Danvers Teachers, Parents Hold Dueling Protests

DANVERS, MA — Nearly 80 teachers gathered outside the Danvers school committee meeting Monday night, calling on the board to reverse its school reopening decision and go with a fully remote start to the school year.

At the same time, a group of parents and students gathered nearby, holding signs supporting the board's approval of a hybrid model earlier this month. While Monday's meeting was in-person for school committee members and administrators, public participation remote to adhere to the state's social distancing rules.

Boston 25 News, which first reported this story, said teachers raised several concerns, including the adequacy of building ventilation systems and plans to move students through school buildings. "My fear is that people in the town will die, teachers will die, maybe kids will bring it home, maybe family members will die," fourth-grade teacher Katy Buller told Boston 25 News.

Parents in the counterprotest, however, said they were concerned about the ability for emotional and social development. Parents are also trying to juggle work with kids at home and remote learning, which often requires the help of a parent. Parents are also concerned about the remote curriculum for special needs students.

"When I see teachers here, I can’t help but think about other workers who’ve been doing it since we’ve opened back up: hair dressers, Market Basket employees," parent Laura Pelletier said. "I think you have to be COVID-capable, COVID-wise. You have to clean, you have to do due diligence."

Danvers students return to school Sept. 16. Under the plan approved by the school committee Aug. 6, most Danvers students will go to school two days per week and attend classes remotely three per week. Students will be divided into two cohorts, and all students would learn remotely on Wednesdays. High needs students would report to school for in-person learning four days per week.

Dave Copeland covers Danvers and other North Shore communities for Patch. He can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).