How is MCPS going to address the learning loss from teacher absences?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What I want to know is how they're planning to address the stress and trauma caused by making young children attend covid infested schools after being told to avoid covid for 2 years. It's so stressful and confusing for children.

This is a task for parents and psychologist.

HAHAHA. No. Last year, parents threw fits when we told them if their kids were “suicidal” and “suffering” from doing school in the comfort of their expensive DCUM homes, that was the responsibility of parents and mental health professionals, so they don’t get to play that card now. Sorry, but no.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You are exhausting.

Seriously? Do you have a high school junior who is trying to put together as good as a transcript as they can for college applications? Life is still marching on and these things still matter.

Complaining parents need to step up and teach.

+1 everytime we screw up at work we just look at each other and say "complaining customers should step up and do it themselves "

I find comments along these lines hilarious. So, anybody can “step up and teach,” while at the same time, teachers are highly skilled professionals? Yeah, that makes sense.

OP, you’ll almost certainly need to look to tutoring or some kind of supplementation because MCPS isn’t going to make this lost work up. There are too many other issues and it’s too hard to do. I’m not saying that’s all right, but it is what it is. And no, virtual wouldn’t result in less learning loss; you people know there’s actual data on that, right?

Pretty much anyone can step up and do a substitute teaching gig. Is your body warm? Yep, you probably qualify! (Assuming no record of child endangerment). Maybe consider subbing? I think they’ll even pay you like $14/hour.

I assure you I could not teach my HS daughter's Spanish or algebra class, and my body is warm.

Most subs don’t teach. They babysit. They give an assignment and that’s about it. Or they let students work in unfinished work or homework.

I understood the topic of this thread to be "learning loss from teacher absences." My sitting in a room with a group of teenagers while they at best read an assignment or worse do nothing is not a way to solve learning loss.
Parent subs would be a reasonable (though unrealistic) solution to lack of teachers in lower grades and the need for childcare and/or someone to teach spelling. It does nothing for high schoolers.

Parents can sign up and sub. Most are not willing to.

Such bullsh*t gaslighting. I've seen this on my Facebook feed from SAHMs in my neighborhood and it makes me furious. Most parents have jobs FFS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What I want to know is how they're planning to address the stress and trauma caused by making young children attend covid infested schools after being told to avoid covid for 2 years. It's so stressful and confusing for children.

This is a task for parents and psychologist.

HAHAHA. No. Last year, parents threw fits when we told them if their kids were “suicidal” and “suffering” from doing school in the comfort of their expensive DCUM homes, that was the responsibility of parents and mental health professionals, so they don’t get to play that card now. Sorry, but no.

PP if your child is feeling "stress and trauma" about Covid in schools, that's coming from you not from MCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is going to be a much bigger problem with in-person than it would be with virtual. I was assured that we must avoid virtual at all costs because of learning loss. Ah, well.

Virtual = almost all kids lose some instruction because the curriculum is paired down
In Person = some kids who had to miss school may lose some instruction time loss

All kids losing some instruction is worse than some kids losing some instruction time.

No, see...

Virtual = almost all kids lose some instruction because the curriculum is paired down

In Person = many kids who had to miss school (at a greater rate than they'd have to miss virtual) will lose some instruction time

And

In Person = many kids who never missed school will lose some instruction time to teachers who have to spend much of their time catching up 10-30% of kids who were out last week (for several weeks)

And

In Person = many kids who missed or never missed school will lose some instruction time to teachers who are absent for much longer than they'd be if we had virtual (asymptomatic, close contacts, recovered from symptoms before they stopped being contagious)

And

In Person = (let's say "some") kids who missed or never missed school will lose some instruction time to teachers who are overwhelmed by increased disciplinary demands or who have to teach two classes at once because of a sub shortage. Oh, and specials in ES? If the teacher is out, the teacher is out.

Bottom line:

All kids losing some instruction time is better than most kids losing even more instruction time (maybe just "a little more"), and getting and spreading COVID in greater numbers (maybe only "somewhat" greater numbers), and all of the stress that comes with that.

But you'll never see it that way. Especially if your kid is one of the ones who isn't as affected.

DP, but you are grossly minimizing the negative consequences from virtual. The best case scenario is kids losing "some" instruction time. Fully, what 20%? 30% of kids don't log in to virtual AT ALL, so they get nothing. Probably another third or so log in minimally, have a lot of trouble, try to do it on their own, etc. So virtual is sufficient for, what, a third of kids at the absolute most? Get real.

You don't have to take my word for it, though. There are actual studies on DL, which show what an unmitigated failure it was. Trying to claim otherwise is unconscionable.

Parents need to step up and take responsibility and make sure kids are logging in and doing the work.

Please. Most families don't have an adult at home who can focus solely on supporting their kids during virtual. For elementary-aged kids, it's a TON of work. And older kids need more specialized support that many parents can offer.

Stop gaslighting parents into thinking virtual is a reasonable option and, moreover, that if it doesn't work, it's their fault. It's not.

How? Once my kids knew how to log on, that's all they needed to do. They did their work after dinner and on weekends. My mom helped them log on for the first few days but ended up going home early since they didn't need help after that.

Your mom? Please tell us about your solution and how it will scale across the district.

Also, if PP think that "all" kids needed to do with virtual was learn how to log on. Do they know that little about what the days on Zoom were like? The assignments? The switching to third-party websites or apps?

The grandma comment is painfully ridiculous.

We didn’t have a grandma to help and we managed it, and yes, we both work. It’s called parental effort. Try it sometime.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They can't come up with a plan to keep the kids from catching a preventable but dangerous disease.

Do you really think learning loss is on their radar?

It’s call Montgomery County Public Schools - educating students should be their focus.

Oh, that’s funny, since all you cared about for the last year was childcare “being their focus.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is going to be a much bigger problem with in-person than it would be with virtual. I was assured that we must avoid virtual at all costs because of learning loss. Ah, well.

Virtual = almost all kids lose some instruction because the curriculum is paired down
In Person = some kids who had to miss school may lose some instruction time loss

All kids losing some instruction is worse than some kids losing some instruction time.

No, see...

Virtual = almost all kids lose some instruction because the curriculum is paired down

In Person = many kids who had to miss school (at a greater rate than they'd have to miss virtual) will lose some instruction time

And

In Person = many kids who never missed school will lose some instruction time to teachers who have to spend much of their time catching up 10-30% of kids who were out last week (for several weeks)

And

In Person = many kids who missed or never missed school will lose some instruction time to teachers who are absent for much longer than they'd be if we had virtual (asymptomatic, close contacts, recovered from symptoms before they stopped being contagious)

And

In Person = (let's say "some") kids who missed or never missed school will lose some instruction time to teachers who are overwhelmed by increased disciplinary demands or who have to teach two classes at once because of a sub shortage. Oh, and specials in ES? If the teacher is out, the teacher is out.

Bottom line:

All kids losing some instruction time is better than most kids losing even more instruction time (maybe just "a little more"), and getting and spreading COVID in greater numbers (maybe only "somewhat" greater numbers), and all of the stress that comes with that.

But you'll never see it that way. Especially if your kid is one of the ones who isn't as affected.

DP, but you are grossly minimizing the negative consequences from virtual. The best case scenario is kids losing "some" instruction time. Fully, what 20%? 30% of kids don't log in to virtual AT ALL, so they get nothing. Probably another third or so log in minimally, have a lot of trouble, try to do it on their own, etc. So virtual is sufficient for, what, a third of kids at the absolute most? Get real.

You don't have to take my word for it, though. There are actual studies on DL, which show what an unmitigated failure it was. Trying to claim otherwise is unconscionable.

Parents need to step up and take responsibility and make sure kids are logging in and doing the work.

Please. Most families don't have an adult at home who can focus solely on supporting their kids during virtual. For elementary-aged kids, it's a TON of work. And older kids need more specialized support that many parents can offer.

Stop gaslighting parents into thinking virtual is a reasonable option and, moreover, that if it doesn't work, it's their fault. It's not.

How? Once my kids knew how to log on, that's all they needed to do. They did their work after dinner and on weekends. My mom helped them log on for the first few days but ended up going home early since they didn't need help after that.

Your mom? Please tell us about your solution and how it will scale across the district.

Also, if PP think that "all" kids needed to do with virtual was learn how to log on. Do they know that little about what the days on Zoom were like? The assignments? The switching to third-party websites or apps?

The grandma comment is painfully ridiculous.

We didn’t have a grandma to help and we managed it, and yes, we both work. It’s called parental effort. Try it sometime.

I focus my “parental effort” at cultivating empathy and theory of mind in my kids. You might consider adding both of those to your apparently considerable arsenal of parenting skills.

[Anonymous]

My son did not have teachers for half of his classes today at Churchill. For math, Delta math crashed, so he couldn’t complete the day’s assignment. The substitute couldn’t answer any questions.

In an elective class, my son saw the sub bully a disabled student for not wearing the school provided KN95 mask. The boy didn’t like how it felt on his face so he wanted to wear his own mask. The sub told the boy he would catch Covid and die if he didn’t wear the KN95. The boy got really upset.

Then there’s the classes in the auditorium. Just one mass of students there who aren’t receiving any instruction. Just babysitting them for the period.

My son describes his school as online school inside the school. What’s the point? It has all the same downsides as online learning with the extra risk of Covid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son did not have teachers for half of his classes today at Churchill. For math, Delta math crashed, so he couldn’t complete the day’s assignment. The substitute couldn’t answer any questions.

In an elective class, my son saw the sub bully a disabled student for not wearing the school provided KN95 mask. The boy didn’t like how it felt on his face so he wanted to wear his own mask. The sub told the boy he would catch Covid and die if he didn’t wear the KN95. The boy got really upset.

Then there’s the classes in the auditorium. Just one mass of students there who aren’t receiving any instruction. Just babysitting them for the period.

My son describes his school as online school inside the school. What’s the point? It has all the same downsides as online learning with the extra risk of Covid.

Would you be happier if the just shut down for two weeks? Because there’s no guarantee that the teacher would present for virtual either, especially if sick. MCPS might be happier to no longer have the task of needing to find additional subs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son did not have teachers for half of his classes today at Churchill. For math, Delta math crashed, so he couldn’t complete the day’s assignment. The substitute couldn’t answer any questions.

In an elective class, my son saw the sub bully a disabled student for not wearing the school provided KN95 mask. The boy didn’t like how it felt on his face so he wanted to wear his own mask. The sub told the boy he would catch Covid and die if he didn’t wear the KN95. The boy got really upset.

Then there’s the classes in the auditorium. Just one mass of students there who aren’t receiving any instruction. Just babysitting them for the period.

My son describes his school as online school inside the school. What’s the point? It has all the same downsides as online learning with the extra risk of Covid.

Would you be happier if the just shut down for two weeks? Because there’s no guarantee that the teacher would present for virtual either, especially if sick. MCPS might be happier to no longer have the task of needing to find additional subs.

I would be ok with taking a true pause countywide for two weeks - no school - and making up the missed days on holidays, spring break, and extending the school year. Right now, school is open but no teaching is taken place. There’s no benefit to attend with an increased risk of Covid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son did not have teachers for half of his classes today at Churchill. For math, Delta math crashed, so he couldn’t complete the day’s assignment. The substitute couldn’t answer any questions.

In an elective class, my son saw the sub bully a disabled student for not wearing the school provided KN95 mask. The boy didn’t like how it felt on his face so he wanted to wear his own mask. The sub told the boy he would catch Covid and die if he didn’t wear the KN95. The boy got really upset.

Then there’s the classes in the auditorium. Just one mass of students there who aren’t receiving any instruction. Just babysitting them for the period.

My son describes his school as online school inside the school. What’s the point? It has all the same downsides as online learning with the extra risk of Covid.

Troll. As if teenage boys do more than grunt and fart 💨

[Anonymous]

It’s a three day weekend. If students and teachers would just stay home three days. Test Monday before school and only show up if no Covid problem solved.

Ain’t happening

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son did not have teachers for half of his classes today at Churchill. For math, Delta math crashed, so he couldn’t complete the day’s assignment. The substitute couldn’t answer any questions.

In an elective class, my son saw the sub bully a disabled student for not wearing the school provided KN95 mask. The boy didn’t like how it felt on his face so he wanted to wear his own mask. The sub told the boy he would catch Covid and die if he didn’t wear the KN95. The boy got really upset.

Then there’s the classes in the auditorium. Just one mass of students there who aren’t receiving any instruction. Just babysitting them for the period.

My son describes his school as online school inside the school. What’s the point? It has all the same downsides as online learning with the extra risk of Covid.

Exactly. Many schools are like this. Online experience with risk of covid. I was afraid of this outcome when I saw no intention by MCPS to go to virtual for a few weeks in schools where teaching can't be done in person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son did not have teachers for half of his classes today at Churchill. For math, Delta math crashed, so he couldn’t complete the day’s assignment. The substitute couldn’t answer any questions.

In an elective class, my son saw the sub bully a disabled student for not wearing the school provided KN95 mask. The boy didn’t like how it felt on his face so he wanted to wear his own mask. The sub told the boy he would catch Covid and die if he didn’t wear the KN95. The boy got really upset.

Then there’s the classes in the auditorium. Just one mass of students there who aren’t receiving any instruction. Just babysitting them for the period.

My son describes his school as online school inside the school. What’s the point? It has all the same downsides as online learning with the extra risk of Covid.

Exactly. Many schools are like this. Online experience with risk of covid. I was afraid of this outcome when I saw no intention by MCPS to go to virtual for a few weeks in schools where teaching can't be done in person.

The teacher shortages seem to be happening mostly at certain schools. My kids' schools are operating normally, for the most part. Makes no sense to pause the entire MCPS system

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son did not have teachers for half of his classes today at Churchill. For math, Delta math crashed, so he couldn’t complete the day’s assignment. The substitute couldn’t answer any questions.

In an elective class, my son saw the sub bully a disabled student for not wearing the school provided KN95 mask. The boy didn’t like how it felt on his face so he wanted to wear his own mask. The sub told the boy he would catch Covid and die if he didn’t wear the KN95. The boy got really upset.

Then there’s the classes in the auditorium. Just one mass of students there who aren’t receiving any instruction. Just babysitting them for the period.

My son describes his school as online school inside the school. What’s the point? It has all the same downsides as online learning with the extra risk of Covid.

Exactly. Many schools are like this. Online experience with risk of covid. I was afraid of this outcome when I saw no intention by MCPS to go to virtual for a few weeks in schools where teaching can't be done in person.

The teacher shortages seem to be happening mostly at certain schools. My kids' schools are operating normally, for the most part. Makes no sense to pause the entire MCPS system

^ Says the MCEA member who wants two weeks of stay at home teaching but keep 100% of spring break and summer break.

If the MCEA would concede to calendar changes to make up for online day or even closed days then schools will be able to pause, staff heal, and learning resumes in person in two weeks. Problem solved but it requires flexibility by the MCEA and teachers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Everyone is going to be in the same situation OP. Just chill and supplement at home, it's a pandemic. Teachers are going to be sick or quit.

"Everyone" is not going to be in the same situation. Other students in my child's high school are getting math and or science instruction because their teachers were at school. How is that "everyone" being in the same situation?

Different poster here, we are all in a pandemic.