WaPo: How D.C. and its teachers, with shifting plans and demands, failed to reopen schools

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Problem is that teachers have a lot of power here. There is a national teacher shortage. If we fire all the teachers, we will be in an even worse off position. Alienating teachers and principals was a very stupid move by the mayor and chancellor. I don’t fully blame teachers as the US worships at the altar of capitalism and why wouldn’t teachers act in their own best interests.

Teachers don’t actually have much power here.

1.) Teachers in DC are — by a mile — the best paid in America. It’s not uncommon for teachers to make six figures.

2.) If they quit, who is going to hire them? Governments across the country are cutting their budgets. Who is going to hire thousands of teachers suddenly on the market.

3.) In most of the country, schools are back in session — IN PERSON. Many of the places that might hire DC teachers who quit would require them to go back to the classroom.

Bowser should call their bluff and tell teachers who refuse to show up for work are fired immediately. 98 percent would show up.

Bowser is too chicken to do that and the teachers know it. Teachers won this battle fair and square. You can hate them all you want but you need them. It sucks but they are calling the shots. Hybrid would not be so great anyway

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All this in a city that has consistently had some of the lowest coronavirus levels in the country. Even today, there’s only three states with better numbers than ours.

Teachers should be ashamed of themselves.

You should be ashamed. You should also be thankful for what Bowser has managed to do. Hate her as much as you want but, she is the reason why the numbers are so low. Her policies in keeping schools closed, as well as restaurants and museums, makes sure the numbers stay low. As a parent I'm thankful for what she has done in keeping my family safe.

What closed restaurants? I was able to have lunch the other day in a covered patio with heater. Restaurants open, schools closed.

And this is why schools are closed. Selfish people like you not willing to give up eating out. Have your cake and eat it, but the schools will never open if restaurants keep allowing the spread. Why is it so hard for you to stay at home and cook the meal? Makes me sick.

This is complete nonsense. DC’s coronavirus numbers have been extremely low since at least July. Even today, they’re well within commonly accepted guidelines for safely reopening. Only three states in the entire country have lower coronavirus rates than we do. The only reason schools are closed is because teachers refuse to go back to work no matter what, and Bowser refuses to force them to go to work.

As a responsible adult who wears masks, sanitizes and washes her hands constantly, I am allowed to sit outside in a restaurant and keep my social distance. Restaurants are open in DC under certain circumstances. Private schools and daycares are open under certain circumstances. They're all trying to adapt, except public schools & the WTU who are playing on people's fears to keep working from home. Sorry, but it's time they stop with their selfishness and think more about the kids they are deeply affecting with all their nonsense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All this in a city that has consistently had some of the lowest coronavirus levels in the country. Even today, there’s only three states with better numbers than ours.

Teachers should be ashamed of themselves.

You should be ashamed. You should also be thankful for what Bowser has managed to do. Hate her as much as you want but, she is the reason why the numbers are so low. Her policies in keeping schools closed, as well as restaurants and museums, makes sure the numbers stay low. As a parent I'm thankful for what she has done in keeping my family safe.

What closed restaurants? I was able to have lunch the other day in a covered patio with heater. Restaurants open, schools closed.

And this is why schools are closed. Selfish people like you not willing to give up eating out. Have your cake and eat it, but the schools will never open if restaurants keep allowing the spread. Why is it so hard for you to stay at home and cook the meal? Makes me sick.

This is complete nonsense. DC’s coronavirus numbers have been extremely low since at least July. Even today, they’re well within commonly accepted guidelines for safely reopening. Only three states in the entire country have lower coronavirus rates than we do. The only reason schools are closed is because teachers refuse to go back to work no matter what, and Bowser refuses to force them to go to work.

As a responsible adult who wears masks, sanitizes and washes her hands constantly, I am allowed to sit outside in a restaurant and keep my social distance. Restaurants are open in DC under certain circumstances. Private schools and daycares are open under certain circumstances. They're all trying to adapt, except public schools & the WTU who are playing on people's fears to keep working from home. Sorry, but it's time they stop with their selfishness and think more about the kids they are deeply affecting with all their nonsense.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But the blame goes to all of you, too. Where were you? Who organized parents to reopen like in NYC? This has been a huge disappointment. You’d think reading DCUM that plenty of parents are angry and fired up, but there wasn’t any public pressure? A petition, one article in the WaPo, and that’s it?

Are you too scared to stick your neck out?

“ The result: Teachers were applying maximum pressure to stay closed, but there was virtually no public pressure to reopen.”

Well, this isn't an excuse, it's just an explanation:

Many MC and UMC white parents who wanted schools to re-open were shamed by WTU and by a small minority of parents supporting the teacher's union into staying quiet. We were threatened with the prospect of being labeled racist, Trump/DeVos supporters, and suffering the social and community consequences. We were afraid to speak up because wanting schools open was effectively equated with things like being a Covid denier, voting for Trump, hating unions, and not caring about POC. So we stayed quiet.

That this whole debate happened on the heels of a summer of BLM protests, and a real reckoning for white people, compounded the issue. We genuinely wondered whether advocating for our kids was an okay thing to do. Especially since survey after survey showed that white parents were far more likely to support re-opening. So many of us because uncertain in our convictions. I know I did. I was afraid to speak out, and I was effectively shamed by the union and other parents into believing that I needed to suck it up and stop complaining. That's a big reason I post on this board instead of taking a more vocal position at my school or in the community. In those places, I let other voices take the lead because I don't want to be seen as an entitled white person. But here, I tell the truth.

I'm not proud of this but I also don't know what the solution is, because as you can see, anyone who advocates for reopening is indeed accused of being a tone-deaf, privileged white person who doesn't care about POC or teachers. I have live in my community and my kid has to go to school, and I can't risk becoming a pariah.

Thank you for this, I could’ve written the same (I’m the one you’re replying to). My questions and criticism were aimed at myself too.

I did become a more vocal advocate at my charter, and I am afraid that I could still be ostracized for it by some. I watched even more vocal parents being shamed and called out publicly for their statements. It is a sad sign of the times which you sum up well. And the consequences are at this point dire for our kids.

I also personally know people who are very active with the union and part of the movement to stay shut, people I respect and call friends. I hate how this issue has divided us. I also hate to publicly advocate against them. It gives some credence to the right wing attack on liberals for being too conformist and using shame to keep people PC, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All this in a city that has consistently had some of the lowest coronavirus levels in the country. Even today, there’s only three states with better numbers than ours.

Teachers should be ashamed of themselves.

You should be ashamed. You should also be thankful for what Bowser has managed to do. Hate her as much as you want but, she is the reason why the numbers are so low. Her policies in keeping schools closed, as well as restaurants and museums, makes sure the numbers stay low. As a parent I'm thankful for what she has done in keeping my family safe.

Thankful?!!! Restaurants and museums are/were open (as are salons, nail salons, clothing stores and all kinds of businesses that are not essential). FFS the indoor pool and gym at huge local dc recreation center is open! The only think not open are our public schools. Bowser failed children miserably by keeping schools closed. She should be fired now for the way she handled this situation.

[Anonymous]

She cannot open schools without staff in them. If even 20% of teachers quit, the system can’t function.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She cannot open schools without staff in them. If even 20% of teachers quit, the system can’t function.

And now CARES leave has been extended through March 31st. It’s hard to blame teachers who have their own kids—if MCPS and PGCPS aren’t opening, what are teachers supposed to do with their own kids?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She cannot open schools without staff in them. If even 20% of teachers quit, the system can’t function.

And now CARES leave has been extended through March 31st. It’s hard to blame teachers who have their own kids—if MCPS and PGCPS aren’t opening, what are teachers supposed to do with their own kids?

But, again, they should already have a childcare solution. They shouldn’t be teaching DL with kids in their lap!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She cannot open schools without staff in them. If even 20% of teachers quit, the system can’t function.

And now CARES leave has been extended through March 31st. It’s hard to blame teachers who have their own kids—if MCPS and PGCPS aren’t opening, what are teachers supposed to do with their own kids?

But, again, they should already have a childcare solution. They shouldn’t be teaching DL with kids in their lap!

I don’t have a problem with teachers teaching DL with a kid in their lap. That’s what anyone who’s working from home with kids home is doing right now unless they’re able to afford and willing to outsource childcare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She cannot open schools without staff in them. If even 20% of teachers quit, the system can’t function.

And now CARES leave has been extended through March 31st. It’s hard to blame teachers who have their own kids—if MCPS and PGCPS aren’t opening, what are teachers supposed to do with their own kids?

But, again, they should already have a childcare solution. They shouldn’t be teaching DL with kids in their lap!

I don’t have a problem with teachers teaching DL with a kid in their lap. That’s what anyone who’s working from home with kids home is doing right now unless they’re able to afford and willing to outsource childcare.

It’s the highlight of my 8 year olds day when his teacher’s baby makes an appearance!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She cannot open schools without staff in them. If even 20% of teachers quit, the system can’t function.

Hardly any teachers would quit because they have no better options. Few are hiring and if they leave DC, they will be forced to take a large pay cut and they will likely be forced to teach in person.

[Anonymous]

Coronavirus numbers are still very low.

We have the fourth-lowest positivity rate in the country. Our infection rate is below 1.0.

And schools elsewhere, in places with much higher rates, have been open in person for almost six months without much problem.

It’s way past time to get kids back in the classroom.

Sorry, teachers. Vacation has to end sometime.

[Anonymous]

My relatives’s kids in Europe have all been back in school since Sept. Catholics schools locally have been back since August.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Coronavirus numbers are still very low.

We have the fourth-lowest positivity rate in the country. Our infection rate is below 1.0.

And schools elsewhere, in places with much higher rates, have been open in person for almost six months without much problem.

It’s way past time to get kids back in the classroom.

Sorry, teachers. Vacation has to end sometime.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She cannot open schools without staff in them. If even 20% of teachers quit, the system can’t function.

And now CARES leave has been extended through March 31st. It’s hard to blame teachers who have their own kids—if MCPS and PGCPS aren’t opening, what are teachers supposed to do with their own kids?

"school isn't childcare but also, how will teachers work without schools to provide childcare for them??!?"