MCPS asks for 4 days off so teachers can prepare building for in-person instruction

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MCPS teachers - don't feed these petty trolls. They wouldn't last a week in a school.

I have never talked to a single MCPS parent that is so irrationally hateful towards teachers. I have heard lots of things about administration, but not teachers. Its gotta be like one person who has issues that keeps posting over, and over.

Keep telling yourself that if it makes you feel better about your life choices.

I'm sure all these op-eds calling out teachers are all secretly written by the same person too.

Teachers overplayed their hand and now it's going to come back to bite them. A generation of parents will remember teachers as the group that spent a year obstructing education.

Just wait until people realize schools won't open up this spring.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What I'm seeing on this forum is very interesting. Teachers are saying that they are working hard to maintain DL and some parents are denying it. Parents are saying that DL is not working for their child and some teachers are denying it. Both of these things can be true. Teachers can be working hard and DL can also not work for everybody. Trash-talking parents and teachers for trying their hardest doesn't help anybody in this situation and only leads to an adversarial relationship with resentment on both sides. Ultimately, both "sides" want the same thing, for students to receive an education.

Should teachers get 4 days to set up their classroom? I have no idea. But I do know that both parents and teachers are working really hard and are reaching a point where they feel like they are burning out and that's it's just easier to blame somebody else. It is possible for both groups to feel the same way, but for different reasons.

I like you, rational poster.

I'm a working parent who is not burned out at all. My kids are getting straight A's. But they should be in school right now.

And I still think it's pathetic that MCPS teachers are teaching four days a week, for about five hours a day. That's not a full-time job. And they do not spend the rest of the time preparing for anything. Believe me, I listen to my kids' classes, and there's nothing special going on.

So I think it's time for teachers to stop accusing parents of not parenting their kids. That's not the issue here. The issue is that you need to reopen schools. Especially after Biden just reiterated it about half an hour ago. There is NO meaningful spread through smartly open schools, and I'm sick of my kids falling behind all of their friends in privates who have been at school all year.

You realize there is much more to to being a teacher than just teaching live. Nothing special goes in in person either but the difference is you just don't know about it.

Many of us aren't teachers commenting that parents need to step up more. Stop accusing teachers as you are out of line.

If private is better, send them to private. You have that option.

There is meaningful spread in the schools. And, it spreads between families. And, part of that spread is individual choices.

Cite your sources on the meaningful spread of Covid in schools please. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What I'm seeing on this forum is very interesting. Teachers are saying that they are working hard to maintain DL and some parents are denying it. Parents are saying that DL is not working for their child and some teachers are denying it. Both of these things can be true. Teachers can be working hard and DL can also not work for everybody. Trash-talking parents and teachers for trying their hardest doesn't help anybody in this situation and only leads to an adversarial relationship with resentment on both sides. Ultimately, both "sides" want the same thing, for students to receive an education.

Should teachers get 4 days to set up their classroom? I have no idea. But I do know that both parents and teachers are working really hard and are reaching a point where they feel like they are burning out and that's it's just easier to blame somebody else. It is possible for both groups to feel the same way, but for different reasons.

I like you, rational poster.

I'm a working parent who is not burned out at all. My kids are getting straight A's. But they should be in school right now.

And I still think it's pathetic that MCPS teachers are teaching four days a week, for about five hours a day. That's not a full-time job. And they do not spend the rest of the time preparing for anything. Believe me, I listen to my kids' classes, and there's nothing special going on.

So I think it's time for teachers to stop accusing parents of not parenting their kids. That's not the issue here. The issue is that you need to reopen schools. Especially after Biden just reiterated it about half an hour ago. There is NO meaningful spread through smartly open schools, and I'm sick of my kids falling behind all of their friends in privates who have been at school all year.

You realize there is much more to to being a teacher than just teaching live. Nothing special goes in in person either but the difference is you just don't know about it.

Many of us aren't teachers commenting that parents need to step up more. Stop accusing teachers as you are out of line.

If private is better, send them to private. You have that option.

There is meaningful spread in the schools. And, it spreads between families. And, part of that spread is individual choices.

Cite your sources on the meaningful spread of Covid in schools please. Thanks!

Google is your friend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I teach in person in a private elementary school. We would have loved to have had time to make the bulletin boards and classrooms beautiful for our kids, as many are in weird makeshift spaces. But we didn't have time, and we had to learn a ton of new tech, but guess what? Once we were back, especially once kids were doing projects, we got the rooms and bulletin boards looking nice and welcoming. I don't think the kids suffered for the extra week it took for us to get it looking nice. In the meantime, all of the MCPS building services are working full time with less to do, so have them set up the desks and chairs now. The administrators are by and large in the buildings, and many of them are former teachers. They can get to work on the bulletin boards in the halls. Front office staff can cut out stencilled letters and make welcome back signs, or print name tags so teachers recognize students behind masks, or can get to know new ones. Kids care a lot more about the people saying hi and knowing their name than whether the room is colorful. Principals also can ask for teacher volunteers to help. Some of them might enjoy helping and connecting with admin, and then it's not mandatory.

Exactly! Not to mention these teachers want the 4 days to be considered instructional days for the kids. THAT is the kicker. 4 more days of the kids not learning again. I am so sick of the poor teachers rhetoric they keep spewing. How about some empathy for the parents working and now having to be teachers. I am lucky my job allows me to stay at home all but maybe 10 hours a week. But now I work 3-4 hours at night to make up for the lost day time. WiFi issues, reteaching because not enough times, making lunches, help with “projects” the teachers love to give because it gets them out another 1 hour of teaching. It is non stop.

I don’t ask my boss for more time or more money. I don’t tell my customers I need 4 days off to catch up so I won’t be helping them. I am shocked teachers (who are supposed to care about the kids) would even want the kids to miss another 4 days of school. They are so far behind as it is. It is so sad.

This right here as well as the other private school teacher who said she set up her room in the week or two after school opened.

If a teacher truly cares about the kids, they would not want the kids to miss another 4 days of school. I have gone above and beyond for my job, helping my kids, and yes it is tough on everyone. But 4 paid days for teachers to set up classrooms while our kids sit home doing nothing? That seems as selfish as can be. Did other Maryland school districts ask for 4 days off or just MCPS? Honestly curious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know y’all thought it was about bulletin boards, but it was to practice keeping children safe.

From the article:

The time also would have allowed the staff to “practice compliance with protocols, finalize student schedules and transportation, and address the myriad of other details that will have to be finalized,” Smith wrote.

The preparations are especially important, Smith wrote, because the first students scheduled to return to buildings are generally the youngest — “some of whom have never navigated a school building before” — and students who need significant support from employees.

“The waiver of four days will allow staff to complete this important work without requiring divided attention from virtual instruction and support for students,” Smith wrote. “This waiver of four school days is critical to success for opening school buildings.”

We have already decided we won’t send our kindergartner into the building for the first week or two because it’s going to be such chaos. They won’t be able to figure out dropoff and getting the kids into classrooms without a cluster of adults and children all over each other.

[Anonymous]

If teachers asking for 4 full days to set up classrooms and not instruct doesn’t tell you all you need to know about their commitment to students, your mind is shut. So disappointing, so many other communities and occupations have come together and voluntarily sacrificed. MCPS teachers just grab for more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What I'm seeing on this forum is very interesting. Teachers are saying that they are working hard to maintain DL and some parents are denying it. Parents are saying that DL is not working for their child and some teachers are denying it. Both of these things can be true. Teachers can be working hard and DL can also not work for everybody. Trash-talking parents and teachers for trying their hardest doesn't help anybody in this situation and only leads to an adversarial relationship with resentment on both sides. Ultimately, both "sides" want the same thing, for students to receive an education.

Should teachers get 4 days to set up their classroom? I have no idea. But I do know that both parents and teachers are working really hard and are reaching a point where they feel like they are burning out and that's it's just easier to blame somebody else. It is possible for both groups to feel the same way, but for different reasons.

I like you, rational poster.

I'm a working parent who is not burned out at all. My kids are getting straight A's. But they should be in school right now.

And I still think it's pathetic that MCPS teachers are teaching four days a week, for about five hours a day. That's not a full-time job. And they do not spend the rest of the time preparing for anything. Believe me, I listen to my kids' classes, and there's nothing special going on.

So I think it's time for teachers to stop accusing parents of not parenting their kids. That's not the issue here. The issue is that you need to reopen schools. Especially after Biden just reiterated it about half an hour ago. There is NO meaningful spread through smartly open schools, and I'm sick of my kids falling behind all of their friends in privates who have been at school all year.

You realize there is much more to to being a teacher than just teaching live. Nothing special goes in in person either but the difference is you just don't know about it.

Many of us aren't teachers commenting that parents need to step up more. Stop accusing teachers as you are out of line.

If private is better, send them to private. You have that option.

There is meaningful spread in the schools. And, it spreads between families. And, part of that spread is individual choices.

Cite your sources on the meaningful spread of Covid in schools please. Thanks!

Google is your friend.

So that is Zilch. Nada. Zero.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know y’all thought it was about bulletin boards, but it was to practice keeping children safe.

From the article:

The time also would have allowed the staff to “practice compliance with protocols, finalize student schedules and transportation, and address the myriad of other details that will have to be finalized,” Smith wrote.

The preparations are especially important, Smith wrote, because the first students scheduled to return to buildings are generally the youngest — “some of whom have never navigated a school building before” — and students who need significant support from employees.

“The waiver of four days will allow staff to complete this important work without requiring divided attention from virtual instruction and support for students,” Smith wrote. “This waiver of four school days is critical to success for opening school buildings.”

We have already decided we won’t send our kindergartner into the building for the first week or two because it’s going to be such chaos. They won’t be able to figure out dropoff and getting the kids into classrooms without a cluster of adults and children all over each other.

If you don’t opt in, you won’t be going in sweetie. You can’t decide in a few weeks when you want in. That is not how it works. Lol

[Anonymous]

WEDNESDAYS! Cancel all staff meetings! Give teachers time in their classrooms!

Also - no frills this year. Kids don’t need fancy bulletin boards and center activities and so on. They need human interaction.

[Anonymous]

I haven't read this whole thread but-MCPS was denied the ability to waive 4 of the 180 required teaching days and they did not modify the calendar to add 4 days to the end of the year. All they gotta do is extend the school year like they do when there's lots of snow days. I would think everyone would be happy the state is protecting every single teaching day possible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:WEDNESDAYS! Cancel all staff meetings! Give teachers time in their classrooms!

Also - no frills this year. Kids don’t need fancy bulletin boards and center activities and so on. They need human interaction.

It's not just fancy thrills it's making sure the room is ada compliant and doesn't have random boxes everywhere

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I teach in person in a private elementary school. We would have loved to have had time to make the bulletin boards and classrooms beautiful for our kids, as many are in weird makeshift spaces. But we didn't have time, and we had to learn a ton of new tech, but guess what? Once we were back, especially once kids were doing projects, we got the rooms and bulletin boards looking nice and welcoming. I don't think the kids suffered for the extra week it took for us to get it looking nice. In the meantime, all of the MCPS building services are working full time with less to do, so have them set up the desks and chairs now. The administrators are by and large in the buildings, and many of them are former teachers. They can get to work on the bulletin boards in the halls. Front office staff can cut out stencilled letters and make welcome back signs, or print name tags so teachers recognize students behind masks, or can get to know new ones. Kids care a lot more about the people saying hi and knowing their name than whether the room is colorful. Principals also can ask for teacher volunteers to help. Some of them might enjoy helping and connecting with admin, and then it's not mandatory.

Exactly! Not to mention these teachers want the 4 days to be considered instructional days for the kids. THAT is the kicker. 4 more days of the kids not learning again. I am so sick of the poor teachers rhetoric they keep spewing. How about some empathy for the parents working and now having to be teachers. I am lucky my job allows me to stay at home all but maybe 10 hours a week. But now I work 3-4 hours at night to make up for the lost day time. WiFi issues, reteaching because not enough times, making lunches, help with “projects” the teachers love to give because it gets them out another 1 hour of teaching. It is non stop.

I don’t ask my boss for more time or more money. I don’t tell my customers I need 4 days off to catch up so I won’t be helping them. I am shocked teachers (who are supposed to care about the kids) would even want the kids to miss another 4 days of school. They are so far behind as it is. It is so sad.

This right here as well as the other private school teacher who said she set up her room in the week or two after school opened.

If a teacher truly cares about the kids, they would not want the kids to miss another 4 days of school. I have gone above and beyond for my job, helping my kids, and yes it is tough on everyone. But 4 paid days for teachers to set up classrooms while our kids sit home doing nothing? That seems as selfish as can be. Did other Maryland school districts ask for 4 days off or just MCPS? Honestly curious.

Interesting that the private school did not bother to have a pre-service week. Continues to affirm my opinion that private schools are not run very well.

In any case, mcps central administration asked for the four in service days on behalf of staff and of course teachers get the bad rep for being lazy

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What I'm seeing on this forum is very interesting. Teachers are saying that they are working hard to maintain DL and some parents are denying it. Parents are saying that DL is not working for their child and some teachers are denying it. Both of these things can be true. Teachers can be working hard and DL can also not work for everybody. Trash-talking parents and teachers for trying their hardest doesn't help anybody in this situation and only leads to an adversarial relationship with resentment on both sides. Ultimately, both "sides" want the same thing, for students to receive an education.

Should teachers get 4 days to set up their classroom? I have no idea. But I do know that both parents and teachers are working really hard and are reaching a point where they feel like they are burning out and that's it's just easier to blame somebody else. It is possible for both groups to feel the same way, but for different reasons.

I like you, rational poster.

I'm a working parent who is not burned out at all. My kids are getting straight A's. But they should be in school right now.

And I still think it's pathetic that MCPS teachers are teaching four days a week, for about five hours a day. That's not a full-time job. And they do not spend the rest of the time preparing for anything. Believe me, I listen to my kids' classes, and there's nothing special going on.

So I think it's time for teachers to stop accusing parents of not parenting their kids. That's not the issue here. The issue is that you need to reopen schools. Especially after Biden just reiterated it about half an hour ago. There is NO meaningful spread through smartly open schools, and I'm sick of my kids falling behind all of their friends in privates who have been at school all year.

You realize there is much more to to being a teacher than just teaching live. Nothing special goes in in person either but the difference is you just don't know about it.

Many of us aren't teachers commenting that parents need to step up more. Stop accusing teachers as you are out of line.

If private is better, send them to private. You have that option.

There is meaningful spread in the schools. And, it spreads between families. And, part of that spread is individual choices.

Cite your sources on the meaningful spread of Covid in schools please. Thanks!

Google is your friend.

So that is Zilch. Nada. Zero.

The Wall Street Journal reported on January 16 that “recent studies and outbreaks show that schoolchildren, even younger ones, can play a significant role in spreading infections.” A Calder Center study released in December of Michigan and Washington found that “reopening schools in areas with higher caseloads, though, does spread the virus.”

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00139-3

“ we are not able to assess how much these steps might help because we do not have information on safety protocols in individual schools or whether schools are following those protocols.”

“ A new study found results similar to ours when examining hospitalizations – that in-person instruction was associated with more nearby hospitalizations when existing COVID-19 rates were high, but that there was no such correlation when rates were low.”

[Anonymous]

https://www.wsj.com/articles/europes-schools-are-closing-again-on-concerns-they-spread-covid-19-11610805601

“While the debate continues, recent studies and outbreaks show that schoolchildren, even younger ones, can play a significant role in spreading infections.

In the second wave we acquired much more evidence that schoolchildren are almost equally, if not more infected by SARS-CoV-2 than others,“ said Antoine Flahault, director of the University of Geneva’s Institute of Global Health.“

[Anonymous]

Again, why are pretending that MCPS will open?

Everyone knows they will not.