"DL is working well for my kid"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We switched schools this year. Out of the few years we were there, we had pretty crappy teachers who did the absolute minimum. We have always had to supplement the basics of math, spelling, reading and other stuff so we are used to being heavily involved.

Changed schools. Its been great. Almost all the teachers are really engaging, answer questions by email (our past teachers would not answer emails) and they actually teach. Some have additional sessions for support for kids struggling. A quality teacher, no matter how they deliver the materials makes a huge difference. So, yes, its working as our are learning and thriving. We can be there to review all the assignments, support with any questions and be more involved. In the past, we had no idea what was going on at school. There was no communication, no work came home, homework didn't match what they were supposed to work on in school and the school didn't allow parent volunteers in the classroom (only come in for parties and concerts).

We have found other ways to socialize. In person is nice but with COVID its not worth the risk.

What I have found is the parent or adults who have always been involved who provide a lot of support in terms of making sure they log in on time, making sure they behave with camera's on and monitor the assignments have kids who are doing well. Kids whose parents say it is their responsibility are really struggling as it took our kids a while to get used to all the online platforms but they do a lot of it themselves now without issue when a parent is not able to help. In a few weeks, I suspect we will not be as engaged as we are and they'll be on top of it so we just have to make sure assignments are done and turned in. Its been a huge effort on our part and we are happy to do it.

Our kids are really flexible about all of it. They understand how serious covid is and are willing to do their part and stay home and distance for as long as it takes. Their hope would be to do some classes online, some at school but not a hybrid like others demand where you go 2 days or week on week off. They'd like a 1/2 day at school and some classes online. Either all or nothing for each class.

We are in a new age and its time for people to be flexible and change, just like when changes happened years ago with new technologies.

The people I see and hear complaining are two working parents who need child care but for what ever reason refuse to get it. All of these families are comfortable enough to pay for it but may have to readjust their budget to make it work. Some thing its all the kids responsibility and put them in a separate room and let the kids handle it and the kids need support.

I'll gladly keep this if the choice is crappy teachers in person to good to great teachers online. The quality of the teacher and how they engage and support the kids is the priority for me and how mine learn best. We have one teacher we aren't thrilled with but keep hoping it will get better and if not, we'll continue to supplement in that area like we always have.

I highlighted all the places where you are making huge assumptions about what is going on in other people's homes. You are assuming neurotypical kids, you are assuming no other traumas or stresses (like sick relatives or job losses). You assume these other families can afford childcare. How? Do you have access to their bank records? Do you know how much they make? How much student debt they have? Whether they are supporting an elderly relative?

You also say you switched schools and that the teachers and administration at your new school are engagd and responsive. What about the families at your old school, with unresponsive teachers and admin? How do you think DL is going for them? If it's going poorly, is that because they are bad parents who refuse to be flexible? Or is it becaus they are not getting the support they need from the school? Be consistent.

I am glad DL is working well for your family. That doesn't mean it's working well for the community. Stop judging other parents and spending other people's money.

Also: how old are your kids?

[Anonymous]

Yeah, I feel like the "going well" mantra simply means that DL is relatively conflict-free for them, their DCs are at least superficially attending/listening most class and some sort of work is being done. And also includes the corollary principle that those of us who question how much meaningful learning or socialization is actually going on, or wonder how less privileged groups are faring, even in light of the significant drop in test scores and attendance, are simply "looking for childcare" or "trying to kill teachers."

And look... Didn't even take more than 6 or so posts to get there:

The people I see and hear complaining are two working parents who need child care but for what ever reason refuse to get it. All of these families are comfortable enough to pay for it but may have to readjust their budget to make it work.

[Anonymous]

If the parents for whom DL is NOT working well spent half as much time helping their kids or instead of coming on to this board to start a gazillionth thread about why they hate DL, they might be having better success. Seriously, there is a new whiny thread about this (or a couple dozen replies to the most recent thread about it) every hour or two. Some of you folks have a lot of time to spend complaining.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If the parents for whom DL is NOT working well spent half as much time helping their kids or instead of coming on to this board to start a gazillionth thread about why they hate DL, they might be having better success. Seriously, there is a new whiny thread about this (or a couple dozen replies to the most recent thread about it) every hour or two. Some of you folks have a lot of time to spend complaining.

+1 DL is a lot of work on our part.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If the parents for whom DL is NOT working well spent half as much time helping their kids or instead of coming on to this board to start a gazillionth thread about why they hate DL, they might be having better success. Seriously, there is a new whiny thread about this (or a couple dozen replies to the most recent thread about it) every hour or two. Some of you folks have a lot of time to spend complaining.

+1 DL is a lot of work on our part.

Guess what. I put a ton of v hard work and it still didn't work for us. We switched to home school and my kids are learning easily.

Some kids need to be in person to learn. Sorry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We switched schools this year. Out of the few years we were there, we had pretty crappy teachers who did the absolute minimum. We have always had to supplement the basics of math, spelling, reading and other stuff so we are used to being heavily involved.

Changed schools. Its been great. Almost all the teachers are really engaging, answer questions by email (our past teachers would not answer emails) and they actually teach. Some have additional sessions for support for kids struggling. A quality teacher, no matter how they deliver the materials makes a huge difference. So, yes, its working as our are learning and thriving. We can be there to review all the assignments, support with any questions and be more involved. In the past, we had no idea what was going on at school. There was no communication, no work came home, homework didn't match what they were supposed to work on in school and the school didn't allow parent volunteers in the classroom (only come in for parties and concerts).

We have found other ways to socialize. In person is nice but with COVID its not worth the risk.

What I have found is the parent or adults who have always been involved who provide a lot of support in terms of making sure they log in on time, making sure they behave with camera's on and monitor the assignments have kids who are doing well. Kids whose parents say it is their responsibility are really struggling as it took our kids a while to get used to all the online platforms but they do a lot of it themselves now without issue when a parent is not able to help. In a few weeks, I suspect we will not be as engaged as we are and they'll be on top of it so we just have to make sure assignments are done and turned in. Its been a huge effort on our part and we are happy to do it.

Our kids are really flexible about all of it. They understand how serious covid is and are willing to do their part and stay home and distance for as long as it takes. Their hope would be to do some classes online, some at school but not a hybrid like others demand where you go 2 days or week on week off. They'd like a 1/2 day at school and some classes online. Either all or nothing for each class.

We are in a new age and its time for people to be flexible and change, just like when changes happened years ago with new technologies.

The people I see and hear complaining are two working parents who need child care but for what ever reason refuse to get it. All of these families are comfortable enough to pay for it but may have to readjust their budget to make it work. Some thing its all the kids responsibility and put them in a separate room and let the kids handle it and the kids need support.

I'll gladly keep this if the choice is crappy teachers in person to good to great teachers online. The quality of the teacher and how they engage and support the kids is the priority for me and how mine learn best. We have one teacher we aren't thrilled with but keep hoping it will get better and if not, we'll continue to supplement in that area like we always have.

I highlighted all the places where you are making huge assumptions about what is going on in other people's homes. You are assuming neurotypical kids, you are assuming no other traumas or stresses (like sick relatives or job losses). You assume these other families can afford childcare. How? Do you have access to their bank records? Do you know how much they make? How much student debt they have? Whether they are supporting an elderly relative?

You also say you switched schools and that the teachers and administration at your new school are engagd and responsive. What about the families at your old school, with unresponsive teachers and admin? How do you think DL is going for them? If it's going poorly, is that because they are bad parents who refuse to be flexible? Or is it becaus they are not getting the support they need from the school? Be consistent.

I am glad DL is working well for your family. That doesn't mean it's working well for the community. Stop judging other parents and spending other people's money.

Also: how old are your kids?

You assume we don't have those stressors or SN kids, which we do. We've been doing it for years. Daily therapies, taking care of relatives with Dementia, some other stuff happened, a parent with health issues.

Student debt is their problem. If you took out huge loans I have no empathy. If you can afford child care when kids are little, you can now. Or, you make sacrifices like downsizing your house (you don't need an $800K house, you can have a $400K house like some of us do).

I think DL sucks for the kids at our old school. I think it sucks as there were very few involved parents and the teachers did the absolute minimum. But, it sucked in person and we had to do a lot of supplementing, private therapies and tutors.

Don't act like I have no idea what's going on. We just find a way to take a difficult situation and make it work. The past 7 years have really sucked for us for a variety of issues. Out of all those issues DL and COVID are no big deal and we just take them in stride and make the best of another bad situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If the parents for whom DL is NOT working well spent half as much time helping their kids or instead of coming on to this board to start a gazillionth thread about why they hate DL, they might be having better success. Seriously, there is a new whiny thread about this (or a couple dozen replies to the most recent thread about it) every hour or two. Some of you folks have a lot of time to spend complaining.

+1 DL is a lot of work on our part.

Guess what. I put a ton of v hard work and it still didn't work for us. We switched to home school and my kids are learning easily.

Some kids need to be in person to learn. Sorry.

It can work but you need to be willing to make it work and not give up. And, supplement. If you don't want to make it work and choose homeschooling, its a non-issue.

[Anonymous]

DL is going well for my kid. I also recognize that DL is a subpar as compared to in-person, and wish they could go back in person sooner or later and think the re-opening metrics are too stringent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If the parents for whom DL is NOT working well spent half as much time helping their kids or instead of coming on to this board to start a gazillionth thread about why they hate DL, they might be having better success. Seriously, there is a new whiny thread about this (or a couple dozen replies to the most recent thread about it) every hour or two. Some of you folks have a lot of time to spend complaining.

+1 I find it hard to believe the ones whining on these threads are the ones with genuinely disadvantaged home situations. I feel for kids with disabilities, with parents who must work outside the home during the school day, and the younger K-2 kids. I would love for MCPS to provide more support for these families!

It took a little while to get into a groove, but my family is fine. I get up early and start my work; get them up, fed, and situated for school at their desks a few hours later; see them for lunch; then back to school/work. I check HW in the evenings, making sure it's done and done well. Their teachers are good and they are definitely learning. MAP scores went up. It's more work for me with my 3rd grader, who needs more support, but it's not been that bad at all. I don't feel comfortable putting school staff at risk during a pandemic, and accept some of the negatives which again, haven't been that bad. I hope we'll be back late spring or fall 2021, but we'll make the best of it whatever happens.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:MCPS and the BOE talks about DL not working well for "some."

Endless DCUM posts about how DL "works well for my kid, sorry that it doesn't work well for yours."

I think we need to level set here. How are these people defining "working well"? Do they mean: kid signs in on appointed date/time, so no attendance issues; kids completes assignments satisfactorily, so grades are As & Bs. Is that the MCPS, BOE, and DCUM definition of "working well"?!!!!

Because if that's it, then why not do away with schools altogether? We could more cheaply run a giant county-wide (or state-wide) Khan Academy! Don't have to worry about any risks of anyone coming into contact with anyone else where they could transmit covid, or flu, or have a car accident on their way to school - no risks at all! We can all just have our kids stay home and get an education that way!

I thought that school was about becoming socialized, interacting with people different than you in a meaningful and genuine way; the excitement, buzz, and energy when there is a magic happening in the classroom as lightbulbs click on in kids and kids learning from each other as well as their teachers. About being inspired to do better and compete in the classroom, on the field, on the stage, in the art studio. None of that happens behind computer screens with everyone locked away at home.

I'm finding out that I have a completely different conception of what school and education are for and what objectives they serve. The school I know is essential - the teachers are essential - and it's worth taking some reasonable risks for these purposes.

I like how this post starts out with a seemingly logical discussion topic and then immediately jumps into coo coo land! Well done!

[Anonymous]

If the parents for whom DL is NOT working well spent half as much time helping their kids or instead of coming on to this board to start a gazillionth thread about why they hate DL, they might be having better success. Seriously, there is a new whiny thread about this (or a couple dozen replies to the most recent thread about it) every hour or two. Some of you folks have a lot of time to spend complaining.

+1 DL is a lot of work on our part.

Guess what. I put a ton of v hard work and it still didn't work for us. We switched to home school and my kids are learning easily.

Some kids need to be in person to learn. Sorry.

It can work but you need to be willing to make it work and not give up. And, supplement. If you don't want to make it work and choose homeschooling, its a non-issue.

Serious question: If a parent has to put in hours to help their kids as well as supplement to succeed at DL, how can this be deemed a system that works?? Your "defense" itself is the indictment. Heck, sheer logic would suggest that only reason to discuss "how to make it work" is when "it" isn't working in the first place!

What you mean to say is that it isn't that bad. Isn't a complete failure. And I don't disagree. But that is a far cry from "working well"... if words are to have any ordinary meaning at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am pretty quiet about it with most, but DL is working as well as it possibly could for my 6 year old. That means staying on track academically. But it takes a lot of work from me during evenings and weekends. She logs in during the day and keeps occupied with DL, and is happy.

We do have sort of a trifecta to make it work, I work full-time but flexible federal TW job now, kid reads, local family help a lot.

THIS. My 8 year old CAN do ok, but only when I take a lot of time to oversee it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:MCPS and the BOE talks about DL not working well for "some."

Endless DCUM posts about how DL "works well for my kid, sorry that it doesn't work well for yours."

I think we need to level set here. How are these people defining "working well"? Do they mean: kid signs in on appointed date/time, so no attendance issues; kids completes assignments satisfactorily, so grades are As & Bs. Is that the MCPS, BOE, and DCUM definition of "working well"?!!!!

Because if that's it, then why not do away with schools altogether? We could more cheaply run a giant county-wide (or state-wide) Khan Academy! Don't have to worry about any risks of anyone coming into contact with anyone else where they could transmit covid, or flu, or have a car accident on their way to school - no risks at all! We can all just have our kids stay home and get an education that way!

I thought that school was about becoming socialized, interacting with people different than you in a meaningful and genuine way; the excitement, buzz, and energy when there is a magic happening in the classroom as lightbulbs click on in kids and kids learning from each other as well as their teachers. About being inspired to do better and compete in the classroom, on the field, on the stage, in the art studio. None of that happens behind computer screens with everyone locked away at home.

I'm finding out that I have a completely different conception of what school and education are for and what objectives they serve. The school I know is essential - the teachers are essential - and it's worth taking some reasonable risks for these purposes.

it's working well for our DC under the circumstances. It it better or even comparable to in-person with no restrictions? No. But under the circumstances, it's working well.

[Anonymous]

DL is working well for families who:
-work from home
-have help (hired or extended family)
-have neurotypical kids
-don’t have several younger children who need attention

Just because it is working well for your family, does not mean that you should turn a blind eye to reopening plans and metrics. If you want to have public schools for your children to return to in person in a year, you need to pay attention. Get involved.

It’s not okay to keep mcps children locked in virtual learning for years. Our numbers are low. The CDC says we should be open. Fauci says we should be open. Hogan says we should be open.

I pulled my kids out of mcps. Virtual does not work for us. But I will always advocate for children. In person public education is essential. We need to move toward making a plan. At least for our most vulnerable students.

[Anonymous]

It takes a bit more than attendance and assignment completion to do well in school, and you know that.

When parents say “doing well”, it means thriving, happy, mastering new skills, etc. At least, I hope it does.
My kids are in that category.

I am certainly not in favor of reopening schools for a hybrid model that would become a logistical nightmare. Full reopening is just not on the table right now, so we’re not even going to discuss that. MCPS is considering hybrid or virtual only.