* Click here for background information if you need it. Press release from Illinois Federation of Teachers President Dan Montgomery and Illinois Education Association President Kathi Griffin…

“The guidelines ISBE released today provide a road map as we return to in-person instruction, but they don’t address some of the most pressing concerns that make it difficult to social distance appropriately and monitor the health and well-being of all our education support staff, teachers and students. We are especially concerned about the lack of personal protective equipment and providing a safe learning environment.

It is no secret that remote learning has been a challenge to teachers, parents and students and our membership looks forward to returning to in-person instruction, but anxiety remains high over class sizes and the lack of school nurses and other health and safety resources. We continue to be concerned about the deep disparities that exist in schools, especially in our Black and Brown communities, who still lack access to the internet and computers. We need to also consider our students who live in rural communities and their ability or lack-there-of to access information online. Parents, students and community members will feel safe returning to in-person instruction only when it is done safely by reducing class size and having a school nurse and necessary supplies in every school building.

Successfully incorporating the Illinois State Board of Education’s (ISBE) guidelines will depend largely on the labor management relationship and whether or not all the support staff, teachers and stakeholders have a real voice in determining what school looks like in our new normal.

We are committed to working with ISBE to help update the guidelines and give better guidance on what to do with crowded classrooms and schools, collective bargaining issues, and the lack of critical staff and resources such as school nurses and PPE. We are very much looking forward to working with our students, and we urge ISBE to assist every school in Illinois in getting the resources needed to keep every student and adult safe.

We are our students’ voice. It is imperative that as plans are developed for the year, we get a chance to ensure the safety of our students and our members, that some of our biggest concerns in this document are addressed, including resources and collective bargaining. We treasure the collaborative relationship we’ve had with ISBE throughout this pandemic and look forward to continuing our work together.”

* More on the IFT’s response in the Tribune…

Illinois Federation of Teachers President Dan Montgomery said in an interview that the guidelines raised more questions than answers and appeared more “aspirational” than grounded in “reality” with no certification that safety rules would be implemented and practiced.

“The thing that gives me the greatest pause is that it’s very squishy on social distancing, so I have a real concern that there’ll be districts or schools where they’ll say, ‘Well, let’s just try to keep the kids separated’ as opposed to really working it through and figuring out how you’re going to keep kids actually apart,” Montgomery said.

“The PPE issue is huge. I would really appreciate it if the State Board or the governor’s office could actually make sure every school district has masks and soap and sanitizer, and I don’t have confidence that that’s where we’re going to be anytime soon,” he said.

Montgomery said given safety concerns and the number of students, teachers and staff in schools in the Chicago area, “it’s hard to see how we’re going to have widespread, uniform in-person instruction” and that blended learning, mixing in-person and home teaching, would be the more practical outcome.

* WTTW…

The Chicago Teachers Union criticized that guidance. A statement from CTU President Jesse Sharkey reads, in part:

“Today’s guidance from ISBE is both too general and too vague to serve as a useful road map for CPS. In short, we’re going to be required to figure out many of the most critical features of school work for ourselves, in bargaining.

“Science increasingly shows that the virus is spread mainly through people breathing on each other for prolonged periods of time. Unfortunately, so much of traditional school involves exactly that practice.

“Keeping us safe will require more than just hand sanitizer … having a nurse in every building every day is more important than ever.”

* The Illinois Association of School Boards, however, was fairly positive and part of the announcement process…

IASB Executive Director Tom Bertrand joined state officials for the public announcement. Bertrand commended the Governor’s efforts to provide a path for the safe return of children to in-person learning: “We know that during a national crisis, schools are often the institutions best positioned to address the academic and social-emotional needs of children and the basic needs of many families. It is important to connect every child with caring, committed, competent educators — starting with the first day of school. The opportunity to return to school for in-person learning is an important step toward establishing that connection that is so important to the academic and social-emotional growth of our students.”

* Meanwhile…

Some Mahomet-Seymour students have tested positive for COVID-19 following an “unofficial prom” earlier this month.

The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District is investigating a COVID-19 outbreak associated with the “unofficial prom,” which was held in a private home on June 13. The event was not related to, sanctioned by, or endorsed by Mahomet-Seymour CUSD #3.

CUPHD said it is following up with the 10 confirmed cases.

As a precaution, all in-person activities at Mahomet-Seymour High School have been temporarily suspended. This includes athletic conditioning and behind-the-wheel driver’s education.