News

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Washington DC Teachers, School Leaders, and Nurses Visit Schools

Release Statement on City’s Planning to Reopen Schools for In-Person Instruction

WASHINGTON — The Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU) President Elizabeth Davis, Council of School Officers (CSO) President Richard Jackson, and DC Nurses Association (DCNA) Executive Director Edward J. Smith released the following statement on the city’s planning to reopen schools for in-person instruction.

“‘You can only move at the rate of trust.” These were the words of Chancellor Ferebee in the days leading up to his confirmation as DCPS Chancellor. During a global health pandemic, there is no greater truth. If our school leaders, teachers, nurses and students do not feel safe and heard during this trying time in our nation’s history, we cannot expect to have a successful return to in-person learning across the District of Columbia. Furthermore, the failure to follow the guidance of health professionals and ensure adequate protections for our school-based staff and students will result in the continued spread of COVID-19 in our community, likely with deadly consequences.

“We sympathize with the many teachers, nurses, school leaders, and, most importantly, families who long for a return to our school buildings; however, we have not seen significant progress in our buildings or detailed information from the Mayor’s office or DC Public Schools to believe that our schools can safely reopen for in-person learning without creating a substantial health risk for our community. Nor have we seen the detailed plans for the school openings announced today.

“The Washington Teachers’ Union, Council of School Officers and DCNA echo the concerns put forth by Councilmembers Robert White (At-Large), Brianne Nadeau (Ward 1), Mary Cheh (Ward 3), and Trayon White (Ward 8) to the Mayor last week: “a full transition to in-person education cannot happen until we take further steps to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our community.” The WTU, CSO and DCNA also echo the Councilmembers calls for clear standards and protocols to safeguard our students and staff when they enter our buildings and a full, transparent, analysis of building ventilation and safe and adequate nursing suites.

“With the Mayor’s announcement today of her plans to move forward with the reopening of select schools and plans to move forward with a full reopening in November, we call upon her administration and DC Public Schools officials to work with school leaders, teachers, nurses and the community to create a detailed plan for how they plan to safely reopen our schools, while ensuring that we are following national and local health department guidance.

“To move forward with plans to reopen our schools to in-person learning in the coming days or weeks without a detailed public plan and robust community engagement will set our schools and students up for failure.  We once again call for the Council to step in to ensure that our community can be safe should the Mayor decide to move forward with her plans to reopen our schools to in-person learning.”

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You can download the statement here.

Good morning. I am Elizabeth Davis, President of the Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU). The WTU represents over 5,000 active and retired teachers. We are dedicated to social and educational justice for the students of the District of Columbia and to improving the quality of support, resources, compensation and working conditions for the public servants and proud teachers who educate our students. Many of our WTU members live and pay taxes in the District and have kids or family members that attend DC schools. I am a DC teacher and DC resident.

Teachers understand and sympathize with those who want to return to our classrooms. Virtual instruction cannot replace the experiences our students get in a classroom. We understand the social and developmental concerns facing our students in this virtual environment. However, we do believe that teachers are doing an exceptional job during this pandemic, reaching and engaging their students, despite many technical issues and concerns. In the words of one WTU teacher:

“Virtual learning is not ideal; however, I do feel as if it is improving each and every day as teachers and students and families settle into a new routine. I would prefer to continue on the virtual learning trajectory and continue to do our very best as opposed to renter our building for in person learning without preparations and without knowing the state of our building and whether or not precautions have been taken. There is absolutely no need to risk lives. We should stay the course and continue to improve until a vaccine is created and building are safe and secure.”

                                                                                    ~~ A WTU Teacher

The WTU understands that learning in our classrooms, both brick and mortar and digital, is impacted by many factors some out of the direct control of teachers. But, we can – and will – advocate for our students to receive the supports they need. The educational environment isn't confined to the classroom but, instead, extends into the home and the community and around the world. Information isn't bound primarily in books; it's available everywhere in bits and bytes.

You can read President Davis' full statement here.

News Links

• WTOP - Possible DC schools reopening plan has one union concerned
• NBC4 - DCPS Buildings Assessed Ahead of In-Person Learning That Could Start Nov. 9
• WAMU - Four D.C. Councilmembers Demand More Information From Bowser About School Reopening Plans
• WUSA9 - 'This is a gut-wrenching decision for parents' | DC Councilmember demands plan for in-person learning
• The Washington Post - C. school leaders struggle to reopen buildings for small groups this month as staff reluctance persists
• Fox5DC - DC Public Schools may move forward with in-person instruction soon
• The Washington Informer - C. Working on Plans to Begin In-Person School in November
• The Washington City Paper - To Safely Return To Campus, D.C. Schools Look To Outdoor Learning
• Washingtonian - This Principal Learned Some Students Had Faulty Smoke Detectors While Watching Them Learn at Home. Now the Fire Department Is Helping to Keep Them Safer.
• C. Policy Center - D.C. Voices: Distance learning supports for students with disabilities and English learners

Good morning. I am Elizabeth Davis, President of the Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU). The WTU represents 5,000 active and retired teachers. We are dedicated to social and educational justice for the students of the District of Columbia and to improving the quality of support, resources, compensation and working conditions for the public servants and proud teachers who educate our students. Many of our WTU members live and pay taxes in the District and have kids or family members that attend DC schools. I am a DC teacher and DC resident.

As an educator, I am held responsible for much more than the academic progress of my students. Teachers understand that the essence of high-quality education is a close relationship between a knowledgeable, caring adult and a secure, motivated child. Educators grasp that their most important role is to get to know each student as an individual in order to comprehend his or her unique needs, learning style, social and cultural background. It is important for an education to understand and help address the challenges that students face – in and out of the classroom....

Read President Davis' full statement here.

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