It was definitely a rough start for the Saints. |
Interesting- our arlington diocese school has been maskless for gym/recess all year. Also (somewhat oddly I acknowledge) KN95 masks aren’t allowed for the students- the only two accepted options per the school guidelines are the cloth mask designed to go with the uniform (which the vast majority wear) or the blue disposable surgical mask. (I’d imagine if a parent put up a fuss/cited a medical need it would be permitted but I’ve never seen a student wearing one). |
Kids are eating out, carpooling, having playdates, and sleepovers all without masks. Parents aren't that concerned. It's been almost 2 years. Just being in school isn't enough. The kids are way behind. And even the average students is sitting in the back, masked, not paying attention and browsing the internet on the computer. And, how are teachers suppose to engage them if t hey can't see their face. They don't have to stay home anymore. CDC says only a 5 day quarantine is needed. Kids always missed school for illness in the past. Remove the mask, stay home when you are sick. Get back to your core mission. |
Five day quarantine if asymptomatic. You are part of the problem. Dispensing incorrect public health advice that isn’t in line with CDC guidance. |
**Saving this comment for when the CDC revises their guidance down AGAIN.** The pattern is clear. CDC does this every time. They give us the most restrictive guidance possible and refuse to back off for fear of looking stupid. Then they eventually do back off once it's been obvious how stupid (and often unscientific) the guidance is, and sticking with it threatens the institution's credibility. Then they will back off a little, but will again make the absolute minimum changes necessary. I would bet a boatload of cash that "stay home when you are sick" becomes the CDC's official guidance within the next 3-6 months, with more conservative exceptions made for people who work with old people and the immunocompromised. |
I’m really frustrated with our school, St. Luke in McLean, about this as well. The school does not mention vaccines at all, or testing. It’s odd and every e-mail feels like they try to thread a needle of concerned but not pissing anyone off. Candidly the middle of the road approach misses the mark. We received an email today that school is planned as scheduled next week (good), the priority is in person school (great), and they are following the CDC guidelines (good). But, there is not a single mention of vaccinations, either requiring or recommending them (odd and disappointing), no testing required to come back to school next week (cringey), and not a mention of what the plan will be if a sizable number of children or staff are out with positive cases (shortsighted). I hope the “please do not send your kid to school if they are sick” ask will work, but I am skeptical without a firmer approach, and concerned that we don’t know what the plan is if that falls apart. |
It’s not u correct. . If exposed, and not vaccinated, quarantine for 5 days ( or test to stay) No symptoms then return. If you test positive ( a separates issue), isolate for 5 days, and return if symptoms improving ( not gone). |
| There’s a petition going around to ask st Ann to reconsider its week of virtual learning. They seem to have gone off the deep end and apparently require outdoor masking. |
Our school has had outdoor masking last year and this year thus far. |
Curious as to the reason for the petition? What is wrong with virtual learning for one week considering the impact Omicron has had on the community in the last 2-3 weeks? Many families have been impacted and many others traveled and are now testing positive. |
The whole situation has been dreadfully under-explained. Parents got an email from an admin account that was just a few sentences announcing the change. No real details. Then a few days later we got a second email from the principal that was also only a few sentences long and referred people to the previous email if they had questions. Apparently in an email to a parent the principal said that virtual learning could go on for “weeks”. The whole situation is a mess. |
Is the Diocese allowed to require or track staff vaccination? At some Point if enough staff are out and a school is full of subs who aren’t actual teachers what is the point of in person? |
People won’t accept a mandate for a EUA vaccine for their small kids. Of course the school is not requiring them. |
Not mandate the vaccine, but could they at least encourage, nudge, recommend? Our school says they will keep business as usual. There will be no changes in mitigation. It sounds to me like a recipe for disaster with omicron. Kids and staff will start testing positive by Wednesday, if they can get tested. It just puts everybody in harms way. Our school is already stretched: not enough subs, rooms are tight (up to 31 kids in one grade). I fear my kids will bring the virus to grandma, who is all vaxxed up, but still could get sick. |
Then just strongly recommend and encourage it until fully approved. Shouldn’t be anything wrong with that, and only upsides for the school’s ability to operate in-person, which they articulated as their main priority. |