https://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/covid-19-uw-madison-s5.jpgRising COVID-19 Threat on Campuses. "What worries me more than anything is the uncertainty of where we will be in a few months," says one student.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/tony-evers-students-back-s5.png"If we all work together and take care of one another, I know we can rise above the challenges," says Governor.

Teachers must make personal decisions on risks and costs as they consider whether or not to go back into the classroom.

Brookfield, WI – Teachers are people, too. Parents need to go to work, but with the pandemic, that may not be possible. Even without a public health crisis, it's difficult to manage work and family. Teachers have to face the same risks as parents in going to work. That is why Democrat Tom Palzewicz, running for Wisconsin's Fifth Congressional District seat, wants a coordinated, national plan for education.

"How many parents have the ability to decide which one of them is not going back to work?" Palzewicz asked. "How many single parent households are there? How many dual income households are there that don't have the ability to do that? And we're not talking about it. Not supplying in an increased amount of unemployment pay is also really putting people in a tight bind. And now we're going to start the school year yet people are just supposed to pretend like they can do their jobs and the kids are going to get educated. And that's just school. What about childcare? To me the bigger thing is that it's actually the teachers and the daycare providers we're putting at risk and we have no answers for them."

Teachers' unions have been outspoken about safety, and non-union teachers will have to make the same decisions on whether or not to go back into the classroom.

"As a teacher, you either have to decide to go back or not go back. And if you're not going back, you're not getting paid," said Palzewicz. "I don't know how many teachers have the luxury of not getting paid. I just saw a teacher who made the decision not to go back. And that's a heart-wrenching decision because it sounds like she's an amazing teacher, but she was put into a position where she had to choose her health over her profession.

"Schools are working on social distancing and creating safe classrooms and I fully understand the desire to have the kids back in school, but at what price? Are students and teachers being tested? With no job and no benefits, because of the pandemic, healthcare becomes an even more critical issue. If we had universal healthcare, we could take care of teachers who need to opt-out of the classroom because of health concerns. People wouldn't have to make that dreadful decision."

Palzewicz is running for Congress to help create more sustainable policies on all of these issues, to help parents and childcare workers.

Wisconsin 19th Amendment Celebration Committee names Vanaya Grice, Milwaukee

MADISON — First Lady Kathy Evers today announced that “Women Who Inspire,” a program of the Committee to Celebrate the Centennial Anniversary of Wisconsin's Ratification of the 19th Amendment, will highlight Vanaya Grice, Milwaukee, as the final feature on the Committee’s website.

Grice, along with six other nominees, also appears in a virtual “passing the bell” video with First lady Evers posted in celebration of the August 26th, 2020 centennial anniversary of the 19th amendment. The video can be viewed here.

“As we come to the close of Wisconsin’s statewide suffrage centennial celebration, it is important to recognize the diverse women and the diverse roles women continue to play in working for social change and increasing equality for women and girls in Wisconsin,” said First Lady Evers who chairs the Committee. “In the video, it is not only apparent that these accomplished women improve their communities but that they serve as role models for the next generation of young women and girls to do the same.”

Grice was nominated by the Wisconsin Women’s Council. Vanaya is an employee of Northwestern Mutual, an entrepreneur and small business owner, and a board member with Milwaukee’s PEARLS for Teen Girls.  “Vanaya is a person who tackles the hard conversations in corporate spaces and helps to bridge the gap between rhetoric and perception with reality,” said Alderwoman and Women’s Council Member Chantia Lewis. “She has a passion to bring equity to the community and ensuring that young girls have access to role models and resources to become their best selves.”

Committee members were invited to nominate and interview women who inspire them to feature on the Committee website with the intent of inspiring a broad bipartisan audience and bringing more diversity in terms of race, ethnicity, age, geography, background, and identity to the women's rights conversation. All nominees that will be featured on the website were submitted by members of the Committee and will be featured on a rotating basis leading up to the 100th anniversary of enactment of the 19th Amendment in August.

The website separately highlights notable Wisconsin social activists and trailblazers, such as Vel Phillips, Ada Deer, Justice Shirley Abrahamson, Belle Case LaFollette and others with links to outside resources.

The 19th Amendment Committee was formed by Executive Order 19 on April 11, 2019 and is comprised of Wisconsin’s women in elected and appointed state office and other women leaders and experts.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/coronavirus-mask3-jennifer-aniston-skynews-s5.jpgPersonal protective equipment will also be available soon for regulated child care providers.

Up to $250,000 per organization available to cover pandemic-related impacts such as lost revenue, workers pay, cleaning and sanitization, and services or equipment to facilitate telework by employees.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/uwgb-graduates-s5.jpgSome education and experience beyond high school is essential to qualify for today's good paying jobs. A college degree is no longer the exception, but the norm. And be prepared to reinvent yourself several times in your career.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/schools-reopening-2020-cnn-s5.jpgThe strain that opening and closing schools puts on families during the Covid-19 pandemic necessitate a rethink on how schools operate, says Congressional candidate.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/kenosha-business-damaged-2020-s5.jpgState comes to aid of it's southeastern city. Eligible costs include clean-up, restoration, and repairs for businesses affected.

Enough talk and studies, says Governor Evers, the people want action and results now.