Chap Peterson's speech at the VA Senate about opening schools.

[Anonymous]

What distresses me most reading these posts is how evident it is that education failed so many of you. So many people here eager to identify a group of people they can point to and say “Those people. THEY are to blame. Punish them, excise them, and the problem will be solved.” I wish that is how most problems could be solved but most problems are tumors with roots that intersect vital and breathing tissue.

I see the beginnings of what must have happened back in Germany in the early 20th century. I don’t know how many people will have to suffer the wrath of the masses before it reaches a terrible conclusion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Good for him. I usually never agree with Chap but will commend him this one time. Wish we had more folks in Richmond prioritize getting our kids back in school. We have failed them, and online learning in FCPS has been a disaster. Reason #1 why the US lags behind the rest of the world in education: we never make it a priority.

Agree.


For the people who say this is a bad idea b/c obviously schools will be open anyway....then what's the harm? It makes life easier for the school systems. There's no reason to oppose this plan----unless you secretly are hoping to teach from home next year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What distresses me most reading these posts is how evident it is that education failed so many of you. So many people here eager to identify a group of people they can point to and say “Those people. THEY are to blame. Punish them, excise them, and the problem will be solved.” I wish that is how most problems could be solved but most problems are tumors with roots that intersect vital and breathing tissue.

I see the beginnings of what must have happened back in Germany in the early 20th century. I don’t know how many people will have to suffer the wrath of the masses before it reaches a terrible conclusion.

You keep posting absolute nonsense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Excellent speech and courageous for a politician to say out loud that a 9 year old's life has more value than a 99 year olds.

That’s not exactly what he said and it’s just going to get people riled up phrasing it this way. Lets’s be accurate. He said “The death of a 99-year-old is not worth closing school for a 9-year-old.”

And I agree with him.

I completely disagree with him on that. No death is trivial and a human being who is 99 years old has so much experience and knowledge to share.

That said, we can give the 99 year old a vaccine AND open schools for 9 year olds, so let’s work on that. Right now, many counties are not doing well by their elders and have been extremely slow in getting them safely vaccinated.

I didn’t watch the speech. It seems like enough people here were impressed with it, but I am not. It sounds like he gave voice to the turbulent dissatisfaction and frustration so many parents have had with public schools, but I imagine he doesn’t have a good workable solution. Penalize schools financially if they don’t open? They already have their yearly budget!

I know it is emotionally fulfilling when people articulate so well the problems you see around you, but right now CP just seems to be pandering to the crowds and taking advantage of an emotionally charged situation. Better he volunteer at a vaccination clinic and figure out ways to speed the roll out, then tell diminish the death of a 99 year old.

In short, I want schools to open, too. Get the teachers and senior citizens vaccinated ASAP so we can do it.

Maybe watch the video next time?

You missed the entire point of the discussion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He is an absolute moron. How dare he think that his kid's life is more important than someone else's. My father is a veteran and has done more for this country than Chap Peterson could ever even hope to accomplish. What a disgusting idiot.

I have elderly parents too. They live in Texas. People there don't wear masks and their schools have been open for months. Elderly folks can not get the vaccine. They can also isolate. I don't think their lives are worth less, but neither is a child's life or well-being. And that's what is happening now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For schools that don't open THIS FALL. Almost everyone thinks this is a reasonable position.

Right, so why are we wasting out time and energy on this? We all want schools to open in fall and enough adults will be vaccinated that it won’t be a problem.

Because it makes things easier for school superintendents and schools boards. They don't have to argue with rabid teachers and paranoid parents. "We have to open full time to get our money. Sorry. Out of our hands." It makes life much simpler.

Yup. This is the opposite of a waste of time. Please ask your state senators to support this.

Jesus, it is like arguing with little kids. Yep. Antifa, the teachers unions, paranoid parents... shall I construct more straw men for you to attack, all of you Don Quixotes out there? While you are fighting cardboard construction cartoon characters you think are powerful and manipulative villains, the adults will be taking care. Of the problem. Wake up. And grow up.

All of your posts in this thread--and yes, they are obviously yours-- are completely illogical.

Are they? Maybe you could try a little harder to understand them. I doubt you will because you are an adult and think you have learned everything you need to know. I have to give up right now. You can’t speak to people who aren’t listening.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Excellent speech and courageous for a politician to say out loud that a 9 year old's life has more value than a 99 year olds.

That’s not exactly what he said and it’s just going to get people riled up phrasing it this way. Lets’s be accurate. He said “The death of a 99-year-old is not worth closing school for a 9-year-old.”

And I agree with him.

I completely disagree with him on that. No death is trivial and a human being who is 99 years old has so much experience and knowledge to share.

That said, we can give the 99 year old a vaccine AND open schools for 9 year olds, so let’s work on that. Right now, many counties are not doing well by their elders and have been extremely slow in getting them safely vaccinated.

I didn’t watch the speech. It seems like enough people here were impressed with it, but I am not. It sounds like he gave voice to the turbulent dissatisfaction and frustration so many parents have had with public schools, but I imagine he doesn’t have a good workable solution. Penalize schools financially if they don’t open? They already have their yearly budget!

I know it is emotionally fulfilling when people articulate so well the problems you see around you, but right now CP just seems to be pandering to the crowds and taking advantage of an emotionally charged situation. Better he volunteer at a vaccination clinic and figure out ways to speed the roll out, then tell diminish the death of a 99 year old.

In short, I want schools to open, too. Get the teachers and senior citizens vaccinated ASAP so we can do it.

Maybe watch the video next time?

You missed the entire point of the discussion.

I highly doubt it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For schools that don't open THIS FALL. Almost everyone thinks this is a reasonable position.

Right, so why are we wasting out time and energy on this? We all want schools to open in fall and enough adults will be vaccinated that it won’t be a problem.

Because it makes things easier for school superintendents and schools boards. They don't have to argue with rabid teachers and paranoid parents. "We have to open full time to get our money. Sorry. Out of our hands." It makes life much simpler.

Yup. This is the opposite of a waste of time. Please ask your state senators to support this.

Jesus, it is like arguing with little kids. Yep. Antifa, the teachers unions, paranoid parents... shall I construct more straw men for you to attack, all of you Don Quixotes out there? While you are fighting cardboard construction cartoon characters you think are powerful and manipulative villains, the adults will be taking care. Of the problem. Wake up. And grow up.

All of your posts in this thread--and yes, they are obviously yours-- are completely illogical.

Are they? Maybe you could try a little harder to understand them. I doubt you will because you are an adult and think you have learned everything you need to know. I have to give up right now. You can’t speak to people who aren’t listening.

Works for me! Bye now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What distresses me most reading these posts is how evident it is that education failed so many of you. So many people here eager to identify a group of people they can point to and say “Those people. THEY are to blame. Punish them, excise them, and the problem will be solved.” I wish that is how most problems could be solved but most problems are tumors with roots that intersect vital and breathing tissue.

I see the beginnings of what must have happened back in Germany in the early 20th century. I don’t know how many people will have to suffer the wrath of the masses before it reaches a terrible conclusion.

You keep posting absolute nonsense.

Yes, it is the plight of poets and fortune tellers. You won’t understand me until it happens.

[Anonymous]

This bill gives school boards and superintendents political cover from the crazed fringe teacher associations and nutty parents to do the right thing this fall.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Excellent speech and courageous for a politician to say out loud that a 9 year old's life has more value than a 99 year olds.

That’s not exactly what he said and it’s just going to get people riled up phrasing it this way. Lets’s be accurate. He said “The death of a 99-year-old is not worth closing school for a 9-year-old.”

And I agree with him.

I completely disagree with him on that. No death is trivial and a human being who is 99 years old has so much experience and knowledge to share.

That said, we can give the 99 year old a vaccine AND open schools for 9 year olds, so let’s work on that. Right now, many counties are not doing well by their elders and have been extremely slow in getting them safely vaccinated.

I didn’t watch the speech. It seems like enough people here were impressed with it, but I am not. It sounds like he gave voice to the turbulent dissatisfaction and frustration so many parents have had with public schools, but I imagine he doesn’t have a good workable solution. Penalize schools financially if they don’t open? They already have their yearly budget!

I know it is emotionally fulfilling when people articulate so well the problems you see around you, but right now CP just seems to be pandering to the crowds and taking advantage of an emotionally charged situation. Better he volunteer at a vaccination clinic and figure out ways to speed the roll out, then tell diminish the death of a 99 year old.

In short, I want schools to open, too. Get the teachers and senior citizens vaccinated ASAP so we can do it.

Re: the bolded - he's attaching language to the budget saying they will withhold funding for school districts that don't offer an in-person option. So yes, he does actually have a stick for the schools.
https://richmond.com/news/local/education/dunnavant-morrissey-petersen-to-introduce-budget-amendment-requiring-schools-to-open-in-person-to-receive/article_e149f819-531c-5f1a-a127-b51985b8c04c.html

Yes, I imagine that appeals to the punishment hungry mob and it is why it is a popular means to “educational reform.” It doesn’t work. Whenever they come up with one of those “Meet this benchmark or don’t get paid” it just means schools start cutting corners, not improving education in a meaningful way.

The thing is if most adults are vaccinated by fall, there is no reason for schools to stay closed, so this whole “penalty” schtick is just a waste of time.

And hey, if it's just schtick and schools were going to open this fall anyway then no harm no foul.

This just adds a little bit of accountability to the equation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This bill gives school boards and superintendents political cover from the crazed fringe teacher associations and nutty parents to do the right thing this fall.

Right. They’re the reason schools aren’t open. You know what you should do - write “FEA and crazy parents” on a punching bag in thick sharpie, then have at it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This bill gives school boards and superintendents political cover from the crazed fringe teacher associations and nutty parents to do the right thing this fall.

Agree. They should welcome it. They could then fastforward the endless hand wringing and stressing and just go right to--we are opening 5 days a week this fall.

[Anonymous]

Preach Chap preach! So many excuses are made every day for this district and there is absolutely zero accountability.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: FCPS doesn't feel like education is the MOST important thing. I mean a school system has other priorities, right?
- 1 hour lesson from April-end of the school year.
-delay in start of school by two weeks in the fall
-3.5 hours of teaching time (including specials) for elem kids. count the hours
-moved Mondays from synchronous to asynchronous
- kept the teacher planning days when we have already lost Mondays.

If Brabrand felt like education was the most important thing we would not be here. But let's keep it real. The school board WE elected has been pretty useless so we should take some responsibility for this.

Yes, this is a part of my beef - what happened in March/April was a disaster, but I let that slide because it happened all at once/benefit of the doubt, but I am over it.

FCPS is clearly slow-rolling this with the tease of opening every month or so. Meanwhile, in Fairfax County, there's been exactly zero deaths of those 17 and under, 30 for those between 18-49, and 104 between 50-64. That's out of 56,000 cases. The vast, vast majority of deaths occur in those 65 and over. Seniors are teachers are both priority for the vaccine. Get the teachers vaccinated and get the kids back in school. This is ridiculous.

And this is not a long held view of mine. It has literally boiled over this past week as yet again opening dates are pushed back and the school board isn't even discussing it tonight.

Yes they are. So maybe you're wrong in your conclusion.

The rumor is they are, but as of 20 minutes ago there was nothing specific on the agenda on Board Docs about it. I’ve been looking.