Code yellow (2 hr delay) for Monday 2/23

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have kids in both public and private. Private school does not follow mcps and gives first day as a snow day; after that it’s asynchronous learning for MS and HS (LS does sort of a mix of zoom and activitues).

I do not understand why it is so difficult for MCPS to plan ahead re forecasted weather and send kids who do not have a home computer home with a chromebook or worksheets or gasp an actual hardcopy book. That wouldn’t have fixed everything for the previous storm because of the long time off but it would have been better than nothing. It’s not like these were surprise weather events.

And re the low income issue—I used to teach in a school with high FARMS and those kids may not have home computers but they absolutely have cell phones (and therefore hotspots). But again—even just something as simple as sending kids home with books on Friday would help. You don’t need a perfect solution or parity for in class instruction, but keeping kids actively learning even when you cannot physically open school should be a priority.

—parent and former teachers

Many cheaper cell phone plans don't include mobile hotspot. And those that do will quickly run through the data allowance for hotspot (yes, that exists even if you have unlimited data on the phone) when doing Zoom.

But really the issue is that kids won't be places they would be able to join class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have kids in both public and private. Private school does not follow mcps and gives first day as a snow day; after that it’s asynchronous learning for MS and HS (LS does sort of a mix of zoom and activitues).

I do not understand why it is so difficult for MCPS to plan ahead re forecasted weather and send kids who do not have a home computer home with a chromebook or worksheets or gasp an actual hardcopy book. That wouldn’t have fixed everything for the previous storm because of the long time off but it would have been better than nothing. It’s not like these were surprise weather events.

And re the low income issue—I used to teach in a school with high FARMS and those kids may not have home computers but they absolutely have cell phones (and therefore hotspots). But again—even just something as simple as sending kids home with books on Friday would help. You don’t need a perfect solution or parity for in class instruction, but keeping kids actively learning even when you cannot physically open school should be a priority.

—parent and former teachers

Many cheaper cell phone plans don't include mobile hotspot. And those that do will quickly run through the data allowance for hotspot (yes, that exists even if you have unlimited data on the phone) when doing Zoom.

But really the issue is that kids won't be places they would be able to join class.

I saw Baltimore City had a virtual day today. There must be a way. I mean the option is a half day at the end of June.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have kids in both public and private. Private school does not follow mcps and gives first day as a snow day; after that it’s asynchronous learning for MS and HS (LS does sort of a mix of zoom and activitues).

I do not understand why it is so difficult for MCPS to plan ahead re forecasted weather and send kids who do not have a home computer home with a chromebook or worksheets or gasp an actual hardcopy book. That wouldn’t have fixed everything for the previous storm because of the long time off but it would have been better than nothing. It’s not like these were surprise weather events.

And re the low income issue—I used to teach in a school with high FARMS and those kids may not have home computers but they absolutely have cell phones (and therefore hotspots). But again—even just something as simple as sending kids home with books on Friday would help. You don’t need a perfect solution or parity for in class instruction, but keeping kids actively learning even when you cannot physically open school should be a priority.

—parent and former teachers

Many cheaper cell phone plans don't include mobile hotspot. And those that do will quickly run through the data allowance for hotspot (yes, that exists even if you have unlimited data on the phone) when doing Zoom.

But really the issue is that kids won't be places they would be able to join class.

I'm the PP you were responding to. I wasn't really proposing Zoom and "virtual school" in the way that we saw it implemented during Covid for MCPS. I was suggesting that kids could check for assignments and, at a minimum, do non-computer work on a snow day. If you know there is likely to be a storm on Sunday that would impact school opening on Monday, send kids home prepared with something to do during that likely snow day. Again, it may not be as productive as in-class work, but do something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have kids in both public and private. Private school does not follow mcps and gives first day as a snow day; after that it’s asynchronous learning for MS and HS (LS does sort of a mix of zoom and activitues).

I do not understand why it is so difficult for MCPS to plan ahead re forecasted weather and send kids who do not have a home computer home with a chromebook or worksheets or gasp an actual hardcopy book. That wouldn’t have fixed everything for the previous storm because of the long time off but it would have been better than nothing. It’s not like these were surprise weather events.

And re the low income issue—I used to teach in a school with high FARMS and those kids may not have home computers but they absolutely have cell phones (and therefore hotspots). But again—even just something as simple as sending kids home with books on Friday would help. You don’t need a perfect solution or parity for in class instruction, but keeping kids actively learning even when you cannot physically open school should be a priority.

—parent and former teachers

Many cheaper cell phone plans don't include mobile hotspot. And those that do will quickly run through the data allowance for hotspot (yes, that exists even if you have unlimited data on the phone) when doing Zoom.

But really the issue is that kids won't be places they would be able to join class.

Stop making excuses. You clearly have access.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have kids in both public and private. Private school does not follow mcps and gives first day as a snow day; after that it’s asynchronous learning for MS and HS (LS does sort of a mix of zoom and activitues).

I do not understand why it is so difficult for MCPS to plan ahead re forecasted weather and send kids who do not have a home computer home with a chromebook or worksheets or gasp an actual hardcopy book. That wouldn’t have fixed everything for the previous storm because of the long time off but it would have been better than nothing. It’s not like these were surprise weather events.

And re the low income issue—I used to teach in a school with high FARMS and those kids may not have home computers but they absolutely have cell phones (and therefore hotspots). But again—even just something as simple as sending kids home with books on Friday would help. You don’t need a perfect solution or parity for in class instruction, but keeping kids actively learning even when you cannot physically open school should be a priority.

—parent and former teachers

Many cheaper cell phone plans don't include mobile hotspot. And those that do will quickly run through the data allowance for hotspot (yes, that exists even if you have unlimited data on the phone) when doing Zoom.

But really the issue is that kids won't be places they would be able to join class.

I'm the PP you were responding to. I wasn't really proposing Zoom and "virtual school" in the way that we saw it implemented during Covid for MCPS. I was suggesting that kids could check for assignments and, at a minimum, do non-computer work on a snow day. If you know there is likely to be a storm on Sunday that would impact school opening on Monday, send kids home prepared with something to do during that likely snow day. Again, it may not be as productive as in-class work, but do something.

We have teachers assigning work for the day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have kids in both public and private. Private school does not follow mcps and gives first day as a snow day; after that it’s asynchronous learning for MS and HS (LS does sort of a mix of zoom and activitues).

I do not understand why it is so difficult for MCPS to plan ahead re forecasted weather and send kids who do not have a home computer home with a chromebook or worksheets or gasp an actual hardcopy book. That wouldn’t have fixed everything for the previous storm because of the long time off but it would have been better than nothing. It’s not like these were surprise weather events.

And re the low income issue—I used to teach in a school with high FARMS and those kids may not have home computers but they absolutely have cell phones (and therefore hotspots). But again—even just something as simple as sending kids home with books on Friday would help. You don’t need a perfect solution or parity for in class instruction, but keeping kids actively learning even when you cannot physically open school should be a priority.

—parent and former teachers

Even if they don’t have hot spots they can log on their phones and all have chromebooks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like a lot of these parents are just angry they didn't become teachers for the sweet snow day benefits.

Applications are open for next year.

I love how you all think this is some clever gotcha instead of a tone deaf assumption that parents can't possibly have their own jobs that are important to the functioning of society.

I'm not that poster, but a lot of the posts suggest that teachers have some easy-street gig. Considering we live in a capitalist society where people can easily change jobs, if it was really such an easy-street job, they would be flooded with applications. But they aren't. Which suggests that there are other reason why people don't view it as a desirable job, despite the snow days -- either the pay/benefits, dealing with kids/parents/ the bureacracy, etc. Personally, I don't think I could deal with being at work consistently by 8 a.m. each day -- that's my big reason for not applying for a teaching job. My kids also say I would be bad at the discipline and kids would walk all over me, which might be true.

Folks should respond to the posts they are referring to. I see a lot of posts about child care which has literally nothing to do with perceptions about teacher jobs

Some posters expect teachers to teach, parent, exercise, be social services and child care and basically meet all needs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand why they are proactively prohibiting child care providers from operating at all tomorrow. The phrase "out of an abundance of caution" should not be used in a message closing child care for thousands of families. This decision could be made school by school.

Yup, especially when they are specifically referring to conditions up county, which should not be a reason to close childcare downcounty. But it's also just about what I expected from these jerks at this point...

Conditions uncounty shouldn't close anything downcounty, but apparently we're in some snow suicide pact together

Even if a child-care provider wants to open, they often depend on access to locked facilities, building heat and utilities, custodial snow removal, security or emergency protocols, right?

When MCPS closes, that infrastructure shuts down too.

No, MCPS closing does not shut off heat and utilities to buildings.

Essential workers are supposed to report. No reason why they shouldn't be at schools tomorrow getting them ready to open on Tuesday.

MCPS just wants to give their office workers the day off because they are the most entitled laziest people in the country and they are also bizarrely insecure so they need to wave their dicks around and show they can f&CK with every else's day whenever they choose.

Exactly! People don’t ever get into car crashes in icy coditions in down county. And the poors in north county don’t make enough as we do in down county. They should be begging to work. My child can no longer miss class less they give on Harvard and have to settle with … UMCP. I shudder at the thought

Look I get being drunk is really fun but it is really not good for you and I don't think it is helping your mental health

Bet your spouse hears that a lot. Every accusation is a confession.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like a lot of these parents are just angry they didn't become teachers for the sweet snow day benefits.

Applications are open for next year.

I love how you all think this is some clever gotcha instead of a tone deaf assumption that parents can't possibly have their own jobs that are important to the functioning of society.

I'm not that poster, but a lot of the posts suggest that teachers have some easy-street gig. Considering we live in a capitalist society where people can easily change jobs, if it was really such an easy-street job, they would be flooded with applications. But they aren't. Which suggests that there are other reason why people don't view it as a desirable job, despite the snow days -- either the pay/benefits, dealing with kids/parents/ the bureacracy, etc. Personally, I don't think I could deal with being at work consistently by 8 a.m. each day -- that's my big reason for not applying for a teaching job. My kids also say I would be bad at the discipline and kids would walk all over me, which might be true.

Folks should respond to the posts they are referring to. I see a lot of posts about child care which has literally nothing to do with perceptions about teacher jobs

Some posters expect teachers to teach, parent, exercise, be social services and child care and basically meet all needs.

Feel free to quote those posters and respond to them

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like a lot of these parents are just angry they didn't become teachers for the sweet snow day benefits.

Applications are open for next year.

I love how you all think this is some clever gotcha instead of a tone deaf assumption that parents can't possibly have their own jobs that are important to the functioning of society.

Many teachers are parents too.

Yes, teacher jobs are important, but this is a discussion about parents that aren't teachers allegedly being jealous of teacher snow days

Well, some of us teachers are jealous of those of you with remote jobs or flexible schedules. Taking time off work is a pain in the butt for teachers

Honestly, giving teachers any time beyond sick days has always perplexed me. You have weeks of vacation during the school year; go to the dentist then.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like a lot of these parents are just angry they didn't become teachers for the sweet snow day benefits.

Applications are open for next year.

I love how you all think this is some clever gotcha instead of a tone deaf assumption that parents can't possibly have their own jobs that are important to the functioning of society.

Many teachers are parents too.

Yes, teacher jobs are important, but this is a discussion about parents that aren't teachers allegedly being jealous of teacher snow days

Well, some of us teachers are jealous of those of you with remote jobs or flexible schedules. Taking time off work is a pain in the butt for teachers

Honestly, giving teachers any time beyond sick days has always perplexed me. You have weeks of vacation during the school year; go to the dentist then.

Man you'll be really upset to find out that as a special ed teacher I get like a month of paid time off during the school year in addition to all the vacations