TEACHERS- what reasonable accommodations would you like for IN PERSON school?

[Anonymous]

UV C bulbs/ air santitizing systems. Whatever they can get. The bulbs range from $30 - $60, but the hospital grade systems with HEPA and UVC get pricey.

[Anonymous]

For me, it's not about school accommodations. It's about whether it's safe under general restrictions. I had planned to opt for in person for my own kids, but at this point, we're not close to that being safe.

-everyone in masks. Consequences for not keeping them on.
-social distancing strongly encouraged, but not "required at all times." For example, spread kids out, 2 kids at a table instead of 4. If we need to keep them 6 feet apart at all times, we cannot safely open because we cannot do that. I measured my classroom and I can have 4-6 students using those guidelines. Certainly not 15, the limit that was suggested, which is my current class anyway.
-PPE and cleaning supplies guaranteed (not reliant on PTA)

I have no problem wiping down my classroom myself; I do that regularly anyway, but I need to be assured that the supplies are going to be provided. If MCPS cant provide them because they're too in demand, then we're not in a place where we can safely open school buildings. I dont like that any more than any other parent, but it's where we are.

[Anonymous]

MCPS will never allow effective consequences for kids unmasking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For me, it's not about school accommodations. It's about whether it's safe under general restrictions. I had planned to opt for in person for my own kids, but at this point, we're not close to that being safe.

-everyone in masks. Consequences for not keeping them on.
-social distancing strongly encouraged, but not "required at all times." For example, spread kids out, 2 kids at a table instead of 4. If we need to keep them 6 feet apart at all times, we cannot safely open because we cannot do that. I measured my classroom and I can have 4-6 students using those guidelines. Certainly not 15, the limit that was suggested, which is my current class anyway.
-PPE and cleaning supplies guaranteed (not reliant on PTA)

I have no problem wiping down my classroom myself; I do that regularly anyway, but I need to be assured that the supplies are going to be provided. If MCPS cant provide them because they're too in demand, then we're not in a place where we can safely open school buildings. I dont like that any more than any other parent, but it's where we are.

Do you teach an age where kids stay with one teacher all day? Because as a high school teacher, I don’t see how I can reasonably wipe down my classroom between groups of students while simultaneously making sure that everyone is going the right way on the one directional hallways and observing social distancing in the lines for the bathrooms, and using the one directional hallways to move to my next classroom (if my next class is next door the current flowchart has me walking down the hallway to the down stairwell, then walking the whole perimeter of the building to an up stairway to get there).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For me, it's not about school accommodations. It's about whether it's safe under general restrictions. I had planned to opt for in person for my own kids, but at this point, we're not close to that being safe.

-everyone in masks. Consequences for not keeping them on.
-social distancing strongly encouraged, but not "required at all times." For example, spread kids out, 2 kids at a table instead of 4. If we need to keep them 6 feet apart at all times, we cannot safely open because we cannot do that. I measured my classroom and I can have 4-6 students using those guidelines. Certainly not 15, the limit that was suggested, which is my current class anyway.
-PPE and cleaning supplies guaranteed (not reliant on PTA)

I have no problem wiping down my classroom myself; I do that regularly anyway, but I need to be assured that the supplies are going to be provided. If MCPS cant provide them because they're too in demand, then we're not in a place where we can safely open school buildings. I dont like that any more than any other parent, but it's where we are.

Do you teach an age where kids stay with one teacher all day? Because as a high school teacher, I don’t see how I can reasonably wipe down my classroom between groups of students while simultaneously making sure that everyone is going the right way on the one directional hallways and observing social distancing in the lines for the bathrooms, and using the one directional hallways to move to my next classroom (if my next class is next door the current flowchart has me walking down the hallway to the down stairwell, then walking the whole perimeter of the building to an up stairway to get there).

Same, but I teach middle.

Most of my students are 11 at the start of the school year. A couple are 10. We’re still working with them on not picking their noses and smearing the boogers on desks. The idea that they can sanitize a desk is hilarious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teacher here, who was willing to go back. I planned on taking the following into my highschool classroom provided by myself because I doubted any ppe would arrive in timely fashion:
1. N95 mask I was fortunate to have in my house from a home project
2. Face shield I purchased in June and chemical safety glasses
3. Scrubs and or plastic poncho to wear over my clothes
4. Shoes to be left at work or in car
5. Bleach, rags, bucket, cleaning gloves to wipe every desk in between classes and computer shared by three teachers in the 2-3 classrooms I teach in every year. Also any lab equipment used by multiple groups throughout the day.
6. Soap and paper towels for all students to wash hands upon entering my room (science rooms have sinks). Leave hand sanitizer for teachers with no sinks
7. Fans to put by open window to keep fresh air coming in and push air out
8. Large tarp to take outside to eat lunch with class outside as much as possible.
9. Had started trying to get large piece of plexiglass to place at front of classroom.
10. At the super sales at staples etc... Planned on buying 50 sets of colored pencils and markers to be divided into smaller sets to allow each of my 150 students a few colors that would be theirs all year, and stay in classroom. Also glue sticks.
11. Another set of class scissors and rulers that could be dunked in alcohol in-between classes
12. Another set of whiteboards so students could write more answers rather than me trying to figure out what they said from behind their mask. Also needing to be dunked in cleaner between classes
13. Dish drainer racks to hold items drying between classes
14. Shower curtain to create area for students to blow their nose

I figure if my dentist suits up like that to be near me for 30 minutes without a mask on, I should follow the same to be near 16 students for 90 minutes for four blocks a day. Especially if result of one case will be to close the school or the classes students in. Minimize chance of spread in my classroom.

Also considering goggles for when in restroom and if eating lunch indoors with students. I would not eat while students eating, and honestly would have considered having kids unmask one at a time to eat their lunch in the classroom to protect them depending on their ability to distance and not talk while eating.

Are you really willing to wear that same mask 8 hours a day for 180 days?

OP here- in the hospitals we put a regular mask on top of it to protect it. You can keep it clean and wear it long term like this.

Not 180 days.

Op here- trying to stay on track and not debate unhelpful details that derail the thread. Then ask for 2 masks? Fwiw my local hospital issues 1 yearly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teacher here, who was willing to go back. I planned on taking the following into my highschool classroom provided by myself because I doubted any ppe would arrive in timely fashion:
1. N95 mask I was fortunate to have in my house from a home project
2. Face shield I purchased in June and chemical safety glasses
3. Scrubs and or plastic poncho to wear over my clothes
4. Shoes to be left at work or in car
5. Bleach, rags, bucket, cleaning gloves to wipe every desk in between classes and computer shared by three teachers in the 2-3 classrooms I teach in every year. Also any lab equipment used by multiple groups throughout the day.
6. Soap and paper towels for all students to wash hands upon entering my room (science rooms have sinks). Leave hand sanitizer for teachers with no sinks
7. Fans to put by open window to keep fresh air coming in and push air out
8. Large tarp to take outside to eat lunch with class outside as much as possible.
9. Had started trying to get large piece of plexiglass to place at front of classroom.
10. At the super sales at staples etc... Planned on buying 50 sets of colored pencils and markers to be divided into smaller sets to allow each of my 150 students a few colors that would be theirs all year, and stay in classroom. Also glue sticks.
11. Another set of class scissors and rulers that could be dunked in alcohol in-between classes
12. Another set of whiteboards so students could write more answers rather than me trying to figure out what they said from behind their mask. Also needing to be dunked in cleaner between classes
13. Dish drainer racks to hold items drying between classes
14. Shower curtain to create area for students to blow their nose

I figure if my dentist suits up like that to be near me for 30 minutes without a mask on, I should follow the same to be near 16 students for 90 minutes for four blocks a day. Especially if result of one case will be to close the school or the classes students in. Minimize chance of spread in my classroom.

Also considering goggles for when in restroom and if eating lunch indoors with students. I would not eat while students eating, and honestly would have considered having kids unmask one at a time to eat their lunch in the classroom to protect them depending on their ability to distance and not talk while eating.

Are you really willing to wear that same mask 8 hours a day for 180 days?

OP here- in the hospitals we put a regular mask on top of it to protect it. You can keep it clean and wear it long term like this.

Not 180 days.

Op here- trying to stay on track and not debate unhelpful details that derail the thread. Then ask for 2 masks? Fwiw my local hospital issues 1 yearly.

If your local hospital is issuing one mask a year, it is NOT because they expect it to be used 300+ days (a year minus weekends and holidays).

Offering teachers TWO masks for 180 days is also ridiculous. We can do better.

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Let's start a civil list of obtainable accommodations that parents can help with to get our kids in school in person (whether hybrid or full time) anytime between now and next year. (Aside from basic cdc guidelines which seem to not be enough to all)

I'll start.

Reasonable


parents sending in extra masks with kids
parent volunteer list to clean between classes/ on off days where there may not be custodial help.
Be NICE to teachers- we need you!

Unreasonable

New ventilation system

For any proponents of 100% DL/ [b]families of high risk or immunocompromised persons etc. This thread is not for you.
[/b]
Please lets stick to the topic and not run this thread down. I think we can make some great suggestions!

How can we help? Can we help?

~signed mcps 5 and 8 y.o mom
[/quote]

Hi, thank you, but you cannot discount persons with disabilities from in person learning. It's illegal disability discrimination. If you want an in person schooling plan, you are going to have to take into account how persons with medical vulnerabilities can be reasonably included. Because, FYI, the person with a medical vulnerability could eventually be you or your child!

Also, you have to take account of the science. The reality is that COVID appears to be highly transmissible through some kind of droplet spread by air with in any enclosed space, particularly one where people are talking and it will be with us for awhile, even with a vaccine. The vast majority of super spreading events have been in enclosed spaces of some kind - buses, markets, churches, restaurants, etc. Improving ventilation in accord with the science is imperative if you want to get kids back to school. Local schools, in conjunction with the CDC and state and national governments need to figure out what kind of ventilation systems minimize risk of transmission of airborne pathogens. [/quote]

Hi- op here. Thanks for your comments!

I would never discount those with disabilities. I work in 2 venues where pretty much allbofbmy patients have disabilities and have given almost half of my life csring for them- including taking an oath to serve them.

The comment was regarding many high risk families have strongly chosen to do 100% DL for now and this thread is centered on return to in person as soon as safely able.

In regards to ventilation- we all get it. All the schools could use an upgrade. Is it going to happen in the next 6 months at all the schools? Liiiikely not.

As previously mentioned in a post- budget contraints would likely not allow that so to say no in person school until all systems are upgraded is not very reasonable though definitely needef at some point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents cleaning classrooms instead of professionals is going to result in potential liability for schools.

The first two of your suggestions are great for people who have resources. They are not things that can be expected from parents who have to work and who don't have extra money to buy masks. So, if you are relying on parental donations, that only works where there are enough parents to actually pitch in. The school system is going to open as a whole or stay distance learning as a whole.
This means that your suggestions do not fall within the reasonable category.

Teachers aren’t professional cleaners. Neither are my 11 year old students.

DP
Who supervises the parent? Does the teacher tell them, if they were not thorough enough? And you'll retain enough volunteers with that?

Just what would help in a pandemic... bringing in tons more adults who could spread covid while they clean a classroom with zero expertise in sanitation protocols.

Ventilation system upgrade is critical.

So op is basically a moron.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Donated masks are nice, but they aren’t helpful to a school system that cannot practically enforce their use. The mcps YouTube video dispelling myths made clear that mcps could not and would not enforce use.

Cleaning between classes was already part of the plan, right? They determined it was insufficient since it does nothing to mitigate the risk while people are in the classroom...particularly if masks aren’t enforced.

What about a plan for a protocol when a teacher or student or custodian tests positive? They never articulated a protocol beyond notifying health officials. That made teachers and parents nervous.

What about a plan for hallways? And buses? Nothing was clearly articulated beyond high level talking points.

Op here- you bring up very good points.

A)It seems a consensus that eveyone wants a firm masks policy
B) ive seen numerous detailed protocols online from various out of state school systems (1 student fever =a. Student covid + = b teacher covid+ =c). .this definitely should be clear

So a bigger problem seems mcps rushed the planning process and did not add details. As if it would just fall together.

Hopefully their next plan in november? will be much more thought out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents cleaning classrooms instead of professionals is going to result in potential liability for schools.

The first two of your suggestions are great for people who have resources. They are not things that can be expected from parents who have to work and who don't have extra money to buy masks. So, if you are relying on parental donations, that only works where there are enough parents to actually pitch in. The school system is going to open as a whole or stay distance learning as a whole.
This means that your suggestions do not fall within the reasonable category.

Teachers aren’t professional cleaners. Neither are my 11 year old students.

DP
Who supervises the parent? Does the teacher tell them, if they were not thorough enough? And you'll retain enough volunteers with that?

Just what would help in a pandemic... bringing in tons more adults who could spread covid while they clean a classroom with zero expertise in sanitation protocols.

Ventilation system upgrade is critical.

So op is basically a moron.

I think OP means well, but she doesn’t know what it is like working in a MCPS school. It’s not her fault. Just because I am a home cook and watch some reality tv cooking shows does not mean I can troubleshoot how restaurants can keep their workers and patrons safe during the pandemic.

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous]Let's start a civil list of obtainable accommodations that parents can help with to get our kids in school in person (whether hybrid or full time) anytime between now and next year. (Aside from basic cdc guidelines which seem to not be enough to all)

I'll start.

Reasonable


parents sending in extra masks with kids
parent volunteer list to clean between classes/ on off days where there may not be custodial help.
Be NICE to teachers- we need you!

Unreasonable

New ventilation system

For any proponents of 100% DL/ families of high risk or immunocompromised persons etc. This thread is not for you.

Please lets stick to the topic and not run this thread down. I think we can make some great suggestions!

How can we help? Can we help?

~signed mcps 5 and 8 y.o mom
[/quote]

a vaccine would work for me

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Let's start a civil list of obtainable accommodations that parents can help with to get our kids in school in person (whether hybrid or full time) anytime between now and next year. (Aside from basic cdc guidelines which seem to not be enough to all)

I'll start.

Reasonable


parents sending in extra masks with kids
parent volunteer list to clean between classes/ on off days where there may not be custodial help.
Be NICE to teachers- we need you!

Unreasonable

New ventilation system

For any proponents of 100% DL/ families of high risk or immunocompromised persons etc. This thread is not for you.

Please lets stick to the topic and not run this thread down. I think we can make some great suggestions!

How can we help? Can we help?

~signed mcps 5 and 8 y.o mom
[/quote]

I like all of these. (Really the ventilation issue is one that impacts health beyond COVID. Last year, a 6th grade student developed chronic sinus issues and the parents were furious.)

I would also want N95 masks for all staff (not just teachers), robust contract tracing if there’s a positive among school connections (such as a parent or sibling), and COVID-specific medical leave so teachers do not have to use their own leave or the sick bank while quarantined or recovering. [/quote]

Unreasonable is expecting teachers to work a high-risk unsafe work environment.

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]

For any proponents of 100% DL/ families of high risk or immunocompromised persons etc. This thread is not for you.
[/quote]

One thing that would make a huge difference to me would be if parents who are seeking more time in school didn’t discount members of our community in this way. As a teacher, what I want is for our whole community to be together. Those people you are so eager to dismiss are my students, my colleagues, my family members, my loved ones. One of the reasons I support 100% DL is because I hope that we can get to the point where we are all together, and our community is complete.

Any parent who would post what you wrote isn’t coming from the same place as me, ant that makes me worried that you wouldn’t make the choices I need to trust you to make, such as keeping your family out of risky situations and keeping them home with any symptoms.
[/quote]

+1000000000000000

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents cleaning classrooms instead of professionals is going to result in potential liability for schools.

The first two of your suggestions are great for people who have resources. They are not things that can be expected from parents who have to work and who don't have extra money to buy masks. So, if you are relying on parental donations, that only works where there are enough parents to actually pitch in. The school system is going to open as a whole or stay distance learning as a whole.
This means that your suggestions do not fall within the reasonable category.

Teachers aren’t professional cleaners. Neither are my 11 year old students.

DP
Who supervises the parent? Does the teacher tell them, if they were not thorough enough? And you'll retain enough volunteers with that?

Just what would help in a pandemic... bringing in tons more adults who could spread covid while they clean a classroom with zero expertise in sanitation protocols.

Ventilation system upgrade is critical.

So op is basically a moron.

I think OP means well, but she doesn’t know what it is like working in a MCPS school. It’s not her fault. Just because I am a home cook and watch some reality tv cooking shows does not mean I can troubleshoot how restaurants can keep their workers and patrons safe during the pandemic.

A lot of parents think they are epidemiologists too. Whether they mean well or not, everyone would be well advised to stay in their lane.