How bad is your APS back to school experience?

[Anonymous]

My 1st grader is happy! Not normal school, but way better than virtual. We'd done ok, but she'd gone off the rails a bit and I was losing my mind trying to work and help her. It's much better now that she has some in the building time.

[Anonymous]

Both my MS and HS kids have 2 teachers virtual out of 7, but these are in classes that were the least important this year anyway--so it's fine. My HS kid really has thrived with his in person teachers already in 2 weeks--a huge improvement. My MS kid is bored in class but prefers to be at school. Overall we are happy and grateful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Middle school. We have several of my child's teachers teaching from home. WTF. They have to type their questions into their laptop even with the in person teachers. Again. WTF.

It is almost like they set it all up out of spite. The kids are still looking at the screens. But, they are enjoying being around other kids.

Sadly I agree with the spite intent. I think APS is trying very hard to get more kids to commit to virtual. It would solve a lot of their problems and alleviate them from actually making the effort to do their job the right way. ridiculous

GMAFB. If they didn’t do concurrent they’d have to change the teacher assignments - again. Or have three asynchronous days for the hybrid kids.

It’s not a great solution but the best one we have given the circumstances. And it’s disgusting that some parents are trying to vilify teachers/APS for doing their best during a deadly pandemic. Truly disgusting.

PP here - I wasn't vilifying teachers, my response was directed at APS. I personally love most of my children's teachers and know they are doing the best with the hand they are dealt. APS is to blame for the horrific rollout.

Like I said, it’s disgusting that some parents are trying to vilify APS for doing their best during a deadly pandemic. Truly disgusting.

What do you want - you want them to swap around the teachers again?

I’m not pp, but if it is true that principals are allowed to let their teachers continue teaching from home just because they want to, that is a massive failure that needs to be corrected quickly. That’s not APS “doing their best.”

Deciding which teachers work from home vs. school is an APS decision. It's not a "failure".

The PPs were complaining about concurrent. The point was that the decision to go with concurrent was NOT made out of spite - they were trying to avoid reshuffling class assignments again.

[Anonymous]

I do support parents who talk about divergent experiences at different APS ES's. We have personally experienced two stark realities: a very poorly run APS ES and an excellent APS ES. It is really unfortunate that APS doesn't have more oversight over quality and principal decisions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Middle school. We have several of my child's teachers teaching from home. WTF. They have to type their questions into their laptop even with the in person teachers. Again. WTF.

It is almost like they set it all up out of spite. The kids are still looking at the screens. But, they are enjoying being around other kids.

Sadly I agree with the spite intent. I think APS is trying very hard to get more kids to commit to virtual. It would solve a lot of their problems and alleviate them from actually making the effort to do their job the right way. ridiculous

GMAFB. If they didn’t do concurrent they’d have to change the teacher assignments - again. Or have three asynchronous days for the hybrid kids.

It’s not a great solution but the best one we have given the circumstances. And it’s disgusting that some parents are trying to vilify teachers/APS for doing their best during a deadly pandemic. Truly disgusting.

PP here - I wasn't vilifying teachers, my response was directed at APS. I personally love most of my children's teachers and know they are doing the best with the hand they are dealt. APS is to blame for the horrific rollout.

Like I said, it’s disgusting that some parents are trying to vilify APS for doing their best during a deadly pandemic. Truly disgusting.

What do you want - you want them to swap around the teachers again?

I’m not pp, but if it is true that principals are allowed to let their teachers continue teaching from home just because they want to, that is a massive failure that needs to be corrected quickly. That’s not APS “doing their best.”

Deciding which teachers work from home vs. school is an APS decision. It's not a "failure".

The PPs were complaining about concurrent. The point was that the decision to go with concurrent was NOT made out of spite - they were trying to avoid reshuffling class assignments again.

Choosing to have 7 yos get only an hour of in person learning, with the rest via Teams as a result of teacher preference, is a failure of APS to set guidelines.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Middle school. We have several of my child's teachers teaching from home. WTF. They have to type their questions into their laptop even with the in person teachers. Again. WTF.

It is almost like they set it all up out of spite. The kids are still looking at the screens. But, they are enjoying being around other kids.

Sadly I agree with the spite intent. I think APS is trying very hard to get more kids to commit to virtual. It would solve a lot of their problems and alleviate them from actually making the effort to do their job the right way. ridiculous

GMAFB. If they didn’t do concurrent they’d have to change the teacher assignments - again. Or have three asynchronous days for the hybrid kids.

It’s not a great solution but the best one we have given the circumstances. And it’s disgusting that some parents are trying to vilify teachers/APS for doing their best during a deadly pandemic. Truly disgusting.

PP here - I wasn't vilifying teachers, my response was directed at APS. I personally love most of my children's teachers and know they are doing the best with the hand they are dealt. APS is to blame for the horrific rollout.

Like I said, it’s disgusting that some parents are trying to vilify APS for doing their best during a deadly pandemic. Truly disgusting.

What do you want - you want them to swap around the teachers again?

I’m not pp, but if it is true that principals are allowed to let their teachers continue teaching from home just because they want to, that is a massive failure that needs to be corrected quickly. That’s not APS “doing their best.”

Deciding which teachers work from home vs. school is an APS decision. It's not a "failure".

The PPs were complaining about concurrent. The point was that the decision to go with concurrent was NOT made out of spite - they were trying to avoid reshuffling class assignments again.

Choosing to have 7 yos get only an hour of in person learning, with the rest via Teams as a result of teacher preference, is a failure of APS to set guidelines.

the lawyers for the lawsuit against APS must be gobbling this up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I do support parents who talk about divergent experiences at different APS ES's. We have personally experienced two stark realities: a very poorly run APS ES and an excellent APS ES. It is really unfortunate that APS doesn't have more oversight over quality and principal decisions.

I appreciate this. I have had at least one kid in APS for 8 years and the last year has really opened my eyes to how drastically different things are from one school to the next. For those who feel like their kids have great teachers and want to stick with them, I am glad for you, truly. My ES kid's teachers have been awful. Some of my MS kid's teachers have been okay and some have been pretty great. But when I hear from the "system" level about the kinds of 1:1 attention and support these kids are allegedly getting, I have to wonder...where is it?? I mean, we have been really, really struggling over the last year (multiple deaths in the family, one due to COVID; I work in healthcare; MS kid was failing multiple classes) and the response at the teacher/principal level is sometimes laughably bad and sometimes just offensive. And of course, if you try to contact APS you just get an automated reply that assures you they read it and you'll never get a reply. This is not a huge system that has no resources; they just do not seem to care.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Middle school. We have several of my child's teachers teaching from home. WTF. They have to type their questions into their laptop even with the in person teachers. Again. WTF.

It is almost like they set it all up out of spite. The kids are still looking at the screens. But, they are enjoying being around other kids.

Sadly I agree with the spite intent. I think APS is trying very hard to get more kids to commit to virtual. It would solve a lot of their problems and alleviate them from actually making the effort to do their job the right way. ridiculous

GMAFB. If they didn’t do concurrent they’d have to change the teacher assignments - again. Or have three asynchronous days for the hybrid kids.

It’s not a great solution but the best one we have given the circumstances. And it’s disgusting that some parents are trying to vilify teachers/APS for doing their best during a deadly pandemic. Truly disgusting.

PP here - I wasn't vilifying teachers, my response was directed at APS. I personally love most of my children's teachers and know they are doing the best with the hand they are dealt. APS is to blame for the horrific rollout.

Like I said, it’s disgusting that some parents are trying to vilify APS for doing their best during a deadly pandemic. Truly disgusting.

What do you want - you want them to swap around the teachers again?

I’m not pp, but if it is true that principals are allowed to let their teachers continue teaching from home just because they want to, that is a massive failure that needs to be corrected quickly. That’s not APS “doing their best.”

Deciding which teachers work from home vs. school is an APS decision. It's not a "failure".

The PPs were complaining about concurrent. The point was that the decision to go with concurrent was NOT made out of spite - they were trying to avoid reshuffling class assignments again.

Choosing to have 7 yos get only an hour of in person learning, with the rest via Teams as a result of teacher preference, is a failure of APS to set guidelines.

Is this Glebe? Just go talk to the principal already.

This isn't the case for the vast majority of APS elementary schools. Stop acting like it's a universal issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Middle school. We have several of my child's teachers teaching from home. WTF. They have to type their questions into their laptop even with the in person teachers. Again. WTF.

It is almost like they set it all up out of spite. The kids are still looking at the screens. But, they are enjoying being around other kids.

Sadly I agree with the spite intent. I think APS is trying very hard to get more kids to commit to virtual. It would solve a lot of their problems and alleviate them from actually making the effort to do their job the right way. ridiculous

GMAFB. If they didn’t do concurrent they’d have to change the teacher assignments - again. Or have three asynchronous days for the hybrid kids.

It’s not a great solution but the best one we have given the circumstances. And it’s disgusting that some parents are trying to vilify teachers/APS for doing their best during a deadly pandemic. Truly disgusting.

PP here - I wasn't vilifying teachers, my response was directed at APS. I personally love most of my children's teachers and know they are doing the best with the hand they are dealt. APS is to blame for the horrific rollout.

Like I said, it’s disgusting that some parents are trying to vilify APS for doing their best during a deadly pandemic. Truly disgusting.

What do you want - you want them to swap around the teachers again?

I’m not pp, but if it is true that principals are allowed to let their teachers continue teaching from home just because they want to, that is a massive failure that needs to be corrected quickly. That’s not APS “doing their best.”

Deciding which teachers work from home vs. school is an APS decision. It's not a "failure".

The PPs were complaining about concurrent. The point was that the decision to go with concurrent was NOT made out of spite - they were trying to avoid reshuffling class assignments again.

Choosing to have 7 yos get only an hour of in person learning, with the rest via Teams as a result of teacher preference, is a failure of APS to set guidelines.

Is this Glebe? Just go talk to the principal already.

This isn't the case for the vast majority of APS elementary schools. Stop acting like it's a universal issue.

You think parents haven't spoke to the principal? She doesn't care. APS won't respond to attempts at contact. You literally get an email back from APS stating that they've receive too many emails and won't be replying. There is no option but to try to raise public notice to try to get APS to take action.

[Anonymous]

Is this Glebe? Just go talk to the principal already.

This isn't the case for the vast majority of APS elementary schools. Stop acting like it's a universal issue.

You think parents haven't spoke to the principal? She doesn't care. APS won't respond to attempts at contact. You literally get an email back from APS stating that they've receive too many emails and won't be replying. There is no option but to try to raise public notice to try to get APS to take action.

Maybe so, but STOP making it sound like ALL APS schools are this way, and that everyone is having a bad experience. It simply isn't true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a K-2 student. She gets about an hour of instruction in person on days that she's at school. All other instruction is still via Teams. The teachers have chosen to departmentalize, but are refusing to switch classrooms, so only one subject is in person. The one in person class is being taught concurrently to a second in person class.. All specials are by Teams.

I'm extremely disappointed in APS. I can't believe anyone thinks this is appropriate. If teachers don't want to switch classrooms, then stop departmentalization temporarily. Teaching 7 yos by Teams when a qualified in person teacher is available and in the classroom is unconscionable.

This is incredible. They are supposed to be professionals and understand education. It is obvious that they are not qualified for their positions.

The principal's reasoning is literally that the won't ask teachers to prep and teach all core subjects because their school policy is departmentalization.

WTAF, since when do you need to departmentalize 1st grade curriculum. What school is this? I have two kids in k-2. They are getting their teacher for half a day for each in person day and an aide (repurposed Extended Day staff) for the other half of the day (teacher moves to the 2nd room). My kids are so happy to be back in the building and with their friends, but this isn't challenging from an educational perspective. We need to get back to 5 days in person this fall!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Is this Glebe? Just go talk to the principal already.

This isn't the case for the vast majority of APS elementary schools. Stop acting like it's a universal issue.

You think parents haven't spoke to the principal? She doesn't care. APS won't respond to attempts at contact. You literally get an email back from APS stating that they've receive too many emails and won't be replying. There is no option but to try to raise public notice to try to get APS to take action.

Maybe so, but STOP making it sound like ALL APS schools are this way, and that everyone is having a bad experience. It simply isn't true.

So because you don't have this issue it's not important? This is a universal issue because APS isn't getting guidelines for any school. Some aren't offering handouts so kids can work on paper. Some aren't offering outdoor lunch. Some aren't offering in person instruction, while others are. APS needs to provide guidance and oversight rather than letting APS principals make public health decisions with zero oversight and accountability.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Is this Glebe? Just go talk to the principal already.

This isn't the case for the vast majority of APS elementary schools. Stop acting like it's a universal issue.

You think parents haven't spoke to the principal? She doesn't care. APS won't respond to attempts at contact. You literally get an email back from APS stating that they've receive too many emails and won't be replying. There is no option but to try to raise public notice to try to get APS to take action.

Maybe so, but STOP making it sound like ALL APS schools are this way, and that everyone is having a bad experience. It simply isn't true.

So because you don't have this issue it's not important? This is a universal issue because APS isn't getting guidelines for any school. Some aren't offering handouts so kids can work on paper. Some aren't offering outdoor lunch. Some aren't offering in person instruction, while others are. APS needs to provide guidance and oversight rather than letting APS principals make public health decisions with zero oversight and accountability.

Departmentalizing isn't a public health decision.

[Anonymous]

I'm so glad I don't teach at APS and I'm going to try to remember to thank my kid's APS teachers whenever I see them and send them gifts at end of the year. APS parents are so high maintenance and exhausting. Take a deep breath and get over yourselves and your tiny problems.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Middle school. We have several of my child's teachers teaching from home. WTF. They have to type their questions into their laptop even with the in person teachers. Again. WTF.

It is almost like they set it all up out of spite. The kids are still looking at the screens. But, they are enjoying being around other kids.

Sadly I agree with the spite intent. I think APS is trying very hard to get more kids to commit to virtual. It would solve a lot of their problems and alleviate them from actually making the effort to do their job the right way. ridiculous

GMAFB. If they didn’t do concurrent they’d have to change the teacher assignments - again. Or have three asynchronous days for the hybrid kids.

It’s not a great solution but the best one we have given the circumstances. And it’s disgusting that some parents are trying to vilify teachers/APS for doing their best during a deadly pandemic. Truly disgusting.

PP here - I wasn't vilifying teachers, my response was directed at APS. I personally love most of my children's teachers and know they are doing the best with the hand they are dealt. APS is to blame for the horrific rollout.

Like I said, it’s disgusting that some parents are trying to vilify APS for doing their best during a deadly pandemic. Truly disgusting.

What do you want - you want them to swap around the teachers again?

I’m not pp, but if it is true that principals are allowed to let their teachers continue teaching from home just because they want to, that is a massive failure that needs to be corrected quickly. That’s not APS “doing their best.”

Deciding which teachers work from home vs. school is an APS decision. It's not a "failure".

The PPs were complaining about concurrent. The point was that the decision to go with concurrent was NOT made out of spite - they were trying to avoid reshuffling class assignments again.

Concurrent is a necessity, not a failure. Agreed. Allowing teachers to choose for whatever reason they want (not necessarily health related) to teach concurrently from home while kids are physically back in buildings, if true, is a charade and a failure.