BOE Meeting today

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MCPS slideshow quotes DCUM comment from "How's your kindergartner doing?" thread.

what did they say?

MCPS IF YOU ARE READING THIS OPEN THE SCHOOLS!!!!!

At least 6 Beautiful, caring, dedicated professionals dead forever. People with so many more years to live and gifts to share. No we should not open back up until we have the resources to ensure that our teachers, our students and our communities will be safe. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/09/10/coronavirus-teacher-deaths-fall/%3foutputType=amp

Unfortunately, some people exploit these deaths to push their agenda. Most probably, these were not due to any in-person school (wtop was also publishing similar title, but when you read the whole story you realize the teachers were actually doing DL, attending some church events where there was an outbreak, doing some outdoor activity etc.)

Exactly. Media hype. The media has done a huge disservice to students and this country when it comes to the school debate. Most people never read past the headline — it certainly appears this poster never did.

So, back to the topic. Did the BOE literally say anything about reopening schools at all? Or did they just talk about how much they have overcome with DL and how they are going to continue to “follow health experts” (except when they are absolutely not) when it comes to school reopenings?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I stand by that statement.

Not addressing reopening in any meaningful way indicates two key points. First, that they're not prioritizing in-person instruction. And two, that the Superintendent doesn't really care what the BoE thinks, and isn't going to actively engage the Board with reopening decisions. Since the MCPS administration has already demonstrated they're beholden to the teachers with the ridiculous 45-day notice MOU, it seems quite likely that reopening won't happen unless an external force (namely, the BoE) puts pressure on the superintendent to do that. Letting the superintendent avoid that issue also indicates that the BoE is happy to be left out of that decision as well.

Why would you expect them to? They just voted at the end of last month on a plan based on

(1) the assumption of remote instruction through the first semester
(2) assessment in November about the second semester
(3) reassessment earlier if there are significant changes

Have there been any significant changes?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Board also just said there will probably never be a snow day again, "thanks" to virtual learning options. Makes sense, but sad.

Why is that "sad"? Kids have plenty of time to play outside when it snows during DL.

Because an unexpected day free of responsibilities is a rare pleasure in life, and one that I like seeing my kids have (and have myself), and I'll be sad to lose that.

I imagine that DL during what previously would have been a snow day will still allow for some of this, but it won't be quite the same.

People need to clear driveways, and businesses need to stop treating people like 24/7 machines. One of the things that this pandemic has taught me is how inflexible / adaptable people and society has become. Any little hiccup (forget about a pandemic) and people cannot cope.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

They are showing slides now and talking about feedback from the community and they have a post from DCUM (about how a kindergartener was doing).

Soooo? Which post? We're on pins & needles here ?

I want to know too! Anyone?

It was from someone encouraging everyone to have patience and treat others with grace.

OMG are you serious? That was definitely an outlier post. Most of the parents actually told that mom that their grace reserves were depleted back in June. Talk about cherry picking. They can go f*ck themselves.

Did they also completely ignore all the public comments about school openings from parents? They are on week two. How sustainable do they think it’s going to be to ignore public sentiment?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MCPS slideshow quotes DCUM comment from "How's your kindergartner doing?" thread.

what did they say?

MCPS IF YOU ARE READING THIS OPEN THE SCHOOLS!!!!!

At least 6 Beautiful, caring, dedicated professionals dead forever. People with so many more years to live and gifts to share. No we should not open back up until we have the resources to ensure that our teachers, our students and our communities will be safe. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/09/10/coronavirus-teacher-deaths-fall/%3foutputType=amp

None of those teachers got COVID from school. It is sad, but it looks like they all contracted in the community especially since they all died just as schools were starting to open. I’m not sure what point you are trying to make. Community spread is happening now. There’s actually zero evidence schools being open has increased community spread.

Other than diagnosed infectious among school-aged children in Florida increasing by 34%.

However, I agree generally that there's little evidence that schools being open has increased community spread - and also little evidence that schools being open has NOT increased community spread. There's very little evidence, period. That's a big problem when you're trying to make an informed decision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I stand by that statement.

Not addressing reopening in any meaningful way indicates two key points. First, that they're not prioritizing in-person instruction. And two, that the Superintendent doesn't really care what the BoE thinks, and isn't going to actively engage the Board with reopening decisions. Since the MCPS administration has already demonstrated they're beholden to the teachers with the ridiculous 45-day notice MOU, it seems quite likely that reopening won't happen unless an external force (namely, the BoE) puts pressure on the superintendent to do that. Letting the superintendent avoid that issue also indicates that the BoE is happy to be left out of that decision as well.

Why would you expect them to? They just voted at the end of last month on a plan based on

(1) the assumption of remote instruction through the first semester
(2) assessment in November about the second semester
(3) reassessment earlier if there are significant changes

Have there been any significant changes?

Yes, the state released metrics for reopening schools last week. They didn't mention that at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

They are showing slides now and talking about feedback from the community and they have a post from DCUM (about how a kindergartener was doing).

Soooo? Which post? We're on pins & needles here ?

I want to know too! Anyone?

It was from someone encouraging everyone to have patience and treat others with grace.

OMG are you serious? That was definitely an outlier post. Most of the parents actually told that mom that their grace reserves were depleted back in June. Talk about cherry picking. They can go f*ck themselves.

Did they also completely ignore all the public comments about school openings from parents? They are on week two. How sustainable do they think it’s going to be to ignore public sentiment?

It was just one of several comments on a single slide. If it makes you feel any better, they just recently showed a tweet from a parent who's child was in tears 2 hours into DL on the first day of school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

So, back to the topic. Did the BOE literally say anything about reopening schools at all? Or did they just talk about how much they have overcome with DL and how they are going to continue to “follow health experts” (except when they are absolutely not) when it comes to school reopenings?

I watched most of the hour about the topic, and no substantive mention of it at all. No dates, no goals, no metrics. They're doing nothing towards that goal.

Now watch.. in a few weeks or a few months, the infection rates will drop.. and then MCPS will _start_ to think about reopening, instead of planning ahead of time so they can be ready.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MCPS slideshow quotes DCUM comment from "How's your kindergartner doing?" thread.

what did they say?

MCPS IF YOU ARE READING THIS OPEN THE SCHOOLS!!!!!

At least 6 Beautiful, caring, dedicated professionals dead forever. People with so many more years to live and gifts to share. No we should not open back up until we have the resources to ensure that our teachers, our students and our communities will be safe. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/09/10/coronavirus-teacher-deaths-fall/%3foutputType=amp

Unfortunately, some people exploit these deaths to push their agenda. Most probably, these were not due to any in-person school (wtop was also publishing similar title, but when you read the whole story you realize the teachers were actually doing DL, attending some church events where there was an outbreak, doing some outdoor activity etc.)

Exactly. Media hype. The media has done a huge disservice to students and this country when it comes to the school debate. Most people never read past the headline — it certainly appears this poster never did.

So, back to the topic. Did the BOE literally say anything about reopening schools at all? Or did they just talk about how much they have overcome with DL and how they are going to continue to “follow health experts” (except when they are absolutely not) when it comes to school reopenings?

I know why would the media put such a high value on human life!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

So, back to the topic. Did the BOE literally say anything about reopening schools at all? Or did they just talk about how much they have overcome with DL and how they are going to continue to “follow health experts” (except when they are absolutely not) when it comes to school reopenings?

I watched most of the hour about the topic, and no substantive mention of it at all. No dates, no goals, no metrics. They're doing nothing towards that goal.

Now watch.. in a few weeks or a few months, the infection rates will drop.. and then MCPS will _start_ to think about reopening, instead of planning ahead of time so they can be ready.

The meeting is still going on now.

[Anonymous]

Thank you to Kevin Dougherty for his very thoughtful and articulate testimony. I haven't been able to watch the entire meeting, but have not heard one mention of even a consideration of reopening. The meeting seems entirely focused on how to do DL well. Has anyone heard any discussion of reopening - even just for special needs kids?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I stand by that statement.

Not addressing reopening in any meaningful way indicates two key points. First, that they're not prioritizing in-person instruction. And two, that the Superintendent doesn't really care what the BoE thinks, and isn't going to actively engage the Board with reopening decisions. Since the MCPS administration has already demonstrated they're beholden to the teachers with the ridiculous 45-day notice MOU, it seems quite likely that reopening won't happen unless an external force (namely, the BoE) puts pressure on the superintendent to do that. Letting the superintendent avoid that issue also indicates that the BoE is happy to be left out of that decision as well.

Why would you expect them to? They just voted at the end of last month on a plan based on

(1) the assumption of remote instruction through the first semester
(2) assessment in November about the second semester
(3) reassessment earlier if there are significant changes

Have there been any significant changes?

Yes, the state released metrics for reopening schools last week. They didn't mention that at all.

That's not a significant change.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you to Kevin Dougherty for his very thoughtful and articulate testimony. I haven't been able to watch the entire meeting, but have not heard one mention of even a consideration of reopening. The meeting seems entirely focused on how to do DL well. Has anyone heard any discussion of reopening - even just for special needs kids?

How about that? They are in week 2 of a new school year of systemwide distance learning, and the meeting has been focused on reporting on that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I stand by that statement.

Not addressing reopening in any meaningful way indicates two key points. First, that they're not prioritizing in-person instruction. And two, that the Superintendent doesn't really care what the BoE thinks, and isn't going to actively engage the Board with reopening decisions. Since the MCPS administration has already demonstrated they're beholden to the teachers with the ridiculous 45-day notice MOU, it seems quite likely that reopening won't happen unless an external force (namely, the BoE) puts pressure on the superintendent to do that. Letting the superintendent avoid that issue also indicates that the BoE is happy to be left out of that decision as well.

Why would you expect them to? They just voted at the end of last month on a plan based on

(1) the assumption of remote instruction through the first semester
(2) assessment in November about the second semester
(3) reassessment earlier if there are significant changes

Have there been any significant changes?

Yes, the development of metrics by the state, and apparent adoption of yet-to-be-announced metrics by the Superintendent, are significant developments.

Reopening is going to take time, particularly when you know the teachers union is going to fight it tooth-and-nail. We need to get agreement on the metrics, and agreement on the mitigations, well in advance. And MCPS needs to start preparing well in advance.

That can't happen if they won't talk about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thank you to Kevin Dougherty for his very thoughtful and articulate testimony. I haven't been able to watch the entire meeting, but have not heard one mention of even a consideration of reopening. The meeting seems entirely focused on how to do DL well. Has anyone heard any discussion of reopening - even just for special needs kids?

How about that? They are in week 2 of a new school year of systemwide distance learning, and the meeting has been focused on reporting on that.

Seems moot, though. What can the BoE do about what is already happening? They need to be focused on what happens next.