Greetings,
This is a historic moment, and we are in it together. I hope you all are doing well and coping with being largely homebound. This has been an eventful two days for Massachusetts educators and families as new decisions about school closures and remote learning are being made.
As you all know by now, yesterday the governor extended school closures statewide until at least Monday, May 4. The MTA supports that decision since protecting the health of our students and members is our highest priority. Go here and here for more information on that decision.
Today, DESE released its guidance on remote learning. Based on numerous conversations with members, the MTA pushed hard for educators’ principles to be included in this guidance. I am happy to report that DESE and the other stakeholders accepted most of our recommendations.
The organizing and power-building you have done over the past several years have led us to become a force to be reckoned with. Go here for our statement about the remote learning guidance.
Our Center for Education Policy and Practice and field staff will be providing locals with more detailed information about negotiating or, if necessary, modifying already negotiated local MOAs to make sure they are consistent both with this guidance and with the best interests of our students, our members and our communities.
Stay well. Stay connected. Stay active – even if at a distance!
In solidarity,
Merrie
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