MTA cancels some events

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 in March and April
• Crisis in Student Well-Being Conference, March 28 in Shrewsbury
• Retired Spring Brunch, March 31 in Woburn, April 16 in Hyannis, May 6 in Holyoke, May 11 in Natick, and May 13 in Foxborough
• MTA Education Support Professionals Conference, April 3 and 4 in Falmouth
• Annual Meeting Preconvention Meetings, April 2 in Wakefield, April 7 in Holyoke, April 13 in Mansfield, April 14 in Hyannis, and April 15 in Marlborough (Preconvention meetings are shifting to a virtual format and will be held during the week of April 27.)
• Next Generation Leadership Program, April 22 and April 23 in Auburn

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

The 2020 Annual Meeting of Delegates will be held as a virtual meeting on Saturday, May 2. Updated information will be posted at the Annual Meeting of Delegates page as it becomes available.

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.