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.