Plainfield Teachers Pushing for Starting School Year Remotely

Plainfield educators will be taking their questions regarding the start of the new school year to the public and the Plainfield School District 202 administrative offices. On Thursday morning, the teachers will be observing social distancing and wearing masks as they will hold signs with questions they’d like the Plainfield Board of Education (BOE) to answer about safety protections related to COVID-19 and the new school year.

Association of Plainfield Teachers (APT) President Dawn Bullock said, “There are far too many unanswered questions for us to resume in-person learning at this point. We know COVID-19 cases are rising both here at home and all across the country.” He added, “We don’t have all the proper resources, like PPE and masks, in stock yet. And, quite frankly, after the board rejected the return to school plan, we don’t even have a plan in place to begin working on.”

At a special meeting on July 20, the BOE supported by APT voted down a return-to-learning plan. Bullock said they want to start the year in remote learning to give the district valuable time to make sure the staff and students have the safest possible environment. He added, “If we begin remotely and staff chooses to work from their classrooms, custodial staff will have the opportunity to run the safety plan and see where changes need to be implemented.”

APT carried a poll among its members. 76 percent responded to start the year remotely. APT supported the plan that instituted remote learning at the start of the school year and continued through the end of the first quarter. Bullock said students’ and educators’ health is at concern. We need to adapt to a plan that will protect all lives. Bullock said he doesn’t know why the board members don’t agree with APT’s plan despite well received by administrators, parents, and teachers.