233 3 minutes read Photo credit: Liberation screenshot of KOAT coverage. On Feb. 3, teachers and students held a protest outside of Albuquerque Public Schools administrative headquarters against the rushed re-opening of schools. They chanted “Save lives, keep the schools closed!” and “Until cases decline, stay online!” Later that day, the APS Board of Education met to vote on a “re-entry plan” to force teachers and students back into in-person schools. In response to mass public outcry, this vote was delayed until at least Feb. 17. School administration, NM governor want schools back in-person Last March, New Mexico schools went fully online, and “virtual learning” has continued into the current school year. Albuquerque Public Schools provided a laptop or other device to all students and worked with Internet providers to provide cheap Internet. Cafeteria workers were reassigned to provide drive-through meals for students. Teachers adapted too, planning lessons, facilitating classes, and grading online. While both teachers and students have struggled, the shift to virtual schooling has been largely successful and has undoubtedly prevented the spread of the virus by eliminating a major center of potential disease spread.