The Canton community must demand a hybrid option to start the school year. While we share concerns for safety and effective teaching approaches, we strongly believe this can be achieved through a hybrid back to school model.  

Massachusetts Commissioner of Education Riley asserted, “It is our expectation that districts’ learning models will follow this color-coded metric unless there are extenuating circumstances identified after consultation with local boards of health.” 

COVID-19 Color Coded Daily Incidence Rate 

Canton is coded YELLOW (Hybrid).

CPS School Committee initially voted in support of a Hybrid model to start school in September.  This vote was supported by survey results from parents with roughly 82% of parents voting for some level of in-person learning and 18% voting for a fully remote start to school.  

School Committee has now adjusted their stance and is telling parents to prepare for a remote start.  The CTA is in favor of a remote-only model. The mentioned COVID-19 “metrics” were referenced, in addition to union negotiations, as playing into the decision. The "metrics" being the COVID-19 numbers increasing over the past week even though Canton remains coded as Yellow.

The Canton Teacher's Association is in opposition of in-person learning to start the 2020-2021 school year, citing teacher and student safety concerns.  This is contradictory to COVID-19 data and State Level guidance.  

Educators expressed concern returning to any form of in-person education and claim that small group work, extra help support, ability to address student needs and more effective teaching can only be done remotely at this time.  There is NO data to support those claims.   

Neighboring communities are starting hybrid.  The unions in these communities negotiated terms that would provide a safe in-person environment and did not stonewall the school committee and administration. These communities offered staff alternatives for those who did not feel “safe” with in-person learning.

Ex. Staff could choose to take the year off, unpaid, and their job would be protected.

Ex. A number of “remote only” positions were created which staff could apply for. Those who do not get appointed to those limited positions either report to school or look for another job.

Has Canton offered alternatives to staff?

The majority of Canton parents voted for some level of in-person learning. The minority ( 18%) voted full remote. Parents should make the decision regarding their children’s safety, not the union or School Committee. There was a remote option for the minority choosing full remote. There is no hybrid option being presented for the majority.

Yes, school will look and feel different. 

Private schools have sought solutions and are moving forward with full in-person learning. Private organizations and youth sports have resumed operations with safety measures in place.  CPS parents expect public schools to do the same.  We ask that Union and School Committee negotiation details should be transparent.  We expect CPS administration and the School Committee to hear the majority within our community.  The survey results are clear.  

Prediction:
If we start fully remote or go fully remote at any point this school year, we will NOT resume in-person learning this year.

• Would educators continue to support a fully remote model if they were required to teach remotely from their empty classroom, having to report to work outside of their home?
• 
  Why should some educators be home with their children while others report to work?
• 
  Are the lives of educators and their families worth more than others? Why are educators the exception?

As parents, we cannot support a fully remote model.

Parents who feel strongly about starting school with a hybrid schedule need to email the superintendent and School Committee members immediately. School Committee is an elected position and taxpayers need to speak up. Unless we are coded RED we should be starting hybrid.

School Committee Members Emails:

mirlianik@cantonma.org, gallaghern@cantonma.org, raec@cantonma.org, merendak@cantonma.org, moranm@cantonma.org

CPS Superintendent:

fischer-muellerj@cantonma.org