Teachers/ADA eligibility

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The school you are talking about has more in-person students back than any school in the entire district. No exaggeration, no hyperbole, just literally more classes, more students, and more teachers back than any other school in the entire city. And you’re still complaining?

DP. If it were my kid shut out of K I would complain too.

Except the kid isn't shut out. The students are attending 4.5 days a week, with other qualified, caring adults facilitating virtual learning in the classroom. Is it ideal? Absolutely not. But it would have been much easier for the school to just keep the kids virtual at home all year, rather than facilitate some form of classroom. Some people (and one in particular - yes we all know who you are) just love to complain, without actually adding anything helpful or productive to the discussion. Unlike the many other parents at the school (not to mention the school administration and staff) who have been tirelessly working their tails off to make actual progress on reopening - even though perfect it may not be.

thank goodness for the parents willing to continue to be vocal about how schools continue to fail kids. that’s a good thing. trying to silence opinions you dislike is not good.

There's a difference between endless complaining, and working toward solutions for improvement. Complaining doesn't make change. Perhaps instead of just whining about how this isn't good enough, we should be talking about how to ensure this doesn't continue into next year. It will likely take work beyond just anonymous posts and singling out one or two particular teachers. Decision makers and those with the power to set the rules need to be identified, and publicity and pressure applied. It doesn't do any good to just whine on DCUM and listservs.

Sure it does good. Not all parents have the skill and ability and resources to do what you say. Yet they are completely within their rights to express their opinions. And those complaints absolutely have impact. You don’t like the impact, but it has impact.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The school you are talking about has more in-person students back than any school in the entire district. No exaggeration, no hyperbole, just literally more classes, more students, and more teachers back than any other school in the entire city. And you’re still complaining?

DP. If it were my kid shut out of K I would complain too.

Except the kid isn't shut out. The students are attending 4.5 days a week, with other qualified, caring adults facilitating virtual learning in the classroom. Is it ideal? Absolutely not. But it would have been much easier for the school to just keep the kids virtual at home all year, rather than facilitate some form of classroom. Some people (and one in particular - yes we all know who you are) just love to complain, without actually adding anything helpful or productive to the discussion. Unlike the many other parents at the school (not to mention the school administration and staff) who have been tirelessly working their tails off to make actual progress on reopening - even though perfect it may not be.

thank goodness for the parents willing to continue to be vocal about how schools continue to fail kids. that’s a good thing. trying to silence opinions you dislike is not good.

There's a difference between endless complaining, and working toward solutions for improvement. Complaining doesn't make change. Perhaps instead of just whining about how this isn't good enough, we should be talking about how to ensure this doesn't continue into next year. It will likely take work beyond just anonymous posts and singling out one or two particular teachers. Decision makers and those with the power to set the rules need to be identified, and publicity and pressure applied. It doesn't do any good to just whine on DCUM and listservs.

Sure it does good. Not all parents have the skill and ability and resources to do what you say. Yet they are completely within their rights to express their opinions. And those complaints absolutely have impact. You don’t like the impact, but it has impact.

Generally, sure. But I suspect any parent with the time and inclination to post on this forum has the skill, ability, and resources to do more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Both Ferebee and other officials said exactly that in the Post story:

"Some schools are not offering any in-person instruction at certain grade levels because they can’t staff those classes. While there is a formal process that teachers can apply for to receive leave or accommodations, much of the decisions on who needs to return has fallen on principals, according to Jackson."

and this:

"While teachers have access to vaccinations, the union said that some teachers have child-care issues that prevent them from returning to classrooms or have mistrust in the school system’s reopening plans."

Mistrust? Try the mistrust parents have about DCPS right now. Note, as well, they cite "surveys" of parents taken in the fall. At my kids' schools, those surveys didn't offer a return to IPL as an option. So how can they claim there is low demand still? Preposterous.

Anyone know what they mean by saying principals decide who returns? I assume that if someone has an approved ADA, the principal can't just tell them to come back? And I don't imagine the principal could just hire a new teacher without permission for increasing the budget to add a class. And isn't the district supposed to have the pool of subs (which I've heard is too small to fill in for the teachers on leave)?? Is he just passing the buck, or what am I missing??? What could a principal do? Really, I would ask our principal to do a thing if I knew what it was.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The school you are talking about has more in-person students back than any school in the entire district. No exaggeration, no hyperbole, just literally more classes, more students, and more teachers back than any other school in the entire city. And you’re still complaining?

DP. If it were my kid shut out of K I would complain too.

Except the kid isn't shut out. The students are attending 4.5 days a week, with other qualified, caring adults facilitating virtual learning in the classroom. Is it ideal? Absolutely not. But it would have been much easier for the school to just keep the kids virtual at home all year, rather than facilitate some form of classroom. Some people (and one in particular - yes we all know who you are) just love to complain, without actually adding anything helpful or productive to the discussion. Unlike the many other parents at the school (not to mention the school administration and staff) who have been tirelessly working their tails off to make actual progress on reopening - even though perfect it may not be.

thank goodness for the parents willing to continue to be vocal about how schools continue to fail kids. that’s a good thing. trying to silence opinions you dislike is not good.

There's a difference between endless complaining, and working toward solutions for improvement. Complaining doesn't make change. Perhaps instead of just whining about how this isn't good enough, we should be talking about how to ensure this doesn't continue into next year. It will likely take work beyond just anonymous posts and singling out one or two particular teachers. Decision makers and those with the power to set the rules need to be identified, and publicity and pressure applied. It doesn't do any good to just whine on DCUM and listservs.

Sure it does good. Not all parents have the skill and ability and resources to do what you say. Yet they are completely within their rights to express their opinions. And those complaints absolutely have impact. You don’t like the impact, but it has impact.

Generally, sure. But I suspect any parent with the time and inclination to post on this forum has the skill, ability, and resources to do more.

It’s not my damn job! I’m tapped out financially and emotionally after this sh*t show of a year. My lower elementary kids are really suffering. I have to try to do DCPS’s job for them before I’m allowed to express an opinion? I’m so over this attitude. So many people trying to police how I advocate for my kids. I don’t need anyone else’s permission or buy-in before I’m allowed to tell the school that my kids are suffering, data says the risk is low, and they need to do better.

[Anonymous]

in re 10:27
There are a few key things to understand

1. There is federal ADA and DC ADA. One is very narrow- and one is very broad. (I will let you figure which is which
2. If a teacher has leave granted under DC ADA they can ABSOLUTELY be called back, IF there is parent demand for IPL. They will huff and puff and it can absolutely happen.

3. Ask your childs teacher why they won't come in. If they are big boy/girl enough to coast on virtual learning- they are big enough to hear it- from you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The school you are talking about has more in-person students back than any school in the entire district. No exaggeration, no hyperbole, just literally more classes, more students, and more teachers back than any other school in the entire city. And you’re still complaining?

DP. If it were my kid shut out of K I would complain too.

Except the kid isn't shut out. The students are attending 4.5 days a week, with other qualified, caring adults facilitating virtual learning in the classroom. Is it ideal? Absolutely not. But it would have been much easier for the school to just keep the kids virtual at home all year, rather than facilitate some form of classroom. Some people (and one in particular - yes we all know who you are) just love to complain, without actually adding anything helpful or productive to the discussion. Unlike the many other parents at the school (not to mention the school administration and staff) who have been tirelessly working their tails off to make actual progress on reopening - even though perfect it may not be.

thank goodness for the parents willing to continue to be vocal about how schools continue to fail kids. that’s a good thing. trying to silence opinions you dislike is not good.

There's a difference between endless complaining, and working toward solutions for improvement. Complaining doesn't make change. Perhaps instead of just whining about how this isn't good enough, we should be talking about how to ensure this doesn't continue into next year. It will likely take work beyond just anonymous posts and singling out one or two particular teachers. Decision makers and those with the power to set the rules need to be identified, and publicity and pressure applied. It doesn't do any good to just whine on DCUM and listservs.

Sure it does good. Not all parents have the skill and ability and resources to do what you say. Yet they are completely within their rights to express their opinions. And those complaints absolutely have impact. You don’t like the impact, but it has impact.

Generally, sure. But I suspect any parent with the time and inclination to post on this forum has the skill, ability, and resources to do more.

It’s not my damn job! I’m tapped out financially and emotionally after this sh*t show of a year. My lower elementary kids are really suffering. I have to try to do DCPS’s job for them before I’m allowed to express an opinion? I’m so over this attitude. So many people trying to police how I advocate for my kids. I don’t need anyone else’s permission or buy-in before I’m allowed to tell the school that my kids are suffering, data says the risk is low, and they need to do better.

But others need your permission to have opinions? Ok then. We'll all just do what you want, how you want. You can disagree with anyone but no one can disagree with you. Got it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:in re 10:27
There are a few key things to understand

1. There is federal ADA and DC ADA. One is very narrow- and one is very broad. (I will let you figure which is which
2. If a teacher has leave granted under DC ADA they can ABSOLUTELY be called back, IF there is parent demand for IPL. They will huff and puff and it can absolutely happen.

3. Ask your childs teacher why they won't come in. If they are big boy/girl enough to coast on virtual learning- they are big enough to hear it- from you.

Here is the thing. These people posting on here WOULD NEVER say this stuff to the teachers face. Can you imagine asking your teacher to by they are refusing to come in and coasting by teaching virtually and they tell you they are currently receiving chemo for a cancer diagnosis? How dumb would you feel to demand to know someone business and then find out they have a valid reason.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:in re 10:27
There are a few key things to understand

1. There is federal ADA and DC ADA. One is very narrow- and one is very broad. (I will let you figure which is which
2. If a teacher has leave granted under DC ADA they can ABSOLUTELY be called back, IF there is parent demand for IPL. They will huff and puff and it can absolutely happen.

3. Ask your childs teacher why they won't come in. If they are big boy/girl enough to coast on virtual learning- they are big enough to hear it- from you.

Here is the thing. These people posting on here WOULD NEVER say this stuff to the teachers face. Can you imagine asking your teacher to by they are refusing to come in and coasting by teaching virtually and they tell you they are currently receiving chemo for a cancer diagnosis? How dumb would you feel to demand to know someone business and then find out they have a valid reason.

Why not? Today my students in the cares room unmuted and ask their teachers why they do not want to work with them.
It is fair and valid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The school you are talking about has more in-person students back than any school in the entire district. No exaggeration, no hyperbole, just literally more classes, more students, and more teachers back than any other school in the entire city. And you’re still complaining?

DP. If it were my kid shut out of K I would complain too.

Except the kid isn't shut out. The students are attending 4.5 days a week, with other qualified, caring adults facilitating virtual learning in the classroom. Is it ideal? Absolutely not. But it would have been much easier for the school to just keep the kids virtual at home all year, rather than facilitate some form of classroom. Some people (and one in particular - yes we all know who you are) just love to complain, without actually adding anything helpful or productive to the discussion. Unlike the many other parents at the school (not to mention the school administration and staff) who have been tirelessly working their tails off to make actual progress on reopening - even though perfect it may not be.

thank goodness for the parents willing to continue to be vocal about how schools continue to fail kids. that’s a good thing. trying to silence opinions you dislike is not good.

There's a difference between endless complaining, and working toward solutions for improvement. Complaining doesn't make change. Perhaps instead of just whining about how this isn't good enough, we should be talking about how to ensure this doesn't continue into next year. It will likely take work beyond just anonymous posts and singling out one or two particular teachers. Decision makers and those with the power to set the rules need to be identified, and publicity and pressure applied. It doesn't do any good to just whine on DCUM and listservs.

Sure it does good. Not all parents have the skill and ability and resources to do what you say. Yet they are completely within their rights to express their opinions. And those complaints absolutely have impact. You don’t like the impact, but it has impact.

Generally, sure. But I suspect any parent with the time and inclination to post on this forum has the skill, ability, and resources to do more.

It’s not my damn job! I’m tapped out financially and emotionally after this sh*t show of a year. My lower elementary kids are really suffering. I have to try to do DCPS’s job for them before I’m allowed to express an opinion? I’m so over this attitude. So many people trying to police how I advocate for my kids. I don’t need anyone else’s permission or buy-in before I’m allowed to tell the school that my kids are suffering, data says the risk is low, and they need to do better.

But others need your permission to have opinions? Ok then. We'll all just do what you want, how you want. You can disagree with anyone but no one can disagree with you. Got it.

You’re not making any sense at all. Are you responding to the right post?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:in re 10:27
There are a few key things to understand

1. There is federal ADA and DC ADA. One is very narrow- and one is very broad. (I will let you figure which is which
2. If a teacher has leave granted under DC ADA they can ABSOLUTELY be called back, IF there is parent demand for IPL. They will huff and puff and it can absolutely happen.

3. Ask your childs teacher why they won't come in. If they are big boy/girl enough to coast on virtual learning- they are big enough to hear it- from you.

Here is the thing. These people posting on here WOULD NEVER say this stuff to the teachers face. Can you imagine asking your teacher to by they are refusing to come in and coasting by teaching virtually and they tell you they are currently receiving chemo for a cancer diagnosis? How dumb would you feel to demand to know someone business and then find out they have a valid reason.

Yep, I'm the 10:27 poster, and I absolutely would not ask a teacher to justify why they are out. I might ask my principal if they are recalling teachers out on DC ADA, though. It's the boss's job to protect employees from prying clients, and I think that holds true in a school system, I'm not trying to make anyone uncomfortable or to feel that they need to share personal information. But I am worried that there are grades at our school that are not yet in person.

[Anonymous]

In our school the teachers refusing to come in are the ones who barely do their job in normal times. With a few exceptions it is almost a 1:1 correlation. They are the teachers that have been known for being
lousy for years---their reputations far proceed the Covid era.

If DC called them on the carpet and fired those who refused to comply (the ones at our school) it would be fantastic for the kids. Yes, I sound harsh but 90% of teachers are doing a terrific job pre and post pandemic. It's 10% that don't belong teaching in either scenario.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In our school the teachers refusing to come in are the ones who barely do their job in normal times. With a few exceptions it is almost a 1:1 correlation. They are the teachers that have been known for being
lousy for years---their reputations far proceed the Covid era.

If DC called them on the carpet and fired those who refused to comply (the ones at our school) it would be fantastic for the kids. Yes, I sound harsh but 90% of teachers are doing a terrific job pre and post pandemic. It's 10% that don't belong teaching in either scenario.

YUP!! I would be thrilled if these folks would jump ship. Thrilled.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In our school the teachers refusing to come in are the ones who barely do their job in normal times. With a few exceptions it is almost a 1:1 correlation. They are the teachers that have been known for being
lousy for years---their reputations far proceed the Covid era.

If DC called them on the carpet and fired those who refused to comply (the ones at our school) it would be fantastic for the kids. Yes, I sound harsh but 90% of teachers are doing a terrific job pre and post pandemic. It's 10% that don't belong teaching in either scenario.

So much for Impact. DCPS loves to tout their IMPACT system but the worst performers are still there year after year after year

[Anonymous]

RE: The misleading "surveys" DCPS did (at the behest of the WTU, which claimed it wanted to see evidence that parents wanted to return to IPL since clearly teachers did not).

The best way to convince parents that it is safe to reopen schools is. . . to reopen schools. New study affirms this:

https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/04/15/world/covid-vaccine-coronavirus-cases/opening-schools-increases-parent-comfort-with-in-person-learning-study-says

[Anonymous]

Also, at this point, it's about power, not safety. Quote from the NYT article:

"The longest school closures have occurred in cities, like Chicago, where powerful teachers’ unions have often resisted returning to in-person learning."