Union wants remote learning after Thanksgiving

By Tanya Connor | The Catholic Free Press 

 A teachers’ union is calling for two weeks of remote learning at the two central Catholic schools following the Thanksgiving break – to protect people from a “likely increase” in COVID-19 cases. 

On Monday the Worcester Diocesan Educators’ Lay Teachers Association (DELTA) sent out a press release and held a prayer vigil outside the Chancery to share concerns. The union represents teachers at St. Peter Elementary and St. Paul Diocesan Catholic Junior/ Senior High, both in Worcester. 

Schools Superintendent David Perda said Monday that the Catholic Schools Office is not planning to switch to all-remote learning at present, because the Worcester public health department said that is not necessary. That could change if medical experts at the city’s health department say it is not safe to be in schools. If that happens the schools will transition to all-remote learning, he said.  

“The safety of students and staff is paramount,” he said. “We’ve worked extremely hard since the beginning of the school year to make sure we had plans for reopening that followed the guidelines from both the state Department of Education and the Department of Public Health.  

“We’ve been monitoring the statistics. We work with the local boards of health. When we get to a point where we have some uncertainty, we check with them. They’re able to tell us where those positive cases are coming from,” the superintendent said. 

A statement in DELTA’s press release said: “Resolved Unamimously: During this global resurgence when our community and region is experiencing a sustained spread of COVID-19, DELTA believes we must protect members of our community and prevent the spread of disease in our schools.” 

The press release says members support taking “utmost” precautions” through the holiday, “which state authorities have warned is likely to increase spread and rates of positivity.” It says members want in-person learning – safely – and they support remote learning until Dec. 14, when schools would return to their current models. They “ask that the Diocese respect and respond to this very reasonable request presented by its front-line workers."  

Asked if it would be a problem to switch to all-remote learning for that long, Superintendent Perda said, “It’s two weeks of time in the education of a child that would not be optimal. … We’re not going to make that move until it’s necessary.”  

“We recognize that everyone is trying to balance the risk of contracting this virus with delivering effective education of children and young people,” says a statement from the diocese. It says the schools are being responsive to parents’ desires for in-person learning for their children, which is consistent with recommendations made by the governor and the state Department of Education.  

The diocese’s statement gives the following statistics as “testimony to how well the protocols have been followed.” 

Of nearly 1,000 students in the two central Catholic schools, four tested positive in the previous two weeks, ending Nov. 20. Nineteen high school students tested negative following close contact in school, and 27 students tested negative following possible contact with someone outside the school suspected to have the virus. Five students are waiting for results from possible contact with someone outside the school. Three teachers tested negative but are out due to direct contact with someone who tested positive. 

Brian Leonard, president of the teachers’ union, told The Catholic Free Press that the state guidelines that Worcester’s Catholic Schools Office are following have become more minimal. 

“I look at it as an increase in our understanding of COVID transmission,” Superintendent Perda said. 

“I’m very appreciative of the work that teachers have done this year” to educate students, keep them safe and follow guidelines, the superintendent said. “It’s been a very difficult year. … I haven’t talked to a single parent that doesn’t recognize” the teachers’ efforts. 

“We’re especially concerned about the vulnerable,” Mr. Leonard said, citing last Sunday’s Gospel from Matthew 25 about serving Jesus by serving those in need. “We’re concerned about our students and their families,” teachers, administrators, everyone in the schools, said Mr. Leonard who is a theology teacher at St. Paul’s and a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Worcester. 

He said the union, which has about 56 members, wanted to work privately with the schools office, and he talked with Superintendent Perda, but teachers feel they haven’t been heard. So the press release was sent out and prayer vigil held.  

Monday’s vigil drew 15 people, some holding signs. Those present said teachers and members of the school communities attended. They sang and offered prayer requests, including one “for the superintendent and bishop to see the right way.” Invited to share their feelings, they called out, “Nervous. Scared. Angry. Frustrated. Disrespected.” 

“We just hope for a peaceful and a just solution,” Mr. Leonard said. 

Asked what the union plans to do if their request is not granted, he said union members will continue to pray and will meet to decide what to do. 

“We make collective decisions,” he said. “We’re going to discern.”