School closure after break?

[Anonymous]

There have been increasing calls for virtual learning after winter break, a closure that could last for weeks if not until the end of the schoolyear. In his letter DC Council chairman Mendelson asks the Chancellor whether he is prepared to implement virtual learning if needed. While he is not advocating specifically for school closure, it is concerning that this is on the table. The CDC guidance is clear that schools should remain open, as COVID poses a much lower risk to children than school closures/virtual learning.

https://mobile.twitter.com/ChmnMendelson/status/1471559238472421390?s=20

It is also concerning that DCPS is stating in it's communications to plan "currently" for a January 5th start date. DCPS also sent a letter saying that the start date could be further adjusted according to the results of the staff tests at any specific school. My children attend an elementary school so there is no need for a school wide closure if a few teachers are out. If subs cannot be found only those teachers classrooms should be impacted.

[Anonymous]

I was adamant schools stay virtual last year because we didn’t know, contagious, death rate etc. I hated online school but greater good.

Another reason was knowing DCPS fails to notify properly. It used to be the school notifying a family (it was flu exposure) back then and then it switch to the school notifying DCPS and waiting.

We are back, I happy for a classroom closure as needed, for the two day delay in Jan. But unless omnicron becomes the thing, which it won’t it will die out quickly then we need to go back to school full time like we did this September.

I would love test to return plans, better mask requirements (give all kids an n95 every day) etc but no reason not to return.

And people from central office need to be doing more to support the administration of the school. Everyone in the building is spent!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There have been increasing calls for virtual learning after winter break, a closure that could last for weeks if not until the end of the schoolyear. In his letter DC Council chairman Mendelson asks the Chancellor whether he is prepared to implement virtual learning if needed. While he is not advocating specifically for school closure, it is concerning that this is on the table. The CDC guidance is clear that schools should remain open, as COVID poses a much lower risk to children than school closures/virtual learning.

https://mobile.twitter.com/ChmnMendelson/status/1471559238472421390?s=20

It is also concerning that DCPS is stating in it's communications to plan "currently" for a January 5th start date. DCPS also sent a letter saying that the start date could be further adjusted according to the results of the staff tests at any specific school. My children attend an elementary school so there is no need for a school wide closure if a few teachers are out. If subs cannot be found only those teachers classrooms should be impacted.

The “currently” language is because teachers/staff are REQUIRED to submit the rapid test results to DCPS. If a school has too many positive staff members it will not open for in person learning on 1/5.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There have been increasing calls for virtual learning after winter break, a closure that could last for weeks if not until the end of the schoolyear. In his letter DC Council chairman Mendelson asks the Chancellor whether he is prepared to implement virtual learning if needed. While he is not advocating specifically for school closure, it is concerning that this is on the table. The CDC guidance is clear that schools should remain open, as COVID poses a much lower risk to children than school closures/virtual learning.

https://mobile.twitter.com/ChmnMendelson/status/1471559238472421390?s=20

It is also concerning that DCPS is stating in it's communications to plan "currently" for a January 5th start date. DCPS also sent a letter saying that the start date could be further adjusted according to the results of the staff tests at any specific school. My children attend an elementary school so there is no need for a school wide closure if a few teachers are out. If subs cannot be found only those teachers classrooms should be impacted.

The “currently” language is because teachers/staff are REQUIRED to submit the rapid test results to DCPS. If a school has too many positive staff members it will not open for in person learning on 1/5.

You're wrong, it is not required.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There have been increasing calls for virtual learning after winter break, a closure that could last for weeks if not until the end of the schoolyear. In his letter DC Council chairman Mendelson asks the Chancellor whether he is prepared to implement virtual learning if needed. While he is not advocating specifically for school closure, it is concerning that this is on the table. The CDC guidance is clear that schools should remain open, as COVID poses a much lower risk to children than school closures/virtual learning.

https://mobile.twitter.com/ChmnMendelson/status/1471559238472421390?s=20

It is also concerning that DCPS is stating in it's communications to plan "currently" for a January 5th start date. DCPS also sent a letter saying that the start date could be further adjusted according to the results of the staff tests at any specific school. My children attend an elementary school so there is no need for a school wide closure if a few teachers are out. If subs cannot be found only those teachers classrooms should be impacted.

The “currently” language is because teachers/staff are REQUIRED to submit the rapid test results to DCPS. If a school has too many positive staff members it will not open for in person learning on 1/5.

You're wrong, it is not required.

For teachers and staff it is. All staff must report to their schools by noon on 1/3 to pick up a rapid test. They will then have to take the test and submit the results via a QR code to HR.

[Anonymous]

If schools open, it will all depend on staffing numbers. The kids can all be healthy and tested, but if there isn't a healthy teacher in the classroom with them, it's a done deal. Unfortunately, I think we will all be virtual.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There have been increasing calls for virtual learning after winter break, a closure that could last for weeks if not until the end of the schoolyear. In his letter DC Council chairman Mendelson asks the Chancellor whether he is prepared to implement virtual learning if needed. While he is not advocating specifically for school closure, it is concerning that this is on the table. The CDC guidance is clear that schools should remain open, as COVID poses a much lower risk to children than school closures/virtual learning.

https://mobile.twitter.com/ChmnMendelson/status/1471559238472421390?s=20

It is also concerning that DCPS is stating in it's communications to plan "currently" for a January 5th start date. DCPS also sent a letter saying that the start date could be further adjusted according to the results of the staff tests at any specific school. My children attend an elementary school so there is no need for a school wide closure if a few teachers are out. If subs cannot be found only those teachers classrooms should be impacted.

I completely agree with you and am concerned as well, although I am heartened by the fact that the Chancellor's message seems to indicate that schools would only close if staff positivity forces it, and I am hoping that will mean only individual classrooms at elementary schools for the duration of a teacher's isolation.

What got me a bit more worried is that my child's support team from our ES reached out asking me to sign a form for providing IEP services virtually. I get that they need to prepare for all scenarios, but it still seems worrisome that a closure of the entire school is apparently on the table.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If schools open, it will all depend on staffing numbers. The kids can all be healthy and tested, but if there isn't a healthy teacher in the classroom with them, it's a done deal. Unfortunately, I think we will all be virtual.

We will all be virtual because all teachers will test positive? At elementary schools, closures should be limited to individual classrooms.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If schools open, it will all depend on staffing numbers. The kids can all be healthy and tested, but if there isn't a healthy teacher in the classroom with them, it's a done deal. Unfortunately, I think we will all be virtual.

We will all be virtual because all teachers will test positive? At elementary schools, closures should be limited to individual classrooms.

The closures are not limited to individual classrooms. Many elementary schools went virtual this week (e.g. Oyster Adams) because staff were out. The Chancellor has said that any school with 20 percent staff out would close this week. Scary because throughout the fall when there were very few cases about 5-10 percent of the staff were already out of leave.

[Anonymous]

Schools were open during Delta and it was no big deal. Omicron is way less dangerous than Delta, so maybe people should just chill?

[Anonymous]

I fully want my kids in school. However, this is so contagious - none of us should be surprised 1/5 if our individual schools dont open (agree school by school is more rational).

My biggest concern through this whole thing has been DCPS's capacity to have an A plan and B (and C, D, but I'd settle right now for at least A&B) to manage this and get them back in the building as quickly as possible. I certainly hope this is the central office's focus over the next 2 weeks - and cutting out the needless bureaucracy on reporting, as they are seriously causing a lack of trust with parents (not putting this on principals they are in a tough spot).

As much as I want my kids back - I'm also super concerned for health safety and morale of teacher and staff for 2022/2023. Burnout doesnt help any of us in the long run - and feel strongly our communities need to stay collaborative through the reality we're all dealing with in real time.

[Anonymous]

Not aware of any medical association *anywhere* that says schools should close.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not aware of any medical association *anywhere* that says schools should close.

Nope because it’s awful policy

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not aware of any medical association *anywhere* that says schools should close.

They wouldn’t close to “keep people safe” they would close because too many staff are positive.

[Anonymous]

My prediction is it’ll be a hot mess no matter what because DCPS can’t get their act together.