DCPS Employee Return to In Person Work Guidance

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I do think below about 3rd or 4th grade it will not be possible to expect masks to be worn all day.

But all classrooms should employ multiple measures like opening windows, plastic screens, and face shields and masks on teachers.

And if teachers really can’t won’t teach the same grade they should offer to be re-assigned. The ongoing education of the children needs be prioritized, we cannot wait for a vaccine.

Kids all over the world are wearing masks. Kids can also be taught to wear hats (required in Australia), get in car seats, get their hair and teeth brushed, learn to take turns and not interrupt....lots of things that don't come naturally and can be uncomfortable. They will be fine. Parents need to stop with this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:.... and self assessment? Really? You think parents who send their kids in with fevers, ringworm and lice are going to tell the truth? You’ve got to be kidding

X100. I mean, I feel like my elementary school kid has a cough or sore throat 75% of October through March in a regular year. That’s part of having a get my youngster in school. If everyone needs to stay home when they have either of those and just those symptoms, people are either going to start lying or school will be way more empty than anticipated. It’s not practical

And yet the schools won't let you keep your kids home for more than 2-3 days without a doctor's note. Not everyone can afford to go to the doctor for every cold or whatever. So, if schools want parents to keep kids home they need to trust us when we say our kids are sick.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do think below about 3rd or 4th grade it will not be possible to expect masks to be worn all day.

But all classrooms should employ multiple measures like opening windows, plastic screens, and face shields and masks on teachers.

And if teachers really can’t won’t teach the same grade they should offer to be re-assigned. The ongoing education of the children needs be prioritized, we cannot wait for a vaccine.

Kids all over the world are wearing masks. Kids can also be taught to wear hats (required in Australia), get in car seats, get their hair and teeth brushed, learn to take turns and not interrupt....lots of things that don't come naturally and can be uncomfortable. They will be fine. Parents need to stop with this.

The problem is the messaging has to be the same at home and at school. There are many instances where students are told the opposite by their parents of what their teachers say. So little Johnny might come in and say 'my mom says I don't have to wear a mask because it is too hot for me' or whatever. I have never taught in another country but my guess is there is more support for classroom expectations and respect coming from home. And before you flame me, this isn't me saying ALL parents do this. But please trust me that a portion do, every year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do think below about 3rd or 4th grade it will not be possible to expect masks to be worn all day.

But all classrooms should employ multiple measures like opening windows, plastic screens, and face shields and masks on teachers.

And if teachers really can’t won’t teach the same grade they should offer to be re-assigned. The ongoing education of the children needs be prioritized, we cannot wait for a vaccine.

Kids all over the world are wearing masks. Kids can also be taught to wear hats (required in Australia), get in car seats, get their hair and teeth brushed, learn to take turns and not interrupt....lots of things that don't come naturally and can be uncomfortable. They will be fine. Parents need to stop with this.

The problem is the messaging has to be the same at home and at school. There are many instances where students are told the opposite by their parents of what their teachers say. So little Johnny might come in and say 'my mom says I don't have to wear a mask because it is too hot for me' or whatever. I have never taught in another country but my guess is there is more support for classroom expectations and respect coming from home. And before you flame me, this isn't me saying ALL parents do this. But please trust me that a portion do, every year.

Totally agree and there are enough parents at home that do not enforce rules that it is a big problem in the classroom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do think below about 3rd or 4th grade it will not be possible to expect masks to be worn all day.

But all classrooms should employ multiple measures like opening windows, plastic screens, and face shields and masks on teachers.

And if teachers really can’t won’t teach the same grade they should offer to be re-assigned. The ongoing education of the children needs be prioritized, we cannot wait for a vaccine.

Kids all over the world are wearing masks. Kids can also be taught to wear hats (required in Australia), get in car seats, get their hair and teeth brushed, learn to take turns and not interrupt....lots of things that don't come naturally and can be uncomfortable. They will be fine. Parents need to stop with this.

The problem is the messaging has to be the same at home and at school. There are many instances where students are told the opposite by their parents of what their teachers say. So little Johnny might come in and say 'my mom says I don't have to wear a mask because it is too hot for me' or whatever. I have never taught in another country but my guess is there is more support for classroom expectations and respect coming from home. And before you flame me, this isn't me saying ALL parents do this. But please trust me that a portion do, every year.

Totally agree and there are enough parents at home that do not enforce rules that it is a big problem in the classroom.

Of the million hurdles DCPS is facing, I feel like this is one we can do better than most states.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do think below about 3rd or 4th grade it will not be possible to expect masks to be worn all day.

But all classrooms should employ multiple measures like opening windows, plastic screens, and face shields and masks on teachers.

And if teachers really can’t won’t teach the same grade they should offer to be re-assigned. The ongoing education of the children needs be prioritized, we cannot wait for a vaccine.

Kids all over the world are wearing masks. Kids can also be taught to wear hats (required in Australia), get in car seats, get their hair and teeth brushed, learn to take turns and not interrupt....lots of things that don't come naturally and can be uncomfortable. They will be fine. Parents need to stop with this.

The problem is the messaging has to be the same at home and at school. There are many instances where students are told the opposite by their parents of what their teachers say. So little Johnny might come in and say 'my mom says I don't have to wear a mask because it is too hot for me' or whatever. I have never taught in another country but my guess is there is more support for classroom expectations and respect coming from home. And before you flame me, this isn't me saying ALL parents do this. But please trust me that a portion do, every year.

Totally agree and there are enough parents at home that do not enforce rules that it is a big problem in the classroom.

Of the million hurdles DCPS is facing, I feel like this is one we can do better than most states.

[Anonymous]

PP...you are delusional if you think that. The behavior problems that we encounter on a daily basis and push back that we get from parents would shock you

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I do think below about 3rd or 4th grade it will not be possible to expect masks to be worn all day.

My rising first grader will absolutely be able to wear a mask all day. We are working daily now to train him on how to do it, and we will send him with multiple masks in case one gets dirty. He is a pretty average kid, and it is doable. It is certainly possible that some kids with special needs will need different accommodations, but I think that in general kids can definitely be trained to wear masks correctly.

[Anonymous]

Just an FYI that the WTU is having a virtual town hall tomorrow at 3pm. I got an email to register and in the confirmation email there is an address to submit questions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teachers do care about education. We don't trust the district or the parents to keep us safe. Parents are saying their kids should not be required to wear masks, but they want schools to open full time. Give me a break.

I don't think that's parents in DC. I would bet all DCPS parents are fine with masks.

I am 100% not only fine with but also an advocate for masks at all times. However, I also know there is zero chance my prek4 and K children who will be in a JKLM school this Fall will wear one the entire day- here and there, yes, but mostly off. And yes, we practice every single day for over a month now. It’s just a reality of that age

Your pk & k children will absolutely wear a mask for the majority of the day with appropriate expectations in place and a good teacher. If they can be trained to criss cross applesauce and all the other routines established in early education they can be trained for masks. They just need to understand that taking it off is not an option so please also practice them understanding that at home this summer or consider keep them home in the fall.

Little kids in other countries wear masks. There is no reason that most kids in America can't wear them, too. They learn and adapt to many other classroom rules, why not this one?

That is not true. Across Europe, masks are not required below 2nd grade, some countries 3rd grade. It’s because it is not practical to require since it’s not a realistic expectation at that age. And re PP who mentioned crisscross apple sauce...I’m guessing you never actually observed pre-K and k classes or you would know MANY kids in those grades have a problem doing that for more than like two seconds

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teachers do care about education. We don't trust the district or the parents to keep us safe. Parents are saying their kids should not be required to wear masks, but they want schools to open full time. Give me a break.

I don't think that's parents in DC. I would bet all DCPS parents are fine with masks.

I am 100% not only fine with but also an advocate for masks at all times. However, I also know there is zero chance my prek4 and K children who will be in a JKLM school this Fall will wear one the entire day- here and there, yes, but mostly off. And yes, we practice every single day for over a month now. It’s just a reality of that age

Your pk & k children will absolutely wear a mask for the majority of the day with appropriate expectations in place and a good teacher. If they can be trained to criss cross applesauce and all the other routines established in early education they can be trained for masks. They just need to understand that taking it off is not an option so please also practice them understanding that at home this summer or consider keep them home in the fall.

Little kids in other countries wear masks. There is no reason that most kids in America can't wear them, too. They learn and adapt to many other classroom rules, why not this one?

That is not true. Across Europe, masks are not required below 2nd grade, some countries 3rd grade. It’s because it is not practical to require since it’s not a realistic expectation at that age. And re PP who mentioned crisscross apple sauce...I’m guessing you never actually observed pre-K and k classes or you would know MANY kids in those grades have a problem doing that for more than like two seconds

Kids have a hard time with compliance because they have been conditioned at home that it is not necessary, that the adults they encounter are their peers and that they deserve special consideration. This starts early, before school. If a child is treated as an absolute equal at home, why would they look at a teacher/adult any different? Pk & k is conditioning/training children to be compliant in the classroom, follow rules etc. Parents that think their prek/k kids have "zero" chance of wearing a mask for the majority of the day are the problem. And since I'm a teacher, I know from experience that while the youngest learners may start in a formal school setting not being able to do any for "more than like two seconds," in my classroom they are expected to. And guess what, this can be done in a loving & supportive environment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP...you are delusional if you think that. The behavior problems that we encounter on a daily basis and push back that we get from parents would shock you

Really? I feel like everywhere I go in DC kids are wearing masks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just an FYI that the WTU is having a virtual town hall tomorrow at 3pm. I got an email to register and in the confirmation email there is an address to submit questions.

And there’s a planning meeting today at 4

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teachers do care about education. We don't trust the district or the parents to keep us safe. Parents are saying their kids should not be required to wear masks, but they want schools to open full time. Give me a break.

I don't think that's parents in DC. I would bet all DCPS parents are fine with masks.

I am 100% not only fine with but also an advocate for masks at all times. However, I also know there is zero chance my prek4 and K children who will be in a JKLM school this Fall will wear one the entire day- here and there, yes, but mostly off. And yes, we practice every single day for over a month now. It’s just a reality of that age

Your pk & k children will absolutely wear a mask for the majority of the day with appropriate expectations in place and a good teacher. If they can be trained to criss cross applesauce and all the other routines established in early education they can be trained for masks. They just need to understand that taking it off is not an option so please also practice them understanding that at home this summer or consider keep them home in the fall.

Some of them can't even keep a dang hat on outside! lol

And while we are 'training' them we are at risk. why aren't parents training them now then?

Also as a grown adult with asthma I definitely won't be keeping on a mask for 8 hours a day... I can't breathe as well after 30 min with it on in the grocery store. And asthma is not enough to be 'at risk' since I am young and otherwise healthy.

There must be another way besides a mask all day...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do think below about 3rd or 4th grade it will not be possible to expect masks to be worn all day.

But all classrooms should employ multiple measures like opening windows, plastic screens, and face shields and masks on teachers.

And if teachers really can’t won’t teach the same grade they should offer to be re-assigned. The ongoing education of the children needs be prioritized, we cannot wait for a vaccine.

Kids all over the world are wearing masks. Kids can also be taught to wear hats (required in Australia), get in car seats, get their hair and teeth brushed, learn to take turns and not interrupt....lots of things that don't come naturally and can be uncomfortable. They will be fine. Parents need to stop with this.

The problem is the messaging has to be the same at home and at school. There are many instances where students are told the opposite by their parents of what their teachers say. So little Johnny might come in and say 'my mom says I don't have to wear a mask because it is too hot for me' or whatever. I have never taught in another country but my guess is there is more support for classroom expectations and respect coming from home. And before you flame me, this isn't me saying ALL parents do this. But please trust me that a portion do, every year.

Adults in America can't follow the rules, the USA is currently a laughing stock/looked upon with shock, horror, and pity!