Unvaccinated Students & School Closures

[Anonymous]

I see more of a problem arising with rules against running noses (and to a lesser extent coughs). If they really enforce that as requiring staying home and testing, kids are going to again miss out on so much school. My kids and half their camp class have had colds and runny noses since May. Masks make the spread of colds even worse because of touching (unlike with Covid for which they actually help)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do you think schools must close down if an unvaccinated student gets covid?

Not the OP, but certainly all those exposed would have to be quarantined for two weeks (under current rules). In a high school with students switching classes this means the exposure could range across several groups of kids and teachers. So is not the whole school, but it could be a number of kids/teachers. And that’s just one positive test.

Incorrect. DOH calls/screens everyone exposed in a school setting (the the "close contacts" however defined), but fully vaccinated students are told by DOH they are not required to quarantine. Schools are not required to shut down, although those with larger number of unvaccinated exposures might choose to do so for equity reasons. Of course this is not fair for the vaccinated. Students who are eligible to be vaccinated should get vaccinated or suffer these inconveniences (even though their parents are to blame). At least that's how it works in charters.

what is closing for "equity reasons"??? that makes no sense.

Here is what could happen:
1. Thanks to low vaccination rates in Wards 7 and 8, there are some positive cases in schools in that part of the city.
2. School leaders panic and shut down those schools.
3. The Mayor, seeing the press stories of shutting down Ward 7 and 8 schools while keeping schools open in more affluent areas, shuts down schools citywide.

Within a school you might see something similar:
1. A student tests positive for covid
2. the exposed technically (I think) are divided by vax status as to whether or not they need to quarantine for two weeks. Vaxxed kids don't need to quarantine and can remain IPL. Unvaxxed need to learn from home.
3. The kids in person are more likely to be white, while the kids at home are more likely to be Black
4. Equity concern? So the principal has everyone learn from home.

(This is all assuming the teacher is vaxxed and is willing to share vaccination status)

+1000

This is the scenario I see as most likely. Everyone will be sent home for equity purposes (but really it’s to avoid the optics politically).

This is what I see happening too.

Agree. And education will be sacrificed, even for the kids who need school the most.

[Anonymous]

WTU just put out an email asking teachers to testify about going back in the fall.

The DC Council Committee of the Whole announced a Public Oversight Roundtable on the Re-Opening District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) and District of Columbia Public Charter Schools (DCPCS) for School Year 2021-2022

The number of public witnesses will be limited to 50 individuals. Sign-up NOW. We hope to flood the hearing with Educator Voices. Those who wish to testify must register at http://www.ChairmanMendelson.com/testify by the close of business on Tuesday, July 20, 2021.


The WTU will be sending out further information and updates on our negotiations with DCPS on the return to school in the coming days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:WTU just put out an email asking teachers to testify about going back in the fall.

The DC Council Committee of the Whole announced a Public Oversight Roundtable on the Re-Opening District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) and District of Columbia Public Charter Schools (DCPCS) for School Year 2021-2022

The number of public witnesses will be limited to 50 individuals. Sign-up NOW. We hope to flood the hearing with Educator Voices. Those who wish to testify must register at http://www.ChairmanMendelson.com/testify by the close of business on Tuesday, July 20, 2021.


The WTU will be sending out further information and updates on our negotiations with DCPS on the return to school in the coming days.

Yes. Before you all flip the teachers testifying will be saying they want mandatory masks for all

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WTU just put out an email asking teachers to testify about going back in the fall.

The DC Council Committee of the Whole announced a Public Oversight Roundtable on the Re-Opening District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) and District of Columbia Public Charter Schools (DCPCS) for School Year 2021-2022

The number of public witnesses will be limited to 50 individuals. Sign-up NOW. We hope to flood the hearing with Educator Voices. Those who wish to testify must register at http://www.ChairmanMendelson.com/testify by the close of business on Tuesday, July 20, 2021.


The WTU will be sending out further information and updates on our negotiations with DCPS on the return to school in the coming days.

Yes. Before you all flip the teachers testifying will be saying they want mandatory masks for all

who is going to testify about getting rid of outdoor masks? can teachers stop being so freakin’ selfish for a second?

[Anonymous]

I notice a major difference with mask wearing among different races. Just because you were vaccinated, does not mean that you can't catch and spread the delta variant or other variants for that matter. For simplicity sake and piece of mind, what's wrong with wearing masks still?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WTU just put out an email asking teachers to testify about going back in the fall.

The DC Council Committee of the Whole announced a Public Oversight Roundtable on the Re-Opening District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) and District of Columbia Public Charter Schools (DCPCS) for School Year 2021-2022

The number of public witnesses will be limited to 50 individuals. Sign-up NOW. We hope to flood the hearing with Educator Voices. Those who wish to testify must register at http://www.ChairmanMendelson.com/testify by the close of business on Tuesday, July 20, 2021.


The WTU will be sending out further information and updates on our negotiations with DCPS on the return to school in the coming days.

Yes. Before you all flip the teachers testifying will be saying they want mandatory masks for all

Enforcing this rule in MS and HS will be difficult for some teachers. What will they do when a student refuses?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WTU just put out an email asking teachers to testify about going back in the fall.

The DC Council Committee of the Whole announced a Public Oversight Roundtable on the Re-Opening District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) and District of Columbia Public Charter Schools (DCPCS) for School Year 2021-2022

The number of public witnesses will be limited to 50 individuals. Sign-up NOW. We hope to flood the hearing with Educator Voices. Those who wish to testify must register at http://www.ChairmanMendelson.com/testify by the close of business on Tuesday, July 20, 2021.


The WTU will be sending out further information and updates on our negotiations with DCPS on the return to school in the coming days.

Yes. Before you all flip the teachers testifying will be saying they want mandatory masks for all

who is going to testify about getting rid of outdoor masks? can teachers stop being so freakin’ selfish for a second?

Who is talking about outdoor masks? And let’s be honest by October mandatory masks in all indoor establishments will be back. Just look at LA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WTU just put out an email asking teachers to testify about going back in the fall.

The DC Council Committee of the Whole announced a Public Oversight Roundtable on the Re-Opening District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) and District of Columbia Public Charter Schools (DCPCS) for School Year 2021-2022

The number of public witnesses will be limited to 50 individuals. Sign-up NOW. We hope to flood the hearing with Educator Voices. Those who wish to testify must register at http://www.ChairmanMendelson.com/testify by the close of business on Tuesday, July 20, 2021.


The WTU will be sending out further information and updates on our negotiations with DCPS on the return to school in the coming days.

Yes. Before you all flip the teachers testifying will be saying they want mandatory masks for all

who is going to testify about getting rid of outdoor masks? can teachers stop being so freakin’ selfish for a second?

Who is talking about outdoor masks? And let’s be honest by October mandatory masks in all indoor establishments will be back. Just look at LA

right, who is talking about outdoor masks? my point exactly. if the teachers weren’t selfish they would advocate to get rid out outdoor masks. but generally outdoor masks only impact kids and non-WTU staff who monitor recess/aftercare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WTU just put out an email asking teachers to testify about going back in the fall.

The DC Council Committee of the Whole announced a Public Oversight Roundtable on the Re-Opening District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) and District of Columbia Public Charter Schools (DCPCS) for School Year 2021-2022

The number of public witnesses will be limited to 50 individuals. Sign-up NOW. We hope to flood the hearing with Educator Voices. Those who wish to testify must register at http://www.ChairmanMendelson.com/testify by the close of business on Tuesday, July 20, 2021.


The WTU will be sending out further information and updates on our negotiations with DCPS on the return to school in the coming days.

Yes. Before you all flip the teachers testifying will be saying they want mandatory masks for all

who is going to testify about getting rid of outdoor masks? can teachers stop being so freakin’ selfish for a second?

Who is talking about outdoor masks? And let’s be honest by October mandatory masks in all indoor establishments will be back. Just look at LA

right, who is talking about outdoor masks? my point exactly. if the teachers weren’t selfish they would advocate to get rid out outdoor masks. but generally outdoor masks only impact kids and non-WTU staff who monitor recess/aftercare.

I’m a teacher and I have recess duty everyday. Not sure what school your kids go to that teachers don’t have recess duty. Anyway, I don’t give a flip about outdoor masks. You wanna fight this fight…go for it. I don’t care enough to do it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WTU just put out an email asking teachers to testify about going back in the fall.

The DC Council Committee of the Whole announced a Public Oversight Roundtable on the Re-Opening District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) and District of Columbia Public Charter Schools (DCPCS) for School Year 2021-2022

The number of public witnesses will be limited to 50 individuals. Sign-up NOW. We hope to flood the hearing with Educator Voices. Those who wish to testify must register at http://www.ChairmanMendelson.com/testify by the close of business on Tuesday, July 20, 2021.


The WTU will be sending out further information and updates on our negotiations with DCPS on the return to school in the coming days.

Yes. Before you all flip the teachers testifying will be saying they want mandatory masks for all

Is that even a question at this point? It seems to be in the OSSE guidelines from June 25. Is there a possibility of changing those guidelines before Fall?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WTU just put out an email asking teachers to testify about going back in the fall.

The DC Council Committee of the Whole announced a Public Oversight Roundtable on the Re-Opening District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) and District of Columbia Public Charter Schools (DCPCS) for School Year 2021-2022

The number of public witnesses will be limited to 50 individuals. Sign-up NOW. We hope to flood the hearing with Educator Voices. Those who wish to testify must register at http://www.ChairmanMendelson.com/testify by the close of business on Tuesday, July 20, 2021.


The WTU will be sending out further information and updates on our negotiations with DCPS on the return to school in the coming days.

Yes. Before you all flip the teachers testifying will be saying they want mandatory masks for all

Is that even a question at this point? It seems to be in the OSSE guidelines from June 25. Is there a possibility of changing those guidelines before Fall?

I assume it’s middle/high school teachers. Since lots of parents on here seem to be saying their kids won’t wear a mask.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WTU just put out an email asking teachers to testify about going back in the fall.

The DC Council Committee of the Whole announced a Public Oversight Roundtable on the Re-Opening District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) and District of Columbia Public Charter Schools (DCPCS) for School Year 2021-2022

The number of public witnesses will be limited to 50 individuals. Sign-up NOW. We hope to flood the hearing with Educator Voices. Those who wish to testify must register at http://www.ChairmanMendelson.com/testify by the close of business on Tuesday, July 20, 2021.


The WTU will be sending out further information and updates on our negotiations with DCPS on the return to school in the coming days.

Yes. Before you all flip the teachers testifying will be saying they want mandatory masks for all

who is going to testify about getting rid of outdoor masks? can teachers stop being so freakin’ selfish for a second?

Who is talking about outdoor masks? And let’s be honest by October mandatory masks in all indoor establishments will be back. Just look at LA

right, who is talking about outdoor masks? my point exactly. if the teachers weren’t selfish they would advocate to get rid out outdoor masks. but generally outdoor masks only impact kids and non-WTU staff who monitor recess/aftercare.

I’m a teacher and I have recess duty everyday. Not sure what school your kids go to that teachers don’t have recess duty. Anyway, I don’t give a flip about outdoor masks. You wanna fight this fight…go for it. I don’t care enough to do it.

right, you don’t care about it. selfish.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WTU just put out an email asking teachers to testify about going back in the fall.

The DC Council Committee of the Whole announced a Public Oversight Roundtable on the Re-Opening District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) and District of Columbia Public Charter Schools (DCPCS) for School Year 2021-2022

The number of public witnesses will be limited to 50 individuals. Sign-up NOW. We hope to flood the hearing with Educator Voices. Those who wish to testify must register at http://www.ChairmanMendelson.com/testify by the close of business on Tuesday, July 20, 2021.


The WTU will be sending out further information and updates on our negotiations with DCPS on the return to school in the coming days.

Yes. Before you all flip the teachers testifying will be saying they want mandatory masks for all

who is going to testify about getting rid of outdoor masks? can teachers stop being so freakin’ selfish for a second?

Who is talking about outdoor masks? And let’s be honest by October mandatory masks in all indoor establishments will be back. Just look at LA

right, who is talking about outdoor masks? my point exactly. if the teachers weren’t selfish they would advocate to get rid out outdoor masks. but generally outdoor masks only impact kids and non-WTU staff who monitor recess/aftercare.

I’m a teacher and I have recess duty everyday. Not sure what school your kids go to that teachers don’t have recess duty. Anyway, I don’t give a flip about outdoor masks. You wanna fight this fight…go for it. I don’t care enough to do it.

right, you don’t care about it. selfish.

I guess you can call me selfish if it makes you feel better. Why don’t you advocate for it? Why would I advocate for something I don’t care about?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WTU just put out an email asking teachers to testify about going back in the fall.

The DC Council Committee of the Whole announced a Public Oversight Roundtable on the Re-Opening District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) and District of Columbia Public Charter Schools (DCPCS) for School Year 2021-2022

The number of public witnesses will be limited to 50 individuals. Sign-up NOW. We hope to flood the hearing with Educator Voices. Those who wish to testify must register at http://www.ChairmanMendelson.com/testify by the close of business on Tuesday, July 20, 2021.


The WTU will be sending out further information and updates on our negotiations with DCPS on the return to school in the coming days.

Yes. Before you all flip the teachers testifying will be saying they want mandatory masks for all

I am all for this! Even though both my kids are vaccinated. I feel like this will reduce the need to close down the entire school if one kid test positive.