The union representing teachers in the School District of Philadelphia is telling members not to go into the buildings on Monday over COVID-19 safety concerns.
Late Sunday night, city officials confirmed to Action News that a mediation process is underway and teachers would not be mandated to report. The mediation process is still ongoing. Without a final decision from the mediator, teachers won t be mandated to report tomorrow, but any teacher who chooses to report is welcome to do so. We remain hopeful that this process will ultimately allow both parties to come to a resolution in time for students to return the week of February 22, said a spokesperson for the city.
Philadelphia educators to defy district, maintain all-virtual schooling Monday
Thousands of Philadelphia public school teachers are set to defy their district’s order to return to classrooms Monday. They will instead work virtually. This week marks the third attempt by the school district of Philadelphia to reopen school buildings in the midst of the pandemic. The district has been remote-only since last March.
District officials demanded that approximately 2,000 kindergarten through second-grade teachers prepare classrooms beginning February 8 so that students could return on February 22. Nine thousand students are scheduled to enter buildings first, with further grades phased in later.
Following the policies of Democratic Mayor Jim Kenney, Democratic Governor Tom Wolf and the Biden administration, the district is issuing threats, lies and trying to browbeat teachers into acquiescing to its demands. “If you are expected to be in your building on Monday and choose not to do so
The City of Philadelphia has announced a joint effort with Children's Hospital of Philadelphia to start vaccinating teachers and other school staff in late February.
The City of Philadelphia has announced a joint effort with Children's Hospital of Philadelphia to start vaccinating teachers and other school staff in late February.