Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Thank you for joining our three grade-level meetings today. Your input, questions and concerns are very important as we move forward planning a safe reopening of the Haverhill Public Schools for students and staff. Our first bargaining meeting will be done remotely tomorrow from 2-4 PM. In support of our Bargaining Team, there are some actions we as a collective body must take:
1. Social Media Blitz
We are asking members to spam School Committee members’ Facebook accounts with comments regarding the School Committee’s vote to support a hybrid start next month. Mayor Jim Fiorentini, Vice Chair Rich Rosa, Scott Wood and Paul Magliochetti all voted for the hybrid model. We would like members to go to their facebook pages listed below and comment either directly on their page using the create post button, or in the Mayor’s case where the public can’t comment on his page directly by leaving a comment on a recent post of his.Toni Donais voted against the rest of the Committee and in support of our students and staff. Please let her know we appreciate her standing up for staff and student safety! Maura Ryan-Ciardiello abstained from voting due to not having her questions answered, but should also be recognized for not voting to send us back to the buildings before it is safe. Gail Sullivan was not in attendance and was unable to vote.
- To Fiorentini, Rosa, Wood and Magliocchetti – “Hello, I am writing in support of the Haverhill Education Association’s reopening platform. The Haverhill Education Association wants nothing more than to be back in our buildings with our students, but does not support a hybrid model to start the year. Starting the school year remotely and using a phased reopening plan based in science and not an arbitrary calendar is the best way to keep your students and staff safe. #OnlyWhenItsSafe”
- To Toni Donais and Maura Ryan – Thank you for your support during this week’s meeting. The Haverhill Education Association, wants nothing more than to be back in our buildings with our students, but does not support a hybrid model to start the year. We feel a remote start using a phased reopening plan based in science and not an arbitrary calendar is the best way to keep your students and staff safe. The HEA appreciates your support #OnlyWhenItsSafe
Links to public Facebook pages:
City of Haverhill Mayor’s Office
The Mayor’s “Haverhill News” page
2. Display of Empty Shoes at City Hall / Stand Out for Safe Schools
- Tomorrow, Wednesday, August 12th from 10 AM-2PM we are asking members to drop off used pairs of shoes (preferably children sizes, but all sizes welcome) so we can display them in front of and around City Hall. These empty shoes are meant to represent the children who have passed away already due to Covid 19, and those who we will lose if we reopen before it is safe. Barry and Nicole will be at City Hall to collect the shoes and place them around the area.
- We would also like members, following social distance guidelines, to stand around City Hall prior to the first bargaining session with signs supporting safe schools anytime from 10AM-2PM. Bargaining (remotely) is scheduled to begin at 2:00 PM.
Ideas for Signs:
#Only When Its Safe
#NotUntilItsSafe
#NotOneChild
Don’t gamble with our students’ lives! (w/ images of cards and dice)
Have you lost your marbles sending students back to unsafe buildings?Thank you Toni Donais for supporting students and safe schools!
Dr. Maddox is NOT an infectious disease expert!!!!
Science not Politics
Can we have plexiglass like the school committee members?
District Provided PPE!
Joint Stakeholder Committees save lives!
Testing at a time like this?
Do I need to update my will?
3. Merrimack Valley Educators United “Only When It’s Safe”
- New lawn signs are available to support a safe reopening of our schools! Please contact Anthony Parolisi at anthonyparolis@gmail.com to arrange a pick up. We would love to see these signs all around!
4. Share our platform!
- Our platform is a great way to start having conversations with colleagues, neighbors, friends and parents about our ideas for reopening schools safely., and permanently, for all and, of course #OnlyWhenItsSafehttps://drive.google.com/file/d/18Ym0-oD8RwMa1HAh2vd4LV42qF5H3UaZ/view (español aqui: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Byy4M5tahu99xtCb-HvPMRlaDGEK75LK/view)
In Solidarity,
Nicole Sanchez and Barry Davis
Contract Action Team Co-Chairs