Arbitration ruling on Reopening

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a union member who is very scared to see what's going to happen. I have a real fear of going back - i'm one of the few who truly has been doing almost everything possible to avoid covid, no travel socializing etc- but I also recognize that the conditions that were set by our union were met, and that kids do need IP instruction.

So, it's stressful to make a decision as I believe in standing up for what is right-but what is right here?

Quit and make room for someone able to educate children, which is the crux of your job.
-essential employee who has worked this whole time

You want a cookie?

Teachers if you are willing please share if WTU is telling teachers not to return. I thought there was a thread about a vote.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Attorney, parent, former DCPS teacher, spouse of a DCPS administrator.

I'm disappointed--but not surprised--that many people on this forum see the vaccine as a straightforward antidote and feel that teachers need to just suck it up, get vaccinated, and show up. The Pfizer vaccine is not 100% effective at preventing illness, nor is it known whether it prevents asymptomatic spread. This means that teachers face a legitimate risk of getting Covid at work and potentially bringing it home to their families. Many of you who will send your kids back may feel that's a risk you're willing to take. That decision about risk tolerance is made on an individual basis, and you don't get to make it for other people.

I'm more surprised with the discussion of teachers not deserving paychecks or only being self-interested. When teachers joined DCPS, no one consented to working in a Covid environment, vaccine or not. Saying that teachers have to just show up in this new environment because they're receiving a paycheck doesn't take seriously that in an employment contract the parties mutually agree to certain key terms. While the WTU has bargained for a MOU, that is an agreement intended to help the parties move forward in good faith, not an agreement that binds all teachers to particular actions. Teachers did not get to choose whether to accept working under the terms in the MOU, and of course the situation has evolved.

Also, suggesting that teachers are doing less work now is ignorant. Converting to an entirely new format has been extremely challenging and requires as much or more time, not less. Most of us non-teachers now working from home are doing more or less the same tasks that we were at work (myself included). Teachers' tasks have changed dramatically, which requires learning new skills and technology and adapting content. I appreciate that it's hard/costly to work from home and manage children, but that doesn't mean that teachers aren't earning their paychecks.

I hope that those of you willing to throw out teachers who aren't getting in line to go back to school practice a little perspective taking. As you should know, dismantling a trained workforce would have serious long-term repercussions. I'm personally pretty sure it's not worth trading that to ensure there's a warm body available to babysit your kids for the next 5 months.

Wow! Someone with critical thinking skills on this forum. Few and far between. Most people cannot think past their own needs and therefore are riled up. They act like the pandemic was brought on just to mess with their neat hyper-organized lives.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Attorney, parent, former DCPS teacher, spouse of a DCPS administrator.

I'm disappointed--but not surprised--that many people on this forum see the vaccine as a straightforward antidote and feel that teachers need to just suck it up, get vaccinated, and show up. The Pfizer vaccine is not 100% effective at preventing illness, nor is it known whether it prevents asymptomatic spread. This means that teachers face a legitimate risk of getting Covid at work and potentially bringing it home to their families. Many of you who will send your kids back may feel that's a risk you're willing to take. That decision about risk tolerance is made on an individual basis, and you don't get to make it for other people.

I'm more surprised with the discussion of teachers not deserving paychecks or only being self-interested. When teachers joined DCPS, no one consented to working in a Covid environment, vaccine or not. Saying that teachers have to just show up in this new environment because they're receiving a paycheck doesn't take seriously that in an employment contract the parties mutually agree to certain key terms. While the WTU has bargained for a MOU, that is an agreement intended to help the parties move forward in good faith, not an agreement that binds all teachers to particular actions. Teachers did not get to choose whether to accept working under the terms in the MOU, and of course the situation has evolved.

Also, suggesting that teachers are doing less work now is ignorant. Converting to an entirely new format has been extremely challenging and requires as much or more time, not less. Most of us non-teachers now working from home are doing more or less the same tasks that we were at work (myself included). Teachers' tasks have changed dramatically, which requires learning new skills and technology and adapting content. I appreciate that it's hard/costly to work from home and manage children, but that doesn't mean that teachers aren't earning their paychecks.

I hope that those of you willing to throw out teachers who aren't getting in line to go back to school practice a little perspective taking. As you should know, dismantling a trained workforce would have serious long-term repercussions. I'm personally pretty sure it's not worth trading that to ensure there's a warm body available to babysit your kids for the next 5 months.

Wow! Someone with critical thinking skills on this forum. Few and far between. Most people cannot think past their own needs and therefore are riled up. They act like the pandemic was brought on just to mess with their neat hyper-organized lives.

No vaccine is 100% effective. If teachers don't want to teach in person than they should not be prioritized to get the vaccine. How about we give teachers 50% of their pay checks since they are doing around 50% of their job? Many of us non-teachers now working from home are doing more or less the same tasks that we were at work while managing remote learning for our kids and doing a lot of what teachers normally do. Many teachers in other parts of the country have been in the classroom for months without the vaccine as have doctors, nurses, other hcps, bus drivers, pilots, flight attendants and many essential works who keep the economy on life support. Why are the teachers in DC so special that they can't go back and do their jobs once vaccinated? Add to this that in other countries schools are open and the CDC the risk of community spread from schools is low. It is time for teachers to do their job and go back to work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Attorney, parent, former DCPS teacher, spouse of a DCPS administrator.

I'm disappointed--but not surprised--that many people on this forum see the vaccine as a straightforward antidote and feel that teachers need to just suck it up, get vaccinated, and show up. The Pfizer vaccine is not 100% effective at preventing illness, nor is it known whether it prevents asymptomatic spread. This means that teachers face a legitimate risk of getting Covid at work and potentially bringing it home to their families. Many of you who will send your kids back may feel that's a risk you're willing to take. That decision about risk tolerance is made on an individual basis, and you don't get to make it for other people.

I'm more surprised with the discussion of teachers not deserving paychecks or only being self-interested. When teachers joined DCPS, no one consented to working in a Covid environment, vaccine or not. Saying that teachers have to just show up in this new environment because they're receiving a paycheck doesn't take seriously that in an employment contract the parties mutually agree to certain key terms. While the WTU has bargained for a MOU, that is an agreement intended to help the parties move forward in good faith, not an agreement that binds all teachers to particular actions. Teachers did not get to choose whether to accept working under the terms in the MOU, and of course the situation has evolved.

Also, suggesting that teachers are doing less work now is ignorant. Converting to an entirely new format has been extremely challenging and requires as much or more time, not less. Most of us non-teachers now working from home are doing more or less the same tasks that we were at work (myself included). Teachers' tasks have changed dramatically, which requires learning new skills and technology and adapting content. I appreciate that it's hard/costly to work from home and manage children, but that doesn't mean that teachers aren't earning their paychecks.

I hope that those of you willing to throw out teachers who aren't getting in line to go back to school practice a little perspective taking. As you should know, dismantling a trained workforce would have serious long-term repercussions. I'm personally pretty sure it's not worth trading that to ensure there's a warm body available to babysit your kids for the next 5 months.

Wow! Someone with critical thinking skills on this forum. Few and far between. Most people cannot think past their own needs and therefore are riled up. They act like the pandemic was brought on just to mess with their neat hyper-organized lives.

No vaccine is 100% effective. If teachers don't want to teach in person than they should not be prioritized to get the vaccine. How about we give teachers 50% of their pay checks since they are doing around 50% of their job? Many of us non-teachers now working from home are doing more or less the same tasks that we were at work while managing remote learning for our kids and doing a lot of what teachers normally do. Many teachers in other parts of the country have been in the classroom for months without the vaccine as have doctors, nurses, other hcps, bus drivers, pilots, flight attendants and many essential works who keep the economy on life support. Why are the teachers in DC so special that they can't go back and do their jobs once vaccinated? Add to this that in other countries schools are open and the CDC the risk of community spread from schools is low. It is time for teachers to do their job and go back to work.

But you don't do your job as a parent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Attorney, parent, former DCPS teacher, spouse of a DCPS administrator.

I'm disappointed--but not surprised--that many people on this forum see the vaccine as a straightforward antidote and feel that teachers need to just suck it up, get vaccinated, and show up. The Pfizer vaccine is not 100% effective at preventing illness, nor is it known whether it prevents asymptomatic spread. This means that teachers face a legitimate risk of getting Covid at work and potentially bringing it home to their families. Many of you who will send your kids back may feel that's a risk you're willing to take. That decision about risk tolerance is made on an individual basis, and you don't get to make it for other people.

I'm more surprised with the discussion of teachers not deserving paychecks or only being self-interested. When teachers joined DCPS, no one consented to working in a Covid environment, vaccine or not. Saying that teachers have to just show up in this new environment because they're receiving a paycheck doesn't take seriously that in an employment contract the parties mutually agree to certain key terms. While the WTU has bargained for a MOU, that is an agreement intended to help the parties move forward in good faith, not an agreement that binds all teachers to particular actions. Teachers did not get to choose whether to accept working under the terms in the MOU, and of course the situation has evolved.

Also, suggesting that teachers are doing less work now is ignorant. Converting to an entirely new format has been extremely challenging and requires as much or more time, not less. Most of us non-teachers now working from home are doing more or less the same tasks that we were at work (myself included). Teachers' tasks have changed dramatically, which requires learning new skills and technology and adapting content. I appreciate that it's hard/costly to work from home and manage children, but that doesn't mean that teachers aren't earning their paychecks.

I hope that those of you willing to throw out teachers who aren't getting in line to go back to school practice a little perspective taking. As you should know, dismantling a trained workforce would have serious long-term repercussions. I'm personally pretty sure it's not worth trading that to ensure there's a warm body available to babysit your kids for the next 5 months.

Wow! Someone with critical thinking skills on this forum. Few and far between. Most people cannot think past their own needs and therefore are riled up. They act like the pandemic was brought on just to mess with their neat hyper-organized lives.

No vaccine is 100% effective. If teachers don't want to teach in person than they should not be prioritized to get the vaccine. How about we give teachers 50% of their pay checks since they are doing around 50% of their job? Many of us non-teachers now working from home are doing more or less the same tasks that we were at work while managing remote learning for our kids and doing a lot of what teachers normally do. Many teachers in other parts of the country have been in the classroom for months without the vaccine as have doctors, nurses, other hcps, bus drivers, pilots, flight attendants and many essential works who keep the economy on life support. Why are the teachers in DC so special that they can't go back and do their jobs once vaccinated? Add to this that in other countries schools are open and the CDC the risk of community spread from schools is low. It is time for teachers to do their job and go back to work.

But you don't do your job as a parent.

How so?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the issue is that the WTU is clearly using this as a tactic and trying to shift the goalposts. They have not identified a single school with a specific issue by name. I am not denying that there may be school specific issues that need addressing, but (1) it’s not clear that this is the best way to do that and (2) that is clearly not the WTU’s actual goal. Look at the materials re: the WTU’s protest this weekend, it is not at all about MOA breaches but, once again, shifting the goalposts (this plan is inequitable... not until every teacher vaccinated... not until it’s safe (no definition)... nothing about MOA breaches & desired solutions).

The agreement was developed before at least two of the three strains of the mutated virus were found in the U.S. It may have been developed before the U.K. strain was identified in the U.S.

It's appropriate to shift the goalposts based on this new information.

Absolutely! The world changes. We're now in a world where the model we previously used to pay teachers for in person learning no longer holds. It's time to consider other options for remote education other than the WTU workforce that doesn't want to return. The insanity of the WTU arguing that things change and the sand can shift everywhere but under thier paychecks is ridiculous.

This. It's crazy that WTU teachers are still getting their entire paycheck and benefits while parents are forced to either do a big part of the teacher's job for them or pay to outsource the teacher's job to a private in-person provider. No teacher is doing 100% of their job remotely. If we're going to keep distance learning, then it would be in the best interest of the students to hire teachers in lower cost areas so we can pay them less. Then give part of the per pupil funding to parents to outsource in-person childcare, tutoring, and pods. Or just give up on distance learning and give parents a larger portion of the per pupil funding so they can outsource education completely to private providers. I guarantee that businesses would crop up to provide cost effective pods etc.

But really just reopen schools and assign teachers back to work.

Can we stop saying WTU teachers? As far as I know charter teachers are also getting full paychecks.

And they are teaching my kid full time and with excellent results. I feel sad for people like you (and your DCUM ilk) who are so very angry that you need to just whine and throw shade at everyone and everything. You are like a 2 year old having a temper tantrum. Stick to complaining about your school and stop assuming that every school and every family is suffering the same fate you perceive yourself to be suffering from.

Setting aside the in person v DL difference, what school is your kid in that they're getting teaching "full time." My Ker gets 3.5 hours/day 4 days a week and my PK3er gets 1.5 hours/day 4 days/week of live instruction and I thought that was actually on the more generous end of what schools are providing. Vanishingly few teachers are teaching anything close to full time... and almost no individual kids are getting full time instruction.

I agree that no students are getting full-time instruction but that doesn’t mean some or most teachers aren’t teaching all day depending on small group schedules or individual supports. The teachers I know are working very hard and in a very changing environment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Attorney, parent, former DCPS teacher, spouse of a DCPS administrator.

I'm disappointed--but not surprised--that many people on this forum see the vaccine as a straightforward antidote and feel that teachers need to just suck it up, get vaccinated, and show up. The Pfizer vaccine is not 100% effective at preventing illness, nor is it known whether it prevents asymptomatic spread. This means that teachers face a legitimate risk of getting Covid at work and potentially bringing it home to their families. Many of you who will send your kids back may feel that's a risk you're willing to take. That decision about risk tolerance is made on an individual basis, and you don't get to make it for other people.

I'm more surprised with the discussion of teachers not deserving paychecks or only being self-interested. When teachers joined DCPS, no one consented to working in a Covid environment, vaccine or not. Saying that teachers have to just show up in this new environment because they're receiving a paycheck doesn't take seriously that in an employment contract the parties mutually agree to certain key terms. While the WTU has bargained for a MOU, that is an agreement intended to help the parties move forward in good faith, not an agreement that binds all teachers to particular actions. Teachers did not get to choose whether to accept working under the terms in the MOU, and of course the situation has evolved.

Also, suggesting that teachers are doing less work now is ignorant. Converting to an entirely new format has been extremely challenging and requires as much or more time, not less. Most of us non-teachers now working from home are doing more or less the same tasks that we were at work (myself included). Teachers' tasks have changed dramatically, which requires learning new skills and technology and adapting content. I appreciate that it's hard/costly to work from home and manage children, but that doesn't mean that teachers aren't earning their paychecks.

I hope that those of you willing to throw out teachers who aren't getting in line to go back to school practice a little perspective taking. As you should know, dismantling a trained workforce would have serious long-term repercussions. I'm personally pretty sure it's not worth trading that to ensure there's a warm body available to babysit your kids for the next 5 months.

1) Lots of emoloyers make the safety-risk determination on behalf of their employees. Not that many employees make the decision to return to the worksite for themselves. I find it odd that teachers assume it is their right to decide where they work.

2) Most parents get that most teachers are working hard during DL. We don’t think the teaching is very effective. At best, teachers are only ‘earning’ the salary that a remote teacher living in a low-cost locale would make.

3) Many of us are not most concerned about childcare (though that is a problem). Our biggest concern is for our burnt out, stagnating, depressed you g children. They truly need the engagement of in-person school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Attorney, parent, former DCPS teacher, spouse of a DCPS administrator.

I'm disappointed--but not surprised--that many people on this forum see the vaccine as a straightforward antidote and feel that teachers need to just suck it up, get vaccinated, and show up. The Pfizer vaccine is not 100% effective at preventing illness, nor is it known whether it prevents asymptomatic spread. This means that teachers face a legitimate risk of getting Covid at work and potentially bringing it home to their families. Many of you who will send your kids back may feel that's a risk you're willing to take. That decision about risk tolerance is made on an individual basis, and you don't get to make it for other people.

I'm more surprised with the discussion of teachers not deserving paychecks or only being self-interested. When teachers joined DCPS, no one consented to working in a Covid environment, vaccine or not. Saying that teachers have to just show up in this new environment because they're receiving a paycheck doesn't take seriously that in an employment contract the parties mutually agree to certain key terms. While the WTU has bargained for a MOU, that is an agreement intended to help the parties move forward in good faith, not an agreement that binds all teachers to particular actions. Teachers did not get to choose whether to accept working under the terms in the MOU, and of course the situation has evolved.

Also, suggesting that teachers are doing less work now is ignorant. Converting to an entirely new format has been extremely challenging and requires as much or more time, not less. Most of us non-teachers now working from home are doing more or less the same tasks that we were at work (myself included). Teachers' tasks have changed dramatically, which requires learning new skills and technology and adapting content. I appreciate that it's hard/costly to work from home and manage children, but that doesn't mean that teachers aren't earning their paychecks.

I hope that those of you willing to throw out teachers who aren't getting in line to go back to school practice a little perspective taking. As you should know, dismantling a trained workforce would have serious long-term repercussions. I'm personally pretty sure it's not worth trading that to ensure there's a warm body available to babysit your kids for the next 5 months.

Wow! Someone with critical thinking skills on this forum. Few and far between. Most people cannot think past their own needs and therefore are riled up. They act like the pandemic was brought on just to mess with their neat hyper-organized lives.

No vaccine is 100% effective. If teachers don't want to teach in person than they should not be prioritized to get the vaccine. How about we give teachers 50% of their pay checks since they are doing around 50% of their job? Many of us non-teachers now working from home are doing more or less the same tasks that we were at work while managing remote learning for our kids and doing a lot of what teachers normally do. Many teachers in other parts of the country have been in the classroom for months without the vaccine as have doctors, nurses, other hcps, bus drivers, pilots, flight attendants and many essential works who keep the economy on life support. Why are the teachers in DC so special that they can't go back and do their jobs once vaccinated? Add to this that in other countries schools are open and the CDC the risk of community spread from schools is low. It is time for teachers to do their job and go back to work.

Lol at teachers doing 50% of their usual work. Maybe with your impressive understanding of how education works, you should apply to be our next chancellor. Then you can cut their salaries in half and see how it works out. Love all the “experts” on this board

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Attorney, parent, former DCPS teacher, spouse of a DCPS administrator.

I'm disappointed--but not surprised--that many people on this forum see the vaccine as a straightforward antidote and feel that teachers need to just suck it up, get vaccinated, and show up. The Pfizer vaccine is not 100% effective at preventing illness, nor is it known whether it prevents asymptomatic spread. This means that teachers face a legitimate risk of getting Covid at work and potentially bringing it home to their families. Many of you who will send your kids back may feel that's a risk you're willing to take. That decision about risk tolerance is made on an individual basis, and you don't get to make it for other people.

I'm more surprised with the discussion of teachers not deserving paychecks or only being self-interested. When teachers joined DCPS, no one consented to working in a Covid environment, vaccine or not. Saying that teachers have to just show up in this new environment because they're receiving a paycheck doesn't take seriously that in an employment contract the parties mutually agree to certain key terms. While the WTU has bargained for a MOU, that is an agreement intended to help the parties move forward in good faith, not an agreement that binds all teachers to particular actions. Teachers did not get to choose whether to accept working under the terms in the MOU, and of course the situation has evolved.

Also, suggesting that teachers are doing less work now is ignorant. Converting to an entirely new format has been extremely challenging and requires as much or more time, not less. Most of us non-teachers now working from home are doing more or less the same tasks that we were at work (myself included). Teachers' tasks have changed dramatically, which requires learning new skills and technology and adapting content. I appreciate that it's hard/costly to work from home and manage children, but that doesn't mean that teachers aren't earning their paychecks.

I hope that those of you willing to throw out teachers who aren't getting in line to go back to school practice a little perspective taking. As you should know, dismantling a trained workforce would have serious long-term repercussions. I'm personally pretty sure it's not worth trading that to ensure there's a warm body available to babysit your kids for the next 5 months.

I don't get to make that choice for other teacher, but I darn well hope that the Mayor will make that choice on behalf of the city. The idea that teachers are going to CONTINUE to refuse to come back even after vaccination is completely and utter madness. I seriously do not care if the Mayor takes a hard line and terminates some teachers, even at the cost of bigger class sizes. You spew a lot of logical-sounding verbiage, but you completely fail to address WHEN you would deem it "safe" to reopen. I don't really GAF if teachers perceive themselves as working harder - they are not performing the actual job they were hired to do. As an attorney, you should know full well what happens when employees refuse to do their jobs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Attorney, parent, former DCPS teacher, spouse of a DCPS administrator.

I'm disappointed--but not surprised--that many people on this forum see the vaccine as a straightforward antidote and feel that teachers need to just suck it up, get vaccinated, and show up. The Pfizer vaccine is not 100% effective at preventing illness, nor is it known whether it prevents asymptomatic spread. This means that teachers face a legitimate risk of getting Covid at work and potentially bringing it home to their families. Many of you who will send your kids back may feel that's a risk you're willing to take. That decision about risk tolerance is made on an individual basis, and you don't get to make it for other people.

I'm more surprised with the discussion of teachers not deserving paychecks or only being self-interested. When teachers joined DCPS, no one consented to working in a Covid environment, vaccine or not. Saying that teachers have to just show up in this new environment because they're receiving a paycheck doesn't take seriously that in an employment contract the parties mutually agree to certain key terms. While the WTU has bargained for a MOU, that is an agreement intended to help the parties move forward in good faith, not an agreement that binds all teachers to particular actions. Teachers did not get to choose whether to accept working under the terms in the MOU, and of course the situation has evolved.

Also, suggesting that teachers are doing less work now is ignorant. Converting to an entirely new format has been extremely challenging and requires as much or more time, not less. Most of us non-teachers now working from home are doing more or less the same tasks that we were at work (myself included). Teachers' tasks have changed dramatically, which requires learning new skills and technology and adapting content. I appreciate that it's hard/costly to work from home and manage children, but that doesn't mean that teachers aren't earning their paychecks.

I hope that those of you willing to throw out teachers who aren't getting in line to go back to school practice a little perspective taking. As you should know, dismantling a trained workforce would have serious long-term repercussions. I'm personally pretty sure it's not worth trading that to ensure there's a warm body available to babysit your kids for the next 5 months.

You may be all of these impressive things, PP. But you’re clearly not an epidemiologist, virologist, or really know anything about vaccines.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Attorney, parent, former DCPS teacher, spouse of a DCPS administrator.

I'm disappointed--but not surprised--that many people on this forum see the vaccine as a straightforward antidote and feel that teachers need to just suck it up, get vaccinated, and show up. The Pfizer vaccine is not 100% effective at preventing illness, nor is it known whether it prevents asymptomatic spread. This means that teachers face a legitimate risk of getting Covid at work and potentially bringing it home to their families. Many of you who will send your kids back may feel that's a risk you're willing to take. That decision about risk tolerance is made on an individual basis, and you don't get to make it for other people.

I'm more surprised with the discussion of teachers not deserving paychecks or only being self-interested. When teachers joined DCPS, no one consented to working in a Covid environment, vaccine or not. Saying that teachers have to just show up in this new environment because they're receiving a paycheck doesn't take seriously that in an employment contract the parties mutually agree to certain key terms. While the WTU has bargained for a MOU, that is an agreement intended to help the parties move forward in good faith, not an agreement that binds all teachers to particular actions. Teachers did not get to choose whether to accept working under the terms in the MOU, and of course the situation has evolved.

Also, suggesting that teachers are doing less work now is ignorant. Converting to an entirely new format has been extremely challenging and requires as much or more time, not less. Most of us non-teachers now working from home are doing more or less the same tasks that we were at work (myself included). Teachers' tasks have changed dramatically, which requires learning new skills and technology and adapting content. I appreciate that it's hard/costly to work from home and manage children, but that doesn't mean that teachers aren't earning their paychecks.

I hope that those of you willing to throw out teachers who aren't getting in line to go back to school practice a little perspective taking. As you should know, dismantling a trained workforce would have serious long-term repercussions. I'm personally pretty sure it's not worth trading that to ensure there's a warm body available to babysit your kids for the next 5 months.

This is why I will not lend political support to a wait until they’re vaccinated strategy. Because this drivel comes next. Yes, vaccines are not 100% effective, but your vaccinated risk of dying from COVID is less in a given year than your risk of dying from the flu when vaccinated. So, I guess weren’t never going to school again! Also, you get to make the risk assessment yourself: do your job or quit your job. Just like everyone else. This idea that teachers have a magical right to decide whether to go to work — and remember, per this poster, that lasts post vaccination even! — and also get paid is... frankly crazy. I’m glad you’re showing the more sympathetic posters on this forum what we’re going to hear from teachers next though...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Attorney, parent, former DCPS teacher, spouse of a DCPS administrator.

I'm disappointed--but not surprised--that many people on this forum see the vaccine as a straightforward antidote and feel that teachers need to just suck it up, get vaccinated, and show up. The Pfizer vaccine is not 100% effective at preventing illness, nor is it known whether it prevents asymptomatic spread. This means that teachers face a legitimate risk of getting Covid at work and potentially bringing it home to their families. Many of you who will send your kids back may feel that's a risk you're willing to take. That decision about risk tolerance is made on an individual basis, and you don't get to make it for other people.

I'm more surprised with the discussion of teachers not deserving paychecks or only being self-interested. When teachers joined DCPS, no one consented to working in a Covid environment, vaccine or not. Saying that teachers have to just show up in this new environment because they're receiving a paycheck doesn't take seriously that in an employment contract the parties mutually agree to certain key terms. While the WTU has bargained for a MOU, that is an agreement intended to help the parties move forward in good faith, not an agreement that binds all teachers to particular actions. Teachers did not get to choose whether to accept working under the terms in the MOU, and of course the situation has evolved.

Also, suggesting that teachers are doing less work now is ignorant. Converting to an entirely new format has been extremely challenging and requires as much or more time, not less. Most of us non-teachers now working from home are doing more or less the same tasks that we were at work (myself included). Teachers' tasks have changed dramatically, which requires learning new skills and technology and adapting content. I appreciate that it's hard/costly to work from home and manage children, but that doesn't mean that teachers aren't earning their paychecks.

I hope that those of you willing to throw out teachers who aren't getting in line to go back to school practice a little perspective taking. As you should know, dismantling a trained workforce would have serious long-term repercussions. I'm personally pretty sure it's not worth trading that to ensure there's a warm body available to babysit your kids for the next 5 months.

You can add clueless to your list up top. I hope you are better picking out relevant info at work. No one is guaranteed that their job will go on forever without changes. Many professions have dealt with changes mid career that changed their career trajectory — at times eliminating whole professions. Many are dealing with that with covid now. It’s only teachers putting you this fight when many others whose jobs called for it have been in person for months. I don’t doubt that teachers are working very hard right now. I appreciate that and it’s noble but not really the point when the measure that matters is the quality of the education the kids are receiving.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Attorney, parent, former DCPS teacher, spouse of a DCPS administrator.

I'm disappointed--but not surprised--that many people on this forum see the vaccine as a straightforward antidote and feel that teachers need to just suck it up, get vaccinated, and show up. The Pfizer vaccine is not 100% effective at preventing illness, nor is it known whether it prevents asymptomatic spread. This means that teachers face a legitimate risk of getting Covid at work and potentially bringing it home to their families. Many of you who will send your kids back may feel that's a risk you're willing to take. That decision about risk tolerance is made on an individual basis, and you don't get to make it for other people.

I'm more surprised with the discussion of teachers not deserving paychecks or only being self-interested. When teachers joined DCPS, no one consented to working in a Covid environment, vaccine or not. Saying that teachers have to just show up in this new environment because they're receiving a paycheck doesn't take seriously that in an employment contract the parties mutually agree to certain key terms. While the WTU has bargained for a MOU, that is an agreement intended to help the parties move forward in good faith, not an agreement that binds all teachers to particular actions. Teachers did not get to choose whether to accept working under the terms in the MOU, and of course the situation has evolved.

Also, suggesting that teachers are doing less work now is ignorant. Converting to an entirely new format has been extremely challenging and requires as much or more time, not less. Most of us non-teachers now working from home are doing more or less the same tasks that we were at work (myself included). Teachers' tasks have changed dramatically, which requires learning new skills and technology and adapting content. I appreciate that it's hard/costly to work from home and manage children, but that doesn't mean that teachers aren't earning their paychecks.

I hope that those of you willing to throw out teachers who aren't getting in line to go back to school practice a little perspective taking. As you should know, dismantling a trained workforce would have serious long-term repercussions. I'm personally pretty sure it's not worth trading that to ensure there's a warm body available to babysit your kids for the next 5 months.

You can add clueless to your list up top. I hope you are better picking out relevant info at work. No one is guaranteed that their job will go on forever without changes. Many professions have dealt with changes mid career that changed their career trajectory — at times eliminating whole professions. Many are dealing with that with covid now. It’s only teachers putting you this fight when many others whose jobs called for it have been in person for months. I don’t doubt that teachers are working very hard right now. I appreciate that and it’s noble but not really the point when the measure that matters is the quality of the education the kids are receiving.

I promise the field of teaching won't magically disappear, especial special education. Not in this lifetime, so quit with the BS scare tactics. My job is secure AF and I'm very lucky.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a union member who is very scared to see what's going to happen. I have a real fear of going back - i'm one of the few who truly has been doing almost everything possible to avoid covid, no travel socializing etc- but I also recognize that the conditions that were set by our union were met, and that kids do need IP instruction.

So, it's stressful to make a decision as I believe in standing up for what is right-but what is right here?

You’re framing the question nicely.

I’m a parent. To me, what would be right would be for DCPS to allow teachers to be vaccinated according to the recommended schedule, and allow the vaccines to take full effect before reopening school.

Once teachers are vaccinated...all the business about HVAC and toilets, it’s to protect the kids of parents who are hellbent on in-person learning. Ironic.

I guess vaccination protocol wasn’t in the MOA, maybe bc it was signed before the vaccine was available?

That’s not the right answer. Teacher, I am truly sorry you are this anxious about returning. I would encourage you to tune out to some degree from some of the places you are getting your information currently and tune in to more scientific sources. The reality is that things aren’t going great with covid right now and no one knows what the future holds, but there are also protocols that can be followed for in person teaching that make it safer than many other in person activities. It’s probably worth your time to learn those protocols and not get caught up with the noise the WTU is pointing out. Sorry for the tough love approach, but you can do this and the kids need you. Be safe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Attorney, parent, former DCPS teacher, spouse of a DCPS administrator.

I'm disappointed--but not surprised--that many people on this forum see the vaccine as a straightforward antidote and feel that teachers need to just suck it up, get vaccinated, and show up. The Pfizer vaccine is not 100% effective at preventing illness, nor is it known whether it prevents asymptomatic spread. This means that teachers face a legitimate risk of getting Covid at work and potentially bringing it home to their families. Many of you who will send your kids back may feel that's a risk you're willing to take. That decision about risk tolerance is made on an individual basis, and you don't get to make it for other people.

I'm more surprised with the discussion of teachers not deserving paychecks or only being self-interested. When teachers joined DCPS, no one consented to working in a Covid environment, vaccine or not. Saying that teachers have to just show up in this new environment because they're receiving a paycheck doesn't take seriously that in an employment contract the parties mutually agree to certain key terms. While the WTU has bargained for a MOU, that is an agreement intended to help the parties move forward in good faith, not an agreement that binds all teachers to particular actions. Teachers did not get to choose whether to accept working under the terms in the MOU, and of course the situation has evolved.

Also, suggesting that teachers are doing less work now is ignorant. Converting to an entirely new format has been extremely challenging and requires as much or more time, not less. Most of us non-teachers now working from home are doing more or less the same tasks that we were at work (myself included). Teachers' tasks have changed dramatically, which requires learning new skills and technology and adapting content. I appreciate that it's hard/costly to work from home and manage children, but that doesn't mean that teachers aren't earning their paychecks.

I hope that those of you willing to throw out teachers who aren't getting in line to go back to school practice a little perspective taking. As you should know, dismantling a trained workforce would have serious long-term repercussions. I'm personally pretty sure it's not worth trading that to ensure there's a warm body available to babysit your kids for the next 5 months.

Wow! Someone with critical thinking skills on this forum. Few and far between. Most people cannot think past their own needs and therefore are riled up. They act like the pandemic was brought on just to mess with their neat hyper-organized lives.

Many of the people pushing reopening actually WANT to dismantle the trained workforce.
DeVos, Republicans, Reason, Heritage, Waltons, Koch— their GOAL is to destroy public schools. (To enrich themselves.)

There are some UMC white people agitating to reopen, but really, the institutional and structural forces pushing for reopening are wealthy Republicans.

And we should just be honest with ourselves about what wealthy donors want for public schools— they want them gone.