![]() “We need to prioritize the health and safety of our students and our community, and we should not be taking any unnecessary risks. “We have not had schools open during a COVID spike like the one that we’re seeing right now,” she said. She also believes the data has not shown high rates of virus transmission in schools because of the way contact tracing is conducted, which does not include people wearing masks who came into contact with a sick individual. Lopez said that “narrative” district leaders are touting of the coronavirus not spreading in schools does not reflect the current COVID-19 situation. He also said teachers are working with parents to see if students who are doing well can learn from home to reduce classroom sizes.Īdditionally, Martinez said, data has shown that COVID-19 transmissions in schools are extremely low, even in larger districts like Northside, where more students are attending in person. He said lunchtime presents challenges for physical distancing and mask-wearing, but the district installed Plexiglas dividers to enhance safety. Martinez said about 30 percent of students are learning in person right now. ![]() She said the union at first was encouraged by the district’s safety plan and how it followed Metro Health guidelines, but district leaders have moved away from that guidance, which is compounded by the fact that the Texas Education Agency is “essentially holding district funding hostage” by forcing them to offer in-person instruction. Middle and high school students are switching classes, increasing their interactions with others, and making contact tracing “a nightmare.”Īlejandra Lopez, president of the San Antonio Alliance, expressed similar concerns about San Antonio ISD. Metro Health guidelines for schools also recommend students remain in pods of six or fewer students and that in-person instruction should be reserved for students with special needs, those who are struggling, and those who lack access to adequate resources.Įspiritu-Azocar said this is not happening in Northside ISD. “The next two and a half weeks are going to be really integral.” “With this giant swing in cases across the city right now, we have real concerns in the safety and well-being of not only our members but the students and the staff across the district, including our custodial staff and our bus drivers who are really on the front lines of this on a regular basis,” she said. One teacher reported having 30 students in the classroom, Espiritu-Azocar said. She has heard from members that capacity in some schools has reached 45 percent, with some teachers reporting class sizes between 18 and 20 students. Melina Espiritu-Azocar, lead organizer for the Northside American Federation of Teachers, said the school district is not limiting building and classroom capacity to 25 percent, the threshold Metro Health set for schools when Bexar County is in the yellow zone, or a medium risk level. They also don’t feel their districts are following the guidelines for schools set by the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District. Still, teachers and other school staff members are worried about the recent spike in COVID-19 cases and how those cases may spill over into schools. Northside ISD plans to make the same rapid tests available to 10 schools, starting Monday, district spokesperson Barry Perez said.
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