How can we force our school to reopen?

[Anonymous]

What I find maddening is that the Mayor and the DCPS administrators can be so slack and so incompetent and so seemingly unconcerned, and we’re just stuck with the pathetic results.

We are considering moving out of DC for the first time ever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think a lawsuit is the way to go. Something like an open letter to Bowser and the Council that is published in the Post and online that is signed by 10 thousand families with students enrolled in that says - You must start prioritizing schools and education. Stop fooling around with bars and indoor dining and concerts. Do the work necessary and dedicate the funding necessary to meet the needs of our students.

I wish the editorial board of the Post would do that on their own.

I would not include a list of demands like the WTU keeps putting out there because it's very divisive and not productive.

The WTU's list of demands is designed to be impossible to meet so schools will stay closed. The last thing WTU wants is for schools to reopen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think a lawsuit is the way to go. Something like an open letter to Bowser and the Council that is published in the Post and online that is signed by 10 thousand families with students enrolled in that says - You must start prioritizing schools and education. Stop fooling around with bars and indoor dining and concerts. Do the work necessary and dedicate the funding necessary to meet the needs of our students.

I wish the editorial board of the Post would do that on their own.

I would not include a list of demands like the WTU keeps putting out there because it's very divisive and not productive.

The WTU's list of demands is designed to be impossible to meet so schools will stay closed. The last thing WTU wants is for schools to reopen.

They don’t need WTU’s permission to reopen. They may want their support but schools can open with or without union support. Teachers legally can’t strike so they would have to come back, take leave, or quit. So again, there’s the problem—staff entitled to make their own decisions using their legal provided leave.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If it is teachers union politics why are almost all charters closed?

And the majority of privates schools too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A crowbar? It's also a good way to land in jail, but don't worry, DC is soft on crime.

This. A crowbar. Bring in some kids. Start teaching in a classroom.

Low income kids will be left behind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think a lawsuit is the way to go. Something like an open letter to Bowser and the Council that is published in the Post and online that is signed by 10 thousand families with students enrolled in that says - You must start prioritizing schools and education. Stop fooling around with bars and indoor dining and concerts. Do the work necessary and dedicate the funding necessary to meet the needs of our students.

I wish the editorial board of the Post would do that on their own.

I would not include a list of demands like the WTU keeps putting out there because it's very divisive and not productive.

The WTU's list of demands is designed to be impossible to meet so schools will stay closed. The last thing WTU wants is for schools to reopen.

They don’t need WTU’s permission to reopen. They may want their support but schools can open with or without union support. Teachers legally can’t strike so they would have to come back, take leave, or quit. So again, there’s the problem—staff entitled to make their own decisions using their legal provided leave.

Not to mention, WTU doesn’t represent any charter schools. 99% of charters are closed too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think a lawsuit is the way to go. Something like an open letter to Bowser and the Council that is published in the Post and online that is signed by 10 thousand families with students enrolled in that says - You must start prioritizing schools and education. Stop fooling around with bars and indoor dining and concerts. Do the work necessary and dedicate the funding necessary to meet the needs of our students.

I wish the editorial board of the Post would do that on their own.

I would not include a list of demands like the WTU keeps putting out there because it's very divisive and not productive.

The WTU's list of demands is designed to be impossible to meet so schools will stay closed. The last thing WTU wants is for schools to reopen.

You mean the union that wasn't strong enough to get itself a contract for I don't know how many years? LOL. I don't think they have the power you want parents to believe they have when it suits your political ends to make them look like the bad guys.

[Anonymous]

The reality is kids are attending in person school all across the country.

It really comes down to who you elect for elected officials.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think a lawsuit is the way to go. Something like an open letter to Bowser and the Council that is published in the Post and online that is signed by 10 thousand families with students enrolled in that says - You must start prioritizing schools and education. Stop fooling around with bars and indoor dining and concerts. Do the work necessary and dedicate the funding necessary to meet the needs of our students.

I wish the editorial board of the Post would do that on their own.

I would not include a list of demands like the WTU keeps putting out there because it's very divisive and not productive.

The WTU's list of demands is designed to be impossible to meet so schools will stay closed. The last thing WTU wants is for schools to reopen.

They don’t need WTU’s permission to reopen. They may want their support but schools can open with or without union support. Teachers legally can’t strike so they would have to come back, take leave, or quit. So again, there’s the problem—staff entitled to make their own decisions using their legal provided leave.

Such a lie. Our kid's school said it wanted to open but couldnt because teachers were refusing to come to class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Be well OP. Find someone to take your kids for an afternoon. I’m worried about them & you

I’m worried about YOU and the rest of the people ok with DL for the foreseeable future, possibly into next school year at this rate. Are you seriously ok with the long term implications of that? It is possible to want schools to reopen, in a safe manner. Why isn’t DCPS giving any real metrics for how and when that will happen? Instead they are locked in a battle with the union and the families are the real losers here.

[Anonymous]

Teachers have a raw deal. They will be stuck doing all the cleaning in their classroom on top of everything else. They will have to deal with kids in the classroom + kids who refuse to come to school. If teachers get sick, unlikely they will have much support from DCPS. I’m a parent and I think teachers have a raw deal. They don’t get paid nearly enough to put up with everything that is dumped on them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I really want schools open but it won't happen until they actually put a viable plan for reopening in place. Right now their plan seems to be "Make it seem like we want to open schools, then blame teachers when it doesn't happen, thus avoiding any liability issues around Covid outbreaks in schools."

This, exactly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lawsuits have worked in other states.

Which states? Any details?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are tons of lawsuits around the country on this. Some are parents trying to force schools to open. Some are teachers trying to force schools to close.

https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2020/08/21/covid-19-school-reopening-battle-moves-to-the.html

In our friends school district in Utah parents gathered in very large protests, and the schools opened after 3 weeks of protests after initially planning to be all virtual (maybe a coincidence, idk). But I doubt anyone would come to protests in DC, people seem to be absorbed by their work much more

Utah parents also protested in masse against masks so I wouldn't be so gung-ho about supporting idiocy in another state.

Meanwhile Covid cases in the Midwest and Utah are breaking records + their Senator tested positive

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it is teachers union politics why are almost all charters closed?

Charters were some of the first to dip their toes into reopening. Some charters (Sojourner) are open. My guess is that charters will reopen starting in November.

DCPS is also dipping their toes into reopening. My children's school is reopen to some students starting this week.