WaPo Opinion by a brave teacher!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Give teachers vaccine and then send back kids full time- no hybrid. If teachers are vaccinated kids can be in school full-time without distancing.

100% right

Absolutely not— CDC guidelines require mitigation. Kids are not vaccinated and need protection. That doesn’t mean they need to be stuck DL.

+1. Private schools are working because they are doing masks and distancing. They aren’t cramming kids into a room. The only reason they can do 5 days is because their class sizes are smaller to begin with. It’s just a reality that large public schools have to do hybrid right now.

This is correct.

Vaccinate teachers, but also maintain social distancing and mask wearing and cleaning procedures for the kids in school.

I get it, you all want kids back in school, but don't lose your heads completely.

I thought it was the inability to distance which gave rise to the need for hybrid. At my school, the kids are packed in the classrooms like sardines. Hallways between classes look like subway corridors at rush hour..

[Anonymous]

As long as I’m vaccinated, I have no dog in this fight. It saddens me to see people from the same community rip each other apart over this but, at this point, I am just a spectator.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Give teachers vaccine and then send back kids full time- no hybrid. If teachers are vaccinated kids can be in school full-time without distancing.

100% right

Absolutely not— CDC guidelines require mitigation. Kids are not vaccinated and need protection. That doesn’t mean they need to be stuck DL.

+1. Private schools are working because they are doing masks and distancing. They aren’t cramming kids into a room. The only reason they can do 5 days is because their class sizes are smaller to begin with. It’s just a reality that large public schools have to do hybrid right now.

This is correct.

Vaccinate teachers, but also maintain social distancing and mask wearing and cleaning procedures for the kids in school.

I get it, you all want kids back in school, but don't lose your heads completely.

I thought it was the inability to distance which gave rise to the need for hybrid. At my school, the kids are packed in the classrooms like sardines. Hallways between classes look like subway corridors at rush hour..

Yes. The kids can go full time in the fall because by then vaccinations will have increased to the point of reduced spread. Right now spread is VERY HIGH so the kids still have to be distanced and masked to be safe in the building. Some parents, I swear.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Give teachers vaccine and then send back kids full time- no hybrid. If teachers are vaccinated kids can be in school full-time without distancing.

100% right

Absolutely not— CDC guidelines require mitigation. Kids are not vaccinated and need protection. That doesn’t mean they need to be stuck DL.

+1. Private schools are working because they are doing masks and distancing. They aren’t cramming kids into a room. The only reason they can do 5 days is because their class sizes are smaller to begin with. It’s just a reality that large public schools have to do hybrid right now.

This is correct.

Vaccinate teachers, but also maintain social distancing and mask wearing and cleaning procedures for the kids in school.

I get it, you all want kids back in school, but don't lose your heads completely.

I thought it was the inability to distance which gave rise to the need for hybrid. At my school, the kids are packed in the classrooms like sardines. Hallways between classes look like subway corridors at rush hour..

Yes. The kids can go full time in the fall because by then vaccinations will have increased to the point of reduced spread. Right now spread is VERY HIGH so the kids still have to be distanced and masked to be safe in the building. Some parents, I swear.

What do you consider “VERY HIGH”? If you look at the VDH site, every health region in VA has a reproduction rate less than 1, which I have always understood to be a desirable number. As of January 25 the Northern Region is at 0.708 and has dropped -0.636 over the past week.

https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/182/2021/01/UVA-COVID-19-Model-Weekly-Report-2021-01-29.pdf

ES Teacher

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m in Massachusetts and my 6th grade niece who I reside with and help raise has opted to stay home on DL despite a hybrid option. She knows what the in person requirements are at her school and they effectively remove all opportunities for normal social interaction with her friends and classmates, so she doesn’t want the stress involved in all the precautions when she won’t get much benefit of social interaction. She’s staying in touch with her friends via apps and games and she’s doing well in DL, loving math this year and getting all As.

Some kids are doing well on DL so I don’t think it’s fair to say it’s just across the board terrible. We are working class with working class resources.

DL isn’t ideal but we are in the middle of a pandemic with the highest daily death rate happening right now. When I read here I am often appalled by the lack of patience and the sense of entitlement. Is seems like many of you - and your children - would never have endured the Great Depression or the routine deprivations of WWII. Your kids are meant to be the future leaders of our country?

Well if it’s working for your niece, it must be fine for everyone else too.

And if it's not working for your kid, then it must not be working for anyone.

Wrong.

You have a niece who isn't even a student of a Virginia school. How do you know whether FCPS, APS...are doing a good job with DL? DL works for some kids and not for others. Schools need to open to accommodate students for whom DL isn't working. Parents with kids doing well with DL can still keep their kids home. Don't dismiss those who are saying DL isn't working for their kids. DL isn't optimal for any of my kids. For one, it's terrible. I have the resources to get a tutor to make up for that, but many families don't. My kids don't "need" to be back in school, but many do because they will be so behind when this is all over. You say you're working class with working class resources but don't get that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Give teachers vaccine and then send back kids full time- no hybrid. If teachers are vaccinated kids can be in school full-time without distancing.

100% right

Absolutely not— CDC guidelines require mitigation. Kids are not vaccinated and need protection. That doesn’t mean they need to be stuck DL.

+1. Private schools are working because they are doing masks and distancing. They aren’t cramming kids into a room. The only reason they can do 5 days is because their class sizes are smaller to begin with. It’s just a reality that large public schools have to do hybrid right now.

This is correct.

Vaccinate teachers, but also maintain social distancing and mask wearing and cleaning procedures for the kids in school.

I get it, you all want kids back in school, but don't lose your heads completely.

I thought it was the inability to distance which gave rise to the need for hybrid. At my school, the kids are packed in the classrooms like sardines. Hallways between classes look like subway corridors at rush hour..

Yes. The kids can go full time in the fall because by then vaccinations will have increased to the point of reduced spread. Right now spread is VERY HIGH so the kids still have to be distanced and masked to be safe in the building. Some parents, I swear.

What do you consider “VERY HIGH”? If you look at the VDH site, every health region in VA has a reproduction rate less than 1, which I have always understood to be a desirable number. As of January 25 the Northern Region is at 0.708 and has dropped -0.636 over the past week.

https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/182/2021/01/UVA-COVID-19-Model-Weekly-Report-2021-01-29.pdf

ES Teacher

All the brave teachers piping up now that they have vaccine priority

[Anonymous]

Why does it matter even if they are only weighing in because they have the vaccine? It is progress. They should have the vaccine because there are obvious risks associated with reopening buildings. There's no pleasing you people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m in Massachusetts and my 6th grade niece who I reside with and help raise has opted to stay home on DL despite a hybrid option. She knows what the in person requirements are at her school and they effectively remove all opportunities for normal social interaction with her friends and classmates, so she doesn’t want the stress involved in all the precautions when she won’t get much benefit of social interaction. She’s staying in touch with her friends via apps and games and she’s doing well in DL, loving math this year and getting all As.

Some kids are doing well on DL so I don’t think it’s fair to say it’s just across the board terrible. We are working class with working class resources.

DL isn’t ideal but we are in the middle of a pandemic with the highest daily death rate happening right now. When I read here I am often appalled by the lack of patience and the sense of entitlement. Is seems like many of you - and your children - would never have endured the Great Depression or the routine deprivations of WWII. Your kids are meant to be the future leaders of our country?

Well if it’s working for your niece, it must be fine for everyone else too.

And if it's not working for your kid, then it must not be working for anyone.

Wrong.

You have a niece who isn't even a student of a Virginia school. How do you know whether FCPS, APS...are doing a good job with DL? DL works for some kids and not for others. Schools need to open to accommodate students for whom DL isn't working. Parents with kids doing well with DL can still keep their kids home. Don't dismiss those who are saying DL isn't working for their kids. DL isn't optimal for any of my kids. For one, it's terrible. I have the resources to get a tutor to make up for that, but many families don't. My kids don't "need" to be back in school, but many do because they will be so behind when this is all over. You say you're working class with working class resources but don't get that?

Massachusetts has the best public schools in the country, and textbooks. I'm sure their DL is far superior than what we have. And what different does it make if a random kid in a random state that is NOT HERE is doing well? So what?

[Anonymous]

To all those using fear mongering to justify home teaching, you have to answer this obvious question - how private schools can teach in-person classes without issue, and you are having so many problems going back to school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To all those using fear mongering to justify home teaching, you have to answer this obvious question - how private schools can teach in-person classes without issue, and you are having so many problems going back to school?

Here, I’ll summarize their responses for you. They’ll say fewer kids, more space, better mask enforcement and can kick kids out.

The really answer is the school can’t afford to stay open if parents refuse to pay the tuition because of DL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes very brave to write this when a return to school plan returning kids in weeks in every system in this region has already been approved . So brave.

I think you're right. Coming on an anonymous forum and making a rude, sarcastic comment is so much braver.

Chef’s kiss!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Give teachers vaccine and then send back kids full time- no hybrid. If teachers are vaccinated kids can be in school full-time without distancing.

100% right

Absolutely not— CDC guidelines require mitigation. Kids are not vaccinated and need protection. That doesn’t mean they need to be stuck DL.

+1. Private schools are working because they are doing masks and distancing. They aren’t cramming kids into a room. The only reason they can do 5 days is because their class sizes are smaller to begin with. It’s just a reality that large public schools have to do hybrid right now.

This is correct.

Vaccinate teachers, but also maintain social distancing and mask wearing and cleaning procedures for the kids in school.

I get it, you all want kids back in school, but don't lose your heads completely.

I thought it was the inability to distance which gave rise to the need for hybrid. At my school, the kids are packed in the classrooms like sardines. Hallways between classes look like subway corridors at rush hour..

Yes. The kids can go full time in the fall because by then vaccinations will have increased to the point of reduced spread. Right now spread is VERY HIGH so the kids still have to be distanced and masked to be safe in the building. Some parents, I swear.

What do you consider “VERY HIGH”? If you look at the VDH site, every health region in VA has a reproduction rate less than 1, which I have always understood to be a desirable number. As of January 25 the Northern Region is at 0.708 and has dropped -0.636 over the past week.

https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/182/2021/01/UVA-COVID-19-Model-Weekly-Report-2021-01-29.pdf

ES Teacher

All the brave teachers piping up now that they have vaccine priority

PP here. I said the same thing in July when numbers were low. I’ve been willing to teach F2F since then. I’ve been teaching from my classroom. I’m not any more brave than I have been all school year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Give teachers vaccine and then send back kids full time- no hybrid. If teachers are vaccinated kids can be in school full-time without distancing.

Not 12+ so 6-12 need to be hybrid or all virtual.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why does it matter even if they are only weighing in because they have the vaccine? It is progress. They should have the vaccine because there are obvious risks associated with reopening buildings. There's no pleasing you people.

In my opinion the reason why it matters is because it’s too little too late. We’ll have been online for a year and I’m concerned we won’t be back five days in the fall and it’s not going to be up to the teachers to make the 5 day decision then. I’m concerned that because the kids won’t be vaccinated - we may still have to social distance then. I think we would’ve been better off being hybrid this year for most of this year rather than virtual most of the year. I don’t like having been virtual for a full year and then hybrid for who knows how long. I have slots for my kids in private so I’m voting with my feet but I wish it didn’t have to be that way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Regardless of what winds up happening with return to school, it is refreshing and helpful to hear the voice of a teacher who is willing to return to the classroom. All along, my disenchantment with the reopening schools dialog does not involve the real concerns teachers have about their health and the health of their families, but false narrative that DL is a fair substitute for in person learning. DL may be a necessary sacrifice made for health and safety, primarily of adult health and safety, but for children, it is not the same. Teachers are right to demand protections and that their safety be considered, but they cannot at the same time shrug off the downside of long term closures. That's the problem in a nutshell.

Yes. DL is horrible for many students. teachers are unable to effectively do their job, especially for elementary. Similar to a grocery store worker or dental assistant, it’s not a job that can be done remotely.