Just spoke to an MCPS teacher who said she was 99% sure MCPS will be DL in the fall

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm sure they're scrambling now that they realize their lack of planning means they're way behind the eight ball and yet somehow will have to get kids back in school at least part of the week. They're going to look pretty darn incompetent if every other district in the area makes it happen and they don't because they dragged their feet too long. I mean, there probably isn't a limitless supply of hand sanitizer machines -- Fairfac and other districts now have a jump on that.

Yes, it was so incompetent of MCPS to not make plans months ahead of time for circumstances that nobody could predict.

If other districts in the area open with a hybrid model and MCPS does not, it will highlight the MCPS bureaucratic incompetence. It’s not like MCPS had less time than DCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I reported on another thread that both an elementary school Principal and a high school counselor told us the same thing, re DL. The Principal was talking my daughter's class on the last day of school, and, I suppose, "let it slip". I was sitting right there next to DD and heard her say it. The counselor told me during a conversation about my son's SN accommodations going forward.

You can't let a decision slip when it hasn't been decided yet.

PP you replied to. I think the people I heard just went with what they understood to be the likeliest option? But it really has to be extra-likely if a counselor actually told me, a parent, and if a Principal was confident enough to add a little casual sentence about it in a speech to 4th graders...

I mean, maybe they think it's likely because it's the easiest option? Sorry everybody, we just won't have school until there's a vaccine/cure, who knows when that will be...

That doesn't mean it's what's going to happen, though.

To say that they have 8 weeks to plan is completely disingenuous. They've had months and months to do so, and they have 8 more weeks.

According to that rule, parents have had months and months to make backup plans and eight more weeks to do so.

Or is it that BOTH parties are responding in real time to public health conditions that are constantly changing among a wave of false information, some of which is spread by our national executive?

I don’t need childcare. I need my kids to get an education. That’s what the public school system must provide. And it was clear from
The spring that DL does not work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm sure they're scrambling now that they realize their lack of planning means they're way behind the eight ball and yet somehow will have to get kids back in school at least part of the week. They're going to look pretty darn incompetent if every other district in the area makes it happen and they don't because they dragged their feet too long. I mean, there probably isn't a limitless supply of hand sanitizer machines -- Fairfac and other districts now have a jump on that.

Yes, it was so incompetent of MCPS to not make plans months ahead of time for circumstances that nobody could predict.

If other districts in the area open with a hybrid model and MCPS does not, it will highlight the MCPS bureaucratic incompetence. It’s not like MCPS had less time than DCPS.

MCPS is absolutely bureaucratic incompetence. Miami-Dade schools, similar in the size to MCPS, started putting DL plans in place in _January_ when things got bad in China. So when they had to shut down, they could be up and running with DL the following week. MCPS took 3 weeks because they didn't plan.

Now look at the situation now -- they've known since they closed in March that they may need to re-open in the Fall. They are only now getting around to planning. The _first_ actual information we saw was at the BOE meeting a few days ago, where they showed photos of how they did tests of how to spread out kids on the bus and in classrooms. They're doing this now?! They should have started those tests in March!

Is anyone a teacher here who went back to their classroom to clear out a few weeks ago? Did any of you see a hand sanitizer dispenser now mounted in your classroom? I bet you didn't.

We've been going to playgrounds are various ESes in our area in the afternoons last week. I've noted the cars parked in the school parking lot. No work trucks at all... like what you'd see if they are preparing facilities to have in-person learning.

Next time we go, I'll peek in the windows to see if I can see any changes made, like hand sanitizer dispensers. I know it's a little thing, but MCPS would need about 10,000 of them, and that takes a while to source and install (remember these are being mounted on masonry walls too.. slightly more complicated). If they haven't even done that with 8 weeks until school starts, I'm very skeptical they can pull off in-person just from a logistical perspective.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm sure they're scrambling now that they realize their lack of planning means they're way behind the eight ball and yet somehow will have to get kids back in school at least part of the week. They're going to look pretty darn incompetent if every other district in the area makes it happen and they don't because they dragged their feet too long. I mean, there probably isn't a limitless supply of hand sanitizer machines -- Fairfac and other districts now have a jump on that.

Yes, it was so incompetent of MCPS to not make plans months ahead of time for circumstances that nobody could predict.

If other districts in the area open with a hybrid model and MCPS does not, it will highlight the MCPS bureaucratic incompetence. It’s not like MCPS had less time than DCPS.

MCPS is absolutely bureaucratic incompetence. Miami-Dade schools, similar in the size to MCPS, started putting DL plans in place in _January_ when things got bad in China. So when they had to shut down, they could be up and running with DL the following week. MCPS took 3 weeks because they didn't plan.

Now look at the situation now -- they've known since they closed in March that they may need to re-open in the Fall. They are only now getting around to planning. The _first_ actual information we saw was at the BOE meeting a few days ago, where they showed photos of how they did tests of how to spread out kids on the bus and in classrooms. They're doing this now?! They should have started those tests in March!

Is anyone a teacher here who went back to their classroom to clear out a few weeks ago? Did any of you see a hand sanitizer dispenser now mounted in your classroom? I bet you didn't.

We've been going to playgrounds are various ESes in our area in the afternoons last week. I've noted the cars parked in the school parking lot. No work trucks at all... like what you'd see if they are preparing facilities to have in-person learning.

Next time we go, I'll peek in the windows to see if I can see any changes made, like hand sanitizer dispensers. I know it's a little thing, but MCPS would need about 10,000 of them, and that takes a while to source and install (remember these are being mounted on masonry walls too.. slightly more complicated). If they haven't even done that with 8 weeks until school starts, I'm very skeptical they can pull off in-person just from a logistical perspective.

Every time I pass by our local mcps elementary school there have been at least 3-4 work trucks parked out front.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. She seemed very confident. I guess we'll find out soon enough.

I teach in another district and I’m pretty sure she is just giving her opinion. I have pretty strong opinions on it as well, but it’s not based on any inside information. In my district teachers and administration have no idea, and I get the feeling that’s the norm for most places

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm sure they're scrambling now that they realize their lack of planning means they're way behind the eight ball and yet somehow will have to get kids back in school at least part of the week. They're going to look pretty darn incompetent if every other district in the area makes it happen and they don't because they dragged their feet too long. I mean, there probably isn't a limitless supply of hand sanitizer machines -- Fairfac and other districts now have a jump on that.

Yes, it was so incompetent of MCPS to not make plans months ahead of time for circumstances that nobody could predict.

If other districts in the area open with a hybrid model and MCPS does not, it will highlight the MCPS bureaucratic incompetence. It’s not like MCPS had less time than DCPS.

MCPS is absolutely bureaucratic incompetence. Miami-Dade schools, similar in the size to MCPS, started putting DL plans in place in _January_ when things got bad in China. So when they had to shut down, they could be up and running with DL the following week. MCPS took 3 weeks because they didn't plan.

Now look at the situation now -- they've known since they closed in March that they may need to re-open in the Fall. They are only now getting around to planning. The _first_ actual information we saw was at the BOE meeting a few days ago, where they showed photos of how they did tests of how to spread out kids on the bus and in classrooms. They're doing this now?! They should have started those tests in March!

Is anyone a teacher here who went back to their classroom to clear out a few weeks ago? Did any of you see a hand sanitizer dispenser now mounted in your classroom? I bet you didn't.

We've been going to playgrounds are various ESes in our area in the afternoons last week. I've noted the cars parked in the school parking lot. No work trucks at all... like what you'd see if they are preparing facilities to have in-person learning.

Next time we go, I'll peek in the windows to see if I can see any changes made, like hand sanitizer dispensers. I know it's a little thing, but MCPS would need about 10,000 of them, and that takes a while to source and install (remember these are being mounted on masonry walls too.. slightly more complicated). If they haven't even done that with 8 weeks until school starts, I'm very skeptical they can pull off in-person just from a logistical perspective.

Every time I pass by our local mcps elementary school there have been at least 3-4 work trucks parked out front.

The trucks are dealing with the rodent and roach infestations prompted by empty rooms.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When China sent kids back to school, the virus spiked. They ultimately closed schools again (and pretty quickly).

Can’t we learn from their example?

If schools do reopen in a hybrid way, it’s in response to the need for childcare so parents can go back to work. That’s clear from the survey.

Oh, you've seen the responses from the survey? Where?

Yes, the childcare part of school is important. So is the school part of school.

A smart cookie can learn a lot from analyzing the questions. It tells you what mcps is thinking and focusing on to determine next steps. You don’t need the actual responses to make inferences.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When China sent kids back to school, the virus spiked. They ultimately closed schools again (and pretty quickly).

Can’t we learn from their example?

If schools do reopen in a hybrid way, it’s in response to the need for childcare so parents can go back to work. That’s clear from the survey.

Oh, you've seen the responses from the survey? Where?

Yes, the childcare part of school is important. So is the school part of school.

A smart cookie can learn a lot from analyzing the questions. It tells you what mcps is thinking and focusing on to determine next steps. You don’t need the actual responses to make inferences.

Ok, then, smart cookie - tell us what is going to happen!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Every time I pass by our local mcps elementary school there have been at least 3-4 work trucks parked out front.

That's a promising sign. Are they MCPS trucks (it'll have the logo on the door) or a private company? Did you notice the company name if so?

Some schools are due for renovation work -- could it be related to that?

I'd really like schools to be open for some form of F2F in the fall, but I'm really concerned they just can't pull it off in 8 weeks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Every time I pass by our local mcps elementary school there have been at least 3-4 work trucks parked out front.

That's a promising sign. Are they MCPS trucks (it'll have the logo on the door) or a private company? Did you notice the company name if so?

Some schools are due for renovation work -- could it be related to that?

I'd really like schools to be open for some form of F2F in the fall, but I'm really concerned they just can't pull it off in 8 weeks.

Private trucks as far as I could tell. And I didn't notice the name. It could definitely be for renovation work though as our school does in fact need that so who knows? But i have seen trucks every time I go by which is about 2-3 times a week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Even is we are hybrid it would not last long before we get COVID in schools or flu season arrives. Anyone who gets a fever needs to quarantine for two weeks at this point because testing is still bad and unreliable.

That's not correct. The diagnostic test is accurate; it is the antibody test that is less so. And in MD, it is widely available.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:God I hope it's the 2 day in-person option....

I'm almost as certain as the teacher friend that it will be the hybrid. All of the districts who have announced already mentioned working with neighboring jurisdictions. If MCPS went against what everyone else is doing I'd be shocked.

I hope so. My kid with ADHD does not learn well at all with the 100% distance learning. I think they can keep things "safer" with half the students in school each day. I know none of it is ideal in any way, shape, or form. It all sucks.

It isn’t “safer.”

How can all you people kvetching about neighbors hosting a play date with a single child all of a sudden feel comfortable sending your kids to sit indoors with 10-15 kids and adults? Do you really think kids will keep their masks on?

How about all the people getting hysterical about anyone taking a road trip and using public restrooms? How clean do you think a mcps bathroom is?

It isn’t safer. Period.

Those people will have the option of 100% DL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Even is we are hybrid it would not last long before we get COVID in schools or flu season arrives. Anyone who gets a fever needs to quarantine for two weeks at this point because testing is still bad and unreliable.

That's not correct. The diagnostic test is accurate; it is the antibody test that is less so. And in MD, it is widely available.

Not only is it widely available-the rapid test is becoming the norm. There is no reason to believe that if someone has it we won't be able to get a handle on it very quickly in a school setting. In fact, it would make sense for the district to have every school nurse readily equipped with the tests and be able to test right there if possible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When China sent kids back to school, the virus spiked. They ultimately closed schools again (and pretty quickly).

Can’t we learn from their example?

If schools do reopen in a hybrid way, it’s in response to the need for childcare so parents can go back to work. That’s clear from the survey.

No, a hybrid model where kids get 6 hours of in-person instruction twice a week is not for childcare purposes. It's so kids can actually learn. Ideally it would be 5 days a week, with before and after care offered, to help people with child care needs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Every time I pass by our local mcps elementary school there have been at least 3-4 work trucks parked out front.

That's a promising sign. Are they MCPS trucks (it'll have the logo on the door) or a private company? Did you notice the company name if so?

Some schools are due for renovation work -- could it be related to that?

I'd really like schools to be open for some form of F2F in the fall, but I'm really concerned they just can't pull it off in 8 weeks.

Private trucks as far as I could tell. And I didn't notice the name. It could definitely be for renovation work though as our school does in fact need that so who knows? But i have seen trucks every time I go by which is about 2-3 times a week.

Schools traditionally do maintenance and renovations during the summer months.

Trust me: they aren’t building bubbles or plexiglass partitions.