6 minute read
Education
After Postmaster General’s Testimony, America’s Trust Issues Continue for Post Office
By Stacy M. Brown Clarke (D-N.Y.) said. “We made sure 5 President Trump has publicly stated his disdain for the postal service. His administration has withheld critical funds from the WI Senior Writer that the American people had the facts agency despite legislation that passed the House and the Senate supporting a cash infusion to the Post Office. (Shuttershock photo) @StacyBrownMedia before them because the Postal Service is the only service enshrined in the because of widespread reports of a Trump opposes mail-in voting but tices to remove any misperceptions
One week after Postmaster General U.S. Constitution, and this [controslowdown in mail delivery. that didn’t stop him and first lady Meabout our commitment to deliverLouis DeJoy testified before a House versy] has happened under Donald President Trump has publicly stated lania Trump from mailing in their reing the nation’s election mail,” DeJoy Oversight Committee on CapiTrump’s attempt to dismantle demochis disdain for the postal service. His cent Florida election ballots. claimed. “Any further assertions by the tol Hill, there remain suspicions on racy as we know it and move forth his administration has withheld critical While DeJoy promised to comply media or elected officials are furthering whether voters and those who receive agenda.” funds from the agency despite legiswith lawmakers’ demands not to slow a false narrative to the American peoprescription medication through the DeJoy’s leadership has received lation that passed the House and the delivery of mail and not to put in place ple.” mail can trust the U.S. Postal Service. sharp criticism from Democrats and Senate supporting a cash infusion to measures that undermine the postal Clarke said lawmakers put a lot of
“It remains to be seen,” Rep. Yvette included some Republicans’ rebukes the Post Office. service, House Oversight Chairwompressure on DeJoy and have exposed an Carolyn Maloney blasted him the postmaster general’s dereliction of during the hearings. duty and the unprecedented collabora“You can expect a subpoena if tion with Trump. you withhold information from this “Donald Trump has tried to undercommittee,” Maloney, the New York mine our mail system for the purpose Democrat, warned. “You’re withholdof discouraging individuals from voting information from us, concealing ing by mail,” Clarke stated. “This has documents and downplaying the implications for veterans and seniors. damage that you’re causing.” This dismantling of the postal service She added that DeJoy probably was intentional. There is a cease and should be replaced. desist order that DeJoy admitted but “I can’t imagine why he would be we need to see the apparatus put back kept on,” she said. in place so that people can vote safely DeJoy claimed that reports critical and our seniors can get their medicaof his actions as postmaster general tion.” have greatly been exaggerated. Clark continued: “Will that be the “There are many inaccuracies,” he case? We are getting a lot of pushback stated, noting that he did not direct and Donald Trump is on the campaign the removal of mail collection boxes trail already trying to delegitimize the
YOU MAYBE AT GREATER RISK FOR COVID-19 and didn’t cut back workers’ hours. “I did, however, suspend these pracelection if mail-in ballots are allowed. It’s all to cause voter suppression.” WI DC Health Link is here to help
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One week after Postmaster General Louis DeJoy testified before a House Oversight Committee on Capitol Hill, there remain suspicions on whether voters and those who receive prescription medication through the mail can trust the U.S. Postal Service.
EDUCATION
School Systems Urged to Reconsider In-Person Instruction
By William J. Ford WI Staff Writer @jabariwill
As the 136,500 Prince George’s County public school students began virtual learning this week, there’s a push for the state of Maryland to hold some form of in-person instruction later this year.
Prince George’s Schools CEO Monica Goldson said health and safety remain the most important decision based on plans prepared in July.
The county continues to lead the state with the most confirmed cases at nearly 27,000. Goldson said five staff members died from COVID-19.
“It was important to us to make sure that we created a safe environment and we continue to move forward academically,” she said Monday, Aug. 31 while visiting Cooper Lane Elementary in Landover Hills. “We’ve given our resources totally different than we did in the spring to help support our students, create parent centers [and] create a parent hotline. Safety, equity and excellence. All of those things are important to us.”
The state of Maryland’s second largest school system joined eight others this week where students sat at their computers and other technology devices learning online because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The other 15 school systems in Maryland will hold the first day of school after Labor Day on Sept. 8.
Prince George’s and several other jurisdictions that include Anne Arundel, Baltimore and Montgomery counties plan to keep students out the buildings for the entire first semester through January.
However, a statewide proposal encourages all schools to offer some in-person instruction later this year. It comes with a financial incentive: to obtain portions of a $10 million grant to help with schools that do open.
State Superintendent Karen Salmon said during a press conference last week in Annapolis she “is strongly encouraging” all 24 school systems to provide a form of in-person instruction at the end of the first quarter.
School boards vote on calendars to set each marking period during that timeframe.
For instance, the last day for Prince George’s students will be Nov. 5. It ends four days later Nov. 9 in Montgomery County.
“Parents of our at-risk children and our children with special needs have been especially consistent with their message that they need direct instruction for their children,” Salmon said. “I’ve heard loud and clear from parents across the state that what occurred this past spring is not acceptable. We can’t allow that to happen again.”
The state Board of Education approved a plan Tuesday, Sept. 1 that
5 Maryland public schools superintendent Karen Salmon, center, talks about proposal for all 24 school systems to incorporate some form of in-person instruction later this year. (William J. Ford/The Washington Informer)
requires a minimum of six hours of school per day with at least 3½ hours of synchronous instruction for kindergarten through 12th grade.
Students enrolled in half-day pre-kindergarten must receive a minimum of 90 minutes of synchronous learning during the course of the half-day.
Local school officials must submit a plan by the third week of November that includes a process to provide some form of in-person instruction in 2021. However, school systems aren’t required to if officials feel it remains unsafe due to COVID-19. Meanwhile, about 16 school systems will offer small group instruc
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