APS cancels Summer school for many previously qualified students due to lack of staffing

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Let's all remember when Loft said that concurrent was not developmentally appropriate for middle schoolers. That was before she expanded it to elementary!!!

That was only because she also dialed back her initial plan to assign virtual kids & hybrid kids separately at the beginning of the year.... "We'll figure it out later," she said.

Concurrent has actually worked really well for my 6th grader. I can see it working pretty well for upper classes in elementary as well. I remember when this switchover happened and at least for middle schoolers, I really thought it made sense, rather than reassign teachers and classes. A lot of students wanted to stay with the teachers they had been assigned to, and didn't want to change teachers so that their classes could be split up into all virtual vs. in person. I thought that was going to be a nightmare, personally.

+1

No matter what Bridget Loft did this year, there would have always been haters. I like her.

Agree. Some I teach with just want to complain. All the time. It’s embarrassing.


She has been horrible in her jobs way before Covid. This year has just shown a huge spotlight on it. But for some reason she is the golden child of APS that they will never get rid of. Maybe since this year EVERYONE sees how how bad she is maybe it will change. I’m not holding my breath

-some one who had to deal with her unfortunate “leadership” at Swanson

I’ve worked for her, and I think she’s great. Unfortunately, that sometimes means making sound decisions that are unpopular, and during this pandemic, the superintendent of teaching and learning is damned no matter what they do. I think she’s done fairly well with hand she’s been dealt.

Also- she shouldn’t have had to apologize about the email. All she said is, they can’t staff summer school. So what? I’m a teacher. Not offended.

I think she read DCUM and saw how parents blamed teachers rather than a) asking why the district didn’t secure staffing before offering summer school and b) considering that many teachers are burn out and others need more remunerative summer work (largely unavailable last summer).

There was a coordinated letter writing campaign from the same teachers that have been the loudest about everything all year. I think that’s why she sent to apology. I think she’s made some missteps this year but has done ok overall. There are some people actively looking to take offense at everything she does. People were mad she puts memes in her weekly memos, talk about nitpicky.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Let's all remember when Loft said that concurrent was not developmentally appropriate for middle schoolers. That was before she expanded it to elementary!!!

That was only because she also dialed back her initial plan to assign virtual kids & hybrid kids separately at the beginning of the year.... "We'll figure it out later," she said.

Concurrent has actually worked really well for my 6th grader. I can see it working pretty well for upper classes in elementary as well. I remember when this switchover happened and at least for middle schoolers, I really thought it made sense, rather than reassign teachers and classes. A lot of students wanted to stay with the teachers they had been assigned to, and didn't want to change teachers so that their classes could be split up into all virtual vs. in person. I thought that was going to be a nightmare, personally.

+1

No matter what Bridget Loft did this year, there would have always been haters. I like her.

She has been horrible in her jobs way before Covid. This year has just shown a huge spotlight on it. But for some reason she is the golden child of APS that they will never get rid of. Maybe since this year EVERYONE sees how how bad she is maybe it will change. I’m not holding my breath

-some one who had to deal with her unfortunate “leadership” at Swanson

I’ve worked for her, and I think she’s great. Unfortunately, that sometimes means making sound decisions that are unpopular, and during this pandemic, the superintendent of teaching and learning is damned no matter what they do. I think she’s done fairly well with hand she’s been dealt.

Also- she shouldn’t have had to apologize about the email. All she said is, they can’t staff summer school. So what? I’m a teacher. Not offended.

I think she read DCUM and saw how parents blamed teachers rather than a) asking why the district didn’t secure staffing before offering summer school and b) considering that many teachers are burn out and others need more remunerative summer work (largely unavailable last summer).

There was a coordinated letter writing campaign from the same teachers that have been the loudest about everything all year. I think that’s why she sent to apology. I think she’s made some missteps this year but has done ok overall. There are some people actively looking to take offense at everything she does. People were mad she puts memes in her weekly memos, talk about nitpicky.

No people actually posted it on Twitter. Parents in APS. It got attention.

Which is ridiculous.

A parent felt it was in poor taste. It was. Bridget admitted it. No worse than anything else that gets posted to Twitter. It was a public message!

I don't get what the big deal is. What do people expect APS to say? They didn't have nearly enough teachers apply. That's a fact. They are unable to accommodate all the students they had hoped to. That's a fact. Their original communication re summer school clearly stated it wasn't guaranteed and depended upon staffing. If they hadn't cited the teacher shortage as a reason for scaling back, parents still would have griped. If teachers were offended by the wording of that announcement, then their sensitivity is on the higher end of the scale. If they feel underappreciated and abused from this past year, then increased sensitivity is understandable. If it's parents complaining, well, Arlington parents look for something in every little thing to complain about and lambast APS admin for. Back seat coaching is easy - maybe they should try running a diverse public school district in a County of over-educated entitled wealthy ultra-liberal woke parents.

You're right on multiple levels. I am teaching summer school but I genuinely don't understand why teachers were so upset. Parents were also told several times that availability was based on staffing.

[Anonymous]

Listen, I’ll help you understand. Bridgets letter started with this:

“Even though we provided financial incentive, teachers were not willing to teach summer school.”

This is blame shifting. Translation: “We tried!! Teachers just won’t do it!’ Be mad at them some more!”

A real leader would have said something like this;

Dear APS Parents and Staff,

As we approach the end of a long and difficult school year, we appreciate the effort everyone in the community has expended to ensure children had as successful a year as possible. Teachers and families have worked together tirelessly this year and we are immensely grateful for all you have done. APS endeavored to create a summer program for students needing additional academic support; however, as previously indicated, the resources available to us were not sufficient to operate a program that could adequately serve the needs of the community. We regret to tell you that APS is unable to provide in person schooling this summer.”

Had she done that, the information would have been conveyed much more professionally and in a way that put the onus on APS and NOT on already drained teachers who are not obligated to teach summers for pennies.

[Anonymous]

But teachers are to blame

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But teachers are to blame

Do you know what opportunity cost is?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Physician here. An essential worker is an essential! If you want to be in job that isn’t important , requires dedication and sacrifice and very necessary, then don’t be a teacher. I never once complained that my employer asked me go to VHC to take care of Covid patients. I never questioned anyones intentions. I took the proper precautions , followed CDD guidelines and did my job. I am still alive and kicking. There was no need for closing schools and hiding. Everyone who was essential needed to rise up, wear PPE, gloves and work. We are supposed to be in a different class all together and it’s sad teachers didn’t understand that but every other essential worker did. Sorry to break it to you...masks actually work and that was all that was really needed. That is the truth the private schools teachers and the rest of the public schools systems knew already.

Perhaps APS should pay them physician’s wages then.

Perhaps teachers’ degrees should be harder to obtain. As it stands, it’s one of the easiest degrees to get.

PP is a physician, but I am a nurse that also had to go in. Hospital custodians, and hell, even Costco workers, went to work without complaint. The entire time.
Without sufficient PPE. Was it stressful? Absolutely! But we are essential workers, just as teachers are.

So cut the crap about having “the worst year ever”. It’s a bit tone deaf when WE ALL HAVE HAD THE FIRST YEAR EVER.

Or fine, take the summer break, and then don’t ever complain about your low salaries ever again.

They didn’t go in without complaint. Be clear. You’re literally here complaining that you, a nurse, had to handle a health crisis. Teachers did not ever sign up to teach in summer and don’t get paid to. It’s not the same.

I went to work without complaint. My complaints are with others that are too lazy to do their jobs.

Who didn’t do their job? I just got home from school. I’ve been working since August when we returned. Your argument is invalid. Teachers worked the whole year.

Bahahahahahaha

Oh, you're a child. Got it.

Oh, you’re lazy and mistakenly think you’re able to do your job well from home. Got it.

It is laughable that a nurse is telling teachers their degrees are too easy to get. It is also laughable that a nurse is pretending that your colleagues across the country haven’t gone on strike multiple times in the past year.
Nurses are just patient care techs with egos. You guys are not medical providers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But teachers are to blame

No they’re not. Summer school is not in their contract. You should apply if you think it’s some moral duty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Listen, I’ll help you understand. Bridgets letter started with this:

“Even though we provided financial incentive, teachers were not willing to teach summer school.”

This is blame shifting. Translation: “We tried!! Teachers just won’t do it!’ Be mad at them some more!”

A real leader would have said something like this;

Dear APS Parents and Staff,

As we approach the end of a long and difficult school year, we appreciate the effort everyone in the community has expended to ensure children had as successful a year as possible. Teachers and families have worked together tirelessly this year and we are immensely grateful for all you have done. APS endeavored to create a summer program for students needing additional academic support; however, as previously indicated, the resources available to us were not sufficient to operate a program that could adequately serve the needs of the community. We regret to tell you that APS is unable to provide in person schooling this summer.”

Had she done that, the information would have been conveyed much more professionally and in a way that put the onus on APS and NOT on already drained teachers who are not obligated to teach summers for pennies.

The actual quote is “ Despite having offered financial incentives to teachers to teach summer school, there are fewer applicants than the number of students who are eligible for summer instruction at the elementary level, making it impossible for APS to offer summer strengthening support to all eligible elementary students. Summer School is optional for teachers, and previous communication about the program indicated that final enrollment is contingent upon staffing.”

I think there is a bit of a difference from what you said “not enough applicants” is not the same as “teachers are not willing”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Physician here. An essential worker is an essential! If you want to be in job that isn’t important , requires dedication and sacrifice and very necessary, then don’t be a teacher. I never once complained that my employer asked me go to VHC to take care of Covid patients. I never questioned anyones intentions. I took the proper precautions , followed CDD guidelines and did my job. I am still alive and kicking. There was no need for closing schools and hiding. Everyone who was essential needed to rise up, wear PPE, gloves and work. We are supposed to be in a different class all together and it’s sad teachers didn’t understand that but every other essential worker did. Sorry to break it to you...masks actually work and that was all that was really needed. That is the truth the private schools teachers and the rest of the public schools systems knew already.

Perhaps APS should pay them physician’s wages then.

Perhaps teachers’ degrees should be harder to obtain. As it stands, it’s one of the easiest degrees to get.

PP is a physician, but I am a nurse that also had to go in. Hospital custodians, and hell, even Costco workers, went to work without complaint. The entire time.
Without sufficient PPE. Was it stressful? Absolutely! But we are essential workers, just as teachers are.

So cut the crap about having “the worst year ever”. It’s a bit tone deaf when WE ALL HAVE HAD THE FIRST YEAR EVER.

Or fine, take the summer break, and then don’t ever complain about your low salaries ever again.

They didn’t go in without complaint. Be clear. You’re literally here complaining that you, a nurse, had to handle a health crisis. Teachers did not ever sign up to teach in summer and don’t get paid to. It’s not the same.

I went to work without complaint. My complaints are with others that are too lazy to do their jobs.

Who didn’t do their job? I just got home from school. I’ve been working since August when we returned. Your argument is invalid. Teachers worked the whole year.

Bahahahahahaha

Oh, you're a child. Got it.

Oh, you’re lazy and mistakenly think you’re able to do your job well from home. Got it.

It is laughable that a nurse is telling teachers their degrees are too easy to get. It is also laughable that a nurse is pretending that your colleagues across the country haven’t gone on strike multiple times in the past year.
Nurses are just patient care techs with egos. You guys are not medical providers.

Don't do this. Don't make fun of nurses at the nursing profession. They are profession that has worked extremely hard over the last year and always and are constantly underrated with what they bring to the table.

However you should make fun of this nurse who posted ignorant things

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Physician here. An essential worker is an essential! If you want to be in job that isn’t important , requires dedication and sacrifice and very necessary, then don’t be a teacher. I never once complained that my employer asked me go to VHC to take care of Covid patients. I never questioned anyones intentions. I took the proper precautions , followed CDD guidelines and did my job. I am still alive and kicking. There was no need for closing schools and hiding. Everyone who was essential needed to rise up, wear PPE, gloves and work. We are supposed to be in a different class all together and it’s sad teachers didn’t understand that but every other essential worker did. Sorry to break it to you...masks actually work and that was all that was really needed. That is the truth the private schools teachers and the rest of the public schools systems knew already.

Perhaps APS should pay them physician’s wages then.

Perhaps teachers’ degrees should be harder to obtain. As it stands, it’s one of the easiest degrees to get.

PP is a physician, but I am a nurse that also had to go in. Hospital custodians, and hell, even Costco workers, went to work without complaint. The entire time.
Without sufficient PPE. Was it stressful? Absolutely! But we are essential workers, just as teachers are.

So cut the crap about having “the worst year ever”. It’s a bit tone deaf when WE ALL HAVE HAD THE FIRST YEAR EVER.

Or fine, take the summer break, and then don’t ever complain about your low salaries ever again.

They didn’t go in without complaint. Be clear. You’re literally here complaining that you, a nurse, had to handle a health crisis. Teachers did not ever sign up to teach in summer and don’t get paid to. It’s not the same.

I went to work without complaint. My complaints are with others that are too lazy to do their jobs.

Who didn’t do their job? I just got home from school. I’ve been working since August when we returned. Your argument is invalid. Teachers worked the whole year.

Bahahahahahaha

Oh, you're a child. Got it.

Oh, you’re lazy and mistakenly think you’re able to do your job well from home. Got it.

It is laughable that a nurse is telling teachers their degrees are too easy to get. It is also laughable that a nurse is pretending that your colleagues across the country haven’t gone on strike multiple times in the past year.
Nurses are just patient care techs with egos. You guys are not medical providers.

Don't do this. Don't make fun of nurses at the nursing profession. They are profession that has worked extremely hard over the last year and always and are constantly underrated with what they bring to the table.

However you should make fun of this nurse who posted ignorant things

The saddest part is both are female dominated careers that are undervalued and underpaid. This "my struggle is worse than yours" thing is the real problem. Nurses and teachers should not be pitted against each other.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Listen, I’ll help you understand. Bridgets letter started with this:

“Even though we provided financial incentive, teachers were not willing to teach summer school.”

This is blame shifting. Translation: “We tried!! Teachers just won’t do it!’ Be mad at them some more!”

A real leader would have said something like this;

Dear APS Parents and Staff,

As we approach the end of a long and difficult school year, we appreciate the effort everyone in the community has expended to ensure children had as successful a year as possible. Teachers and families have worked together tirelessly this year and we are immensely grateful for all you have done. APS endeavored to create a summer program for students needing additional academic support; however, as previously indicated, the resources available to us were not sufficient to operate a program that could adequately serve the needs of the community. We regret to tell you that APS is unable to provide in person schooling this summer.”

Had she done that, the information would have been conveyed much more professionally and in a way that put the onus on APS and NOT on already drained teachers who are not obligated to teach summers for pennies.

Then parents would have been asking why there weren't sufficient resources, or what resources, and APS would have to say "teachers. We didn't have enough teachers apply. We don't have enough teachers interested in teaching this summer." And we're back to the "teacher blaming."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Listen, I’ll help you understand. Bridgets letter started with this:

“Even though we provided financial incentive, teachers were not willing to teach summer school.”

This is blame shifting. Translation: “We tried!! Teachers just won’t do it!’ Be mad at them some more!”

A real leader would have said something like this;

Dear APS Parents and Staff,

As we approach the end of a long and difficult school year, we appreciate the effort everyone in the community has expended to ensure children had as successful a year as possible. Teachers and families have worked together tirelessly this year and we are immensely grateful for all you have done. APS endeavored to create a summer program for students needing additional academic support; however, as previously indicated, the resources available to us were not sufficient to operate a program that could adequately serve the needs of the community. We regret to tell you that APS is unable to provide in person schooling this summer.”

Had she done that, the information would have been conveyed much more professionally and in a way that put the onus on APS and NOT on already drained teachers who are not obligated to teach summers for pennies.

The actual quote is “ Despite having offered financial incentives to teachers to teach summer school, there are fewer applicants than the number of students who are eligible for summer instruction at the elementary level, making it impossible for APS to offer summer strengthening support to all eligible elementary students. Summer School is optional for teachers, and previous communication about the program indicated that final enrollment is contingent upon staffing.”

I think there is a bit of a difference from what you said “not enough applicants” is not the same as “teachers are not willing”

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Listen, I’ll help you understand. Bridgets letter started with this:

“Even though we provided financial incentive, teachers were not willing to teach summer school.”

This is blame shifting. Translation: “We tried!! Teachers just won’t do it!’ Be mad at them some more!”

A real leader would have said something like this;

Dear APS Parents and Staff,

As we approach the end of a long and difficult school year, we appreciate the effort everyone in the community has expended to ensure children had as successful a year as possible. Teachers and families have worked together tirelessly this year and we are immensely grateful for all you have done. APS endeavored to create a summer program for students needing additional academic support; however, as previously indicated, the resources available to us were not sufficient to operate a program that could adequately serve the needs of the community. We regret to tell you that APS is unable to provide in person schooling this summer.”

Had she done that, the information would have been conveyed much more professionally and in a way that put the onus on APS and NOT on already drained teachers who are not obligated to teach summers for pennies.

Then parents would have been asking why there weren't sufficient resources, or what resources, and APS would have to say "teachers. We didn't have enough teachers apply. We don't have enough teachers interested in teaching this summer." And we're back to the "teacher blaming."

I think the real problem is that APS invited 62% more elementary students than they could accommodate for summer school. APS should have been able to better predict their staffing for the summer - reversing SS offering for 3300 students is a lot. This is not teachers fault in any way. The administration failed to properly plan AND properly communicate. Many of the communiques since SS was announced in late March did NOT include a caveat on staffing. And when they did it was “some students may need to be waitlisted”. The caveats APS listed were not on par with not being being able to serve 62% of eligible students. That would have said MOST students won’t have a seat.

APS leadership heralded their robust summer school program as the first step towards recovering from the pandemic year AND as the reason they didn’t go four days - bc the kids that need it will be in summer school. It’s an egregious failure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Listen, I’ll help you understand. Bridgets letter started with this:

“Even though we provided financial incentive, teachers were not willing to teach summer school.”

This is blame shifting. Translation: “We tried!! Teachers just won’t do it!’ Be mad at them some more!”

A real leader would have said something like this;

Dear APS Parents and Staff,

As we approach the end of a long and difficult school year, we appreciate the effort everyone in the community has expended to ensure children had as successful a year as possible. Teachers and families have worked together tirelessly this year and we are immensely grateful for all you have done. APS endeavored to create a summer program for students needing additional academic support; however, as previously indicated, the resources available to us were not sufficient to operate a program that could adequately serve the needs of the community. We regret to tell you that APS is unable to provide in person schooling this summer.”

Had she done that, the information would have been conveyed much more professionally and in a way that put the onus on APS and NOT on already drained teachers who are not obligated to teach summers for pennies.

Then parents would have been asking why there weren't sufficient resources, or what resources, and APS would have to say "teachers. We didn't have enough teachers apply. We don't have enough teachers interested in teaching this summer." And we're back to the "teacher blaming."

But there weren’t sufficient resources. The silly little “bonus” or cheap hourly rate is NOT sufficient financial incentive for teachers. If you make $X an hour when your salary is broken down, why would you take on extra work to make HALF that for summer school? I’m asking you to consider this for yourself too. If your job asked you to work over the weekends, making half what you normally do, would you do it? Probably not. Because the rest you lose and the money you spend for someone to watch your kids does not balance out the pitiful wages they tossed at you to do it. The pay sucks. So no, the resources were clearly not there.

[Anonymous]

Do we know exactly how many students were eligible and how many were denied?