Any chance DCPS reopens in person for Term 2 or Term 3?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Based on what Perry Stein was tweeting tonight it seems there might be a chance for in person learning starting in November...possibly earlier. Anyone else catch that/hear anything?

That's gonna go real well with the start of flu season. I'm all for schools coming back, but trying to come back during the time when everyone gets sick doesn't seem too smart. Better to come back now and work out all the issues instead of figuring it out in November.

that’s the exact tactic some privates and colleges took. In person until November, then a long break for holidays and DL when ventilation might be more challenging and flu is a factor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Based on what Perry Stein was tweeting tonight it seems there might be a chance for in person learning starting in November...possibly earlier. Anyone else catch that/hear anything?

That's gonna go real well with the start of flu season. I'm all for schools coming back, but trying to come back during the time when everyone gets sick doesn't seem too smart. Better to come back now and work out all the issues instead of figuring it out in November.

What does the flu season have to do with returning. There is ALWAYS a flu season and kids go to school. Require every kid to get a flu vaccine. I don't see a wide spread flu season given masks, small groups, constant hand washing etc. I think attempting to go back in Nov is a good idea Even if its just for a few weeks. Then the schools can close for holidays for a deep cleaning. At least open Elem, Title 1 schools or SPED classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Based on what Perry Stein was tweeting tonight it seems there might be a chance for in person learning starting in November...possibly earlier. Anyone else catch that/hear anything?

That's gonna go real well with the start of flu season. I'm all for schools coming back, but trying to come back during the time when everyone gets sick doesn't seem too smart. Better to come back now and work out all the issues instead of figuring it out in November.

that’s the exact tactic some privates and colleges took. In person until November, then a long break for holidays and DL when ventilation might be more challenging and flu is a factor. [/quote

No, colleges are closing in November because they don't want kids TRAVELLING home to inside family gatherings without masks and then TAVELLING back to campus. Spring breaks will be cancelled in the spring too. Nothing to do with flu season but with TRAVEL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Based on what Perry Stein was tweeting tonight it seems there might be a chance for in person learning starting in November...possibly earlier. Anyone else catch that/hear anything?

That's gonna go real well with the start of flu season. I'm all for schools coming back, but trying to come back during the time when everyone gets sick doesn't seem too smart. Better to come back now and work out all the issues instead of figuring it out in November.

What does the flu season have to do with returning. There is ALWAYS a flu season and kids go to school. Require every kid to get a flu vaccine. I don't see a wide spread flu season given masks, small groups, constant hand washing etc. I think attempting to go back in Nov is a good idea Even if its just for a few weeks. Then the schools can close for holidays for a deep cleaning. At least open Elem, Title 1 schools or SPED classes.

I agree. But, the additional complication of flu season is that flu and covid together may be really bad, and that you're going to have to do more quarantining/keeping kids home if they get the flu, until you rule out COVID.

[Anonymous]

look what happened in the southern hemisphere, where winter just ended:

"Health systems across the southern hemisphere were bracing a few months ago for their annual surge in influenza cases, which alongside Covid-19 could have overwhelmed hospitals. They never came.

Many countries in the southern half of the globe have instead experienced either record low levels of flu or none at all, public health specialists in Australia, New Zealand and South America have said, sparing potentially tens of thousands of lives and offering a glimmer of hope as winter approaches in the northern hemisphere.

General practitioners in New Zealand have not detected a single influenza case since they started screening patients in June, health data shows; last year about 57% of the samples they collected were positive."

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/sep/17/falling-flu-rates-in-southern-hemisphere-offers-hope-as-winter-approaches-coronavirus

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Based on what Perry Stein was tweeting tonight it seems there might be a chance for in person learning starting in November...possibly earlier. Anyone else catch that/hear anything?

That's gonna go real well with the start of flu season. I'm all for schools coming back, but trying to come back during the time when everyone gets sick doesn't seem too smart. Better to come back now and work out all the issues instead of figuring it out in November.

What does the flu season have to do with returning. There is ALWAYS a flu season and kids go to school. Require every kid to get a flu vaccine. I don't see a wide spread flu season given masks, small groups, constant hand washing etc. I think attempting to go back in Nov is a good idea Even if its just for a few weeks. Then the schools can close for holidays for a deep cleaning. At least open Elem, Title 1 schools or SPED classes.

I agree. But, the additional complication of flu season is that flu and covid together may be really bad, and that you're going to have to do more quarantining/keeping kids home if they get the flu, until you rule out COVID.

I work at a school. I believe school should start as long as the facility is ready and proper staff are available but people need to understand and accept what school is going to be like. Any person who presents with symptoms that could be COVID - whether allergies, the common cold or the flu or a dozen other things -- are probably going to be required to stay home. Families should get ready for this and should also understand that this will likely mean a lot more substitutes (if they can be found). I can already imagine the screaming we are going to hear when little Johnny shows up coughing and congested and isn't allowed into school. "But it's only ALLERGIES!!!" but how is the school to really know??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:look what happened in the southern hemisphere, where winter just ended:

"Health systems across the southern hemisphere were bracing a few months ago for their annual surge in influenza cases, which alongside Covid-19 could have overwhelmed hospitals. They never came.

Many countries in the southern half of the globe have instead experienced either record low levels of flu or none at all, public health specialists in Australia, New Zealand and South America have said, sparing potentially tens of thousands of lives and offering a glimmer of hope as winter approaches in the northern hemisphere.

General practitioners in New Zealand have not detected a single influenza case since they started screening patients in June, health data shows; last year about 57% of the samples they collected were positive."

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/sep/17/falling-flu-rates-in-southern-hemisphere-offers-hope-as-winter-approaches-coronavirus

Yep, the "flu season" is more alarmist hype given how people have masked up. It'll fall right in line with the promised "surge" that somehow never comes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:look what happened in the southern hemisphere, where winter just ended:

"Health systems across the southern hemisphere were bracing a few months ago for their annual surge in influenza cases, which alongside Covid-19 could have overwhelmed hospitals. They never came.

Many countries in the southern half of the globe have instead experienced either record low levels of flu or none at all, public health specialists in Australia, New Zealand and South America have said, sparing potentially tens of thousands of lives and offering a glimmer of hope as winter approaches in the northern hemisphere.

General practitioners in New Zealand have not detected a single influenza case since they started screening patients in June, health data shows; last year about 57% of the samples they collected were positive."

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/sep/17/falling-flu-rates-in-southern-hemisphere-offers-hope-as-winter-approaches-coronavirus

Yep, the "flu season" is more alarmist hype given how people have masked up. It'll fall right in line with the promised "surge" that somehow never comes.

+1

That Memorial Day surge is due any moment.

[Anonymous]

Also a teacher. 1000% want to go back to work, distance learning is no bueno. Part of me also thinks that its our turn as educators to step up to the challenge of Covid recovery. That being said:

1 - I honestly don't trust DCPS bureaucracy to make sure that everyone is safe in the building. Half the time they can't even keep the bathrooms clean and the copier running....and we expect them to be able to control a viral pandemic?

2 - Another issue...really not looking forward to being mask police.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Based on what Perry Stein was tweeting tonight it seems there might be a chance for in person learning starting in November...possibly earlier. Anyone else catch that/hear anything?

Wilson principal made reference to possibility of some students and teachers returning in coming weeks in her newsletter message Sunday. Said very early planning stages, etc. No more info since.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Based on what Perry Stein was tweeting tonight it seems there might be a chance for in person learning starting in November...possibly earlier. Anyone else catch that/hear anything?

That's gonna go real well with the start of flu season. I'm all for schools coming back, but trying to come back during the time when everyone gets sick doesn't seem too smart. Better to come back now and work out all the issues instead of figuring it out in November.

What does the flu season have to do with returning. There is ALWAYS a flu season and kids go to school. Require every kid to get a flu vaccine. I don't see a wide spread flu season given masks, small groups, constant hand washing etc. I think attempting to go back in Nov is a good idea Even if its just for a few weeks. Then the schools can close for holidays for a deep cleaning. At least open Elem, Title 1 schools or SPED classes.

I agree. But, the additional complication of flu season is that flu and covid together may be really bad, and that you're going to have to do more quarantining/keeping kids home if they get the flu, until you rule out COVID.

I work at a school. I believe school should start as long as the facility is ready and proper staff are available but people need to understand and accept what school is going to be like. Any person who presents with symptoms that could be COVID - whether allergies, the common cold or the flu or a dozen other things -- are probably going to be required to stay home. Families should get ready for this and should also understand that this will likely mean a lot more substitutes (if they can be found). I can already imagine the screaming we are going to hear when little Johnny shows up coughing and congested and isn't allowed into school. "But it's only ALLERGIES!!!" but how is the school to really know??

Yep, I totally agree and understand. This would have sucked for me personally since I had one of those kids who was sick every other week until he was 6, but this is the world we are in now. Since his coughs can last a long time, I'm hoping that they will be flexible on providing at-home work for him to do when he's home but not really sick.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:look what happened in the southern hemisphere, where winter just ended:

"Health systems across the southern hemisphere were bracing a few months ago for their annual surge in influenza cases, which alongside Covid-19 could have overwhelmed hospitals. They never came.

Many countries in the southern half of the globe have instead experienced either record low levels of flu or none at all, public health specialists in Australia, New Zealand and South America have said, sparing potentially tens of thousands of lives and offering a glimmer of hope as winter approaches in the northern hemisphere.

General practitioners in New Zealand have not detected a single influenza case since they started screening patients in June, health data shows; last year about 57% of the samples they collected were positive."

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/sep/17/falling-flu-rates-in-southern-hemisphere-offers-hope-as-winter-approaches-coronavirus

Yep, the "flu season" is more alarmist hype given how people have masked up. It'll fall right in line with the promised "surge" that somehow never comes.

+1

That Memorial Day surge is due any moment.

Um ... there was a surge over the summer, I guess you forgot? We have prevented surges due to enough people taking social distancing and masking seriously.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also a teacher. 1000% want to go back to work, distance learning is no bueno. Part of me also thinks that its our turn as educators to step up to the challenge of Covid recovery. That being said:

1 - I honestly don't trust DCPS bureaucracy to make sure that everyone is safe in the building. Half the time they can't even keep the bathrooms clean and the copier running....and we expect them to be able to control a viral pandemic?

2 - Another issue...really not looking forward to being mask police.

Thank you teacher!! I would do anything to support you if you were my child's teacher. I think this situation also requires schools and parents to step up to the challenge in being flexible and creative about how we support the unique circumstances of each classroom and school building.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:look what happened in the southern hemisphere, where winter just ended:

"Health systems across the southern hemisphere were bracing a few months ago for their annual surge in influenza cases, which alongside Covid-19 could have overwhelmed hospitals. They never came.

Many countries in the southern half of the globe have instead experienced either record low levels of flu or none at all, public health specialists in Australia, New Zealand and South America have said, sparing potentially tens of thousands of lives and offering a glimmer of hope as winter approaches in the northern hemisphere.

General practitioners in New Zealand have not detected a single influenza case since they started screening patients in June, health data shows; last year about 57% of the samples they collected were positive."

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/sep/17/falling-flu-rates-in-southern-hemisphere-offers-hope-as-winter-approaches-coronavirus

Yep, the "flu season" is more alarmist hype given how people have masked up. It'll fall right in line with the promised "surge" that somehow never comes.

+1

That Memorial Day surge is due any moment.

Um ... there was a surge over the summer, I guess you forgot? We have prevented surges due to enough people taking social distancing and masking seriously.

All of the coronavirus numbers have gotten dramatically better in DC since Memorial Day.

https://covidactnow.org/us/dc/?s=1047224

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Based on what Perry Stein was tweeting tonight it seems there might be a chance for in person learning starting in November...possibly earlier. Anyone else catch that/hear anything?

That's gonna go real well with the start of flu season. I'm all for schools coming back, but trying to come back during the time when everyone gets sick doesn't seem too smart. Better to come back now and work out all the issues instead of figuring it out in November.

What does the flu season have to do with returning. There is ALWAYS a flu season and kids go to school. Require every kid to get a flu vaccine. I don't see a wide spread flu season given masks, small groups, constant hand washing etc. I think attempting to go back in Nov is a good idea Even if its just for a few weeks. Then the schools can close for holidays for a deep cleaning. At least open Elem, Title 1 schools or SPED classes.

I agree. But, the additional complication of flu season is that flu and covid together may be really bad, and that you're going to have to do more quarantining/keeping kids home if they get the flu, until you rule out COVID.

I work at a school. I believe school should start as long as the facility is ready and proper staff are available but people need to understand and accept what school is going to be like. Any person who presents with symptoms that could be COVID - whether allergies, the common cold or the flu or a dozen other things -- are probably going to be required to stay home. Families should get ready for this and should also understand that this will likely mean a lot more substitutes (if they can be found). I can already imagine the screaming we are going to hear when little Johnny shows up coughing and congested and isn't allowed into school. "But it's only ALLERGIES!!!" but how is the school to really know??

My ILs are at small public school in the Midwest. My nephew's class is 70% in person and 30% distance learning (he's DL) with one teacher. The teacher had allergies and since the symptoms are similar to COVID, she had to stay home for a week per the in-person health rules. The in-person kids got a substitute and the regular teacher taught the LD kids from her home.