Palo Alto Schools Stay Open During Omicron Surge Thanks to Parent Volunteers

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Parents are volunteering to take on tasks including cleaning, food service and security to help Palo Alto's 18 elementary, middle and high schools open while some 170 teachers and staff are out sick because of the Covid-19 surge

during the second week of January because of the pandemic, the highest number this academic year, according to Burbio Inc., a data company that tracks K-12 school closures.

Officials at the Palo Alto Unified School District, which has 10,500 students, were struggling to determine how they would keep their doors open earlier this month as about 10% of employees called in sick because they had tested positive for Covid-19 or had symptoms, said Superintendent Don Austin. “George Bailey needed the help of the entire community to help him to survive—and they did, epicly,” Mr. Austin said. “Well, Bedford Falls, it’s that time, and we need you.”

“Parents are desperate,” said Jen Weiner, the Parent Teacher Association president at Palo Alto’s Jane Lathrop Stanford Middle School. “And I think our kids are feeling the same stress and worry when there’s uncertainty about the schools being open or not.” Lakshmi Thiyagarajan, a Cisco Systems Inc. engineer, used her lunch break to monitor the playground during recess at the middle school. She made sure students didn’t wander off campus and reminded them to return to their classrooms when the bell sounded.

“It’s day five, but it feels like it’s been five weeks,” Mr. Grierson said. “It helps not only to fill the absences, but it also helps boost morale for everybody.”How have staffing shortages had an impact on schools in your community? Join the conversation below.

 

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Very nice of the volunteers! Now that’s an example of real community!

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