AFT-Lone Star College sends its condolences and support to the friends and family of George Floyd and stands in solidarity with all of those who call for justice in his name.
The past week and a half has been perhaps the most challenging time for the United States in the 21st century. The high profile deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd (two of which we witnessed the heartbreaking video) has awakened a deep sense of unequal treatment of Black Americans by police and white vigilantes. This has led to protests and rebellions across the country where a number of police departments have responded brutally to journalists and protesters ironically protesting police brutality.
The wake of this has brought on rebellions and uprisings reminiscent of the long hot summer of 1968. Many historians direct our attention to the race riots of 1919 as a more apt comparison. Locally, we don't even have to go that far back. We vividly remember the 2015 uprisings in response to the death of Freddie Gray in police custody. Unequal treatment of Black people by law enforcement is abhorrent and must end if this nation is to live up to the full promise of its words. Dr. King reminds us that "a riot is the language of the unheard. And what is it that America has failed to hear?"
Context
Public employees make up many of the essential workers throughout Maryland working on the front lines during this pandemic. They continue to show up and do their jobs to help cities, counties, and the state maintain some semblance of normalcy during this difficult and unusual time. Just because someone is a hero at work, doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be well protected.
Across the state, Marylanders have made significant sacrifices in the face of the COVID-19 global pandemic. As public employees, health care professionals, and education professionals, you know how vital and essential the public sector is to Maryland.
By emergency proclamation of the Governor, the 2020 Presidential Primary Election has been postponed to June 2, 2020. This election will be primarily a “vote by mail” election. This means that ballots will automatically be mailed to all eligible voters. You should receive your ballot in early to mid May.
Local 420 has adopted two main goals for reopening our schools.
First, to make sure that when our schools do reopen they are safe for students, staff, and the students’ families. In consultation with the St. Louis Department of Health according to CDC guidelines;Our second goal is that our students will receive quality instruction which will result in successful outcomes for them and our community.
In consultation with the St. Louis Department of Health according to CDC guidelines; https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/guidance-for-schools.html and AFT’s Plan to Safely Reopen America’s Schools and Communities; https://www.aft.org/sites/default/files/covid19_reopen-america-schools.pdf in order to increase our probability of success.
Our second goal is that our students will receive quality instruction which will result in successful outcomes for them and our community. No matter whether that instruction in on-line, blended; https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/education/story/2020-05-03/school-districts-may-switch-to-blended-learning-an-area-dominated-by-charter-school, site-based or any combination of the three
To that end, three of our experienced Building Stewards have been appointed to the SLPS Restart School Task Force. They are:
● Kathy Gregory/Griscom – Instruction subcommittee
● John Moore/Clyde Miller – Facilities & School Operations subcommittee
● Carron Johnson/Gateway Middle – CoChair/Facilities & School Operations
Please feel free to email any ideas and suggestions you may have to communications@stltu.org
