Grafton teachers have concerns about schools reopening during pandemic
The Grafton Teachers Association requested a fully remote opening to the school year prior to last week’s School Committee vote to adopt a hybrid learning model.
The request was posted Tuesday on the school department’s GPS Budget and Coronavirus Questions & Answers page by School Committee Chairman Laura Often, who apologized for not mentioning it during the meeting.
“I apologize to any teacher who felt their voices weren’t heard,” she wrote. “The letter did get forwarded to the entire committee so they were able to take it in consideration before they voted on the hybrid method.”
Signed by GTA President Angela Mercure and dated August 3, the letter cited concerns about the spread of COVID-19 even with a hybrid model, in which two groups of students alternate a week of attending school in person with a week of remote learning.
“Ultimately, we believe that one death as a result of opening schools is one death too many,” she wrote.
The full text of the initial letter:
Dear Dr. Cummings & Ms. Often,
We, as representatives of educators from Grafton Public Schools, are calling upon the school committee to open the school year remotely, and then transition to a hybrid model if the public health situation allows.
As educators, we know that children learn best from their teachers and peers in a school setting in which they feel safe and secure.
However, such a setting will not be available this fall. If children and school staff were to return to in person instruction in the fall, they would find a school experience in which it would be impossible to maintain feelings of safety and security.
This is because the risks posed by the coronavirus to our school community are too great to justify a physical return to school. The virus can infect children, and children over the age of 10 spread the virus as effectively as adults. Even those younger than 10 can still spread the virus. Many of our staff are older or at higher risk from the virus- but there is significant risk to every staff member given the nature of Covid-19. The potential of the virus spreading among our children and our educators also means the potential of spreading the virus in our communities at large.
We are educators. We care about our students, our families, and our society as a whole.
Ultimately, we believe that one death as a result of opening schools is one death too many.
We call upon our school committee to begin the academic year with a remote learning model until such time that we can truly return to schools that are safe and secure.
Respectfully,
Angela Mercure
President GTA
Following Often’s posting, Mercure and the GTA added a further response reflecting the School Committee’s decision:
After receiving the MA Teachers Association’s (MTA) stance on reopening of schools, the GTA (executive board) reviewed it and voted to survey our members to determine if they were in favor of or not in favor of the MTA model of returning to school. The MTA model is a remote start with a phase into hybrid if feasible given the COVID status at such time.
On August 3, 2020 after receiving the responses from the teachers, a letter was composed by the GTA President and provided to Laura Often, school committee chair and Dr. Cummings in support of a remote model with a phased in approach if feasible given the current status of COVID. A conversation was also had by the GTA President, GTA Vice President and Dr. Cummings on August 4, 2020 prior to the school committee meeting and prior to their vote to review the letter and the concerns of our teachers.
It was decided on August 4, 2020 by the school committee with a 5-0 vote, that the school year would begin in the hybrid model.
Although we hesitate to characterize the GTA’s current position as an endorsement of the school district’s hybrid plan, the truth is, our teachers are uncertain. Our teachers have mixed feelings. Many of our teachers support the hybrid model. Many do not. Many of our teachers feel safe returning to the buildings. Many do not. The teachers’ feelings, their understanding of the current pandemic, and their personal circumstances, vary as extensively as the feelings in the community.
Currently, the district administration is working hard with the GTA President and Vice President, so that collectively we can support and provide for our teachers safety and well being including those who have high-risk medical conditions and family circumstances that present difficulties within the hybrid model. The teachers were not given the same choice as families about home remote or in-person schooling. There will be teachers coming to school in the next few weeks who do not believe it is the safe choice to do so.
Nevertheless, our amazing teachers will rise to the situation at hand and do their best to leave their own anxieties and fears at the door, because as teachers we know the importance of putting children first. We teach because it brings us joy. We teach because it brings satisfaction seeing a child learn and embrace the knowledge being put forth. We teach because we embrace the Grafton community. As teachers we will give our all to ensure that all of your children from Pre-K to Grade 12 feel safe, loved, and engaged in their schools, no matter what we as teachers may be feeling inside.
This COVID-19 pandemic has not offered easy choices for anyone, but the one thing we can do as teachers, administration, school committee members, parents, and the community at large is to choose kindness. Offer each other support, empathy, and compassion. We will continue to work together for the best solutions possible in a most uncertain time. We all are facing difficulties, whether collectively or individually, but know that the teachers will be ready for your children whether it is remote or in-person and they will be welcomed back with such joy!
Stay well,
Angela Mercure
GTA President
Lynn Loiseau
GTA Vice President
