DCPS Employee Return to In Person Work Guidance

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I got the Monday morning email. Nothing new. The WTU is saying don't sign. For those who were not present here is the motion that was passed at the end of the town hall meeting:

Motion 1: WTU Members will engage in distance learning only, until the health protections in the WTU Memorandum of Agreement and set by the CDC and OSSE are fully met and implemented in collaboration with the WTU.

Aye: 761 (95%)

Nay: 17 (2%)

Abstain: 23 (3%)

This is absolutely reasonable.
With schools reopening the ends (get these kids out of my house) is being used to justify the means. At least give us clean rooms.

Well, the list of demands last I saw it was 27 pages long. So while I agree we need more details and guarantees, the union isn’t exactly being reasonable. My guess is they ask for an insane amount to be able to negotiate to a middle space.

Anyone who signs this now is crazy, abstainers what's the points, it will be negotiated down eventually so they may as well hold for a seat at the table. Abstainers a waste of space, like really!!!!!

word salad

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I got the Monday morning email. Nothing new. The WTU is saying don't sign. For those who were not present here is the motion that was passed at the end of the town hall meeting:

Motion 1: WTU Members will engage in distance learning only, until the health protections in the WTU Memorandum of Agreement and set by the CDC and OSSE are fully met and implemented in collaboration with the WTU.

Aye: 761 (95%)

Nay: 17 (2%)

Abstain: 23 (3%)

This is absolutely reasonable.
With schools reopening the ends (get these kids out of my house) is being used to justify the means. At least give us clean rooms.

Well, the list of demands last I saw it was 27 pages long. So while I agree we need more details and guarantees, the union isn’t exactly being reasonable. My guess is they ask for an insane amount to be able to negotiate to a middle space.

Anyone who signs this now is crazy, abstainers what's the points, it will be negotiated down eventually so they may as well hold for a seat at the table. Abstainers a waste of space, like really!!!!!

word salad

+1

If abstainers are a waste of space how would you describe the rant you typed out?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is the WTU planning a strike if they don’t get specific demands?

It is illegal to strike in DC. They are asking us to refuse to return to in-person learning. If we refuse, our options are to document with a medical reason and use one of the leave options or quit/be fired.

Wait....the WTU as an organization is asking its members to refuse to return to in-person learning? Am I understanding that correctly? So the union is not really advocating for conditions at schools but rather the ability to never do the job of teaching in-person? I really hope I'm misunderstanding you, PP.

I'm not PP but this is the issue with the WTU. It's hard for me to understand their position because they don't answer questions directly or give clear information. I was on the Zoom town hall call and felt I came away with very little info. Hopefully another poster can clarify or has a better grasp on the WTU's position.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is the WTU planning a strike if they don’t get specific demands?

It is illegal to strike in DC. They are asking us to refuse to return to in-person learning. If we refuse, our options are to document with a medical reason and use one of the leave options or quit/be fired.

Wait....the WTU as an organization is asking its members to refuse to return to in-person learning? Am I understanding that correctly? So the union is not really advocating for conditions at schools but rather the ability to never do the job of teaching in-person? I really hope I'm misunderstanding you, PP.

That’s not what they said. They are asking us to demand that DCPS adhere to their own policies. If they do not follow their own policies then they want us to do distance learning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is the WTU planning a strike if they don’t get specific demands?

It is illegal to strike in DC. They are asking us to refuse to return to in-person learning. If we refuse, our options are to document with a medical reason and use one of the leave options or quit/be fired.

Wait....the WTU as an organization is asking its members to refuse to return to in-person learning? Am I understanding that correctly? So the union is not really advocating for conditions at schools but rather the ability to never do the job of teaching in-person? I really hope I'm misunderstanding you, PP.

You aren't understanding correctly. Or you only read one post. They have a (now) 28 page list of demands. If THOSE demands are not met, they will ask us to refuse to return to in person learning. "Motion 1: WTU Members will engage in distance learning only, until the health protections in the WTU Memorandum of Agreement and set by the CDC and OSSE are fully met and implemented in collaboration with the WTU."

[Anonymous]

^ uh uh STOP.

They are not asking for DL.


They are saying IF DCPS DOESN'T ADHERE TO OSSE CDC GUIDLINES THEN TEACHERS WILL ONLY DO DL


This is reasonable, thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is the WTU planning a strike if they don’t get specific demands?

It is illegal to strike in DC. They are asking us to refuse to return to in-person learning. If we refuse, our options are to document with a medical reason and use one of the leave options or quit/be fired.

Wait....the WTU as an organization is asking its members to refuse to return to in-person learning? Am I understanding that correctly? So the union is not really advocating for conditions at schools but rather the ability to never do the job of teaching in-person? I really hope I'm misunderstanding you, PP.

You aren't understanding correctly. Or you only read one post. They have a (now) 28 page list of demands. If THOSE demands are not met, they will ask us to refuse to return to in person learning. "Motion 1: WTU Members will engage in distance learning only, until the health protections in the WTU Memorandum of Agreement and set by the CDC and OSSE are fully met and implemented in collaboration with the WTU."

The vast majority of the 28 page document is simply a copy of the OSSE and CDC guidance. It is incorporated into the MOU so that DCPS will have an actual obligation to follow the specific guidance.

Stop trying to fearmonger - of do you actually want to children and teachers to return to schools that are not following health guidance?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is the WTU planning a strike if they don’t get specific demands?

It is illegal to strike in DC. They are asking us to refuse to return to in-person learning. If we refuse, our options are to document with a medical reason and use one of the leave options or quit/be fired.

Wait....the WTU as an organization is asking its members to refuse to return to in-person learning? Am I understanding that correctly? So the union is not really advocating for conditions at schools but rather the ability to never do the job of teaching in-person? I really hope I'm misunderstanding you, PP.

You aren't understanding correctly. Or you only read one post. They have a (now) 28 page list of demands. If THOSE demands are not met, they will ask us to refuse to return to in person learning. "Motion 1: WTU Members will engage in distance learning only, until the health protections in the WTU Memorandum of Agreement and set by the CDC and OSSE are fully met and implemented in collaboration with the WTU."

The vast majority of the 28 page document is simply a copy of the OSSE and CDC guidance. It is incorporated into the MOU so that DCPS will have an actual obligation to follow the specific guidance.

Stop trying to fearmonger - of do you actually want to children and teachers to return to schools that are not following health guidance?

I’m just being realistic. They have a ton of demands and they aren’t going to happen. They will need to compromise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some child care centers never closed during the lockdown. The YMCA has taken care of 40,000 children of essential workers since March. Guess how many coronavirus outbreaks they've had.

Zero.

From NPR:


https://www.npr.org/2020/06/24/882316641/what-parents-can-learn-from-child-care-centers-that-stayed-open-during-lockdowns

This

It’s because kids are the least likely to get and to spread the virus.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^ uh uh STOP.

They are not asking for DL.


They are saying IF DCPS DOESN'T ADHERE TO OSSE CDC GUIDLINES THEN TEACHERS WILL ONLY DO DL


This is reasonable, thanks.

Parent here - I think this is 100% reasonable.

[Anonymous]

I agree. Of course it is reasonable. So glad the WTU is taking a responsible position to protect our teachers and our students.

— DCPS parent

[Anonymous]

Also, keep in mind that schools won’t be able to rely on parents to supply wipes and other cleaning products the way they normally do. I’m not able to find appropriate products for my home, and this is my full time job as a SAHM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is the WTU planning a strike if they don’t get specific demands?

It is illegal to strike in DC. They are asking us to refuse to return to in-person learning. If we refuse, our options are to document with a medical reason and use one of the leave options or quit/be fired.

Wait....the WTU as an organization is asking its members to refuse to return to in-person learning? Am I understanding that correctly? So the union is not really advocating for conditions at schools but rather the ability to never do the job of teaching in-person? I really hope I'm misunderstanding you, PP.

You aren't understanding correctly. Or you only read one post. They have a (now) 28 page list of demands. If THOSE demands are not met, they will ask us to refuse to return to in person learning. "Motion 1: WTU Members will engage in distance learning only, until the health protections in the WTU Memorandum of Agreement and set by the CDC and OSSE are fully met and implemented in collaboration with the WTU."

The vast majority of the 28 page document is simply a copy of the OSSE and CDC guidance. It is incorporated into the MOU so that DCPS will have an actual obligation to follow the specific guidance.

Stop trying to fearmonger - of do you actually want to children and teachers to return to schools that are not following health guidance?

I’m just being realistic. They have a ton of demands and they aren’t going to happen. They will need to compromise.

DCPS teacher here. The demands from the WTU are the DC Health and CDC guidelines - the WTU is simply laying them out in a contract to get DCPS to sign on and agree they are responsible for upholding these health guidelines in order to get back to work in person.

For example, CDC recommends air filtration be upgraded to have different filters specifically to clean the air, and/or have open windows in the classroom. In my classroom the AC hasn’t worked in years (JKLM school) and my windows don’t open at all. Until DCPS can confirm they are fixing that problem, my classroom doesn’t meet the guidelines. DCPS and Bowser have both avoided answering clear questions such as this one. WTU put together this document to simply put pressure on them to commit to making infrastructural changes to allow for in person learning to be safe. I’d rather be in person - but it goes beyond small classroom numbers and social distancing rules. Once DCPS proves and commits to those building updates, many teachers are willing to commit to in person learning.

[Anonymous]

CNN is reporting that the CDC is going to release new guidance in line w/ the AAP's recommendation to prioritize getting kids back to school in person!

Please, please, please... Hopefully this could force DCPS and, especially, the WTU's hands.
--

CDC preparing to release new guidance on safe return to school
From CNN's Nick Valencia

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is planning to release new guidance on how K-12 students can physically return to the classroom this year, according to a senior CDC official with knowledge of the discussions.

The recommendation was presented internally to leaders at the CDC early last week and is “a priority this week,” according to the senior official. Over the weekend, senior officials at the agency presented CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield with details on the science behind why schools should reopen, the source said. The specifics of the guidance were not available.

“Schools should be the first to open and the last to close,” the official said. “Kids need to physically be in school."
The officials comments' echo that of the American Academy of Pediatrics, which put out new guidance last week that "…strongly advocates that all policy considerations for the coming school year should start with a goal of having students physically present in school.”

CNN has reached out to the CDC and the White House coronavirus task force for comment. The exact timetable for the proposed new guidance is unclear.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:CNN is reporting that the CDC is going to release new guidance in line w/ the AAP's recommendation to prioritize getting kids back to school in person!

Please, please, please... Hopefully this could force DCPS and, especially, the WTU's hands.
--

CDC preparing to release new guidance on safe return to school
From CNN's Nick Valencia

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is planning to release new guidance on how K-12 students can physically return to the classroom this year, according to a senior CDC official with knowledge of the discussions.

The recommendation was presented internally to leaders at the CDC early last week and is “a priority this week,” according to the senior official. Over the weekend, senior officials at the agency presented CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield with details on the science behind why schools should reopen, the source said. The specifics of the guidance were not available.

“Schools should be the first to open and the last to close,” the official said. “Kids need to physically be in school."
The officials comments' echo that of the American Academy of Pediatrics, which put out new guidance last week that "…strongly advocates that all policy considerations for the coming school year should start with a goal of having students physically present in school.”

CNN has reached out to the CDC and the White House coronavirus task force for comment. The exact timetable for the proposed new guidance is unclear.

Oh good. The decision on reopening schools should be made by health experts not teachers unions.