Should DCPS follow suit with MCPS starting year 100% Virtual?

[Anonymous]

It would be too chaotic to have in person learning. What don't folks get? The logistics is just too much and I hated DL for my 2nd and 4th grader.

These are unforeseen times and we just have to deal with it and not get all up in arms when we are lucky to be alive!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:BTW, I think anyone saying they support this just wants full distance learning all year. So, just say that you don't value in person instruction for this year.

We live in such a sad sad society that this no plan is seen as a plan. DC closed school 3 weeks early last year in the name of planning and clearly neither MoCo nor DCPS used the time to thinks thing through.

We are essentially a 3rd world nation when it comes to healthcare policy and education ... can't stop the virus, can't teach our kids.

Have you read the Moco plan? It’s not, not a plan. Moco mom & DC teacher here. Kids will be back in Moco & much more sustainably than in DCPS. DCPS will open too fast & too soon & close again. Moco will do s slow & steady & come out the winner.

Read it in detail. I guess we can reconvene this thread in December but 4th graders in MoCo won't see a classroom this year. The "phased" plan does nothing for sustainability or allowing kids to actually learn anything.

[Anonymous]

18:00
Interesting. And do you think DC kids will be in school more/faster than Moco? Or do you think everyone will be DL?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It would be too chaotic to have in person learning. What don't folks get? The logistics is just too much and I hated DL for my 2nd and 4th grader.

These are unforeseen times and we just have to deal with it and not get all up in arms when we are lucky to be alive!

Oh, this is where I completely disagree. These were not unforeseen times. Europe saw these times, Australia and New Zealand saw these times. Our federal and state leaders didn't act and aren't acting now. If kids were put first, bars would be closed, Disney would be closed, church would be closed and we'd be safely opening schools with PPE, tests, and enough space for safe learning. This wasn't some inevitable consequence and because of this, I can't say "bravo" to this kind of "plan".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It would be too chaotic to have in person learning. What don't folks get? The logistics is just too much and I hated DL for my 2nd and 4th grader.

These are unforeseen times and we just have to deal with it and not get all up in arms when we are lucky to be alive!

Oh, this is where I completely disagree. These were not unforeseen times. Europe saw these times, Australia and New Zealand saw these times. Our federal and state leaders didn't act and aren't acting now. If kids were put first, bars would be closed, Disney would be closed, church would be closed and we'd be safely opening schools with PPE, tests, and enough space for safe learning. This wasn't some inevitable consequence and because of this, I can't say "bravo" to this kind of "plan".

I have to agree our 'state' and federal government have done a very poor job. This is what I as a teacher have been trying to message. I WANT to teach in person, you think I like sitting in front of a screen all day?? I legit had to buy some blue light glasses, it sucks!

But we have never invested in public schools, this is the price we are paying for ignoring it. Teachers have been paying for basic supplies for decades, there's plenty of evidence for this. How many other public service professions to people have to place their own money into?

We really need to take this time to demand for more funds to education, there's no reason schools should be remote learning! They need to spend funds on the supplies to clean schools, masks, daily checks, PPE, dividers, more building space, etc. to ensure safety.

S

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It would be too chaotic to have in person learning. What don't folks get? The logistics is just too much and I hated DL for my 2nd and 4th grader.

These are unforeseen times and we just have to deal with it and not get all up in arms when we are lucky to be alive!

Oh, this is where I completely disagree. These were not unforeseen times. Europe saw these times, Australia and New Zealand saw these times. Our federal and state leaders didn't act and aren't acting now. If kids were put first, bars would be closed, Disney would be closed, church would be closed and we'd be safely opening schools with PPE, tests, and enough space for safe learning. This wasn't some inevitable consequence and because of this, I can't say "bravo" to this kind of "plan".

I have to agree our 'state' and federal government have done a very poor job. This is what I as a teacher have been trying to message. I WANT to teach in person, you think I like sitting in front of a screen all day?? I legit had to buy some blue light glasses, it sucks!

But we have never invested in public schools, this is the price we are paying for ignoring it. Teachers have been paying for basic supplies for decades, there's plenty of evidence for this. How many other public service professions to people have to place their own money into?

We really need to take this time to demand for more funds to education, there's no reason schools should be remote learning! They need to spend funds on the supplies to clean schools, masks, daily checks, PPE, dividers, more building space, etc. to ensure safety.

S

Tests, tests and more tests. We needed massive amounts of tests, which is what was supposed to be manufactured and distributed from March until now. Our government has failed. There are no good choices but the safest choice is to continue to do DL.

Which will suck for everyone and especially the kids who most benefit from being in school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It would be too chaotic to have in person learning. What don't folks get? The logistics is just too much and I hated DL for my 2nd and 4th grader.

These are unforeseen times and we just have to deal with it and not get all up in arms when we are lucky to be alive!

Oh, this is where I completely disagree. These were not unforeseen times. Europe saw these times, Australia and New Zealand saw these times. Our federal and state leaders didn't act and aren't acting now. If kids were put first, bars would be closed, Disney would be closed, church would be closed and we'd be safely opening schools with PPE, tests, and enough space for safe learning. This wasn't some inevitable consequence and because of this, I can't say "bravo" to this kind of "plan".

I have to agree our 'state' and federal government have done a very poor job. This is what I as a teacher have been trying to message. I WANT to teach in person, you think I like sitting in front of a screen all day?? I legit had to buy some blue light glasses, it sucks!

But we have never invested in public schools, this is the price we are paying for ignoring it. Teachers have been paying for basic supplies for decades, there's plenty of evidence for this. How many other public service professions to people have to place their own money into?

We really need to take this time to demand for more funds to education, there's no reason schools should be remote learning! They need to spend funds on the supplies to clean schools, masks, daily checks, PPE, dividers, more building space, etc. to ensure safety.

Then we completely agree. I'm not mad, at all, at teachers that don't want to teach given the circumstances. (Just like I understand doctors fuming they were having to reuse masks in March.) I am just so beyond disgusted that we are "welp ... women will stay home and 1st graders will watch recorded videos and that's just how it has to be this year"

[Anonymous]

Yes! Start with DL and slowly go through phases 1-3. It makes so much sense to gradually allow students to come in, just like how the states reopened, in phases.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yeah we should reopen schools, but not handwaving away the CDC’s guidelines in the hopes that it will all work out. Distance learning isn’t ideal, but I don’t know what kind of socialization (or education) is going to happen if school is all about maintaining social distancing and masks, and it’s certainly not going to happen if there are more cases like the one in Texas where a kid infected both of his parents who subsequently died. And cleaning surfaces doesn’t do a darn bit of good if the spread is, as increasingly thought, through aerosols. Why not err on the side of caution until we know more, and have the supports in place to proceed with the least amount of risk to students, staff, teachers, and parents? Again, it’s no ideal but ... it’s a (hopefully) once in a lifetime situation.

NP. I agree, and I agree that MCPS may end up doing DL all year. But I appreciate that MCPS is watching what is happening and will adjust as possible/needed.

MCPS will not have any live instruction this year. it isnt because they are cautious and monitoring the situation. it's because their teacher union has them wrapped around their fingers and wont allow teachers back in the building. it's a shit show and parents are scrambling to find private schools and tutors since the DL curriculum does not exist. it will be a repeat of the spring. trust me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:BTW, I think anyone saying they support this just wants full distance learning all year. So, just say that you don't value in person instruction for this year.

We live in such a sad sad society that this no plan is seen as a plan. DC closed school 3 weeks early last year in the name of planning and clearly neither MoCo nor DCPS used the time to thinks thing through.

We are essentially a 3rd world nation when it comes to healthcare policy and education ... can't stop the virus, can't teach our kids.

I can tell that this really bothers you. You sound like you've given up hope. If you could make the decision unilaterally, what would it be?

I’m not PP but DCPS could’ve used all that time acquiring laptops for every student and making WiFi available and operated under the assumption that we’d spend at least a good portion of the year DL (e.g. in the midst of flu season).

[Anonymous]

Honestly if things are as they are right now no. But when it gets cold around October then maybe yes.
Some in person is better than none.
But does anyone have any info about DCPS actually getting more cleaning supplies, PPE, etc.?

I am a DCPS teacher and it seems like crickets. I so badly want to teach in person but I just can't spend money buying a bunch of cleaning supplies and school supplies.

[Anonymous]

Bets on whether or not before and/or aftercare will be available?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes! Start with DL and slowly go through phases 1-3. It makes so much sense to gradually allow students to come in, just like how the states reopened, in phases.

I think that starting with DL, and that gradually phasing in kids makes sense. I think that having 10th graders before third graders makes no sense whatsoever. 3rd through 5th graders are, frankly, the sweet spot. Old enough to understand the expectations, and young enough not to buck them just because. Old enough to keep a mask on, and young enough to spread and get the virus less. Plus you can do small classes with no switching.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bets on whether or not before and/or aftercare will be available?

This is a joke right? 100% hard no. This has already been acknowledged by at least DCPS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes! Start with DL and slowly go through phases 1-3. It makes so much sense to gradually allow students to come in, just like how the states reopened, in phases.

I think that starting with DL, and that gradually phasing in kids makes sense. I think that having 10th graders before third graders makes no sense whatsoever. 3rd through 5th graders are, frankly, the sweet spot. Old enough to understand the expectations, and young enough not to buck them just because. Old enough to keep a mask on, and young enough to spread and get the virus less. Plus you can do small classes with no switching.

I want to know where you teach because ....wow. The privilege to have this be true at your school.