Chicago teachers accept COVID-19 safety deal, keeping kids in school
2 years, 11 months ago

Chicago teachers accept COVID-19 safety deal, keeping kids in school

LA Times  

A student skips as they arrive at Jordan Community Public School in Chicago on Wednesday. Students in the nation’s third-largest district returned to classrooms Wednesday after Chicago Public Schools canceled five days of classes amid a standoff with the teachers union over COVID-19 safety protocols. Their return happened the same day the full membership of the Chicago Teachers Union gave their stamp of approval to the hard-fought safety plan that includes expanded testing and metrics to shut down individual schools during outbreaks. They urged members to accept it, acknowledging that teachers didn’t get initial demands including a commitment to use remote learning districtwide during a surge of COVID-19 infections. Union President Jesse Sharkey said the agreement “wasn’t a home run” but was “as much as we could get right now.” Chicago’s struggles to keep educating children during the Omicron variant’s surge are similar to those faced by districts across the country, but the latest high-profile fight between teachers and Mayor Lori Lightfoot, a Democrat, forced attention from the White House and Illinois governor’s office.

School Teachers Chicago  sick  covid19  kids  accept  learning  return  teachers  school  schools  keeping  days  chicago  union  deal  safety

History of this topic

For kids with long COVID, "back to school" often means not returning at all
3 months ago

For kids with long COVID, "back to school" often means not returning at all

Salon  

In January 2022, Jennifer Robertson’s now 11-year-old son, Fergus, developed long COVID, a condition in which the symptoms of COVID-19 linger for months or even years. “We feel we will never heal from this as long as schools have no ventilation, open windows, air purifiers, and policies that children and staff can come to school while actively positive with COVID," …

Online school put US kids behind. Some adults have regrets.
2 years, 2 months ago

Online school put US kids behind. Some adults have regrets.

Associated Press  

BOSTON — Vivian Kargbo thought her daughter’s Boston school district was doing the right thing when officials kept classrooms closed for most students for more than a year. “It is very easy with hindsight to say, ‘Oh, learning loss, we should have opened.’ People forget how many people died,” said Austin Beutner, former superintendent in Los Angeles, where students were …

L.A. schools drop aggressive COVID-19 rules: No more testing for all and masks stay optional
2 years, 5 months ago

L.A. schools drop aggressive COVID-19 rules: No more testing for all and masks stay optional

LA Times  

When Los Angeles schools open on Aug. 15, mask wearing will be optional and other COVID-19 safety rules relaxed to match with county requirements. Los Angeles Unified school leaders on Tuesday officially stepped back from COVID-19 safety protocols that have been among the most far-reaching in the country, choosing instead to mirror current county requirements and join most other school …

Mandate COVID Vaccination for Adults, Don’t Make School-going Children a Scapegoat
2 years, 8 months ago

Mandate COVID Vaccination for Adults, Don’t Make School-going Children a Scapegoat

News 18  

Schooling has been a matter of enthusiastic, and often passionate, debate since the COVID-19 pandemic struck the world. The second cause of worry is the assumption that with schools being open, children would infect each other and spread it to their teachers or carry it home and infect the adults, especially the grandparents who we do know have a higher …

Parents in Noida and Ghaziabad worried over physical classes amid new Covid-19 cases
2 years, 8 months ago

Parents in Noida and Ghaziabad worried over physical classes amid new Covid-19 cases

India Today  

With Covid-19 cases rising once again, the parents' association of the satellite cities of Noida and Ghaziabad are skeptical about sending their children to schools. Three schools in both cities have suspended offline classes till next week and many others are going to review the situation after this weekend. We have received multiple communications from the school regarding Covid protocols …

Chicago Public Schools drop mask requirement in classrooms
2 years, 10 months ago

Chicago Public Schools drop mask requirement in classrooms

Associated Press  

CHICAGO — Chicago Public Schools will stop requiring face masks for staff and students in the nation’s third-largest school district starting March 14, officials announced Monday. “CPS was one of the first to require universal masking in schools, and we would not be moving to a mask-optional model unless the data and our public health experts indicated that it is …

School reopening: How to ease children's anxiety and help them re-adjust
2 years, 11 months ago

School reopening: How to ease children's anxiety and help them re-adjust

Hindustan Times  

As schools and colleges across the country are gradually re-opening amid receding third wave of Covid-19, children no wonder are excited about meeting their friends and teachers after a significant gap of two years. We must keep in mind though that after two years of online classes, even coming back to school is a transition that children may take time …

Inside the Student-Led Covid Walkouts
2 years, 11 months ago

Inside the Student-Led Covid Walkouts

Wired  

When Ayleen Serrano returned to school after the recent winter break, the 15-year-old came back to nearly empty hallways, absent classmates, and what she describes as a “lifeless” atmosphere. “I feel like my school had failed me,” says Jaiden Briese, a 15-year-old sophomore at Denver Public Schools in Colorado. Days later, a student-led petition demanding safer conditions at Denver Public …

Anxious. Helpless. Upset. Omicron surge leaves U.S. parents, teachers and students on edge
2 years, 11 months ago

Anxious. Helpless. Upset. Omicron surge leaves U.S. parents, teachers and students on edge

LA Times  

Tierra Pearson suspected the winter months would mean a sharp surge in coronavirus cases. “We had no voice about our schools, and that was truly a shame.” As the Omicron variant continues to propel a massive surge in infections that has hit many educators and school staff, parents across the nation are faced with painful deja vu: toggling between virtual …

Chicago union leaders OK plan to resume in-person class
2 years, 11 months ago

Chicago union leaders OK plan to resume in-person class

Associated Press  

CHICAGO — Students are poised to return to Chicago Public Schools after leaders of the teachers union approved a plan with the nation’s third-largest district late Monday over COVID-19 safety protocols, ending a bitter standoff that canceled classes for five days. Earlier Monday, Union President Jesse Sharkey said the union and district remained “apart on a number of key features, …

Chicago union leaders OK plan to resume in-person classes
3 years ago

Chicago union leaders OK plan to resume in-person classes

LA Times  

Members of the Chicago Teachers Union and their supporters stage a car caravan protest outside City Hall last week. Chicago schools are poised to resume classes this week after leaders of the Chicago Teachers Union approved a plan with the district late Monday over remote learning and other COVID-19 safety protocols. “No one wins when students are out.” The Chicago …

In-person classes in Chicago are set to resume Wednesday with a deal on COVID-safety
3 years ago

In-person classes in Chicago are set to resume Wednesday with a deal on COVID-safety

NPR  

In-person classes in Chicago are set to resume Wednesday with a deal on COVID-safety Enlarge this image toggle caption Scott Olson/Getty Images Scott Olson/Getty Images Students are expected to be back in classrooms on Wednesday in Chicago after five days of canceled classes due to a bitter dispute between the teachers union and city officials. The two groups spent days …

Chicago schools: Public school students will return to classroom Wednesday after teachers union suspends work action, mayor says
3 years ago

Chicago schools: Public school students will return to classroom Wednesday after teachers union suspends work action, mayor says

CNN  

CNN — Chicago teachers will be back in school Tuesday and students are scheduled to return to in-person learning on Wednesday after the Chicago Teachers Union house of delegates voted to end the teachers’ work action over Covid-19 mitigation measures, Mayor Lori Lightfoot said at a Monday night news conference. Earlier, the union representing public school teachers had tweeted: “The …

Covid-19 surge could peak later this month, expert says, but the next few weeks are critical
3 years ago

Covid-19 surge could peak later this month, expert says, but the next few weeks are critical

CNN  

CNN — The current Covid-19 surge in the US, fueled by the Omicron variant, could peak later this month – but the next couple of weeks are critical, a health expert says. Last week, multiple locations of the University of Washington health care system in Washington state started prioritizing testing solely for people “who have symptoms of respiratory illness or …

Chicago mayor, teachers still at odds over COVID protocols
3 years ago

Chicago mayor, teachers still at odds over COVID protocols

Associated Press  

CHICAGO — Negotiations resumed Saturday to resolve a standoff between Chicago school officials and the city’s teachers union over COVID-19 precautions that canceled three days of classes, but the public war-of-words between union leaders and Chicago’s mayor showed little sign of easing. We will not relent.” The blunt response came less than an hour after leaders of the Chicago Teachers …

12 Oakland schools close after teachers stage ‘sickout,’ citing COVID safety worries
3 years ago

12 Oakland schools close after teachers stage ‘sickout,’ citing COVID safety worries

LA Times  

Elementary school teacher Alex Brandenburg protests for stronger pandemic safety protocols Friday outside Oakland Unified School District headquarters. Teacher absences Friday were twice as high as any other day during the week, as teachers called in sick and demanded increased pandemic safety measures, said district spokesperson John Sasaki. The teachers who organized the sickout are also asking the district to …

Chicago Public Schools cancels classes for fourth consecutive day
3 years ago

Chicago Public Schools cancels classes for fourth consecutive day

CNN  

CNN — Classes in Chicago will be canceled again Monday, making it the fourth consecutive day students have been out of school as the standoff between the Chicago Teachers Union and City officials drags on amid a Covid-19 surge. We will continue to negotiate through the night and will provide an update if we have made substantial progress.” The decision …

Chicago Cancels School For 3rd Day As City Fights Teachers Union Over COVID Protocols
3 years ago

Chicago Cancels School For 3rd Day As City Fights Teachers Union Over COVID Protocols

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING CHICAGO — Leaders of the nation’s third-largest school district canceled classes for a third consecutive day as heated negotiations continued with the Chicago Teachers Union over remote learning and other COVID-19 safety measures. Chicago school leaders canceled classes in the nation’s third-largest school district for the second straight day after failing to reach an agreement with the …

Chicago nixes school for 3rd day as virus, union debate rage
3 years ago

Chicago nixes school for 3rd day as virus, union debate rage

Associated Press  

CHICAGO — Leaders of the nation’s third-largest school district canceled classes for a third consecutive day as heated negotiations continued with the Chicago Teachers Union over remote learning and other COVID-19 safety measures. A small percentage of teachers, along with substitutes, have continued to come to schools during what the district has labeled an “illegal work stoppage.” Some schools preemptively …

No deal, no school: Chicago cancels classes for a 2nd day
3 years ago

No deal, no school: Chicago cancels classes for a 2nd day

Associated Press  

CHICAGO — Chicago school leaders canceled classes for a second straight day after failing to reach an agreement Wednesday with the teachers union over remote learning and other COVID-19 safety protocols in the nation’s third-largest school district. White House press secretary Jen Psaki, echoing President Joe Biden a day earlier, said Wednesday that the country is better equipped now to …

Chicago principals say they were blindsided by announcement some schools might offer in-person learning Friday
3 years ago

Chicago principals say they were blindsided by announcement some schools might offer in-person learning Friday

CNN  

Chicago CNN — As school district officials and the teachers union continue to negotiate a return to classrooms, Chicago Public Schools announced Thursday that while most schools will be closed again Friday, a few will have in-person learning and activities. The Chicago Public Schools said that one out of 10 teachers had shown up to schools “ready to work” on …

Chicago cancels classes after union backs remote learning
3 years ago

Chicago cancels classes after union backs remote learning

Associated Press  

CHICAGO — Leaders of Chicago Public Schools canceled classes Wednesday after the teachers union voted to switch to remote learning due to the surge in COVID-19 cases, the latest development in an escalating battle over pandemic safety protocols in the nation’s third-largest school district. The Chicago Teachers Union’s action, approved by 73% of members, called for remote instruction until “cases …

Chicago students to miss a second day of classes as teachers remain at home
3 years ago

Chicago students to miss a second day of classes as teachers remain at home

CNN  

Chicago CNN — With still no agreement between school system administrators and teachers, some 340,000 students will miss class again Thursday, the Chicago Public Schools CEO said. “We still believe that the right approach is not a district-wide hammer that does a brush across the entire school system calling the schools unsafe which there’s no evidence to show that.” One …

COVID-19 disruptions loom over start of Chicago schools
3 years ago

COVID-19 disruptions loom over start of Chicago schools

Associated Press  

CHICAGO — Public school students in Chicago returned to classes Monday after winter break, but the latest COVID-19 surge has escalated a fight between the district and teachers union over safety protocols that could disrupt classes in the nation’s third-largest district later this week. But the Chicago Teachers Union has been critical of the district’s safety measures and planned votes …

COVID restrictions on adults loosen, as they tighten around American childhoods: BETHANY MANDEL
3 years ago

COVID restrictions on adults loosen, as they tighten around American childhoods: BETHANY MANDEL

Daily Mail  

It felt – for a fleeting moment – that 2022 was dawning into a new reality. Nikole Hannah-Jones, author of the controversial '1619 Project,' lashed out at New York City administrators as city schools asked students to receive negative COVID tests before returning to school. The Los Angeles Times reported that students at all Los Angeles County public and private …

Plans ‘being drawn up by schools to remain closed after New Year’
3 years ago

Plans ‘being drawn up by schools to remain closed after New Year’

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said that …

Facing major campus disruption and firings, LAUSD extends staff COVID-vaccine deadline
3 years, 2 months ago

Facing major campus disruption and firings, LAUSD extends staff COVID-vaccine deadline

LA Times  

A nurse gives a COVID-19 vaccine shot to special education assistant Roxanne Juarez at Eagle Rock Junior/Senior High School in August. “Our employees are one of the strongest assets that we have.” At the same time, she said, “we’re absolutely adamant about keeping our schools the safest possible environment — and vaccinations are clearly the pathway to keeping them safe.” …

Don’t dismiss your child’s fear of returning to school
3 years, 3 months ago

Don’t dismiss your child’s fear of returning to school

Live Mint  

By Uzmi Athar New Delhi, Oct 10 Noting that the covid pandemic has severely affected the mental health of children, healthcare experts have said that anxiety of socialisation can be a cause of concern for students returning to schools as they were physically away from their friends and teachers for a prolonged period. On the occasion of World Mental Health …

COVID Vaccine Mandate Takes Effect For NYC Teachers, Staff
3 years, 3 months ago

COVID Vaccine Mandate Takes Effect For NYC Teachers, Staff

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING NEW YORK — New York City teachers and other school staff members are supposed to be vaccinated against COVID-19 when the bell rings Monday morning, in one of the first school district mandates in the country requiring employees to be inoculated against the coronavirus. Mayor Bill de Blasio gave a final warning to the city’s roughly 148,000 …

Headteacher contacts police after anti-Covid vaccine campaigner walks into school
3 years, 3 months ago

Headteacher contacts police after anti-Covid vaccine campaigner walks into school

The Independent  

The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. He also said an “unwelcome” campaigner …

COVID-19 creates dire US shortage of teachers, school staff
3 years, 3 months ago

COVID-19 creates dire US shortage of teachers, school staff

Associated Press  

SAN FRANCISCO — One desperate California school district is sending flyers home in students’ lunchboxes, telling parents it’s “now hiring.” Elsewhere, principals are filling in as crossing guards, teachers are being offered signing bonuses and schools are moving back to online learning. The lack of teachers is “really a nationwide issue and definitely a statewide issue,” said Linda Darling-Hammond, president …

Letter tells schools they could face legal action over Covid jabs
3 years, 3 months ago

Letter tells schools they could face legal action over Covid jabs

The Independent  

The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Anti-vax groups …

Nation’s largest school district welcomes New York students back to in-person learning
3 years, 3 months ago

Nation’s largest school district welcomes New York students back to in-person learning

CNN  

New York CNN — Students in New York City’s public schools – the nation’s largest school district – were welcomed back to the classroom Monday for full-time, in-person learning, joining school districts across the country confronting a new academic year amid Covid-19. “It’s so good to see all our kids coming back to school in person, where they can learn …

L.A. school officials order sweeping student vaccine mandate, a first by a major district
3 years, 4 months ago

L.A. school officials order sweeping student vaccine mandate, a first by a major district

LA Times  

A nurse gives Eagle Rock senior Dean Iida a COVID-19 vaccination shortly after the start of the school year. All children 12 and older in Los Angeles public schools must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by January to enter campus under an order approved Thursday by the Board of Education, the first such mandate among the nation’s largest school systems …

Back at school: The Hindu Editorial on student safety during the pandemic
3 years, 4 months ago

Back at school: The Hindu Editorial on student safety during the pandemic

The Hindu  

State governments have taken the difficult decision to reopen schools for some classes, encouraged by a consensus among public health experts that the benefits to students and society at large outweigh the risks of a COVID-19 surge. A week after many of them reopened, mainly at the secondary and higher secondary level, infections among teachers and students have not triggered …

Unvaccinated US teacher infects 26 people in California elementary school
3 years, 4 months ago

Unvaccinated US teacher infects 26 people in California elementary school

India Today  

An unvaccinated teacher in a California elementary school infected most of her students after contracting the Covid-19 Delta variant. “Evidence has repeatedly demonstrated that multi-layer prevention strategies such as vaccination for all children and adults who are eligible; masks for all students, teachers, staff, and visitors; ventilation; cohorting; physical distancing; and screening testing work to prevent the spread of Covid …

NYC mandates vaccinations for public school teachers, staff
3 years, 4 months ago

NYC mandates vaccinations for public school teachers, staff

India TV News  

All New York City public school teachers and other staffers will have to get vaccinated against the coronavirus, officials said Monday as the nation's largest school system prepares for classes to start next month. The new policy marks the first no-option vaccination mandate for a broad group of city workers in the nation's most populous city, though Mayor Bill de …

Students' lack of routine vaccines muddies start of school
3 years, 4 months ago

Students' lack of routine vaccines muddies start of school

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “It’s a big deal,” said Richard Long, executive director …

How kids can stay safer at school despite Delta variant threat
3 years, 4 months ago

How kids can stay safer at school despite Delta variant threat

LA Times  

Despite the threats posed by the Delta variant, there are ways to enhance kids’ safety at school. “Vaccination of all eligible adults and students is the most important strategy for decreasing COVID-19 transmission in schools,” said Dr. Kate Connor, a pediatrician at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. “The evidence is strongly supportive that universal masking in schools is one …

A parent sent their child to school after a positive Covid-19 test. More than 80 students may have been exposed, officials say
3 years, 4 months ago

A parent sent their child to school after a positive Covid-19 test. More than 80 students may have been exposed, officials say

CNN  

CNN — More than 80 students were potentially exposed to Covid-19 on the first day of class in Reno, Nevada, on Monday after a parent sent their child to Marce Herz Middle School, despite both the parent and child receiving a positive Covid-19 test just two days earlier, Washoe County Health District officials said. The exposed students had to quarantine …

Florida kids head back to school amid COVID-19 surge
3 years, 4 months ago

Florida kids head back to school amid COVID-19 surge

Associated Press  

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Doctors in Florida say they’re seeing many more coronavirus infections among children just as students begin to return to classrooms. There has been “an enormous increase” in COVID-19 cases among children in July and August at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Hollywood, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ronald Ford said. “Obviously we have more people that are …

Teacher union president: Goal is to get kids back to school
3 years, 5 months ago

Teacher union president: Goal is to get kids back to school

Associated Press  

RIO RANCHO, N.M. — The head of a national teachers union visited New Mexico on Thursday as part of a nationwide campaign to convince parents that it’s safe to send their kids back to public school. The Albuquerque school board ended its meeting early Wednesday amid parents protesting and members of a rural school board in eastern New Mexico were …

Leading Pediatrics Group Recommends All Kids Wear Masks In School This Fall
3 years, 5 months ago

Leading Pediatrics Group Recommends All Kids Wear Masks In School This Fall

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING The American Academy of Pediatrics recommended Monday that all children over the age of 2 should wear masks in school this fall, regardless of vaccination status, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues across the nation. “Combining layers of protection that include vaccinations, masking and clean hands hygiene will make in-person learning safe and possible for everyone.” The body …

Covid-19 child cases are again rising as schools gear up to reopen. But vaccines for the youngest are still months away
3 years, 5 months ago

Covid-19 child cases are again rising as schools gear up to reopen. But vaccines for the youngest are still months away

CNN  

CNN — New Covid-19 cases among children are back on the rise after months of declines, just as schools across the United States are gearing up to reopen in a few weeks. Video Ad Feedback Surgeon General on when he still wears a mask 02:59 - Source: CNN Vaccine data for youngest likely still months away It’s “very likely” data …

Schools reopening: American Academy of Pediatrics recommends masks in schools for everyone over 2, regardless of vaccinations
3 years, 5 months ago

Schools reopening: American Academy of Pediatrics recommends masks in schools for everyone over 2, regardless of vaccinations

CNN  

CNN — The American Academy of Pediatrics released new Covid-19 guidance for schools on Monday that supports in-person learning and recommends universal masking in school of everyone over the age of 2, regardless of vaccination status – a stricter position than that taken this month by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “There are many children and others …

Los Angeles Unified to offer full campus teaching next fall
3 years, 7 months ago

Los Angeles Unified to offer full campus teaching next fall

Associated Press  

LOS ANGELES — The huge Los Angeles Unified School District will start the new school year next fall with on-campus, in-person instruction for all students five days a week but will retain an online option, Superintendent Austin Beutner said Monday. Elementary school students will have full days of instruction with their teacher and classmates while middle and high school students …

Private Florida school won’t employ vaccinated teachers
3 years, 8 months ago

Private Florida school won’t employ vaccinated teachers

Associated Press  

MIAMI — A private school founded by an anti-vaccination activist in South Florida has warned teachers and staff against taking the COVID-19 vaccine, saying it will not employ anyone who has received the shot. Co-founder Leila Centner told employees in a letter last week that she made the policy decision with a “very heavy heart.” Centner asked those who have …

Miami private school asks teachers not to get Covid-19 vaccine or they won’t be allowed to return next year
3 years, 8 months ago

Miami private school asks teachers not to get Covid-19 vaccine or they won’t be allowed to return next year

CNN  

CNN — A Miami private school has asked its employees to wait to get the Covid-19 vaccine until the end of the school year, but still cautioned that if they do, they won’t be allowed to return next year, the school told staff this month. The school’s CEO and co-founder Leila Centner sent a letter to faculty and staff at …

What Matters: Schools won’t ever look the way they used to, either
3 years, 9 months ago

What Matters: Schools won’t ever look the way they used to, either

CNN  

A version of this story appeared in CNN’s What Matters newsletter. In Los Angeles, the teacher’s union approved a plan to get elementary school kids back by mid-April and middle and high school kids by the end of April. A RAND study on districts around the country released last December found 20% of school districts “have already adopted, plan to …

Discover Related