Tacoma teacher group plans sick-out over COVID-19 safety concerns for in-person learning Allison Needles, The News Tribune
A group of teachers in Tacoma is planning a sick-out Wednesday to draw attention to their demands for a safe return to in-person learning.
A post on Instagram Sunday by a group called Safe Return Tacoma encouraged Tacoma Public Schools employees to request a sick day, set students up with independent work and join in “mini actions” throughout the day.
“By participating in a sick out on an asynchronous late-start Wednesday, we are having minimal negative impact on students while still being able to send a clear message to the district: look how many of your employees don’t feel safe with your hybrid model!” the post stated.
Tacoma kindergarten students prepare for return to in-person classes on Tuesday
Kindergarten students will be returning to the classroom on Tuesday
TACOMA, Wash. - Kindergarten students are gearing up for their first day of in-person classroom instruction in the South Sound this year.
Tuesday is the big day for Tacoma Schools where up to 15 kids will be allowed into each classroom. Students will spend two days on campus each week while distance learning from home for the others.
Families in Tacoma have been rolling with the punches since last spring, but new state health guidelines are more flexible. As long as new COVID-19 infection rates do not surpass thresholds detailed by the Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), younger students are returning to public school campuses.
Allison Needles: Tacoma kids are headed back to school. Is the district prepared to keep them COVID free?
News Tribune, Tacoma, Wash. 1/15/2021 Allison Needles, The News Tribune (Tacoma, Wash.)
Jan. 15 Sitting at a desk in a classroom at Mary Lyon Elementary on Tuesday, fourth grader Tristan Hopkins said he prefers to learn at school rather than at home.
He got straight to the point. I hate this coronavirus, and I just want to be in normal school, he said.
Hopkins is one of about 20 students currently attending school in-person at Mary Lyon Elementary in Tacoma.
Tacoma Public Schools has been operating schools since October for more than 700 students needing special education services, in accordance with state COVID-19 guidelines.