Chicago Public Schools would go remote Wednesday under new CTU proposal, but mayor rejects idea

[SouthBayDem]

Source: Chicago Tribune

The Chicago Teachers Union unveiled a new proposal Saturday that would have remote learning start Wednesday districtwide if school officials agree to a set of additional COVID-19 safety protocols.

But even before the union’s announcement was complete, Mayor Lori Lightfoot shot down the idea.

Under the latest offer, CTU members would return to classrooms starting Monday — not for formal classes but to distribute laptops and help students sign up for a weekly, school-based COVID-19 testing program. Remote learning would begin Wednesday with in-person classes slated to return Jan. 18, if case numbers hold right.

Scores of Chicago Public Schools staff and students are already absent from in-person classes because they have COVID-19 or are quarantining because of possible exposure. But Lightfoot, CPS and public health officials have repeatedly opposed a wholesale return to remote learning during the standoff that so far as resulted in three days of canceled classes.

Read more: https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/breaking/ct-chicago-public-schools-teachers-union-new-deal-proposal-20220108-vsbil4f5fvdqxcx6rnq3acxw4i-story.html

[questionseverything]

1. The teachers want 9 days to get past the worst of this flair up

The mayor is putting economics above lives

Good for the teachers

[cadoman]

2. I don't believe the science supports that explicitly, but it doesn't oppose it either

"“CTU leadership, you’re not listening. The best, safest place for kids to be is in school. Students need to be back in person as soon as possible,” read a statement from Lightfoot and CPS CEO Pedro Martinez Saturday. “That’s what parents want. That’s what the science supports. We will not relent.”"

Here is what the current science says:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/k-12-guidance.html

A lot of those steps seem to imply that kids could safely go back to school, but the science isn't explicitly recommending it.

But the science, by describing methods to be safe at school (masking and vaccination, of course), also doesn't explicitly recommend _against_ sending kids to school.

I feel like a city as wealthy as Chicago that already has distance learning in place probably could have safely continued distance learning.

[moosewhisperer]

12. Wealthy?!?

Ha! CPS gets piss when it comes to budget. Most of the schools are in disrepair, books falling apart, apathetic teachers. I’ve experienced it. Friends’ kids are living through it now. Best decision we made was to move to a small suburb with a better system and actual accountability. Kids are in-person learning because we KNOW the safety protocols of our district. CPS teachers know the city doesn’t put money into most schools just for basic education, let alone safety.

[former9thward]

3. Chicago has had two years of chaos in the schools.

The kids have lost two years that they will never get back. The union started the 2019 school year with a strike that went for months. Then Covid and the school lost the next year and a half. Remote learning does not work. The Mayor knows it and the parents know it. The kids are not graded and just promoted to the next grade.

The union is running a candidate for Mayor in next year's election. This is nothing but politics and the parents know it.

[AZLD4Candidate]

4. Damn teachers. . .thinking they actually matter. They need to shut up and do what they are told

After all, teachers are a dime a dozen and it's the best part time job anyone can ever had. Who cares about their input? All they need to do is obey because parents run the classroom and know more about education and school safety than certified teachers will advanced degrees.

Don't run a teacher friendly candidate either. Police friendly, corporate friendly, and tone deaf people are what real Americans want.

[BigmanPigman]

6. As a former teacher I say, "Bravo!".

You nailed it.

[former9thward]

7. Is progressive Mayor Lightfoot "police friendly", "corporate friendly"?

Please give examples....Why does the union hate her?

[AZLD4Candidate]

8. Putting everyone in a school before teachers would make dislike her

She is completely wrong about this. Instead of fighting the teachers, work with them to come up with a way to make it happen.

Nope. . .just put it together half-assed then blame teachers when they resist.

[former9thward]

9. She has tried for three years to work with the union.

They have fought her everyday. The union opposed her 3 years ago when they supported another candidate. They have never gotten over it and have thrown away 3 years of education. The kids will never get it back. It is no wonder many Chicago area employers have said they do not hire Chicago Public school graduates.

[AZLD4Candidate]

10. So the answer is break the union. Damn teachers wanting to have a voice

[former9thward]

14. Oh yeah, the union is really being broken....

Exaggerate much?

[AZLD4Candidate]

16. Teacher bash much?

Nothing you say will make me believe you blame the teachers for everything.

[questionseverything]

11. The mayor wants to put children's and teachers' lives at risk

Guess what, dead kids won’t get the time back either

She is worried because some very verbal parents don’t want their full time babysitters to stay home

In 2 weeks this wave should be over(as long as we don’t listen to the mayor) remote learning isn’t the end of the world but death is

Btw what about trying to stop spreading the virus to give our healthcare workers a break?

[former9thward]

13. The Catholic schools of Chicago are not having any problems.

Why is that? Do they have some magic touch? You say 2 weeks. That is what was said two years ago. The schools have been in chaos for over 2 years now. But a lack of education for the kids is ok I guess.

[questionseverything]

15. First of all I really don't believe the religious schools aren't having trouble

I would need to see a link proving it

But I certainly know one thing they have, money 💰

If you have the best food, home,clothes and healthcare your chances at a good outcome improve

[AZLD4Candidate]

17. Public school suck. Private School great. Charter School answer

It's a Republican plan being advertised on a site for Democrats.

[former9thward]

19. Well you don't know Chicago.

No, they don't have money. Cadtholic school spending is $7,600 per student. Chicago public schools is $15,000.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/opinion/commentary/ct-chicago-public-schools-charter-catholic-archdio-20140908-story.html

https://nces.ed.gov/pubs2020/2020308.pdf

[AZLD4Candidate]

22. Okay. . .the answer is to dissolve the public school.

You really despise teachers and it shows in your posting antipathy, especially unionized public school teachers.

[oldsoftie]

23. Now, you stop making sense! No proof allowed! Yes, in person is the BEST choice.

Where I live, we've had in person learning since the fall of 2020. Over a YEAR ago. We did not have a disaster for either teachers or students. And i'm in GA, where we've had plenty of cases. These "remote only" areas have had pretty much the same levels.
I'm starting to think its just more about being able to get paid to stay at home

[questionseverything]

29. Catholic schools and the parents of catholic school children have money

Partly because as you show, they don’t spend it on education

They pay teachers half as much, have no special ed or other specialized help

While in person learning is the goal by this point changing back and forth from in person to remote should be seamless… more kids would stay home when sick if they could pick classes up from the web.. which should help stop the spread

Dead kids don’t learn well

[former9thward]

31. Where are the dead kids?

President Biden has said the schools should be open. His Education Secretary has said the same thing.

[questionseverything]

32. We all wish circumstances were better so all schools could be open

Right now that’s not the case

Thank goodness the teachers in Chicago are trying to protect the kids and themselves

For heaven’s sake it’s 2022, it should be seamless to go from remote to in person learning and back

The politicians are worried that parents won’t be able to work if schools are closed, that’s really the bottom line, unfortunately

[NullTuples]

5. It's so nice to see all the adults in the roomworking to ensure the safety of our nation's children.

(yes, that was sarcasm)


We've had shut downs & lock downs before, when the practical threat of COVID was arguably lower. We did distance learning. Everyone survived. Especially since payments were going out to ensure everyone could stay safe.

We know this wave is going to hit fast and hard - three, maybe four weeks and it's mostly going to be over.

Why are so many Dems now enforcing a very GOP-like "just let it burn through and get it over with" management strategy?

Maybe their assumption is that vaccinated people will mostly come out the other side okay, but that's sacrificing a not insignificant number of young people, disabled, immunocompromised and other people who cannot get the vaccine. And some who were fully vaccinated and boosted and mask up but will be left with Long Covid anyway.

It feels a lot like the mirror image of Trump's "let the blue cities burn" strategy, and that leaves a very bad taste in my mouth.

[AZLD4Candidate]

18. Because it seems even Democrats believe in Bill Bennett's "A Nation at Risk"

and since teachers are virtually powerless, because we're all a dime a dozen, teacher bashing an underfunded-by-design public school system is the easiest thing to do.

No wonder this country has a teacher shortage. Who would want to put themselves into student loan debt for low pay, miserable conditions, and a public that blames every ill on society on teachers?

[NullTuples]

20. I cannot believe teacher & health care worker student debt is still here.

[oldsoftie]

24. "everyone survived". Read up on the mental health issues with children & lost learning.

Suicides were way up. they have lost enough time in these areas already. In school learning is what the children need.
The negatives of staying home have been documented after 2020. And its worse for poor children.
Remote learning just doesnt work well for too many children.
Covid isnt going away. We cannot go remote every time there's a spike.

[sindri]

25. Yes and...

Schools also need to invest in more substitutes, PPE, counselors, materials, etc. WHICH THEY REFUSE TO DO! All teachers prefer in-person learning but because there is lack of planning and support from the districts, in-person learning is not safe for anyone. Kids refuse to wear masks, are skipping classes because with so many teacher out it is easier for them to do so, they are causing damage to the school because of tiktok and lack of skills to deal with difficult emotions, there are no where near enough counselors for the kids to access. Teachers understand what needs to happen to keep kids in schools but district and political leadership and refuses to listen and provide the resources needed.

Simply "being in school" is only the start of helping our kids. They need full participation and support from EVERYONE, not just teachers.

[oldsoftie]

26. We've been in-person learning since fall of '20 with very few closures.

I dont think our administrators are any more enlightened than any other major city/county administration. Its just a matter of eeing what works and doesnt.
We needed more subs before the pandemic. We needed other things too. But the continued default to remote learning just doesnt work. Its shown to be mostly a failure. Its been written about by even the NYT.
Even with the hiccups our area schools have had at times, the end result has been that the students doing in school learning are far ahead of those who have continually been at home. And the poor kids suffer even more loss.
Nothing will ever be perfect.

[NullTuples]

28. Suicides were not "way up". And certainly not tied to distance learning.

"there have been multiple, unfounded claims that rates of suicide are increasing or linked to remote learning."

[link:https://www.edweek.org/leadership/opinion-what-we-know-about-suicide-during-the-pandemic-and-what-we-dont/2021/03|

[oldsoftie]

30. Numbers were up. No, you cant PROVE it was because they werent in school.

But it certainly is a large factor that cant be ignored. Not to mention the "lost learning" that HAS been documented.
EdWeek wouldnt be totally unbiased in their opinion either. Here are some media sources

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2021/02/02/962060105/child-psychiatrists-warn-that-the-pandemic-may-be-driving-up-kids-suicide-risk

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/06/11/suicide-attempts-among-young-girls-surge-by-more-than-50percent-during-pandemic-cdc-says-.html

100% because of the lockdown? No way to ever really know. But factor in every other aspect; lost learning, social interactions, impact on poor children, destructive behavior, etc; and kids need to be IN school. Especially when this latest variant is far less likely than Delta to kill you or put you in the hospital if you've been vaccinated. And I say again, in my area, in-person went back into effect in the fall of 2020. We didnt have disasters because of it. And my area has a higher than average number of idiots who follow the anti-vax/pro trump bullshit

[sybylla]

27. This is batshit to me.

Supposed Dems have gone on to espouse the Trump plan - let it burn. And the victims are children. Those under 5 can't get vaxed and those 5-12 are probably not completely through their vax series. But, sure, let's dump on teachers and bust their unions because that will effing help how? JFC.

I am absolutely disgusted by the high number of comments on this thread that are anti-teacher/anti-public schools. This kind of crap is the stuff that had me walking away from DU in 2012. So much effing in-fighting and so many supposed Democrats talking conservative talking points. WTF?

[Rebl2]

21. Why is it

some cities/mayors control the school districts. Are they all that way in Illinois? I am not aware that the state that I live in has any cities that have control of the school district. The cities have school districts that are run by superintendents and school boards. The mayors have no control over the districts. Doesn’t mean they may not comment from time to time. Seems to me larger city mayors have enough on their plate, why not give up control to superintendents and school boards.