The Sun-Times keeps writing these cute “if it’s good for the Archdiocese, it’s good for CPS” editorials. The mayor said herself it’s not an 🍎 to 🍎 comparison. Here’s why... chicago.suntimes.com/2020/11/5/2153…
1. Numbers
Catholic schools reopened with 34,000 students and over 2,000 teachers. There are about 350,000 students in CPS and additional 50,000 educators/staff. 400,000 people. About 15% of the city's population. We'll need more than HEPA filters and the option to open windows.
Catholic schools reopened with 34,000 students and over 2,000 teachers. There are about 350,000 students in CPS and additional 50,000 educators/staff. 400,000 people. About 15% of the city's population. We'll need more than HEPA filters and the option to open windows.
2. Class size
Archdiocese limits class sizes to 15–22 students. There are some CPS schools with class sizes of 35-45 students. Those schools are smaller than CPS schools in general, with presumably far fewer people in buildings. CPS has elementary schools with 1,500 students.
Archdiocese limits class sizes to 15–22 students. There are some CPS schools with class sizes of 35-45 students. Those schools are smaller than CPS schools in general, with presumably far fewer people in buildings. CPS has elementary schools with 1,500 students.
3. Resources
CPS schools are chronically underfunded and under-resourced. We were forced to strike for 11 days last year just to put a nurse and a social worker in every school. Catholic schools are are part of a larger physical plant run by parishes... chicago.chalkbeat.org/2020/10/13/215…
CPS schools are chronically underfunded and under-resourced. We were forced to strike for 11 days last year just to put a nurse and a social worker in every school. Catholic schools are are part of a larger physical plant run by parishes... chicago.chalkbeat.org/2020/10/13/215…
So, for example, when it comes to space issues they have the flexibility to look at additional spaces to use...outdoor spaces, even indoor spaces, in church halls or in church basements.
4. Parents
Prior to reopening school in September, just 18% of private school parents opted to continue with remote learning. By comparison, only about 20% of Black and Latinx families, also the majority of CPS students, intended to send their children back to CPS schools.
Prior to reopening school in September, just 18% of private school parents opted to continue with remote learning. By comparison, only about 20% of Black and Latinx families, also the majority of CPS students, intended to send their children back to CPS schools.
COVID-19 positivity rate in Chicago is 11.3%. The rolling 7-day average is nearly 1,500 cases. Black and Brown families and communities are being decimated. We all want to be back in classrooms, but let's have some editorials focusing on people's safety, health and survival, too.
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
