that seeks to improve the quality of life for all working people. We are united against all forms of prejudice and bigotry that would seek to devalue the lives or liberties of our students, families or colleagues.
Photo Credit: Boston Teachers Union and The Boston Herald