Colleagues,
Just another brief update on the issues related to the problems with bus transportation of students:
– Bus transportation. All Secondary school students should have bus transportation as of tomorrow (Monday). The number of Elementary school students without bus transportation, according to the District, has now been reduced from 318 to fewer than 150. To clear up the confusion related to the delayed dismissal of students due to late buses, we are working with the District to clarify the protocols. Meanwhile, principals are being asked by the District to collect names of volunteers from BENTE, RAP, and RTA members willing to participate, if needed. Teachers who have remained beyond the normal school day last Thursday and Friday should so inform their principals, in writing, and retain a record of the amount of time. And since not all teachers are needed to assist with dismissal delays, those teachers who have after-school obligations, or choose not to remain beyond the normal dismissal time, are of course not obligated to remain.
– Simultaneous teaching. Only students without bus transportation qualify for simultaneous learning. As noted above, that number of students has supposedly been now reduced to fewer than 150. We are continuing to meet with the District to negotiate alternatives to simultaneous teaching in case learning accommodation for students without bus transportation remains a need beyond this week.
Please continue to contact us with any questions or concerns related to either of these topics or to any other matter related to the reopening of our schools for in-person instruction. We will, in turn, continue to keep you informed.
Adam Urbanski, RTA President