CFT and state education unions release schools reopening plan
On Wednesday, CFT joined California’s statewide education unions to release a schools reopening plan that focuses on mutli-layered mitigation strategies and calls for vaccines to be offered to all educators and school workers who are asked to work in-person.
Called Classroom Learning and Safe Schools for Employees and Students, or CLASSES, the plan was sent to legislators and the Governor’s office as they work to set new statewide policy on reopening schools.
There are three essential elements to the plan. First, community spread of COVID-19 has to be under control before schools can reopen. Second, following the guidance from the CDC, multi-layered mitigations strategies must be put in place – including statewide support for testing, contract tracing, PPE, social distancing, and ventilation. And finally, the state of California must prioritize the vaccination of teachers and school workers who are asked to return to work in-person. Vaccinations should start with those who are already working in-person and then move to those who are first asked to return.
There has been a lot of news lately about the push to reopen schools, with some calling on reopening without vaccinating school staff. But CFT President Jeff Freitas is challenging the state and county public health agencies to move immediately forward with the vaccinations.
“It is well within the abilities of the state and the county public health departments to vaccinate teachers and school workers as schools reopen in a phased manner,” says Freitas. “It is not an all or nothing approach. The commitment to vaccinate has got to match the rhetoric and demand for in-person education.”
Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action
This week is the Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action. Our national affiliate, the AFT, marked the week by passing a resolution in support of making this week an annual celebration and calling for racial justice in our schools. The resolution declares that the union will continue to press districts to hire more Black teachers, implement restorative practices and end zero tolerance discipline, teach Black history and other ethnic studies, and fund more counselors—as opposed to police officers—in schools.
In California, Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer introduced a resolution to recognize Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action that passed off the Assembly floor on Thursday.
About the resolution, Assemblymember Jones-Sawyer stated: “‘The Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action sets aside time to uplift the experiences of the Black community, and affirm individuals’ self-worth and right to be treated with respect. This monumental week highlights the Black community’s achievements and contributions to the American experience while continuing the fight towards racial equity and social justice, and equality in education and economics.’”
For more information and resources about celebrating Black History Month, visit this great page from Share My Lesson.
Support the American Rescue Act
Since taking office on January 21, the Biden administration has prioritized passing immediate COVID-19 relief funding for states and cities, small businesses, and families. The CFT and the AFT support their efforts to pass a comprehensive $1.9 billion relief package that will provide crisis funding for vaccine production and distribution, bring relief to small businesses and essential services, and provide the resources that schools and colleges need to provide safe learning environments and prepare to open safely for in-person instruction.
You can join the efforts to help pass the American Rescue Act by calling and writing California Senators Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla and by sharing information and graphics about why this funding is so critical at this moment in the COVID-19 recovery. Head over to AFT’s dedicated American Rescue Act resource page to take action.
CFT President Jeff Freitas talks schools reopening on his weekly Up Front broadcast
Today on his weekly Up Front broadcast, CFT President Jeff Freitas discusses the joint labor plan unveiled this week on schools reopening, the roll out of vaccines for school workers, and more. Watch on CFT’s Facebook page or on CFT’s YouTube page.
