The DOE’s plan fails NYC students and teachers – a Teacher’s Letter to Anyone Listening
I was trying to write something like this, when I stumbled across this letter. The author is a teacher in the Bronx – I got permission to repost but forgot to ask for permission to use their name (I’ll update if they give it) – jd
I read the DOE’s 32 page “plan” this morning. It is abysmal and puts NYC students and staff at risk. A few points which really must be addressed:
1. Does Mr. Carranza know that middle school and high school students can’t remain in single cohort classrooms because they don’t all take the same classes? There is no way for cohorts not to mix.
2. Given #1, there is no way for a teacher and cohort to isolate if someone is suspected or confirmed to have COVID—that teacher would be needed to teach multiple other classes to other cohorts who are in the building. There aren’t enough adults to monitor students in class if the teacher is awaiting test results or becomes ill.
3. Given that teachers will be exposed to multiple cohorts, any exposure for that teacher means that multiple cohorts will need to isolate and be tested; it’s impossible to close one classroom.
4. How is the teacher or staff member in the room supposed to remain safe when students take masks off to eat?
5. Has Mr. Carranza ever met students? They WILL put fingers under their masks; they WILL take CONTINUE READING: The DOE’s plan fails NYC students and teachers – a Teacher’s Letter to Anyone Listening | JD2718
