Joined by colleagues from across government, Governor Dan McKee today announced that the state of Rhode Island is partnering with cities and towns on an ambitious plan to get first doses of COVID-19 vaccine to all K-12 teachers, school staff, and child care workers by the end of the month.
“Getting our teachers, school staff, and child care workers vaccinated is one of the best things we can do right now to support students, families, schools, and our economy,” said Governor McKee. “Here in Rhode Island, we’ve heard President Biden’s directive, and his goal is our goal. Child care and in-person learning are essential services, and we should treat them that way. I want to thank the leadership of our cities and towns for stepping up to help us meet this moment and get these workers vaccinated quickly, efficiently, and safely.”
Pawtucket School Committee votes to return to in-person learning
PAWTUCKET The School Committee Tuesday night unanimously approved an in-person return to school for most of its students, a plan they had unanimously rejected a month ago.
Pawtucket was the only district out of 60-plus districts to remain in remote learning, a move that left many parents furious and demanding in previous meetings that the committee reverse its decision.
The plan now calls for bringing back elementary students March 1, middle school students (grades 7 and 8) March 15 and returning high school students on a hybrid schedule March 29.
Parents will have the option to choose remote learning.
Pawtucket schools remain remote and parents are furious
PAWTUCKET Twelve months into the pandemic, Pamela Ramsey’s 6-year-old son has had it with remote learning.
“Right now he’s underneath my kitchen table refusing to get on the computer,” she said Friday morning. “The teachers are trying. They are doing the best they can with what they have. But it’s not working for him.”
Christopher Jr. is behind grade level in reading. He can’t keep up with his teacher, which only underscores his frustration.
“He looks at me and says, ‘I’ll do my work when I go to school,” and I say, ‘Touché.’ ”