Howard County remote until April 2021.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m alarmed that there seems to be some agreement here that HoCo schools will be remote next Fall. A strong majority of adults will be vaccinated by then, and we’ve already seen significant evidence that opening up preschools and younger grades can even be done safely now. Staying closed next year, particularly for elementary students, seems irresponsible and dangerous. (With the caveat of proper vaccine distribution.)

I’m not interested in blaming teachers for this decision or not, but keeping schools closed would be a huge blow in so many ways.

I hope whoever is advocating for keeping schools closed is equally vocal about closing flipping indoor dining.

If we get a best case scenario with vaccine distribution, maybe not. My concern is that we don't have sense of when it would be safe enough to bring any students back, even after all these months.

This just isn’t true, though some of the evidence points to strategies that many schools would be unable to implement due to funding decisions across government. Generally though, we have strong evidence on early education being able to return safely, some of which I believe AFT has incorporated into their blueprint for reopening. In addition, a variety of studies have been undertaken in regard to comparing say, summer camps, to identify how those that didn’t have any positive cases/outbreaks were able to achieve that goal when compared to more reckless openings. And I’m not going to wade into the ugly private school discussion above, it seems clear that higher resourced schools that have been able to improve their ventilation systems, keep small class cohorts isolated, require daily screenings, and implement continual mask wearing have found better success in reopening. Public schools deserve to be able to do the same, but many public schools’ class sizes would likely make a cohort approach difficult if not impossible. NYC schools, further, continue to show important lessons.

Now, if you’re looking for certainty, you’re not going to get it. But we certainly have an ever-emerging sense of what a safe return could look like that will continue to improve. The core of a safe return is, of course, low community spread. That will hopefully be very much achieved by the time the vaccine has widely circulated by mid-summer, despite the behavior of the reckless idiots so many of our neighbors have proven to be that continues to raise our rates of infection.

I’m not arguing for a return now, to be clear. But there is a lot of work being done to understand when and how we can bring back students, which is critical to the health of our society. We can’t just throw up our hands and say if we don’t have a 100% clear answer, we don’t have a sense of any possible, safe answer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Before anyone posts about how safe private schools are, consider doing some actual reading. Also consider that teachers in private schools have NO choice, as well as the fact that private schools don't have to address any legal requirements regarding student disabilities. Private schools also have far less numbers, flexibility with time and space, and all the $$ parents are willing to throw at them.


Stop acting like private schools have prevailed in this mess. They basically saw financial opportunity, that's all. They aren't open because they are more virtuous, caring, or more informed. It's a business, that's all- and that includes parochial schools.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/maryland-school-outbreaks/2020/11/20/464a0b08-29eb-11eb-9b14-ad872157ebc9_story.html

https://www.newsobserver.com/news/coronavirus/article246646938.html


https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/virginia-private-schools-virtual-after-coronavirus-outbreak/65-8f17c9ae-e505-4c85-85ad-08ba9c3d3f32

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/investigations/2020/08/09/schools-cite-hipaa-hide-coronavirus-numbers-they-cant-do-that/3323986001/

https://www.whas11.com/article/news/investigations/focus/kentucky-schools-required-disclose-info-covid-19-coronavirus/417-aa903102-622d-491a-ade2-de1ea6b8930e

Why does private school success make you angry? Of course it is easier because the population is smaller.

Perhaps you should actually do some reading. All schools in Maryland are required to report COVID cases. The first article you cited involved public and private schools. Two of the articles you cited involve other states, not Maryland. One of your articles addresses a Virginia cluster associated with a non-school sponsored event, so it does not demonstrate school transmission.

Yes, there have been some outbreaks in private schools, but that was expected. The level of COVID in any school is related to the level of community spread, which is very high. Private schools, due in part to their smaller classes, were able to open their doors for in person learning when the metrics were lower; something HCPSS was not able to do.

I hope you aren't an HCPSS teacher. Whoever you are, ask yourself why a choice made by any family to find an educational environment outside of public school that works better for their family is so offensive. My family left HCPSS for a private school before the pandemic and have been happy with that choice. We are even more grateful for that decision this year.

No, I am not a HCPSS teacher. One doesn't need to be to support the reasons behind virtual learning during a global pandemic. It isn't only the teachers who understand the merit of the current instructional offering. (And if I were an HCPSS teacher, I still would be well within my rights to defend my own life, I would imagine. The fact that you cannot imagine that a teacher would be concerned explains everything, here.)

,*It is that comment, (I hope you are not a HCPSS teacher) that is absolutely indicative of your entire misunderstanding because it is about the teachers. They don't serve at your pleasure or convenience. Regardless, I work in an entirely different field, and have been working virtually, I might add since March 23 of this year. I'm guessing you have, as well.


I have fully explained why opening private schools is dangerous and exploitive. Secondly, you fully admit that a private
school has the physical plant to possibly accommodate far less students, which exposes WHY a public school cannot open- all the while railing against public schools for NOT opening. It appears that you are arguing against your own point. So, only the wealthy and privileged should get to choose, is that correct? ( This is so convenient considering it is on the tails of the redistricting opposition, I find. Tsk Tsk Tsk.....)


Why do I oppose your reasoning to go to a private school? Here's why-
1. You are contributing to community spread and exploiting underpaid and under qualified teachers who don't have the support to teach virtually because their schools have to open to generate cash. If the privates went virtual, none of their client base would opt to stay. In opening,
they are also able to entice public parents with money who want to bail out.
2. You have deemed yourself as beyond privileged, not willing to even make an effort or assist in the public program, while defaulting immediately to plan B, all the while assuring everyone that it's safe. Safe for whom? You mention incidence happening outside of schools, not schools...well, where do you think the kid goes? And how are you so sure where point of infection is? And why is it ALWAYS an event outside of school...(see my next comment about reporting.) Your statement is rather naive.
3. I can assure you that most or many
open privates are not reporting cases in Md accurately or consistently. There are so many ways to "not report" COVID. You have zero understanding of this. (See my comment about naivete above.)
4. Your behavior, your feeling of entitlement, your preferences puts others at risk. Period. You are no different than the anti maskers, or even an actress who bribes her kids into college!


Your big problem is not with the BOE, who are clearly doing what everyone is or should be doing. Schools are not likely to return this year to a building as so many other workplaces will not be operating in person as well - and all for the same reasons.

It's not about you and your needs.

Meanwhile, I'm fairly certain where I can find opinions similar to yours, or even yours (!), from that ever disturbing concensus of seriously addled individuals that plague a couple or more local FB sites with their frequent horror posts-should I choose to read any of them again, so there's little need to respond here.

Maybe you loggerheads can sue...Oh wait...... (Yeah, THAT went well, didn't it?)

You aren't particularly adept at reading comprehension, because I noted in my prior post that my family left HCPSS several years before the pandemic. So no, we didn't immediately default to plan B.

You are also arguing against your own point in terms of the ability of private schools to adapt during the pandemic. I acknowledge that it is much easier for private schools to offer in person learning in a reasonably safe manner, which is a reason that public schools should remain closed for a majority of students, or at minimum, older students. Private schools have smaller classes that allow physical distancing. They do not have to provide transportation to students, which is a concern for public schools. They have the ability to adapt by distinguishing between different populations (younger versus older students) and creating different offerings. Heck, public schools can't even provide a single day in the fall for little kids to come to an outside space to meeting their teachers, masked and distanced, in person. It is the little things that build community. Even one day a week of in person every other week would be helpful for student well-being (if a family is comfortable with it), but there is no flexibility with public schools.

It is fine to say that public school is not childcare, but for parents of younger children, schools do provide a place for students to go while parents work. I have older children, but I can tell you that the people I know with younger kids who have been called back into the office to perform their federal government jobs, the hair dressers, doctors and nurses, and many other jobs that require in person presence need somewhere for their children to be. Why should it not be in the schools for which they pay tuition? Otherwise, there will be additional exposure via pods, in home care, or daycare, or don't you care about the lives of those workers? Or maybe you resent those parents for working at all? Does participating in the "public program," whatever the heck that means, require giving up a family's income so that they don't have to leave the house?

You sound resentful that private schools exist at all as a option for families at any time, suggesting racist motivations for anyone choosing this option. To be sure, HCPSS has many offerings that cannot be duplicated at most private schools. There are pros and cons for both, and we gave up many of the benefits of HCPSS when we switched. It isn't that one is necessarily better than the other, but in this case, the smaller nature of private schools has made them better able to adapt to these circumstances. We decided several years ago that smaller classes were beneficial to our kids (and trust me, there are drawbacks too). During the pandemic, that decision has allowed our kids to have some in person learning this year. Were you complaining when families moved and thereby made our extremely overcrowded school less crowded? As you say, BOE decisions are not about my needs or the needs of any family. Yes, that's exactly why many families opt for private schools, as we did before the pandemic. Private schools have to consider the needs of families and students and have more flexibility to accommodate them by offering reasonable schedules including later start times for older kids, fewer random days off of school, later school day end times, and more timely and responsive communications. Consistent policies and communication would help all kids, especially those who are struggling or who have less intrinsic motivation, but policies that would actually help student learning aren't important to the BOE. To meet with a high school teacher in public school, you have to leave work in the middle of the day. The same is true for a student obtaining after school help (which in my experience, was rarely available in public school), who will need to be picked up in the middle of the day. Elementary school starts at 9:30 a.m. and high school activities require pickups before three. There are any number of random days off school in a normal year, requiring the use of leave to care for children during those days. Is it any wonder that working families from all socioeconomic backgrounds have trouble connecting and becoming actively involved with their children's public school education? The greater good is best served when the health of wellbeing of all of its stakeholders are considered.

You mention redistricting, as you imply that opting for private school is motivated by racism. I live in a diverse community and I have argued for years that more should be done to promote greater socioeconomic diversity throughout the county schools. I would gladly pay more in taxes for HCPSS to offer more, even with my kids out of school. I spent years of my life volunteering at my kids' HCPSS schools. I participated in the "public program," yet each year, it became more apparent that the schools were not working for our family. I supported the last round of redistricting, although I don't think it went far enough. However, I don't support the general proposition that the same families in particular areas of the county should be subjected to redistricting, or even redistricting debates, every year or two. The process divides communities and leads to too much uncertainty. I would be happy having my children attend any HCPSS school, but I would not have been happy having my high school aged children attending two different middle or high schools, or even worse, having to switch schools in the middle of middle school or high school.

The HCPSS BOE has good intentions in its quest to promote equity, before and during the pandemic. However, it is going about it in the wrong way. Offering less to everyone is not going to help students most in need succeed. I don't have a problem with the BOE deciding not to open. I do, however, have a problem with the fact that they have accomplished nothing to plan for a return of any student population to school buildings when the metrics allow. It is more of the same - good intentions and plenty of pontificating amounting to no meaningful action. All of the virtue signaling in the world will not change that fact.

But of course, you, like the BOE members, know better than public health experts about when it might be safe to allow even small populations of students into the buildings. You profess to know how to help disadvantaged populations, without actually doing anything to help them. People like you are the ones driving families away from public schools, and the consequences will be felt for years to come, perhaps most acutely by the very people you say you want to help.

By the way, the county health officer approved our school's reopening plan. If you don't want private schools open, take it up with the county health officers and stop judging private school families, many of whom are not wealthy, especially in the parochial schools. If you truly believe that educating children should be the lowest priority for our society during a pandemic, feel free to keep advocating for fewer children to have the benefit of in person education. That will solve everything.

Read both answers:
1. County Execs were overruled by Hogan from shutting down privates this summer. MCPS, in fact, tried everything trying to shut them down.
2. I'm not seeing the word "racist" anywhere in the previous post, but I do find it fascinating that you did. I suspect the word implied was "elitist." But, again, why bring up racism, PP? That is the most interesting and revealing part of your whole response. (!!)
3. And, yes, it does appear that you are proving the point- that a private has far fewer students, so if you feel that is why they can open, then surely you can understand why public schools cannot open.

4. This county's BOE is really going to be a breath of fresh air, and long after the pandemic is front and central. Thank Goodness.

The reference to redistricting and the lawsuit implies elitism and racism on the part of anyone who advocates for school reopening, opposed redistricting, and/or opts for private schools for their children. That has been the dialog in the county for years, with extreme factions on both sides of the redistricting/reopening debate taking irresponsible and divisive positions. It is tiresome, and the tone you adopt is contributing to families deciding to abandon public schools entirely. It is a shame and you are a big part of the problem.

As demonstrated by your extremist views, you have deemed parents who send their children for in person learning at private schools, regardless of health metrics, by the way, to be exactly the same as anti-maskers. According to you, they don't care about anyone and want everyone to die! This is the same tone take when parents ask that return to school plans be discussed at BOE meetings. These concerned parents have been branded as extremists aligned with those who opposed redistricting and who supported an unsuccessful lawsuit challenging redistricting, implying that return to school advocates are elitist and racist. Now they are also anti-maskers! Pro grandma and grandpa killers! This is exactly how the redistricting debate was framed, and why families are leaving.

It is possible to favor bringing students back into the buildings when it is safe to do so and be pro-equity and supportive of teachers. However, there has been little evidence that certain members of the BOE are willing to entertain this possibility. Sadly, the extreme rhetoric is alienating many reasonable parents, resulting in their departure from HCPSS. Maybe instead of continually passing judgment about individual family decisions, you could work to make the county and HCPSS welcoming places where people choose to raise their families.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you would leave your child in a school system which is failing to educate them because of a warped sense of a public program or the greater good - you are insane.

Your child should come first. If you can afford better, do better.

Ah, and there it is. This pandemic certainly highlighted the real problem in our society, hasn't it? Who lives, who dies, who gets treatment, who doesn't, who can eat, who can't, who keeps their house, who can be educated, by those teachers at the bottom of that societal spectrum who need those jobs so they can eat, keep their house, etc., because they are not given safe alternatives in which to keep their jobs.
So glad you can afford to "do better." So glad your child comes first. Good for YOU.

Of course my child comes first to me, why would they? They are my child? It doesn't mean I don't care about other children. I won't sacrifice my child's learning for the greater good when clearly, the greater good is a dysfunctional system which can't seem to re-open when other larger districts have done so.
Dont' blame the parents who leave when they can. It's not our fault that the system is a wreck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you would leave your child in a school system which is failing to educate them because of a warped sense of a public program or the greater good - you are insane.

Your child should come first. If you can afford better, do better.

Ah, and there it is. This pandemic certainly highlighted the real problem in our society, hasn't it? Who lives, who dies, who gets treatment, who doesn't, who can eat, who can't, who keeps their house, who can be educated, by those teachers at the bottom of that societal spectrum who need those jobs so they can eat, keep their house, etc., because they are not given safe alternatives in which to keep their jobs.
So glad you can afford to "do better." So glad your child comes first. Good for YOU.

Of course my child comes first to me, why would they? They are my child? It doesn't mean I don't care about other children. I won't sacrifice my child's learning for the greater good when clearly, the greater good is a dysfunctional system which can't seem to re-open when other larger districts have done so.
Dont' blame the parents who leave when they can. It's not our fault that the system is a wreck.

And we are lowly essential workers whose kids are on financial aid. We needed daycare or an open school. We found an open school which was cheaper than daycare for our school aged children. We could have stayed and fought for a better public school system but we had been beat up already by the system and really, most parents are fighting for it to remain closed. We don't have that flexibility in life. DL is workign for many famillies who love it. We weren't one of them and needed a solution. I'm not subjecting my family, especially my kids, to crappy DL education with parents who work out of the home and can't help because there is some unwritten law we all have to put up with crappy because someone out there can't find anything else. I will help them move to private myself if I can. Don't keep taking the crappy public education they are dishing out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you would leave your child in a school system which is failing to educate them because of a warped sense of a public program or the greater good - you are insane.

Your child should come first. If you can afford better, do better.

Ah, and there it is. This pandemic certainly highlighted the real problem in our society, hasn't it? Who lives, who dies, who gets treatment, who doesn't, who can eat, who can't, who keeps their house, who can be educated, by those teachers at the bottom of that societal spectrum who need those jobs so they can eat, keep their house, etc., because they are not given safe alternatives in which to keep their jobs.
So glad you can afford to "do better." So glad your child comes first. Good for YOU.

Of course my child comes first to me, why would they? They are my child? It doesn't mean I don't care about other children. I won't sacrifice my child's learning for the greater good when clearly, the greater good is a dysfunctional system which can't seem to re-open when other larger districts have done so.
Dont' blame the parents who leave when they can. It's not our fault that the system is a wreck.

And we are lowly essential workers whose kids are on financial aid. We needed daycare or an open school. We found an open school which was cheaper than daycare for our school aged children. We could have stayed and fought for a better public school system but we had been beat up already by the system and really, most parents are fighting for it to remain closed. We don't have that flexibility in life. DL is workign for many famillies who love it. We weren't one of them and needed a solution. I'm not subjecting my family, especially my kids, to crappy DL education with parents who work out of the home and can't help because there is some unwritten law we all have to put up with crappy because someone out there can't find anything else. I will help them move to private myself if I can. Don't keep taking the crappy public education they are dishing out.

How? If you help everyone go to private school now, they couldn't accommodate them as they have to social distance.

Your daycare issues might have been better solved with federal and state assistance, so it's not the school system that is screwing you. Are you essential and working out of the home? If so, there were resources for you, but it's likely you just needed to be flexible and and adapt in ways you were not willing to.

Secondly, most don't feel the DL program is bad. These teachers are working their butts off...it's very hard to do this. They care and they are professional and it's a matter of dealing with a new paradigm.

People would love to be back, but everyone realizes this is plan B. They work to make it work. Everyone has jobs. We all struggle. We understand that this is real, and that lives are at stake. Most of us are horrified at those continually bashing everyone with zero realization of what's really happening. They are living in a false reality.

You didn't win here- you bailed and are helping to put everyone's lives at risk. Let's not debate this any further, as I am just tired of this nonsense. If you need validation (!), you know where to go for that. Just express your opinion on one of a few local FB sites, I'm sure you know which ones, and the same 25 people will pile on to pat you on the back. You are likely their hero/heroine, sweetheart. Don't waste your time with me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bravo! They did the right thing.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you would leave your child in a school system which is failing to educate them because of a warped sense of a public program or the greater good - you are insane.

Your child should come first. If you can afford better, do better.

Ah, and there it is. This pandemic certainly highlighted the real problem in our society, hasn't it? Who lives, who dies, who gets treatment, who doesn't, who can eat, who can't, who keeps their house, who can be educated, by those teachers at the bottom of that societal spectrum who need those jobs so they can eat, keep their house, etc., because they are not given safe alternatives in which to keep their jobs.
So glad you can afford to "do better." So glad your child comes first. Good for YOU.

Of course my child comes first to me, why would they? They are my child? It doesn't mean I don't care about other children. I won't sacrifice my child's learning for the greater good when clearly, the greater good is a dysfunctional system which can't seem to re-open when other larger districts have done so.
Dont' blame the parents who leave when they can. It's not our fault that the system is a wreck.

Hoco? Is that what you are referring to as a wreck? Far from it. They've done a pretty good job in this situation. Maybe you aren't aware since you aren't in it anymore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you would leave your child in a school system which is failing to educate them because of a warped sense of a public program or the greater good - you are insane.

Your child should come first. If you can afford better, do better.

Ah, and there it is. This pandemic certainly highlighted the real problem in our society, hasn't it? Who lives, who dies, who gets treatment, who doesn't, who can eat, who can't, who keeps their house, who can be educated, by those teachers at the bottom of that societal spectrum who need those jobs so they can eat, keep their house, etc., because they are not given safe alternatives in which to keep their jobs.
So glad you can afford to "do better." So glad your child comes first. Good for YOU.

Of course my child comes first to me, why would they? They are my child? It doesn't mean I don't care about other children. I won't sacrifice my child's learning for the greater good when clearly, the greater good is a dysfunctional system which can't seem to re-open when other larger districts have done so.
Dont' blame the parents who leave when they can. It's not our fault that the system is a wreck.

Hoco? Is that what you are referring to as a wreck? Far from it. They've done a pretty good job in this situation. Maybe you aren't aware since you aren't in it anymore.

LOL Hoco is a wreck and has not done a good job. The board is completely dysfunctional and the teachers union is running everything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you would leave your child in a school system which is failing to educate them because of a warped sense of a public program or the greater good - you are insane.

Your child should come first. If you can afford better, do better.

Ah, and there it is. This pandemic certainly highlighted the real problem in our society, hasn't it? Who lives, who dies, who gets treatment, who doesn't, who can eat, who can't, who keeps their house, who can be educated, by those teachers at the bottom of that societal spectrum who need those jobs so they can eat, keep their house, etc., because they are not given safe alternatives in which to keep their jobs.
So glad you can afford to "do better." So glad your child comes first. Good for YOU.

Of course my child comes first to me, why would they? They are my child? It doesn't mean I don't care about other children. I won't sacrifice my child's learning for the greater good when clearly, the greater good is a dysfunctional system which can't seem to re-open when other larger districts have done so.
Dont' blame the parents who leave when they can. It's not our fault that the system is a wreck.

Hoco? Is that what you are referring to as a wreck? Far from it. They've done a pretty good job in this situation. Maybe you aren't aware since you aren't in it anymore.

LOL Hoco is a wreck and has not done a good job. The board is completely dysfunctional and the teachers union is running everything.

Yeah? Really? Are they running ALL the public schools which have gone virtual? Working on the colleges, too, huh? You watch way too many movies.


The teacher unions are comprised OF TEACHERS... at the county, state, and national level. Entirely teachers. They represent what the teachers want. The teachers, as it would happen, are trying to protect their lives. Shocking.

What scenario do you think is happening- that the unions are making deals independently of teacher's requests in smoke and liquor filled rooms as they bribe the suburban board members with gifts of votes, smoked meats, gift cards, and cash? Then they make sure those teachers stay in line by threatening them with the real possibility of continuous dried out white board markers, vending machines that stick with that Snickers bar hanging just out of reach, and inconvenient parking places near the recycling bin if they don't keep their mouths shut. Maybe they use the PE teachers as the muscle, huh? Right.

The time for lies and misinformation is just about over, thank goodness. I suggest that you get a grip on reality. The current BOE was voted in by reasonable people who have a clear understanding of reality and what's best for students. It just doesn't align with your values, and that is where the real problem is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
You didn't win here- you bailed and are helping to put everyone's lives at risk. Let's not debate this any further, as I am just tired of this nonsense. If you need validation (!), you know where to go for that. Just express your opinion on one of a few local FB sites, I'm sure you know which ones, and the same 25 people will pile on to pat you on the back. You are likely their hero/heroine, sweetheart. Don't waste your time with me.

NP.

Please, please don't try to insult someone using childish phrases like "sweetheart." I am supportive of fully DL right now for most schools, but your cringeworthy and condescending rhetoric fully turns people off to your point. I haven't seen anyone actually engage with the actual science and policy recommendations that are being put forward but rather just snipe at one another.

If anyone is interested in engaging in thoughtful consideration (on their own), a good place to start is AFT's blueprint that was referenced above.

https://www.aft.org/reopen-schools

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
You didn't win here- you bailed and are helping to put everyone's lives at risk. Let's not debate this any further, as I am just tired of this nonsense. If you need validation (!), you know where to go for that. Just express your opinion on one of a few local FB sites, I'm sure you know which ones, and the same 25 people will pile on to pat you on the back. You are likely their hero/heroine, sweetheart. Don't waste your time with me.

NP.

Please, please don't try to insult someone using childish phrases like "sweetheart." I am supportive of fully DL right now for most schools, but your cringeworthy and condescending rhetoric fully turns people off to your point. I haven't seen anyone actually engage with the actual science and policy recommendations that are being put forward but rather just snipe at one another.

If anyone is interested in engaging in thoughtful consideration (on their own), a good place to start is AFT's blueprint that was referenced above.

https://www.aft.org/reopen-schools

This is helpful. Putting aside the Facebook faction demanding reopening no matter what, more moderate families like mine off have been turned off by the lack of substantive discussion about what needs to happen in order to reopen schools. If the answer is that the pandemic needs to be over, families will continue to bail because no one knows when that will be.

I was against reopening public schools for a variety of reasons in the late summer/early fall and was outraged by the reckless push to reopen without regard for necessary mitigation measures at both the federal and state levels. Even so, I was impressed by the County health officer's presentation at the meeting in which the metrics were established. I particularly appreciated her attention to the test turnaround time, a metric that has not been made public at the state level, but which is highly relevant to reopening decisions. That meeting gave me hope. However, when it appeared in subsequent meetings that the metrics might not be acted upon even if they were achieved, I was completely discouraged. Whether or not it is true, we have yet to see evidence that there is any possible plan that would work for teachers and the majority of the board. There need to be fewer students in the buildings in order to promote physical distancing, yet the teachers do not want any plan that involves concurrent teaching, taking a hybrid plan off the table. It is much easier to shoot down every plan presented than to propose an acceptable solution, and the failure of the teachers union representative or any board members to present anything resembling a solution if off putting to say the least. The tone adopted by the union representative also does not help. Teachers hate DL, refuse to do a hybrid plan that involves concurrent teaching, and won't go back into the buildings because it isn't safe. So . . . what can we do? That's a genuine question.

Perhaps with the new federal administration in place stakeholders will move toward putting specific protections in place to formulate and support reopening plans. Obviously funding is key. What do we need? More testing? School based testing? If we could go from simply stating that it is not safe and move toward specifying what will make it safe enough, that would go a long way. It doesn't mean that schools would definitely reopen this year, but at least there would be hope for families struggling with DL. Everyone is doing their best under unprecedented circumstances. I haven't always been a big Dr. Martirano fan, but his work and the work of his staff during the pandemic have impressed me. I hope that work can come to fruition to allow students, or at least some students, to get in person supports sooner than 2022.

[Anonymous]

PP adding one more thought. People who are upset about school buildings remaining closed need to stop the personal attacks on the SMOB. He is using his best judgment and does not deserve these attacks.

If you want to change the statute establishing the matters on which the SMOB can or cannot vote, direct your communications to your state representatives. There might be a reasonable argument that the types of matters on which by statute the SMOB cannot vote, such as redistricting, consolidation of schools, collective bargaining agreements, align with this unprecedented decision to deliver education via a virtual model, creating a question about whether a SMOB vote in this situation is appropriate. Raise your concerns through the appropriate channels and stop the attacks on this hardworking and intelligent young man.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP adding one more thought. People who are upset about school buildings remaining closed need to stop the personal attacks on the SMOB. He is using his best judgment and does not deserve these attacks.

If you want to change the statute establishing the matters on which the SMOB can or cannot vote, direct your communications to your state representatives. There might be a reasonable argument that the types of matters on which by statute the SMOB cannot vote, such as redistricting, consolidation of schools, collective bargaining agreements, align with this unprecedented decision to deliver education via a virtual model, creating a question about whether a SMOB vote in this situation is appropriate. Raise your concerns through the appropriate channels and stop the attacks on this hardworking and intelligent young man.

Goodness, I didn't realize a kid was getting attacked too. Any parent doing so should be ashamed of themselves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP adding one more thought. People who are upset about school buildings remaining closed need to stop the personal attacks on the SMOB. He is using his best judgment and does not deserve these attacks.

If you want to change the statute establishing the matters on which the SMOB can or cannot vote, direct your communications to your state representatives. There might be a reasonable argument that the types of matters on which by statute the SMOB cannot vote, such as redistricting, consolidation of schools, collective bargaining agreements, align with this unprecedented decision to deliver education via a virtual model, creating a question about whether a SMOB vote in this situation is appropriate. Raise your concerns through the appropriate channels and stop the attacks on this hardworking and intelligent young man.

Goodness, I didn't realize a kid was getting attacked too. Any parent doing so should be ashamed of themselves.

If only shame, in and of itself, would deter this group.....nope. Yes, very sad.

The SMOB has every right to vote. In fact, he represents the very students being discussed. Who better?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you compare the number of times the Board members mentioned the needs of educators versus any discussion of student needs, it makes you throw your hands in the air. If in person happens in any form next year, I will be shocked. This school year is over. It is virtual all the way. Teachers don't feel comfortable coming into the building and that is all that matters, regardless of the metrics. It was pretty much expressly stated.

I have often criticized Dr. Martirano, but he was forceful in advocating for continued work on a better hybrid plan.

I don't care anymore, because nothing I do or say is going to make a difference.

I am starting to think that boards of education need an appointed expert (or two) qualified to offer testimony about the needs of children, educational and otherwise, separate and apart from family concerns, which are often perceived as selfish. I am envisioning something like a court appointed counsel for children in a divorce case. School administrators are constrained by budgetary and logistical concerns. Board members act as the decision makers. Someone needs to speak for the children.

Honestly, the part of the meeting that made me throw in the towel forever was when one member expressed concern about the mental health needs and isolation of older students, and another responded that those concerns shouldn't be used to blackmail educators into returning to the building when they "feel" unsafe. What? Who is blackmailing who? This is a Board that already approved metrics for returning students the school buildings, with substantial input from a capable county health officer, and then completely disregarded those metrics because staff in a non-binding survey with actual consequences have said that they don't "feel" safe returning this year.

Teacher needs are the same as student needs. Please understand that. They continually do what is best for students.
Also- they prefer not to die for their job. And it's not just them. They are unable to interact with their own family when interacting with the community on a front line basis.
It's not about YOU.