By Dan Murphy
As students across Westchester school districts prepare to go back to school after Labor Day, teachers unions, administrators and most parents are supporting plans to return to a normal school year with studnets in class with there teachers. And as the 2021-22 school year begins, there will be no remote option for the small number of parents who don’t want to send their children into class.
Samantha Rosado-Ciriello, President of the Yonkers Federation of Teachers, said “Teachers are ready. We want our students in school. After one year of remote learning, the best place for students to learn is in the classroom with their teachers. We can read the body language of our students, which is important to learning. Some students are reluctant to say I need help, but a teacher can tell when a student needs help by their demeanor or body language. This prompts us to go to the student in a non public way to offer help.”
“All of the social and emotional support programs are in our schools, when they are at home that is not necessarily the case. We did the best we could with remote learning during the pandemic, but both students and teachers need to go back to a classroom. Many parents also realize the value of having their children in school.
Mayor Mike Spano and the Yonkers Board of Education have mandated that all staff be vaccinated before the first day of school or undergo weekly testing.
Ciriello said that the YFT is currently negotiating all parts of vaccination, ventilation and all back to school issues witht the district, adding that while the vast majority of teachers in Yonkers have been vaccinated, there are some who have not been vaccinated for medical or religious reasons.
“We want to make sure that vaccines are available to those who want it, but we do have teachers with medical conditions and religious beliefs, and others who are still uncertain. We support vaccinations and encourage people to get vaccinated but we also believe that this is a choice and that they should not be mandated to do something that they are unable to do. And these decisions should not be made without negotiating with the unions”
Ciriello’s comments echo that of the New York State United Teachers and the NYS American Academy of Pediatrics, who launched a statewide campaign to highlight the importance of ensuring all students return to in-person instruction in the fall.
“We know the best place for students to learn is in the classroom, and every student deserves access to full-time, in-person instruction this year,” NYSUT President Andy Pallotta said. “We support the health protocols recommended by health experts, including family pediatricians, and state education officials. With a layered, holistic approach in place that ensures the health and safety of everyone in our schools, our educators are here to welcome their students with open arms on the first day of school.”
“Prioritizing in-person education is critical for every child’s social and educational development. As pediatricians, we want parents to understand that this can be done in a safe way when schools layer critical health strategies,” said Dr. Warren Seigel, Chair, NYS American Academy of Pediatrics, District II. “In-person education not only benefits children academically, but also socially and emotionally. Pediatricians are here to help families understand how critical being in school is and how to keep everyone safe.”
