DC now in CDC moderate range for schools - what will this mean for reopening?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You all need to face reality. There will be NO full classes for the REST OF THIS YEAR. This is actually not a WTU decision, as you can tell they have no more leverage and have been trying to advocate for funding. Which is what YOU should be doing. Because we are UNDERFUNDED, don't be fooled with that fake stimulus money.

I am a teacher on my school's LSAT and we are being told to plan next year as a REGULAR FULL YEAR. However there are no guarantees it will be full capacity. Especially with budget cuts.

I don't understand why budget cuts would prevent schools from opening full-time next year. If the CDC relaxes the 6-foot guideline (which I think they will this summer, for schools anyway), why would schools need more money to operate as they have in the past?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:uh No.

DCPS has washed their hands of this. Their work is done and self congrats have gone out. The students are back. Haven't you heard?

This. I am not hopeful. They have delegated the matter to the principals who do as they see fit. Everybody can now say schools are open, never mind that the demand was not met. The pressure is off. It's disgraceful.

is that true? I have no general data only anecdotal evidence, but in our case my HS kid and a group of peer in her scout group were offered a spot in school and all turned it down. when we turned it down (at Wilson) the teacher mentioned that apparently the school was not getting a lot of positive responses (I was also surprised because none of the kids is at risk and at least two of them are excellent students). so got the impression that there was not really a stampede to go back to class, at least in HS (friends with early ES kids all happily accepted the spots offered in my experience)

Demand was not met for many early grades at my kids’ Title I elementary, but a number of families with resources that were left out have now bailed for—or are looking to—bail for private b/c it’s just so untenable. I can’t believe it, I’m in PTO and LSAT and a big booster for my school—but if full time school proves to be off the table next year, our family may bail, too. Maybe temporarily relocate somewhere with full-time schooling.

Demand was not met at our Upper NW elementary either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You all need to face reality. There will be NO full classes for the REST OF THIS YEAR. This is actually not a WTU decision, as you can tell they have no more leverage and have been trying to advocate for funding. Which is what YOU should be doing. Because we are UNDERFUNDED, don't be fooled with that fake stimulus money.

I am a teacher on my school's LSAT and we are being told to plan next year as a REGULAR FULL YEAR. However there are no guarantees it will be full capacity. Especially with budget cuts.

What is this supposed to mean? A regular full year only for part of the students, while others have to stay home?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You all need to face reality. There will be NO full classes for the REST OF THIS YEAR. This is actually not a WTU decision, as you can tell they have no more leverage and have been trying to advocate for funding. Which is what YOU should be doing. Because we are UNDERFUNDED, don't be fooled with that fake stimulus money.

I am a teacher on my school's LSAT and we are being told to plan next year as a REGULAR FULL YEAR. However there are no guarantees it will be full capacity. Especially with budget cuts.

What’s a REGULAR FULL YEAR?

Does that mean 5 days a week full time in person? Also are you talking school year or calendar year?

What a lot of you don't seem to understand is that we are STILL IN THE MIDDLE OF A PANDEMIC! The plan for next year seems to be that students will be back in person next year, but things could change significantly if the situation with the pandemic changes. There are plan, but those plans could be thrown out the window depending on what happens. The fact that so many of you seem to think that we can and should know exactly what is going to happen shows me that you are not paying attention (or else have not been heavily impacted by the pandemic, and therefore assume no one else has either).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You all need to face reality. There will be NO full classes for the REST OF THIS YEAR. This is actually not a WTU decision, as you can tell they have no more leverage and have been trying to advocate for funding. Which is what YOU should be doing. Because we are UNDERFUNDED, don't be fooled with that fake stimulus money.

I am a teacher on my school's LSAT and we are being told to plan next year as a REGULAR FULL YEAR. However there are no guarantees it will be full capacity. Especially with budget cuts.

What’s a REGULAR FULL YEAR?

Does that mean 5 days a week full time in person? Also are you talking school year or calendar year?

What a lot of you don't seem to understand is that we are STILL IN THE MIDDLE OF A PANDEMIC! The plan for next year seems to be that students will be back in person next year, but things could change significantly if the situation with the pandemic changes. There are plan, but those plans could be thrown out the window depending on what happens. The fact that so many of you seem to think that we can and should know exactly what is going to happen shows me that you are not paying attention (or else have not been heavily impacted by the pandemic, and therefore assume no one else has either).

DP. No, some of us just assume that at some point, regular full-time school must happen again no matter what happens with the pandemic. Just like in other countries, education has to become a non-negotiable priority. It’s not like what has happened with the schools so far was truly inevitable, and as if school closures have been dictated by the pandemic. This society has chosen to respond this way. Just screaming “pandemic!” doesn’t justify continuing with this response in definitely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:uh No.

DCPS has washed their hands of this. Their work is done and self congrats have gone out. The students are back. Haven't you heard?

This. I am not hopeful. They have delegated the matter to the principals who do as they see fit. Everybody can now say schools are open, never mind that the demand was not met. The pressure is off. It's disgraceful.

is that true? I have no general data only anecdotal evidence, but in our case my HS kid and a group of peer in her scout group were offered a spot in school and all turned it down. when we turned it down (at Wilson) the teacher mentioned that apparently the school was not getting a lot of positive responses (I was also surprised because none of the kids is at risk and at least two of them are excellent students). so got the impression that there was not really a stampede to go back to class, at least in HS (friends with early ES kids all happily accepted the spots offered in my experience)

Demand was not met for many early grades at my kids’ Title I elementary, but a number of families with resources that were left out have now bailed for—or are looking to—bail for private b/c it’s just so untenable. I can’t believe it, I’m in PTO and LSAT and a big booster for my school—but if full time school proves to be off the table next year, our family may bail, too. Maybe temporarily relocate somewhere with full-time schooling.

They won't get in. The applications for private elementary are so high for this coming year that only a very, very small fraction of kids will get in anywhere. There will be a lot of kids who are back in public for the fall or leaving the area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:uh No.

DCPS has washed their hands of this. Their work is done and self congrats have gone out. The students are back. Haven't you heard?

This. I am not hopeful. They have delegated the matter to the principals who do as they see fit. Everybody can now say schools are open, never mind that the demand was not met. The pressure is off. It's disgraceful.

is that true? I have no general data only anecdotal evidence, but in our case my HS kid and a group of peer in her scout group were offered a spot in school and all turned it down. when we turned it down (at Wilson) the teacher mentioned that apparently the school was not getting a lot of positive responses (I was also surprised because none of the kids is at risk and at least two of them are excellent students). so got the impression that there was not really a stampede to go back to class, at least in HS (friends with early ES kids all happily accepted the spots offered in my experience)

Demand was not met for many early grades at my kids’ Title I elementary, but a number of families with resources that were left out have now bailed for—or are looking to—bail for private b/c it’s just so untenable. I can’t believe it, I’m in PTO and LSAT and a big booster for my school—but if full time school proves to be off the table next year, our family may bail, too. Maybe temporarily relocate somewhere with full-time schooling.

They won't get in. The applications for private elementary are so high for this coming year that only a very, very small fraction of kids will get in anywhere. There will be a lot of kids who are back in public for the fall or leaving the area.

Don't discount the flight potential. I know several families who have already done it. We're considering it ourselves. Given the realities of remote working these days, I would not be surprised to see a measurables exodus of families if schools don't return.

[Anonymous]

I would be very surprised if we are not in-person in the fall. Infection rates and vaccination access for all adults will be wide open by then. I also think it matters that unlike before, all the key levels of DC and federal leadership are now in the same party, and they know the political penalty will be untenable if they fail.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would be very surprised if we are not in-person in the fall. Infection rates and vaccination access for all adults will be wide open by then. I also think it matters that unlike before, all the key levels of DC and federal leadership are now in the same party, and they know the political penalty will be untenable if they fail.

Sorry, meant to say infection rates will be much lower and vaccination access for all adults will be wide open by the fall. That and the political ownership of school reopenings will make it more likely that schools are in person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You all need to face reality. There will be NO full classes for the REST OF THIS YEAR. This is actually not a WTU decision, as you can tell they have no more leverage and have been trying to advocate for funding. Which is what YOU should be doing. Because we are UNDERFUNDED, don't be fooled with that fake stimulus money.

I am a teacher on my school's LSAT and we are being told to plan next year as a REGULAR FULL YEAR. However there are no guarantees it will be full capacity. Especially with budget cuts.

What is this supposed to mean? A regular full year only for part of the students, while others have to stay home?

I meant a regular year, as in with all students back, full time. This however is not guaranteed, I am only saying this is what is planned for Fall.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would be very surprised if we are not in-person in the fall. Infection rates and vaccination access for all adults will be wide open by then. I also think it matters that unlike before, all the key levels of DC and federal leadership are now in the same party, and they know the political penalty will be untenable if they fail.

Like, the Biden administration has to start to realize that some of us WHO ARE SUPPOSED TO BE WORKING ON THE ADMINISTRATION'S POLICIES have to do so half-assed because our kids are still at home. I would think the administration would see a direct benefit to getting kids in schools full-time in DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would be very surprised if we are not in-person in the fall. Infection rates and vaccination access for all adults will be wide open by then. I also think it matters that unlike before, all the key levels of DC and federal leadership are now in the same party, and they know the political penalty will be untenable if they fail.

Sorry, meant to say infection rates will be much lower and vaccination access for all adults will be wide open by the fall. That and the political ownership of school reopenings will make it more likely that schools are in person.

I think you are right on this. Teacher furor and parent complacency regarding school opening were partly driven by political reaction rather than consideration of the facts and consequences. Things will hopefully be different now that we have a serious federal administration.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:uh No.

DCPS has washed their hands of this. Their work is done and self congrats have gone out. The students are back. Haven't you heard?

This. I am not hopeful. They have delegated the matter to the principals who do as they see fit. Everybody can now say schools are open, never mind that the demand was not met. The pressure is off. It's disgraceful.

is that true? I have no general data only anecdotal evidence, but in our case my HS kid and a group of peer in her scout group were offered a spot in school and all turned it down. when we turned it down (at Wilson) the teacher mentioned that apparently the school was not getting a lot of positive responses (I was also surprised because none of the kids is at risk and at least two of them are excellent students). so got the impression that there was not really a stampede to go back to class, at least in HS (friends with early ES kids all happily accepted the spots offered in my experience)

Demand was not met for many early grades at my kids’ Title I elementary, but a number of families with resources that were left out have now bailed for—or are looking to—bail for private b/c it’s just so untenable. I can’t believe it, I’m in PTO and LSAT and a big booster for my school—but if full time school proves to be off the table next year, our family may bail, too. Maybe temporarily relocate somewhere with full-time schooling.

They won't get in. The applications for private elementary are so high for this coming year that only a very, very small fraction of kids will get in anywhere. There will be a lot of kids who are back in public for the fall or leaving the area.

Don't discount the flight potential. I know several families who have already done it. We're considering it ourselves. Given the realities of remote working these days, I would not be surprised to see a measurables exodus of families if schools don't return.

It's already happening. If we don't get a confirmation for next fall by our school by end of this school year, we'll be joining.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You all need to face reality. There will be NO full classes for the REST OF THIS YEAR. This is actually not a WTU decision, as you can tell they have no more leverage and have been trying to advocate for funding. Which is what YOU should be doing. Because we are UNDERFUNDED, don't be fooled with that fake stimulus money.

I am a teacher on my school's LSAT and we are being told to plan next year as a REGULAR FULL YEAR. However there are no guarantees it will be full capacity. Especially with budget cuts.

What’s a REGULAR FULL YEAR?

Does that mean 5 days a week full time in person? Also are you talking school year or calendar year?

What a lot of you don't seem to understand is that we are STILL IN THE MIDDLE OF A PANDEMIC! The plan for next year seems to be that students will be back in person next year, but things could change significantly if the situation with the pandemic changes. There are plan, but those plans could be thrown out the window depending on what happens. The fact that so many of you seem to think that we can and should know exactly what is going to happen shows me that you are not paying attention (or else have not been heavily impacted by the pandemic, and therefore assume no one else has either).

DP. No, some of us just assume that at some point, regular full-time school must happen again no matter what happens with the pandemic. Just like in other countries, education has to become a non-negotiable priority. It’s not like what has happened with the schools so far was truly inevitable, and as if school closures have been dictated by the pandemic. This society has chosen to respond this way. Just screaming “pandemic!” doesn’t justify continuing with this response in definitely.

Exactly this. At this point, either the pandemic fades or it doesn't, but either way school needs to resume. This cannot continue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:uh No.

DCPS has washed their hands of this. Their work is done and self congrats have gone out. The students are back. Haven't you heard?

This. I am not hopeful. They have delegated the matter to the principals who do as they see fit. Everybody can now say schools are open, never mind that the demand was not met. The pressure is off. It's disgraceful.

is that true? I have no general data only anecdotal evidence, but in our case my HS kid and a group of peer in her scout group were offered a spot in school and all turned it down. when we turned it down (at Wilson) the teacher mentioned that apparently the school was not getting a lot of positive responses (I was also surprised because none of the kids is at risk and at least two of them are excellent students). so got the impression that there was not really a stampede to go back to class, at least in HS (friends with early ES kids all happily accepted the spots offered in my experience)

Demand was not met for many early grades at my kids’ Title I elementary, but a number of families with resources that were left out have now bailed for—or are looking to—bail for private b/c it’s just so untenable. I can’t believe it, I’m in PTO and LSAT and a big booster for my school—but if full time school proves to be off the table next year, our family may bail, too. Maybe temporarily relocate somewhere with full-time schooling.

They won't get in. The applications for private elementary are so high for this coming year that only a very, very small fraction of kids will get in anywhere. There will be a lot of kids who are back in public for the fall or leaving the area.

Don't discount the flight potential. I know several families who have already done it. We're considering it ourselves. Given the realities of remote working these days, I would not be surprised to see a measurables exodus of families if schools don't return.

Yes, we will be leaving as well. We're in healthcare and we can find work anywhere and we're not from DC. We like DC but we're not going to stay here and raise children without in-person school.
My kid's class in our upper NW school is down to 16 kids. Leaving town is all everyone talks about in small talk. Mainly because very few people are from here. We like DC but we have connections and family elsewhere.
So it's been in the back (or front) of our minds since we had kids: "are we staying in DC or leaving at some point?" This will push a lot of people like us over the edge. Not everyone has jobs that are portable but enough do and will leave.