Chicago Public Schools Threaten COVID-19 Strike

By Sekani Jaimevadi
Staff Writer

The Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Public Schools (CPS) failed to reach a reopening agreement this month, leaving parents and students in limbo and teachers upon the verge of a strike. 

With the uprising of new mutations of the coronavirus, remaining safe while attending school continues to be a priority. Teachers maintain that their safety should be valued.

“As a parent, I would be concerned about my children going back into the school building for in person learning, but as an educator, I feel every teacher should be given a choice, because some are more to be afraid of than others,” said Shanina Thomas, a professor at Harold Washington.

Pre-K and special education instructors are slated to be the first to go back into the building, leaving many in confusion as to the way CPS is choosing to respond to the pandemic. Enrollment numbers are low due to hesitation towards in-person learning at this time.

Another educator and CPS union representative, LaTanya Waters, also gave input. “This has been an ongoing discussion I have had with my family, my children, and colleagues,” said Waters. “A lot of parents were not prepared for their children to do remote learning, thus having a lack of support systems. Some of these parents have to go to work, and in some cases it is left up to their elderly parents to watch over the children.” 

Waters continued, “many of these homes have no structure, leaving parents in fear when they are away. If a strike were to happen, which it will not, it will have a lot of teachers, especially women educators quitting to pursue other endeavors, or leaving the education system all together.”