Petition Asks For Lower Merion Teachers To Work From Home

LOWER MERION TOWNSHIP, PA — A petition is calling for the Lower Merion School District to keep teachers home the same time students are learning from home.

The school district recently approved opening schools with a digital-only learning model until at least Oct. 5.

While students will be instructed digitally, teachers are required to report to their respective buildings during the virtual learning period.

Teacher Nora Christman launched a Chang.org petition that seeks to change the district's plan and let teachers work from home as well.

"Without students, a school is just a building," the petition reads. "Asking educators to congregate in a building without students is pointless, thoughtless, dangerous, a waste of time and energy, and a mockery of their professionalism. The undersigned ask that the administration and school board of Lower Merion reconsider their position, and give their educators the option to work from home when their students are not in schools."

As of 3 p.m. Tuesday, the petition has nearly 3,000 signatures. The goal is 5,000 signatures.

The district said having teachers in their buildings will allow them to not only access teaching resources, but also "allow them to set up their spaces and work through any potential challenges unique to bringing their classrooms' students back safely as well."

"As a first step in our phased reopening process, teachers are being asked to teach from their schools and classrooms," the district said in a statement. "This will allow for social distancing and will mean buildings will have far fewer people in them than their maximum capacity."

District staffers who have concerns about returning to schools have been directed to contact the District’s Human Resources Team to make individual plans regarding the 2020-2021 school year.

Students will start school on Sept. 8 in the newly approved Health and Safety Plan for reopening for the 2020-2021 school year.

After Oct. 5, the district will consider in person learning depending on the public health situation at that time, according to the district.