Anyone heard from your teacher about classes today?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We just heard from our 3rd grade teachers saying "There will be no live lessons, instead the kiddos will have an asynchronous day."

Kiddos. kills me. As if they care.

Email them and tell them what you think. “Kiddos” would have made me furious too.

And it was just a wimpy note on Canvas. Nothing to the parents.

I'm the OP of this thread. It didn't even occur to me to check Canvas since all teachers this far have communicated important stuff by email. But sure enough, I logged in and saw a note from the English teacher that she would be out but assignments are posted. Still don't see anything from the other two teachers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s wild the way some of y’all scream about how terrible and lazy teachers are, but you can’t do without one day of their distance learning. Which is it?

Collective action isn’t meant to be comfy.

You don't know shit about striking though. It's meant to hurt the management and not confused kids. This isn't a good look. God. You don't target the most vulnerable! You punch UP not DOWN! How is the WTU so stupid as to not realize that they need parents as allies?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:2nd grader just found out and has no clue what happened. I sympathize with the teachers but honestly the only ones who are suffering are the children who can’t comprehend this at all.. is there no other way to make a statement instead of dragging children who have no fault in this. I am all for teacher and safety but honestly there has to be a better way

yeah I am normally very honest with my kid but can’t be now. He got an in-person slot so how am I supposed to explain that his teachers don’t want to teach him?

2nd grade is a great time for a lesson in nuance. Kids at that age are very bright and if lead through reasoning about a situation can walk away without feeling bad and learning a lot about empathy.

yeah, no. who’s going to have empathy for him? trying to explain this will only make him scared to return, think his teachers don’t like him, or that his teachers are wrong/stupid. “The teachers are so scared of covid they don’t want to teach you! And the other kids parents are mad their class sizes will be bigger. but you shouldn’t be worried.”

Right. So you have a great opportunity to teach empathy and about the world and instead you actually just want him to be coddled. If you choose to talk to him in a manner that this is an affront on him of course he will feel bad. You, as the adult, have a chance to frame the world as being bigger than him and more complicated than his initial emotional reaction. But that will require you to step outside of your own desires and emotions and use it as a growth opportunity.

Agreed- I do think this is a good opportunity to teach children about collective responsibility to society. That is, doctors, nurses, first responders, grocery store employees, food producers, and many other people are doing their jobs at personal risk because their jobs are essential to society. But teachers don't want to do their part, apparently because their parents never instilled in them a similar sense of responsibility.

Doctors, nurses, and first responders took jobs knowing they'd be put in harms way. Not that they deserve any of this, but still, it is part of their jobs they may anticipate. The other jobs you listed do not involve sitting in an enclosed room with 12 individuals all day, with at least 20-30 minutes of that day being mask-less. They don't involve children's tears, or tantrums, or spontaneous hugs or "silly" play and jokes that could lead to exponentially more infections. We also aren't sending children into the grocery stores and restaurants. Children are precious. They are to be protected at all costs. This means having a return plan that is safe and trauma informed. Teachers have and are doing their part by reinventing their job and trying to deliver instruction as best they can during the pandemic. Attacking them is not going to help anyone, least of all your child. Try standing with them. We can do better than the Mayor and she will see what we can accomplish together.

Teachers knew they were taking a job that could expose them to illnesses. And they should have known they'd be expected to work through pandemics, as has always been done in the past.

Don't pretend anyone is pushing DL to "protect the children at all costs." It's about protecting the teachers and, to a lesser extent, the families of the children.

I will not stand with the teachers as long as they continue to be obstinate and refuse to negotiate and act in good faith.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:2nd grader just found out and has no clue what happened. I sympathize with the teachers but honestly the only ones who are suffering are the children who can’t comprehend this at all.. is there no other way to make a statement instead of dragging children who have no fault in this. I am all for teacher and safety but honestly there has to be a better way

yeah I am normally very honest with my kid but can’t be now. He got an in-person slot so how am I supposed to explain that his teachers don’t want to teach him?

2nd grade is a great time for a lesson in nuance. Kids at that age are very bright and if lead through reasoning about a situation can walk away without feeling bad and learning a lot about empathy.

yeah, no. who’s going to have empathy for him? trying to explain this will only make him scared to return, think his teachers don’t like him, or that his teachers are wrong/stupid. “The teachers are so scared of covid they don’t want to teach you! And the other kids parents are mad their class sizes will be bigger. but you shouldn’t be worried.”

How about the message the teachers have been communicating: Your teacher wants to stay your teacher, not for you to go in to school and have a different teacher. Your teacher wants to be able to hear your thoughts and ideas in the virtual classroom, if that’s where you stay, and we know how hard that is now with __ students in the class. Imagine having even more students in your live sessions! Your teachers want to make sure it’s the absolute safest environment possible so no one has to worry about you or your family and so when you do return to a school, you can feel safe and comfortable because you know they made sure of it.

Wow so their messaging doesn't say anything about the most vulnerable kids who were supposed to go in person? What about those kids? Mine wasn't offered a slot, but there are kids who absolutely need it who need to go in person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s wild the way some of y’all scream about how terrible and lazy teachers are, but you can’t do without one day of their distance learning. Which is it?

Collective action isn’t meant to be comfy.

You don't know shit about striking though. It's meant to hurt the management and not confused kids. This isn't a good look. God. You don't target the most vulnerable! You punch UP not DOWN! How is the WTU so stupid as to not realize that they need parents as allies?

Well it worked, so....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This one from one of our Wilson teachers really burned me:

"I will be taking a mental health day today, Monday 11/2, due to the stress and demands of virtual learning and anxiety about the current DCPS reopening plan. My ability to do my job with the effort and heart that it deserves requires my own personal wellbeing as well."

We all have tons of anxiety right now - and the plan doesn't effect middle/high school so why not teach our kids? Given that our kids will have school one day this week - the last day in the advisory and I am just pissed. Plus, teachers are not returning emails to my kids and getting grades updated for work turned in 4-6 weeks ago still. Finally, science is showing this isn't a huge issue. Why are teachers not essential?

But, yes DCPS needs to get it's act together. Did everyone see the email just sent from Ferebee pushing back reopening? I feel for you elementary school parents.

So far - half & half showing up with my Deal/Wilson kids...we will see how it goes.

Ugh it's like they think they have the hardest job ever, even though they get to do it virtually.

It is the day before the damn election. ALL of us are stressed out, including the kids. And they want to take the day off of the election to relax on a day when our kids could probably use some normalcy? This might be the last damn normal day we have for a while and the teachers won't be there for our kids. Because they just don't want to be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This one from one of our Wilson teachers really burned me:

"I will be taking a mental health day today, Monday 11/2, due to the stress and demands of virtual learning and anxiety about the current DCPS reopening plan. My ability to do my job with the effort and heart that it deserves requires my own personal wellbeing as well."

We all have tons of anxiety right now - and the plan doesn't effect middle/high school so why not teach our kids? Given that our kids will have school one day this week - the last day in the advisory and I am just pissed. Plus, teachers are not returning emails to my kids and getting grades updated for work turned in 4-6 weeks ago still. Finally, science is showing this isn't a huge issue. Why are teachers not essential?

But, yes DCPS needs to get it's act together. Did everyone see the email just sent from Ferebee pushing back reopening? I feel for you elementary school parents.

So far - half & half showing up with my Deal/Wilson kids...we will see how it goes.

Ugh it's like they think they have the hardest job ever, even though they get to do it virtually.

It is the day before the damn election. ALL of us are stressed out, including the kids. And they want to take the day off of the election to relax on a day when our kids could probably use some normalcy? This might be the last damn normal day we have for a while and the teachers won't be there for our kids. Because they just don't want to be.

I meant to say "day off before the election"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s wild the way some of y’all scream about how terrible and lazy teachers are, but you can’t do without one day of their distance learning. Which is it?

Collective action isn’t meant to be comfy.

I don’t think teachers are lazy or terrible. I just think DL is not at all effective for younger kids and that teachers are an essential service. I think DCPS has been reasonable to not make all teachers come back but we need *some* teachers back in the building and teaching in-person. They literary are only asking for one teacher per grade to come back since hybrid was also rejected by teachers.

They're just worried that a few teachers come back...it turns out to be safe and then they've lost the argument for continuing to stay home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s wild the way some of y’all scream about how terrible and lazy teachers are, but you can’t do without one day of their distance learning. Which is it?

Collective action isn’t meant to be comfy.

You don't know shit about striking though. It's meant to hurt the management and not confused kids. This isn't a good look. God. You don't target the most vulnerable! You punch UP not DOWN! How is the WTU so stupid as to not realize that they need parents as allies?

Well it worked, so....

This strike has accomplished literally nothing other than pissing off families. It does not put any pressure on the administration at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Agreed- I do think this is a good opportunity to teach children about collective responsibility to society. That is, doctors, nurses, first responders, grocery store employees, food producers, and many other people are doing their jobs at personal risk because their jobs are essential to society. But teachers don't want to do their part, apparently because their parents never instilled in them a similar sense of responsibility.


Doctors, nurses, and first responders took jobs knowing they'd be put in harms way. Not that they deserve any of this, but still, it is part of their jobs they may anticipate. The other jobs you listed do not involve sitting in an enclosed room with 12 individuals all day, with at least 20-30 minutes of that day being mask-less.

Are you serious? What about all the poor people who are currently working in places that have indoor dining. No one is wearing a mask while they consume food, and it is not just 12 people in there all day - it is hundreds of people going through and eating. Did they take the job knowing they would be in harms way? Why is no one concerned about them? Is is because they are generally poor and uneducated?

Nice try. Do you spend 8 hours in a restaurant? No. Also, not a lot of children in the restaurants, but that point won't make sense now that you've cut off part of my text. Finally, your calling restaurant staff "generally poor and uneducated" is telling. I call them friends, parents and community members who will be exponentially more exposed should their children go to school in person under the current plan. I know some who have opted for and were lucky enough to find alternative work during this time, because they are not in a specialized profession at this time, unlike teachers. I do hope people are concerned about them, and do all they can to support them, too. We all know that concern for some does not detract from concern for others, right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s wild the way some of y’all scream about how terrible and lazy teachers are, but you can’t do without one day of their distance learning. Which is it?

Collective action isn’t meant to be comfy.

You don't know shit about striking though. It's meant to hurt the management and not confused kids. This isn't a good look. God. You don't target the most vulnerable! You punch UP not DOWN! How is the WTU so stupid as to not realize that they need parents as allies?

Well it worked, so....

This strike has accomplished literally nothing other than pissing off families. It does not put any pressure on the administration at all.

What?!!! Then why did the administration delay in-person approximately one hour into the sick-out?

[Anonymous]

Deal 7th grade. Science teacher showed up and taught.

[Anonymous]

I will never forgive my child's teacher. He was slated for an in person slot. He can't learn over a screen. She called in sick. And now we will be virtual all academic year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s wild the way some of y’all scream about how terrible and lazy teachers are, but you can’t do without one day of their distance learning. Which is it?

Collective action isn’t meant to be comfy.

You don't know shit about striking though. It's meant to hurt the management and not confused kids. This isn't a good look. God. You don't target the most vulnerable! You punch UP not DOWN! How is the WTU so stupid as to not realize that they need parents as allies?

Well it worked, so....

This strike has accomplished literally nothing other than pissing off families. It does not put any pressure on the administration at all.

What?!!! Then why did the administration delay in-person approximately one hour into the sick-out?

DCPS sent an email at 9:30 this morning, check your email.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:2nd grader just found out and has no clue what happened. I sympathize with the teachers but honestly the only ones who are suffering are the children who can’t comprehend this at all.. is there no other way to make a statement instead of dragging children who have no fault in this. I am all for teacher and safety but honestly there has to be a better way

yeah I am normally very honest with my kid but can’t be now. He got an in-person slot so how am I supposed to explain that his teachers don’t want to teach him?

2nd grade is a great time for a lesson in nuance. Kids at that age are very bright and if lead through reasoning about a situation can walk away without feeling bad and learning a lot about empathy.

yeah, no. who’s going to have empathy for him? trying to explain this will only make him scared to return, think his teachers don’t like him, or that his teachers are wrong/stupid. “The teachers are so scared of covid they don’t want to teach you! And the other kids parents are mad their class sizes will be bigger. but you shouldn’t be worried.”

Right. So you have a great opportunity to teach empathy and about the world and instead you actually just want him to be coddled. If you choose to talk to him in a manner that this is an affront on him of course he will feel bad. You, as the adult, have a chance to frame the world as being bigger than him and more complicated than his initial emotional reaction. But that will require you to step outside of your own desires and emotions and use it as a growth opportunity.

Agreed- I do think this is a good opportunity to teach children about collective responsibility to society. That is, doctors, nurses, first responders, grocery store employees, food producers, and many other people are doing their jobs at personal risk because their jobs are essential to society. But teachers don't want to do their part, apparently because their parents never instilled in them a similar sense of responsibility.

Doctors, nurses, and first responders took jobs knowing they'd be put in harms way. Not that they deserve any of this, but still, it is part of their jobs they may anticipate. The other jobs you listed do not involve sitting in an enclosed room with 12 individuals all day, with at least 20-30 minutes of that day being mask-less. They don't involve children's tears, or tantrums, or spontaneous hugs or "silly" play and jokes that could lead to exponentially more infections. We also aren't sending children into the grocery stores and restaurants. Children are precious. They are to be protected at all costs. This means having a return plan that is safe and trauma informed. Teachers have and are doing their part by reinventing their job and trying to deliver instruction as best they can during the pandemic. Attacking them is not going to help anyone, least of all your child. Try standing with them. We can do better than the Mayor and she will see what we can accomplish together.

In general, doctors and nurses have close, extended contact with about 10-20 patients a day. Over the course of a week, they might see 50-100 different patients, along with caregivers that accompany the patients, and staff at the the facilities. Depending on the type of provider, and the health complaints of the patients, they might be seeing patients without masks and work near their faces. My son, for instance, needed sutures on his chin, screaming bloody murder the whole time as three of us pinned him down.

And even when there's not a real issue, I'll note that my spouse has noted that elderly patients very frequently think they need to pull their masks down to be heard.

I definitely get the concerns about middle/high school students. I'm not sure there's a good way to handle them without reducing community spread first. But I don't think elementary and self-contained special needs classes are a problem.