Teachers union petitions for protocols to keep schools open through pandemic

LINCOLN - The Nebraska State Education Association president say the public education system is facing a crisis of historic proportions as the organization is asking the State Board of Education to adopt protocols to keep schools open.

NSEA President Jenni Benson said the public education system is facing a crisis of historic proportion.

She noted that the White House Coronavirus Task Force identified Nebraska as the sixth highest infection rate in the country and said Nebraska had 735 news cases per 100,000 population, compared to a national average of 294 per 100,000.

The NSEA says recommendations for face coverings have been largely ignored by many school districts classroom education is being interrupted by a shortage of teachers.

 

Benson said if schools are required to close again, there will be long-term harm to children.

Benson: “Closure will lead to severe learning loss and will be particularly damaging for students with heightened behavioral needs.  Schools provide a stable and secure environment for developing social skills and peer relationships.  Social interaction at school among children in grades PK-12 is particularly important for the development of language, communication, social, emotional and interpersonal skills.

“Extended school closures deprive children who live in unsafe homes and neighborhoods and offer an important layer of protection from neglect as well as physical, sexual and emotional maltreatment and abuse. 

 

 

 

“Schools are essential to meeting the nutritional needs of children with many consuming up to half of their daily calories at school.  When schools are closed, children lose access to important opportunities for physical activity.  Schools play a critical role in supporting the whole child, not just their academic achievement.”

The NSEA petitions for the state board to declare that schools to remain open until the risk of COVID-19 transmission is abated.

 

• All children in grades 3-12 must wear face coverings - with medical caveats - as well as teachers, administrators, staff and volunteers.  If tolerated, masks should be used for children between three years of age and third grade.
  
  
• Designate a staff person to be responsible for responding to COVID-19 concerns.  Staff, students, parents and volunteers should know who this person is and how to contact the designated staff member if they become sick or are around others diagnosed with COVID-19.  The designated staff person should also be aware of state and local regulatory agency policies related to school guidelines and will serve as the contact with local health authorities and monitor illness among school faculty, staff and students.  A backup person should be identified who can fill this role if the designated person becomes unavailable due to illness or other reason.
• Establish and maintain communication and cooperation with local and state authorities to determine current levels of community mitigation.
  
  
• Review local, state and organization guidelines for schools.  Review your facility plans including the size of the building, all points of entry and air handling systems to understand and implement recommended state and local guidelines and the considerations detailed in this Order.
  
  
• Schools are encouraged to continue to use and develop strategies for online and other remote education technologies.
  
  
• Develop strategies to reduce the potential for mass exposure of cases occurring in schools that include social distancing of all persons, defined and consistent groups of students and staff who remain together with limited interaction to others, considerations to reduce the maximum number of people allowed in a building based on social distancing and implementation of mask wearing requirements for indoor activities.
  
  
• ALL sick children and adults will stay home; and, quarantine will be observed by those with COVID-19 infected persons at home.
  
  
• All children and adults with confirmed infection will not be allowed to return to school until completing the DHM-defined period of isolation.
  
  
• Schools and public health authorities will work together to rapidly report, assess and act on frequent per school absenteeism, influenza and other disease reporting health measures.
  
  
• Address the increased behavioral health and emotional needs of students and the mental health of teachers, staff and volunteers.

 

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