DC charters - which ones are open? hybrid model? plans of reopening?

[Anonymous]

I don't think ITDS will.be in-person for most of any students before fall.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are at ITDS and the meetings they have held are a whole lot of nothing really. They just keep saying "when it is safe" which is unclear and mean different things to different people. Other school in the area have safely opened to at least some students a few days a week or full-time and other have done nothing. I would be less frustrated if they stopped pushing through the learning as if it was a typical school year though it seems that is really out of the teachers control.
We loved the school before though we have only a couple years experience at ITDS. Now I am not loving it much at all. They have put in a lot of effort in a lot of ways but for me it falls short and expectations seem out of balance. Also, they really should have at risk kids in class rooms at least part of the week.
I still like most of the teams and teachers we have worked with. The principals, board members and who ever else is in charge of curriculum and policies.. I have lost a lot of faith in and respect for them.
I don't know if we should be playing the lottery or home school or what. I wouldn't have said that last fall or winter so idk.

We are at a different charter but have had the exact same experience. I can’t absolve the schools leadership totally but a lot of this is because there is no plan in place at the top and schools are left to go it alone with no resources from local or federal government. Bowser should have spent more time figuring out to open schools and less time worrying about restaurants, hair salons and gyms).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are at ITDS and the meetings they have held are a whole lot of nothing really. They just keep saying "when it is safe" which is unclear and mean different things to different people. Other school in the area have safely opened to at least some students a few days a week or full-time and other have done nothing. I would be less frustrated if they stopped pushing through the learning as if it was a typical school year though it seems that is really out of the teachers control.
We loved the school before though we have only a couple years experience at ITDS. Now I am not loving it much at all. They have put in a lot of effort in a lot of ways but for me it falls short and expectations seem out of balance. Also, they really should have at risk kids in class rooms at least part of the week.
I still like most of the teams and teachers we have worked with. The principals, board members and who ever else is in charge of curriculum and policies.. I have lost a lot of faith in and respect for them.
I don't know if we should be playing the lottery or home school or what. I wouldn't have said that last fall or winter so idk.

We are at a different charter but have had the exact same experience. I can’t absolve the schools leadership totally but a lot of this is because there is no plan in place at the top and schools are left to go it alone with no resources from local or federal government. Bowser should have spent more time figuring out to open schools and less time worrying about restaurants, hair salons and gyms).

Similar kicking the can down the road at our charter, because of course, that's much easier to do, and trying to say virtual is just fine and great.

This thread makes me think, charters are even more risk averse than DCPS and may be the last to open, when they should be the first because they're more nimble.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son is at Two Rivers 4th Street. They have not been good at communicating what plans, if any, they have for in-person instruction beyond general aspirations that it will happen some day. They have talked about increasing “in person opportunities” but all we’ve seen so far is an in person, outdoor social event for my son’s class. The school is apparently offering a very small Cares-like class but only for the few kids who weren’t logging in to any of the online classes and wouldn’t/couldn’t do so after the school followed up with them. They have not announced any metric for what rate of infection would trigger a shift from DL to in person learning. HTH.

Maybe post on DCUM less, read more of the TR emails and attend some of the meetings and Q&A the school does every two weeks (same meetings they have done since school began). There is a big difference between not liking the outcome and not being told the outcome. TR has clearly communicated in advance of each term what their plans are. They have done surveys and published those survey results. In fact, the only part of your post that is accurate is that they have not set a metric.

I agree that TR sends a significant volume of communication, but its of very little substance. Teachers and staff will be able to get vaccinated beginning Jan. 25, there should be a reopening plan in place, beyond the CARES accommodation, even if its to say, we’re doing DL for the rest of the year (which is what they will likely do).

You aren't asking for more substantive communication. You are asking them to communicate the outcome you want. Also, funny how you ignore the survey data from the TR community that shows a clear preference for DL this year even with a vaccine.

You are entitled to your opinion. You are entitled to want to return in person. But please stop conflating a lack of communication with not getting what you want.

I have to disagree, and please note that I didn't indicate "the outcome" I want. That's not my issue at all--my issue is that there should be more detailed information about the outlook for the rest of the year. If it's DL for the remainder of the year, that is fine, but please announce that and be clear about what metrics informed that decision. Is it driven primarily by the staff and parent survey findings, or is that just one metric amongst a host of other factors. And the vaccine will be offered to staff and teachers beginning Jan. 25--how does this impact future planning? Will TR require staff to be vaccinated?

These are pretty basic issues to have resolved for future planning.

[Anonymous]

My kids' charter said they will not require their staff to be vaccinated, that it is a personal choice. Anyone aware of vaccination policies at your charter? Definitely feels like "kick the can". Frustrated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids' charter said they will not require their staff to be vaccinated, that it is a personal choice. Anyone aware of vaccination policies at your charter? Definitely feels like "kick the can". Frustrated.

Right--so if a school relies on parent/staff/teacher surveys as the key metric to move toward reopening school is some form (hybrid/100% in-person) and a significant percentage of the staff/teachers don't get vaccinated then we are at a distance learning standstill for quite some time.

Does this sound alarmist? Yes, and will probably likely not be the case. But these are the scenarios these schools should be running and planning for--and I fear that they are not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son is at Two Rivers 4th Street. They have not been good at communicating what plans, if any, they have for in-person instruction beyond general aspirations that it will happen some day. They have talked about increasing “in person opportunities” but all we’ve seen so far is an in person, outdoor social event for my son’s class. The school is apparently offering a very small Cares-like class but only for the few kids who weren’t logging in to any of the online classes and wouldn’t/couldn’t do so after the school followed up with them. They have not announced any metric for what rate of infection would trigger a shift from DL to in person learning. HTH.

Maybe post on DCUM less, read more of the TR emails and attend some of the meetings and Q&A the school does every two weeks (same meetings they have done since school began). There is a big difference between not liking the outcome and not being told the outcome. TR has clearly communicated in advance of each term what their plans are. They have done surveys and published those survey results. In fact, the only part of your post that is accurate is that they have not set a metric.

I agree that TR sends a significant volume of communication, but its of very little substance. Teachers and staff will be able to get vaccinated beginning Jan. 25, there should be a reopening plan in place, beyond the CARES accommodation, even if its to say, we’re doing DL for the rest of the year (which is what they will likely do).

You aren't asking for more substantive communication. You are asking them to communicate the outcome you want. Also, funny how you ignore the survey data from the TR community that shows a clear preference for DL this year even with a vaccine.

You are entitled to your opinion. You are entitled to want to return in person. But please stop conflating a lack of communication with not getting what you want.

I have to disagree, and please note that I didn't indicate "the outcome" I want. That's not my issue at all--my issue is that there should be more detailed information about the outlook for the rest of the year. If it's DL for the remainder of the year, that is fine, but please announce that and be clear about what metrics informed that decision. Is it driven primarily by the staff and parent survey findings, or is that just one metric amongst a host of other factors. And the vaccine will be offered to staff and teachers beginning Jan. 25--how does this impact future planning? Will TR require staff to be vaccinated?

These are pretty basic issues to have resolved for future planning.

I'm sorry, what does "basic" mean in that sentence? Whether to open schools? When to make that decision? What changed circumstances might appear this week, next week, next month? How community spread will occur? Whether variants of COVID will appear? How fast vaccines will be deployed and how widely they will be accepted? So sad that TR is struggling with that when every other school, school system, town, city, state and country seems to have so easily dispensed with such "basic" issues.

Implicit in what you typed was that you wanted schools open. It is beyond me why you are denying that. Nothing wrong with wanting that outcome; why not own it? TR has explained ad nauseum the data and information they have and will use in consideration of the past and future outcomes. It's on every deck that explains each decision. If you choose not to read it that is not their fault. That decision matrix does not include hard COVID transmission metrics for a "go/no-go" decision. I get that you wish it did; it doesn't. Get over it. Even if it did it would not result in the certainty you now claim to desire. You continue to confuse and conflate the difference between disagreeing with the decision (or the methodology) and whether or not is was explained to you (over and over and over again). Also, let me note you are SOOOO creative moving the goalpost saying that now all you want is to know what they will do for Term 4 now so you can plan. The situation is quite fluid across the US. Why on earth would they make a decision now? Even if they made the decision to return in-person for Term 4, things could change (read: spikes and city shut down again) and they would change that decision. Furthermore. they have always said that no one is going to be required to go back in person this year of they are not comfortable doing so, which means if you must plan you can of course plan for DL through the year and check that off your list.

You got called out (by not just me) for spewing BS about lack of communication when your issue is not liking the outcome. You are behaving like an ES kid who keeps whining "but why" long after someone has explained why. My 9 year-old knows the difference between "I'm not happy with that outcome" and "please explain why". I'm done with you.

[Anonymous]

Whoa, 17:06! You are engaging with at least two different TR parents on this thread, and seem to be conflating our responses. I was the first TR parent you responded to. I want the school to do in person learning, and in Fall 2020 an administrator told me that SN kids with dedicated aides would be prioritized for coming back to school. Then soon after, the school said something about “in person opportunities” for students in one of the weekly Trib emails. So yes, I was hoping for some in person learning. But now it appears that no one beyond the kids in the cares-like classroom are coming back to school until well, until I don’t know when — I assume when a vaccine is widespread? So yeah, I think the communication about future plans could have been better. YMMV.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son is at Two Rivers 4th Street. They have not been good at communicating what plans, if any, they have for in-person instruction beyond general aspirations that it will happen some day. They have talked about increasing “in person opportunities” but all we’ve seen so far is an in person, outdoor social event for my son’s class. The school is apparently offering a very small Cares-like class but only for the few kids who weren’t logging in to any of the online classes and wouldn’t/couldn’t do so after the school followed up with them. They have not announced any metric for what rate of infection would trigger a shift from DL to in person learning. HTH.

Maybe post on DCUM less, read more of the TR emails and attend some of the meetings and Q&A the school does every two weeks (same meetings they have done since school began). There is a big difference between not liking the outcome and not being told the outcome. TR has clearly communicated in advance of each term what their plans are. They have done surveys and published those survey results. In fact, the only part of your post that is accurate is that they have not set a metric.

I agree that TR sends a significant volume of communication, but its of very little substance. Teachers and staff will be able to get vaccinated beginning Jan. 25, there should be a reopening plan in place, beyond the CARES accommodation, even if its to say, we’re doing DL for the rest of the year (which is what they will likely do).

You aren't asking for more substantive communication. You are asking them to communicate the outcome you want. Also, funny how you ignore the survey data from the TR community that shows a clear preference for DL this year even with a vaccine.

You are entitled to your opinion. You are entitled to want to return in person. But please stop conflating a lack of communication with not getting what you want.

I have to disagree, and please note that I didn't indicate "the outcome" I want. That's not my issue at all--my issue is that there should be more detailed information about the outlook for the rest of the year. If it's DL for the remainder of the year, that is fine, but please announce that and be clear about what metrics informed that decision. Is it driven primarily by the staff and parent survey findings, or is that just one metric amongst a host of other factors. And the vaccine will be offered to staff and teachers beginning Jan. 25--how does this impact future planning? Will TR require staff to be vaccinated?

These are pretty basic issues to have resolved for future planning.

I'm sorry, what does "basic" mean in that sentence? Whether to open schools? When to make that decision? What changed circumstances might appear this week, next week, next month? How community spread will occur? Whether variants of COVID will appear? How fast vaccines will be deployed and how widely they will be accepted? So sad that TR is struggling with that when every other school, school system, town, city, state and country seems to have so easily dispensed with such "basic" issues.

Implicit in what you typed was that you wanted schools open. It is beyond me why you are denying that. Nothing wrong with wanting that outcome; why not own it? TR has explained ad nauseum the data and information they have and will use in consideration of the past and future outcomes. It's on every deck that explains each decision. If you choose not to read it that is not their fault. That decision matrix does not include hard COVID transmission metrics for a "go/no-go" decision. I get that you wish it did; it doesn't. Get over it. Even if it did it would not result in the certainty you now claim to desire. You continue to confuse and conflate the difference between disagreeing with the decision (or the methodology) and whether or not is was explained to you (over and over and over again). Also, let me note you are SOOOO creative moving the goalpost saying that now all you want is to know what they will do for Term 4 now so you can plan. The situation is quite fluid across the US. Why on earth would they make a decision now? Even if they made the decision to return in-person for Term 4, things could change (read: spikes and city shut down again) and they would change that decision. Furthermore. they have always said that no one is going to be required to go back in person this year of they are not comfortable doing so, which means if you must plan you can of course plan for DL through the year and check that off your list.

You got called out (by not just me) for spewing BS about lack of communication when your issue is not liking the outcome. You are behaving like an ES kid who keeps whining "but why" long after someone has explained why. My 9 year-old knows the difference between "I'm not happy with that outcome" and "please explain why". I'm done with you.

Hello TR administrator.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sela has been open to PreK 3 and 4 kids since Nov and is about to open up to students in all classes - parents are getting to chose in-person or virtual.

Communication has been excellent and planning has been thoughful.

Wow. For the first time ever I wish we were at Sela.

Can we have some links about their success and method to share with our admins?

Is sela open for "cares " classroom or actual hybrid or full-time instruction? Is it open to any current family who wants to return to school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sela has been open to PreK 3 and 4 kids since Nov and is about to open up to students in all classes - parents are getting to chose in-person or virtual.

Communication has been excellent and planning has been thoughful.

Wow. For the first time ever I wish we were at Sela.

Can we have some links about their success and method to share with our admins?

Is sela open for "cares " classroom or actual hybrid or full-time instruction? Is it open to any current family who wants to return to school?

Not Cares classrooms. Since Nov., parents of PreK3 and PreK4 kids could opt in for a half day of in-person instruction or choose to remain virtual.

They have opened this up to students in all grades and if the parents have opted in for in-person instructions, K-5th will go back to school this month for a full day, no before or after care. Obviously with proper protocols for health and safety in place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sela has been open to PreK 3 and 4 kids since Nov and is about to open up to students in all classes - parents are getting to chose in-person or virtual.

Communication has been excellent and planning has been thoughful.

Wow. For the first time ever I wish we were at Sela.

Can we have some links about their success and method to share with our admins?

Is sela open for "cares " classroom or actual hybrid or full-time instruction? Is it open to any current family who wants to return to school?

Not Cares classrooms. Since Nov., parents of PreK3 and PreK4 kids could opt in for a half day of in-person instruction or choose to remain virtual.

They have opened this up to students in all grades and if the parents have opted in for in-person instructions, K-5th will go back to school this month for a full day, no before or after care. Obviously with proper protocols for health and safety in place.

That's great. Here's hope that other charters will follow...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sela has been open to PreK 3 and 4 kids since Nov and is about to open up to students in all classes - parents are getting to chose in-person or virtual.

Communication has been excellent and planning has been thoughful.

Wow. For the first time ever I wish we were at Sela.

Can we have some links about their success and method to share with our admins?

Is sela open for "cares " classroom or actual hybrid or full-time instruction? Is it open to any current family who wants to return to school?

Not Cares classrooms. Since Nov., parents of PreK3 and PreK4 kids could opt in for a half day of in-person instruction or choose to remain virtual.

They have opened this up to students in all grades and if the parents have opted in for in-person instructions, K-5th will go back to school this month for a full day, no before or after care. Obviously with proper protocols for health and safety in place.

That's great. Here's hope that other charters will follow...

DCUM ECE parents are precious. Come on here and speak about how great Sela is because they allowed 3 and 4 year olds into their building. One year from now the same people will be sniping about Sela's piss poor test results and how they are switching schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sela has been open to PreK 3 and 4 kids since Nov and is about to open up to students in all classes - parents are getting to chose in-person or virtual.

Communication has been excellent and planning has been thoughful.

Wow. For the first time ever I wish we were at Sela.

Can we have some links about their success and method to share with our admins?

Is sela open for "cares " classroom or actual hybrid or full-time instruction? Is it open to any current family who wants to return to school?

Not Cares classrooms. Since Nov., parents of PreK3 and PreK4 kids could opt in for a half day of in-person instruction or choose to remain virtual.

They have opened this up to students in all grades and if the parents have opted in for in-person instructions, K-5th will go back to school this month for a full day, no before or after care. Obviously with proper protocols for health and safety in place.

That's great. Here's hope that other charters will follow...

DCUM ECE parents are precious. Come on here and speak about how great Sela is because they allowed 3 and 4 year olds into their building. One year from now the same people will be sniping about Sela's piss poor test results and how they are switching schools.

I think they're saying all grades about to start full time. My question is, how can they do this with the space requirements from OSSE? No other schools seem to have found a way. Only 11 kids can be in a room together.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sela has been open to PreK 3 and 4 kids since Nov and is about to open up to students in all classes - parents are getting to chose in-person or virtual.

Communication has been excellent and planning has been thoughful.

Wow. For the first time ever I wish we were at Sela.

Can we have some links about their success and method to share with our admins?

Is sela open for "cares " classroom or actual hybrid or full-time instruction? Is it open to any current family who wants to return to school?

Not Cares classrooms. Since Nov., parents of PreK3 and PreK4 kids could opt in for a half day of in-person instruction or choose to remain virtual.

They have opened this up to students in all grades and if the parents have opted in for in-person instructions, K-5th will go back to school this month for a full day, no before or after care. Obviously with proper protocols for health and safety in place.

That's great. Here's hope that other charters will follow...

DCUM ECE parents are precious. Come on here and speak about how great Sela is because they allowed 3 and 4 year olds into their building. One year from now the same people will be sniping about Sela's piss poor test results and how they are switching schools.

I think they're saying all grades about to start full time. My question is, how can they do this with the space requirements from OSSE? No other schools seem to have found a way. Only 11 kids can be in a room together.

They hired staff when necessary. And not everyone wants to come back.