APS Town Hall: some answers, much still unknown

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It seems unrealistic that kids, especially high schoolers, won’t fall behind if they’re asynchronous due to quarantine.

Of course they will but this is the end result of the opposition to concurrent.

I wanted concurrent to stay for this exact reason but others did not so here we are.

One partial solution, but it's too cost intensive to have a camera in the back of each MS and HS classroom, would be to have teachers videoing lectures, posting them to Canvas for 1 week or whatever on a rotating basis. If my child is quarantined starting Tuesday, on Wednesday he could log in and watch his math, Spanish, and science classes and do the homework. Same thing the next day. It's not 100% the same, but it might help.

Concurrent was not sustainable for our teachers. I worry about kids falling behind who don't have strong parental supports, but unfortunately the school can't solve every single problem for every single child as much as they want to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
True. I bet some parents don't ever want to know if their kid ever becomes positive asymptomatically. It will interrupt their workday for eight long days.



This exact sentiment was expressed in the YHS parent sports meeting. Parent did not want to opt in to the sports testing because if his kid tested positive, kid would have to miss school. Unbelievable!

Nope! Parents have been sending sick kids to school for years. This is exactly why teachers were afraid to return to the classroom way back before vaccinations were available.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
It seems unrealistic that kids, especially high schoolers, won’t fall behind if they’re asynchronous due to quarantine.



Of course they will but this is the end result of the opposition to concurrent.

I wanted concurrent to stay for this exact reason but others did not so here we are.



One partial solution, but it's too cost intensive to have a camera in the back of each MS and HS classroom, would be to have teachers videoing lectures, posting them to Canvas for 1 week or whatever on a rotating basis. If my child is quarantined starting Tuesday, on Wednesday he could log in and watch his math, Spanish, and science classes and do the homework. Same thing the next day. It's not 100% the same, but it might help.

Concurrent was not sustainable for our teachers. I worry about kids falling behind who don't have strong parental supports, but unfortunately the school can't solve every single problem for every single child as much as they want to.

Way too expensive. Not to mention the privacy concerns of videotaping the class...some families do not want their students photographed or videotaped.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
True. I bet some parents don't ever want to know if their kid ever becomes positive asymptomatically. It will interrupt their workday for eight long days.



This exact sentiment was expressed in the YHS parent sports meeting. Parent did not want to opt in to the sports testing because if his kid tested positive, kid would have to miss school. Unbelievable!

Nope! Parents have been sending sick kids to school for years. This is exactly why teachers were afraid to return to the classroom way back before vaccinations were available.

I was on that call for YHS sports. To be fair, I thought he had a valid point that I hadn't thought of previously and didn't take it as he didn't want to be inconvenienced by a sick kid. First this is HS - parents aren't inconvenienced by a kid missing school because most HS kids stay home without parents. The point he and at least one other parent made was that for an asymptomatic, vaccinated student who would not otherwise have been tested and wouldn't have missed school, the athlete testing program now puts them in a position of having to miss school for a stretch when they wouldn't have if they were a non-athlete. Because only athletes are going to be tested every day and I would bet most HS students are not going to opt in to even weekly testing. With delta you will presumably have lots of students without symptoms, but carrying the virus, attending school, because they had no reason to go seek a test and find out they are positive. it's harder to miss school and make up the work at this age.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Regarding testing once a week, that’s for both vaccinated and non vaccinated students?

Yes, it is for students who opt in.

How do we opt in? That was my unknown. This is huge news but they talked about it as if it was basic knowledge.

They didn't go into details. They will probably be a form to fill out on ParentVue or paper that comes home from the school.

consent form is here https://www.apsva.us/school-year-2020-21/health-safety/covid-19-testing/

They told folks that this info was up on teh website, but this webpage only lists weekly asymptomatic testing for staff. Hopefully they will send out more info.

They said that students could be released early from quarantine if they test through the APS testing program. I personally don't think they meant that a kid has to participate in the weekly testing program but that if they had exposure they just had to get a test through an APS provider in order to get released on day 8.

The consent for can be filled out for students

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I was on that call for YHS sports. To be fair, I thought he had a valid point that I hadn't thought of previously and didn't take it as he didn't want to be inconvenienced by a sick kid. First this is HS - parents aren't inconvenienced by a kid missing school because most HS kids stay home without parents. The point he and at least one other parent made was that for an asymptomatic, vaccinated student who would not otherwise have been tested and wouldn't have missed school, the athlete testing program now puts them in a position of having to miss school for a stretch when they wouldn't have if they were a non-athlete. Because only athletes are going to be tested every day and I would bet most HS students are not going to opt in to even weekly testing. With delta you will presumably have lots of students without symptoms, but carrying the virus, attending school, because they had no reason to go seek a test and find out they are positive. it's harder to miss school and make up the work at this age.

Basically, they're comfortable with their kid out in public and in the schools infecting others as long as it doesn't impact their own child.

THIS is why this damn thing is dragging on. The complete disregard for the public good in getting this thing under control.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I was on that call for YHS sports. To be fair, I thought he had a valid point that I hadn't thought of previously and didn't take it as he didn't want to be inconvenienced by a sick kid. First this is HS - parents aren't inconvenienced by a kid missing school because most HS kids stay home without parents. The point he and at least one other parent made was that for an asymptomatic, vaccinated student who would not otherwise have been tested and wouldn't have missed school, the athlete testing program now puts them in a position of having to miss school for a stretch when they wouldn't have if they were a non-athlete. Because only athletes are going to be tested every day and I would bet most HS students are not going to opt in to even weekly testing. With delta you will presumably have lots of students without symptoms, but carrying the virus, attending school, because they had no reason to go seek a test and find out they are positive. it's harder to miss school and make up the work at this age.

Basically, they're comfortable with their kid out in public and in the schools infecting others as long as it doesn't impact their own child.

THIS is why this damn thing is dragging on. The complete disregard for the public good in getting this thing under control.

Did you even read what PP was saying? They are talking about vaccinated, mask- wearing students. Hard to call that "complete disregard for the public good." Jeez

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I was on that call for YHS sports. To be fair, I thought he had a valid point that I hadn't thought of previously and didn't take it as he didn't want to be inconvenienced by a sick kid. First this is HS - parents aren't inconvenienced by a kid missing school because most HS kids stay home without parents. The point he and at least one other parent made was that for an asymptomatic, vaccinated student who would not otherwise have been tested and wouldn't have missed school, the athlete testing program now puts them in a position of having to miss school for a stretch when they wouldn't have if they were a non-athlete. Because only athletes are going to be tested every day and I would bet most HS students are not going to opt in to even weekly testing. With delta you will presumably have lots of students without symptoms, but carrying the virus, attending school, because they had no reason to go seek a test and find out they are positive. it's harder to miss school and make up the work at this age.

Basically, they're comfortable with their kid out in public and in the schools infecting others as long as it doesn't impact their own child.

THIS is why this damn thing is dragging on. The complete disregard for the public good in getting this thing under control.

Did you even read what PP was saying? They are talking about vaccinated, mask- wearing students. Hard to call that "complete disregard for the public good." Jeez

Guaranteed that there are COVID deniers who won't vax their kids (and won't mask them either outside of school) in Arlington.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone have an idea how the quarantine would work for siblings? Imagine this scenario:

My middle schooler is exposed and told to quarantine on day one. She takes a test on day five, and is positive. She can go back on day 10, right? Her two siblings are then out for at least 10 days right? If I test them at the same time as my eldest, can they go back earlier?

[Anonymous]

Can anyone share details of the weekly testing program? This was news to me. Good news.

[Anonymous]

This is all their website says now:

“ About the Asymptomatic Testing Program in Development
APS is also committed to identifying those without symptoms of coronavirus who may be contagious. This asymptomatic, “surveillance” testing is an important strategy for mitigating risks of infection in the classroom. APS is working with ResourcePath to design a Surveillance Testing Program and will be forming an APS COVID-19 Testing Working Group to gather stakeholder feedback regarding the type of testing to be used, what percent of a population should be tested, how frequently should testing occur to maximize the impact, and the latest CDC guidance. Other considerations include ensuring equity and responsiveness, and engagement of the community. Any student, parent or staff member who is interested in joining the working group or getting more information, email [e-mail].”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I was on that call for YHS sports. To be fair, I thought he had a valid point that I hadn't thought of previously and didn't take it as he didn't want to be inconvenienced by a sick kid. First this is HS - parents aren't inconvenienced by a kid missing school because most HS kids stay home without parents. The point he and at least one other parent made was that for an asymptomatic, vaccinated student who would not otherwise have been tested and wouldn't have missed school, the athlete testing program now puts them in a position of having to miss school for a stretch when they wouldn't have if they were a non-athlete. Because only athletes are going to be tested every day and I would bet most HS students are not going to opt in to even weekly testing. With delta you will presumably have lots of students without symptoms, but carrying the virus, attending school, because they had no reason to go seek a test and find out they are positive. it's harder to miss school and make up the work at this age.

Basically, they're comfortable with their kid out in public and in the schools infecting others as long as it doesn't impact their own child.

THIS is why this damn thing is dragging on. The complete disregard for the public good in getting this thing under control.

Did you even read what PP was saying? They are talking about vaccinated, mask- wearing students. Hard to call that "complete disregard for the public good." Jeez

Vaccinated students still spread COVID, period. We know that now. Athletes are testing to opt out of masks. Spread will happen, to family members, and the community. The testing helps stop this spread.

[Anonymous]

athletes were supposed to be testing to get out of wearing masks. Except that they are not. I have two HS kids - both in fall sports. Both testing daily and both still having to wear masks for their indoor practices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:athletes were supposed to be testing to get out of wearing masks. Except that they are not. I have two HS kids - both in fall sports. Both testing daily and both still having to wear masks for their indoor practices.

Indoor? Should be masked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone have an idea how the quarantine would work for siblings? Imagine this scenario:

My middle schooler is exposed and told to quarantine on day one. She takes a test on day five, and is positive. She can go back on day 10, right? Her two siblings are then out for at least 10 days right? If I test them at the same time as my eldest, can they go back earlier?

Are they vaccinated also?