How would you like school and classes to run in Fall?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Schools will reopen mostly normal (no assemblies? maybe)

I think it’s overly optimistic teachers on this board suggesting otherwise.

I don’t quite follow who you think is being optimistic here.

The people being optimistic are the ones thinking school will open.

No, teachers who think the world will carve out teachers/schools specifically while the rest of the world is already reopening this month are the ones being optimistic. It’s not going to happen folks.

You are mistaken. If you think that teachers will go back to "school as normal" with kids packed into classrooms over capacity you are wrong. If your office is operating at half capacity schools should too. If there are no gatherings over 500 people permitted then schools should not be exempt. Schools are huge gathering places with a tremendous risk of transmission. We are not saying we want to be "carved out" (which doesn't make any sense, but okay) we are saying that we will not operate as if everything is fine. We demand the same level of protection as YOU have. If schools can't make any changes (won't provide adequate PPE, won't enforce a strict sick child policy, won't take temperatures, there isn't expanded testing capacity) then remote learning must continue.

LOL what?? The same level of protection that I, an “essential” worker have had? Sure babe. You can have a stack of cloth masks. Give me your address I’ll send them right over.

Do you work in a building with 1,000 people? Does your job involve working in one small room in close quarters with 30 kids, some of whom are coughing but their parent says “sorry! I’m at work.” And you can’t leave the room to wash your hands? And they share all of their materials all day (pencils, paints, play doh, calculators, base ten blocks, unifix cubes, legos, math manipulatives, magnetic letter tiles-just to name a few). And the room is also cleaned by you with supplies you purchase? And the kids call to you from the bathroom that they need help? And when you tell them to pack up for bussing they just sit there waiting for you to help them zip their bags and coats. And all day they need help blowing their noses and tying their shoelaces? And you literally can’t step outside for a second, even to use the bathroom. Is that what your job is like?
If you don’t have that kind of hands on contact with people all day then no, it is not the same.

DP. You want to get PPE? You realize that leaves less for the doctors and nurses who already don't have enough? How will that work? There cannot be distance learning in the fall. It's not working. The kids aren't learning anything. Are we just going to accept this as a lost year for all of these kids? ES kids cannot learn unless they are in a classroom, especially the kids who need that extra help. You seem hell bent on getting to "no" rather than figuring out how to make things work.

Then maybe we should figure out how, as the so-called “richest country in the world “, we can use the next 3-4 months to get an adequate supply of PPE to everyone who needs it. We’ve had since January to work on this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Assume that schools will not be re-opening "normally" in Fall. Also assume that schools will not be able to provide child care during the normal working hours.

What would you like to see schools do? What type of online lessons? What additional materials would help kids learn? Should kids go to school part of the day in small groups if you had to drop them off and pick them up? What would improve online instruction? Please include age, grade and/or subject with your suggestions.

I am a teacher and generally interested in school administration. In many ways, I would love to see things go back to the way they were before, but I'm starting to plan my lessons for a Fall that is just as strange as this Spring has been (DCUM: I know it's a lot to ask, but please be helpful instead of mean). I'm curious about the answers and maybe they will help other teachers plan as well.

Classes don’t “run”. Do you mean how to best operate the school system?

I'm not sure what you mean when you say "classes don't 'run'".

I'm not in any of the big DC metro area school districts. I will have a lot of flexibility about how my classes are "run" (online platforms, lesson structure, what is in person vs. not). My school is also open to suggestions about how to "operate" as you say. For example, several PPs have mentioned that routine is very important for their kid and so knowing they would be going to school every Wednesday or every day from 9-10 would be important - I'd like to make sure this is heard by our admins. Another PP mentioned that they liked the online and would like a choice to stay online. I like the idea, but that means thinking about how structure my lessons so that a student could be online or in person.

[Anonymous]

What are two WOHM parent households supposed to do if schools does not go back as normal in the fall. I believe that many of us are stretching it to push the homeschool/try to work and not get fired as it is. I recognize that we all made choices in terms of mortgages, school debt and other financial obligations but those choices were made based on the concept that our children would be in school. Unless my school system gets their act together and actually teaches (rather than just posting youtube videos and worksheets) and there is a change in the ability to pay our bills, this is a total non-starter - of course I don't have a say unless it is implemented. We would be looking for other private options at that point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Schools will reopen mostly normal (no assemblies? maybe)

I think it’s overly optimistic teachers on this board suggesting otherwise.

I don’t quite follow who you think is being optimistic here.

The people being optimistic are the ones thinking school will open.

No, teachers who think the world will carve out teachers/schools specifically while the rest of the world is already reopening this month are the ones being optimistic. It’s not going to happen folks.

You are mistaken. If you think that teachers will go back to "school as normal" with kids packed into classrooms over capacity you are wrong. If your office is operating at half capacity schools should too. If there are no gatherings over 500 people permitted then schools should not be exempt. Schools are huge gathering places with a tremendous risk of transmission. We are not saying we want to be "carved out" (which doesn't make any sense, but okay) we are saying that we will not operate as if everything is fine. We demand the same level of protection as YOU have. If schools can't make any changes (won't provide adequate PPE, won't enforce a strict sick child policy, won't take temperatures, there isn't expanded testing capacity) then remote learning must continue.

LOL what?? The same level of protection that I, an “essential” worker have had? Sure babe. You can have a stack of cloth masks. Give me your address I’ll send them right over.

Do you work in a building with 1,000 people? Does your job involve working in one small room in close quarters with 30 kids, some of whom are coughing but their parent says “sorry! I’m at work.” And you can’t leave the room to wash your hands? And they share all of their materials all day (pencils, paints, play doh, calculators, base ten blocks, unifix cubes, legos, math manipulatives, magnetic letter tiles-just to name a few). And the room is also cleaned by you with supplies you purchase? And the kids call to you from the bathroom that they need help? And when you tell them to pack up for bussing they just sit there waiting for you to help them zip their bags and coats. And all day they need help blowing their noses and tying their shoelaces? And you literally can’t step outside for a second, even to use the bathroom. Is that what your job is like?
If you don’t have that kind of hands on contact with people all day then no, it is not the same.

DP. You want to get PPE? You realize that leaves less for the doctors and nurses who already don't have enough? How will that work? There cannot be distance learning in the fall. It's not working. The kids aren't learning anything. Are we just going to accept this as a lost year for all of these kids? ES kids cannot learn unless they are in a classroom, especially the kids who need that extra help. You seem hell bent on getting to "no" rather than figuring out how to make things work.

Um, yeah. We do want PPE. I’m not sacrificing myself for the economy or so you can go back to work. Our union has already demanded that they supply us with PPE or we will file another unsafe working conditions lawsuit. Why would we go back unprotected? If they can’t adequately supply us then we shouldn’t go back. Period.

What do you consider PPE? A mask or N95 mask and fully suited?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Schools will reopen mostly normal (no assemblies? maybe)

I think it’s overly optimistic teachers on this board suggesting otherwise.

I don’t quite follow who you think is being optimistic here.

The people being optimistic are the ones thinking school will open.

No, teachers who think the world will carve out teachers/schools specifically while the rest of the world is already reopening this month are the ones being optimistic. It’s not going to happen folks.

You are mistaken. If you think that teachers will go back to "school as normal" with kids packed into classrooms over capacity you are wrong. If your office is operating at half capacity schools should too. If there are no gatherings over 500 people permitted then schools should not be exempt. Schools are huge gathering places with a tremendous risk of transmission. We are not saying we want to be "carved out" (which doesn't make any sense, but okay) we are saying that we will not operate as if everything is fine. We demand the same level of protection as YOU have. If schools can't make any changes (won't provide adequate PPE, won't enforce a strict sick child policy, won't take temperatures, there isn't expanded testing capacity) then remote learning must continue.

LOL what?? The same level of protection that I, an “essential” worker have had? Sure babe. You can have a stack of cloth masks. Give me your address I’ll send them right over.

Do you work in a building with 1,000 people? Does your job involve working in one small room in close quarters with 30 kids, some of whom are coughing but their parent says “sorry! I’m at work.” And you can’t leave the room to wash your hands? And they share all of their materials all day (pencils, paints, play doh, calculators, base ten blocks, unifix cubes, legos, math manipulatives, magnetic letter tiles-just to name a few). And the room is also cleaned by you with supplies you purchase? And the kids call to you from the bathroom that they need help? And when you tell them to pack up for bussing they just sit there waiting for you to help them zip their bags and coats. And all day they need help blowing their noses and tying their shoelaces? And you literally can’t step outside for a second, even to use the bathroom. Is that what your job is like?
If you don’t have that kind of hands on contact with people all day then no, it is not the same.

DP. You want to get PPE? You realize that leaves less for the doctors and nurses who already don't have enough? How will that work? There cannot be distance learning in the fall. It's not working. The kids aren't learning anything. Are we just going to accept this as a lost year for all of these kids? ES kids cannot learn unless they are in a classroom, especially the kids who need that extra help. You seem hell bent on getting to "no" rather than figuring out how to make things work.

Um, yeah. We do want PPE. I’m not sacrificing myself for the economy or so you can go back to work. Our union has already demanded that they supply us with PPE or we will file another unsafe working conditions lawsuit. Why would we go back unprotected? If they can’t adequately supply us then we shouldn’t go back. Period.

What do you consider PPE? A mask or N95 mask and fully suited?

There is no way PP would actually wear an N95 and suit if they were supplied. Too uncomfortable.

[Anonymous]

School needs to resume as normal for goodness sake. It’s enough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:School needs to resume as normal for goodness sake. It’s enough.

Yeah, seriously. People can go back to dying now. We stayed home 6 weeks so if anyone dies after this, it’s not our fault.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:School needs to resume as normal for goodness sake. It’s enough.

Yeah, seriously. People can go back to dying now. We stayed home 6 weeks so if anyone dies after this, it’s not our fault.

+1

[Anonymous]

What teacher's union demanded PPE?

[Anonymous]

UFT

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:School needs to resume as normal for goodness sake. It’s enough.

Yeah, seriously. People can go back to dying now. We stayed home 6 weeks so if anyone dies after this, it’s not our fault.

+1

When the teachers die like 50+ did in NYC we will tell the kids to suck it up and we'll bring in the subs.

[Anonymous]

My kid has SN and is in a self contained class 70% of the time. Distance learning means nothing to him. He does the packets but with little care or concern and they don't do any sort of online for him. He also craves the schedule and routine of school. He's still following his normal daily schedule as much as possible, but it's not the same. I would like him in some sort of classroom setting most days of the week, even if it's half days and on a regular daily schedule. How the schools are going to achieve this, I have no idea, but they have May, June, July and most of August to figure it out.

[Anonymous]

I would like school to try opening physically for a few weeks so that teachers and students can establish relationships and then go digital. Those weeks should focus on socioemotional health and distance learning routines primarily.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What are two WOHM parent households supposed to do if schools does not go back as normal in the fall. I believe that many of us are stretching it to push the homeschool/try to work and not get fired as it is. I recognize that we all made choices in terms of mortgages, school debt and other financial obligations but those choices were made based on the concept that our children would be in school. Unless my school system gets their act together and actually teaches (rather than just posting youtube videos and worksheets) and there is a change in the ability to pay our bills, this is a total non-starter - of course I don't have a say unless it is implemented. We would be looking for other private options at that point.

And did teachers make the choice of profession based on the concept that they would be at risk of premature death, permanent lung damage, strokes or amputations from blood clots simply so that you can meet your economic goals?

[Anonymous]

I'd focus on in person for younger kids for whom self directed online learning is very difficult.

But, I think we also have to acknowledge there is almost no evidence that less crowded schools, cycling through the overall same number of kids weekly, will be at all better in terms of virus transmission. Given this, I think masks for all and back to regular programming with a zero tolerance policy for sick kids.