HOUSTON, TX– HISD teachers called out of work on Thursday for a “sick-out” protest with major concerns about the risks to their health and students as campuses reopened for face-to-face instruction today.
Just earlier this week 16 campuses temporarily shut down after multiple confirmed or presumed COVID-19 cases were reported across the district.
Only a few days later representatives announced Thursday morning that all 280 schools could resume instruction following deep cleanings throughout.
Teachers demands include: capping class sizes to 15 students max with six feet of social distancing required; serving meals outside or in large, well-ventilated areas, and not in the classroom as many schools are doing; improving HVAC and air circulation for all classrooms, and adding mask policies to the student and staff code of conduct.
In Austin, students planned a “sick out” to protest in support of their educators.