Portage schools team up with retailer

Sebrina Leto, a special education teacher at Portage High School, posed for a picture Friday with a sign in school colors proclaiming she’d received a vaccine against COVID-19.

Portage Township Schools, with the assistance of Walmart, hosted a federally funded vaccine clinic for all of its employees, providing 300 first-round doses of the Moderna vaccine Friday morning in the high school fieldhouse.

In addition to protecting against the spread of COVID-19, school administrators and staff said the vaccines tamped down the stress and anxiety that came with concerns about getting sick or spreading illness to vulnerable loved ones at home.

Leto, 40, who lives in Portage, started at the school last March and worked for three days before the pandemic shuttered classrooms. Now back in the classroom, she’s been monitoring vaccine eligibility as more age groups opened up and was excited about the opportunity to receive the shot through the school.

“I hope it’s actually going to help with anxiety in my situation. I live with two people who are high risk,” she said, adding she’s been concerned about bringing the virus home to them. “I’m happy today’s clinic can help get rid of some of the anxiety I’ve been feeling and other people as well.”

Starting Monday, all school teachers and staff, including bus drivers, janitors, substitute teachers and cafeteria workers, as well as licensed child care providers, will be eligible to receive the vaccine regardless of age.

Leto is pleased that eligibility is opening up statewide.

“I’m glad that they’re finally doing that. I feel like they expect us to be on the front lines but don’t

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