APS - School on Monday?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Alright, I need someone to give it to me straight. What are we thinking for Monday re staffing? Please tell me my kids will be in school..

100% chance they will be in school early in the week. Later in the week, who knows. Depends how bad it goes w/ substitutes.

Agree. And next week is totally up in the air once those masks come off in the cafeteria!

They should eat outside.

It's not supposed to get above freezing on Tuesday. You know there's no way they'll let them eat outside...

Guess my kid will get it this week.

Sigh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hoping for virtual for HS as soon as possible. Most kids can manage themselves, AP students have an opportunity to not fall behind (because fewer teachers will get infected and be out), and working parents shouldn’t need to take a day off from work to supervise them (they should be able to fix their own lunch at this point).

It would be great if APS could be proactive and do that. But their hands are tied by 1303. Thanks, APE and OpenFCPS.

As someone with early elementary kids, I'm enormously grateful that APS is pressured to stay open. Virtual is worthless.

Yup. I’m another one who won’t have my early elementary child participate if it’s virtual. What are they going to do? Nothing.

But maybe they could ensure ES stays home by directing scarce staff resources (subs, bus drivers, etc.) to the ES. They could do that if they had authority to place MS and/or HS in virtual mode. But they lack that authority.

There is zero reason to believe they would do that. It didn’t happen last year, it wouldn’t happen this year.

It would be totally consistent with SB1303. The only reason it won't is because Duran and Loft are incompetent and don't care about educating early elementary. They've gotten the shift since the beginning.

WTF is wrong with you? Why are you so out of touch with reality & hostile?

Instead of attacking me, perhaps reply to the facts? What is Duran's plan for ensuring learning for K-2 kids who can't meaningfully access virtual learning? Having seen the terrible test scores, have you seen any evidence that he's going to do anything differently from last year? That is the source of a great deal of frustration. His equitable solution is no learning for those students, plus no plan for learning recovery.

Basically this. My first grader missed half a year of preschool (ours closed overnight like many others in March 2020), spent the bulk of his K year in virtual school with only a few months of 2-day per week hybrid, and was just now in a pretty good place with in-person 1st grade. It has taken Herculean efforts and an incredible amount of privilege (being able to hire a pod teacher, educated parents who can supplement, etc.) to even be in this position at all and now I’m worried the solution to the inevitable staffing issues will once again be to treat these young kids as if they’re the same as teenagers who can engage in distance learning.

And I’m tired of being gaslighted by a segment of society who thinks this continues to be ok because the infinitesimal risk of death/serious disease for vaccinated adults. Must be nice to be able to wring your hands over tiny hypothetical risks while parents of young kids have suffered actual harm over the last 2 years. I don’t even have the energy anymore to care about what could happen if sick with COVID because I’ve been so busy dealing with the actual damage of the pandemic response to COVID. Yes, I know hospitals are getting full. But like so many on here use as a refrain “it’s not the job of the schools to fix society’s problems.” Why don’t we let the politicians, private sector, healthcare workers, etc. figure out how to get community spread down and have the school systems focus on actually educating kids, which is, you know their entire.freaking.purpose.

If elementary schools go virtual, I hope all parents of young kids boycott this mess. I honestly don’t think APS should get to count this toward academic hours because they’re not actually educating students. If the test scores drop even more, then perhaps Duran will have to finally come up with a solution or get booted.

So because you're unhappy and can't competently manage your family, you're willing to throw all of this at doctors and nurses to fix for you? And you want us to feel sorry for you while you do it? No can do. Get your act together. Stop complaining. I hope you do "boycott this mess." It will serve you right to have your kids at home for the rest of the year. I cannot wait to see that!

Not PP; but I share PP's sentiment that entities other than schools need to do their part. If you really think school is the incubator and spread of all the cases that are happening, you have no sense at all. Schools have been closed for 3 weeks. None of the new cases over the past 3 weeks have come from schools. Stores, restaurants, bars, gyms, public transit, etc. are all open. Adults are going to work and shopping and working out at the gym and socializing. It doesn't make sense - and isn't fair or right - to shut down schools if nobody else is going to do their part. I can think of no other occupation for which the employer shuts down to accommodate employees' personal schedules like schools do to accommodate teachers who live in other jurisdictions and have kids whose schools closed. Where is the compassion and understanding for parents who can't keep taking time off for all the school closures?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hoping for virtual for HS as soon as possible. Most kids can manage themselves, AP students have an opportunity to not fall behind (because fewer teachers will get infected and be out), and working parents shouldn’t need to take a day off from work to supervise them (they should be able to fix their own lunch at this point).

It would be great if APS could be proactive and do that. But their hands are tied by 1303. Thanks, APE and OpenFCPS.

As someone with early elementary kids, I'm enormously grateful that APS is pressured to stay open. Virtual is worthless.

Yup. I’m another one who won’t have my early elementary child participate if it’s virtual. What are they going to do? Nothing.

But maybe they could ensure ES stays home by directing scarce staff resources (subs, bus drivers, etc.) to the ES. They could do that if they had authority to place MS and/or HS in virtual mode. But they lack that authority.

There is zero reason to believe they would do that. It didn’t happen last year, it wouldn’t happen this year.

It would be totally consistent with SB1303. The only reason it won't is because Duran and Loft are incompetent and don't care about educating early elementary. They've gotten the shift since the beginning.

WTF is wrong with you? Why are you so out of touch with reality & hostile?

Instead of attacking me, perhaps reply to the facts? What is Duran's plan for ensuring learning for K-2 kids who can't meaningfully access virtual learning? Having seen the terrible test scores, have you seen any evidence that he's going to do anything differently from last year? That is the source of a great deal of frustration. His equitable solution is no learning for those students, plus no plan for learning recovery.

Basically this. My first grader missed half a year of preschool (ours closed overnight like many others in March 2020), spent the bulk of his K year in virtual school with only a few months of 2-day per week hybrid, and was just now in a pretty good place with in-person 1st grade. It has taken Herculean efforts and an incredible amount of privilege (being able to hire a pod teacher, educated parents who can supplement, etc.) to even be in this position at all and now I’m worried the solution to the inevitable staffing issues will once again be to treat these young kids as if they’re the same as teenagers who can engage in distance learning.

And I’m tired of being gaslighted by a segment of society who thinks this continues to be ok because the infinitesimal risk of death/serious disease for vaccinated adults. Must be nice to be able to wring your hands over tiny hypothetical risks while parents of young kids have suffered actual harm over the last 2 years. I don’t even have the energy anymore to care about what could happen if sick with COVID because I’ve been so busy dealing with the actual damage of the pandemic response to COVID. Yes, I know hospitals are getting full. But like so many on here use as a refrain “it’s not the job of the schools to fix society’s problems.” Why don’t we let the politicians, private sector, healthcare workers, etc. figure out how to get community spread down and have the school systems focus on actually educating kids, which is, you know their entire.freaking.purpose.

If elementary schools go virtual, I hope all parents of young kids boycott this mess. I honestly don’t think APS should get to count this toward academic hours because they’re not actually educating students. If the test scores drop even more, then perhaps Duran will have to finally come up with a solution or get booted.

You need to wrap your head around the fact that the next month or two are going to be rough and there are likely going to be disruptions.

If we really want to prioritize schools and learning, the way to do it is to close everything except for grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations, places like Target, etc. Restaurants can stay open, but shut down indoor dining. Close the bars. Shut down pro sports, school sports, rec sports, travel sports and gym and put everyone back under stay-at-home orders. If we do that, the schools have a fighting chance of staying open consistently over the next couple of months. No one wants to do that, so good luck. You can't have your cake and eat it too.

For a cold? Not a chance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hoping for virtual for HS as soon as possible. Most kids can manage themselves, AP students have an opportunity to not fall behind (because fewer teachers will get infected and be out), and working parents shouldn’t need to take a day off from work to supervise them (they should be able to fix their own lunch at this point).

It would be great if APS could be proactive and do that. But their hands are tied by 1303. Thanks, APE and OpenFCPS.

As someone with early elementary kids, I'm enormously grateful that APS is pressured to stay open. Virtual is worthless.

Yup. I’m another one who won’t have my early elementary child participate if it’s virtual. What are they going to do? Nothing.

But maybe they could ensure ES stays home by directing scarce staff resources (subs, bus drivers, etc.) to the ES. They could do that if they had authority to place MS and/or HS in virtual mode. But they lack that authority.

There is zero reason to believe they would do that. It didn’t happen last year, it wouldn’t happen this year.

It would be totally consistent with SB1303. The only reason it won't is because Duran and Loft are incompetent and don't care about educating early elementary. They've gotten the shift since the beginning.

WTF is wrong with you? Why are you so out of touch with reality & hostile?

Instead of attacking me, perhaps reply to the facts? What is Duran's plan for ensuring learning for K-2 kids who can't meaningfully access virtual learning? Having seen the terrible test scores, have you seen any evidence that he's going to do anything differently from last year? That is the source of a great deal of frustration. His equitable solution is no learning for those students, plus no plan for learning recovery.

Basically this. My first grader missed half a year of preschool (ours closed overnight like many others in March 2020), spent the bulk of his K year in virtual school with only a few months of 2-day per week hybrid, and was just now in a pretty good place with in-person 1st grade. It has taken Herculean efforts and an incredible amount of privilege (being able to hire a pod teacher, educated parents who can supplement, etc.) to even be in this position at all and now I’m worried the solution to the inevitable staffing issues will once again be to treat these young kids as if they’re the same as teenagers who can engage in distance learning.

And I’m tired of being gaslighted by a segment of society who thinks this continues to be ok because the infinitesimal risk of death/serious disease for vaccinated adults. Must be nice to be able to wring your hands over tiny hypothetical risks while parents of young kids have suffered actual harm over the last 2 years. I don’t even have the energy anymore to care about what could happen if sick with COVID because I’ve been so busy dealing with the actual damage of the pandemic response to COVID. Yes, I know hospitals are getting full. But like so many on here use as a refrain “it’s not the job of the schools to fix society’s problems.” Why don’t we let the politicians, private sector, healthcare workers, etc. figure out how to get community spread down and have the school systems focus on actually educating kids, which is, you know their entire.freaking.purpose.

If elementary schools go virtual, I hope all parents of young kids boycott this mess. I honestly don’t think APS should get to count this toward academic hours because they’re not actually educating students. If the test scores drop even more, then perhaps Duran will have to finally come up with a solution or get booted.

You need to wrap your head around the fact that the next month or two are going to be rough and there are likely going to be disruptions.

If we really want to prioritize schools and learning, the way to do it is to close everything except for grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations, places like Target, etc. Restaurants can stay open, but shut down indoor dining. Close the bars. Shut down pro sports, school sports, rec sports, travel sports and gym and put everyone back under stay-at-home orders. If we do that, the schools have a fighting chance of staying open consistently over the next couple of months. No one wants to do that, so good luck. You can't have your cake and eat it too.

I would LOVE to close all those things to prioritize schools so I don’t know why you’re acting like Marie Antoinette. I’m not asking to go to the gym and a bar and have my kids’ school open. I think grownups need to be grownups and prioritize kids. Just the same way we all sacrificed to protect the elderly early on. Young kids in particular *are* a vulnerable population. Not necessarily to COVID itself, but they are very vulnerable to the harms from the pandemic response. It’s pretty disgusting that society was so willing to save grandma last year, but is done with COVID when it comes to helping kids catch up from 18 months of learning loss. I’d rather see hospitals let the unvaccinated die in the parking lot than close schools again.

[Anonymous]

There are at least two different groups in here: (1) People who don't want schools to close and, since omicron, are taking precautions by not eating in indoor restaurants, getting groceries delievered or wearing good masks when going indoors, etc. and (2) People who don't want schools to close but have gone close to back to normal and say that covid is endemic at this point, risks are low, and folks just need to get back to normal.

Because of omicron, the (2) people are failing to recognize that they are putting open schools at risk. Because if APS runs out of teachers who are not quarantined, schools will have to close or we will have a NYC situation where teacherless kids are held in auditoriums until they have a class with a present teacher.

If there arenlt enough teachers to teach, there will be even more learning loss from cancelled classes like in NYC. You don't seem to have a plan for that besides let it rip through, which isn't a plan.

I'd love to close restaurants and bars and gyms temporarily, also. Anyway, I don't go to any of those places so I'm doing my part.

I signed my kid up for testing and think you should, too, because asymptomatic kids can still spread covid and infect teachers causing learning loss for whole classes. But even if you don't, at least don't send your kids in if they have symptoms or you know they have covid.

[Anonymous]

Why aren’t we talking about the ice?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are at least two different groups in here: (1) People who don't want schools to close and, since omicron, are taking precautions by not eating in indoor restaurants, getting groceries delievered or wearing good masks when going indoors, etc. and (2) People who don't want schools to close but have gone close to back to normal and say that covid is endemic at this point, risks are low, and folks just need to get back to normal.

Because of omicron, the (2) people are failing to recognize that they are putting open schools at risk. Because if APS runs out of teachers who are not quarantined, schools will have to close or we will have a NYC situation where teacherless kids are held in auditoriums until they have a class with a present teacher.

If there arenlt enough teachers to teach, there will be even more learning loss from cancelled classes like in NYC. You don't seem to have a plan for that besides let it rip through, which isn't a plan.

I'd love to close restaurants and bars and gyms temporarily, also. Anyway, I don't go to any of those places so I'm doing my part.

I signed my kid up for testing and think you should, too, because asymptomatic kids can still spread covid and infect teachers causing learning loss for whole classes. But even if you don't, at least don't send your kids in if they have symptoms or you know they have covid.

This.

I hear so many parents being cavalier about “everyone’s going to get it so it is what it is”. We still need preventative measures in place! If teachers and staff perpetually get ill, our kids are the ones who will suffer. Yes, your child might physically be in the school building but if the school is short staffed, it’s going to be a lot of Magic School Bus and Dreambox time.

[Anonymous]

Ok covid aside, what about the ice?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are at least two different groups in here: (1) People who don't want schools to close and, since omicron, are taking precautions by not eating in indoor restaurants, getting groceries delievered or wearing good masks when going indoors, etc. and (2) People who don't want schools to close but have gone close to back to normal and say that covid is endemic at this point, risks are low, and folks just need to get back to normal.

Because of omicron, the (2) people are failing to recognize that they are putting open schools at risk. Because if APS runs out of teachers who are not quarantined, schools will have to close or we will have a NYC situation where teacherless kids are held in auditoriums until they have a class with a present teacher.

If there arenlt enough teachers to teach, there will be even more learning loss from cancelled classes like in NYC. You don't seem to have a plan for that besides let it rip through, which isn't a plan.

I'd love to close restaurants and bars and gyms temporarily, also. Anyway, I don't go to any of those places so I'm doing my part.

I signed my kid up for testing and think you should, too, because asymptomatic kids can still spread covid and infect teachers causing learning loss for whole classes. But even if you don't, at least don't send your kids in if they have symptoms or you know they have covid.

This.

I hear so many parents being cavalier about “everyone’s going to get it so it is what it is”. We still need preventative measures in place! If teachers and staff perpetually get ill, our kids are the ones who will suffer. Yes, your child might physically be in the school building but if the school is short staffed, it’s going to be a lot of Magic School Bus and Dreambox time.

+1

Most parents want their kids back in school.

Everyone can temporarily modify their behavior for the next month to minimize risks outside of school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are at least two different groups in here: (1) People who don't want schools to close and, since omicron, are taking precautions by not eating in indoor restaurants, getting groceries delievered or wearing good masks when going indoors, etc. and (2) People who don't want schools to close but have gone close to back to normal and say that covid is endemic at this point, risks are low, and folks just need to get back to normal.

Because of omicron, the (2) people are failing to recognize that they are putting open schools at risk. Because if APS runs out of teachers who are not quarantined, schools will have to close or we will have a NYC situation where teacherless kids are held in auditoriums until they have a class with a present teacher.

If there arenlt enough teachers to teach, there will be even more learning loss from cancelled classes like in NYC. You don't seem to have a plan for that besides let it rip through, which isn't a plan.

I'd love to close restaurants and bars and gyms temporarily, also. Anyway, I don't go to any of those places so I'm doing my part.

I signed my kid up for testing and think you should, too, because asymptomatic kids can still spread covid and infect teachers causing learning loss for whole classes. But even if you don't, at least don't send your kids in if they have symptoms or you know they have covid.

This.

I hear so many parents being cavalier about “everyone’s going to get it so it is what it is”. We still need preventative measures in place! If teachers and staff perpetually get ill, our kids are the ones who will suffer. Yes, your child might physically be in the school building but if the school is short staffed, it’s going to be a lot of Magic School Bus and Dreambox time.

+1

Most parents want their kids back in school.

Everyone can temporarily modify their behavior for the next month to minimize risks outside of school.

Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are at least two different groups in here: (1) People who don't want schools to close and, since omicron, are taking precautions by not eating in indoor restaurants, getting groceries delievered or wearing good masks when going indoors, etc. and (2) People who don't want schools to close but have gone close to back to normal and say that covid is endemic at this point, risks are low, and folks just need to get back to normal.

Because of omicron, the (2) people are failing to recognize that they are putting open schools at risk. Because if APS runs out of teachers who are not quarantined, schools will have to close or we will have a NYC situation where teacherless kids are held in auditoriums until they have a class with a present teacher.

If there arenlt enough teachers to teach, there will be even more learning loss from cancelled classes like in NYC. You don't seem to have a plan for that besides let it rip through, which isn't a plan.

I'd love to close restaurants and bars and gyms temporarily, also. Anyway, I don't go to any of those places so I'm doing my part.

I signed my kid up for testing and think you should, too, because asymptomatic kids can still spread covid and infect teachers causing learning loss for whole classes. But even if you don't, at least don't send your kids in if they have symptoms or you know they have covid.

Teachers will get sick from living in communities with 30% or higher positivity rates. If you think you can change that by avoiding restaurants, you are peeing in the ocean.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are at least two different groups in here: (1) People who don't want schools to close and, since omicron, are taking precautions by not eating in indoor restaurants, getting groceries delievered or wearing good masks when going indoors, etc. and (2) People who don't want schools to close but have gone close to back to normal and say that covid is endemic at this point, risks are low, and folks just need to get back to normal.

Because of omicron, the (2) people are failing to recognize that they are putting open schools at risk. Because if APS runs out of teachers who are not quarantined, schools will have to close or we will have a NYC situation where teacherless kids are held in auditoriums until they have a class with a present teacher.

If there arenlt enough teachers to teach, there will be even more learning loss from cancelled classes like in NYC. You don't seem to have a plan for that besides let it rip through, which isn't a plan.

I'd love to close restaurants and bars and gyms temporarily, also. Anyway, I don't go to any of those places so I'm doing my part.

I signed my kid up for testing and think you should, too, because asymptomatic kids can still spread covid and infect teachers causing learning loss for whole classes. But even if you don't, at least don't send your kids in if they have symptoms or you know they have covid.

Teachers will get sick from living in communities with 30% or higher positivity rates. If you think you can change that by avoiding restaurants, you are peeing in the ocean.

If a teacher or kid catches it at school, masked & distanced? Worth the risk.
If a teacher or kid catches it from unnecessary dinner at a restaurant? Not worth the risk.

We want to keep our kids in school. You’ll live if you wear a good mask to go to the grocery store or skip dining indoors for the next few weeks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ok covid aside, what about the ice?

There should be enough time and wind to dry the roads before they freeze. That will not stop APS from using the excuse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are at least two different groups in here: (1) People who don't want schools to close and, since omicron, are taking precautions by not eating in indoor restaurants, getting groceries delievered or wearing good masks when going indoors, etc. and (2) People who don't want schools to close but have gone close to back to normal and say that covid is endemic at this point, risks are low, and folks just need to get back to normal.

Because of omicron, the (2) people are failing to recognize that they are putting open schools at risk. Because if APS runs out of teachers who are not quarantined, schools will have to close or we will have a NYC situation where teacherless kids are held in auditoriums until they have a class with a present teacher.

If there arenlt enough teachers to teach, there will be even more learning loss from cancelled classes like in NYC. You don't seem to have a plan for that besides let it rip through, which isn't a plan.

I'd love to close restaurants and bars and gyms temporarily, also. Anyway, I don't go to any of those places so I'm doing my part.

I signed my kid up for testing and think you should, too, because asymptomatic kids can still spread covid and infect teachers causing learning loss for whole classes. But even if you don't, at least don't send your kids in if they have symptoms or you know they have covid.

Teachers will get sick from living in communities with 30% or higher positivity rates. If you think you can change that by avoiding restaurants, you are peeing in the ocean.

Right. Because the CDC clearly recommended ONLY teachers be permitted to restaurants, concerts, church, gym, team sports. No one else could possibly be doing those things.

[Anonymous]

If there arenlt enough teachers to teach, there will be even more learning loss from cancelled classes like in NYC. You don't seem to have a plan for that besides let it rip through, which isn't a plan.

It seems like letting it rip through schools is better for kids than the quarantine measures in their place.

With quarantining, unvaccinated kids can be quarantining for months, worst case scenario. They quarantine for 10 days, someone in the classroom tests positive, we go back into quarantine. Then we go back to school and someone else is positive. And on and on for like 25 kids x 10+ days of quarantining.

If we just let it take it’s course, that seems better. Maybe a teacher gets sick and we have to be out five days, like we might if a teacher had a cold. Then we can get back to learning the rest of the year. If kids get sick, they are just out until they are 24 hrs without a fever, like a cold. Its the unvaccinated, elderly, and cancer patients that are at risk and filling up hospitals. Let them quarantine. Don’t ask extremely low risk kids to quarantine consecutively.

I know it seems cavalier, but we were pretty cavalier about the cold and even the flu for healthy kids before covid. The data shows covid presents less risk than the flu for vaccinated adults and even unvaccinated kids. I thought the end goal was to get this point—covid will be another endemic illness like the cold and flu and we just live with those risks without even considering policies that may result in kids out of class for half a year.