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A sign on the fence outside of Lowell elementary school was meant to welcome students back after their holiday break but the Chicago teacher's union voted last week to return to virtual learning, citing unsafe conditions in the schools as the Omicron variant of the coronavirus continues to spread. Scott Olson/Getty Images hide caption
A sign on the fence outside of Lowell elementary school was meant to welcome students back after their holiday break but the Chicago teacher's union voted last week to return to virtual learning, citing unsafe conditions in the schools as the Omicron variant of the coronavirus continues to spread.
Scott Olson/Getty ImagesA surge in COVID-19 cases fueled by the Omicron variant has meant many school districts across the country have considered or committed to returning to remote learning for the time being.
WBEZ reporter Sarah Karp spoke with parents in Chicago where a standoff between the teachers union and mayor has resulted in no teaching happening in person or virtually for the last few days.
And we hear from three mothers who share how they've been coping with the stress and unpredictability of a very confusing return to school.
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This episode was produced by Connor Donevan, Mallory Yu and Lee Hale. It was edited Ashley Brown and Christopher Intagliata. Our executive producer is Cara Tallo.
