Teacher Vaccinations Lead Reopening Efforts
SJUSD ensures staff members are vaccinated for a return to in person learning.
By Ethan Percival
SJUSD ensures staff members are vaccinated for a return to in person learning.
By Ethan Percival
Since the decision by the San José Unified School District on March 13, 2020, to close all schools in the district for quarantine measures at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, many students and faculty have been wondering when the return to school will be. Earlier last month, the district announced that students who opted-in to returning to in-person classes would be allowed to return on April 21 as vaccines have become available since the shutdown over a year ago.
As of April 20, 212 million total COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in the United States, and 521,983 in Santa Clara County. Faculty at Pioneer have begun the vaccination process, with many teachers close to receiving, or have received their second shot.
Despite the good news on vaccination efforts, many students and faculty alike are optimistic, but worried about the ever-present pandemic. English teacher Chanel Sulc, has been fully vaccinated, something she views as important for the return to campus.
“I think that faculty vaccinations are important in returning to in-person school, but I also think it's important to note that they are only one key piece of that puzzle,” said Sulc.
Some teachers are concerned about potentially contracting COVID-19 while teaching in-person. “As a teacher, there is still the possibility I can catch COVID, just not be affected that much, and then give it to my wife or son. I know the odds are low, but there still is a chance. My wife has certain factors which could make her extremely sick yet she doesn't qualify for the vaccine at this time,” said AP and accelerated European history teacher,
Michael Burrell.
AP US History teacher Peter Glasser stated that he feels much better being vaccinated and with other safety protocols, and is excited for the return to in-person learning.
“I definitely feel much more calm and comfortable, and so I think that probably will have a big impact in terms of just teachers,” said Glasser. “For example, the school is really great about getting us through these plexiglass barriers to stand behind, and that's where my computer is set up. So when
I'm teaching on WebEx, I'll be behind there. I feel much more comfortable, sort of walking around the classroom and maybe coming to answer a quick question for an in-person learner than I would have if I weren't vaccinated.”
However, some students are opting to stay home as there are still concerns about their personal safety.
“I just feel like it’s better to not take any risks and stay online for the time being,” said Nathan Prijatel,11.
Angelina Tran, 11, shares a similar opinion as most students are currently not eligible for the vaccine.
“Students still aren't vaccinated and most likely won't be until mid to late May, so staying home for the rest of the school year just seems like the logical thing at the moment,” said Tran.
Staff members are also concerned about the absence of student vaccinations and the possibility of students transmitting coronavirus.
“We also need to have teachers' families vaccinated as we don't currently conclusively know whether those who have been vaccinated can still transmit the virus and, of course, also need to consider that students cannot currently be vaccinated. The unknown threat of the various virus strains is also concerning. This is all to say that I am excited teachers are getting vaccinated, but there are many other important concerns that still need to be addressed,” said Sulc.
However, new progress is being made in the process of getting students vaccinated. Recently, the California Department of Health announced that children of age 16 and older are eligible for the vaccine, beginning April 15, although this does exclude a decent amount of underclassmen.
With many faculty, and in the coming future, student vaccinations, returning students to normal, in-person learning is becoming more possible.
As of April 20, 212 million total COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in the United States, and 521,983 in Santa Clara County. Faculty at Pioneer have begun the vaccination process, with many teachers close to receiving, or have received their second shot.
Despite the good news on vaccination efforts, many students and faculty alike are optimistic, but worried about the ever-present pandemic. English teacher Chanel Sulc, has been fully vaccinated, something she views as important for the return to campus.
“I think that faculty vaccinations are important in returning to in-person school, but I also think it's important to note that they are only one key piece of that puzzle,” said Sulc.
Some teachers are concerned about potentially contracting COVID-19 while teaching in-person. “As a teacher, there is still the possibility I can catch COVID, just not be affected that much, and then give it to my wife or son. I know the odds are low, but there still is a chance. My wife has certain factors which could make her extremely sick yet she doesn't qualify for the vaccine at this time,” said AP and accelerated European history teacher,
Michael Burrell.
AP US History teacher Peter Glasser stated that he feels much better being vaccinated and with other safety protocols, and is excited for the return to in-person learning.
“I definitely feel much more calm and comfortable, and so I think that probably will have a big impact in terms of just teachers,” said Glasser. “For example, the school is really great about getting us through these plexiglass barriers to stand behind, and that's where my computer is set up. So when
I'm teaching on WebEx, I'll be behind there. I feel much more comfortable, sort of walking around the classroom and maybe coming to answer a quick question for an in-person learner than I would have if I weren't vaccinated.”
However, some students are opting to stay home as there are still concerns about their personal safety.
“I just feel like it’s better to not take any risks and stay online for the time being,” said Nathan Prijatel,11.
Angelina Tran, 11, shares a similar opinion as most students are currently not eligible for the vaccine.
“Students still aren't vaccinated and most likely won't be until mid to late May, so staying home for the rest of the school year just seems like the logical thing at the moment,” said Tran.
Staff members are also concerned about the absence of student vaccinations and the possibility of students transmitting coronavirus.
“We also need to have teachers' families vaccinated as we don't currently conclusively know whether those who have been vaccinated can still transmit the virus and, of course, also need to consider that students cannot currently be vaccinated. The unknown threat of the various virus strains is also concerning. This is all to say that I am excited teachers are getting vaccinated, but there are many other important concerns that still need to be addressed,” said Sulc.
However, new progress is being made in the process of getting students vaccinated. Recently, the California Department of Health announced that children of age 16 and older are eligible for the vaccine, beginning April 15, although this does exclude a decent amount of underclassmen.
With many faculty, and in the coming future, student vaccinations, returning students to normal, in-person learning is becoming more possible.