As students return to class, educators are eager to be next on the list to get vaccinated for Covid-19.
“So this vaccination is just one more safety piece that will be in our tool belt that we will be able to open up our schools and continue our schools with in-person instruction,” said Butte Superintendent Judy Jonart.
The Butte School District has made a point to keep in-person classes going during the pandemic, even though it has been difficult at times.
“It is a lot of work and it is exhausting and it’s not easy work, but I’m just amazed at how everybody has stepped up to do everything extra,” said Jonart.
The school district’s approximately 540 employees are eligible to receive the vaccine by mid-January through February. Though it won’t be mandatory, school administrators encourage all to get it.
“We are going to strongly recommend that everybody does get vaccinated,” she said.
Despite the pandemic, Butte’s public schools have not had to go to remote learning this year, which has been a priority for the school district, which believes that in-person classes is the best way to teach students.
“Keeping our doors open is so important, in-person instruction is so important for our kids, for our parents, for our community. That in-person allows us to build those relationships,” said Jonart.
About 17 percent of 4,500 students have opted to do their schooling remotely.