Los Angeles teachers were told recently not to share pictures if they choose to travel for spring break, as their union REFUSES what it is calling a “premature” return to in-person classes.
In a message posted in a private United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) Facebook group, teachers were told, “If you are planning any trips for Spring Break, please keep that off of Social Media.”
“It is hard to argue that it is unsafe for in-person instruction, if parents and the public see vacation photos and international travel,” the post read.
Two answers were visible in the screenshot shared by a Fox 11 reporter. One said, “Amen.” Another respondent added, “Or better yet, don’t travel on spring break and set an example.”
NEW: In a leaked post from a private Facebook group for UTLA union members only, teachers are warned not to post on social media if they go on spring break vacations because the optics would be bad for them while UTLA is refusing to return to "unsafe" in-person schooling @FOXLA pic.twitter.com/KxQc7k450T
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) March 9, 2021
The group boasts more than 5,700 members and only accepts teachers who are part of the UTLA.
The union told Fox 11 when asked about the post, “We have a diverse membership and they are able to post their views on personal Facebook pages and in this Facebook group—however, UTLA does not monitor nor is responsible for the content.”
Members of UTLA, one of the largest teachers unions in the nation, overwhelmingly voted last week AGAINST returning to classrooms unless a number of steps were taken first, including improved ventilation.
GET THE KIDS BACK IN SCHOOL!
Out of 24,580 ballots cast, 91 percent were for resisting “premature and unsafe physical return to school sites,” the union said.
UTLA President Cecily Myart-Cruz said in a video statement on March 1 that reopening must not happen until Los Angeles County is moved out of the “purple tier” in California’s tiered COVID-19 system.
NEW: According to UTLA President Cecily Myart-Cruz, 91% of their members voted to refuse to return to in person schooling until the union's demands are met. Almost 25,000 members of the teacher's union were polled, she said. @FOXLA
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) March 6, 2021
Purple is the most restrictive tier of the state’s color-coded system, and indicates that the risk level of transmission of the virus is widespread. Of California’s 58 counties, 40 were classified as purple as of March 2, the last day the labels were updated on the state health agency’s website, according to The Epoch Times.
LA Unified School District Superintendent Austin Beutner said on March 8 that he hopes to reopen middle and high schools in late April, a few weeks after reopening elementary schools.
A year ago today, over 650,000 students went to class in LA.
Days later, they were told not to return.
Superintendent Austin Beutner tells @AxiosRecap how the district worked to close the digital divide among students and get everyone online for classes. pic.twitter.com/6w8OD23bbw
— Axios (@axios) March 9, 2021
“The target remains mid-April for preschool and elementary school students, as well as students with learning difficulties and disabilities, and the end of April for secondary schools. Our goal is to do this as soon as possible and in the safest way possible. Not in any way possible, the safest way possible,” he said in a broadcast to students and parents.
