Mad or nah? N.I.C.E. Stories

‘Mad or Nah?’: Philly residents react to school district’s reopening and ventilation plan

Tamara Russell, aka Revive P.O.C., hit the streets of Philadelphia to hear what residents think of the school district’s back-to-school plan.

Tamara Russell

February 3, 2021

(AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)

In less than a month, the School District of Philadelphia will attempt to reopen its school buildings for in-person learning to K-2 students. The Philadelphia Federation of Teachers has publicly objected to this plan and has stated they want teachers and school staff to be vaccinated before returning back-to-school.

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The conversation about back-to-school has intensified over the weekend after a picture of the district’s plan to increase ventilation — window fans attached to wood boards — went viral and drew mockery and concern.

Well folks, here are the “high-tech, mechanical window devices” (aka, FANS) that @SDPHITE told the @PHLschoolboard were going to fix all the #PhlEd ventilation problems. They look like the kind available in any hardware store. @APPSphilly @ParentsUnitePHL pic.twitter.com/Rrkb8P4S2y
— RacialJusticePhilly (@Philly_RJ) January 29, 2021

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Tamara Russell, aka Revive P.O.C., talked with a handful of locals about the district’s reopening and ventilation plan and whether window fans are enough.

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Part of the series

Mad or nah?

‘Mad or Nah?’ is an original woman-on-the-street interview series from Revive Radio that asks Philadelphians about issues impacting their everyday life.

View the series