August 3 Letter from Wilmette Education Association President to District 39

Dear Wilmette District 39 Board of Education,

We understand and agree that pre-pandemic, in-person learning is what’s best for students’ emotional and educational well-being​. ​As educators, we wish for nothing more than returning to that normal and being present with our students. We joined this profession because our passion lies in working with, supporting, and assisting the development of all children. We continue as teachers even as the job becomes harder year after year, because of the smiles, the growth, the personal connections and relationships we develop with our students. We sacrifice our own families, our own time and our own resources to provide what you have all chosen to live here for - an excellent educational experience for your children.

Unfortunately, the current in-person and hybrid plan being presented for reopening of school in 23 days is reckless, short-sighted, expensive, and shows severe lack of concern for district teachers and staff.

Our members served on the committee to devote ourselves to the tough decisions regarding a plan to return to school. We worked tirelessly all summer on behalf of our community and our students. Sadly, our voices were not heard, and the plan that has been presented is not the plan we tried to create, nor the plan that we are willing to accept.

Though Illinois had experienced a period of relative stability with Covid-19, the number of cases is rising, and it is indisputably unsafe for us to conduct in-person learning. This virus is highly contagious, especially indoors. These dangers still exist even if guidelines are explicitly enforced.​ ​

It is unsafe for people to be gathering indoors in large groups at any location; however, it is particularly unsafe to do so in some district buildings and classrooms which have poor ventilation systems, no cooling systems, and windows that don’t open. We contend that a learning environment that is unsafe for one, is unsafe for all.

We simply don’t believe our district can adhere to CDC, IDPH and ISBE guidelines with integrity. Survey results of the WEA confirm this: 80% of the WEA membership does not have confidence in the district’s ability to consistently and effectively follow ISBE health and safety guidelines; 80% of WEA membership insists on remote learning being the only safe option for reopening school this fall.

Aside from concerns about health and safety, we also are devastated by the fact that this plan is not what is in the best interest of our students. We are the boots on the ground; we are the experts who know how to make our classrooms meet the needs of our diverse population of learners. We cannot do that under this plan. The socialization and social emotional support that parents are craving for their children, and that children so desperately need, will not be feasible under the current guidelines. Students will need to obey rigid mask and social distancing rules. Students will not be able to physically socialize or work in pairs or small groups. Lunch and recess will not be free time to interact with peers. Our students will not be able to receive the comfort, smiles or physical support from teachers they are accustomed to. Finally, dealing with the reality of absences, illnesses and deaths of peers and teachers who contract Covid-19 will be traumatizing for both students and the community and will cause long lasting emotional effects for everyone. Students, faculty, staff, parents and administration will all bear the emotional burden of just one preventable loss in the school community. We just can’t, as educators, support this plan.

The health and safety of our community is the top priority, and we are committed to providing a high-quality education to our students. ​Ample time and professional development should be provided to teachers in the following days before school begins in order to develop and prepare for excellence in delivering a more rigorous and robust remote learning plan for all of our students. Teachers will then be prepared to provide comprehensive learning that students deserve. Teachers need time, resources, opportunities for collaboration and knowledge of the plans to meet the needs of all children. School is just around the corner and teachers must be ready.

WEA leaders are held to the duty of fair representation and we are fiercely committed to voicing the needs of our membership and our students. We will continue to negotiate the impact of this plan on our working conditions as that is our right and our duty. However, our current position is that the WEA will only support a return to school option this fall that is completely remote. Remote learning is the only way we can protect the lives of our staff and students, and so it is the path we must take. It is our hope that by August 7th the Wilmette Board of Education replaces the current reopening plan with a plan that calls for a Remote-Only start to the school year. We look forward to collaborating with you on that plan and readying ourselves for the very best instruction that our students and their families deserve.

Sincerely,
Anne Rodas
WEA President