By Andrew Kenney for Denverite
Denver Public Schools is preparing for the possibility that teachers will call out of work on Friday as part of an organized protest against the Trump administration and its immigration policies.
DPS is “monitoring the situation,” wrote spokesperson Scott Pribble. As of 10 a.m. Thursday, the school did not plan to close any schools on Friday.
“If a closure is needed, we will provide as much notice to our families as soon as possible so that they can make plans for their students,” Pribble wrote.
However, at least one local school, Odyssey School of Denver, told parents that it would close for Friday. But Odyssey is a charter school and is not directly managed by DPS.
Friday is the planned date of a “National Shutdown,” with organizers calling for a nationwide day of “no school, no work and no shopping.”But the Colorado Education Association discouraged teachers from calling out of work en masse.
“We appreciate all our members’ conviction in their beliefs, and passion for our union in these times. One theme in many of the responses we received was that now more than ever, we need to be there for our students,” wrote Kevin Vick, president of the CEA, in a letter to members
“It is with this sentiment in mind that we are not calling for a mass action that would close schools. However, individual members remain free to act according to their conscience.”
Vick suggested that teachers upset with the Trump administration’s crackdown in Minnesota — including federal agents’ killing of Renee Good and Alex Pretti — could instead take actions like wearing blue in solidarity, posting to social media or organizing “a walk-in, or walk-out at contract time.”
Last year, DPS fired four employees accused of participating in a coordinated sick-out protest over a personnel matter. They were sergeants in the district’s safety department.
Other events planned for Friday include a Minnesota solidarity rally at 2 p.m. at La Alma/Lincoln Park. Restaurants and other businesses also have announced they’ll close.
