Governor, CEA Leaders Go to School rooms, Discuss COVID Security, Staffing Wants – Connecticut Schooling Affiliation
At a time of fluctuating COVID rates, school staff shortages and delays in the state’s promised distribution of masks and tests in schools, CEA leaders this morning visited Blackham School in Bridgeport with Governor Ned Lamont to discuss the ongoing realities of the pandemic classroom and what speaking needs to happen so schools can stay open safely.
The group visited students and teachers in several areas of the PreK-8 building, including the library and classrooms for algebra, language arts, special education, and English learners. [Above, from right, Governor Ned Lamont, CEA President Kate Dias, and Bridgeport Education Association President Ana Batista visit Stephen Taylor’s algebra classroom.]
Speaking to the governor and reporters, CEA President Kate Dias stressed the need for “strong, viable school systems,” CEA President Kate Dias said: “The best thing we can do is keep the staff in the schools, the schools open.” and keep our children in the classrooms, but we must do so with a commitment to safety. Essential to this process, CEA leadership has worked closely with Education Commissioner Charlene Russell-Tucker and, under the Governor’s guidance, has excelled at being inclusive and considerate. As the omicron variant began to enter our lives, we met with her almost weekly, communicated almost daily, and also worked with the Department of Health to find solutions that could be applied across the state. We are closely following the guidance of our public health experts in this area, which is why this became a priority when we were told that masks needed updating and COVID testing needed.”
Keep up the pressure
Dias acknowledged that when Omicron surged and N95 masks were not available to all school staff in the promised timeframe, “obviously took a very critical stance that this was not happening as quickly as we had hoped. The idea has been during this pandemic that if public health is maintained, if schools are open and if communications are solid, then we all benefit.”
When asked about plans to remove or extend mask mandates or change other school protocols, the governor stressed the need to follow the science, track infection rates and follow the advice of public health officials. He also reiterated that he would be in close consultation with CEA leadership.
“One of the first people I speak to is Kate. I have to say: what are we doing to ensure we keep our schools open so parents know their children can be safe in the classrooms? How do we make sure our educators know it’s safe to be there? The first person I speak to about this is Kate.”
Dias and Bridgeport Education Association President Ana Batista also spoke about the need not only to protect educators but to hire and retain them, particularly in districts like Bridgeport where class sizes often soar and teacher salaries lag far behind Neighboring cities lag behind the income of their peers.
“Bridgeport, like many communities, is struggling with staff shortages, and we know that class sizes of 28 or 29 are difficult to sustain,” Dias said. “It’s difficult for our students to get everything they want and for teachers to be able to do everything they know they can.”
She added: “We’re grateful that the governor accepted the offer to come and see what’s going on. It’s a good reminder to look at all aspects of our classrooms: do we have enough teachers? Do we have enough resources? Can we inspire these teachers to spend their whole working lives here? The Superintendent highlighted the challenges of staff turnover, and I think now is the time for us as a state to redouble our appreciation of our educators and recognize the important work being done in our urban centers to ensure success in this one to advance the state and celebrate all that we have to offer. There is a real opportunity right now to invest in our schools and improve our communities through education.”
Keep COVID out, talent in
Ana Batista, President of the Bridgeport Education Association, invites Governor Ned Lamont, CEA President Kate Dias and CEA Chief Executive Donald Williams to a classroom at Blackham School.
“There’s something about the vibrancy, enthusiasm of our learners, and incredible engagement of our educators that’s really invigorating,” Dias said. “It’s a constant reminder of just how much it takes to make a school successful, and we’re grateful to be able to call attention today to the hard work and dedication it takes to make our schools thriving learning communities . I’m pleased that our teachers have shown all the wonderful things that well-equipped classrooms can offer, but we need to make sure COVID tests and masks get into our schools and that schools are adequately staffed.”
“I love the fact that all the classrooms are filled with kids and the kids feel comfortable coming back,” the governor said. “Kate, as you know – and you and CEA chief executive Don Williams reminded me every day – we need to give people the confidence that they can regain, and that means teachers, and that’s why we’ve prioritized our teachers when it comes.” was about immunizations and why we prioritized bringing masks and rapid tests to schools like Blackham to make sure we can take care of people.”
He added, “In conversation with Bridgeport Superintendent Mike Testani and CEA President Kate Dias, we need to think beyond this emergency and what we are doing to continue to attract, recruit and retain the best educators in the world here in our schools in Bridgeport, and.” what that means not just in terms of public health and safety, but also in terms of bonuses and loan forgiveness and mortgage help, and all the different ways we can say we want to educate you here in this community because it’s the best investment is what we have as a society can make.”
