APS - how do you feel about no distancing in the fall?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As long as they are masking when they’re not eating, I’m okay with this. Odds are most middle and high schoolers will be able to get the vaccine shortly after school starts, if not earlier, and elementary students are easy to cohort.

My issue that I am not happy accepting is that 6th graders (11 yo) will not be vax. They eat in the cafeteria unmasked on cold or rainy days. DD told me they’ve been playing trivia games (at their seat) with the lunch monitors, but kids are not putting their mass back on after they’re done eating. So they’re shouting out answers to trivia games unmasked for about 15 to 20 minutes.

You can start your kid virtual and then switch to in person after the first semester. There’s no way to get all the kids in the building while following distancing.

The answer is not starting virtual (what are you talking about anyway about starting after first quarter? Huh?). The solution is air quality abd enforcing masking when in close contact (not eating) and TESTING!

Do you people even read the information the school sends out?

If you can’t deal, go virtual. There are on ramps to get back in and yes in elementary it’s after the first quarter.

Why would someone to choose to go back after the first quarter when their child is still 11 (speaking of reading, this specific post/discussion was about children who aren’t yet vaccinated in middle school). Many students have June, July, August, September birthdays so will be 11 until their seventh grade year.

I don’t understand. It sounds like you’re uncomfortable sending an unvaccinated kid. You should choose virtual.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As long as they are masking when they’re not eating, I’m okay with this. Odds are most middle and high schoolers will be able to get the vaccine shortly after school starts, if not earlier, and elementary students are easy to cohort.

My issue that I am not happy accepting is that 6th graders (11 yo) will not be vax. They eat in the cafeteria unmasked on cold or rainy days. DD told me they’ve been playing trivia games (at their seat) with the lunch monitors, but kids are not putting their mass back on after they’re done eating. So they’re shouting out answers to trivia games unmasked for about 15 to 20 minutes.

You can start your kid virtual and then switch to in person after the first semester. There’s no way to get all the kids in the building while following distancing.

The answer is not starting virtual (what are you talking about anyway about starting after first quarter? Huh?). The solution is air quality abd enforcing masking when in close contact (not eating) and TESTING!

Do you people even read the information the school sends out?

If you can’t deal, go virtual. There are on ramps to get back in and yes in elementary it’s after the first quarter.

Why would someone to choose to go back after the first quarter when their child is still 11 (speaking of reading, this specific post/discussion was about children who aren’t yet vaccinated in middle school). Many students have June, July, August, September birthdays so will be 11 until their seventh grade year.

Because there is a good chance they’ll be eligible for vaccination by then. The point is they have a chance to go back at certain points if the situation changes.

Yes we all know that. But thanks. The topic of the thread is asking if you comfortable with going back given lack of distancing. It’s perfectly reasonable for people to say no and why they feel that way without being told pick virtual. This is a discussion.

DP here... what is your goal? If you are uncomfortable you either choose virtual or you decide to ignore your worries and send them anyway.

OR the third option is.....send kids full-time *and* push for additional safety measures (upgrade HVAC, outdoor lunch, testing, etc). You know, the things that other school districts have done.

[Anonymous]

Reminder: this thread is supposed to be about how people feel about no distancing in the fall. Stop telling everyone who is uncomfortable with no distance to choose virtual. They all know that is an option. Sheesh.

Personally, I am very curious if and how no distancing changes the risk calculation for parents who were planning to send kids to school this fall. Obviously there are some who will send their kids no matter what precautions are eliminated, and some who will choose virtual no mater the precautions taken. Its those in the middle that I'd like to hear from (I'm NOT OP).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Reminder: this thread is supposed to be about how people feel about no distancing in the fall. Stop telling everyone who is uncomfortable with no distance to choose virtual. They all know that is an option. Sheesh.

Personally, I am very curious if and how no distancing changes the risk calculation for parents who were planning to send kids to school this fall. Obviously there are some who will send their kids no matter what precautions are eliminated, and some who will choose virtual no mater the precautions taken. Its those in the middle that I'd like to hear from (I'm NOT OP).

There is no discussion here about that because those posters get jumped on to pick virtual. We are sending our kids back but are not 100% thrilled with the safety protocols (particularly as it pertains to lunch). If I had an unvaccinated middle school student I would be pushing for more safety protocols (not distancing) like air quality, use of outdoors and testing.

[Anonymous]

I am totally fine with it and wish they would just do it now. DL days are utterly worthless for my second and kinder kid and most every parent I talk to feel the same. I do no understand why the school board isn't pushing for more days - how in the world can Fairfax pull this off but we can't. Between no school last spring, the dragging of feet to get kids in school this year, and what I'm sure will be insane quarantine procedures next year, we are looking for homes in McLean. i just can't gamble my kids education with APS anymore. My friends around the coutnry have all been back since October with minimal disruption. Yes, it's different but their kids are learning mine are not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am totally fine with it and wish they would just do it now. DL days are utterly worthless for my second and kinder kid and most every parent I talk to feel the same. I do no understand why the school board isn't pushing for more days - how in the world can Fairfax pull this off but we can't. Between no school last spring, the dragging of feet to get kids in school this year, and what I'm sure will be insane quarantine procedures next year, we are looking for homes in McLean. i just can't gamble my kids education with APS anymore. My friends around the coutnry have all been back since October with minimal disruption. Yes, it's different but their kids are learning mine are not.

Right on point. We also have a HS...disadvantages applying for college and competing with kids from districts that didn’t close, continued sports and EC activities, learning loss...etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am totally fine with it and wish they would just do it now. DL days are utterly worthless for my second and kinder kid and most every parent I talk to feel the same. I do no understand why the school board isn't pushing for more days - how in the world can Fairfax pull this off but we can't. Between no school last spring, the dragging of feet to get kids in school this year, and what I'm sure will be insane quarantine procedures next year, we are looking for homes in McLean. i just can't gamble my kids education with APS anymore. My friends around the coutnry have all been back since October with minimal disruption. Yes, it's different but their kids are learning mine are not.

Right on point. We also have a HS...disadvantages applying for college and competing with kids from districts that didn’t close, continued sports and EC activities, learning loss...etc.

It’s hard for me to say because I’m not in the position, but if I had a vaccinated child/teen I would feel much differently. For those of us 11 years old and below, we have to weigh the risks in a different perspective. I’m guessing most of us will send our kids back regardless, with crossed fingers! Looking forward for APS to get back to five days, although I’m not totally OK with the risk, no way can we do another year of virtual. I agree that we’ve lost out compared to what other districts have been able to do. Next year will be hard trying to catch all these kids up.

[Anonymous]

No concerns. 100% fine with it. I’d send them tomorrow with no distancing

[Anonymous]

Ventilation lady. Is this going the way you expected???

[Anonymous]

We have vaccines now for most truly vulnerable people. The covid rate is dropping already and we aren’t even over 50% with one dose in Arlington yet. There is every reason to expect that the community rate of cases will be very low in September, especially if the vaccine is approved for some portion of younger teens. I’m sorry that you are still so anxious, but we cannot cater to the most scared voices any longer. It’s time to move on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Reminder: this thread is supposed to be about how people feel about no distancing in the fall. Stop telling everyone who is uncomfortable with no distance to choose virtual. They all know that is an option. Sheesh.

Personally, I am very curious if and how no distancing changes the risk calculation for parents who were planning to send kids to school this fall. Obviously there are some who will send their kids no matter what precautions are eliminated, and some who will choose virtual no mater the precautions taken. Its those in the middle that I'd like to hear from (I'm NOT OP).

There is no discussion here about that because those posters get jumped on to pick virtual. We are sending our kids back but are not 100% thrilled with the safety protocols (particularly as it pertains to lunch). If I had an unvaccinated middle school student I would be pushing for more safety protocols (not distancing) like air quality, use of outdoors and testing.

Let’s all be aware outside is not a learning environment unless they put up dedicated tents with seating etc. My son was forced to do one of his hybrid days almost fully outdoors on one of this week’s high 80s days and he said it was miserable and he was distracted. The teacher told them it was “nice” out. They were sitting on the ground all day in heat. Just no.

Lunch outside is great. The rest of the time, wear the masks and sit indoors at a desk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Reminder: this thread is supposed to be about how people feel about no distancing in the fall. Stop telling everyone who is uncomfortable with no distance to choose virtual. They all know that is an option. Sheesh.

Personally, I am very curious if and how no distancing changes the risk calculation for parents who were planning to send kids to school this fall. Obviously there are some who will send their kids no matter what precautions are eliminated, and some who will choose virtual no mater the precautions taken. Its those in the middle that I'd like to hear from (I'm NOT OP).

There is no discussion here about that because those posters get jumped on to pick virtual. We are sending our kids back but are not 100% thrilled with the safety protocols (particularly as it pertains to lunch). If I had an unvaccinated middle school student I would be pushing for more safety protocols (not distancing) like air quality, use of outdoors and testing.

I bet you and 99% of parents who claim fear of “air quality” and “safety protocols” are at kids sports, do play dates - “but only with a few friends who we know never ever take risks bc somehow we can follow them 24/7!, friends homes for small gatherings, traveled for vacation , went to family get togethers and are shopping and eating out . And for that reason I can’t take any discussion of the topic of “lack of distancing” as an issue seriously

[Anonymous]

I’ll be honest my fear is the questioners and pressers will force APS to retreat on their plans by making unattainable demands. Not because it makes sense to retreat but to get you to shut up and go away. See: what happened in the fall as Exhibit A.

Some of our kids cannot afford another half-assed year. We are in social-emotional/academic crisis territory. So we feel a bit desperate and nervous that this line of thinking and pressing is heading down some bad road.

[Anonymous]

I had no problem keeping my 8th grader virtual for the rest of this school year b/c it's been going fine. We made the commitment to return to in person for 9th grade because high school is starting a new chapter and I hope the students can have a more normal school experience. I am grateful that vaccines will be available for the entire student body. I'd be much more nervous if I had a 6th grader who wouldn't turn 12 until the summer between 6 & 7.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Reminder: this thread is supposed to be about how people feel about no distancing in the fall. Stop telling everyone who is uncomfortable with no distance to choose virtual. They all know that is an option. Sheesh.

Personally, I am very curious if and how no distancing changes the risk calculation for parents who were planning to send kids to school this fall. Obviously there are some who will send their kids no matter what precautions are eliminated, and some who will choose virtual no mater the precautions taken. Its those in the middle that I'd like to hear from (I'm NOT OP).

The poll on AEM swung overwhelmingly in favor of this not changing people’s decision to send their kids in-person. APS will see some people switch to virtual, but I think it will be a very small percentage of the student population.