I am gravely concerned.
On Jan. 11, the Anchorage School District’s school staff returned to their school buildings. However, the ASD Boniface Center still remains closed to the public. The phone recording for ASD says, “The ASD Ed Center and school facilities are closed while we follow the state and municipal guidelines to limit the spread of COVID-19. Despite the closure, ASD staff are telecommuting and are here to assist you. You can find our employee directory on our website under the community tab on our home page. …”
On Jan. 20, pre-K through second grade students returned for face-to-face instruction. The state of Alaska has not prioritized teachers for vaccinations who are, or will be, face-to-face with students.
How in good conscience can the ASD Center staff continue to telework, while sending school teachers and staff back into their buildings? The pre-K through second grade staff, office staff and students would be safer if only they were returning to the buildings. Having the third-sixth grade staff return to the elementary buildings — even though they are not seeing students face-to-face — just puts more people at risk. If they are not seeing students face-to-face, wouldn’t it make more sense if they were to continue telecommuting like the Boniface Center staff?
Ask them to start slow — with only teachers who are required to teach in-person be expected to return to the buildings. We are closing in on the finish line and saving even just one life is worth it to this Alaskan.
— Cheryl Childers
Retired teacher
Anchorage
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