Last resort plan if DCPS / WTU doesn't do full-time IPL after all?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Talk me down. Last night I woke up at 2am worried about this and never went back to sleep. We are a PK family and never got an IPL spot last year. Our school was among the worst in the city in terms of IPL last year (I am specifically not naming it because it's a struggling school for a variety of reasons and the failure is not necessarily about incompetence but more some terrible circumstances). We tried to lottery out of the school but have failed thus far and our numbers are not looking good. Our kid spent the second half of last year in a part time PK program that was great in many ways but really only a few hours a week and just not sufficient for our childcare needs. We can't afford that plus childcare, and we need childcare, so we didn't re-enroll this year. We're waitlisted at another private PK with a more comprehensive schedule that we think we can swing on our budget (it will be tight) but no guarantees we'll get in.

I am so scared things are going to shut down again. I think it will finally break me. We would have moved last year but we are in a condo and the market is not great -- we have a neighbor who has been on the market for months and we were hoping that would sell quickly and then we'd list but now I don't know. I am holding onto my job by a thread but I don't think I can do this another year. I feel like it's all going to happen again -- the last minute announcement of closure, the pointless DL for kids who can't really do it, the promises of reopening and it never materializing. I feel so stuck. Our families live very far away and don't have room for us if we went there. We'd have to rent something near them and I don't know how we'd do that if we couldn't rent our place out as well, which is no guarantee.

I'm just venting. It feels like it's all happening again.

I'm sorry you are feeling this. Totally understand what you are going through. I think that DCPS could do many different things and be creative about this. In the midst of delta, I don't think reopening all elementary schools for everyone, having 30 person classrooms, full cafeterias is a good idea. That said, why can't DCPS reopen for PK-2 because this is really the group that virtual makes the least sense (kids 3, 4, 5, 6 don't have the attention span or the maturity to sit through these virtual classes). Then DCPS can have a more flexible virtual/in-person for 3-5 to alleviate the crowding at elementary schools. Middle school and High schools should all be open because kids have access to vaccines. That is just one thought and there are probably many more, but DCSP is not thinking of alternate plans and burying their heads in the sand.

No.

This proposal is not unreasonable. Middle school - fully open. High school - fully open. PK-2nd - fully open. 3rd-5th - virtual is an option until a vaccine is available, which will help to keep the school population low to make it safer for PK-2nd. After vaccine for this age group is available - fully open.

This is a joke, right?

It is the most moronic thing I have ever read on here, and I started posting here 15 years ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I'm sorry you are feeling this. Totally understand what you are going through. I think that DCPS could do many different things and be creative about this. In the midst of delta, I don't think reopening all elementary schools for everyone, having 30 person classrooms, full cafeterias is a good idea. That said, why can't DCPS reopen for PK-2 because this is really the group that virtual makes the least sense (kids 3, 4, 5, 6 don't have the attention span or the maturity to sit through these virtual classes). Then DCPS can have a more flexible virtual/in-person for 3-5 to alleviate the crowding at elementary schools. Middle school and High schools should all be open because kids have access to vaccines. That is just one thought and there are probably many more, but DCSP is not thinking of alternate plans and burying their heads in the sand.

YES! A more flexible virtual/in-person for 3-5 until they can be vaccinated, soon. Considering how contagious delta is, and how much circulating virus there will be by September, it's unacceptable that the only option for cautious upper el families be to seek a fraudulent medical note and to abandon their own elementary school for a full year of virtual academy.

I'm glad that the people who want to have a virtual option will have one, but it is unfair to teachers and other students to do concurrent, or some hybrid option. We've listened to teachers here tell us how difficult this past year has been, and how overworked they are. I don't believe it is right to ask them to continue.

I hear you about the impacts to teachers because I could see the toll on my son’s teacher. That said, delta is on the rise and I’m hoping we could have *some* flexibility for this narrow group of students until a vaccine is available. I am sensitive to the disruption to teachers and students and these are legit concerns.

"Narrow group of students"? We are talking about thousands of kids. And if it's going to be optional - why only offer it to grades 3-5? Do you think there aren't a similar number of overly cautious Pk-2 parents? Are you going to tell them that it's only for 3-5 because those kids deal with virtual school well, which is in fact not the case for most of them?

This is a poorly thought out proposal that's tailored to your needs, but doesn't do right by the kids, who need to be in school. There is a reason European countries have only offered the opt-out from in person learning to those with a true medical need. I realize American parents are prone to wanting this handled differently due to the strong homeschooling culture, but you can do exactly that if you really think it is too dangerous for your kids to be in school this fall.

[Anonymous]

I'm just glad this insanity plan is to dumb to actually be considered by anyone with actual power

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I'm sorry you are feeling this. Totally understand what you are going through. I think that DCPS could do many different things and be creative about this. In the midst of delta, I don't think reopening all elementary schools for everyone, having 30 person classrooms, full cafeterias is a good idea. That said, why can't DCPS reopen for PK-2 because this is really the group that virtual makes the least sense (kids 3, 4, 5, 6 don't have the attention span or the maturity to sit through these virtual classes). Then DCPS can have a more flexible virtual/in-person for 3-5 to alleviate the crowding at elementary schools. Middle school and High schools should all be open because kids have access to vaccines. That is just one thought and there are probably many more, but DCSP is not thinking of alternate plans and burying their heads in the sand.

YES! A more flexible virtual/in-person for 3-5 until they can be vaccinated, soon. Considering how contagious delta is, and how much circulating virus there will be by September, it's unacceptable that the only option for cautious upper el families be to seek a fraudulent medical note and to abandon their own elementary school for a full year of virtual academy.

I'm glad that the people who want to have a virtual option will have one, but it is unfair to teachers and other students to do concurrent, or some hybrid option. We've listened to teachers here tell us how difficult this past year has been, and how overworked they are. I don't believe it is right to ask them to continue.

I hear you about the impacts to teachers because I could see the toll on my son’s teacher. That said, delta is on the rise and I’m hoping we could have *some* flexibility for this narrow group of students until a vaccine is available. I am sensitive to the disruption to teachers and students and these are legit concerns.

"Narrow group of students"? We are talking about thousands of kids. And if it's going to be optional - why only offer it to grades 3-5? Do you think there aren't a similar number of overly cautious Pk-2 parents? Are you going to tell them that it's only for 3-5 because those kids deal with virtual school well, which is in fact not the case for most of them?

This is a poorly thought out proposal that's tailored to your needs, but doesn't do right by the kids, who need to be in school. There is a reason European countries have only offered the opt-out from in person learning to those with a true medical need. I realize American parents are prone to wanting this handled differently due to the strong homeschooling culture, but you can do exactly that if you really think it is too dangerous for your kids to be in school this fall.

You raise good points about unfairness to PK-2nd. This is an attempt to think of ways to address concerns raised about virtual not working for little ones. At the end of the day, no ones going to be happy with any decision. I already had a medical waiver for my child who is at high risk. But I worry about elementary students who are the last group who doesn’t have access to any vaccine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I'm sorry you are feeling this. Totally understand what you are going through. I think that DCPS could do many different things and be creative about this. In the midst of delta, I don't think reopening all elementary schools for everyone, having 30 person classrooms, full cafeterias is a good idea. That said, why can't DCPS reopen for PK-2 because this is really the group that virtual makes the least sense (kids 3, 4, 5, 6 don't have the attention span or the maturity to sit through these virtual classes). Then DCPS can have a more flexible virtual/in-person for 3-5 to alleviate the crowding at elementary schools. Middle school and High schools should all be open because kids have access to vaccines. That is just one thought and there are probably many more, but DCSP is not thinking of alternate plans and burying their heads in the sand.

YES! A more flexible virtual/in-person for 3-5 until they can be vaccinated, soon. Considering how contagious delta is, and how much circulating virus there will be by September, it's unacceptable that the only option for cautious upper el families be to seek a fraudulent medical note and to abandon their own elementary school for a full year of virtual academy.

I'm glad that the people who want to have a virtual option will have one, but it is unfair to teachers and other students to do concurrent, or some hybrid option. We've listened to teachers here tell us how difficult this past year has been, and how overworked they are. I don't believe it is right to ask them to continue.

I hear you about the impacts to teachers because I could see the toll on my son’s teacher. That said, delta is on the rise and I’m hoping we could have *some* flexibility for this narrow group of students until a vaccine is available. I am sensitive to the disruption to teachers and students and these are legit concerns.

"Narrow group of students"? We are talking about thousands of kids. And if it's going to be optional - why only offer it to grades 3-5? Do you think there aren't a similar number of overly cautious Pk-2 parents? Are you going to tell them that it's only for 3-5 because those kids deal with virtual school well, which is in fact not the case for most of them?

This is a poorly thought out proposal that's tailored to your needs, but doesn't do right by the kids, who need to be in school. There is a reason European countries have only offered the opt-out from in person learning to those with a true medical need. I realize American parents are prone to wanting this handled differently due to the strong homeschooling culture, but you can do exactly that if you really think it is too dangerous for your kids to be in school this fall.

You raise good points about unfairness to PK-2nd. This is an attempt to think of ways to address concerns raised about virtual not working for little ones. At the end of the day, no ones going to be happy with any decision. I already had a medical waiver for my child who is at high risk. But I worry about elementary students who are the last group who doesn’t have access to any vaccine.

You can stop worring because covid is not high risk for elementary school kids! how fortunate is that? Not sure why you're wasting your mental energy on this. Kids should be encouraged to return in person and given accurate information, not concern-trolling about the need for virtual for "cautious" parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I'm sorry you are feeling this. Totally understand what you are going through. I think that DCPS could do many different things and be creative about this. In the midst of delta, I don't think reopening all elementary schools for everyone, having 30 person classrooms, full cafeterias is a good idea. That said, why can't DCPS reopen for PK-2 because this is really the group that virtual makes the least sense (kids 3, 4, 5, 6 don't have the attention span or the maturity to sit through these virtual classes). Then DCPS can have a more flexible virtual/in-person for 3-5 to alleviate the crowding at elementary schools. Middle school and High schools should all be open because kids have access to vaccines. That is just one thought and there are probably many more, but DCSP is not thinking of alternate plans and burying their heads in the sand.

YES! A more flexible virtual/in-person for 3-5 until they can be vaccinated, soon. Considering how contagious delta is, and how much circulating virus there will be by September, it's unacceptable that the only option for cautious upper el families be to seek a fraudulent medical note and to abandon their own elementary school for a full year of virtual academy.

I'm glad that the people who want to have a virtual option will have one, but it is unfair to teachers and other students to do concurrent, or some hybrid option. We've listened to teachers here tell us how difficult this past year has been, and how overworked they are. I don't believe it is right to ask them to continue.

I hear you about the impacts to teachers because I could see the toll on my son’s teacher. That said, delta is on the rise and I’m hoping we could have *some* flexibility for this narrow group of students until a vaccine is available. I am sensitive to the disruption to teachers and students and these are legit concerns.

"Narrow group of students"? We are talking about thousands of kids. And if it's going to be optional - why only offer it to grades 3-5? Do you think there aren't a similar number of overly cautious Pk-2 parents? Are you going to tell them that it's only for 3-5 because those kids deal with virtual school well, which is in fact not the case for most of them?

This is a poorly thought out proposal that's tailored to your needs, but doesn't do right by the kids, who need to be in school. There is a reason European countries have only offered the opt-out from in person learning to those with a true medical need. I realize American parents are prone to wanting this handled differently due to the strong homeschooling culture, but you can do exactly that if you really think it is too dangerous for your kids to be in school this fall.

You raise good points about unfairness to PK-2nd. This is an attempt to think of ways to address concerns raised about virtual not working for little ones. At the end of the day, no ones going to be happy with any decision. I already had a medical waiver for my child who is at high risk. But I worry about elementary students who are the last group who doesn’t have access to any vaccine.

You can stop worring because covid is not high risk for elementary school kids! how fortunate is that? Not sure why you're wasting your mental energy on this. Kids should be encouraged to return in person and given accurate information, not concern-trolling about the need for virtual for "cautious" parents.

Right? And it isn't even guaranteed that they're going to get a vaccine because the risk is so, so low.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I'm sorry you are feeling this. Totally understand what you are going through. I think that DCPS could do many different things and be creative about this. In the midst of delta, I don't think reopening all elementary schools for everyone, having 30 person classrooms, full cafeterias is a good idea. That said, why can't DCPS reopen for PK-2 because this is really the group that virtual makes the least sense (kids 3, 4, 5, 6 don't have the attention span or the maturity to sit through these virtual classes). Then DCPS can have a more flexible virtual/in-person for 3-5 to alleviate the crowding at elementary schools. Middle school and High schools should all be open because kids have access to vaccines. That is just one thought and there are probably many more, but DCSP is not thinking of alternate plans and burying their heads in the sand.

YES! A more flexible virtual/in-person for 3-5 until they can be vaccinated, soon. Considering how contagious delta is, and how much circulating virus there will be by September, it's unacceptable that the only option for cautious upper el families be to seek a fraudulent medical note and to abandon their own elementary school for a full year of virtual academy.

I'm glad that the people who want to have a virtual option will have one, but it is unfair to teachers and other students to do concurrent, or some hybrid option. We've listened to teachers here tell us how difficult this past year has been, and how overworked they are. I don't believe it is right to ask them to continue.

I hear you about the impacts to teachers because I could see the toll on my son’s teacher. That said, delta is on the rise and I’m hoping we could have *some* flexibility for this narrow group of students until a vaccine is available. I am sensitive to the disruption to teachers and students and these are legit concerns.

"Narrow group of students"? We are talking about thousands of kids. And if it's going to be optional - why only offer it to grades 3-5? Do you think there aren't a similar number of overly cautious Pk-2 parents? Are you going to tell them that it's only for 3-5 because those kids deal with virtual school well, which is in fact not the case for most of them?

This is a poorly thought out proposal that's tailored to your needs, but doesn't do right by the kids, who need to be in school. There is a reason European countries have only offered the opt-out from in person learning to those with a true medical need. I realize American parents are prone to wanting this handled differently due to the strong homeschooling culture, but you can do exactly that if you really think it is too dangerous for your kids to be in school this fall.

You raise good points about unfairness to PK-2nd. This is an attempt to think of ways to address concerns raised about virtual not working for little ones. At the end of the day, no ones going to be happy with any decision. I already had a medical waiver for my child who is at high risk. But I worry about elementary students who are the last group who doesn’t have access to any vaccine.

Virtual isn't working for most elementary schoolers. It's true it is worse the younger they are, but grades 3-5 also learn much better in school among their peers. I can tell you that DL was a disaster for my second grader, and there are no indications that he would fare any better in third grade. Especially having just been deprived of a year of school, with all the consequences that has had, both social-emotionally and academically. So while I do not want him to catch Covid, and we are taking precautions outside of sending him to camp, I know he needs to be in school. I don't think it is a good idea to make it too easy for parents to indulge their own anxiety about Covid and keep their kids home. It remains a fact that kids of this age without underlying conditions are at minuscule risk of serious illness or long-term effects from the virus.