The first COVID-19 vaccinations for teachers who work in
Newark took place this morning.
Mayor Ras Baraka and Roger León, the city’s public schools
superintendent, were at Barringer High School this morning. The teachers are
the first Newark Public Schools teachers and staff to receive the COVID-19
vaccinations from the city with the plan to return to class on April 12.
León was asked why an opening of April 12 and why not
sooner, like other school districts.
“The positivity rate in Newark actually was one of the
multiple factors that we considered in making this decision,” says León.
Teachers are receiving “I Got Mine” buttons from union leaders
after getting their shots as a passport of sorts to encourage getting the
vaccinations.
Nurses from the schools and support staff from the city’s
Department of Health and Community Wellness administered the vaccines.
Teachers and staff of charter schools, private schools,
parochial schools and early childhood providers are also eligible for the
vaccinations.