MULGREW SHOULD LEAD A WALKOUT OF ALL UNSAFE CLASSROOMS (Updated with Mulgrew Email)

Please listen very carefully to UFT President Michael Mulgrew's interview with Bridget Quinn on the 1010 WINS Newsline from this morning. Itook notes:

Mulgrew starts by saying he is happy with the mayor's new policy to test for COVID weekly but Mulgrew blasted the new policy not to quarantine elementary school students (whole classes) if there was a positive case in a classroom. Mulgrew acknowledged that Delta is dangerous for kids who don't yet have access to a vaccine but soon could and he says there was a ten-day quarantine if there was a positive case but now the mayor is saying as long as the children were always three feet apart and they have well-fitted masks on that only the child who tests positive would have to quarantine and the rest of the students would stay in place. He then added that the UFT does not agree with that at all. 

Bridget Quinn then asks Mulgrew what he thinks should happen with those kids who should be quarantined. Mulgrew responds by saying we want as minimal disruption as possible but we have to balance that with the safety for our students. He adds that last year COVID wasn't that big an issue with our younger students and if they did get it, it wasn't causing many problems unless there was an underlying condition. If we were a suburban district, we could guarantee that children were always 3 feet apart and there were never close contacts. We can't do that in NYC. We are the largest school system and we are very crowded. We don't agree with this change and there is no plan.

Quinn asks for clarification on whether they should quarantine. Mulgrew answers that the kids need to be quarantined. Quinn then responds that the mayor says he is following CDC guidelines. Mulgrew answers that the CDC guidelines are for most school systems but that NYC is unlike most systems because of its huge size and because it is very crowded.  Last week the mayor was touting how he was better than everybody else because he was doing more than the CDC guidelines. 

Quinn then asks: "What do you do now on the quarantine issue?"

Mulgrew replies that we are a union; we represent the teachers and many of the staff members in the school buildings. Our constant struggle throughout the pandemic is to keep the entire school community safe. We'll be working with the parents; we'll be working with the principals and the principal's union just trying to monitor this as best as we can because the mayor announced something today and there is no plan on how do we ensure that everyone has a well-fitted mask on. He asks: "Do you know what a well-fitted mask is?" Quinn answers that she does. She then adds that some kids will show up with the cloth masks that aren't really great and don't have a great fit so they could be exposed that way. Mulgrew interjects that there are many schools that cannot adhere to the 3-feet guidelines and they have exceptions. Are they part of this?  They then talk about the remote option and P.S 79 being closed. Mulgrew says thousands are already being taught remotely. P.S. 79 was the first school where we have definitive evidence that the spread was from inside the building. He claims we didn't have that last year.

Mulgrew's response to this dangerous policy change is as lame as we've come to expect. His outrage may be real but his solution to use the parents and the CSA to shield him shows how weak he is. 

What he should have said was if there is a positive case in an elementary school classroom, we are going to scream as loud as we can that the classroom is not safe and we urge everyone in the class to stay home and quarantine for ten days. We'll teach the children remotely to minimize the chance of a huge COVID spread in a school building.

What is so difficult about standing up for the health and safety of the kids and UFTers and not looking to hide behind the parents and the principals' union? He would have plenty of support if he would just lead here. 

Update:

Mulgrew's latest email. He is calling for an email campaign to the mayor. It is a start.

Dear __________, Ever since the mayor announced in late August that the city planned to only do biweekly COVID testing this school year, the UFT has been prodding the city to hire more testing teams to continue the weekly testing that kept our school communities safe last school year.  This morning, the mayor finally acquiesced and announced that starting on Sept. 27, the city will begin weekly testing in all schools — elementary, middle and high school. The mayor also announced a change in quarantine policy for schools based on current CDC guidance. Under this new policy, which would also take effect on Sept. 27, students who are masked and three feet apart will NOT have to be quarantined if a positive COVID case is reported in their class. We understand the need for consistent in-person learning for our students, especially after such a tumultuous year and a half. However, our school system,  the largest in the nation, faces a unique set of challenges that the mayor — in his typical fashion — has not thought through in his rush to announce a new policy. He needs to have a plan and do the work surrounding this policy to ensure that our students can be kept safe.  The mayor continues to demonstrate that he does not know what it’s like inside our schools. But you do. He should have consulted with us — the people doing the work. We urge you to direct your questions about the new quarantine policy to him and demand that he answer them.  Here are just a few of the MANY questions we are demanding the city answer before Sept. 27: Does the new quarantine policy apply to classrooms that are not able to adhere to the 3-foot rule?  Does it apply to cafeterias where students either don’t have pre-assigned socially-distanced seats or don’t stay in them? What’s the procedure for teachers to report when students aren't wearing their masks correctly? Will our members be asked by the test-and-trace team if their students consistently and correctly wore their masks?  Will the  test-and-trace teams return to schools three days after a known exposure and retest all students in that class? Will full classrooms ever be closed? If so, what will be the criteria for closing them? Will parents and families still be notified of positive cases in their school or their child’s class?  Will parents have the option to quarantine their children if they wish when their child’s classmate tests positive for COVID but their child isn’t considered a “close contact”? Hold the mayor accountable by emailing him your questions at Bdeblasio@cityhall.nyc.gov and cc: the union at quarantinequestions@uft.org. (Please note, this email address should not be used to send your school-related issues to the union.) To report issues to the UFT directly regarding 3-foot distancing and mask policies related to quarantine, call 212-331-6311.  We are prepared to do what we must to keep our schools safe, and together we will demand that the city does its part.

Sincerely, Michael Mulgrew

AETNA SUES NYC AND UNIONS CLAIMING MEDICARE PRIVATIZATION SELECTION PRICESS WAS TAINTED

We mentioned Teamsters Local 237 union leader Gregory Floyd being on the Board of Directors of Emblem Health seemed like a huge conflict of interest while he had a vote as a union leader on which company would get the giant city retiree Medicare privatization contract. (Medicare Advantage).

The losing company Aetna believes the process was tainted.

From the NY Post:

New York’s largest private Medicare administrator is suing the Big Apple and its local union leaders for allegedly awarding a $34 billion “tainted” contract to an unqualified rival bidder.

Insurance giant Aetna’s bombshell lawsuit against New York City and the Municipal Labor Committee alleges that the bidding process was fixed to favor Alliance, a consortium that includes Emblem Health and Anthem/Blue Cross Blue Shield, to operate the Medicare Advantage Plus program, which administers health benefits to 250,000 retired city workers.“OLR [the city’s Office of Labor Relations] has selected an inexperienced and unqualified bidder through a procurement process that violated New York Procurement law, lacked transparency, and violated principles of public trust and fairness for a procurement that could last up to a minimum of five or as many as eleven years and generate $34 billion dollars in claims revenue,” Aetna alleges in its suit filed in Manhattan Supreme Court earlier this month.

Aetna and Alliance were the two finalists that city officials and union leaders considered for the whopping contract, which is anticipated to save the Big Apple about $3 billion over five years, or roughly $600 million a year.

Aetna is asking the court to nix the contract, which takes effect Jan. 1.

Who is the arbitrator involved in making the recommendation? You would be 100% correct if you answered the one and only Martin Scheinman. We are making this guy quite wealthy.

The parties asked arbitrator Martin Scheinman — who recently ruled that religious exemptions can be granted from COVID vaccine requirements for public-school teachers — to be brought in to issue a recommendation on which final bidder the city and the unions should choose. At the time, Scheinman chaired a city panel to find health-care savings.

Scheinman chose Alliance, arguing that its “familiarity” with providing benefits to the city workforce trumped Aetna’s superior experience in running Medicare programs, the documents say. His voice helped tip the award to the Alliance, the suit says.

But Aetna argues in the court documents that “the Solicitation and applicable procurement law did not provide for this action … and Arbitrator Scheinman’s recommendation was based on a new criterion mentioned nowhere in the procurement documents.”

Aetna also claims that Alliance reps were afforded the opportunity to discuss matters with Scheinman, while its people weren’t.

Aetna received the highest scores during the early phases of the evaluation process, the suit says.

Other sources familiar with the negotiations said it appeared that Alliance had an inside track because of its connections to labor leaders. Teamsters Local 237 President Gregory Floyd, for example, sits on the board of Alliance partner Emblem Health.

CANADIAN REPORT AFTER SARS-1 SAYS FOLLOW THE SAFETY; 1 NYC SCHOOL CLOSES FOR COVID AFTER 19 CASES

I found reading part of a Canadian report following the original SARS-1 outbreak in 2003 to be fascinating. 

Mr. Justice Archie Campbell:

I think this would apply to schools too. In NYC, it took 19 positive COVID-19 cases to close one school, P.S. 79 in East Harlem.

From the the NY Post article on the closing:

East Harlem public school closed after COVID-19 outbreak

By Conor Skelding and Susan Edelman

After being open only a week, a city public school in East Harlem is the first to cancel in-person classes, after a COVID-19 outbreak among staffers.

Nineteen people tested positive as of Friday at P.S. 79 on East 120th Street, prompting officials to switch over to remote education, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer tweeted.

“My understanding is there are enough cases of COVID that the [Department of Education COVID-19] Situation Room has decided to close the school for 10 days until Sept. 28,” Brewer told The Post.

In addition to 19 “confirmed” cases, 45 others were quarantined, the City Council’s education chair, Mark Treyger, added.

Citywide school COVID-19  positive numbers are not exactly encouraging:

Across the city’s traditional public schools, 372  classrooms were fully closed and 303 were partially closed as of Friday, according to the tracker. There were 812 total cases of COVID-19 between Sept. 13 and 17– 487 students and 325 staff.

There is not much COVID testing going on so it might be underreported. Is that Canadian justice available? Why don't we error on the side of safety?

UFT USING WORDS "POST-PANDEMIC" IN A HEADLINE COULD BE CONSTRUED AS BEING DELUSIONAL RIGHT NOW (Updated with NY Post Article and Pictures from Forest Hills HS)

I saw this piece from the UFT that they are publicizing on Twitter today:

Bridging the post-pandemic learning gap

Helping students rebound from the pandemic, both academically and emotionally, is a union priority as all students return in September for in-person learning. The UFT pressed the city Department of Education to do diagnostic screening of all students...

Post pandemic, who are they trying to fool? 

This is from the CDC's Weekly Review from September 17:

After experiencing a brief decline in COVID-19 cases, the United States is once again seeing an increase in cases in most of the country. This recent increase follows a previous summer surge that was fueled by the highly contagious Delta (B.1.617.2) variant and low vaccination coverage in many communities. COVID-19 vaccines offer strong protection against serious illness and death. High vaccination coverage is proven to reduce the spread of the virus. The less a virus spreads, the less opportunity there is for new variants to emerge.

Is a Delta surge going to bypass NY? I hope so and I pray that strong vaccine mandates combined with immunity from prior infection will keep our numbers low. That said, does anyone think that opening the schools at full capacity without a remote option and therefore crowding the kids in just might backfire?

Below is a picture of another packed high school hallway. This one is John Bowne HS in Queens.

Sue Edelman and Melissa Klein are all over the crowding too with an article in the NY Post. 

The coronavirus pandemic might as well have been something out of a history book to look at the students jammed in halls and stairways at Forest Hills High School this week.

Photos provided to The Post showed students trying to negotiate the packed halls between classes, and sitting on top of one another in a cafeteria.

The UFT-DOE strategy looks like it is to pretend the pandemic is basically behind us. Their "next steps" are to give iReady and other useless tests to students that will do nothing to improve education.

I truly hope the UFT is right that we are rebounding from the pandemic but in my mind I still can't figure out the answer to this question: 

How can students currently rebound from a pandemic we are still in the midst of?

PICTURES FROM INSIDE NYC SCHOOLS; LATEST COVID NUMBERS FROM NYC SCHOOLS

Is school in NYC officially going to be called Michael Mulgrew-Bill de Blasio's daily super-spreader event? 

My two kids want to be in school in-person. I get it but are we just going to convince ourselves that everything is normal no matter what?

Midwood High School

Fort Hamilton HS

For those who would like to see the stats for COVID-19 in NYC schools after day 3 of the school year, here they are.

Here is a copy of the email from my daughter's school:

Dr. Michael Osterholm in his weekly CIDRAP podcast said "schools, schools, and schools are in the crossfires of this pandemic." He pointed out that the pediatric number of deaths was worse than in any bad influenza season. He noted, "We are in uncharted water." He also stated that NYC and Los Angeles are the key areas to watch currently to see what is going to happen next with the surge in COVID cases. 

Maybe we can mostly dodge Delta like we avoided an Alpha surge in the spring. I hope and pray we can.

MANDATED VACCINES FOR NY EDUCATORS POLLS QUITE WELL IN NY (Updated with some Recent Covid Numbers)

 This is in the NY Post:

ALBANY — A majority of New Yorkers support mandatory COVID-19 vaccination requirements for teachers and other school employees, as well as indoor mask mandates, according to a new poll.

Sixty nine percent of registered voters agree that public school teachers and staff should be required to get the vaccine compared to 26 percent of those opposed, according to the new survey by Siena College released Tuesday.

The notion has even higher support in New York City — 72 percent — followed by a 71 percent support among suburbanites and 65 percent of upstate voters.

Eighty three percent of Democrats back the mandate, along with 55 percent of Republicans and 59 percent of Independent voters. 

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has mandated all city Department of Education employees get the shot or face termination — a move opposed by the powerful teachers union — but workers may apply for medical or religious exemptions. 

School districts outside the five boroughs can offer a little more flexibility, instructing employees to get the jab or opt to submit to weekly coronavirus tests, according to the state Health Department. 

Folks against the vaccine are dying, some conservative radio hosts iterally, on a hill that is very difficult to understand defending. We're now up to 1 in 500 Americans who have died due to this awful virus. That's 663,913 American residents.

DOE 2021-2022 PERSONNEL MEMORANDUM NO.1 2021-2022 COVERS COVID DAYS

 Please read this closely.

UFT'S LATEST FAQ

 This is all right from UFT. 

The UFT has compiled answers to our members' most frequently-asked questions about the upcoming 2021-22 school year. We will continue to update this page as more information and guidance is determined. 

Vaccine requirements & exemptions

What are the requirements for school staff to be vaccinated as schools reopen in the fall?

The city has ordered all DOE employees to receive at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by Monday, Sept. 27, and provide proof through the DOE’s Vaccination Portal. The mandate applies to per diem employees and all contracted employees who work in DOE buildings. It does not apply to school bus drivers or DOE staff working in 3K and preschools located in non-DOE buildings. In impact bargaining, the UFT is working to ensure that the city respects union members’ rights by law and the DOE-UFT contract in the implementation if the courts hold that the mandate is legal.

How can I submit proof of my COVID-19 vaccination? What documentation is acceptable?

You must submit proof of vaccination using the DOE’s Vaccination Portal. Your information will be kept confidential. Proof of vaccination can be an image of your vaccination card, the New York State Excelsior Pass or other government record.

I am currently not vaccinated. Do I have to take weekly COVID-19 tests prior to the city’s vaccine deadline of Sept. 27? Will I have to arrange a test on my own time?

From Sept. 13 until Sept. 27, any employees who have not provided proof that they have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine must submit a weekly negative COVID-19 PCR test (rapid or non-rapid) by the end of each week (by Sept. 19 and by Sept. 26). Staff must upload proof of the negative test result to the DOE Vaccination Portal.

When testing is happening at your school or office, unvaccinated staff will be able to get tested on site. When testing is not happening at your school or office, unvaccinated staff are eligible for up to one hour of additional pay or leave (for staff with annual leave) to get tested outside of work hours (not release time). All staff can get tested for free at city sites. 

How would I qualify for a medical accommodation this school year? Where would I work if I am granted an accommodation?

Vaccinated UFT members with weakened immune systems due to a documented medical condition may apply via SOLAS for a medical accommodation. The online application form will go live on Monday, Sept. 13 and members will have until Monday, Sept. 20, to apply. These requests must be documented in writing by a medical doctor. If the accommodation is approved, the immunocompromised member must be offered work in a non-school building for as long as their medical condition lasts.

How would I qualify for a permanent medical exemption from taking the COVID-19 vaccine?

Permanent medical exemptions to the vaccine mandate will only be considered where the individual has a documented allergic reaction such that the member cannot receive any of the three authorized COVID-19 vaccines. The online application form for a medical exemption will go live on SOLAS on Monday, Sept. 13. UFT members will have until Monday, Sept. 20, to apply.

Temporary medical exemptions may also be granted to those who may need to delay taking the vaccine, such as those undergoing specific medical treatments or who recently were diagnosed with COVID-19 (see below). 

I recently had COVID-19 and cannot take the vaccine before the deadline of Sept. 27. Will I lose my job if I cannot get vaccinated right now?

You can request a temporary medical exemption on SOLAS by Monday, Sept. 20 to delay taking the vaccine, which must be documented by a medical provider.

Temporary exemptions may be granted:

• within the isolation period after a positive COVID diagnosis
• within 90 days of monoclonal antibody treatment of COVID-19

I am undergoing a medical treatment that prevents me from receiving the COVID-19 vaccine right now. Will I lose my job if I cannot get vaccinated before the deadline?

Members who are undergoing active therapy or treatment, such as chemotherapy, stem cell transplant, or CAR T-cell therapy, or who have pericarditis or myocarditis, may be eligible for a temporary medical exemption. You can request a temporary medical exemption to delay taking the vaccine on SOLAS by Monday, Sept. 20, which must be accompanied by documentation from a medical provider.

In cases where members seek exemptions for medical conditions not mentioned above, an independent arbitrator will decide if the exemption is appropriate. Members will be required to be vaccinated when the temporary condition has been removed, such as when treatment has ended, and will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

I was denied a medical/religious exemption from taking the vaccine. Can I appeal this decision? Will I keep my job while the appeal is in progress?

If denied, the member will have one school day to file a notice of appeal with additional time to submit supporting documentation. An independent arbitrator will promptly review the appeal—and convene a hearing if necessary—before issuing a final determination. During the appeal process, the member will be temporarily granted the exemption and kept on payroll.

How can I qualify for a religious exemption for the DOE vaccine mandate?

Exemption requests will be considered only for members who belong to recognized and established religious organizations and not where the objection is personal, political or philosophical in nature. Applications for religious exemptions must be documented in writing by clergy or a religious official.

Where do I apply for a medical accommodation, or a religious or medical exemption?

The online application form for a medical accommodation or an exemption will go live on SOLAS on Monday, Sept. 13. UFT members will have until Monday, Sept. 20, to apply.

I am pregnant. Would I be eligible for an exemption?

UFT members in their last trimester of pregnancy, whether vaccinated or not, have the option to go on leave immediately. First, members must exhaust their CAR days. If the member exhausts their CAR days before giving birth, the member can decide to start their six weeks of paid parental leave (if eligible) early. Members in their first two trimesters of pregnancy must be vaccinated if they want to remain on payroll.

I do not want to take the COVID-19 vaccine but also do not qualify for an exemption from the mandate. Will I lose my job?

Members who are not vaccinated by Sept. 27 but do not qualify for a medical accommodation or an exemption must be offered two options, both of which include one year's health coverage.

Unpaid leave option: UFT members may go on an official unpaid leave for up to one school year. The member cannot take other paid employment during this leave. They will continue to receive city health insurance through Sept. 5, 2022, as long as they do not take a job elsewhere. Their job will be held at their school for this period, too.

If at any time prior to Sept. 5, 2022, the member takes the vaccine, the member may return to work. On Sept. 5, if the city's vaccine mandate remains in effect and the individual remains unvaccinated, the person will be automatically deemed voluntarily resigned but will not be prevented from seeking DOE employment in the future.

These members must either get vaccinated or make the selection to extend their leave by Nov. 30. Otherwise, they will be subject to disciplinary action.

Severance option: Members who resign will be able to exchange CAR days in their bank 1-for-1 up to 100 days (under ordinary circumstances, it is 2-for-1), though this time is not pensionable. They will also receive medical insurance for one year as long as they do not have access to other insurance coverage during that period. Unvaccinated UFT members have until Oct. 29 to choose the severance option.

Those who take this option do not have a right of return to their school, but they will not be prevented from seeking DOE employment in the future.

If you are granted a religious or medical exemption, or awaiting the result of an appeal, and are therefore not required to be vaccinated, must you continue to be tested for COVID-19?

If you are granted a religious or medical exemption, or awaiting the result of an appeal, you will be placed in a non-school DOE building as of Sept. 28. At this point, you will be tested twice weekly until such time as you are vaccinated and can return to a school building.

COVID-19 safety at schools

Read the DOE's COVID-19 Health and Safety Guide for the 2021-22 school year

Will there still be health screenings required for students and staff this school year?

Yes. Every student and staff member must complete the DOE Health Screening Form prior to entering the school building each day to confirm that they are not experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, have not recently tested positive and are not currently required to quarantine based on close contact with an infected person. If a student or staff member is feeling ill, they must stay home and get tested for COVID-19.

Will masks be required for students and staff in New York City public schools this school year?

Yes. All students and staff must wear a face covering while riding on school buses and anywhere on school property—both indoors and outdoors—regardless of vaccination status, unless they have a medical exemption.

What should I do if I have a student who refuses to wear a mask at school?

If a student refuses to wear a mask, here is how staff should respond:

1. The school must document the incident in OORS
2. Teacher speaks with student
3. Student is sent to school counselor
4. Student is sent to the administration
5. Parent is called to pick up the student

What will happen if a student continues to not wear a mask? Will there be consequences if students do not comply with the DOE mask policy?

If the student continues to refuse to wear a mask at school, the student will receive up to a five-day principal suspension. Continued noncompliance or a second infraction will result in a 10-day superintendent suspension. During these suspensions, the student will receive remote instruction.

Students with significant documented disabilities will be given supports to help with mask wearing and may be allowed a mask break in a well-ventilated area that allows for six feet of distancing.

If a student continues to refuse to wear a mask, the superintendent suspension will be extended and a school may apply to exclude the student from school. If your school is not following proper masking or safety protocols, reach out to your school’s COVID-19 building response team and your chapter leader or call the UFT safety hotline at 212-331-6317.

How much personal protective equipment must schools have on hand?

Like last year, schools must have a 30-day supply of personal protective equipment, including surgical masks for adults and children, KN95 respirators, face shields for adults and non-contact thermometers for temperature screening. Schools must also have an electrostatic sprayer, cleaning supplies for daily and nightly cleaning, gloves, disinfecting sprays or wipes, and hand sanitizers in every room. If your school lacks appropriate supplies, please report it to your UFT chapter leader as soon as possible.

Will personal protective equipment be provided to all schools for students and staff?

Yes, schools will have at least a 30-day supply of personal protective equipment, such as masks, disinfectant and gloves, on hand at all times. Hand sanitizer will also be available in every classroom and throughout school buildings.

Will there still be COVID-19 testing at schools this year?

This year, every school will have 10 percent of unvaccinated individuals who have submitted consent for testing in their school population tested biweekly. Students and staff who are fully vaccinated and students in 3K, pre-K and kindergarten are not required to be tested. The testing group will include only unvaccinated students later this fall once the vaccine mandate has been fully implemented for staff.

What will happen if positive cases of COVID-19 are discovered within a classroom?

The DOE has provided different protocols for elementary, middle and high schools:

Elementary schools: If there is a positive case in a classroom, all students in the class will be instructed to quarantine for 10 calendar days.

Middle and high schools:

In the event there is a positive case in a classroom, students who are:

• at least 12 years old, vaccinated and not showing symptoms will continue to attend school in-person and should take a COVID-19 test five to seven days after exposure.
• at least 12 years old, vaccinated, and showing symptoms will be directed to quarantine for 10 calendar days.
• unvaccinated will be directed to quarantine for 10 calendar days. On Day 5 of their quarantine, students may take a COVID-19 test and with a negative result, they may return to school on Day 7.

School buildings will close for 10 days if there is evidence of widespread transmission as determined by city public health officials.

Will students who are 12 or older be asked to submit proof of vaccination?

Yes, the DOE is asking parents to upload proof of vaccination of their children since vaccination status will determine whether older students without symptoms will be required to quarantine if another student in their classroom tests positive.

Will social distancing be practiced in school buildings?

The DOE will follow the CDC recommendation to maintain 3 feet between students within classrooms where possible. When it is not possible to maintain 3 feet in a given school, the DOE advises layering multiple other prevention strategies, including encouraging vaccination and improved ventilation. Classrooms in which physical distancing cannot be consistently maintained will have an additional air purifier installed for a total of three units. During meal times, schools will use outdoor spaces and additional spaces in school buildings where possible.

Will there be building response teams in school buildings this year? What should I do if my school does not have a team?

The UFT trained a large majority of COVID-19 building response teams to ensure all safety and health protocols and procedures are followed correctly in every school. If your school does not have a functioning COVID-19 building response team, please call your UFT borough office or UFT headquarters immediately. Report any safety issues at your school promptly to your chapter leader or your UFT district representative or call the UFT safety hotline at 212-331-6317.

How is the DOE maintaining adequate ventilation in schools?

The DOE has bolstered ventilation in all schools this year. Two air purifiers have been placed in each classroom. Cafeterias in larger schools have large air purifier units and window-based exhaust fans. Classrooms in which physical distancing cannot be consistently maintained have been given an additional third air purifier. You can check the ventilation status of your school by finding your school’s information page at nycenet.edu/schoolsearch, which includes a section on building ventilation.

What safety protocols will be used during student lunch periods?

Schools will use outdoor spaces and additional spaces in school buildings where possible to support physical distancing and maintain adequate ventilation. During lunchtime, masks may be removed so students can eat comfortably at a safe distance from one another. When eating, students must maintain three feet of physical distance and should be seated in such a way that they are facing away from one another. Meals may be served during multiple time periods to provide as much physical distancing as possible.

Will instructional lunches be an option for students this year? 

Instructional lunches—a period where students are programmed to eat lunch while receiving instruction—will remain an option this year in schools where space constraints make it impossible for students to otherwise eat lunch safely. Your school’s COVID-19 building response team needs to be part of the conversation with your principal if your school believes it needs to use this option.

These instructional lunches may be programmed only if other strategies—such as using the cafeteria or other common areas or eating lunch outdoors—are not able to meet the safety needs. A teacher’s classroom can only be used for an instructional lunch if it can accommodate three feet of physical distance between people.

How will teachers who are assigned an instructional lunch period be compensated? How will it affect their schedule?

Instructional lunches are a scheduled teaching period and must be considered one of the teaching periods in the assigned teacher’s regular program except as part of a shortage-area assignment. Teachers programmed for instructional lunch will be compensated at the rate of one coverage per day. Principals are strongly encouraged to seek volunteers first but have the discretion to make assignments based on availability and qualifications.

Will there be deep cleanings of schools this year?

High-touch areas such as doorknobs and water fountains will be cleaned multiple times throughout the day, and each classroom will be deep cleaned and disinfected daily using electrostatic technology. In addition, all classrooms and common areas, such as auditoriums and gyms, will have hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes available.

Remote instruction

Read the UFT-DOE agreement on remote instruction for the 2021-22 school year

Do teachers and related service providers need to create digital classrooms this year? 

Yes, for times when classrooms may be closed due to positive COVID-19 cases, and all or some of your students may be required to quarantine. 

Teachers and related service providers will be provided a window from Sept. 9 to Oct. 1 to create and set up a digital classroom and will be paid $225 for this initial set up time. A supplemental check will be issued on Oct. 31 to compensate you. The initial set up should include materials required for the first day of an emergency closure.

Going forward, when more than half of your students are reprogrammed, teachers and related service providers will be paid an additional four hours at the per-session rate to recreate your digital classroom. 

When would teachers and related service providers be required to use their digital classrooms?

Digital classrooms will be in use when:

• Conducting remote Parent Teacher Conferences
• Conducting synchronous instruction on snow days or during whole class or whole school closures (either health or emergency related)
• Conducting asynchronous instruction on Election Day
• Conducting asynchronous instruction for partial class closures due to quarantining students
• Conducting synchronous instruction if the teacher/provider has to quarantine and is able to work remotely

You are not required to upload any additional content to your digital classroom more than 24 hours prior to an emergency closure. 

When are we not required to use our digital classrooms?

Digital classrooms cannot be mandated for:

• Regular instruction for absent students not related to a quarantine
• Newsletter or ongoing family communications
• Uploading or collecting lesson plans

If my entire class is quarantined and goes remote, will instruction happen synchronously or asynchronously?

In the case of a full class or whole school closure, the teacher/provider will conduct synchronous online instruction. 

What if some of my students are quarantined but others are not required to? 

Teachers and related service providers who are not directed to quarantine themselves will engage quarantined students via remote asynchronous instruction and be available for office hours. Students not required to quarantine will be taught in person.

What work and communication will I need to provide to students during office hours? 

Office Hours may consist of: 

• Posting asynchronous assignments
• Individual or small group synchronous instruction, support or tutoring to students who are quarantining
• Emailing or checking in on assignments with quarantining students 

A minimum of one to two office hours must be provided per week of a partial class closure to quarantining students and will be compensated at the per-session rate. Middle and high school staff will also receive one additional hour of per-session pay per additional course taught (not section). You may request additional hours based on your workload. 

When will office hours occur and how will I keep records of this time?

Office hours will be conducted at the teacher/service provider’s discretion and can occur: 

• During the school day as paid preparation or lunch periods
• After school hours paid at the per session rate at a time decided by the teacher/provider and subject to supervisory approval
• Time keeping procedures must be followed to record the time worked

Since Election Day is an asynchronous learning day this year, how will that be structured?

Each school will provide per-session postings for teachers who wish to create content to use that day. There will be four hours of available per-session work per grade and subject. 

If all of my students are quarantined and working remotely from home, must I report to my school building? 

If all students on your caseload are remote and your building has not been closed, you may provide synchronous digital instruction to students remotely as well, unless your supervisor tells you with reasonable advance notice that you must remain on site. 

Can my supervisor observe me while teaching in a digital classroom format? 

Any supervisor may observe your teaching at any time, whether in person or online. However, no evaluative observations may be conducted on the first day of an emergency closure and 24-hour notice must be given for any observation in a digital classroom that will be used for evaluation purposes. 

What recourse do I have if my supervisor does not follow the guidelines in this agreement? 

Any issue related to pay for remote work can be settled through the DOE-UFT regular grievance process. Other issues should follow the operational issues process. 

DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT EVERYTHING AT SCHOOL

On Twitter today, Pix11 reporter Dan Mannarino summarized part of his interview with Chancellor Meisha Porter. This tweet Mannarino put out has me concerned, particularly as a parent of two NYC public school students.

Translation: social distancing isn't happening in many schools.

If you are expecting UFT support, a tweet from the Union today may give you some worry about the Union's position as school opens.

It appears the UFT does not know what the world build means. Last year, there was abundant testing, 6 feet of social distancing, and a remote option open to every family. This year it is less COVID testing, more useless diagnostic testing, almost nonexistent social distancing, 2019 class size limits, no mandated COVID-19 vaccines for eligible students (12 and older), and no zero tolerance for students who don't wear masks as there is no remote option to send them to open for all but a few families. The Union and DOE may say all is well but I am not convinced. 

We should at least follow sensible protocols like Los Angeles is doing where there is much more COVID testing than NYC, mandated vaccinations including for students at least 12 years old, and a real remote option.

Should we be partying almost like it's 2019? Yes, we have very safe and effective vaccines now (though they are not 100% effective) that most UFTers have taken but kids under 12 are not eligible.

This is how Doctor Leana Wenn put it on twitter from her CNN interview on mandatory masking:

"It is unconscionable that there are states putting kids' lives in danger and forcing them into a herd immunity experiment they didn't sign up for." 

She says, and I totally agree, that the federal government needs to tie federal funding to real COVID prevention policies.

Needless to say, I am worried tonight for my wife, my kids, my friends, former colleagues, and all of you going back tomorrow. I hope the folks are right who say Delta can be contained but experience in places like Scotland and the South in the US shows that opening the school doors wide leads to Delta variant outbreaks.

My advice: Please DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT, AND THEN DOCUMENT SOME MORE each and every COVID protocol violation you witness. Don't be afraid to reveal who you are. It's all of our safety, including the kids, that is on the line. Schools won't be safe as Dr. Michael Osterholm says, but they can be safer. 

I hoped and I prayed I would never have to repeat this excerpt from a March 16, 2020 piece on what you should do in the schools if the weak DOE protocols are not being followed. 

-If any insane administrator questions someone, I consulted the UFT Chapter Leader Handbook about self-help. Self-help is when an employee is insubordinate by defying an order from a supervisor. Normally, a teacher should obey an order that violates the Contract and then grieve.  However, the Handbook provides three justifications for an employee to be insubordinate. Two of them apply to our current situation:

First, the employee has a reasonable belief that carrying out the order will endanger the employee's health.

Second, carrying out the order will threaten the safety of others.

Document what you see and stay safe.

CITY RETIREES FIGHT BACK AGAINST MEDICARE PRIVATIZATION WITH A "DIE-IN"

Keep the late afternoon of September 24 open to support municipal workforce retirees. A multi-union group is trying to fight retired city workers being pushed into a Medicare Advantage (privatization) plan. 

Medicare is a popular, successful government program. There is no reason to mess with it for city retirees.

Active city workers should be aware that the contracts for in-service city worker health plans are up next year. We need to stick together to maintain and even improve our healthcare benefits.

UFT ARBITRATION ON VACCINE MANDATES SETTLED

We received the ruling tonight from the arbitrator on exemptions to the city's vaccine mandate. There is no surprise that the award is mostly in favor of the Department of Education. It was decided by arbitrator Martin Scheinman. He ruled on very narrow medical and religious grounds to obtain an exemption to the vaccine mandate. Those who get an exemption as well as those who are immunocompromised will be assigned to do God only knows what in offices or somewhere else unspecified. Unvaccinated can take an unpaid leave and stay on the medical plan until Srptember 2022.

I don't understand why the UFT keeps going back to Sheinman. This is the same Martin Scheinman who extended the interminable nine year 2014 Contract because the city didn't put enough money aside to pay the full retro for the many UFTers who retired in 2014. He is also the arbitrator who helped the UFT agree to allow the city to stiff us for half the final payment of our interest free loan to the city for almost another year. 

If this is the best arbitrator out there, no wonder we usually don't do very well. If I was ever in charge of the Union, he would no longer be an arbitrator in UFT cases.

Usually I am furious when these arbitration decisions come out mostly in favor of management but here as a pro-vaccine mandate person, I am not really angry about the narrow exceptions. However, I am fuming about the immunocompromised and those with vaccine exemptions being sent to offices (rubber rooms) and not being guaranteed they will be assigned teaching duties. The immunocompromised should be able to teach from home. We need a remote option.

I also read the DOE will be paying exclusively for appeals to Sheinman Arbitration and Mediation Services that UFTers file. Who are you likely to side with: the party paying your hefty fee or the working man filing an appeal?

Finally, there is more than a little sad irony in that those who appeal not getting an exemption will have their appeals heard on Zoom. In addition, the UFT Executive Board meeting this Monday is remote. It is okay for UFTers and students to work live all day in crowded classrooms but for Martin Scheinman's arbitrators and the UFT leaders, it is remote only.

Mulgrew’s email tonight:

An independent arbitrator has upheld the union's position and ruled that the city must offer work outside school buildings to immunocompromised members who — even vaccinated — are at high risk of contracting serious illness from a COVID-19 infection. In the arbitration proceeding, the city was also forced to back off its original plans to offer no exemptions for those unable to take the vaccine for medical or religious reasons. See the arbitrator's order » The online application form for a medical accommodation or an exemption will go live on SOLAS on Monday, Sept. 13. UFT members will have until Monday, Sept. 20, to apply. The city has also agreed — based on the arbitrator's determination — that other UFT members who decline to be vaccinated may go on unpaid leave or take severance, both with a year's health coverage. We were also able to secure an early-leave provision for women in their third trimester of pregnancy. The city's vaccine mandate goes into effect on Monday, Sept. 27. All DOE-employed UFT members who do not qualify for an accommodation or exemption must have at least one dose of the vaccine by then. Medical accommodations Vaccinated UFT members with weakened immune systems due to a documented medical condition may apply via SOLAS for medical accommodation. These requests must be documented in writing by a medical doctor. If the accommodation is approved, the immunocompromised member must be offered work in a non-school building as long as their medical condition lasts. Medical exemptions Permanent medical exemptions to the vaccine mandate will only be considered where the individual has a documented allergic reaction such that the member cannot receive any of the three authorized vaccines. Temporary medical exemptions to delay the vaccine will be granted when: Within the isolation period after a positive COVID diagnosis Within 90 days of monoclonal antibody treatment of COVID-19 Conditions that may warrant temporary medical exemption because of active therapy or treatment, such as chemotherapy, stem cell transplant, CAR T-cell therapy. Pericarditis or myocarditis These requests must be documented in writing by a doctor. In cases where members seek exemptions for medical conditions not on the above list, an independent arbitrator will decide if the exemption is appropriate. If denied, the member will have one school day to file a notice of appeal. An independent arbitrator will promptly review the appeal — and convene a hearing if necessary — before issuing a final determination. During the appeal process, the member will be temporarily granted the exemption and kept on payroll. Religious exemptions Exemption requests will be considered for recognized and established religious organizations and not where the objection is personal, political or philosophical in nature. Applications for religious exemptions must be documented in writing by clergy or a religious official. Appeals of religious exemption denials will be heard by the same independent arbitrators ruling on medical exemption appeals. During the appeal process, the member will be temporarily granted the exemption and kept on payroll. Members in their last trimester of pregnancy UFT members in their last trimester of pregnancy, whether vaccinated or not, have the option to go on leave immediately. First, members must exhaust their CAR days. If the member exhausts their CAR days before giving birth, the member can decide to start the six weeks of paid parental leave (if eligible) early. Members in their first two trimesters of pregnancy must be vaccinated if they want to remain on payroll. The UFT has organized a special virtual information session on Tuesday, Sept. 14, at 5 p.m. for members in their third trimester. Register now » Options for all other UFT members Members who are not vaccinated by Sept. 27 but do not qualify for a medical accommodation or an exemption must be offered two options, both of which include one year's health coverage: 1. Unpaid leave option: UFT members may go on an official unpaid leave for up to one school year. The departure will be deemed involuntary and nondisciplinary for unemployment insurance purposes. The member cannot take other paid employment during this leave. They will continue to receive city health insurance through Sept. 5, 2022, as long as they do not take a job elsewhere. Their job will be held at their school for this period, too. If at any time prior to Sept. 5, 2022, the member takes the vaccine, the member may return to work. On Sept. 5, if the city's vaccine mandate remains in effect and the individual remains unvaccinated, the person will be automatically deemed voluntarily resigned. These members must either get vaccinated or extend their leave by Nov. 30. Otherwise, they will be subject to disciplinary action. 2. Severance option: Members who resign will be able to exchange their CAR days in their bank 1-for-1 up to 100 days (under ordinary circumstances, it is 2-for-1), though this time is not pensionable. They will also receive medical insurance for one year as long as they do not have access to other insurance coverage during that period. Unvaccinated UFT members have until Oct. 29 to choose the severance option. Those who take this option do not have a right of return to their school, but they will not be prevented from seeking DOE employment in the future. MLC lawsuit continues The arbitrator's ruling does not resolve the underlying issue of whether the city Department of Health has the legal authority to require that DOE and other employees be vaccinated. Only the courts can determine the legality of the mandate. The Municipal Labor Committee, of which the UFT is a member, filed a lawsuit challenging the mandate in state court this week. The UFT remains a party to that lawsuit.

Sincerely, Michael Mulgrew UFT President