AZ Back To School

ARIZONA BACK TO SCHOOL

My Giang

It’s time for back to school in Arizona as the summer holiday comes to an end. After a long, virtual fight against the coronavirus, public schools are starting to open back up. Classes start in early August, but districts are struggling to get back into gear for this upcoming school year. Parents and students should expect smaller classes and physical distancing in classrooms. Masks are suggested but not required. Plus, staff should be keeping up with sanitation of health facilities.

However, all this work requires a lot of man-power that isn’t immediately at hand. Since last year, Arizona public schools have been facing a teacher-shortage crisis. The pandemic had drained schools physically, emotionally, and financially. Now that the summer is coming to a quick end, Valley districts are rolling out incentives to urge teachers and staff members back to work. According to ABC News, districts, like Mesa Public Schools, Kyrene School District, and others, are using federal COVID relief funds to incentivize teachers to return. These incentives include $3,000 stipends and a 2% salary increase for the 2021-2022 school year. Governor Doug Ducey and the Executive Order. Teachers who oppose schools reopening protest at the Hillsborough County Public Schools district office on August 6, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. This district is not mentioned in this story. Octavio Jones/ Getty Images. ------------------------------------------------------

Some local officials warn that current conditions aren’t safe enough for schools to be returning in-person. Many teachers and officials demand for COVID vaccinations from all students and staff before classes start. This demand would be similar to other required vaccine shots, such as polio, tetanus, measlesmumps-rubella, chickenpox, and 12 and under; however, Pfizer has been working on trials for children of that age group. If you’re interested in registering for a vaccination, please visit the Arizona Department of Health Services’ Patient Portal at podvaccine.azdhs.gov or by calling 844-542-8201. Vaccines are also available at your local Walgreens, CVS, Fry’s Food Stores, Walmart, and Costco... In regards to the Asian American community, districts will start to see a reduced amount of Asian and AsianAmerican students returning to inperson learning. According to the

The dashboard will show COVID-19 community transmission levels based on indicators calculated using one week of data.

However, this newest academic year still serves as a challenge, not just for teachers but also for parents. Parents all around have been skeptical about returning their kids in-person amidst the pandemic. Since Governor Doug Ducey’s Executive Order in March of this year, public schools have struggled to meet these demands. Although teachers are given vaccine-priority, it still doesn’t calm the thoughts of many worried parents. With this upcoming year, students and staff are not required to get the vaccine nor wear face masks inside or outside the classroom, which hasn’t been sitting well with many.

Hepatitis B. However, without full FDA approval, it will be difficult for any school district to enforce a COVID-vaccine mandate. Since May 13th, Arizona now offers Pfizer vaccines for children from ages 12-15. At the moment, the Arizona Department of Health Services is not offering vaccinations for children ages Institute of Educational Sciences, as of February 2021, nearly 7 out of 10 Asian Americans K-12 students will continue learning virtually from home. This is the largest demographic of people learning remotely in comparison to other ethnic groups.

A protester holds a sign during demonstration against reopening of schools in New York City on Aug. 3. RON ADAR/SOPA IMAGES/LIGHTROCKET/GETTY IMAGES

According to OiYan Poon, an AsianAmerican professor at the University of Illinois, “Asian-Americans tend to be a very transnational population, meaning that the majority of this population is immigrant or has immigrant ties.” Because many Asian-Americans have friends and family overseas, they believe that the United States isn’t taking the pandemic seriously enough. Many Asian countries are managing the pandemic much differently than how we are here. In addition to that, Asian parents and students also fear being targeted for anti-Asian hate. With the pandemic still amidst, many fear that ignorant people still associate the devastation of the coronavirus on the American people with Asian immigrants. According to Stop AAPI Hate, a national coalition representing Asian-Americans, they had documented 3,795 targeted incidents from March 2020 to February 2021. With over 300 anti-hate incidents happening per month, Asian parents are scared to send their kids to school. What schools should do to make their Asian-American students and their parents feel safer is by addressing these issues publicly and promising protection and safety for children within this demographic. Having resources and safe spaces for people to turn to will ensure students that they have allies who care. In community news, to help make the transition back to school easier, Chandler mayor, Kevin Hartke, has been helping the community through charitable backpack distributions. Just last Saturday, July 17th, Mayor Hartke and community volunteers distributed 3,000 backpacks full of school supplies to students in need. The city of Chandler has also been giving back to schools and community organizations promoting diversity education. Chandler has budgeted $10,000 in grants. Online applications have been opened since July 1st and grants will be given out until they’re gone!

Stop AAPI Hate indicated % from 1710 reported incidents between March & April 2020

Chandler Mayor, Kevin Hartke, and the volunteers with the Operation Back To School backpack distribution.

As summer holiday comes to an end, remember to support your teachers and local schools by doing your part and staying healthy. Follow CDC guidelines and get vaccinated. Stay healthy and stay safe, Arizona!!!