We are NEVER going back until covid is 100% gone - MCPS has no leadership

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t get why people keep saying MCPS doesn’t have a plan.

Did I just dream that they released a document outlining the hybrid schedules for each level, bus seating charts, and a timeline for phasing in the different grades, starting at the beginning of the 3rd quarter?

Isn’t that a plan?

Link please? I didn't see that.

Does it include metrics for what level makes it OK to reopen too?

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/reopening/MCPSDraftRecoveryPlan-updated.pdf#page32

On p. 32, it says they’ll begin implementing this “blended learning” plan on Feb. 1, 2021, pending clearance by state and local officials. No metrics on what would be considered safe, but from what I gather, that isn’t up to MCPS anyway.

As I read it, MCPS developed the plan (whether it’s a good one is certainly debatable, but it exists), but they still need clearance from—at this point, now that Hogan’s given the OK—Elrich and Gayles. I sort of assumed that they’d stick with this planned timeline, and try to get clearance to implement it from the county at reevaluation in November.

It really never occurred to me that they’d do anything much different from what’s in this document, which is why I’m always puzzled when I hear people screaming about MCPS having “no plan whatsoever.” They do—whether it’s one you agree with or not—but they need permission from the county to implement it.

Yeah, this is what I think too. The hybrid / blended / whatever thing they initially proposed will start being rolled our 2nd semester. As ridiculous as I think it is (I have a 1st grader, believe me, I get it), and as unreal as it is to still justify this while places all over are opening without issue, I think it's what will happen. Other places are starting to open sooner, and I think a lot of us were holding out hope for that, at least for small groups, but realistically I think this will be what happens. If it goes well, all special needs, ESOL, transitional grades and hopefully elementary will have at least some in-person by the end of the school year. I don't see them being totally closed all year, and I think opening will happen faster than we think once it does start and transmission doesn't happen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:According to article in Bethesda Beat, MCPS hasn't even started planning for returning to school. Since March, they have not made any effort to make schools safe.

MCPS NEVER had an intention to bring kids back. it's just too hard so we aren't going to do it.
Smith makes 300k with the sweetest benefits packet. We have hundreds of overpaid staff in central office. And none of them have the leadership skills to get the kids back in school.

Other districts here in the US and in other countries are moving forward. They have real leaders who aren't going to let the desires and special requests from each individual in the district stop them from meeting the educational needs of the larger population of kids.

They know how this is affecting kids mentally, they just hired more counselors!! They know that a lot of teachers are realizing this isn't working, parents realize this isn't working. And I am not talking the small percentage of kids who are doing ok with DL, I am talking of the majority of kids. But they still haven't started outlining the plan for return.

How hard is it to make few calls to other superintendents to get some guidance since no one has any clue what to do?
Secure PPE, set up schools/classrooms with social distance desks with partitions, set out sanitizer stations throughout school, survey parents to find out who will be returning and who needs bus transportation, require masks and handwashing breaks (make these MANDATORY), work with building services to sanitize high touch areas, set up isolation room, involve school nurse, establish DL program for those who can't abide by rules and don't want to come into the school. Select DL teachers and assign kids to them from the entire county population.. A kid might not get a teacher from their school, but we all must make sacrifices.
Unless you ask parents what option they want, you can't really plan, and they haven't even done that.

There are so many staff who aren't working, but getting paid...assign jobs to them, there is plenty for everyone to do.

At the end of the day, you will not please anyone, but you will have attempted to do what you are supposed to do...educate the kids.

If we all have to make sacrifices, we should stick with the current system, which at least requires the same sacrifice of everyone. All kids are doing DL. All teachers are doing DL. Once we start shifting some students at week 10 to teachers they have not started to build a relationship with, it creates a second first two weeks of school. My daughter has a great relationship with her AP teacher. We also had to share some sensitive info about a foster son with several teachers who now understand that he is so eager to not be trouble that he will suffer in all kind of silence rather than ask for help. All know to really check in on him even if he gives the thumbs up in Zoom in response to a generally query.

The only ones making sacrifices are the parents and above all the kids. The teachers wanted this and continue to want it.

It always amazes how y'all think each and every one of the 13,000 teachers in MCPS are just part of a monolithic bloc of "the teachers".

(Ducking. Covering. Waiting for the vitriol.)

PP here. You are right, and I apologize to the teachers who do want to go back for generalizing. It would be nice though if you guys would advocate more loudly for returning in person. If there is a sizable contingent of teachers who want to go back, administrators and the union should hear from them.

+100

SO MUCH OF THIS COULD BE AVOIDED if teachers would speak up about wanting to go back.

[Anonymous]

DCUM: MCPS sucks at everything! They can't plan!

Also DCUM: Why don't teachers trust MCPS, who I have just said suck at everything, to not suck at planning for employee safety?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DCUM: MCPS sucks at everything! They can't plan!

Also DCUM: Why don't teachers trust MCPS, who I have just said suck at everything, to not suck at planning for employee safety?

You know more than one person posts here, right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:According to article in Bethesda Beat, MCPS hasn't even started planning for returning to school. Since March, they have not made any effort to make schools safe.

MCPS NEVER had an intention to bring kids back. it's just too hard so we aren't going to do it.
Smith makes 300k with the sweetest benefits packet. We have hundreds of overpaid staff in central office. And none of them have the leadership skills to get the kids back in school.

Other districts here in the US and in other countries are moving forward. They have real leaders who aren't going to let the desires and special requests from each individual in the district stop them from meeting the educational needs of the larger population of kids.

They know how this is affecting kids mentally, they just hired more counselors!! They know that a lot of teachers are realizing this isn't working, parents realize this isn't working. And I am not talking the small percentage of kids who are doing ok with DL, I am talking of the majority of kids. But they still haven't started outlining the plan for return.

How hard is it to make few calls to other superintendents to get some guidance since no one has any clue what to do?
Secure PPE, set up schools/classrooms with social distance desks with partitions, set out sanitizer stations throughout school, survey parents to find out who will be returning and who needs bus transportation, require masks and handwashing breaks (make these MANDATORY), work with building services to sanitize high touch areas, set up isolation room, involve school nurse, establish DL program for those who can't abide by rules and don't want to come into the school. Select DL teachers and assign kids to them from the entire county population.. A kid might not get a teacher from their school, but we all must make sacrifices.
Unless you ask parents what option they want, you can't really plan, and they haven't even done that.

There are so many staff who aren't working, but getting paid...assign jobs to them, there is plenty for everyone to do.

At the end of the day, you will not please anyone, but you will have attempted to do what you are supposed to do...educate the kids.

If we all have to make sacrifices, we should stick with the current system, which at least requires the same sacrifice of everyone. All kids are doing DL. All teachers are doing DL. Once we start shifting some students at week 10 to teachers they have not started to build a relationship with, it creates a second first two weeks of school. My daughter has a great relationship with her AP teacher. We also had to share some sensitive info about a foster son with several teachers who now understand that he is so eager to not be trouble that he will suffer in all kind of silence rather than ask for help. All know to really check in on him even if he gives the thumbs up in Zoom in response to a generally query.

The only ones making sacrifices are the parents and above all the kids. The teachers wanted this and continue to want it.

It always amazes how y'all think each and every one of the 13,000 teachers in MCPS are just part of a monolithic bloc of "the teachers".

(Ducking. Covering. Waiting for the vitriol.)

PP here. You are right, and I apologize to the teachers who do want to go back for generalizing. It would be nice though if you guys would advocate more loudly for returning in person. If there is a sizable contingent of teachers who want to go back, administrators and the union should hear from them.

+100

SO MUCH OF THIS COULD BE AVOIDED if teachers would speak up about wanting to go back.

Are you willing to sub when they get sick and there is a shortage?

[Anonymous]

MCPS can plan all day and all night, but until the county gives the OK, nothing is going to happen. You all should be redirecting this nasty anti-MCPS energy toward getting Elrich and Gayles to prioritize the schools over extended bar hours or live performances. Those are important for the economy, sure, but not as important as schools in the long run.

Heck, even just getting the county to OK the February 1 hybrid start date would be an accomplishment at this point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:According to article in Bethesda Beat, MCPS hasn't even started planning for returning to school. Since March, they have not made any effort to make schools safe.

MCPS NEVER had an intention to bring kids back. it's just too hard so we aren't going to do it.
Smith makes 300k with the sweetest benefits packet. We have hundreds of overpaid staff in central office. And none of them have the leadership skills to get the kids back in school.

Other districts here in the US and in other countries are moving forward. They have real leaders who aren't going to let the desires and special requests from each individual in the district stop them from meeting the educational needs of the larger population of kids.

They know how this is affecting kids mentally, they just hired more counselors!! They know that a lot of teachers are realizing this isn't working, parents realize this isn't working. And I am not talking the small percentage of kids who are doing ok with DL, I am talking of the majority of kids. But they still haven't started outlining the plan for return.

How hard is it to make few calls to other superintendents to get some guidance since no one has any clue what to do?
Secure PPE, set up schools/classrooms with social distance desks with partitions, set out sanitizer stations throughout school, survey parents to find out who will be returning and who needs bus transportation, require masks and handwashing breaks (make these MANDATORY), work with building services to sanitize high touch areas, set up isolation room, involve school nurse, establish DL program for those who can't abide by rules and don't want to come into the school. Select DL teachers and assign kids to them from the entire county population.. A kid might not get a teacher from their school, but we all must make sacrifices.
Unless you ask parents what option they want, you can't really plan, and they haven't even done that.

There are so many staff who aren't working, but getting paid...assign jobs to them, there is plenty for everyone to do.

At the end of the day, you will not please anyone, but you will have attempted to do what you are supposed to do...educate the kids.

If we all have to make sacrifices, we should stick with the current system, which at least requires the same sacrifice of everyone. All kids are doing DL. All teachers are doing DL. Once we start shifting some students at week 10 to teachers they have not started to build a relationship with, it creates a second first two weeks of school. My daughter has a great relationship with her AP teacher. We also had to share some sensitive info about a foster son with several teachers who now understand that he is so eager to not be trouble that he will suffer in all kind of silence rather than ask for help. All know to really check in on him even if he gives the thumbs up in Zoom in response to a generally query.

The only ones making sacrifices are the parents and above all the kids. The teachers wanted this and continue to want it.

It always amazes how y'all think each and every one of the 13,000 teachers in MCPS are just part of a monolithic bloc of "the teachers".

(Ducking. Covering. Waiting for the vitriol.)

PP here. You are right, and I apologize to the teachers who do want to go back for generalizing. It would be nice though if you guys would advocate more loudly for returning in person. If there is a sizable contingent of teachers who want to go back, administrators and the union should hear from them.

+100

SO MUCH OF THIS COULD BE AVOIDED if teachers would speak up about wanting to go back.

Are you willing to sub when they get sick and there is a shortage?

No, because I have my own job. There will still be virtual options for those teachers who don't want to be in the classroom. Plus, this whole IT WILL NEVER WORK BECAUSE ALL THE TEACHERS WILL GET SICK AND DIE AND THERE WILL BE NO ONE TO TEACH just isn't a thing anywhere where school is open, or at any of the camps and clinics running all summer, etc It's just not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:According to article in Bethesda Beat, MCPS hasn't even started planning for returning to school. Since March, they have not made any effort to make schools safe.

MCPS NEVER had an intention to bring kids back. it's just too hard so we aren't going to do it.
Smith makes 300k with the sweetest benefits packet. We have hundreds of overpaid staff in central office. And none of them have the leadership skills to get the kids back in school.

Other districts here in the US and in other countries are moving forward. They have real leaders who aren't going to let the desires and special requests from each individual in the district stop them from meeting the educational needs of the larger population of kids.

They know how this is affecting kids mentally, they just hired more counselors!! They know that a lot of teachers are realizing this isn't working, parents realize this isn't working. And I am not talking the small percentage of kids who are doing ok with DL, I am talking of the majority of kids. But they still haven't started outlining the plan for return.

How hard is it to make few calls to other superintendents to get some guidance since no one has any clue what to do?
Secure PPE, set up schools/classrooms with social distance desks with partitions, set out sanitizer stations throughout school, survey parents to find out who will be returning and who needs bus transportation, require masks and handwashing breaks (make these MANDATORY), work with building services to sanitize high touch areas, set up isolation room, involve school nurse, establish DL program for those who can't abide by rules and don't want to come into the school. Select DL teachers and assign kids to them from the entire county population.. A kid might not get a teacher from their school, but we all must make sacrifices.
Unless you ask parents what option they want, you can't really plan, and they haven't even done that.

There are so many staff who aren't working, but getting paid...assign jobs to them, there is plenty for everyone to do.

At the end of the day, you will not please anyone, but you will have attempted to do what you are supposed to do...educate the kids.

If we all have to make sacrifices, we should stick with the current system, which at least requires the same sacrifice of everyone. All kids are doing DL. All teachers are doing DL. Once we start shifting some students at week 10 to teachers they have not started to build a relationship with, it creates a second first two weeks of school. My daughter has a great relationship with her AP teacher. We also had to share some sensitive info about a foster son with several teachers who now understand that he is so eager to not be trouble that he will suffer in all kind of silence rather than ask for help. All know to really check in on him even if he gives the thumbs up in Zoom in response to a generally query.

The only ones making sacrifices are the parents and above all the kids. The teachers wanted this and continue to want it.

It always amazes how y'all think each and every one of the 13,000 teachers in MCPS are just part of a monolithic bloc of "the teachers".

(Ducking. Covering. Waiting for the vitriol.)

PP here. You are right, and I apologize to the teachers who do want to go back for generalizing. It would be nice though if you guys would advocate more loudly for returning in person. If there is a sizable contingent of teachers who want to go back, administrators and the union should hear from them.

+100

SO MUCH OF THIS COULD BE AVOIDED if teachers would speak up about wanting to go back.

Are you willing to sub when they get sick and there is a shortage?

So better to keep everyone home every day in case there's a sub shortage? There aren't really subs now, you know that right? If a teacher is sick and can't login for DL, there is just no class that day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DCUM: MCPS sucks at everything! They can't plan!

Also DCUM: Why don't teachers trust MCPS, who I have just said suck at everything, to not suck at planning for employee safety?

There's a lot of "'The food is terrible!' 'Yes, and such small portions!'" going on.

[Anonymous]

From AP: https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-milwaukee-wisconsin-archive-61856a69ec6e9e6f032bb121b6d58a5d

"Wisconsin health officials announced Wednesday that a field hospital will open next week at the state fairgrounds near Milwaukee as a surge in COVID-19 cases threatens to overwhelm hospitals.

"Wisconsin has become a hot spot for the disease over the last month, ranking third nationwide this week in daily new cases per capita. Health experts have attributed the spike to the reopening of colleges and K-12 schools as well as general fatigue over wearing masks and socially distancing. "

We're doomed, Doomed!, I say.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:From AP: https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-milwaukee-wisconsin-archive-61856a69ec6e9e6f032bb121b6d58a5d

"Wisconsin health officials announced Wednesday that a field hospital will open next week at the state fairgrounds near Milwaukee as a surge in COVID-19 cases threatens to overwhelm hospitals.

"Wisconsin has become a hot spot for the disease over the last month, ranking third nationwide this week in daily new cases per capita. Health experts have attributed the spike to the reopening of colleges and K-12 schools as well as general fatigue over wearing masks and socially distancing. "

We're doomed, Doomed!, I say.

You could probably find 15 articles saying schools aren't spreading it. Here are two from a 5-second search:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/feared-covid-outbreaks-in-schools-yet-to-arrive-early-data-shows/2020/09/23/0509bb84-fd22-11ea-b555-4d71a9254f4b_story.html

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/schools-reopening-coronavirus/2020/07/10/865fb3e6-c122-11ea-8908-68a2b9eae9e0_story.html

[Anonymous]

For those of you that argue that DL is working well for your child - how do you feel about your child falling behind compared to kids in private schools? Because many of my friends have their kids in private school and the kids get academics and socialization. Meanwhile, public school kids sit on the sidelines and miss out on social-emotional learning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:MCPS can plan all day and all night, but until the county gives the OK, nothing is going to happen. You all should be redirecting this nasty anti-MCPS energy toward getting Elrich and Gayles to prioritize the schools over extended bar hours or live performances. Those are important for the economy, sure, but not as important as schools in the long run.

Heck, even just getting the county to OK the February 1 hybrid start date would be an accomplishment at this point.

The health officer in MoCo can shut down schools. He did in March. He did not so now. MCPS is voluntarily shut down, on the advice of Gayles. He did not order it.

So, they do not need approval to reopen, though I'm sure they will (wisely) ask the health department to review their plan.

[Anonymous]

The union represents the needs of teachers. Not students or parents. To a certain extent the union will listen to the opinions of its members, but its key role is to advocate for teacher well-being, compensation, benefits, etc.

The union will not stop advocating for the health and safety of its members even if a majority of teachers say “send us back.” Their job is to fight for those who are at-risk or otherwise in need of help.

Similarly, even if they got a poll together and a majority of teachers decided they wanted a pay cut or something... the union would not stop pushing for a raise anyway. That’s what unions are for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:According to article in Bethesda Beat, MCPS hasn't even started planning for returning to school. Since March, they have not made any effort to make schools safe.

MCPS NEVER had an intention to bring kids back. it's just too hard so we aren't going to do it.
Smith makes 300k with the sweetest benefits packet. We have hundreds of overpaid staff in central office. And none of them have the leadership skills to get the kids back in school.

Other districts here in the US and in other countries are moving forward. They have real leaders who aren't going to let the desires and special requests from each individual in the district stop them from meeting the educational needs of the larger population of kids.

They know how this is affecting kids mentally, they just hired more counselors!! They know that a lot of teachers are realizing this isn't working, parents realize this isn't working. And I am not talking the small percentage of kids who are doing ok with DL, I am talking of the majority of kids. But they still haven't started outlining the plan for return.

How hard is it to make few calls to other superintendents to get some guidance since no one has any clue what to do?
Secure PPE, set up schools/classrooms with social distance desks with partitions, set out sanitizer stations throughout school, survey parents to find out who will be returning and who needs bus transportation, require masks and handwashing breaks (make these MANDATORY), work with building services to sanitize high touch areas, set up isolation room, involve school nurse, establish DL program for those who can't abide by rules and don't want to come into the school. Select DL teachers and assign kids to them from the entire county population.. A kid might not get a teacher from their school, but we all must make sacrifices.
Unless you ask parents what option they want, you can't really plan, and they haven't even done that.

There are so many staff who aren't working, but getting paid...assign jobs to them, there is plenty for everyone to do.

At the end of the day, you will not please anyone, but you will have attempted to do what you are supposed to do...educate the kids.

If we all have to make sacrifices, we should stick with the current system, which at least requires the same sacrifice of everyone. All kids are doing DL. All teachers are doing DL. Once we start shifting some students at week 10 to teachers they have not started to build a relationship with, it creates a second first two weeks of school. My daughter has a great relationship with her AP teacher. We also had to share some sensitive info about a foster son with several teachers who now understand that he is so eager to not be trouble that he will suffer in all kind of silence rather than ask for help. All know to really check in on him even if he gives the thumbs up in Zoom in response to a generally query.

So? I guess your sacrifice will be when we return to the classroom.