I Work in a Cares Room AMA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What would you or do you say to your fellow teachers who are too scared to return?

I would tell them that I absolutely get it.

I came back because I trust my administration, I have no faith/trust in DCPS. And that lack of trust has been well earned over the years.

What has your admin done that made you take the leap of faith?

My admin team is just honest. They do not over promise or speak before they can. They often tell us things like 'I want to tell you, and when I can I will'. This lets me know that they are following the rules and procedures and will protect my/my students privacy too.
They opened up the re-opening corps to anyone who was interested. Total open door.
They are also not toxic positive. We all get how stressful this is. And that everyone (in person, virtual) student/staff is stressed right now. This is not what anyone envisioned when they enrolled their kids in DCPS or signed up to teach.

This is very interesting. Thanks for sharing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Without giving too much away, could you tell us what your regular role is at the school, if any? Are you an educational aide, a teacher? Did you already have relationships with any of the students in your class?

I am not new to the school but I did not know these students prior to opening up the Cares room. I thought it would be a bigger barrier than it was. When they see me interacting with their teachers, in the virtual classroom, it goes a long way to build trust and community.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:are the kids mostly those who "need" in-person for their own learning, or more for their parents' job/logistical needs?

It is really hard for me to say. I know that spots were offered and these kids filled the spots. I do not know how many folks turned down spots before I got my class. It is possible that all the offers were IEP/ELs and then we ended up with the hybrid crew.

I will say- that this room runs the spectrum of 'high' and 'low' need, but all of these kids are benefiting from being here. Their classroom teachers will reach out to me and tell me how 'happy' the cares kids are. And how they can tell the impact being in the room is having on them. Unsolicited, I might add.

[Anonymous]

All I read was:
- when kids eat, 11 masks are off indoors and it is conducive to transmission, aka "rough."
- At least 1 kid out of the 11 is never tested. Could be more, and teachers are not informed.
- "when one kid gets it, they will all get it."
- 6ft distance cannot be maintained when helping with technical issues.

Hell to the no thank you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All I read was:
- when kids eat, 11 masks are off indoors and it is conducive to transmission, aka "rough."
- At least 1 kid out of the 11 is never tested. Could be more, and teachers are not informed.
- "when one kid gets it, they will all get it."
- 6ft distance cannot be maintained when helping with technical issues.

Hell to the no thank you.

That has not been the case across many school districts that have opened, or even in our very own DCPS.

[Anonymous]

Does your classroom require a certain type of masks (ie doesn’t allow valve mask)I’m interested to know how staff fees about a hodgepodge or masks worn or if each child is given a surgical mask to wear.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does your classroom require a certain type of masks (ie doesn’t allow valve mask)I’m interested to know how staff fees about a hodgepodge or masks worn or if each child is given a surgical mask to wear.

I am the other CARE classroom person on this thread so will will respond from my experience. We do not require a certain type but do enforce a nose/mouth covering throughout the day. We have a plentiful supply of masks for everyone. I am comfortable with social distancing and mask wearing expectations. I am also comfortable with the statistical improbability that I will be severely affected and/or die from COVID exposure. We have had a positive case in our school (traced to a person that was in the school at some point but not our classroom) and I am still comfortable going back tomorrow. I also do not think I am exposed to a significant viral load and/or exposure that puts me at risk for contracting COVID.

[Anonymous]

How are the test results reported? Are they automatically reported to the school or do they rely on self reporting?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All I read was:
- when kids eat, 11 masks are off indoors and it is conducive to transmission, aka "rough."
- At least 1 kid out of the 11 is never tested. Could be more, and teachers are not informed.
- "when one kid gets it, they will all get it."
- 6ft distance cannot be maintained when helping with technical issues.

Hell to the no thank you.

Right...but I bet you have a “bubble” that is larger than you could ever imagine because your “bubble” people are not 100% transparent about the “bubble” they have with another family that also has a “bubble”.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All I read was:
- when kids eat, 11 masks are off indoors and it is conducive to transmission, aka "rough."
- At least 1 kid out of the 11 is never tested. Could be more, and teachers are not informed.
- "when one kid gets it, they will all get it."
- 6ft distance cannot be maintained when helping with technical issues.

Hell to the no thank you.

+1

That’s a whole lot of risk that I’m not willing to take.

[Anonymous]

My kid is in a “Cares” classroom taught by a regular teacher at our DCPS East of the Park since the first week in April, while her younger sister has to remain at home (no Cares option for her grade). Having one kid out of the house has been a huge help to us all. The older child is much happier and more focused in her learning than before. She is tested at school weekly. She has adjusted to school safety protocols. I have more time and energy to help her younger sister with DL and to do my own work on-line. I am pleased. My employer is pleased. My spouse, who works at an office, is pleased. My children are pleased. Nothing is wrong with this picture, thanks.

[Anonymous]

Make that first week In Dec.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How are the test results reported? Are they automatically reported to the school or do they rely on self reporting?

Automatically reported and then shared. The testing for kids happens at the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does your classroom require a certain type of masks (ie doesn’t allow valve mask)I’m interested to know how staff fees about a hodgepodge or masks worn or if each child is given a surgical mask to wear.

We do not require a certain type of mask, however we have had no issues with valve or ill fitting masks. No parent in this room wants the room to close down- because their kids will be back home. So we have had great support with proper mask wearing, social distancing ect.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All I read was:
- when kids eat, 11 masks are off indoors and it is conducive to transmission, aka "rough."
- At least 1 kid out of the 11 is never tested. Could be more, and teachers are not informed.
- "when one kid gets it, they will all get it."
- 6ft distance cannot be maintained when helping with technical issues.

Hell to the no thank you.

+1

That’s a whole lot of risk that I’m not willing to take.

And that is fair. I mean there is no way to get your kids (or yourself) back into a building right now without risk.
The point of the AMA was not to convince folks to put their kids in a cares room. But rather, to highlight the good/bad of what is actually happening in these rooms once you are comfortable with the assumed risk. But no need to assume the risk.