Anyone listen to this week's this American Life? It is terrifying what school closures has done

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So what? My kids thrived in virtual learning! School is not childcare! /s

Who is talking about school being childcare? Your child’s reported success in virtual learning isn’t relevant.

The PP was being sarcastic (hence the “/s”). Lots of posters on here responded with anecdotes about how well their kids were thriving whenever anyone lamented their child’s struggles with distance learning. And God forbid any parent reference a difficulty with balancing work and helping their child (especially the really young ones) with school, we were reminded that “school isn’t childcare.”

The McMansion Zoom class with their nannies liked to make sure we all knew we were failing throughout the pandemic.

I love that when Dems make bad decisions, it becomes ‘fuggetaboutit! Let’s all move forward and get along’

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Folks who are angry now must have forgotten what it was like the first year of the pandemic. No one knew what the virus was capable of - what it would do to adults and kids alike. Hospitals were overwhelmed. Our leadership makes decisions based on the information available. It is unfortunate kids were out of school for so long, however, it’s now up to us to come together and help our kids and not expend unnecessary energy on the blame game. If it was your son/daughter who died because schools were open, you’d sing a different tune.

I work with children in a culture and a place where they are taken care of by multigenerational households, often primarily grandparents. A lot of those grandparents died. Sometimes it was because of transmission through the children. I saw a lot of teddy bears perched on top of the body bags coming out of the hospital -- the kids wanted the send what they loved to be a comfort to who they had loved.

Do you want to know what their mental health is like now?

Our community was hit harder than most. Nobody knew that it would shake out that way in the beginning.

So kids learning remotely gave COVID to their grandparents? Huh.

You are ignorant of the situation. That's me using polite language out of respect for the moderator.

Most did not have internet access. The problem was that kids went back and forth from parents (when home) to grandparents. And parents brought it home from their shitty jobs that they couldn't afford to lose, and then the kids took it to their grandparents, who were the only ones who could watch them.

Most of the country was not like this. But it was real, and it takes a helluva toll on children to know people are dead because of them. And guess who reports on abuse here? It's the grandparents, the aunties, the elders.

You don't want to see what it looks like when children have gone through this and have to live with it.

No, I understand the situation perfectly well. Closed schools ensured that those families most at risk, with in-person jobs and multigenerational households, mixed households as much as possible as without testing or masks. That's not an argument why schools should have been closed, but an argument why using the suffering of at-risk communities to support school closures is BS. We should have focused efforts on protecting families at greatest risk with more testing, free N95s for when a family member had symptoms and continued in-person school that did not require so much mixing of households in crowded, indoor, poorly ventilated spaces.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Folks who are angry now must have forgotten what it was like the first year of the pandemic. No one knew what the virus was capable of - what it would do to adults and kids alike. Hospitals were overwhelmed. Our leadership makes decisions based on the information available. It is unfortunate kids were out of school for so long, however, it’s now up to us to come together and help our kids and not expend unnecessary energy on the blame game. If it was your son/daughter who died because schools were open, you’d sing a different tune.

I work with children in a culture and a place where they are taken care of by multigenerational households, often primarily grandparents. A lot of those grandparents died. Sometimes it was because of transmission through the children. I saw a lot of teddy bears perched on top of the body bags coming out of the hospital -- the kids wanted the send what they loved to be a comfort to who they had loved.

Do you want to know what their mental health is like now?

Our community was hit harder than most. Nobody knew that it would shake out that way in the beginning.

So kids learning remotely gave COVID to their grandparents? Huh.

You are ignorant of the situation. That's me using polite language out of respect for the moderator.

Most did not have internet access. The problem was that kids went back and forth from parents (when home) to grandparents. And parents brought it home from their shitty jobs that they couldn't afford to lose, and then the kids took it to their grandparents, who were the only ones who could watch them.

Most of the country was not like this. But it was real, and it takes a helluva toll on children to know people are dead because of them. And guess who reports on abuse here? It's the grandparents, the aunties, the elders.

You don't want to see what it looks like when children have gone through this and have to live with it.

No, I understand the situation perfectly well. Closed schools ensured that those families most at risk, with in-person jobs and multigenerational households, mixed households as much as possible as without testing or masks. That's not an argument why schools should have been closed, but an argument why using the suffering of at-risk communities to support school closures is BS. We should have focused efforts on protecting families at greatest risk with more testing, free N95s for when a family member had symptoms and continued in-person school that did not require so much mixing of households in crowded, indoor, poorly ventilated spaces.

No, you don't. You assumed they were able to do "learning remotely," as if it were some weird gotcha. Look above -- your words are still there. What a joke.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Folks who are angry now must have forgotten what it was like the first year of the pandemic. No one knew what the virus was capable of - what it would do to adults and kids alike. Hospitals were overwhelmed. Our leadership makes decisions based on the information available. It is unfortunate kids were out of school for so long, however, it’s now up to us to come together and help our kids and not expend unnecessary energy on the blame game. If it was your son/daughter who died because schools were open, you’d sing a different tune.

I work with children in a culture and a place where they are taken care of by multigenerational households, often primarily grandparents. A lot of those grandparents died. Sometimes it was because of transmission through the children. I saw a lot of teddy bears perched on top of the body bags coming out of the hospital -- the kids wanted the send what they loved to be a comfort to who they had loved.

Do you want to know what their mental health is like now?

Our community was hit harder than most. Nobody knew that it would shake out that way in the beginning.

So kids learning remotely gave COVID to their grandparents? Huh.

You are ignorant of the situation. That's me using polite language out of respect for the moderator.

Most did not have internet access. The problem was that kids went back and forth from parents (when home) to grandparents. And parents brought it home from their shitty jobs that they couldn't afford to lose, and then the kids took it to their grandparents, who were the only ones who could watch them.

Most of the country was not like this. But it was real, and it takes a helluva toll on children to know people are dead because of them. And guess who reports on abuse here? It's the grandparents, the aunties, the elders.

You don't want to see what it looks like when children have gone through this and have to live with it.

No, I understand the situation perfectly well. Closed schools ensured that those families most at risk, with in-person jobs and multigenerational households, mixed households as much as possible as without testing or masks. That's not an argument why schools should have been closed, but an argument why using the suffering of at-risk communities to support school closures is BS. We should have focused efforts on protecting families at greatest risk with more testing, free N95s for when a family member had symptoms and continued in-person school that did not require so much mixing of households in crowded, indoor, poorly ventilated spaces.

And no, you are wrong again. Closed schools minimized vectors for these kids. They would have had to stay with both parents and grandparents anyway -- schools just would have added in more contacts.

Again, this wasn't a common situation. But it is and was a real one, and before you make grand sweeping statements, think about your preconceptions. Think about who counts for you, and who doesn't.

And stop beng so wrong all the time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We did not have to close schools for as long as we did. And we will see the results for years to come.

Yup

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Folks who are angry now must have forgotten what it was like the first year of the pandemic. No one knew what the virus was capable of - what it would do to adults and kids alike. Hospitals were overwhelmed. Our leadership makes decisions based on the information available. It is unfortunate kids were out of school for so long, however, it’s now up to us to come together and help our kids and not expend unnecessary energy on the blame game. If it was your son/daughter who died because schools were open, you’d sing a different tune.

I work with children in a culture and a place where they are taken care of by multigenerational households, often primarily grandparents. A lot of those grandparents died. Sometimes it was because of transmission through the children. I saw a lot of teddy bears perched on top of the body bags coming out of the hospital -- the kids wanted the send what they loved to be a comfort to who they had loved.

Do you want to know what their mental health is like now?

Our community was hit harder than most. Nobody knew that it would shake out that way in the beginning.

So kids learning remotely gave COVID to their grandparents? Huh.

You are ignorant of the situation. That's me using polite language out of respect for the moderator.

Most did not have internet access. The problem was that kids went back and forth from parents (when home) to grandparents. And parents brought it home from their shitty jobs that they couldn't afford to lose, and then the kids took it to their grandparents, who were the only ones who could watch them.

Most of the country was not like this. But it was real, and it takes a helluva toll on children to know people are dead because of them. And guess who reports on abuse here? It's the grandparents, the aunties, the elders.

You don't want to see what it looks like when children have gone through this and have to live with it.

No, I understand the situation perfectly well. Closed schools ensured that those families most at risk, with in-person jobs and multigenerational households, mixed households as much as possible as without testing or masks. That's not an argument why schools should have been closed, but an argument why using the suffering of at-risk communities to support school closures is BS. We should have focused efforts on protecting families at greatest risk with more testing, free N95s for when a family member had symptoms and continued in-person school that did not require so much mixing of households in crowded, indoor, poorly ventilated spaces.

No, you don't. You assumed they were able to do "learning remotely," as if it were some weird gotcha. Look above -- your words are still there. What a joke.

I have no idea what you are talking about.

[Anonymous]

Schools being virtual in Fall of 2020 was terrible, but let's not put all the blame on the school district or the teacher unions. Parents had a large role in that as well. MCPS was just going with the political climate in Montgomery County at the time. If they had opened in person in the Fall, people would have flipped out. Fact is, MCPS opened up for in-person in Spring 2021, and a large number of parents still chose to keep their kids home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ll be honest, I’m really pissed schools were closed for so long. It was done because unions refused to let their teachers return to school. Before anyone says I’m a Trumpie, I am not. I’m a lifelong Democrat! But that’s what happened and we can’t pretend otherwise. It made me change my opinion about teacher unions, for sure. I’m sorry for all the millions of kids who are behind in the US and no one cares. Affluent parents will just say “kids are resilient” - remember that line?

Why were most red states able to open, at least hybrid? Are their teachers unions less powerful?

Just remind yourselves of their ultimate goal, and the fact that conservatives don’t share that goal.

And you’ll have your answer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So what? My kids thrived in virtual learning! School is not childcare! /s

Who is talking about school being childcare? Your child’s reported success in virtual learning isn’t relevant.

The PP was being sarcastic (hence the “/s”). Lots of posters on here responded with anecdotes about how well their kids were thriving whenever anyone lamented their child’s struggles with distance learning. And God forbid any parent reference a difficulty with balancing work and helping their child (especially the really young ones) with school, we were reminded that “school isn’t childcare.”

The McMansion Zoom class with their nannies liked to make sure we all knew we were failing throughout the pandemic.

Once again, we’re one of the families you mention. We don’t have a McMansion, or a vacation home, or a nanny, tutors, a pod or local grandparents. We weren’t “out walking the dog/baking cookies during work/school hours.”

Aren’t you tired of your own excuses yet?

But lemme guess, you worked from home and probably still are?

I’m guessing the PP also had kids who were old enough to at least read vs. a newly 5 y/o who didn’t even know how to operate an iPad. And I doubt dealing with any special needs who lost in-person IEP services. But since her kid was fine none of that matters and the rest of us are “full of excuses”.

[Anonymous]

The repercussions of extended online learning for my high school student were significant and will affect his life for years to come. It was clear at every turn in those 18 months that my child’s education and wellbeing was not a priority. I am angry at everyone — school board, admin and teachers — and will not soon forget.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The repercussions of extended online learning for my high school student were significant and will affect his life for years to come. It was clear at every turn in those 18 months that my child’s education and wellbeing was not a priority. I am angry at everyone — school board, admin and teachers — and will not soon forget.

+1. It's more than education and the gaslighting only makes it worse. I'm glad that some kids are unscathed. Two of mine are not as impacted, but my child who was a junior in 2020 will spend years trying to make up for what he lost. It's heartbreaking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So what? My kids thrived in virtual learning! School is not childcare! /s

Who is talking about school being childcare? Your child’s reported success in virtual learning isn’t relevant.

The PP was being sarcastic (hence the “/s”). Lots of posters on here responded with anecdotes about how well their kids were thriving whenever anyone lamented their child’s struggles with distance learning. And God forbid any parent reference a difficulty with balancing work and helping their child (especially the really young ones) with school, we were reminded that “school isn’t childcare.”

The McMansion Zoom class with their nannies liked to make sure we all knew we were failing throughout the pandemic.

Once again, we’re one of the families you mention. We don’t have a McMansion, or a vacation home, or a nanny, tutors, a pod or local grandparents. We weren’t “out walking the dog/baking cookies during work/school hours.”

Aren’t you tired of your own excuses yet?

But lemme guess, you worked from home and probably still are?

I’m guessing the PP also had kids who were old enough to at least read vs. a newly 5 y/o who didn’t even know how to operate an iPad. And I doubt dealing with any special needs who lost in-person IEP services. But since her kid was fine none of that matters and the rest of us are “full of excuses”.

Yes. I’m so grateful for her wisdom that has enlightened me that my child’s struggles in this exact situation (virtual k, unable to access support that was supposed to be provided through their IEP) was due to my excuses only. My excuses very likely caused the SN in the first place. Will let the developmental pediatrician know. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

There are a number of issues at work here. One being school as childcare and the other being virtual school. I’m only angry they closed schools for as long as they did - but not in the initial year. My

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The repercussions of extended online learning for my high school student were significant and will affect his life for years to come. It was clear at every turn in those 18 months that my child’s education and wellbeing was not a priority. I am angry at everyone — school board, admin and teachers — and will not soon forget.

We entrusted our children’s education to these self-centered bureaucrats and they revealed their true colors. About 90% of them care nothing about the children. We’ve been scammed. My best friend’s daughter opted to repeat the 9th grade because she just didn’t learn anything virtually.

These monsters have damaged so many of our children.

[Anonymous]

DS went back September 2020 (private school) with strict precautions and protocols that public school simply couldn’t afford. I understand the public school teachers concerns in 2020 and don’t fault them.