DC charters - which ones are open? hybrid model? plans of reopening?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What our school has told us, and I believe them, is that they have considered every available option for housing kids for on-site/in-person learning -- every room in the building converted to a classroom, outdoor classrooms, rented trailers, etc.--and that so long as the guidance is 6-ft. distancing, they simply do not have the space to put all the kids back on-site beyond hybrid.

In our case, at least, I am confident that it is not the school that we need to pressure. We need to push the federal and state governments to expedite vaccines and push local governments to get creative about finding more spaces for school kids.

We heard similar from our charter (we could be talking about the same school). But I still don’t think that absolves them of just writing off the year to DL. Why weren’t charter schools (via the charter board? On their own?) lobbying like hell to get their staffs vaccinated ASAP? I know that the vaccine distribution system has hit many bumps, but surely, if education was a priority in this city, vaccine sites would have been set up at every single school on day 1 that vaccines were available to teachers. The lack of urgency is just astounding.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What our school has told us, and I believe them, is that they have considered every available option for housing kids for on-site/in-person learning -- every room in the building converted to a classroom, outdoor classrooms, rented trailers, etc.--and that so long as the guidance is 6-ft. distancing, they simply do not have the space to put all the kids back on-site beyond hybrid.

In our case, at least, I am confident that it is not the school that we need to pressure. We need to push the federal and state governments to expedite vaccines and push local governments to get creative about finding more spaces for school kids.

We heard similar from our charter (we could be talking about the same school). But I still don’t think that absolves them of just writing off the year to DL. Why weren’t charter schools (via the charter board? On their own?) lobbying like hell to get their staffs vaccinated ASAP? I know that the vaccine distribution system has hit many bumps, but surely, if education was a priority in this city, vaccine sites would have been set up at every single school on day 1 that vaccines were available to teachers. The lack of urgency is just astounding.

Aren't you adorable. They don't need absolution. Either that word doesn't mean what you think it means or you have ever had a job or been called on to make tough decisions for which there are pros and cons either way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What our school has told us, and I believe them, is that they have considered every available option for housing kids for on-site/in-person learning -- every room in the building converted to a classroom, outdoor classrooms, rented trailers, etc.--and that so long as the guidance is 6-ft. distancing, they simply do not have the space to put all the kids back on-site beyond hybrid.

In our case, at least, I am confident that it is not the school that we need to pressure. We need to push the federal and state governments to expedite vaccines and push local governments to get creative about finding more spaces for school kids.

We heard similar from our charter (we could be talking about the same school). But I still don’t think that absolves them of just writing off the year to DL. Why weren’t charter schools (via the charter board? On their own?) lobbying like hell to get their staffs vaccinated ASAP? I know that the vaccine distribution system has hit many bumps, but surely, if education was a priority in this city, vaccine sites would have been set up at every single school on day 1 that vaccines were available to teachers. The lack of urgency is just astounding.

Aren't you adorable. They don't need absolution. Either that word doesn't mean what you think it means or you have ever had a job or been called on to make tough decisions for which there are pros and cons either way.

Not PP but you are totally missing the point. The school is saying that they can’t have all the kids back beyond hybrid. Ok but that’s not a good reason not to offer hybrid to families. It’s not a valid reason to stay DL the rest of the year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What our school has told us, and I believe them, is that they have considered every available option for housing kids for on-site/in-person learning -- every room in the building converted to a classroom, outdoor classrooms, rented trailers, etc.--and that so long as the guidance is 6-ft. distancing, they simply do not have the space to put all the kids back on-site beyond hybrid.

In our case, at least, I am confident that it is not the school that we need to pressure. We need to push the federal and state governments to expedite vaccines and push local governments to get creative about finding more spaces for school kids.

We heard similar from our charter (we could be talking about the same school). But I still don’t think that absolves them of just writing off the year to DL. Why weren’t charter schools (via the charter board? On their own?) lobbying like hell to get their staffs vaccinated ASAP? I know that the vaccine distribution system has hit many bumps, but surely, if education was a priority in this city, vaccine sites would have been set up at every single school on day 1 that vaccines were available to teachers. The lack of urgency is just astounding.

Charters who had concrete plans for hybrid knew what staff was willing to come back, had a list, and did have their staff vaccinated.

If your charter is telling you that staff who are willing to come back are not getting vaccinated, then they are pulling the wool over your eyes. It’s obvious they did not have a plan or enough of a concrete plan to get to the point of asking staff who were willing to come back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:Question to the PP who was asking about parents pressuring school admins. Do folks have examples of how to do that successfully? We are at a school that, at least until now, had long waitlists for every grade, we have a PTO, but of course neither they or other families have a direct line of authority to school admins. Have reached out to the school board itself with middling results — empathy but not action. Would love specific advice. Thanks!

Not PP but here is advice:

1. Gather a group together of like minded school parents. Draft letter to your admin and send, demanding plans and answers. Ask for a phone call.
2. Plan with this group to all attend your school board meeting. These are open now. Find out when and how and how to ask questions.
3. Consider joining wider DC efforts to reopen. Try checking Twitter for more info.
4. You do have a direct line to admin. It’s your principal or director’s email address. Use it, ask for a meeting, a call. Emphasize specific challenges to your children (not to you) and how many schools are reopening. Get details on the challenges to your school and share with other parents.

Make some noise! Call any reporters, email them etc, Perry Stein etc, and offer to go on record about how your charter is really behind. This will get attention but you won’t win any popularity contests at school. But since your kids are 5 maybe you don’t care. Enter the lottery for other schools just in case none of this works.

I am still interested in hearing from the other PP who was encouraging this. It feels like hollow advice/chastising when we're told to just pressure the school when in reality, I know they are hearing a lot from familes who want to come back. I know not all do, but a lot, and teachers are getting vaccinated so....what's the plan? Tell us. Or, survey us again to see what the numbers are looking like for those who can and want to return. We have opportunities to email, call, and participate in public forums with the leadership, but they don't seem pressed to change whatever their plan is.

That’s because you don’t have enough organization at the parent level. Don’t you have a PTO organization? Don’t you have a parent email list serve? Or room parents who have the list of email of all the families in the class so that all families can easily be contacted on issues and have discussion? If not PTO, don’t all your room parents not get together to and chat as a group to discuss family concerns, issues, and then notify in writing or plan a meeting with the school principal or leadership?

Draft a signed parent petition. Demand a meeting with all interested parents as a group or school wide. Ask hard questions and push for answers to these questions. Present data and science. Demand why your school has done nothing so far and only planning to open for 20 students or whatever and what is the rev up after that?

I’m just astonished how many on here feel that their principal and schools leadership don’t hear and address major parent concerns in general and especially something so important as school opening.

Forgot to add use your leverage that DCPS and other charters are doing it and why your school is not. Advocate that you will consider playing the lottery, leave, or consider private if schools are not opening fully in the fall, etc...

If your school has long waitlists for each grade, they don’t care how much you threaten or emails you write. You are replaceable. I don’t think some people realize that

Well then I would look into playing the lottery, consider your IB school, or even moving. I would also make a point on this board to name out the school in big, bold letters with a new post.

Public information, decrease waitlists, parents leaving, turnover all can have significant pressure on a school.

If no plans for any hybrid this spring, that means all the kids at the school has not had IPL for 1 and 1/4 school year. That is unacceptable. Even more so if DL hasn’t been great or your kid is getting a few measly hours a day.

Why would you stay at a school where admin could care less about the kids and takes no accountability about the huge learning loss some of these kids have? I won’t even go into the mental and social/emotional toll on kids and working parents. This is especially true when they don’t follow the science. Even worst when other charters and DCPS are able to do hybrid.

I mean it was obvious from fall that hybrid was the goal for DCPS. It was a question of when. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to know that you should start, if not already, to draft detailed hybrid plans and strategies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What our school has told us, and I believe them, is that they have considered every available option for housing kids for on-site/in-person learning -- every room in the building converted to a classroom, outdoor classrooms, rented trailers, etc.--and that so long as the guidance is 6-ft. distancing, they simply do not have the space to put all the kids back on-site beyond hybrid.

In our case, at least, I am confident that it is not the school that we need to pressure. We need to push the federal and state governments to expedite vaccines and push local governments to get creative about finding more spaces for school kids.

We heard similar from our charter (we could be talking about the same school). But I still don’t think that absolves them of just writing off the year to DL. Why weren’t charter schools (via the charter board? On their own?) lobbying like hell to get their staffs vaccinated ASAP? I know that the vaccine distribution system has hit many bumps, but surely, if education was a priority in this city, vaccine sites would have been set up at every single school on day 1 that vaccines were available to teachers. The lack of urgency is just astounding.

NP and I'm pretty sure we are at the same school. Even with the vaccine the school is still saying they can't do IPL because of the 6ft. IMO the administration has made up its mind that they are not interested in offering IPL this year (except for a CARES class for few at risk kids - not even all of the at risk kids who really need to be in school) and that they don't plan on opening except for hybrid next year. They do not care what parents want and all of the townhalls/forums/survey's etc. are lip service. They would rather keep the kitchen open than teach kids. Also, the board is not holding them accountable - they are totally bought in to the misguided plan developed by the administration. I'm sad, we have loved our experience until now but we can't do another year of this crappy excuse for school and so we are going to play the lottery and try for DCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What our school has told us, and I believe them, is that they have considered every available option for housing kids for on-site/in-person learning -- every room in the building converted to a classroom, outdoor classrooms, rented trailers, etc.--and that so long as the guidance is 6-ft. distancing, they simply do not have the space to put all the kids back on-site beyond hybrid.

In our case, at least, I am confident that it is not the school that we need to pressure. We need to push the federal and state governments to expedite vaccines and push local governments to get creative about finding more spaces for school kids.

We heard similar from our charter (we could be talking about the same school). But I still don’t think that absolves them of just writing off the year to DL. Why weren’t charter schools (via the charter board? On their own?) lobbying like hell to get their staffs vaccinated ASAP? I know that the vaccine distribution system has hit many bumps, but surely, if education was a priority in this city, vaccine sites would have been set up at every single school on day 1 that vaccines were available to teachers. The lack of urgency is just astounding.

Charters who had concrete plans for hybrid knew what staff was willing to come back, had a list, and did have their staff vaccinated.

If your charter is telling you that staff who are willing to come back are not getting vaccinated, then they are pulling the wool over your eyes. It’s obvious they did not have a plan or enough of a concrete plan to get to the point of asking staff who were willing to come back.

I’m the PP, and I totally agree. But I’m amazed that other parents aren’t up in arms.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What our school has told us, and I believe them, is that they have considered every available option for housing kids for on-site/in-person learning -- every room in the building converted to a classroom, outdoor classrooms, rented trailers, etc.--and that so long as the guidance is 6-ft. distancing, they simply do not have the space to put all the kids back on-site beyond hybrid.

In our case, at least, I am confident that it is not the school that we need to pressure. We need to push the federal and state governments to expedite vaccines and push local governments to get creative about finding more spaces for school kids.

We heard similar from our charter (we could be talking about the same school). But I still don’t think that absolves them of just writing off the year to DL. Why weren’t charter schools (via the charter board? On their own?) lobbying like hell to get their staffs vaccinated ASAP? I know that the vaccine distribution system has hit many bumps, but surely, if education was a priority in this city, vaccine sites would have been set up at every single school on day 1 that vaccines were available to teachers. The lack of urgency is just astounding.

Charters who had concrete plans for hybrid knew what staff was willing to come back, had a list, and did have their staff vaccinated.

If your charter is telling you that staff who are willing to come back are not getting vaccinated, then they are pulling the wool over your eyes. It’s obvious they did not have a plan or enough of a concrete plan to get to the point of asking staff who were willing to come back.

I suspect some schools had no plan or any motivation for a plan. They likely already plan to have DL the rest of the year. So now they can say staff are not getting vaccinated as an excuse.

[Anonymous]

Charter parents with no IPL this year: you might want to start NOW putting pressure on your admins about Fall, 2021.

[Anonymous]

I have been a big pain with my charter school about the fall but they still refuse to make any commitments. They are comfy, comfy with DL. We are going to play the lottery for DCPS but we are also willing to go to our in-bound DCPS. We are done with charters!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Charter parents with no IPL this year: you might want to start NOW putting pressure on your admins about Fall, 2021.

We are at one of the charters (not sure if there are more than one or not) that have kept the kitchen running but nothing else (they get money being a food distribution site). We (parents at townhalls) have asked about fall and have been told ... we'd love to be open but of course it's up to OSSE and the rules/regulations. Which makes me fearful they'd happily continue not serving students and collecting per pupil allocations until the end of days.

[Anonymous]

I don’t understand why the charters who are not doing any hybrid in the spring can’t commit to hybrid in the fall?

That makes absolutely no sense when other charters and DCPS are already doing hybrid, our numbers are trending down, more people are getting vaccinated every week, and everyone who wants to will be vaccinated by then.

The minimum should be we will be doing hybrid in the fall. If numbers contribute to trend down and thing go well, then hopefully IPL for all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Charter parents with no IPL this year: you might want to start NOW putting pressure on your admins about Fall, 2021.

We are at one of the charters (not sure if there are more than one or not) that have kept the kitchen running but nothing else (they get money being a food distribution site). We (parents at townhalls) have asked about fall and have been told ... we'd love to be open but of course it's up to OSSE and the rules/regulations. Which makes me fearful they'd happily continue not serving students and collecting per pupil allocations until the end of days.

NP here—this has been my fear also. But it’s surprising to me that NO other (or very few) parents seem to be questioning the situation.

[Anonymous]

I agree 100% about committing to hybrid in the fall with the goal of IPL for all as vaccination rates got up and cases go down. Our charter won’t commit to any of this. No concrete plans - or even a vision for moving forward! - have been shared with families. They are stuck and seem to think their DL program is so great that this is a long-term solution even though their own internal assessments are showing serious learning regression. It is one thing to claim to be devoted to educating black and brown kids but this is where the rubber hits the road and the talk does not match the actions. I would love to poll teachers to find out if they have isolated themselves and not been eating in restaurants, traveling to other states, having indoor gatherings, etc. or is it just showing up for work in a school building with kids that they view as risky. We have done NOTHING for almost a year now in order to keep our family safe and do our small part to help end the pandemic. We will also get our vaccinations as soon as we can but we are not in any priority group. I wonder how many school staff can say they have done this kind of isolation and sacrifice. And how many are willing to get vaccinated now, since they are a priority group.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Charter parents with no IPL this year: you might want to start NOW putting pressure on your admins about Fall, 2021.

We are at one of the charters (not sure if there are more than one or not) that have kept the kitchen running but nothing else (they get money being a food distribution site). We (parents at townhalls) have asked about fall and have been told ... we'd love to be open but of course it's up to OSSE and the rules/regulations. Which makes me fearful they'd happily continue not serving students and collecting per pupil allocations until the end of days.

NP here—this has been my fear also. But it’s surprising to me that NO other (or very few) parents seem to be questioning the situation.

I'm sure there are plenty of parents emailing your principal/HOS. I know of so many parents who think they are the first to send our head of school the NYT primal scream article and other articles and CDC reports about the safety of in-person schooling for elementary. Just because your school isn't opening school now doesn't mean that parents aren't asking for it. I think schools should be open, but I also don't think those who e-mail the most/yell the loudest should determine whether we open or not.