Voices in Education

We are Chesterfield, Virginia educators seeking to amplify voices dedicated to safety, transparency, and district responsibility to faculty, staff, and students

[Voices in Education @voice4choice2]

2/2 Many of us who are high-risk or have high-risk family members will now have to resign or take leave. This will leave our students with fewer counselors and fewer mental health services.

CCPS does not actually care about students' mental health at all.

[Voices in Education @voice4choice2]

1/2 It's incredibly ironic that CCPS is using students' mental health as a justification for putting all of our lives in jeopardy. School counselors have been implementing all types of wellness interventions virtually for students.

[Voices in Education @voice4choice2]

2/2 There are currently 69 students/staff quarantined from 1 school. I am outraged that CCPS is considering this!

[Voices in Education @voice4choice2]

1/2 I’m so disappointed and frustrated with CCPS right now....elem going full time f2f with no vaccines. Powhatan has had f2f full time all year in elem and they are now considering closing 2 Elementary schools for covid outbreaks.

[Voices in Education @voice4choice2]

4/4 Other staff shared their frustrations and I think by the end she realized that we are angry. She came to squash a rebellion and ended up pouring gasoline on a fire.

[Voices in Education @voice4choice2]

1/4 I just wanted to make everyone aware that Dr. Stefanko came to our staff meeting today. After our principal introduced her she proceeded to tell us that a sick out would only hurt our students and attract the wrong kind of attention from those that make decisions.

[Voices in Education @voice4choice2]

3/4 it seems the people who listen to ACTS, CEA, and the Principal Advocacy Group are not listening and the only power we have to keep ourselves and our students safe is to withhold our labor by doing a sick out. I also advocated to remain virtual until we are fully vaccinated.

[Voices in Education @voice4choice2]

3/3 So for 12 days, I taught students in person and virtually. Each day I came home terrified that I had contracted this virus. I find myself once again trying to figure out my “best” option. I love my students but I am not willing to die for them.

[Voices in Education @voice4choice2]

1/3 I have been an employee with CCPS since 1998. I have diabetes and other health concerns. Before secondary students returned in November I contacted CCPS Human Resources office. I was told that yes, I could retire and receive around $1,200 a month

[Voices in Education @voice4choice2]

2/3 (thanks to salary decompression) but I was not eligible for health insurance coverage since I wasn’t 55 years old. I could resign, but if I returned I would no longer have the VRS benefits that I currently receive. This is certainly not the way to reward loyal employees.

[Voices in Education @voice4choice2]

I have never been more frightened. I beg of CCPS board members to please reconsider putting staff and students back in the buildings until it truly is safe!

[Voices in Education @voice4choice2]

My 73 year old mother just got diagnosed with breast cancer. I am the only one able to take care of her. I am a dedicated elementary teacher who is scared to death of bringing this virus home to her. She has a long road ahead of her to beat this illness.

[Voices in Education @voice4choice2]

Now, that the School Board has decided for everyone to return at once, there is no consideration for the size of classrooms or health conditions for staff. I remember when people moved to Chesterfield because of the school system. I can imagine that this will change very soon.

[Voices in Education @voice4choice2]

Principals are just as concerned about returning as teachers. In a meeting when principals expressed concerns about being able to safely return (before Hybrid), the Superintendent spoke in an elevated voice (with little empathy).

[Voices in Education @voice4choice2]

I'm a CCPS educator, and it's clear that those making decisions for the district do not care about my safety or my life.

[Voices in Education @voice4choice2]

I'm a CCPS educator. I was led to believe I'd be vaccinated soon, but apparently the "supply chain broke down"; they don't know when we'll be vaccinated, but they DO know we're all still returning to face to face instruction on schedule.

[Voices in Education @voice4choice2]

There has not been proper cleaning measures etc.

[Voices in Education @voice4choice2]

I got COVID right before winter break from a contracted employee who I worked with in my classroom. My entire winter break consisted of quarantine and trying to get better. As we were returning from break my symptoms were still not better, in fact some of them worsened.

[Voices in Education @voice4choice2]

am struggling to beat this virus scares me for others. This virus affects people so differently and there are now 3-4 different strains. I am scared to have everyone returning 5 days a week. I have not seen the measures to help protect people.