A choice for parents: remote learning or a meal

Many families want their children to keep learning remotely, but that could cost them the federal assistance they need to eat. [View this email online]( [NPR Education]( February, 6 2022 This week, we looked COVID vaccines in schools, the National Guard stepping in as substitute teachers and a look at bomb threats at historically black colleges. Plus a callout for teachers about Black Histroy. --------------------------------------------------------------- Daniel Fishel for NPR Happy Sunday, Cory here. This week I spoke to a mother of two in Minnetonka, Minn, who told me that she has a question for policymakers: "Will you look in my child's eyes when they do not have any food?" Until recently, Joel Barron’s kids, ages 10 and 12, qualified for free school meals. During the last school year, when they and millions of other kids were learning remotely, Barron received the value of the meals they missed on a debit card that she could use to buy groceries herself. The program, called P-EBT, began with the pandemic in March 2020. --------------------------------------------------------------- Newsletter continues after sponsor message --------------------------------------------------------------- "It was a godsend," Barron says of the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer program, which is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). "We were able to actually get through the whole month without trying to think about, 'Oh, we have to go to the food [pantry].' " Life changed after Barron's school district reopened for in-person learning. Because a COVID-19 vaccine wasn't yet available for her 10-year-old son and her daughter struggles with asthma, Barron felt safer keeping them home again this school year and enrolling them in the district's online academy. The problem is that, according to USDA guidance, "a virtual academy, whether administered by the State or the school district, is not eligible to participate in the [National School Lunch Program (NSLP)]." Which means no P-EBT this year for families like Barron's. To understand what this means for families across the country, you can [read more here](. — [Cory Turner]( Correspondent, NPR Ed A quick callout... Teachers! We want to hear from you! During this Black History Month, we want to know your experience dealing with challenges to the curriculum, particularly related to race, history, gender, LGBTQ identities and related issues. [Share your thoughts here](. Now, let’s get into some news … As of this week, 78 members of the New Mexico National Guard have begun work as substitute teachers. They are responding to a call from Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, who also asked state employees to volunteer in an effort to keep schools open during an acute shortage of teachers exacerbated by the omicron wave of COVID-19. [Read more here.]( — Alice Fordham, KUNM New Orleans is set to become the nation's first major district to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for children 5 and up. State regulations, though, could allow parents to opt-out easily. Schools Superintendent Henderson Lewis said the requirement, announced in December in the district of nearly 46,000 students, won't lead to youngsters being kicked out of school. Waivers for those opposed to vaccination are easy to obtain under state regulations, and schools will work with students who aren't inoculated, he said. [Read more here](. — Aubri Juhasz, WWNO A wave of bomb threats this week disrupted campus activities at several HBCUs. The threats targeted multiple historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) on Tuesday, with Howard University, Edward Waters University and Morgan State University saying they received threats of violence. Bomb threats were made against at least six HBCUs on Monday, forcing officials to order lockdowns and/or cancel classes. [Read more here](. — Joe Hernandez & Bill Chappell, NPR News Desk And before you go, a moment in Black History… The Chronicle of Higher Education this week explored the long history of bomb threats at historically Black colleges. The Chronicle writes about one event in 1960, a speech by Martin Luther King Jr.at Fisk University, where a crowd of nearly 4,000 were told to evacuate because of a bomb threat. [You can read their story here.]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Listen to your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to find your local station stream. [Listen Live]( [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Twitter]( What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: [npred@npr.org](mailto:npred@npr.org?subject=Newsletter%20Feedback) Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! [They can sign up here.]( Looking for more great content? [Check out all of our newsletter offerings]( — including Music, Politics, Code Switch and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Education emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy Policy]( [NPR logo]