DCPS Employee Return to In Person Work Guidance

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

So, you have a choice? What if the school gets shut due to a Covid outbreak do you then have to use your leave if you yourself don't actually have it but have to self-isolate or caught it from the school?

That’s one of my questions. I’m not sure we have a choice—I couldn’t get the intent form to open so I’m not sure what it says. But if they don’t follow through on what they say, or my class needs to self isolate, I’m not using my leave to do so. If there’s an option to do remote teaching that’s probably what i’ll do, if only because there are too many unanswered questions.

Or take a year out from DCPS and nanny/teach for a family with young kids. I would match whatever a teacher is getting paid to have one help us out this year. I know many many families who would also

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

So, you have a choice? What if the school gets shut due to a Covid outbreak do you then have to use your leave if you yourself don't actually have it but have to self-isolate or caught it from the school?

That’s one of my questions. I’m not sure we have a choice—I couldn’t get the intent form to open so I’m not sure what it says. But if they don’t follow through on what they say, or my class needs to self isolate, I’m not using my leave to do so. If there’s an option to do remote teaching that’s probably what i’ll do, if only because there are too many unanswered questions.

Or take a year out from DCPS and nanny/teach for a family with young kids. I would match whatever a teacher is getting paid to have one help us out this year. I know many many families who would also

You're going to match 110K?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

So, you have a choice? What if the school gets shut due to a Covid outbreak do you then have to use your leave if you yourself don't actually have it but have to self-isolate or caught it from the school?

That’s one of my questions. I’m not sure we have a choice—I couldn’t get the intent form to open so I’m not sure what it says. But if they don’t follow through on what they say, or my class needs to self isolate, I’m not using my leave to do so. If there’s an option to do remote teaching that’s probably what i’ll do, if only because there are too many unanswered questions.

Or take a year out from DCPS and nanny/teach for a family with young kids. I would match whatever a teacher is getting paid to have one help us out this year. I know many many families who would also

Thought about it, but my husband took a massive salary cut so we need my salary and benefits. And DCPS pays really well so I doubt a family could
cover salary+benefits.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can’t open the intent to return letter, what does that say? Just that we will return to whatever they decide?

Got it to work. Before the form it also includes this: "The in-person return to work date for employees will be determined based on public health data, and employees will receive advanced notice regarding their specific return to in-person work date." The form then asks for name, work location, choose one of two options, and type your name to sign:


Work Setting Considerations *
( ) I plan to return to in-person work, with the provision of safety measures aligned to DC Health recommendations.
( ) I belive I have a qualifying medical condition pursuant to FMLA and/or ADA and I plan to apply for leave or I do not have a qualifying medical condition,
but I believe I am at higher risk (Higher Risk Guidance) for severe illness due to COVID-19 pursuant to the Families First Coronavirus Relief Act (FFCRA)
and do not plan to return in person for safety and/or health reasons for myself or someone in my household.

If there are other concerns not related to FMLA, ADA, or FFCRA, please follow up directly with your supervisor.

By typing my name below, I certify that I have answered all questions to the best of my ability, and I acknowledge that DCPS will use this information to assist with planning for the in-person return to work for DCPS staff.

[Anonymous]

I think DCPS is going to have a real problem with teachers who have PK and lower elementary school students taking off three days a week to care for their child in this hybrid method. They can do so using the CARES act? until December 31. Who is going to cover these classes? And if several teachers a day have a cold the self assessment will say to stay home because they don't know if it's COVID. Where are they going to get subs for these classes? Currently in most high schools teachers are forced to cover on their planning periods. That is not going to fly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think DCPS is going to have a real problem with teachers who have PK and lower elementary school students taking off three days a week to care for their child in this hybrid method. They can do so using the CARES act? until December 31. Who is going to cover these classes? And if several teachers a day have a cold the self assessment will say to stay home because they don't know if it's COVID. Where are they going to get subs for these classes? Currently in most high schools teachers are forced to cover on their planning periods. That is not going to fly.

The sub situation is going to be a problem, covering and working in your own school during Covid at least you know the set-up where something is, etc! Can you imagine a sub coming in and out different schools they would need to be like Naomi Campbell, completely covered, gloves, goggles and masks! They don't have a classroom, where are they gong to wait between classes or put their things or aides and paras? They have not thought this through, also many of the nurses rooms are tiny so kids are going to be lined up in hallways during flu season. Is the nurse or someone else going to sanitize the room after each visit! I get that schools have to return but the logistics, IDK!

[Anonymous]

Also this means we’ll be doing distance learning/hybrid for all of the next school year?! That’s nuts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also this means we’ll be doing distance learning/hybrid for all of the next school year?! That’s nuts.

I'm still unclear are they saying that you have a choice as in MD or that it is hybrid and if you refuse you have to use medical reason? I was about to apply to teach so I'm confused and want to be clear before I commit!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also this means we’ll be doing distance learning/hybrid for all of the next school year?! That’s nuts.

I'm still unclear are they saying that you have a choice as in MD or that it is hybrid and if you refuse you have to use medical reason? I was about to apply to teach so I'm confused and want to be clear before I commit!

I don't know how MD phrased it, but it definitely seems to me like you only have the option to online teach if you have a medical reason. The option for online teaching is very much leading it to look like you have to take FMLA/ADA/etc not just that you have the option to remote work. Which I'm guessing is intentional to keep everyone from choosing that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also this means we’ll be doing distance learning/hybrid for all of the next school year?! That’s nuts.

I'm still unclear are they saying that you have a choice as in MD or that it is hybrid and if you refuse you have to use medical reason? I was about to apply to teach so I'm confused and want to be clear before I commit!

I don't know how MD phrased it, but it definitely seems to me like you only have the option to online teach if you have a medical reason. The option for online teaching is very much leading it to look like you have to take FMLA/ADA/etc not just that you have the option to remote work. Which I'm guessing is intentional to keep everyone from choosing that.

So what students get the online classes, the students that also don't want to commit to full school due to health reason? How are they going to match the kids up with teachers. I'm confused!! They recently advertised for ESL, so that is what I was going to apply for!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also this means we’ll be doing distance learning/hybrid for all of the next school year?! That’s nuts.

I'm still unclear are they saying that you have a choice as in MD or that it is hybrid and if you refuse you have to use medical reason? I was about to apply to teach so I'm confused and want to be clear before I commit!

I don't know how MD phrased it, but it definitely seems to me like you only have the option to online teach if you have a medical reason. The option for online teaching is very much leading it to look like you have to take FMLA/ADA/etc not just that you have the option to remote work. Which I'm guessing is intentional to keep everyone from choosing that.

If you take FMLA you are actually off work and they cannot ask/require you to work. So literally the option is come back to in person or take leave ( no online teaching). It appears they are going to try and make teachers do both (online and in person).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think DCPS is going to have a real problem with teachers who have PK and lower elementary school students taking off three days a week to care for their child in this hybrid method. They can do so using the CARES act? until December 31. Who is going to cover these classes? And if several teachers a day have a cold the self assessment will say to stay home because they don't know if it's COVID. Where are they going to get subs for these classes? Currently in most high schools teachers are forced to cover on their planning periods. That is not going to fly.

I think this is going to be a problem too. For all of us with young school-age children, a hybrid schedule is going to be tricky. I hope that DCPS offers childcare for teachers, but unless it offers something that will work for my child with special needs, I expect I will take leave. I feel bad about the impact that will have on my students, but I don't see another good option. My children are too young to leave home alone, and if they won't let me do distance learning on the days my children are home I feel like I may have no choice but to take the leave.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also this means we’ll be doing distance learning/hybrid for all of the next school year?! That’s nuts.

I'm still unclear are they saying that you have a choice as in MD or that it is hybrid and if you refuse you have to use medical reason? I was about to apply to teach so I'm confused and want to be clear before I commit!

I don't know how MD phrased it, but it definitely seems to me like you only have the option to online teach if you have a medical reason. The option for online teaching is very much leading it to look like you have to take FMLA/ADA/etc not just that you have the option to remote work. Which I'm guessing is intentional to keep everyone from choosing that.

If you take FMLA you are actually off work and they cannot ask/require you to work. So literally the option is come back to in person or take leave ( no online teaching). It appears they are going to try and make teachers do both (online and in person).

Well the option ends up "do not plan to return in person" so it's not fully "I'm taking leave and won't be back." Think of it from DCPS' perspective. If you give people the option, too many teachers will opt for at home teaching. Then they have to go through and see who actually qualifies. The way they worded it, they are clear that you must have a medical exception that would qualify you for FMLA OR you are at higher risk. Once they have the responses they can go through and process FMLA for those who want it, then place those who are at risk in online teaching positions.

What the form doesn't say is whether this decision is binding, or if you can change later if you become high risk, or they don't hold up their end of the bargain.

[Anonymous]

( ) I belive I have a qualifying medical condition pursuant to FMLA and/or ADA and I plan to apply for leave

or

I do not have a qualifying medical condition,
but I believe I am at higher risk (Higher Risk Guidance) for severe illness due to COVID-19 pursuant to the Families First Coronavirus Relief Act (FFCRA)
and do not plan to return in person for safety and/or health reasons for myself or someone in my household.

So it seems that teachers who are at high risk or who live with someone who is high can opt out of returning in person for health/safety reasons. Presumably, they could do DL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also this means we’ll be doing distance learning/hybrid for all of the next school year?! That’s nuts.

I'm still unclear are they saying that you have a choice as in MD or that it is hybrid and if you refuse you have to use medical reason? I was about to apply to teach so I'm confused and want to be clear before I commit!

I don't know how MD phrased it, but it definitely seems to me like you only have the option to online teach if you have a medical reason. The option for online teaching is very much leading it to look like you have to take FMLA/ADA/etc not just that you have the option to remote work. Which I'm guessing is intentional to keep everyone from choosing that.

If you take FMLA you are actually off work and they cannot ask/require you to work. So literally the option is come back to in person or take leave ( no online teaching). It appears they are going to try and make teachers do both (online and in person).

Well the option ends up "do not plan to return in person" so it's not fully "I'm taking leave and won't be back." Think of it from DCPS' perspective. If you give people the option, too many teachers will opt for at home teaching. Then they have to go through and see who actually qualifies. The way they worded it, they are clear that you must have a medical exception that would qualify you for FMLA OR you are at higher risk. Once they have the responses they can go through and process FMLA for those who want it, then place those who are at risk in online teaching positions.

What the form doesn't say is whether this decision is binding, or if you can change later if you become high risk, or they don't hold up their end of the bargain.

Well I already know they won’t uphold their end of the bargain. They never do.