MTA cancels some events

MTA President Merrie Najimy and Vice President Max Page sent the following message to MTA members on March 10, 2020:

Following the lead of public health officials regarding the spread of the coronavirus, the MTA is taking proactive measures to minimize the risk of potential exposure at MTA events that bring members from several districts together.

The MTA is postponing or canceling certain member conferences, gatherings, association meetings and PDP events.

The following events are canceled:

• Professional Learning and Networking (PLAN) Conference, March 14 in Waltham
• The Teacher Leadership Institute gathering, March 14 in Natick
• MTA Regional Presidents’ Meetings/Member Forums, March 17 and 18 in Raynham and Wakefield
• MTA’s Training and Professional Learning PDP Programs, March 21 and 28 in Quincy and Springfield
• Crisis in Student Well-Being Conference, March 28 in Shrewsbury
• Retired Spring Brunch, March 31 in Woburn

It is possible that some events canceled as of this time will be offered at later dates.

As of this time, planning for events in April and May continues. These include the Education Support Professionals Conference on April 3 and 4, Annual Meeting Preconvention meetings in April, and the 2020 Annual Meeting of Delegates. Delegates should proceed with registering for the Annual Meeting, and registration for conferences beyond this month should continue accordingly.

The well-being of our students, our fellow educators and families is our top priority. We will continue to monitor the recommendations coming from the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the state Department of Public Health, and other agencies.

The MTA remains in contact with state health and education officials. Based on such conversations, it is important to remember that:

• Determinations about an individual’s risk to others must be made by medical personnel. Not all respiratory symptoms are a result of COVID-19, and people must be properly diagnosed before the appropriate course of action is determined.
• In anticipation of school closings or other changes to the academic calendar, administrators must not accelerate standardized testing schedules.
• School committees or higher education administrations that decide to formulate local plans for addressing COVID-19 need to include the unions representing educators and other staff.

Our public schools and colleges need to be taking the necessary steps to ensure that the virus does not spread. Those responsible for keeping buildings clean must have the supplies and other resources required to safely do their jobs. The nurses and other providers who work in our public schools and on our college campuses must be properly equipped and trained to assist those seeking care — and they must have adequate protections.

Above all, we must continue to work together to protect the health of our students and our communities.

In solidarity,

Merrie and Max

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