The approval of the Pfizer vaccine for younger children inspires reflection on where our schools are at this pivotal time.

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Dear John

If you have a child in grades K-6, you don’t need me to tell you this: last week, at long last, the FDA and CDC granted emergency authorization for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for use ([link removed]) in children ages 5-11.

City vaccination sites ([link removed]) , local pharmacies, clinics, and doctors offices have all started rolling out the vaccine for this age group, which is given as a dose one-third the size of the shot for older children and adults (and using a smaller gauge needle). Many NYC public schools will be offering a day of shots for students this week ([link removed]) (I’ve heard that the lines were long at schools and there were even some families turned away this morning; hopefully those problems will be resolved quickly). No word yet on whether the second dose will also be offered at schools in three weeks; hopefully the Mayor will see the rewards of offering that second dose to families as well.

Extensive clinical trials have made clear that the COVID-19 vaccine is safe for kids and teens ([link removed]) , and that the benefits outweigh the risks. While I know most of you don’t need me, or the CDC, or FDA, or the City of New York to say it, I’ll say it anyway: Get a COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 years and older as soon as you can. Like the many other vaccines that children are required to receive for school, vaccination keeps your kid and other kids safe.

The past 20 months have been the most difficult ones ever for our schools. The fear, trauma, loss, and isolation suffered by so many students, families and staff strained the spirit of unity and common purpose that our schools need to thrive.

And yet, we have continued to show up for our school communities. Administrators, teachers, and staff stitched together online remote instruction curriculum, social distancing, and in-school COVID testing protocols where none ever existed before. School food staff worked throughout the pandemic to provide meals to both students and community members in need. Teachers visited students to deliver Chromebooks and iPads to those without technology access. Parents rallied for access to streets and parks for outdoor learning.

Now, thanks to teachers and staff who have stepped up in overwhelming numbers to meet the mandate for vaccination, and to so many older children who have been vaccinated, students and staff are back in school full time and schools are open. In-school COVID transmission remains relatively low. Activities such as school sports are back. School budgets have been restored and increased thanks to federal and state funding. With the approval of the vaccine for 5-11 year-olds, almost everyone in our schools will be vaccinated, providing even stronger protection to our school communities against COVID infection.

There is still, of course, so much work left to be done. I share many of your concerns about how COVID-19 resources are being spent to support students in their social, emotional, and academic recovery; the assessments that the DOE is requiring seem more like standardized testing than like genuine support for students. Meanwhile, COVID has highlighted the many systemic inequities still so pervasive in our schools and the incredible challenges faced by students with IEPs, students in temporary housing, and those from non-English speaking households.

Still, this good news is reason to celebrate, to get 5-11 year olds vaccinated as quickly as possible, and to move forward with renewed purpose to support all our schools to be the extraordinary places of learning, support, and growth that they can be for all our kids.

Brad

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