School reopening plans must ensure safety of custodians, cafeteria workers, bus drivers and substitutes
We need millions more from the federal government to protect the most vulnerable school staff if we’re going to keep everyone safe in schools
“Students want and need to come back to school,” Kimberly Martin, a principal of Woodrow Wilson High School in Washington, D.C. told me last week. Martin explained that although social distancing may reduce exposure to coronavirus it also distances children from services and supports that are critical to their wellbeing.
As an example, Martin told of a student in special education who returned to Wilson High for support when he was confused about how to obtain a necessary work permit for a new job.
“After he met with me and the social worker to address the work permit issue, I saw him just hanging around the school staff, and I realized how much he missed them.” Martin added, “Many students miss the network of adults that provide their needs, including teachers, custodians, social workers and all non-instructional staff.”
If there is one lesson the coronavirus has taught us, it’s that when our neighbors are sick, we are vulnerable. Therefore, keeping children safe requires that we safeguard all who are the least protected. That means prioritizing the protection of essential workers who are not regular, full-time teachers too.
Society needs schools to open even as this pandemic rages, for both children’s academic and social needs. Schools are also a critical cog in the machine that is the U.S. economy. Many workers, whether they’re construction workers, nurses, teachers or grocery clerks, can’t easily leave CONTINUE READING: School staff must be ensured safety in school reopening plans
