Randi Weingarten joined a rally with East Chicago teachers outside the district’s school administration building

Hot spot in East Chicago detours AFT Votes National Bus Tour

Contributed By:The 411 News

The AFT Votes National Bus Tour detoured from its schedule to leave Gary and head to Kalamazoo, Michigan following Wednesday afternoon's meeting with Gary Teachers Union, AFT Local 4 President GlenEva Dunham and teachers from Gary, East Chicago, and Hammond.

American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten and AFT representatives were in Gary with a $5,000 donation to support the Gary’s school district’s campaign to pass a referendum seeking a property tax increase.

Weingarten rallied with teachers outside of East Chicago's school administration building as the school board prepared to vote on approving the re-opening plans. East Chicago is heading for an October 26 re-opening, using the hybrid model of in-person and virtual learning.

The district has been operating virtually since August. In recent weeks, it began testing the hybrid model on check-in days that allowed some students volunteering to attend classes in the buildings.

East Chicago Federation of Teachers President Helen Steinbach said the rally was held to show teachers concerns about the district's re-opening plans.

"Teachers were not notified as COVID-19 infections spread among school staff. They learned about it from others. We were told the buildings would be cleaned, but they were not," Steinbach said.

Weingarten's message to East Chicago's teachers, "If New York City can do it; I know East Chicago can. You must demand personal protection, testing, proper ventilation, and physical distancing. And you must demand transparency."

The East Chicago Health Dept. reported 157 new positive COVID-19 cases between September 26 and October 16.

School superintendent Dee-Etta Wright outlined the district's Return-to-Learn plan at the Wednesday night board meeting. Wright said parents were canvassed, resulting in 55% of the families choosing to remain virtual and the rest selecting traditional in-school learning.

Wright said parents will have to stick to their choices until the end of the semester. "We will allow changes in exceptional cases only."

Schools will open to in-school learning Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Wednesday is a virtual day for all students.

Parents are asked to check their students for virus symptoms before leaving for school.

If students don’t have a mask when getting on the bus, they will be given one.

Whether riding the bus, arriving in cars, or walking, students’ temperatures will be checked. Wright said bus riders will be checked when they get on the bus and when entering the building. Three touch-sensitive temperature units are in each school.

Each school has a quarantine room for students showing high temperatures.

Student lockers are socially distanced.

When students refuse to wear a mask, they face disciplinary penalties or must return to learning at home.

"I keep in close contact with the health department. If we see an uptick or serious outbreak, I have no problem with going back to virtual," Wright said.

The school district's administration building has COVID-19 testing Monday through Friday, 8am to 8pm. Wright said testing is available to everyone.

Story Posted:10/18/2020