Boston Public Schools updated draft reopening plan slammed by parents and teachers

Boston parents and teachers railed against the district’s draft reopening plan as updates were presented during a  Wednesday night school committee meeting during which public comments and questions from committee members poured in.

“We don’t think the plan is tenable or realistic. The main areas where we disagree are on the misguided simultaneous hybrid approach and the feasibility of accomplishing the goal in the timeline provided, ” said Jessica Tang, president of the Boston Teachers Union.

Nearly 100 people signed up for public comment during the evening meeting.

Allison Doherty, a BPS teacher and parent of two BPS students said she feels like she’s in a “bad nightmare” when it comes to reopening plans.

“I’d rather have my own child be a little bit behind in academics or socializing than be dead,” said Doherty, favoring remote learning for her two young sons.

Doherty said BPS officials haven’t been listening to the feedback of parents and teachers.

“We didn’t even have a hand in most of the planning and we’ve made it very clear we do not believe this is safe. I don’t know how much clearer it can be,” said Doherty.

School committee members peppered Brenda Cassellius and Senior Advisor Tammy Pust with questions starting with Lorna Rivera who questioned the lack of required testing and temperature checks in the plan.

Rivera ended with saying, “I’m really concerned … I want to go on the record that I fully support a remote learning plan for all.”

In a media round table prior to the school committee meeting, Cassellius and Pust fielded questions about the hybrid draft plan that was released in more detail to the public on Tuesday.

Some of those additional details expanded on grading and attendance, at-home health screening for students, renovations to school buildings and examples of how a school day may look with teachers instructing both in-person and online students at once.

“Going back to school this year will not feel anything that’s normal. It will feel very different to us,” said Cassellius, adding that BPS wants to approach the year with an “asset lens” not a “deficit lens.”

A finalized reopening plan must be submitted to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education by Monday. Boston parents will have to choose between a hybrid or remote option for their children, according to the plan.

Cassellius will make the final call on the plan, the Boston School Committee does not vote on the issue.

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/3ibvwHH