Has Duran gone mad? (APS)

[Anonymous]

For all hoping for summer school.... wishful thinking. They can’t staff summer school fully in a regular year. You think teachers are going to work additional weeks after this years shitshow for $35/hour?! Keep dreaming. Existing contracts go through June 18. Beyond the fact there is no money for summer school for all. They just got rid of those last year because of the costs. And now we have a budget shortfall.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For all hoping for summer school.... wishful thinking. They can’t staff summer school fully in a regular year. You think teachers are going to work additional weeks after this years shitshow for $35/hour?! Keep dreaming. Existing contracts go through June 18. Beyond the fact there is no money for summer school for all. They just got rid of those last year because of the costs. And now we have a budget shortfall.

Right, childlike thinking from the stay closed advocates. There will always be a reason to stay home for them

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For all hoping for summer school.... wishful thinking. They can’t staff summer school fully in a regular year. You think teachers are going to work additional weeks after this years shitshow for $35/hour?! Keep dreaming. Existing contracts go through June 18. Beyond the fact there is no money for summer school for all. They just got rid of those last year because of the costs. And now we have a budget shortfall.

Of course there’s money. I’m a principal in neighboring county. I have quite a bit of CARES Act money in our school account that I plan to use for summer school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For all hoping for summer school.... wishful thinking. They can’t staff summer school fully in a regular year. You think teachers are going to work additional weeks after this years shitshow for $35/hour?! Keep dreaming. Existing contracts go through June 18. Beyond the fact there is no money for summer school for all. They just got rid of those last year because of the costs. And now we have a budget shortfall.

Umm. How much $$ did APS receive from the cares act? If it's clearly not being used to open schools now, it makes sense it may be used to get kids on track over the summer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree with making every effort to open 5 days a week by the fall. I do NOT agree with the APE position to open all levels of school NOW. And they literally mean NOW. I agree with opening NOW, or at least soon, for K-2 who want to go back and kids with disabilities and struggling EL students. I think the idea of opening NOW for middle and high school with changing classes and increased vulnerability to the virus is simply unsupported in both the science and frankly, not nearly as urgent in terms of the data on learning loss.

You will come up with some reason in the fall they can’t open. That’s why should open now, people like you.

Why would a parent who wants school open suddenly not want school open in fall? It makes complete sense for them to stay closed til Q4 die numbers for come down and those who can to get vaccinated. I am certain all teachers, myself included, see 5 days with masks being very possible in fall and hopefully that’s where we are but we don’t need to rush unvaccinated people in in the PEAK in January for that to happen in august.

Another APS ES parent here. All of this. Would like to see hybrid in Q4. And a plan for being open in the fall 5 days a week. With masks as needed. But opening now at the height of the pandemic is just dumb. Especially with being so close to teachers getting the vaccine. I chose hybrid but if they open now I won't be sending my kid in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree with making every effort to open 5 days a week by the fall. I do NOT agree with the APE position to open all levels of school NOW. And they literally mean NOW. I agree with opening NOW, or at least soon, for K-2 who want to go back and kids with disabilities and struggling EL students. I think the idea of opening NOW for middle and high school with changing classes and increased vulnerability to the virus is simply unsupported in both the science and frankly, not nearly as urgent in terms of the data on learning loss.

You will come up with some reason in the fall they can’t open. That’s why should open now, people like you.

Why would a parent who wants school open suddenly not want school open in fall? It makes complete sense for them to stay closed til Q4 die numbers for come down and those who can to get vaccinated. I am certain all teachers, myself included, see 5 days with masks being very possible in fall and hopefully that’s where we are but we don’t need to rush unvaccinated people in in the PEAK in January for that to happen in august.

Another APS ES parent here. All of this. Would like to see hybrid in Q4. And a plan for being open in the fall 5 days a week. With masks as needed. But opening now at the height of the pandemic is just dumb. Especially with being so close to teachers getting the vaccine. I chose hybrid but if they open now I won't be sending my kid in.

I agree with you. I also don't think the posters on here that are advocating for schools to open necessarily mean here and now. What we need, is a clear plan and timeline. 9 months in without this is just ridiculous. We are supposed to be an esteemed school district with high standards. Look at all the private schools that have been able to figure this out. Do we need plastic dividers between desks? Temperature checks for everyone, every morning? Whatever we need to get a plan in place to reopen is what a lot of us are pushing for right now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree with making every effort to open 5 days a week by the fall. I do NOT agree with the APE position to open all levels of school NOW. And they literally mean NOW. I agree with opening NOW, or at least soon, for K-2 who want to go back and kids with disabilities and struggling EL students. I think the idea of opening NOW for middle and high school with changing classes and increased vulnerability to the virus is simply unsupported in both the science and frankly, not nearly as urgent in terms of the data on learning loss.

You will come up with some reason in the fall they can’t open. That’s why should open now, people like you.

Why would a parent who wants school open suddenly not want school open in fall? It makes complete sense for them to stay closed til Q4 die numbers for come down and those who can to get vaccinated. I am certain all teachers, myself included, see 5 days with masks being very possible in fall and hopefully that’s where we are but we don’t need to rush unvaccinated people in in the PEAK in January for that to happen in august.

Another APS ES parent here. All of this. Would like to see hybrid in Q4. And a plan for being open in the fall 5 days a week. With masks as needed. But opening now at the height of the pandemic is just dumb. Especially with being so close to teachers getting the vaccine. I chose hybrid but if they open now I won't be sending my kid in.

And is there any science behind your idea that it is dumb to open school right now? All the respected research, data, science advises the opposite. https://globalepidemics.org/2020/12/18/schools-and-the-path-to-zero-strategies-for-pandemic-resilience-in-the-face-of-high-community-spread/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For all hoping for summer school.... wishful thinking. They can’t staff summer school fully in a regular year. You think teachers are going to work additional weeks after this years shitshow for $35/hour?! Keep dreaming. Existing contracts go through June 18. Beyond the fact there is no money for summer school for all. They just got rid of those last year because of the costs. And now we have a budget shortfall.

Of course there’s money. I’m a principal in neighboring county. I have quite a bit of CARES Act money in our school account that I plan to use for summer school.

In-person summer school? I have no intrest in more of this virtual nonsense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree with making every effort to open 5 days a week by the fall. I do NOT agree with the APE position to open all levels of school NOW. And they literally mean NOW. I agree with opening NOW, or at least soon, for K-2 who want to go back and kids with disabilities and struggling EL students. I think the idea of opening NOW for middle and high school with changing classes and increased vulnerability to the virus is simply unsupported in both the science and frankly, not nearly as urgent in terms of the data on learning loss.

You will come up with some reason in the fall they can’t open. That’s why should open now, people like you.

Why would a parent who wants school open suddenly not want school open in fall? It makes complete sense for them to stay closed til Q4 die numbers for come down and those who can to get vaccinated. I am certain all teachers, myself included, see 5 days with masks being very possible in fall and hopefully that’s where we are but we don’t need to rush unvaccinated people in in the PEAK in January for that to happen in august.

Another APS ES parent here. All of this. Would like to see hybrid in Q4. And a plan for being open in the fall 5 days a week. With masks as needed. But opening now at the height of the pandemic is just dumb. Especially with being so close to teachers getting the vaccine. I chose hybrid but if they open now I won't be sending my kid in.

I agree with you. I also don't think the posters on here that are advocating for schools to open necessarily mean here and now. What we need, is a clear plan and timeline. 9 months in without this is just ridiculous. We are supposed to be an esteemed school district with high standards. Look at all the private schools that have been able to figure this out. Do we need plastic dividers between desks? Temperature checks for everyone, every morning? Whatever we need to get a plan in place to reopen is what a lot of us are pushing for right now.

Can’t speak for people on here. But the APE parents speaking at school board meetings and the one who babbles on incoherently at my school PTA meeting are advocating to immediately open schools. And they claim everyone who chose hybrid agrees with them. Ha!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree with making every effort to open 5 days a week by the fall. I do NOT agree with the APE position to open all levels of school NOW. And they literally mean NOW. I agree with opening NOW, or at least soon, for K-2 who want to go back and kids with disabilities and struggling EL students. I think the idea of opening NOW for middle and high school with changing classes and increased vulnerability to the virus is simply unsupported in both the science and frankly, not nearly as urgent in terms of the data on learning loss.

You will come up with some reason in the fall they can’t open. That’s why should open now, people like you.

Why would a parent who wants school open suddenly not want school open in fall? It makes complete sense for them to stay closed til Q4 die numbers for come down and those who can to get vaccinated. I am certain all teachers, myself included, see 5 days with masks being very possible in fall and hopefully that’s where we are but we don’t need to rush unvaccinated people in in the PEAK in January for that to happen in august.

Another APS ES parent here. All of this. Would like to see hybrid in Q4. And a plan for being open in the fall 5 days a week. With masks as needed. But opening now at the height of the pandemic is just dumb. Especially with being so close to teachers getting the vaccine. I chose hybrid but if they open now I won't be sending my kid in.

And is there any science behind your idea that it is dumb to open school right now? All the respected research, data, science advises the opposite. https://globalepidemics.org/2020/12/18/schools-and-the-path-to-zero-strategies-for-pandemic-resilience-in-the-face-of-high-community-spread/

Did you read this document? At this level of spread, Itadvises surveillance testing for teachers and older students. APS has announced no plans for doing that. So, I stand by my point. Open For K-2 and disabilities and EL who need it. If you’re testing all teachers. But 11 and up require ongoing regular surveillance testing of the kids attending school. AND surveillance testing for teachers. All teachers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For all hoping for summer school.... wishful thinking. They can’t staff summer school fully in a regular year. You think teachers are going to work additional weeks after this years shitshow for $35/hour?! Keep dreaming. Existing contracts go through June 18. Beyond the fact there is no money for summer school for all. They just got rid of those last year because of the costs. And now we have a budget shortfall.

Umm. How much $$ did APS receive from the cares act? If it's clearly not being used to open schools now, it makes sense it may be used to get kids on track over the summer.

At least $10 Million. There is money to provide PPE and other mitigation aides, as well as $$$ for summer school for those who want it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For all hoping for summer school.... wishful thinking. They can’t staff summer school fully in a regular year. You think teachers are going to work additional weeks after this years shitshow for $35/hour?! Keep dreaming. Existing contracts go through June 18. Beyond the fact there is no money for summer school for all. They just got rid of those last year because of the costs. And now we have a budget shortfall.

Umm. How much $$ did APS receive from the cares act? If it's clearly not being used to open schools now, it makes sense it may be used to get kids on track over the summer.

At least $10 Million. There is money to provide PPE and other mitigation aides, as well as $$$ for summer school for those who want it.

We, meaning parents and teachers, need to collectively focus on this. The money is there to reduce risk and install safety measures.
This is where these conversations should lead - putting the $$ to use in an effort to make schools safe to return. Let's stop arguing and focus together on what's important, getting schools safe to reopen..

[Anonymous]

That means tons of testing. Surveillance testing of all attending school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That means tons of testing. Surveillance testing of all attending school.

I'm OK with less testing once teachers are vaccinated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For all hoping for summer school.... wishful thinking. They can’t staff summer school fully in a regular year. You think teachers are going to work additional weeks after this years shitshow for $35/hour?! Keep dreaming. Existing contracts go through June 18. Beyond the fact there is no money for summer school for all. They just got rid of those last year because of the costs. And now we have a budget shortfall.

Umm. How much $$ did APS receive from the cares act? If it's clearly not being used to open schools now, it makes sense it may be used to get kids on track over the summer.

At least $10 Million. There is money to provide PPE and other mitigation aides, as well as $$$ for summer school for those who want it.

We, meaning parents and teachers, need to collectively focus on this. The money is there to reduce risk and install safety measures.
This is where these conversations should lead - putting the $$ to use in an effort to make schools safe to return. Let's stop arguing and focus together on what's important, getting schools safe to reopen..

You can get as much PPE and plexiglass and hand sanitizer as you want. The issue that the CARES Act money cannot address is the impact of teachers being unavailable for in-person teaching because they have to quarantine or because they wake up with any one of the many symptoms that wouldn’t prevent them from going to school in the past, but now they do. There are not enough substitutes to cover it. So while the inside of the schools may be relatively safe, the community spread outside still impacts school operations.