Canceled buses and a superintendent in the classroom: How omicron has thrown schools into crisis

 

Meghan McCoy intended to send her child back to school in January, but as she watched coronavirus cases surge in Salem, N.H., she changed her mind — joining a slew of parents across the nation keeping their children home.

“We can’t in good conscience send them back when the spread is so high,” she said.

School districts across the country saw higher-than-usual absences among students in the first week back from winter break. Many had sick children, while others, like McCoy, decided it was too risky to let their children attend.

Students were not the only ones absent. Large numbers of teachers, counselors, bus drivers and school resource officers were also out — leading to some unusual solutions. In Miami, the superintendent said coaches and administration staff with teaching credentials — including himself — stepped in to fill in for absent teachers. Elsewhere, bus routes were canceled. A handful of schools closed or went remote after not being able to find enough instructors...

https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2022/01/07/student-teacher-absences-omicron/?utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=wp_main&utm_medium=social