DMV Teachers Call For More Distance Learning Until Metrics Fall

Bowie MD

12 January, 2021

8:26 PM

Description

WASHINGTON METRO AREA — On Tuesday, teachers urged DMV leaders to continue distance learning and develop a unified approach to reopening schools. The educators worry that a hasty return in one district could threaten the well-being of another, given how intertwined the area is. "The lack of a coordinated plan among the many school districts in the region is creating instability and unnecessary anxiety," the teachers unions said in a joint letter. "We cannot afford disparate and inconsistent approaches to reopening school facilities." The unions, which represent more than 48,000 workers, asked their school systems to keep classes online until: Coronavirus metrics fall to a "reasonable" levelA vaccination plan is in place for educatorsSchools have the means to follow coronavirus guidelines The teachers are also concerned about the potential disparities of a rushed reopening. They fear that parents would need to abruptly find child care options if they suddenly return to work. This could hurt families whose finances were disrupted by the pandemic, the unions noted. "The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted the lives of our Black and brown, poverty stricken, and special needs students in our communities who were already facing structural disadvantages," Theresa Mitchell Dudley, president of the Prince George's County Educators' Association, said in a separate press release. "To prevent these inequities from worsening, it is essential students and parents across our region are provided a consistent plan." These 11 unions signed the joint letter: Prince George's County Educators' AssociationMontgomery County Education AssociationMetropolitan Washington Council AFL-CIOArlington Education AssociationFairfax Education AssociationLoudoun Education AssociationPrince William Education AssociationEducation Association of AlexandriaACE-AFSCME Local 250Baltimore Teachers UnionWashington Teachers Union "Educators and school employees in the region are eager to return to school buildings and in-person instruction, but we must put the safety of our communities first," the collective statement added. RELATED: Growing Student Body Challenges PGCPS, But Schools Start To AdaptTake Sneak Peak At New Schools To Be Built In Prince George'sPGCPS Will Build 6 New Schools With $900M Of Private MoneyPGCPS May Replace 6 Schools, Leaders Make Final Push Before VotePrince George's School Construction P3 Plan Draws Backlash Before Board Vote Have a story idea? Please contact me at [email protected] with any pitches, tips or questions. Follow me on Twitter @JacobBaumgart and on Facebook @JacobBaumgartJournalist to stay up-to-date with the latest Anne Arundel County and Prince George's County news.