APS: Why Ignoring CDC Recommendations for Cohorts for Middle and High School?

[Anonymous]

Ok. But then we are just saying that convenience triumphs over safety. It was inconvenient to cohort them or to try to cohort them for as many classes as possible back in September. So, now, because people want to open schools, we’ll just ignore CDC recommendations on cohorting? If that’s what APS plans to do, I want to hear them say it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ok. How about schools just follow the CDC recommended measures then. Like cohorting middle and high school students? That’s not asking for zero risk. That’s asking to follow basic safety guidelines!

Here's confirmation that the Wisconsin schools did cohort HS. However they DID NOT have 6' spacing within cohorts. The author also says they had indoor lunches.
https://twitter.com/TracyBethHoeg/status/1354292380174675971

I'm pretty sure the main benefit of cohorting, especially with younger kids, is that they do not have to maintain distance within the cohort. There is simply no way to cohort MS/HS which is why we are doing masks and distancing. Anyone who is not comfortable is free to choose virtual.

There is not no way to do it. They’re doing it in school systems in the US and privates here in Arlington and in Europe. Please. It’s just they’ve decided not to do it. Notwithstanding CDC recommendations. That’s why elementary should open but they need a revised plan for middle and high. Everyone was touting the CDC report on Tuesday. But only part of it. They ignore the part that says cohorts are recommended. Right there with masks and distancing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ok. How about schools just follow the CDC recommended measures then. Like cohorting middle and high school students? That’s not asking for zero risk. That’s asking to follow basic safety guidelines!

Here's confirmation that the Wisconsin schools did cohort HS. However they DID NOT have 6' spacing within cohorts. The author also says they had indoor lunches.
https://twitter.com/TracyBethHoeg/status/1354292380174675971

I'm pretty sure the main benefit of cohorting, especially with younger kids, is that they do not have to maintain distance within the cohort. There is simply no way to cohort MS/HS which is why we are doing masks and distancing. Anyone who is not comfortable is free to choose virtual.

And I’m pretty sure that’s now how student safety decisions work. “We’re going to cherry pick the CDC recommendations that are convenient but it’s OK because if you don’t like it, choose virtual?” It’s one thing to offer virtual up as an alternative when you’re offering a virtual alternative for those who are uncomfortable when you are following recommended safety standards. It’s another thing to just abandon those standards and say “Hey! There’s always virtual!”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ok. But then we are just saying that convenience triumphs over safety. It was inconvenient to cohort them or to try to cohort them for as many classes as possible back in September. So, now, because people want to open schools, we’ll just ignore CDC recommendations on cohorting? If that’s what APS plans to do, I want to hear them say it!

The CDC regularly changes their recommendations and their recommendations are based off their limited study of a very rural community and not large overcrowded school systems.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ok. How about schools just follow the CDC recommended measures then. Like cohorting middle and high school students? That’s not asking for zero risk. That’s asking to follow basic safety guidelines!

Here's confirmation that the Wisconsin schools did cohort HS. However they DID NOT have 6' spacing within cohorts. The author also says they had indoor lunches.
https://twitter.com/TracyBethHoeg/status/1354292380174675971

I can't find anything in there to explain how they cohorted secondary students. Did they force everyone to take the same courses? That could lead to legal issues because of how it might affected students with special needs.

[Anonymous]

I think you’d have to cohort for core courses and then do DL for certain electives. It’s more doable for middle school.

[Anonymous]

Truth is, while cohorting is still necessary they shouldn’t be sending middle and high back.

[Anonymous]

IF they send MS & HS back (which I doubt), I predict they will have cohorts of kids sitting in rooms with headphones & masks on their iPads doing virtual school all day— no real in person instruction.

[Anonymous]

That’s a way to cohort them! But then they would really be DL “pods” in classroom. Everyone doing their own thing. At least that would get the kids who are having mental health issues in for socialization and evaluation. Maybe that’s what they’ll do. It solves the cohort problem!

[Anonymous]

Has anyone heard if they are incorporating this new recommendation into APS planning?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Back to cohorting. I believe the Wisconsin schools did cohorting for middle and high. That is part of the basis for the recommendations.

My kids private HS in DC has been doing cohorts in hybrid learning since October. It’s worked great. They have a safety app that needs to be complete every morning and the pass shown or no admit.

But, the logistics of doing it in a school system with grades as large as APS has is overwhelming. I don’t expect my MS back this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone explain why APS is just outright ignoring CDC recommendations that students be in cohorts for their middle and high school return to school plans? A middle or high school student at a high hybrid school could be exposed to 9 kids or so in each class, five classes a day. With A/B days that means exposure to close to 90 different kids each week. Very few are talking about this on these boards.

Why can't APS (and others) recognize that they are able to open elementary consistent with CDC recommendations, but not middle and high school. They chose not to cohort them. These are the consequences. Are they just hoping to get away with ignoring CDC recommendations in their re-opening plans for middle and high school????

See Washington Post article from yesterday: https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/cdc-school-virus-spread/2021/01/26/bf949222-5fe6-11eb-9061-07abcc1f9229_story.html

And here's the relevant paragraph:
Specifically, the CDC recommends that schools require masks, allow for a distance of six feet between people and keep students in cohorts to limit the number of people who must quarantine in the case of an exposure. It also recommends screening tests to identify asymptomatic infected people, and increased air ventilation.

Why aren't more parents raising this with the School Board?

Not sure if this has been mentioned yet...but it was a viewpoint piece, not official guidance from the CDC. Note the disclaimer at the bottom of the piece: "Disclaimer: The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention."

Funny how those pointing to this, jumping up and down and screaming " SEE??!!! THE CDC SAAAAAAYS!" conveniently skip that part every time....

[Anonymous]

Ok. Fair enough. Let’s here APS address cohorting at the next meeting. Is it a CDC recommendation or not? Is it crucial to safety in schools or not? It’s also funny that everyone is citing this CDC report to show its “safe in school” but no one is mentioning that it was contingent on cohorting.

[Anonymous]

Today’s Post. Eurporean authorities agree that you have to limit mixing between classes. That is, cohorting.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/coronavirus-schools-uk-variant-europe/2021/01/29/c4e73d78-5f2e-11eb-a177-7765f29a9524_story.html

[Anonymous]

Yes, Elementary needs to go back. Need to rethink MS/HS. Who’s at Fault? 2 words: Bridget Loft!