Saturday, October 03, 2020

MULGREW'S LATEST EMAIL WON'T ADMIT COVID-19 IS IN SCHOOLS AND HE'S GIVING CITY ONE LAST CHANCE TO FIX BLENDED LEARNING

I was just going to print the latest Michael Mulgrew email to members (see below) and leave it at that. However, sometimes I just can't believe what I am reading.

This part left my jaw dropping:

The virus has recently surged in nine city ZIP codes — seven in Brooklyn and two in Queens. We will be calling on the mayor to close all the schools and other public facilities in those zip codes if the positive rate on virus tests in those neighborhoods does not start to come down. At this point, the virus is concentrated in the community in those areas, but independent medical experts warn us that it is only a matter of time before the virus spreads to our schools.

Mulgrew thinks it is a matter of time before the virus spreads to our schools. Wake up Mike; COVID-19 is already in loads of schools all over the place. Can Mulgrew read a map or does he just think we are too uninformed so we won't notice?

President Mulgrew also tells us the city cannot get testing to all of the COVID-19 hotspots.

At our urging, the city has sent mobile testing vans to schools in those ZIP codes, but it doesn’t have the capacity to reach all 80-plus schools quickly.

If they can't reach the 80+ schools in the hotspots, how are they managing to come Monday to Eastern Queens at P.S. 191? This is a part of an email Chancellor Carranza sent to families tonight:

Free, Fast COVID-19 Testing at PS 191

October 5th 2020

8am – 11am

          85-15 258th street

Floral Park NY 11001

 

For PS 191 Staff and Students

Parents/Guardians of students under the age of 18 must be present and must consent to student testing at these mobile sites

I don't know if we're that high on the hotspot list in Floral Park. Lack of access to testing isn't the biggest problem right now for the UFT. It's the UFT still not pushing to close all school buildings  during increasing community spread of COVID-19.

In the actual school buildings, Mulgrew concedes there are hundreds of operational complaints "at the ready." Why hasn't he already filed them and demanded the system go full remote as the remedy? What the hell is he waiting for? The city is getting their hundredth last chance to repair a blended learning system that will never work.

Giving the City-DOE more time to fix what we all know is not repairable is yet another Mulgrew disgrace. It's dither and delay again. He believes if he just keeps stalling, maybe the mayor will eventually work it out in his thick head that blended learning is unworkable or perhaps he feels the schools will get used to this chaos. City Councilman Mark Treyger, a former city high school teacher, figured it out. This is from an interview with Treyger in The Intelligencer done on Wednesday, a day before secondary schools started in-person learning:

Mark Treyger: To this day, we are experiencing continued staff shortages in our school system and in all grades. But the high-school grades are going to be particularly affected by the staffing shortage because in high school — and I’m a former high-school history teacher, so I know a bit about this — you are required to have a license to teach the specific content subject. If a high school has, let’s say, three chemistry teachers, and they’re all out on medical accommodations working from home, you can’t just put a history teacher to teach a chemistry class.

And there is no infinite pool of substitute science teachers in the school system. So what’s happening is that they are simply just shifting personnel to supervise students who are receiving remote instruction from their teacher who’s working from home. I call this “supervised remote instruction.” This is not in-person instruction. When high-school students return for in-person school, they will not be getting in-person teaching. They will be getting an adult who is not licensed to teach them. Or not even licensed to supervise them, because I’m being told now that paraprofessionals are being asked to supervise students in classes, which is against state regulations.

Further down:

Given the issues you’ve mentioned, do you think it’s feasible to continue with blended learning or would all remote instruction be preferable?

I think that the blended-learning model is a failure and that it was designed to fail. It was not designed to succeed because the city was never realistic about the severe challenges that come with the blended-learning model. Again, it’s very simple to me.

Your model calls for three sets of teachers, but it also requires you to hire thousands more people when many of your existing staff is requesting medical accommodations to work from home. So I don’t understand how they reached this conclusion. I don’t understand why they thought that this was feasible. But it’s just not happening.

The kids have worked this out. They are smarter than some here believe. Reports of 0 attendance in classes are not rare as remote class sizes soar into the 50's and even higher. The parents, some in the media who choose to open their eyes, teachers, and other educators all know blended learning won't work. Only Mulgrew waits a little longer, probably hoping you will all be intimidated to vote for School Based Options to make remote class sizes 50. Don't do it folks.

I cannot comprehend why there is not yet a full scale teacher rebellion. Get beyond the Battered Staff Syndrome-Mass Learned Helplessness. Don't give in. Propose all remote in SBOs. Force the DOE and their UFT partners  to refuse to sign off on them so they have the blood on their hands for putting you in harm's way and totally messing up the education of a million kids. We need to do what's right.

Mulgrew's email:

Dear __________,

It has been an intense week as you welcomed back students that you have not seen in more than six months. At the schools I visited, I watched you greet students — some timid, some excited — on opening day. Even with all the fear, sadness and anxiety you must have been feeling inside, I saw your natural gift as educators on display as you offered these children your elbows and your friendly words.

This school year has thrown up challenge after challenge. There is no playbook to follow. But you are showing up, whether virtually or in person, every day for your students and figuring out how to be the best educator you can be at this strange and daunting moment. I am proud to represent you.

Because the DOE has been unable to meet its hiring goals, some of you have bulging remote class sizes while others must juggle both remote and in-person classes. I know these assignments make it impossible for you to do your best work. We are going to have to make principals readjust their schedules in accordance with the blended learning agreements if the DOE does not fill these vacancies quickly. We have hundreds of operational issue complaints about staffing filed by your chapter leaders at the ready. We can’t have our members stuck with ridiculous programs and workloads for months on end.

Your health and safety come first. We continue to monitor instances of positive cases in our schools to ensure that the city is following the rigorous contact testing and tracing protocol established in the Sept. 1 DOE-UFT testing agreement. Mandatory random testing of 10% or more of the staff and students in every school building every month begins next week. Please report any safety or testing issues to your chapter leader or the UFT Call Center at 212-331-6311 if your chapter leader is unavailable. We are in a much better place than we were in March because of your advocacy, but we need to remain vigilant.

The virus has recently surged in nine city ZIP codes — seven in Brooklyn and two in Queens. We will be calling on the mayor to close all the schools and other public facilities in those zip codes if the positive rate on virus tests in those neighborhoods does not start to come down. At this point, the virus is concentrated in the community in those areas, but independent medical experts warn us that it is only a matter of time before the virus spreads to our schools. At our urging, the city has sent mobile testing vans to schools in those ZIP codes, but it doesn’t have the capacity to reach all 80-plus schools quickly.

If the city is unable to contain these outbreaks in the next few days, we will take stronger action. We cannot put these school communities in jeopardy because the city does not have the common sense or courage to do what needs to be done. Its failure to take aggressive action could endanger public health throughout New York City because the residents in those nine ZIP codes do not live on an island.

I had the honor to stand next to Curtis Buckner, a teacher at University Neighborhood HS in Manhattan, at this Thursday’s press conference. His words speak to our core values: “All we ask — because we are the ones who are doing this work in schools every day — is that whatever decisions are made, they’re not based on politics, they’re not based on economics, they’re based on preserving lives. We’re going to continue to give 110 percent, but we do ask that those making the decisions keep preserving life at the forefront of the conversation.”

Our next serious challenge is the economic collapse. The pandemic-triggered shutdowns have wrecked the city, state and national economies. Yesterday was the last day that the CARES Act, the stimulus bill passed by Congress in March, was in effect. Now, large corporations nationwide are shedding jobs at a fearsome pace.

New York City and New York State are saddled with enormous budget deficits. With each passing day, those deficits grow bigger. We made a promise in the spring to do everything in our power to protect our safety and our livelihoods. We now have to come up with a strategy to protect all of us from possible layoffs. The strongest shield we have is showing our value and worth as educators at every opportunity.

Stay safe and healthy.

Sincerely,

Michael Mulgrew

UFT President

52 comments:

nerd said...

Correct me if I'm wrong... but other city unions (FDNY, NYPD, DSNY etc) are all much more vigilant and vocal about working conditions and safety than the UFT. They say "no" when something puts members at risk. Does the UFT know how to say no.

How is that possible?

Our contract is up in less than a year....I fear we are going to give up so much more.

James Eterno said...

The UFT Contract isn't up until 2022, after the UFT election.

Anonymous said...

Lmao. The Mulgrew email talking about how we all have an enormous workload because the mayor didn’t follow thru on the needed hires for staffing shortages for hybrid and in the next breath talking about LAYOFFS is cognitive dissonance to a whole new level.

Anonymous said...

You fools don't see Mulgrew's brilliance. This was all a master plan by Mulgrew to force the DOE to hire thousands of substitutes in a chaotic blended learning system so as to preclude layoffs even though NYC is broke. Oh wait, they can lay you idiots off and keep the paras and subs because anyone can cover a class now. Anyway, just get your stupid asses into the buildings and contribute to that second wave of COVID-19.It's your duty as a NYC worker.

Bronx ATR said...

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/02/nyregion/schools-virus-testing-outbreak.html

Anonymous said...

Mulgrew is disgusting beyond words. UFT OFFICES ARE CLOSED TO IN PERSON VISITORS. However, the UFT is pushing for schools to stay open. I really hope the rank and file will remember how we are being treated right now and vote him out in the next election. Oh yeah, looks like he is no longer doing town hall meetings. Whats up that???

Anonymous said...

I read that the parents will be given multiple opportunities to sign the consent form to have their child tested before the child will be forced to go remote. Again wishy washy rules as usual. The city can't stick to any standard.

Anonymous said...

speaking of layoffs-- any word yet on the state assembly bill for the ERI?

Anonymous said...

I am not a conspiracy theorist generally, but the level of indifference and incompetence displayed by union leadership in this tragedy leads me to wonder whether this approach has all been agreed to with City Hall well in advance of today and the powers that be are simply rolling out an agreed-upon chain of events. Conspiracy or not, there should be a teacher revolt, and the teachers should have a say in how we are represented, unlike the approach of the current leadership.

Anonymous said...

Jamws, why do you continue to write these things? Why say your jaw dropped? Teachers will take no action. This will continue.

Anonymous said...

I think Trump's getting a mild case of Covid is going to be a step in the wrong direction because he'll say he is 74 and it was no big deal paving the way for less mask wearing and more lax rules.

Anonymous said...

https://nypost.com/2020/10/02/new-york-city-schools-are-open-but-not-yet-all-that-functional/?utm_campaign=iphone_nyp&utm_source=pasteboard_app

Anonymous said...

That idiot column in the NY Post some moronic commenter linked to wants the schools open full time. Why not just kill us all?

Anonymous said...

So, keep paying dues?

Anonymous said...

Lol. Is this unexpected? We are suckers. I am a sucker because I haven't quit yet. And I am at home, not paying dues and not at risk.

Anon2323 said...

IF WE DO NOT VOTE THESE FUCKER OUT (MULGREW, DIBLASIO, AND CARRANZA) AND GET SOMEONE WHO IS NOT AN ABSOLUTE MORORN OR A POLITICAL HACK WE CAN SURVIVE, WE ALL BETTER DO OUR CIVIV DUTIES WHEN TIME COMES! CANNOT SURVIVE OR CONTINUE WITH INCOMPETENT LEADERSHIP!

I thank James as always and miss and wish the great wise man Chaz was here because these seem like the darkest and most despicable times.

What exactly is the UFT doing with the multi-millions of dollars they receive in due?

Anonymous said...

12;53, You miss the point that must be inferred ; there’s nothing going on in schools and they should be closed. Maybe you’ll like this one better, genius.

https://nypost.com/2020/10/03/first-known-case-of-student-covid-19-in-nyc-public-school-revealed/?utm_campaign=iphone_nyp&utm_source=pasteboard_app

Anonymous said...

Mulgrew on the case. The student's parents at PS373K had to self-report the positive #COVID19 case to the school b4
@NYCSchools

@NYCHealthSystem
properly quarantined exposed staff members; families weren't informed. This plan
@NYCMayor

@UFT
isn't safe and isn't #HereForOurKids

Anonymous said...

Nice job teachers, cede to mulgrew, de blasio and carranza while putting your safety on the line.

Anonymous said...

“I wouldn’t go in there with a f–king hazmat suit,” Beacon HS mom on school request that she come in to clean out her kid's old locker. From
@SusanBEdelman
https://nypost.com/2020/10/03/nycs-beacon-high-school-tried-to-hold-2020-diplomas-hostage/?utm_source=twitter_sitebuttons&utm_medium=site%20buttons&utm_campaign=site%20buttons via
@nypmetro

Shelley said...

Mulgrew's argument, that "The strongest shield we have (against layoffs and loss of livelihood) is showing our value and worth as educators at every opportunity" is shocking because what he says here is that UFT members need to show that they are willing to allow the city to extract additional value from our labor. In other words, we need to prove that we are willing to sell our labor at a lowered wage long after it has been contracted for. In a few days we will get out last retro lump. Money we should never have had to wait for. Add now, the leader of our union informs us that to avoid layoffs we need to demonstrate that we are willing to work for less than we bargained for, again. And I should pay dues too? No, not me.

Anonymous said...

NY state reports record single-day COVID tests as new cases reach 1,731, with 26% in hotspots

Anonymous said...

This is bullshit. Why do we constantly have to prove our worth?!!!! Do cops and firemen have to constantly prove their worth? NO! We need a union leader who has pride in this profession and who realizes we are actually underpaid and need to prove nothing! I’m getting really tired of this shit.

Anonymous said...

So all the other city unions are remote?? NYPD, corrections, mta, lots of people deal with danger... Mulgrew spoke the truth.most teachers lucky they even have a job.

Anonymous said...

Keep bending over for mulgrew. Dues well spent.

New York City is ‘on the edge of a precipice’ as coronavirus cases grow, former CDC director says
PUBLISHED SAT, OCT 3 20205:43 PM EDT

Anonymous said...

Coronavirus infection rates in the New York City area continue to soar far above other parts of the state, prompting health officials to ramp up testing, according to Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office.
New York is responding to growing clusters of coronavirus cases in 20 “hotspot” ZIP codes that are reporting average positivity rates, or the number of tests coming back positive, as high as 18%.
Dr. Tom Frieden, the former director of the U.S. CDC under President Barack Obama, warned on Twitter Saturday that New York City is “on the edge of a precipice.”

Anonymous said...

Well if we had to prove our worth, the teachers who got remote learning should be the first to go if there are layoffs if that's the way De blassio thinks.

Anonymous said...

No one should go anywhere. Remote teachers are doing all they can as well. Get your head out of your ass 10:20pm.

Anonymous said...

100% agree. Especially the ones with BS “medical accommodations” (fat, previous smoker, etc...). At least furlough them first.

Tom said...

7:16 - Real nice guy/gal you are. At my school there are just as many "thin" teachers with accommodations as there are heavy ones. What's BS is that you all squawk about unity while throwing other teachers under the bus, all the time.

Anonymous said...

Seniority Rules
Been that way for decades idiot
Everyone earns their stripes

Anonymous said...

11:54: I'm not saying some teachers don't deserve an accommodation but getting an accommodation because you're overweight or a smoker or because of asthma is ridiculous. You don't think teachers are milking this the most they can so they don't have to go to work? Trump is 74 got the virus and he's doing fine. I know teachers though. Most didn't deserve an accommodation. Ha Ha Ha, Ho, Ho, Ho and a couple of tra la las. That's how we pass the day away when we're at home doing remote.

Anonymous said...

1:13 - First off, a risk factor is a risk factor. Second be grateful you are completely healthy if you are. If you’re not, it’s on you for not getting an accommodation. Next Trump has access to best health care in the universe so you can’t go by his outcome no matter how old he is. Remote teachers are teaching all their classes and live video with the kids plus handling a large amount of tech issues. They are working harder than in person cause this is all new. Maybe you’re a shitty teacher who would slack at home but that’s you. Just proved all of your points invalid, jack ass.

Anonymous said...

2:24: You're the jackass. You proved nothing. This is just your opinion. There are remote teachers who told me it's a hell of a lot easier than going into school. Don't forget if you need to prove something you need textual evidence. Common core standards 1 for ELA.

Anonymous said...

You’re pissed at fat smokers. I think your anger is better placed somewhere else. Tossing colleagues right under that bus and then wondering why nyc treats teachers like garbage. It’s because we’re not unified and organized and turn on each other when things get tough...just the way Mulgrew’s Unity club wants it.

Anonymous said...

So.... They are now closing schools down in the 9 zip codes most affected by the surge in cases. This will be effective Wednesday. What's going to happen to all of the in person teachers and remote classes now?

waitingforsupport said...

@1:13pm is the authority on accommodations. Trump is doing fine? No one that gets this virus is "fine". "I know teachers. Most didn't deserve the accommodations." I guess you need to get to know different teachers because it seems as if the ones you know are low down and of bad character.

waitingforsupport said...

@3:17 pm...Precisely. There is always one in the bunch.

waitingforsupport said...

Hey 3:02

2:24 listed risk factors from the CDC. Fact.

Anonymous said...

Even South Park made fun of teachers being “too scared” to go back to work! Check out the Pandemic Special, lol.

Anonymous said...

Lmao, you’re going by what a cartoon thinks?

Anonymous said...

Southpark also made Trump a murderer. Not a great reference.

Anonymous said...

4:17: I agree with 1:13. It's not all teachers but many are slackers that take every opportunity to get time off. There are many that take all 10 sick days and use them as "mental health" days. There are plenty of teachers that didn't deserve the accommodations. One I know is in her twenties and got the accommodation for getting a doctor's note saying she has asthma. I have never seen this woman use an inhaler once and I saw her climb the stairs several times never huffing or puffing. You don't think doctors help people out?

Anonymous said...

7:30, I don't blame the young woman who got the doctor to write that she had asthma.The DOE-UFT have turned it into everyone for themselves. That woman did what she had to do.

waitingforsupport said...

Any doctor who lies about a diagnosis can potentially lose their license. Just because the person climb the stairs w/o huffing or doesn't use an inhaler in FRONT OF YOU doesn't mean they DON'T have asthma. We all know the slackers. Some of these slackers pretend to teach but really are the glorified babysitters. They have made it difficult for the REAL teachers.

Anonymous said...

W4S- Doctors know how to stick up for their patients while at the same time covering their own asses so they won't get sued and lose their licenses.

waitingforsupport said...

8:20 pm...
Sticking up and writing a "fake" diagnosis are different. You said the teacher got a doctor's note "saying she has asthma". To me, you're implying that her doctor LIED. This isn't sticking up. Anyway, folks who have accommodations...got accommodations. It doesn't hurt nor help you.

Anonymous said...

Okay, the doctor stretched the diagnosis.

Anonymous said...

We are not safe. The enforcement of mask wearing does not exist in my school. Teachers in rooms not wearing masks. Students see the teachers in classrooms sitting together with no masks. I am also in FHS. I am afraid to say something because of the way the AP snapped and raised her voice to another teacher that was seeking assistance. Does anyone care about the well being of teachers??? I know if I make a complaint I will be shit on.

James Eterno said...

Leave if it isn't safe.
We explained how in a Sunday post.

waitingforsupport said...

Sh%$ on is better than dead

bronx northeast throgg native said...
This comment has been removed by the author.