Chicago nixes school for 3rd day as virus, union debate rage

By SOPHIA TAREEN
Associated Press

CHICAGO (AP) — Classes in Chicago were canceled for a third consecutive day amid an ongoing fight with the teachers union over remote learning and other COVID-19 safety protocols. Families in the nation’s third-largest district were notified of Friday’s cancellation on Thursday evening, noting that “in-person learning and activities may be available at a small number of schools,” but to check before sending children to buildings. The Chicago Teachers Union wants remote learning until there’s an agreement or the latest COVID-19 surge subsides, but district leaders say remote instruction was devastating for children and their well-being. Both sides have been negotiating a pandemic safety plan, including more standards for testing and metrics that could trigger school closures.