PoPville » “this settlement brings us one other step nearer to getting our college students the place they should be – within the classroom”

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From the mayor’s office:

“Tonight after DC Public Schools and the Washington Teachers’ Union have reached an agreement on a return to face-to-face learningMayor Bowser released the following statement:

“Since the summer we have worked tirelessly to create a plan that will allow for the safe return of personal learning – a plan that will meet the needs of students, educators and families. Although the number of CARE classrooms was limited, we know that they are an important lifeline for many families. However, we know that the best option for our young people is personal learning and that has remained our focus. The road is long and there is a lot of learning loss that needs to be made up, but this agreement brings us one step closer to getting our students where they need to be – in the classroom, surrounded by educators and friends who are challenged and challenged feel loved. ”

From the Washington Teachers’ Union:

“The Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU) is pleased to announce an agreement with DC Public Schools for a Memorandum of Agreement setting out the conditions for return to face-to-face learning.

“DC teachers miss our students and recognize that many are struggling to adapt to distance learning,” said WTU President Elizabeth Davis. “The reopening of our schools will not be a return to normal. We are committed to finding ways to provide the best possible support to our students who have struggled the most during the pandemic. “

The agreement is valid until the end of the 2020-2021 school year or until the end of the COVID-19 pandemic emergency, whichever is earlier. It calls for more transparency around facility visits and ensures that local school advisory teams (LSATs), bodies elected to represent school communities, and other members of local school communities can verify that facilities are reopened can be.

“The safety of our students, school-based workers, and communities must remain our top priority,” Davis continued. “As we move forward, it is important that our individual schools are open to the work that has been done to ensure proper air circulation and other protective measures in each school building before resuming face-to-face learning. We must take every precaution and build trust that we have done everything to protect our communities. “

The MOA also sets out the conditions for staff to return to face-to-face classes. According to the terms of the agreement, the DPS will provide the members of the WTU with a survey with the following options: “1) I am interested in teaching in person again” and “2) I am interested in continuing distance learning.” DCPS will provide the WTU with data on the demand for personal seats. If family demand exceeds the availability of negotiating unit members, DCPS may assign negotiating unit members for personal instruction in accordance with Conditions 3 and 4, except for employees who have been approved for vacation or virtual accommodation in the workplace under the Families First Coronavirus The Response Act (FFCRA), the COVID-19 Emergency Support Act (CESA), the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the DC FMLA, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), or any other applicable law, is not required to give in person . “