If DMV schools don't open in the fall, are you moving?

[Anonymous]

Hear, hear. Who needs in-person school for little kids when you have DL?

The District could spend the considerable savings on all manner of civic improvements to bolster our quality of life, from better swim centers, playgrounds and DCPR summer camps, to more red brick sidewalk paving, to the creation of bigger dog parks, to more generous arts subsidies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The US ha ever valued public education or public school teachers. Not surprising that a once-in-a-100-year pandemic that's killed 400,000 people in this country makes no difference. You know in a month, more people will have died from COVID-19 than in WWII. Just putting it in perspective how devastating this has been.

Of course nobody expects the pandemic to "make a difference" in the US' attitude towards public education - what a nonsensical way to put it. What is shocking is the depth of the disregard for this communal good, not only by leaders but by the teachers themselves and by a good part of the parents and the general population, to the point where kids are being deprived of access to proper schooling for over a year.

And while the death toll of the pandemic is indeed tragic, it is not comparable to WWII, which killed mostly young, healthy people in the prime of their lives, while nearly half of US Covid deaths happened in nursing homes. Those deaths absolutely matter as well, but the life years lost are not nearly the same. The fact that this comparison keeps getting brought up unqualified, and questioning it is pretty much taboo (just watch me getting flamed for saying it), is just more evidence that we are a gerontocratic society that has no concept of valuing kids and their quality of life.

You go, PP. Couldn't agree more.

This!!

I’ve been thinking about who has sacrificed the most during this pandemic, outside of those who have contracted covid and their families. It’s kids. Kids have given a year of normal childhood and education, given up their mental health and generally sacrificed for adults. It’s time we stop overlooking kids for our own sake. I’m not saying throw caution to the wind, but let’s see some balance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Such an ignorant comment. You know very little about education, and if you say you do, then what you know is garbage. Students are getting an education via distance learning. Thanks to technology and resourceful teachers children are being educated. You will lose that argument every time. Schools might even open in the spring as soon as vaccines are rolled out and people stop gathering 'safely'.

Well I know something about education, with my PhD in applied economics and education think tank work. I also know that my elementary school-age children are only learning around half what they learned at school pre-Covid via DCPS furnished DL. This is true although they're enrolled in one of the District's highest-performing public elementary schools.

For the most part, technology, and resourceful teachers working from home just can't seem to compensate for what technology and resourceful teachers can do in a classroom. We supplement a good deal to try to keep the kids on track academically.

Why should the WTU agree to send teachers back into classrooms in the spring when the Bowser clearly can't, or won't, force their hand?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The US ha ever valued public education or public school teachers. Not surprising that a once-in-a-100-year pandemic that's killed 400,000 people in this country makes no difference. You know in a month, more people will have died from COVID-19 than in WWII. Just putting it in perspective how devastating this has been.

Of course nobody expects the pandemic to "make a difference" in the US' attitude towards public education - what a nonsensical way to put it. What is shocking is the depth of the disregard for this communal good, not only by leaders but by the teachers themselves and by a good part of the parents and the general population, to the point where kids are being deprived of access to proper schooling for over a year.

And while the death toll of the pandemic is indeed tragic, it is not comparable to WWII, which killed mostly young, healthy people in the prime of their lives, while nearly half of US Covid deaths happened in nursing homes. Those deaths absolutely matter as well, but the life years lost are not nearly the same. The fact that this comparison keeps getting brought up unqualified, and questioning it is pretty much taboo (just watch me getting flamed for saying it), is just more evidence that we are a gerontocratic society that has no concept of valuing kids and their quality of life.

You go, PP. Couldn't agree more.

Me too. Which countries prioritize children and education? Maybe we should move there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Such an ignorant comment. You know very little about education, and if you say you do, then what you know is garbage. Students are getting an education via distance learning. Thanks to technology and resourceful teachers children are being educated. You will lose that argument every time. Schools might even open in the spring as soon as vaccines are rolled out and people stop gathering 'safely'.

Well I know something about education, with my PhD in applied economics and education think tank work. I also know that my elementary school-age children are only learning around half what they learned at school pre-Covid via DCPS furnished DL. This is true although they're enrolled in one of the District's highest-performing public elementary schools.

For the most part, technology, and resourceful teachers working from home just can't seem to compensate for what technology and resourceful teachers can do in a classroom. We supplement a good deal to try to keep the kids on track academically.

Why should the WTU agree to send teachers back into classrooms in the spring when the Bowser clearly can't, or won't, force their hand?

+1. Reality is that kids in elementary who are on grade level or above currently are only so because parents like us are supplementing heavily. It’s not from the DL. It’s a cold hard fact. Elementary teachers who think kids are doing so great will have a hard reality to face when kids are back in their classroom and so behind in content, depth, and curriculum.

We are at a very highly regarded charter and at least our teachers have acknowledged that many kids are not grasping math concepts thru DL and needing to spend even more time on it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The US ha ever valued public education or public school teachers. Not surprising that a once-in-a-100-year pandemic that's killed 400,000 people in this country makes no difference. You know in a month, more people will have died from COVID-19 than in WWII. Just putting it in perspective how devastating this has been.

Interesting you're comparing a pandemic to a massive scale war but ok. But anything to fit your narrative, am I right...

I bet you're one of those horrid parents who when their child is disappointed about something or really sad you start talking about 'poor kids in Africa.' It's a continent and yes, people suffer more greatly than many of us but that doesn't make our feelings invalid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Such an ignorant comment. You know very little about education, and if you say you do, then what you know is garbage. Students are getting an education via distance learning. Thanks to technology and resourceful teachers children are being educated. You will lose that argument every time. Schools might even open in the spring as soon as vaccines are rolled out and people stop gathering 'safely'.

Well I know something about education, with my PhD in applied economics and education think tank work. I also know that my elementary school-age children are only learning around half what they learned at school pre-Covid via DCPS furnished DL. This is true although they're enrolled in one of the District's highest-performing public elementary schools.

For the most part, technology, and resourceful teachers working from home just can't seem to compensate for what technology and resourceful teachers can do in a classroom. We supplement a good deal to try to keep the kids on track academically.

Why should the WTU agree to send teachers back into classrooms in the spring when the Bowser clearly can't, or won't, force their hand?

+1. Reality is that kids in elementary who are on grade level or above currently are only so because parents like us are supplementing heavily. It’s not from the DL. It’s a cold hard fact. Elementary teachers who think kids are doing so great will have a hard reality to face when kids are back in their classroom and so behind in content, depth, and curriculum.

We are at a very highly regarded charter and at least our teachers have acknowledged that many kids are not grasping math concepts thru DL and needing to spend even more time on it.

You act like it's such a difficult task. I teach in a title 1 school and I get children 1-5 grade levels behind all the time. I manage to at least get 1.5-2.5 years worth of growth in a school year. I'm sure your precious NW teachers can manage such a simple task with parents who are more invested than some (key word here) other parents at my school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The US ha ever valued public education or public school teachers. Not surprising that a once-in-a-100-year pandemic that's killed 400,000 people in this country makes no difference. You know in a month, more people will have died from COVID-19 than in WWII. Just putting it in perspective how devastating this has been.

Of course nobody expects the pandemic to "make a difference" in the US' attitude towards public education - what a nonsensical way to put it. What is shocking is the depth of the disregard for this communal good, not only by leaders but by the teachers themselves and by a good part of the parents and the general population, to the point where kids are being deprived of access to proper schooling for over a year.

And while the death toll of the pandemic is indeed tragic, it is not comparable to WWII, which killed mostly young, healthy people in the prime of their lives, while nearly half of US Covid deaths happened in nursing homes. Those deaths absolutely matter as well, but the life years lost are not nearly the same. The fact that this comparison keeps getting brought up unqualified, and questioning it is pretty much taboo (just watch me getting flamed for saying it), is just more evidence that we are a gerontocratic society that has no concept of valuing kids and their quality of life.

You go, PP. Couldn't agree more.

This!!

I’ve been thinking about who has sacrificed the most during this pandemic, outside of those who have contracted covid and their families. It’s kids. Kids have given a year of normal childhood and education, given up their mental health and generally sacrificed for adults. It’s time we stop overlooking kids for our own sake. I’m not saying throw caution to the wind, but let’s see some balance.

Thank you. What a rare gust of common sense!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The US ha ever valued public education or public school teachers. Not surprising that a once-in-a-100-year pandemic that's killed 400,000 people in this country makes no difference. You know in a month, more people will have died from COVID-19 than in WWII. Just putting it in perspective how devastating this has been.

Interesting you're comparing a pandemic to a massive scale war but ok. But anything to fit your narrative, am I right...

I bet you're one of those horrid parents who when their child is disappointed about something or really sad you start talking about 'poor kids in Africa.' It's a continent and yes, people suffer more greatly than many of us but that doesn't make our feelings invalid.

What is wrong with teaching children perceptive and that they are lucky to have what they have?

i remind my child that we are lucky to have a home when we drive by the tents. I remind my child there but for the grace of god go we.

Why can't we see all our friends; why can't we hug the ones we see during distance playdates; why can't we have normal - because coughing to death is horrible; because we respect healthcare workers. It won't be forever; I don't know when it will end but it is hard and its okay to think its hard.

[Anonymous]

Thank you PP. Teaching kids perspective is crucial in understanding why schools are closed. It is just one small sacrifice our kids can do to protect everyone else. It won't be forever. I guess it's a bit like the marshmallow test, patience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Such an ignorant comment. You know very little about education, and if you say you do, then what you know is garbage. Students are getting an education via distance learning. Thanks to technology and resourceful teachers children are being educated. You will lose that argument every time. Schools might even open in the spring as soon as vaccines are rolled out and people stop gathering 'safely'.

Well I know something about education, with my PhD in applied economics and education think tank work. I also know that my elementary school-age children are only learning around half what they learned at school pre-Covid via DCPS furnished DL. This is true although they're enrolled in one of the District's highest-performing public elementary schools.

For the most part, technology, and resourceful teachers working from home just can't seem to compensate for what technology and resourceful teachers can do in a classroom. We supplement a good deal to try to keep the kids on track academically.

Why should the WTU agree to send teachers back into classrooms in the spring when the Bowser clearly can't, or won't, force their hand?

+1. Reality is that kids in elementary who are on grade level or above currently are only so because parents like us are supplementing heavily. It’s not from the DL. It’s a cold hard fact. Elementary teachers who think kids are doing so great will have a hard reality to face when kids are back in their classroom and so behind in content, depth, and curriculum.

We are at a very highly regarded charter and at least our teachers have acknowledged that many kids are not grasping math concepts thru DL and needing to spend even more time on it.

You act like it's such a difficult task. I teach in a title 1 school and I get children 1-5 grade levels behind all the time. I manage to at least get 1.5-2.5 years worth of growth in a school year. I'm sure your precious NW teachers can manage such a simple task with parents who are more invested than some (key word here) other parents at my school.

You are in denial if you teach elementary. You haven’t taught kids who have been checked out and not IN school for almost a year and a half when it’s all said and done. Many of these kids will be your kids and even further behind. Many will never catch up. I’m sure you know that if the kids aren’t reading by 3rd grade, high probability they will not finish school.

At least at my charter, all the kids are actively participating. Even with this, they are not progressing well.

But best of luck to you. You will need it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The US ha ever valued public education or public school teachers. Not surprising that a once-in-a-100-year pandemic that's killed 400,000 people in this country makes no difference. You know in a month, more people will have died from COVID-19 than in WWII. Just putting it in perspective how devastating this has been.

Of course nobody expects the pandemic to "make a difference" in the US' attitude towards public education - what a nonsensical way to put it. What is shocking is the depth of the disregard for this communal good, not only by leaders but by the teachers themselves and by a good part of the parents and the general population, to the point where kids are being deprived of access to proper schooling for over a year.

And while the death toll of the pandemic is indeed tragic, it is not comparable to WWII, which killed mostly young, healthy people in the prime of their lives, while nearly half of US Covid deaths happened in nursing homes. Those deaths absolutely matter as well, but the life years lost are not nearly the same. The fact that this comparison keeps getting brought up unqualified, and questioning it is pretty much taboo (just watch me getting flamed for saying it), is just more evidence that we are a gerontocratic society that has no concept of valuing kids and their quality of life.

You go, PP. Couldn't agree more.

This!!

I’ve been thinking about who has sacrificed the most during this pandemic, outside of those who have contracted covid and their families. It’s kids. Kids have given a year of normal childhood and education, given up their mental health and generally sacrificed for adults. It’s time we stop overlooking kids for our own sake. I’m not saying throw caution to the wind, but let’s see some balance.

+10000

[Anonymous]

I’m shocked by snarky teachers who pretend this is anywhere near OK for young kids. As we approach a year out of school it is not OK. Accept that fact and then figure out how we will all compensate when schools do open. My child cries and asks when she can see teachers and friends again. She has been too alone for too long and it is absolutely a mental health issue. In addition to vast loss of learning. If schools do not reopen in fall we will absolutely need to move.

[Anonymous]

What we really need is a free, robust in person summer school offered to every child with a strong teacher. Too much time off already and no ones considering summer?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m shocked by snarky teachers who pretend this is anywhere near OK for young kids. As we approach a year out of school it is not OK. Accept that fact and then figure out how we will all compensate when schools do open. My child cries and asks when she can see teachers and friends again. She has been too alone for too long and it is absolutely a mental health issue. In addition to vast loss of learning. If schools do not reopen in fall we will absolutely need to move.

Teachers aren’t saying this is okay for students. They are saying there is a pandemic so this is the best option for now.

Work could be done to improve DL, adjust hours for kids etc but DCPS wants to make ward 3 parents happen