Return to Remote?
During the Omicron variant's peak in Massachusetts, LHS cases quadrupled, placing stress on staff and students alike. This was followed by a devastating effect on teacher absences as students were crammed into the IDLC without clear direction. This instability inspired a call for action: to bring back remote learning to reduce the transmission of Omicron at LPS.
As the Omicron variant spread throughout the country and world, we as a nation anxiously looked to local and international leaders for answers. What we found was a mixed response as Joe Biden fretted about putting in new lockdown and quarantine standards. Whereas Chicago, and other cities, teachers lead the charge to reinstall remote learning in their schools to mitigate the surge in cases.
In Lexington, on January, 2nd, 2022, Superintendent Dr. Julie Hackett tweeted, “Still getting lots of parent requests for remote learning in light of Omicron, so [I] feel compelled to write this tweet. Even if we wanted to, MA Supts can’t offer remote learning this year because DESE (Department of Elementary and Secondary Education) says this doesn’t count for time on learning.” This statement is coming from the egregious Baker-Polito administration trying to pretend that the pandemic doesn’t exist with a fallacious ‘return to normal' narrative. Governor Charlie Baker and Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito have shown and continue to show little care of the health and well-being of students and teachers alike through allowing the mask mandate to expire and subpar delivery of at-home tests and effective N-95 masks. What we need is a return to remote. Remote learning creates safety and assurance that teachers and students will be less likely to get sick and spread COVID-19 to others. Although we are seeing a recent decrease in cases, a remote alternative will provide a continuous guarantee for students and teachers if they get sick.
It is important to note that although all schools in Massachusetts have to adhere to the rules and regulations of the DESE this does not stop individual Superintendents from speaking out against the horrendous decisions made by our government. As a school leader, it should be important to show fearful and scared teachers, students, and parents that you are with them and want to see their concerns heard where it matters most. Yet, we’ve seen complacency and silence on the desire to return to remote when we need it the most.
by MARC BATTISTA