Hello,
Here is a letter written by teachers and staff in the District who are requesting assistance in getting our message out. We would appreciate your help in printing and posting!
“To the BUSD Board members, students, educators, and community as a whole,
Let us start by saying how much we love the teaching profession. Some have only been involved for a handful of years, while others have taught or served students in an administrative capacity for multiple decades. We know that the education sector is not an easy one, always ripe for improvement, yet we show up every day to refine our craft.
Though things have changed drastically in regards to student interaction with staff over the past 18 months, we still seek opportunities to engage with our students frequently. Students need hugs and bandaids. They are young and have many feelings: sad, happy, mad, lonely and they get hurt. An elementary teacher remarked she has “Never once shunned away a hug or stayed 6 ft away to apply a bandage; Pre-Covid and currently.” It is in our student’s best interest to be available to them mentally and emotionally, especially as they remark how much they trust us and know how we care for them. We always put students first and before “our own health.”
We have varying belief systems among us, conservative and liberal, Christian and Agnostic, some single and some with families; but we all agree that what is happening to our schools and society at large is not ok. The role of an educator in your children’s lives is not to tell them what to think, but HOW to think critically. We are not in the business of indoctrinating to any particular belief system, which is taking place now. At this point, everyone who has had the opportunity for the vaccine has taken it. We do not want to bicker about statistical analysis and how things are interpreted differently depending on bias. We simply want to approach things from the simple viewpoint that no one should be forced to choose between something they do not believe is in their best personal interest and being forced out of the field. We believe in Tolerance. True tolerance, which means you tolerate people who have different opinions than you, not that you need to accept them as your own. We see this in the classroom and always focus on the middle, acknowledging different sides and perspectives without swaying students’ opinions one way or the other. The community of Bishop for a long time has existed in this fashion, and we cannot back down now and let these things divide us. We want to continue to show up for your students and do this for years to come. We humbly ask for your support in this endeavor, to show students that respecting others hurts at times but it’s still the right thing to do, especially when it is unpopular. A Vaccine Mandate for teachers will inevitably harm our community and students more than Covid ever could, possibly resulting in close to 50 staff across all campuses being fired. Additionally, mandated testing medically profiles those that have made a personal choice that they feel is best for them and their family. Write to the School Board, Administration, and Government representatives to make clear that we can support others even if we are not on the same page. Let us demonstrate to the world how a community can come together despite all the rhetoric and stand for each other. If you would like to support us in this cause, send an email to Educators4Choice@protonmail.
Thank you – Bishop Educators for Choice”
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So… what ever happened with this? Did 50 people get fired on October 15th, or were these “Educators4Choice” full of lies?
Drove around town and saw these “choose freedom not fear” signs up. I’m assuming these are people who are enjoying freedom from fear because they are vaccinated? Resonated with me anyway…party on, my fellow vaccinated citizens!
Ha… We need a slightly revised design: “Choose Freedom not Fear: Get Vaccinated!”
Unsigned letters are worth about as much personal check from a Nigerian Prince.
There is just no way this letter was written by a teacher or staff member. And it’s highly unlikely it represents “50” like minded educators. If it does, I certainly would not want my children anywhere near this group. Think of the kids…GET VACCINATED. It’s not really that hard.
I know just as many lefties who have refused the vaccine than I do righties,
Good for you.
tin-man’s desperate ploy to be statistically relevant
…and intolerant Quack-que is angry his side is just as concerned about the vaccine as anyone else and that the entire world doesn’t share his opinion.
Your personal anecdotes of questionable validity aside, the evidence does not support the idea that there are equal numbers refusing the vaccine from both parties. (Hint – the party that is generally more pro-science/education/cosmopolitanism is the one that is more likely to be vaccinated)
It’s already pronounced quack, not quack-que, –Part of this comment violates our Terms of Use, the violation has been removed–. But please, enlighten us on public health and infectious disease.
Does this group actually believe that the “hugging” and getting close enough to our children to put on bandaids while not vaccinated is a loving, thoughtful act? Exposing our students and other staff to potential illness or even death is not an indicator of a responsible nor caring educator. If your “choice” is to remain unvaccinated, then you need to accept the consequences of that choice. Isn’t that what we teach our students?
More confusion for the kids as if they don’t have enough already, they as in some may or may not have a choice as not being adults. Are they possibly thinking….Get protected from the Covid-19 and it’s harsh strains that make you sick and have killed people or don’t and take chances? I had to get vaccinated before I started school with other vaccines why is this so different? Believe in certain conspiracy theories or not? Choose what others want me to? What’s right and what’s wrong with all of this? Who do I listen to, believe and trust with my life and well being beyond all else and everything else? What is more important at this point? My thoughts my feelings my concerns, my fears, my well being, my life, my family, my education? Future, it’s all important but to whom in what way. Remember what it was like at those different ages and stages through young life, how would you feel if then was as it is now? A family member of a dear best friend is fighting for her life right now in ICU because someone believed in certain conspiracy theories did not get vaccinated or wear a mask and in there rights to choose, as they should have rights but not to put others at risk or harm. That someone is her significant other who loves her dearly but was to self centered and selfish in that way to think of her and others regarding Covid-19’s wrath. I hope for you all with no judgment that you stay well. It’s about life.
Thanks for this poorly written reminder to write to the school board and ICOE to remind them that we expect them to follow the mandates and keep our kids and community safe.
Much like you can’t work at a school without a negative TB test, you shouldn’t be working at one without having taken life-saving, safe and effective vaccines in the middle of a global pandemic.
The OV used to be such a nice area. Not so much any longer. The name calling, the shaming, all sickening. Your true colors are showing and it’s ugly.
The assignment was a persuasive essay. This piece lacks the proper form and components. There is no introductory or concluding paragraph and the body of the essay is entirely lacking in empirical evidence or any other kind of support for the writers opinion. There are also several anomalous capitalizations of words which have become stylish as of late but are still an indication of a poor understanding of the language and frequently point to a rather low level of concern and/or intelligence.
The grade is an F.
If this piece was written and approved by public school teachers in the district I strongly suggest home schooling. But then again, if you are incapable of understanding why the assignment received a failing grade I suggest you don’t waste your time making plans for your child’s financially and intellectually rewarding future.
Dubious letter–wouldn’t it be Inyo Educators for Choice as there would probably be teachers outside of Bishop who would want to be included in this?
Regardless, it definitely represents the beliefs that some people here have. The comments alone signal a crisis in critical thinking, social awareness, understanding of the US Constitution (conflation of personal preferences and constitutional rights), and basic research skills.
If these teachers really plan to bow out rather than get a safe medical procedure OR participate in routine health checks that will save lives, I look forward to their places being filled with people who understand what is “control” and “force” and what is a logical plan to mitigate a global disaster.
Wow looks like the sierras are being tilted too the left.. our constitutional rights say we have the right of choice..the right choice is what we feel is right for us and our family…Not for any of you too force upon another…
You don’t have a freedom of choice when the choice harms others.
not getting a vaccine “harms” no one except the person making the choice, as vaccinated people are spreading covid too
please provide a link to an RCT showing that vaccinated people are spreading covid.
If your not vaccinated or wearing a mask then I’m breathing your second hand smoke might be a simple analogy but I think it works
Nobody is taking away their right of choice; they are free to do what they feel is right for them and their family.
Dutchboy demands the constitutional right to prove that he is too ignorant to spell correctly.
One word..,.That’s all that you have? Sad
ok. let’s count the TWO words that are the same but used out of context, as one. however, there is another word that is misspelled.
Nor does it say in the Constitution that a US citizen has the right to put others in danger during a worldwide health crisis.
Is it only the “left “ that threatens constitutional rights?
What Constitutional Article, Section, Amendment, or case law do you think is being violated?
We have many aspects of our lives regarding public safety in which we DO NOT have a choice. Having laws is not a violation of our Constitutional rights. This is a safety issue beyond your family. If you all stay at home OR mask in N-95s with good seals 100% of the time and wash hands religiously AND stay 6 feet away from everyone in public, then you have a right to do what you wish regarding risking this deadly disease.
Dutchboy
My bet is,if your idol and savior (that other guy ) decided that COVID vaccines were a good thing to get,you’d be first in line with your sleeve rolled up..
David Dennison..check out “operation warp speed”. The vaccine was fully endorsed by Donald Trump, as were treatments for the Chinese virus, it was developed by private industry in the greatest country on earth, not politicians. Your propensity to politicize and blame are false and polarizing. Do better David.
There is no such thing as a “Chinese” Virus. Your propensity to politicize and blame are false and polarizing. Do better, Irv.
Irv M
Are you trying to tell me it’s not political ?
Gimme a break…While “the other guy” was bashing Dr. Fauchi for his ideas,that “other guy” was suggesting bleach and Pine-Sol being injected into our bodies…
And so many of his people followed along with that…
(Student name), you have a choice. You can follow the rules that have been put in place to make sure everyone is welcome in this classroom, OR I can take you to the Principal’s office. Your choice.
I’m calling BS on your belief in tolerance
There is absolutely no reason to believe this is more than one person’s manifesto, or that it originates locally. Without names, it is merely hype and propaganda. Maybe Sierra Wave can answer why they published an opinion piece without a name attached. Most appalling is the “we put students first…” then proceed to demand the right to do the opposite.
However, the sentiment is obviously shared by many locals. It is mainly political and wholly illogical. Mandates are necessary for social animals to function in a complex society. These same people obey and expect others to obey most of them all the time. Vaccinations have been required in public schools for decades. This one only differs in its political status.
Teachers tell children to wash their hands when leaving the toilet. Why? Cough into their elbow. Why? Not to spit on the floor. Why? Not to come to school sick. Why? Teachers disinfect their classrooms and desks regularly. Why? Because they understand something about the spread of disease. Unless we take extraordinary steps to stop this world-wide pandemic, we will be putting out the fires of variants for a long time to come. The medical workers and facilities are already exhausted from treating the consequences. The death rate would be much higher if not for the extreme measures of modern medicine.
You have the freedom to contract it and die from it. You should not have the freedom to spread it and use up precious time and resources to mitigate it. Participate in the solution.
Savage! Well reasoned, and stated clearly.
“I think there is a fundamental misunderstanding of what Public Health is…Either we all succeed or fail together. The goal here is the aggregate good.” Michael Geerson
Pathetic. Where was this hubris and resistance to every other vaccine? Get over yourselves or get out of the way.
If there is a vaccine mandate there is a choice. Get vaxed or don’t get vaxed. Some folks are unable medically to be vaxed. Kids under 12 are to date unable to be vaxed. They are at risk and don’t a choice. If there is a mandate, its about public health, not personal choice or personal freedom. We value the lives of all and that’s why the majority of us chose to get vaxed. Unvaxed people will do more to keep covid rolling than vaxed folks. Keeping Covid rolling accompanies the threat of a new variant, one that might roll over everyone vaxed or not and then we start all over again, hospitalizations, death and new vaccines in development. Bishop Educators for Choice don’t have my vote or support. You should have already been vaxed doing your part to crush covid .
First off, what purpose does this letter have? It is grumbling about a policy that is already in place. On October 15th, school staff will need to either be vaccinated or receive regular testing. This is a state mandate from early August and not something BUSD has a choice in mandating or not. If there’s actually 50 staff leaving because of this (other than this letter, “Bishop Educators 4 Choice” doesn’t appear to exist as an entity online, so who knows if it is one person or 50), they should start packing now, because they only have a week to get out.
True tolerance does not include accepting people who want to hurt others. You should not tolerate terrorists, foreign or domestic. Nor people whose actions quantitively hurt you. And Anti-vaxxers quantitatively hurt people. I would personally be more inclined to make unvaccinated people liable for negligent homicide of people they infect than to happily allow them in close proximity to my children. For the exact same reasons that I wouldn’t want drunk bus drivers bringing them home from school. Live and let live only applies if the other person cares about letting you live.
Additionally, I must admit to laughing aloud at the notion that this group is proud to include both “Christian and Agnostic”. Would this call for tolerance also be open to Atheist student groups proclaiming that there are no gods? Promoting Muslim or Indigenous beliefs? Or one of those After School Satan Club, that some elementary schools have? Even this group’s proclaimed tolerance seems to only accept “Christian”, and “unsure”. Also telling that there’s not even a mention or race in this “tolerant” group. It’s kind of hilarious how limited this group seems to be while trying to appeal to a concept of tolerance they don’t seem to fully understand.
As as a final note, I’d like to draw attention to their comment that students need band-aids. Why do they need band-aids? Because band-aids act as a barrier to infection.
Just like masks and vaccines.
Wow! If this isn’t the pinnacle of bad “journalism”, I don’t know what is. SierraWave has published letters from community members before, but I believe this is the FIRST time they’ve published a letter with NO author information on it. Shame on you, SierraWave. For all we know you’re just being trolled by special-interest groups from lands afar and have done absolutely nothing to maintain your “journalistic integrity”.
You should be ashamed for posting such garbage with absolutely no vetting. Re-post it with the actual names of these “educators”.
I am 87 years old. I recall cases of small pox that led to disfigurement and death, and the national requirement that everyone get inoculated. Small pox no longer haunts the world. I remember summers when I and my siblings could not leave the farm for fear of polio. Then same the wonder of a vaccine, health care workers came to the school and lined us all up for the shot (yes, the first polio vaccine was a shot). I heard no cries of “freedom,” just sighs of relief.
Now, suddenly, medical treatment for the public good arouses cries of “freedom,” and we are asked to be tolerant of selfishness.
I lived through WWII. We coped with rationing of gas, tires, sugar, meat, clothing, and coffee. We did not travel except when absolutely necessary. We took pennies to school to contribute to war bond drives. We dreaded the arrival of a telegram that began, “We regret to inform you . . .”
Now, suddenly, the American people cannot put a bit of cloth over their faces to contain a pandemic. A face mask has become a symbol of tyranny.
I fear for my country when an eventual massive emergency demands cooperation. In some future event, nature will remind us that humans are a social species, dependent upon one another.
This isn’t smallpox. For the vast majority it’s a cold. Yry to maintain perspective
hmmmm…. and how was smallpox eradicated ?
Tell that to the 4.55 MILLION people who DIED FROM IT.
So does “a cold” kill 713 thousand people in a little over a year? Try to maintain some perspective.
I stand behind them 100%
Fri, Oct 8 at 11:14 AM
First of all since your opinions are so strong I would like for you to identify yourselves so that I can remove my student from any class that is taught by a teacher who has fallen prey to conspiracy theories . If you are so courageously willing to state your views why don’t you also state your names? I have been a registered nurse for over 30 years and have dedicated my life to healthcare that is backed by science.. Since you believe that we all have a choice you are more than welcome to choose to work elsewhere or homeschool your own children so as not to endanger our community.
Since you are steeped in science, please provide a link to an RCT showing that masks work or that vaccine mandates stop Covid.
Take your time.
Ethics don’t allow this study, but here’s one showing Moderna likely reduced absolute infection by 61%.
You won’t care because reasons… and things… and stuff… and mostly feelings.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264410X21007350
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-02457-y
links galore.
You’re welcome.
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7039e3.htm
Oh yeah! I’ve been a RN for 80 years and have dedicated my life to healthcare that is backed by real science. I’ve seen more than you hun and know more.
Omg… who is this 98 year old nurse?
?
Are all teachers and staff unified with this letter? You just had a walk out on Monday,withe 30 or so teachers and staff not showing up,that doesn’t seem supportive to the kids or schools to me. I would like a unified letter from all the Bishop CTA teachers, not just “Bishop Educators for Choice”. I don’t buy into some of your retoric unless you have a 80 % of all teachers and staff involved. Are the administrators on board with your letter? how about the CTA teacher officers?
Thank you – It’s the right thing to do, of course. The left marches “my body my choice” concerning impending life BUT they also march that “my body their choice” when it comes to getting stuck with a needle.
The shocking sentence in this letter is that over 50 teachers would be fired if there was a vaccine mandate for educators. I am assuming that means that there are 50 people teaching children in Inyo County that have not been vaccinated. I hope none of these teach any of the sciences. Death from a COVID infection is not the only bad outcome. Long COVID has debilitated people in Inyo County. Teachers and others can have COVID with no symptoms and pass to children, who in turn might be asymptomatic, but spread it to vulnerable populations, like elderly grandparents. And the worry about being “medically profiled” if these teachers are tested and found positive? I cannot even begin to express how disgusting I find that statement expressing their blatant disregard for their students and others in our communities. Your “emotional trauma” over being “medically profiled” pales in comparison to unwittingly passing COVID on to somebody who then contracts it. Some professions demand that you do the right thing. Teaching is one of those.
So which is it:
1. “We always put students first and before ‘our own health.’ ” ?
OR
2. “…those that have made a personal choice that they feel is best for them and their family.”
Here is some simple 3rd grade critical thinking skills and the conclusions based on your own statements:
Choosing 1 > 2 = get the vaccine and wear a mask.
Choosing 2 > 1 = you DON’T put students first
How about you teach science ? Better yet, “show students that respecting others hurts at times but it’s still the right thing to do” by agreeing to mask-up and get vaccinated, in the interest of their health and public health? Afterall, you are public school educators. This entire letter is only about your personal feelings and personal opinions, not about scientific fact, or supporting kids’ health or supporting public health. Grow up.
So if whooping cough ,or small pox ,measles mumps, polio and any number of eradicated diseases came back you’d be good with no vaccine or isolation wow
Covid is none of those
Your right! COVID is way more dangerous.
Please, tell us what covid is, then. And be specific, rather than, again, answering vaguely.
My family and I support these educators who are displaying leadership and courage to our students and community. No matter our differences in life, mandates are no way to get anything done. Our community should rally around these educators in support and make it known to our board, the administration, and other elected officials that our teachers (and many other professions facing the same mandate pressure) are not to be tossed aside for their expression of freedom and choice. Thank you for writing this and thank you Sierra Wave for posting this.
Denial of science and refusal to accept facts, are not displays of leadership, especially among “educators.”
The positions that you and your family tend to take on issues are not mainstream and go a long way to explain why you lost the election for Sheriff in 2018 and since then, the election on the Bishop school board.
Your opinions cannot be taken seriously, and your past behavior exposed while serving in the Sheriff’s department show that your judgement also cannot be trusted.
As to your opinion of leadership and “courage”, your own failed record in that area speaks for itself. And you are certainly no expert on diseases and how best to control them.
Several things to unpack here. We have more Covid cases right now and we know that masking and vaccine work.
We also know that vaccine mandates work. These teachers want to hide behind a letter because they don’t want to be singled out for being irresponsible and putting lives in danger. So they don’t want to comply with the rules but they don’t want the consequences of their actions either. If they don’t want the vaccine they have been given a choice, the problem is like they don’t like like the choice or the consequences of that choice. The vaccine is safe and effective but what is more harmful to students isn’t wearing a mask or getting a vaccine it’s losing a loved one to Covid when that death could have been prevented. Teachers will recover from receiving a vaccine but children won’t recover from losing a loved one.
Here’s what I don’t like teachers who would intentionally put students and our their families in danger. If you don’t want the vaccine fine get tested regularly so we can contain this virus and prevent further death and illness. You have made a choice and that’s what it is a choice. If a child makes a choice to put others in danger then that child would have consequences. What is the message these teachers are sending. They should get to do whatever they want and the rules shouldn’t apply to them. I’m sorry that they don’t like the choice but Id rather have a handful of unhappy teachers who may even leave the profession rather then children living without family members because these teachers believe that saving lives is an inconvenience.
I am also concerned that Sierra Wave is promoting this. Maybe it’s meant as a press release but it’s one sided and the potentially dangerous. This letter represents a small vocal minority in our community even among the teaching staff. Most want measures that have proven to save lives and most in this community do not want to further spread of the virus and are willing to take measures to ensure the health and safety of students and the community at large.
“We have more Covid cases right now and we know that masking and vaccine work.”
I can’t be the only person who noticed the paradox in this sentence.
Imagine thinking a novel pandemic virus would quit infecting every possible person before it did. What’s it like to live in an alternate reality?
Of course, Dean. I was told masks and vaccines would reduce infections. Still waiting to see that in the data.
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa2034577
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2780700
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8165083/
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-02457-y
whew! that was exhausting ! took me an entire 5 minutes to track that down.
You’re welcome.
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa2034577
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8165083/
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2780700
https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2021/09/surgical-masks-covid-19.html
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-02457-y
enjoy!
You won’t find accurate mask or covid data on Fox, Newsmax, or OANN.
Tony, please. You’re not the least bit interested in data or science. Every position you take is about owning the libs, which just makes you sad and pathetic.
here’s another one: as of 2 days ago, the highest rate of infection in Inyo County was in the 0-17yo age range. Hmmmm……
So are you saying that masking and vaccines aren’t reducing cases?
I suppose a valuable data point here would be: are the people getting infected vaccinated and or wearing masks? Or are cases up really high for people who treat this as just a cold and think that vaccinations and masks aren’t necessary?
Considering how many people aren’t doing either, I’d love to have the opportunity to find out.
Well, ya see Tony – in order for masks and vaccines to work they have to be used. While I am certain you have little to no experience with the scientific method the anti-vaxxers volunteered to be a control group and they are dying at a rate which is 15 times the death rate of the vaccinated.
https://www.ncdhhs.gov/news/press-releases/2021/08/27/adult-icu-patients-hit-record-highs-pandemic-new-report-shows-unvaccinated-people-are-more-15-times
no, i’m not saying that. first, there aren’t any vaccines yet for kids under age 12, which is roughly 3/4 of the 0-17 yo group. next, kids are back in school, so potentially much increased exposure to delta-covid. in addition to that, it is already known in the community that not all teachers are enforcing masks: either they don’t “believe in it” or, they’re already exhausted from having to deal with anti-mask/anti-vax parents. add on to this “educators” who refuse to get vaccinated, who may be asymptomatic, and potentially shedding virus to kids; the two most likely vector sites are home and school. not surprising these rates are rising.
No signature list?
This group does not speak for the bulk of educators in the district but does everything they can to make this letter sound as though it is broadly endorsed in an attempt to provide false legitimacy.
Letters like this should not be run without explicit signatures.
Indeed. It reminds me of the One Million Moms group that is constantly outraged over everything… One Million Moms, but somehow only 4,000 people following them on Twitter.
Similarly, without signatures, nothing in this letter should be taken as truthful. Though I guess we’ll see if any of them at all actually quit this coming Friday, when the mandate goes into effect.
If that happens at all, I’d put money on it being nowhere near 50 people. But if it does, good news for sane people in Bishop looking for work.
They’re fearful of being held to account for their actions. Odds are this is written by some parent pretending to be a teacher to advance some personal opinion into broader public view. Protonmail and grammar errors alone cause me to believe an educator wasn’t involved in writing this.
Perhaps Sierra Wave could ask the school districts in the area how many of their staff have resigned or been fired because of the vaccine mandate. I suspect the total number will be less than 50.