TEACHERS- what reasonable accommodations would you like for IN PERSON school?

[Anonymous]

Teacher here, who was willing to go back. I planned on taking the following into my highschool classroom provided by myself because I doubted any ppe would arrive in timely fashion:
1. N95 mask I was fortunate to have in my house from a home project
2. Face shield I purchased in June and chemical safety glasses
3. Scrubs and or plastic poncho to wear over my clothes
4. Shoes to be left at work or in car
5. Bleach, rags, bucket, cleaning gloves to wipe every desk in between classes and computer shared by three teachers in the 2-3 classrooms I teach in every year. Also any lab equipment used by multiple groups throughout the day.
6. Soap and paper towels for all students to wash hands upon entering my room (science rooms have sinks). Leave hand sanitizer for teachers with no sinks
7. Fans to put by open window to keep fresh air coming in and push air out
8. Large tarp to take outside to eat lunch with class outside as much as possible.
9. Had started trying to get large piece of plexiglass to place at front of classroom.
10. At the super sales at staples etc... Planned on buying 50 sets of colored pencils and markers to be divided into smaller sets to allow each of my 150 students a few colors that would be theirs all year, and stay in classroom. Also glue sticks.
11. Another set of class scissors and rulers that could be dunked in alcohol in-between classes
12. Another set of whiteboards so students could write more answers rather than me trying to figure out what they said from behind their mask. Also needing to be dunked in cleaner between classes
13. Dish drainer racks to hold items drying between classes
14. Shower curtain to create area for students to blow their nose

I figure if my dentist suits up like that to be near me for 30 minutes without a mask on, I should follow the same to be near 16 students for 90 minutes for four blocks a day. Especially if result of one case will be to close the school or the classes students in. Minimize chance of spread in my classroom.

Also considering goggles for when in restroom and if eating lunch indoors with students. I would not eat while students eating, and honestly would have considered having kids unmask one at a time to eat their lunch in the classroom to protect them depending on their ability to distance and not talk while eating.

[Anonymous]

I’m not sure if these aren’t reasonable but some likely aren’t feasible:

*My classroom doesn’t have windows, so improved ventilation system

*Provided cleaning supplies (something better than the brown paper towels the school provides-something)

*soap, hand sanitizer

*reduced class size (half days would be perfect... give time in between sessions for us to eat sans kids and clean the room. Children eat at home, no recess)

*a way to monitor children that are sick (unfortunately during a typical year, parents will administer Advil/Tylenol so they can get into school and buy time.)

*a way to separate children who show symptoms vs a kid that has pink eye or an ear infection

*policy on students who refuse to wear a mask. Some will lose their mask, some will destroy them, and some will flat out refuse. Will teachers be provided with a supply of extras? Will it be enough to sustain us a full school year?

* We need a solution to getting children to school. I’m don’t want my own children riding a bus, but the increase in foot and car traffic around schools is dangerous. Parents could crossing guards or assist children get in and out of cars? I would say eliminate student patrols.

I’m a teacher that supported returning to FTF instruction, but I do need to make sure I (and my own children) are safe.

[Anonymous]

Pp here... large plastic pencil boxes so each student has own supplies. Which also means more $ to purchase pencils, sharpeners, rulers, counters, crayons, scissors, etc.

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Let's start a civil list of obtainable accommodations that parents can help with to get our kids in school in person (whether hybrid or full time) anytime between now and next year. (Aside from basic cdc guidelines which seem to not be enough to all)

I'll start.

Reasonable


parents sending in extra masks with kids
parent volunteer list to clean between classes/ on off days where there may not be custodial help.
Be NICE to teachers- we need you!

Unreasonable

New ventilation system

For any proponents of 100% DL/ families of high risk or immunocompromised persons etc. This thread is not for you.

Please lets stick to the topic and not run this thread down. I think we can make some great suggestions!

How can we help? Can we help?

~signed mcps 5 and 8 y.o mom
[/quote]

I like all of these. (Really the ventilation issue is one that impacts health beyond COVID. Last year, a 6th grade student developed chronic sinus issues and the parents were furious.)

I would also want N95 masks for all staff (not just teachers), robust contract tracing if there’s a positive among school connections (such as a parent or sibling), and COVID-specific medical leave so teachers do not have to use their own leave or the sick bank while quarantined or recovering. [/quote]

Op here- i love this! I work in medicine and have access to kn95 inexpensive- not n95. I was going to donate to my kids teachers if we opened. But i agree that the school should be ordering this from the same places medical supply does.

Also both my companies give 2 weeks of paid leave for covid + (it has been extended though the end of year so its not permanent yert) but i do think teachers should have this at least from sept- june.

I work with in medicine and see patients and clean our office and work space frequently) meaning desks and object wipe downs with specific cleaner) so it did not seem a big deal but now i could see the liability in this as pp mentioned. So basically a well defined cleaning policy with dedicated personnel.

I think many parents would donate air purifiers or fans- thats a great idea.

The vaccine is a touchy idea because it is not something that a time frame can be put on and I personally have little faith on the effacacy of this or the timeliness to be distributed to majority of people, which now they are saying at least 6 months after it is released *in the us. Which could mean fall 2021 also starting full DL.

I think a firm (ish) mask policy with consequences.whatever it may be.

These are great. If i have a good contact would be happy to send in or someone else with more insight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pp here... large plastic pencil boxes so each student has own supplies. Which also means more $ to purchase pencils, sharpeners, rulers, counters, crayons, scissors, etc.

This was the norm when I was in school. Everyone had a version of the same $1 pencil box and it was kept in our individual desks. I think getting rid of those desks for tables was a huge mistake.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m not sure if these aren’t reasonable but some likely aren’t feasible:

*My classroom doesn’t have windows, so improved ventilation system

*Provided cleaning supplies (something better than the brown paper towels the school provides-something)

*soap, hand sanitizer

*reduced class size (half days would be perfect... give time in between sessions for us to eat sans kids and clean the room. Children eat at home, no recess)

*a way to monitor children that are sick (unfortunately during a typical year, parents will administer Advil/Tylenol so they can get into school and buy time.)

*a way to separate children who show symptoms vs a kid that has pink eye or an ear infection

*policy on students who refuse to wear a mask. Some will lose their mask, some will destroy them, and some will flat out refuse. Will teachers be provided with a supply of extras? Will it be enough to sustain us a full school year?

* We need a solution to getting children to school. I’m don’t want my own children riding a bus, but the increase in foot and car traffic around schools is dangerous. Parents could crossing guards or assist children get in and out of cars? I would say eliminate student patrols.

I’m a teacher that supported returning to FTF instruction, but I do need to make sure I (and my own children) are safe.

I think all if these are reasonable but i thinj unfeasible is the ventilation only due to the budget. Maybe in >1 years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:First of all, don't start by suggesting parents come in and clean. That would multiply the Covid risk for any other adults working in the building. The whole premise that reopening schools is somehow safe is that children don't spread the disease, adults do. No adult volunteers will be entering any buildings for quite a while.

1. We would need parents to provide all staff with as much PPE as necessary, across the entire school system, not just to the schools that can afford it.
2. Obtain canopies so classes can be held outside as much as possible.
3. A signed pledge that no sick kids would ever be sent to school, and any sick child would be picked up immediately, tested for Covid, and quarantined for 2 weeks with no attempt to send the child back to school sooner. Same goes if any student's immediate family members become ill.
4. Teach your child how to wear a mask and make sure they can wear one for the duration of a school day without fuss. Do not send your child to school if you can't get them to wear a mask for hours on end.
5. Teachers have been told that we cannot discipline children who won't wear masks, just encourage them. Parents must discipline them, and keep them home if they will not listen to the teacher.
6. For God's sake, teach your child to cover coughs and sneezes, even with a mask on. A mask reduces, but does not eliminate airborne droplets. Same goes for nose picking.

And even with all of this, I'm more afraid of catching something from a coworker than I am from a child. Most schools bring anywhere from 50-150 adults together on a daily basis. Many teachers travel from school to school. We all use the same 4-5 bathrooms, and the same 1-3 copy machines. Teaching is a collaborative profession, and we come together to plan, share resources, and provide services to our students. A school won't function with everyone working in isolated pods.

The main thing we really need is something no parent can give us: a vaccine.

This is very well though out- wish i could pin it. Thank for all you all do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Teacher here, who was willing to go back. I planned on taking the following into my highschool classroom provided by myself because I doubted any ppe would arrive in timely fashion:
1. N95 mask I was fortunate to have in my house from a home project
2. Face shield I purchased in June and chemical safety glasses
3. Scrubs and or plastic poncho to wear over my clothes
4. Shoes to be left at work or in car
5. Bleach, rags, bucket, cleaning gloves to wipe every desk in between classes and computer shared by three teachers in the 2-3 classrooms I teach in every year. Also any lab equipment used by multiple groups throughout the day.
6. Soap and paper towels for all students to wash hands upon entering my room (science rooms have sinks). Leave hand sanitizer for teachers with no sinks
7. Fans to put by open window to keep fresh air coming in and push air out
8. Large tarp to take outside to eat lunch with class outside as much as possible.
9. Had started trying to get large piece of plexiglass to place at front of classroom.
10. At the super sales at staples etc... Planned on buying 50 sets of colored pencils and markers to be divided into smaller sets to allow each of my 150 students a few colors that would be theirs all year, and stay in classroom. Also glue sticks.
11. Another set of class scissors and rulers that could be dunked in alcohol in-between classes
12. Another set of whiteboards so students could write more answers rather than me trying to figure out what they said from behind their mask. Also needing to be dunked in cleaner between classes
13. Dish drainer racks to hold items drying between classes
14. Shower curtain to create area for students to blow their nose

I figure if my dentist suits up like that to be near me for 30 minutes without a mask on, I should follow the same to be near 16 students for 90 minutes for four blocks a day. Especially if result of one case will be to close the school or the classes students in. Minimize chance of spread in my classroom.

Also considering goggles for when in restroom and if eating lunch indoors with students. I would not eat while students eating, and honestly would have considered having kids unmask one at a time to eat their lunch in the classroom to protect them depending on their ability to distance and not talk while eating.

Amazing thoughts- so many teachers like you are unsung on here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Teacher here, who was willing to go back. I planned on taking the following into my highschool classroom provided by myself because I doubted any ppe would arrive in timely fashion:
1. N95 mask I was fortunate to have in my house from a home project
2. Face shield I purchased in June and chemical safety glasses
3. Scrubs and or plastic poncho to wear over my clothes
4. Shoes to be left at work or in car
5. Bleach, rags, bucket, cleaning gloves to wipe every desk in between classes and computer shared by three teachers in the 2-3 classrooms I teach in every year. Also any lab equipment used by multiple groups throughout the day.
6. Soap and paper towels for all students to wash hands upon entering my room (science rooms have sinks). Leave hand sanitizer for teachers with no sinks
7. Fans to put by open window to keep fresh air coming in and push air out
8. Large tarp to take outside to eat lunch with class outside as much as possible.
9. Had started trying to get large piece of plexiglass to place at front of classroom.
10. At the super sales at staples etc... Planned on buying 50 sets of colored pencils and markers to be divided into smaller sets to allow each of my 150 students a few colors that would be theirs all year, and stay in classroom. Also glue sticks.
11. Another set of class scissors and rulers that could be dunked in alcohol in-between classes
12. Another set of whiteboards so students could write more answers rather than me trying to figure out what they said from behind their mask. Also needing to be dunked in cleaner between classes
13. Dish drainer racks to hold items drying between classes
14. Shower curtain to create area for students to blow their nose

I figure if my dentist suits up like that to be near me for 30 minutes without a mask on, I should follow the same to be near 16 students for 90 minutes for four blocks a day. Especially if result of one case will be to close the school or the classes students in. Minimize chance of spread in my classroom.

Also considering goggles for when in restroom and if eating lunch indoors with students. I would not eat while students eating, and honestly would have considered having kids unmask one at a time to eat their lunch in the classroom to protect them depending on their ability to distance and not talk while eating.

Are you really willing to wear that same mask 8 hours a day for 180 days?

[Anonymous]

OMG!
Parents should not be coming in cleaning, that’s ridiculous!
That is a fantastic way to spread COVID.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teacher here, who was willing to go back. I planned on taking the following into my highschool classroom provided by myself because I doubted any ppe would arrive in timely fashion:
1. N95 mask I was fortunate to have in my house from a home project
2. Face shield I purchased in June and chemical safety glasses
3. Scrubs and or plastic poncho to wear over my clothes
4. Shoes to be left at work or in car
5. Bleach, rags, bucket, cleaning gloves to wipe every desk in between classes and computer shared by three teachers in the 2-3 classrooms I teach in every year. Also any lab equipment used by multiple groups throughout the day.
6. Soap and paper towels for all students to wash hands upon entering my room (science rooms have sinks). Leave hand sanitizer for teachers with no sinks
7. Fans to put by open window to keep fresh air coming in and push air out
8. Large tarp to take outside to eat lunch with class outside as much as possible.
9. Had started trying to get large piece of plexiglass to place at front of classroom.
10. At the super sales at staples etc... Planned on buying 50 sets of colored pencils and markers to be divided into smaller sets to allow each of my 150 students a few colors that would be theirs all year, and stay in classroom. Also glue sticks.
11. Another set of class scissors and rulers that could be dunked in alcohol in-between classes
12. Another set of whiteboards so students could write more answers rather than me trying to figure out what they said from behind their mask. Also needing to be dunked in cleaner between classes
13. Dish drainer racks to hold items drying between classes
14. Shower curtain to create area for students to blow their nose

I figure if my dentist suits up like that to be near me for 30 minutes without a mask on, I should follow the same to be near 16 students for 90 minutes for four blocks a day. Especially if result of one case will be to close the school or the classes students in. Minimize chance of spread in my classroom.

Also considering goggles for when in restroom and if eating lunch indoors with students. I would not eat while students eating, and honestly would have considered having kids unmask one at a time to eat their lunch in the classroom to protect them depending on their ability to distance and not talk while eating.

Are you really willing to wear that same mask 8 hours a day for 180 days?

OP here- in the hospitals we put a regular mask on top of it to protect it. You can keep it clean and wear it long term like this.

[Anonymous]

HIPAA waivers so we can openly share who is sick and other vital health information. Rumors run wild and cause fear. Also knowing your name will be released will serve as a way to limit parents dosing their kids up on meds and dumping them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:HIPAA waivers so we can openly share who is sick and other vital health information. Rumors run wild and cause fear. Also knowing your name will be released will serve as a way to limit parents dosing their kids up on meds and dumping them.

Not legal- would take years of court to override. Looking for ideas that could help open schools in at the latest 2/21.

[Anonymous]

Teacher here. I was in favor of trying to make a hybrid system work, until I found out we could not enforce masks. Students get in power struggles for the sake of power struggles over hats, hoods, cell phones, backpacks, ANYTHING. Without serious enforcement, mask compliance was going to be low. When I heard that, I joined the distance learning camp. Not because I'm lazy or don't want to work. Distance learning is way more work for me. It is less face to face time with any given student, but more work. I can see how from the parent perspective it seems like less work. I much preferred my job in the classroom. It's really insulting the way we get called lazy here. I can only speak for myself, but if I wanted to be lazy, I would not have chosen to teach middle school special education.

The other big request I would have is for substitutes. If you really need us to be in school in person, please recruit substitutes who will be willing to come in for us. It was hard enough to get a sub in middle school special ed before the pandemic hit. Most of the people who are willing to sub for me are 60+. I would not want them to come sub for me. However, if I need to quarantine, I need someone to teach for me. Plus, I need the right to take a day off when life happens and I have to take care of something. I don't take vacations or take off to have fun, but we need substitutes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pp here... large plastic pencil boxes so each student has own supplies. Which also means more $ to purchase pencils, sharpeners, rulers, counters, crayons, scissors, etc.

This was the norm when I was in school. Everyone had a version of the same $1 pencil box and it was kept in our individual desks. I think getting rid of those desks for tables was a huge mistake.

They did this because a lot of students don’t bring in any supplies.