Seriously -What happens if we don’t participate in Zoom?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Meanwhile 95% of parent survey responders at my MS want mandatory Zoom classes that contain all of the instruction so kids can't miss them. The other 5% vehemently insist that this is too much and kids are fine with pre-recorded instruction and office hours. Can we please have a vaccine now?

And admin wants us to consider giving small assignments that are only posted during Zoom 'class' so that kids who are absent have to come to office hours to make up the work.

It's going to be "not enough" assignments or "I'm drowning" in them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Elementary school mom here. The sample schedule shows kids online for over 5 hours a day. What parent wants their kid online for that long?

I have 4 kids. My ES kid is my oldest. Now I’m expected to keep everyone home and indoors all day to facilitate Zoom meetings for 1/4 of my kids? Feels really unfair to my family. I also work PT but my hours are flexible. I do most of my work in the early morning hours. My husband is an essential worker and out of the house daily from 8 - 6.

I don’t want to homeschool. Seriously, what is going to happen if we simply say, we’re happy to do the work but unable to be online. My kids need movement and fresh air. They also need an engaged parent who is available and attentive to all their needs. Not just playing personal assistant to the needs of the ES kid.

Your child has had fresh air for 5 months.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This fall there will be an attendance process and more accountability on the part of students. Do know exactly what that is, but it won't be as loose as 4th qtr was.

In the BOE meeting they indicated that attendance will be taken and students will receive grades.... but why is this equitable now? when it wasn’t equitable in the spring?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I really hope parents communicate this concern bc it is mine as well. We are not sure how to do both.

+1

I communicated my concern that the five or whatever hours of Zoom per day is far too much for elementary school kids. My older two are rising first and third graders, and DH and I both work FT (albeit from home, but our hours aren't super flexible and our workloads have increased due to COVID). If MCPS doesn't change the proposed hours, we'll figure it out.

Officially withdrawing them and homeschooling is something we're considering.

+2 what about those who are a teacher and parent, who helps little ones at home log into Zoom and stay put while teaching at the same time for hours at a time? A lot of homeschooling I guess or one parent quits?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This fall there will be an attendance process and more accountability on the part of students. Do know exactly what that is, but it won't be as loose as 4th qtr was.

In the BOE meeting they indicated that attendance will be taken and students will receive grades.... but why is this equitable now? when it wasn’t equitable in the spring?

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This fall there will be an attendance process and more accountability on the part of students. Do know exactly what that is, but it won't be as loose as 4th qtr was.

In the BOE meeting they indicated that attendance will be taken and students will receive grades.... but why is this equitable now? when it wasn’t equitable in the spring?

BOE doesn't seem to realize that school starts in six weeks. These are key decisions that they are refusing to make. We'll find out in August or more likely September or October what their decision will be. They should be having emergency sessions every day to iron out these details. Instead, it's business as usual.

[Anonymous]

I think homeschooling is wonderful. But a lot of parents who have never researched homeschooling are diving into it totally unprepared. This won’t be good for mcps either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Elementary school mom here. The sample schedule shows kids online for over 5 hours a day. What parent wants their kid online for that long?

I have 4 kids. My ES kid is my oldest. Now I’m expected to keep everyone home and indoors all day to facilitate Zoom meetings for 1/4 of my kids? Feels really unfair to my family. I also work PT but my hours are flexible. I do most of my work in the early morning hours. My husband is an essential worker and out of the house daily from 8 - 6.

I don’t want to homeschool. Seriously, what is going to happen if we simply say, we’re happy to do the work but unable to be online. My kids need movement and fresh air. They also need an engaged parent who is available and attentive to all their needs. Not just playing personal assistant to the needs of the ES kid.

Yes, because it is really all about you, your family, and your needs. Not the thousands of others they are also trying to accommodate, princess.

Perhaps fewer kids in your next life?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Elementary school mom here. The sample schedule shows kids online for over 5 hours a day. What parent wants their kid online for that long?

I have 4 kids. My ES kid is my oldest. Now I’m expected to keep everyone home and indoors all day to facilitate Zoom meetings for 1/4 of my kids? Feels really unfair to my family. I also work PT but my hours are flexible. I do most of my work in the early morning hours. My husband is an essential worker and out of the house daily from 8 - 6.

I don’t want to homeschool. Seriously, what is going to happen if we simply say, we’re happy to do the work but unable to be online. My kids need movement and fresh air. They also need an engaged parent who is available and attentive to all their needs. Not just playing personal assistant to the needs of the ES kid.

Yes, because it is really all about you, your family, and your needs. Not the thousands of others they are also trying to accommodate, princess.

Perhaps fewer kids in your next life?

What do you want her to do, return some of them?

OP, if you can't manage the Zoom, then you can't. Tell the teacher (when you get to that point). It is what it is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Elementary school mom here. The sample schedule shows kids online for over 5 hours a day. What parent wants their kid online for that long?

I have 4 kids. My ES kid is my oldest. Now I’m expected to keep everyone home and indoors all day to facilitate Zoom meetings for 1/4 of my kids? Feels really unfair to my family. I also work PT but my hours are flexible. I do most of my work in the early morning hours. My husband is an essential worker and out of the house daily from 8 - 6.

I don’t want to homeschool. Seriously, what is going to happen if we simply say, we’re happy to do the work but unable to be online. My kids need movement and fresh air. They also need an engaged parent who is available and attentive to all their needs. Not just playing personal assistant to the needs of the ES kid.

Yes, because it is really all about you, your family, and your needs. Not the thousands of others they are also trying to accommodate, princess.

Perhaps fewer kids in your next life?

These teachers can be vicious when it’s anonymous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Elementary school mom here. The sample schedule shows kids online for over 5 hours a day. What parent wants their kid online for that long?

I have 4 kids. My ES kid is my oldest. Now I’m expected to keep everyone home and indoors all day to facilitate Zoom meetings for 1/4 of my kids? Feels really unfair to my family. I also work PT but my hours are flexible. I do most of my work in the early morning hours. My husband is an essential worker and out of the house daily from 8 - 6.

I don’t want to homeschool. Seriously, what is going to happen if we simply say, we’re happy to do the work but unable to be online. My kids need movement and fresh air. They also need an engaged parent who is available and attentive to all their needs. Not just playing personal assistant to the needs of the ES kid.

Yes, because it is really all about you, your family, and your needs. Not the thousands of others they are also trying to accommodate, princess.

Perhaps fewer kids in your next life?

These teachers can be vicious when it’s anonymous.

Yes, everybody who is in favor of DL, which the PP may or may not be, is a teacher. Generalizing is also vicious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Elementary school mom here. The sample schedule shows kids online for over 5 hours a day. What parent wants their kid online for that long?

I have 4 kids. My ES kid is my oldest. Now I’m expected to keep everyone home and indoors all day to facilitate Zoom meetings for 1/4 of my kids? Feels really unfair to my family. I also work PT but my hours are flexible. I do most of my work in the early morning hours. My husband is an essential worker and out of the house daily from 8 - 6.

I don’t want to homeschool. Seriously, what is going to happen if we simply say, we’re happy to do the work but unable to be online. My kids need movement and fresh air. They also need an engaged parent who is available and attentive to all their needs. Not just playing personal assistant to the needs of the ES kid.

Yes, because it is really all about you, your family, and your needs. Not the thousands of others they are also trying to accommodate, princess.

Perhaps fewer kids in your next life?

These teachers can be vicious when it’s anonymous.

Yes, everybody who is in favor of DL, which the PP may or may not be, is a teacher. Generalizing is also vicious.

Yep, a teacher. LOL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I really hope parents communicate this concern bc it is mine as well. We are not sure how to do both.

+1

I communicated my concern that the five or whatever hours of Zoom per day is far too much for elementary school kids. My older two are rising first and third graders, and DH and I both work FT (albeit from home, but our hours aren't super flexible and our workloads have increased due to COVID). If MCPS doesn't change the proposed hours, we'll figure it out.

Officially withdrawing them and homeschooling is something we're considering.

Never thought I would say this, but we are considering this as well. We told our 4th grader that we will stick it out (MCPS) for the first fee weeks and then see how we are all feeling.
I also expressed this concern to MCPS. My incoming Ker’s behavior PLUMMETS with too much screen time and he is not interested in online “interaction” - ie, a parent will need to sit with him every minute to keep him on task.
The ONLY thing that is keeping us in mcps at this point is that my older kid MIGHT have some friends in their class who they would be able to see and interact with a bit on the zooms. Oh, and the fact that we both work FT and the idea of homeschooling 1 or both kids is soul crushing. But we are seriously considering it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I really hope parents communicate this concern bc it is mine as well. We are not sure how to do both.

+1

I communicated my concern that the five or whatever hours of Zoom per day is far too much for elementary school kids. My older two are rising first and third graders, and DH and I both work FT (albeit from home, but our hours aren't super flexible and our workloads have increased due to COVID). If MCPS doesn't change the proposed hours, we'll figure it out.

Officially withdrawing them and homeschooling is something we're considering.

Never thought I would say this, but we are considering this as well. We told our 4th grader that we will stick it out (MCPS) for the first fee weeks and then see how we are all feeling.
I also expressed this concern to MCPS. My incoming Ker’s behavior PLUMMETS with too much screen time and he is not interested in online “interaction” - ie, a parent will need to sit with him every minute to keep him on task.
The ONLY thing that is keeping us in mcps at this point is that my older kid MIGHT have some friends in their class who they would be able to see and interact with a bit on the zooms. Oh, and the fact that we both work FT and the idea of homeschooling 1 or both kids is soul crushing. But we are seriously considering it.

I'm the PP you're responding to, and the bolded is absolutely true. But I'm honestly not sure that it would crush our souls more than full-time, graded DL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Elementary school mom here. The sample schedule shows kids online for over 5 hours a day. What parent wants their kid online for that long?

I have 4 kids. My ES kid is my oldest. Now I’m expected to keep everyone home and indoors all day to facilitate Zoom meetings for 1/4 of my kids? Feels really unfair to my family. I also work PT but my hours are flexible. I do most of my work in the early morning hours. My husband is an essential worker and out of the house daily from 8 - 6.

I don’t want to homeschool. Seriously, what is going to happen if we simply say, we’re happy to do the work but unable to be online. My kids need movement and fresh air. They also need an engaged parent who is available and attentive to all their needs. Not just playing personal assistant to the needs of the ES kid.

Yes, because it is really all about you, your family, and your needs. Not the thousands of others they are also trying to accommodate, princess.

Perhaps fewer kids in your next life?

These teachers can be vicious when it’s anonymous.

Yes, everybody who is in favor of DL, which the PP may or may not be, is a teacher. Generalizing is also vicious.

Yep, a teacher. LOL.

Ridiculous response to a ridiculous comment..sigh..

OP, cross the bridge when we all (finally) get to it and a decision is made. The if and buts of wringing hands sucks. We try to guess what it will be like but nobody knows.

Personally I would try to log in initially as much as possible and communicate to teacher for your family all the Zooms are too much. You'll opt out but stay on top of the work with DC.