Newark Teachers Union President Reaches Out To Working Parents

NEWARK, NJ — Online learning isn’t easy on students. And educators know it isn’t a picnic for "working parents," either, the president of the Newark Teachers Union says.

The Newark Public School District was one of several in New Jersey to switch to remote classes after the new year. The anticipated return to in-person instruction is Tuesday, Jan. 18. Read More: Newark Schools Will Start 2022 All-Remote Amid 'COVID Spikes'

Some snags from the previous time the district went virtual reportedly cropped up again, including classes staring late due to technical issues, confusion among teachers and spotty attendance. But overall, many teachers and students said the first few days back on a remote learning schedule were better than they expected, because they were able to plan ahead. Read More: Newark's Return To Remote Learning Comes With Some Challenges

With the latest round of remote learning in Newark public schools set to end in a week, Newark Teachers Union President John Abeigon issued a statement about the situation on Sunday.

He wrote:

“This pandemic has tested every single person in Newark, and I have an extra degree of empathy for the working parents of the children who attend our city’s public schools. They are committed to their families and their jobs, and we understand that online learning can be a challenge. Whenever there’s a surge in COVID cases, any call for online learning is rooted in our belief that schools have to be as safe as possible to protect students, parents and the dedicated professionals working in our schools, not a disregard for other professions or the economy.”

Abeigon continued:

“We will continue to closely work with the Newark school district and the community at large to keep schools open. At the same time, our educators and paraprofessionals will continue their great work in addressing the social, emotional and educational needs of our students.”

Abeigon recently told The New York Times that he is hopeful about the return to classrooms but he remains unsure if every school can operate safely – and that educators’ safety shouldn’t be put at risk to boost the economy. Read the full article.

“I’d see the entire city of Newark unemployed before I allowed one single teacher’s aide to die needlessly,” he said.

• See related article: Newark Vaccine Mandate For Businesses Will Last Until February
• See related article: Masks Are Back: Newark Indoor Mandate Returns As COVID Spikes

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