Way back in 1990s I ran a breakfast/lunch program during the summer in Hunts Point. We had it set up in an elementary school. I was the teacher in charge, and we had one security agent and two nice Italian ladies distributing pre- made food. The kids came in to eat every morning and afternoon. This was very easy to set up and a wonderful asset for the kids and their families.
Has there ever been a time when the schools have been closed for extended periods of time during the school year? Yes, we have had the schools close before. During Super Storm Sandy in 2012 and during the extended summer break of two weeks during the end of summer break in 1993 (for asbestos removal). These were relatively small amounts of time. There were concerns voiced by many I knew at that time concerning what could happen to unsupervised youths. The reference was for small children and for young adults. Most cops back then prayed for the start of school each September, as they readily voiced their concerns over skyrocketing crime each summer. This was of course before our beloved Mayor de Blasio made New York City statistically the safest big city in the world.
Most people don’t like to face the realities of NYC Public High Schools. In the Bronx, they are far and wide, de facto warehouses. The students are functionally illiterate and many have fallen into deep criminality from non-parenting and the systemic indifference of the school system. If the schools are closed, those students are let loose on an unprepared and unsuspecting populace. This threat is unvoiced, as it is a very unpleasant reality, that everyone in city and state government, wants to ignore. It’s especially painful and politically disadvantageous for many if correlated with race.
It’s time to stop playing politics with teachers’ and students’ life’s. If potential crime is what’s stopping deBlasio from closing the schools then clamp down on criminality. But, there’s the cops, who have a real union, that may cut their workforce because of exposure to the Corona Virus. Thus, the schools stay open.
Update: DeBlasio will close the schools starting Friday. You are expected to attend Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for distance learning training. Can you get the virus while attending training? Yes, you can. Can you bring that virus home to your family, if you catch it? Yes, you will. Perhaps the Mayor and Mulgrew expect you to attend out of some type of displaced loyalty to a system that treats teachers like disposable diapers? Yes, they do.
You are right on the mark. Maybe it's a big win for the Doe and Uft. Many veteran teachers, many becoming ATR as you are well aware, are targeted because of high salaries. Forcing them to be surrounded by sick students should kill many of them off. Just what Mayor Bloomberg always wanted, and now what the Doe and Uft salivate over.
ReplyDeleteI will not be going in on Monday and any teacher that does is less than human. Everyone has to call out sick Monday, not Wednesday. Many teachers and students can become infected over two days. I'm curious are you still working? I'd like you to speak to my chapter.
Perhaps the UFT can kick in some cash for the tombstones of its older working teachers? I know what many will say - 'Big Mike disagrees with Big Bill and has agreed to respectively disagree.' This is unacceptable and verges on the outrageous. Mulgrew, if he can still stand upright, has to call an extended sick out. I doubt he will. I agree that Wednesday is too late - it must be done immediately.
ReplyDeleteI am working part time in a very upscale town outside NYC. They are currently closed for a deep cleaning. If DeBlasio had any sense he would follow suit and close all schools for a deep cleaning. This may take an extended period of time and might not be enough based on the sheer number of students. It would at least give
all constituencies a compromise and time to reassess any developments. Thank you for the compliment. I am a unionist, but no longer a UFT member, as I can no longer support the corrupt and vile UFT. (I am patiently waiting for any signs of a revival. Perhaps, I hope this is it.)
I don't know what to do. I don't want to be fined 2 days for taking 1 day off for a sick out. I have elderly parents and my own health problems. I think I may already be infected. I just don't know what to do.
ReplyDeleteHow much is your life worth? How much is your families life worth? Stop letting Deblasio, Mulgrew and others do your thinking. Would you walk into a minefield if they told you to? Well that's what the schools are now. Actually worse, because you'll bring that biological bomb back to everyone you come into contact. You know what to do. Protect yourself and your family.
ReplyDeleteI feel better better about things now. Mulgrew is threatening a lawsuit if DeBlasio doesn't close the schools. I think this will work out.
ReplyDeleteRespectfully, are you joking? Will next month's headline of 'The New York Teacher' read 'Mulgrew Makes a Mean Face at DeBlasio, Threatens a Suit and DeBlasio Caves!'? I wish, but I don't think so. Unless Mulgrew can file that suit right now and get a favorable response before school starts tomorrow morning - it's too late. It's posturing for the rank and file that are finally seeing Mulgrew for what he is - a totally ineffective and accommodating UFT president that has emboldened DeBlasio to as he pleases with teachers and schools.
ReplyDeleteThere's going to be remote learning for teachers for the next few days. No kids. It's wasn't Mulgrew that got this done. He'd fuck up a wet dream. I'm not going in to learn bullshit from people that don't know shit about distance learning. Let me learn from a distance. I'm going on a binge starting NOW.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy yourself! (Please be careful and stay safe.)
ReplyDelete