BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) Teachers across New York State are eligible for the coronavirus vaccine, but they don't need to be vaccinated before schools can reopen. Earlier this month, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky told reporters, "vaccination of teachers is not a prerequisite for the safe reopening of schools."
Currently, Buffalo Public Schools have resumed an in-person hybrid model of
learning for pre-K through 2nd grade, special needs students as well as high school seniors. The School Board will meet in early March to begin discussions on bringing more students back into school buildings.
Phil Rumore, President of the Buffalo Teacher Federation (BTF), says it's distressing that there is not equal access to the vaccine, due to supply issues. But he said as long as buildings are clean and protocols are followed, that on a limited basis, it's okay to bring more kids back. "The teachers more than anybody want to be back with their kids," he said.
"I think teachers should be a high priority for the vaccine. Before a school is opened, they should take a look at the percentage of teachers that have the vaccine. Is it preferable? Yes. But a mandate? I'm not sure of the answer to that," he said.
Children's hospitals and pediatricians are calling on the Biden administration to prioritize children's mental, emotional and behavioral health in addressing the pandemic.
The American Association of Pediatrics cites children's hospital visits increasing significantly during the pandemic with a nearly 20 percent increase in suicide attempts and over 40 percent increase in disruptive behavior disorders.
"We want to make sure kids get back into school buildings. Teachers, like parents and kids, are also under stress," said Rumore. "We want everyone back in school, but we want to make sure it's safe for them."
The district is working on it, but Rumore says there are not enough custodians to keep rooms sanitized. And he says Buffalo's schools are older. "None of us want to be in a position where we say, oops, we went too fast."
Standardized Testing
The federal government has decided to mandate standardized testing, despite objections from teachers. President Biden's incoming education secretary has said standardized testing would inform schools of the effects COVID-19 has had on learning and help identify what resources are needed.
"It's not just teachers opposed to this," said Rumore. "Remember the parent uprising to testing before the pandemic. It was called the opt-out movement because the tests don't measure creativity and critical thinking."
Rumore said to make a kid take a test after they haven't been in school. "I can't imagine the kind of stress that they will be under," he said.
Testing results will not be held against the schools and districts, but the Department of Education said the tests must still go on to assess where students are compared to normal.
"Don't we care about the kids, and how they feel?" asked Rumore. " Isn't that more important than putting a kid through stress on a test that's meaningless?"
