APS School Board meeting last night - who watched?

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As the parent, I refuse to believe that not offering more days of in person education for K-2 students is better for any community. That's nonsense. Young kids don't learn well online. These kids have lost more than a year of in person instruction.

If communities need support to help get kids to school or to assist with logistical challenges, APS should figure out how to support its neediest learners. Not providing more in person opportunities is the opposite of support.

YUP.. this is the problem, APS is NOT TRYING. There are ways to be creative to make in-person learning possible but APS is standing down and not trying at all.

Yes, creative things like parents having to provide transportation (not easy for all families) or changing a teacher in Q4.

WHY WON'T THEY DO THESE THINGS BECAUSE I AM DEMANDING THEM?!?!?!?!!

Duran has only spoken to not having transportation for all students for 4 days a week. He's never discussed what would be available for K-2. We have no way to know.

The model for K-2 wouldn't require switching teachers to go to 4 days. Maybe reassigning classrooms, but teachers wouldn't change.

(To the fanatical immersion parent, I'm not talking about immersion.)

Why don't you ask him - in an adult manner? And/or ask the board?

Clearly, they've looked at it and that is how PK is going back 4 days.

If they aren't responsive, FOIA the documents pertaining to the analysis that lead to the PK decision.

Has anyone had any success with actually communicating with Duran? I'm not being sarcastic, but asking an honest question. From what I can tell, he hasn't responded to anyone or provided any context outside of the meetings and emails.

Yes, I have. Meetings and emails.

And who are you? It doesn't happen for normal parents.

I'm a normal parent, I think. As normal as any of us are anyway, and I was just answering the PP's honest question honestly.

How did you schedule a meeting with Duran? Maybe your tips can help PP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As the parent, I refuse to believe that not offering more days of in person education for K-2 students is better for any community. That's nonsense. Young kids don't learn well online. These kids have lost more than a year of in person instruction.

If communities need support to help get kids to school or to assist with logistical challenges, APS should figure out how to support its neediest learners. Not providing more in person opportunities is the opposite of support.

YUP.. this is the problem, APS is NOT TRYING. There are ways to be creative to make in-person learning possible but APS is standing down and not trying at all.

Yes, creative things like parents having to provide transportation (not easy for all families) or changing a teacher in Q4.

WHY WON'T THEY DO THESE THINGS BECAUSE I AM DEMANDING THEM?!?!?!?!!

Duran has only spoken to not having transportation for all students for 4 days a week. He's never discussed what would be available for K-2. We have no way to know.

The model for K-2 wouldn't require switching teachers to go to 4 days. Maybe reassigning classrooms, but teachers wouldn't change.

(To the fanatical immersion parent, I'm not talking about immersion.)

Why don't you ask him - in an adult manner? And/or ask the board?

Clearly, they've looked at it and that is how PK is going back 4 days.

If they aren't responsive, FOIA the documents pertaining to the analysis that lead to the PK decision.

Has anyone had any success with actually communicating with Duran? I'm not being sarcastic, but asking an honest question. From what I can tell, he hasn't responded to anyone or provided any context outside of the meetings and emails.

Yes, I have. Meetings and emails.

And who are you? It doesn't happen for normal parents.

I'm a normal parent, I think. As normal as any of us are anyway, and I was just answering the PP's honest question honestly.

How did you schedule a meeting with Duran? Maybe your tips can help PP.

I have a friend who works at Syphax and they asked his chief of staff if it was possible and ok to set something up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As the parent, I refuse to believe that not offering more days of in person education for K-2 students is better for any community. That's nonsense. Young kids don't learn well online. These kids have lost more than a year of in person instruction.

If communities need support to help get kids to school or to assist with logistical challenges, APS should figure out how to support its neediest learners. Not providing more in person opportunities is the opposite of support.

YUP.. this is the problem, APS is NOT TRYING. There are ways to be creative to make in-person learning possible but APS is standing down and not trying at all.

Yes, creative things like parents having to provide transportation (not easy for all families) or changing a teacher in Q4.

WHY WON'T THEY DO THESE THINGS BECAUSE I AM DEMANDING THEM?!?!?!?!!

Duran has only spoken to not having transportation for all students for 4 days a week. He's never discussed what would be available for K-2. We have no way to know.

The model for K-2 wouldn't require switching teachers to go to 4 days. Maybe reassigning classrooms, but teachers wouldn't change.

(To the fanatical immersion parent, I'm not talking about immersion.)

Why don't you ask him - in an adult manner? And/or ask the board?

Clearly, they've looked at it and that is how PK is going back 4 days.

If they aren't responsive, FOIA the documents pertaining to the analysis that lead to the PK decision.

Has anyone had any success with actually communicating with Duran? I'm not being sarcastic, but asking an honest question. From what I can tell, he hasn't responded to anyone or provided any context outside of the meetings and emails.

Yes, I have. Meetings and emails.

And who are you? It doesn't happen for normal parents.

I'm a normal parent, I think. As normal as any of us are anyway, and I was just answering the PP's honest question honestly.

How did you schedule a meeting with Duran? Maybe your tips can help PP.

I have a friend who works at Syphax and they asked his chief of staff if it was possible and ok to set something up.

Please tell me you're trolling and you aren't oblivious to how you worked connections.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As the parent, I refuse to believe that not offering more days of in person education for K-2 students is better for any community. That's nonsense. Young kids don't learn well online. These kids have lost more than a year of in person instruction.

If communities need support to help get kids to school or to assist with logistical challenges, APS should figure out how to support its neediest learners. Not providing more in person opportunities is the opposite of support.

YUP.. this is the problem, APS is NOT TRYING. There are ways to be creative to make in-person learning possible but APS is standing down and not trying at all.

Yes, creative things like parents having to provide transportation (not easy for all families) or changing a teacher in Q4.

WHY WON'T THEY DO THESE THINGS BECAUSE I AM DEMANDING THEM?!?!?!?!!

Duran has only spoken to not having transportation for all students for 4 days a week. He's never discussed what would be available for K-2. We have no way to know.

The model for K-2 wouldn't require switching teachers to go to 4 days. Maybe reassigning classrooms, but teachers wouldn't change.

(To the fanatical immersion parent, I'm not talking about immersion.)

Why don't you ask him - in an adult manner? And/or ask the board?

Clearly, they've looked at it and that is how PK is going back 4 days.

If they aren't responsive, FOIA the documents pertaining to the analysis that lead to the PK decision.

Has anyone had any success with actually communicating with Duran? I'm not being sarcastic, but asking an honest question. From what I can tell, he hasn't responded to anyone or provided any context outside of the meetings and emails.

Yes, I have. Meetings and emails.

And who are you? It doesn't happen for normal parents.

I'm a normal parent, I think. As normal as any of us are anyway, and I was just answering the PP's honest question honestly.

How did you schedule a meeting with Duran? Maybe your tips can help PP.

I have a friend who works at Syphax and they asked his chief of staff if it was possible and ok to set something up.

???? Wow.. so you need an "in" to get Duran's attention?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As the parent, I refuse to believe that not offering more days of in person education for K-2 students is better for any community. That's nonsense. Young kids don't learn well online. These kids have lost more than a year of in person instruction.

If communities need support to help get kids to school or to assist with logistical challenges, APS should figure out how to support its neediest learners. Not providing more in person opportunities is the opposite of support.

YUP.. this is the problem, APS is NOT TRYING. There are ways to be creative to make in-person learning possible but APS is standing down and not trying at all.

Yes, creative things like parents having to provide transportation (not easy for all families) or changing a teacher in Q4.

WHY WON'T THEY DO THESE THINGS BECAUSE I AM DEMANDING THEM?!?!?!?!!

Duran has only spoken to not having transportation for all students for 4 days a week. He's never discussed what would be available for K-2. We have no way to know.

The model for K-2 wouldn't require switching teachers to go to 4 days. Maybe reassigning classrooms, but teachers wouldn't change.

(To the fanatical immersion parent, I'm not talking about immersion.)

Why don't you ask him - in an adult manner? And/or ask the board?

Clearly, they've looked at it and that is how PK is going back 4 days.

If they aren't responsive, FOIA the documents pertaining to the analysis that lead to the PK decision.

Has anyone had any success with actually communicating with Duran? I'm not being sarcastic, but asking an honest question. From what I can tell, he hasn't responded to anyone or provided any context outside of the meetings and emails.

Yes, I have. Meetings and emails.

And who are you? It doesn't happen for normal parents.

I'm a normal parent, I think. As normal as any of us are anyway, and I was just answering the PP's honest question honestly.

How did you schedule a meeting with Duran? Maybe your tips can help PP.

I have a friend who works at Syphax and they asked his chief of staff if it was possible and ok to set something up.

Please tell me you're trolling and you aren't oblivious to how you worked connections.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As the parent, I refuse to believe that not offering more days of in person education for K-2 students is better for any community. That's nonsense. Young kids don't learn well online. These kids have lost more than a year of in person instruction.

If communities need support to help get kids to school or to assist with logistical challenges, APS should figure out how to support its neediest learners. Not providing more in person opportunities is the opposite of support.

YUP.. this is the problem, APS is NOT TRYING. There are ways to be creative to make in-person learning possible but APS is standing down and not trying at all.

Yes, creative things like parents having to provide transportation (not easy for all families) or changing a teacher in Q4.

WHY WON'T THEY DO THESE THINGS BECAUSE I AM DEMANDING THEM?!?!?!?!!

Duran has only spoken to not having transportation for all students for 4 days a week. He's never discussed what would be available for K-2. We have no way to know.

The model for K-2 wouldn't require switching teachers to go to 4 days. Maybe reassigning classrooms, but teachers wouldn't change.

(To the fanatical immersion parent, I'm not talking about immersion.)

Why don't you ask him - in an adult manner? And/or ask the board?

Clearly, they've looked at it and that is how PK is going back 4 days.

If they aren't responsive, FOIA the documents pertaining to the analysis that lead to the PK decision.

Has anyone had any success with actually communicating with Duran? I'm not being sarcastic, but asking an honest question. From what I can tell, he hasn't responded to anyone or provided any context outside of the meetings and emails.

Yes, I have. Meetings and emails.

And who are you? It doesn't happen for normal parents.

I'm a normal parent, I think. As normal as any of us are anyway, and I was just answering the PP's honest question honestly.

How did you schedule a meeting with Duran? Maybe your tips can help PP.

I have a friend who works at Syphax and they asked his chief of staff if it was possible and ok to set something up.

Please tell me you're trolling and you aren't oblivious to how you worked connections.

I am trolling, sorry. This is just a silly line of discussion. I'm sure most people are getting access through connections because that's how the world works. I don't know if that's a requirement to see the man behind the curtain or not, but everyone I know who got to see him had pretty extensive connections within APS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do people write their own individual principals regarding returning to school for k-2. I know that our principal is willing to sit down with us and lay out the specific reasons returning full time is difficult for k-2.

Principals have no authority to make those sorts of changes, but a well-spoken principal might be better able to explain 1v1 what the issues are.

Principals are more than willing to share their conjectures, but seem to have very little actual information beyond their own school. They typically learn about APS decisions only hours before parents.

They are highly engaged and doing most of the RTS planning so it's more than conjecture. They may be able to explain specifics on how it's even difficult/impossible to add more kids at their own school with the 3' (6' lunch) recommendations.

For example...
We were told kids couldn't eat in the classroom because they didn't have the staffing to cover the kids in various classrooms at lunchtime (teachers get break) PLUS cover the kids in the cafeteria and recess. Also, our cafeteria is already tiny for our size (big issue before covid) so can't add many more there.

Yes, principal can speak to their own decisions about staffing. But they can't tell you why Duran has decided not to bring back K-2. They have no more information than the rest of us.

For the record, other principals have found ways to have lunch in the classroom (rainy days) or outside. They give the teachers a lunch break during recess, rather than during lunch.

[Anonymous]

At my school extended day workers do lunch and recess duty in the classrooms or outside. I have my full lunch break and part of recess off as well for the duty-free lunch teachers are entiteld to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do people write their own individual principals regarding returning to school for k-2. I know that our principal is willing to sit down with us and lay out the specific reasons returning full time is difficult for k-2.

Principals have no authority to make those sorts of changes, but a well-spoken principal might be better able to explain 1v1 what the issues are.

Principals are more than willing to share their conjectures, but seem to have very little actual information beyond their own school. They typically learn about APS decisions only hours before parents.

They are highly engaged and doing most of the RTS planning so it's more than conjecture. They may be able to explain specifics on how it's even difficult/impossible to add more kids at their own school with the 3' (6' lunch) recommendations.

For example...
We were told kids couldn't eat in the classroom because they didn't have the staffing to cover the kids in various classrooms at lunchtime (teachers get break) PLUS cover the kids in the cafeteria and recess. Also, our cafeteria is already tiny for our size (big issue before covid) so can't add many more there.

Yes, principal can speak to their own decisions about staffing. But they can't tell you why Duran has decided not to bring back K-2. They have no more information than the rest of us.

For the record, other principals have found ways to have lunch in the classroom (rainy days) or outside. They give the teachers a lunch break during recess, rather than during lunch.

They can tell you the k-2 specifics at that school. And they do talk to other principals... They should be to speak to some extent about the capacity aspects. Probably won’t have any insights into transportation though.

Principals are certainly a key source of info for Duran making these decisions. I wouldn’t write them off so quickly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As the parent, I refuse to believe that not offering more days of in person education for K-2 students is better for any community. That's nonsense. Young kids don't learn well online. These kids have lost more than a year of in person instruction.

If communities need support to help get kids to school or to assist with logistical challenges, APS should figure out how to support its neediest learners. Not providing more in person opportunities is the opposite of support.

YUP.. this is the problem, APS is NOT TRYING. There are ways to be creative to make in-person learning possible but APS is standing down and not trying at all.

Yes, creative things like parents having to provide transportation (not easy for all families) or changing a teacher in Q4.

WHY WON'T THEY DO THESE THINGS BECAUSE I AM DEMANDING THEM?!?!?!?!!

Duran has only spoken to not having transportation for all students for 4 days a week. He's never discussed what would be available for K-2. We have no way to know.

The model for K-2 wouldn't require switching teachers to go to 4 days. Maybe reassigning classrooms, but teachers wouldn't change.

(To the fanatical immersion parent, I'm not talking about immersion.)

Why don't you ask him - in an adult manner? And/or ask the board?

Clearly, they've looked at it and that is how PK is going back 4 days.

If they aren't responsive, FOIA the documents pertaining to the analysis that lead to the PK decision.

Has anyone had any success with actually communicating with Duran? I'm not being sarcastic, but asking an honest question. From what I can tell, he hasn't responded to anyone or provided any context outside of the meetings and emails.

Yes, I have. Meetings and emails.

And who are you? It doesn't happen for normal parents.

I'm a normal parent, I think. As normal as any of us are anyway, and I was just answering the PP's honest question honestly.

How did you schedule a meeting with Duran? Maybe your tips can help PP.

I have a friend who works at Syphax and they asked his chief of staff if it was possible and ok to set something up.

Please tell me you're trolling and you aren't oblivious to how you worked connections.

I am trolling, sorry. This is just a silly line of discussion. I'm sure most people are getting access through connections because that's how the world works. I don't know if that's a requirement to see the man behind the curtain or not, but everyone I know who got to see him had pretty extensive connections within APS.

APE has gotten meetings with Duran and then bragged about it. So I guess if you're loud and yell a lot that gets you a meeting?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As the parent, I refuse to believe that not offering more days of in person education for K-2 students is better for any community. That's nonsense. Young kids don't learn well online. These kids have lost more than a year of in person instruction.

If communities need support to help get kids to school or to assist with logistical challenges, APS should figure out how to support its neediest learners. Not providing more in person opportunities is the opposite of support.

YUP.. this is the problem, APS is NOT TRYING. There are ways to be creative to make in-person learning possible but APS is standing down and not trying at all.

Yes, creative things like parents having to provide transportation (not easy for all families) or changing a teacher in Q4.

WHY WON'T THEY DO THESE THINGS BECAUSE I AM DEMANDING THEM?!?!?!?!!

Duran has only spoken to not having transportation for all students for 4 days a week. He's never discussed what would be available for K-2. We have no way to know.

The model for K-2 wouldn't require switching teachers to go to 4 days. Maybe reassigning classrooms, but teachers wouldn't change.

(To the fanatical immersion parent, I'm not talking about immersion.)

Why don't you ask him - in an adult manner? And/or ask the board?

Clearly, they've looked at it and that is how PK is going back 4 days.

If they aren't responsive, FOIA the documents pertaining to the analysis that lead to the PK decision.

Has anyone had any success with actually communicating with Duran? I'm not being sarcastic, but asking an honest question. From what I can tell, he hasn't responded to anyone or provided any context outside of the meetings and emails.

Yes, I have. Meetings and emails.

And who are you? It doesn't happen for normal parents.

I'm a normal parent, I think. As normal as any of us are anyway, and I was just answering the PP's honest question honestly.

How did you schedule a meeting with Duran? Maybe your tips can help PP.

I have a friend who works at Syphax and they asked his chief of staff if it was possible and ok to set something up.

Please tell me you're trolling and you aren't oblivious to how you worked connections.

I am trolling, sorry. This is just a silly line of discussion. I'm sure most people are getting access through connections because that's how the world works. I don't know if that's a requirement to see the man behind the curtain or not, but everyone I know who got to see him had pretty extensive connections within APS.

APE has gotten meetings with Duran and then bragged about it. So I guess if you're loud and yell a lot that gets you a meeting?

It's the Arlington Way. You just have to yell the loudest. Not that it changes anything but they will pretend to listen to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As the parent, I refuse to believe that not offering more days of in person education for K-2 students is better for any community. That's nonsense. Young kids don't learn well online. These kids have lost more than a year of in person instruction.

If communities need support to help get kids to school or to assist with logistical challenges, APS should figure out how to support its neediest learners. Not providing more in person opportunities is the opposite of support.

YUP.. this is the problem, APS is NOT TRYING. There are ways to be creative to make in-person learning possible but APS is standing down and not trying at all.

Yes, creative things like parents having to provide transportation (not easy for all families) or changing a teacher in Q4.

WHY WON'T THEY DO THESE THINGS BECAUSE I AM DEMANDING THEM?!?!?!?!!

Duran has only spoken to not having transportation for all students for 4 days a week. He's never discussed what would be available for K-2. We have no way to know.

The model for K-2 wouldn't require switching teachers to go to 4 days. Maybe reassigning classrooms, but teachers wouldn't change.

(To the fanatical immersion parent, I'm not talking about immersion.)

Why don't you ask him - in an adult manner? And/or ask the board?

Clearly, they've looked at it and that is how PK is going back 4 days.

If they aren't responsive, FOIA the documents pertaining to the analysis that lead to the PK decision.

Has anyone had any success with actually communicating with Duran? I'm not being sarcastic, but asking an honest question. From what I can tell, he hasn't responded to anyone or provided any context outside of the meetings and emails.

Yes, I have. Meetings and emails.

And who are you? It doesn't happen for normal parents.

I'm a normal parent, I think. As normal as any of us are anyway, and I was just answering the PP's honest question honestly.

How did you schedule a meeting with Duran? Maybe your tips can help PP.

I have a friend who works at Syphax and they asked his chief of staff if it was possible and ok to set something up.

Please tell me you're trolling and you aren't oblivious to how you worked connections.

I am trolling, sorry. This is just a silly line of discussion. I'm sure most people are getting access through connections because that's how the world works. I don't know if that's a requirement to see the man behind the curtain or not, but everyone I know who got to see him had pretty extensive connections within APS.

APE has gotten meetings with Duran and then bragged about it. So I guess if you're loud and yell a lot that gets you a meeting?

If you say so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you are embarrassed and ashamed, you should probably just leave. Don't let the door etc. People who are actually trying to serve everyone as best they can will actually get the work done. If you're just going to stand there and whine, you're not actually helping.

You realize people are paid to run the school district, right? It's not my job to "help" sort bus routes or determine classroom capacity. And I can be plenty frustrated when APS admin chooses not to do its job because it's "too hard."

They are doing their job. It's a freakin' pandemic. I'm sorry you can't accept that we can't have normal right now.

We can't have normal because they refuse to try. No, it's not a freakin pandemic any more. Arlington is pretty much vaccinated (at least adults). If they can't do it now how will it magically work for the fall??

And exactly what will be different in the fall for the families that are fighting against more days in-person now?? Won't we just end up in the same exact spot come August?

More vaccinated (16+ just opened up; hopefully 12+ in fall)
Lower community #s
CDC further relax guidelines based on school data
Won’t need to reassign teachers in Q4
Minimal concurrent (upper level HS)
Won’t have to rework bus routes & assignments again
Could hire more monitors and buy tents to spread out for lunch

AND 3' DISTANCING REQUIREMENT IS GONE

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:so I read everything. I still fail to understand how letting k-2 go 4 days a week 'hurts' low income students.
I have heard it said that it is to difficult for low income students to access due to APS changes to transportation, shortened day, and lack of extended day. But isn't that the same barrier for VPI? (which they announced was in fact going back 4 days next week). Isn't that the same barrier for 2 days?
I 100% agree its a major barrier- and in fact think the onworkability of the schedule is a reason that many parents (of all income levels) opted to stay virtual. But getting 4 days instead of two doesn't make this harder- it makes it more 'worth it.'
They already redid the classes- so kids who are virtual k-2 are in virtual only classes, they wouldn't be impacted.

I read the statements to be saying that these populations are less able to make new transportation and after school arrangements in a short period of time. They have work schedules that go to 5pm and so can't necessarily change either those schedules, their child's transportation needs, or after school arrangements, in the time needed to allow kids who are currently 2-day hybrid to switch to 4-day in person. They could have really struggled to move schedules to make bus or school pickup before work ended for 2 days a week, but be absolutely unable to make that happen 4 days a week.

Whatever the VPI schedules turned out to be, they warned parents about that a month ago and parents have made those arrangements now and no one is trying to switch them again before the end of the year. Here, parents were also warned about what options were available about a month ago, parents made the best arrangements that worked for their families, and now all of a sudden if low-income families can't make new child care and possibly even transportation arrangements for another two days a week, their kid loses their chance at 2 days of school in person. It's not as much of a problem for parents who are working from home to be around for pickup or dropoff from school, but it is for these parents.

People keep saying well then just have these kids move from half in person to fully virtual, but they didn't choose virtual, they chose hybrid, and frankly may really need that in person contact for those two days more than other kids need the extra two days of in person.

Also, these families in hybrid may feel they can deal with the risk of 2 days in person right now but not want the additional risk of 4 days in person.

That being said, I'm sure that there are also families from these communities that would make 4 day return to school work. I'm not speaking with these families and I don't know. I'm just reading the statements of the latino ladies that talked at the board meeting and several of them said that they thought what was being offered now was what they could deal with and they did not want to change to a full return to school. And that the options of the vocal parents were not more important in the long run than the options of these sections of the community that were being hit hard by the virus.

I’m a K-2 parent and I do hear all this. I really do. But I’m also concerned APS is using equity as an excuse for inaction. Why is it that lower income populations in FCPS (of which there are many) are not having similar issues getting their kids to school? Is FCPS doing a better job of providing transportation for them? Has Fairfax County better facilitated vaccinations in these neighborhoods. Or conversely is Fairfax just ignoring their struggles in which case APS is doing a better job of listening to these voices? Shouldn’t we be trying to figure this out?

I don’t think parents should shout over people at meetings. But I also do think people should be able to press the SB and Dr. Duran for answers without being dismissed as privileged. At this point I’ve given up on more days this year, but I want to know what about the existing logistical challenges will be different by the fall? I’m concerned they’re simply hoping CDC guidance will change so they don’t have to figure this all out. How will bussing be different next year, especially as (likely) even more kids opt to return? What is preventing APS from offering aftercare this year to these communities who are citing this as a barrier to getting their children in class more days? Does APS realistically expect to be able to offer aftercare next year?

I mean, I hear these parents saying they can’t get their kids to school more days because of XYZ issues and there is a subset of parents out there saying “see, we shouldn’t do anything because equity!” as if they are such activists for these families. And I guess I just wish we had a school district that actually had a fire under its butt to at least get the youngest kids back and decided to at least solve XYZ issues for the youngest learners. Even just expanding for the K crowd who have never even had a normal school year EVER would be some improvement.

I feel like the SB has been watching the clock count down ever since Feb. when they clearly decided hybrid is all they would offer this year. I think they were counting on surrounding jurisdictions to also only stay 2 days and didn’t count on looking inferior for not being able to manage 4 days like the other Virginia districts.

100% agree with you, as a 1st grade parent

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:so I read everything. I still fail to understand how letting k-2 go 4 days a week 'hurts' low income students.
I have heard it said that it is to difficult for low income students to access due to APS changes to transportation, shortened day, and lack of extended day. But isn't that the same barrier for VPI? (which they announced was in fact going back 4 days next week). Isn't that the same barrier for 2 days?
I 100% agree its a major barrier- and in fact think the onworkability of the schedule is a reason that many parents (of all income levels) opted to stay virtual. But getting 4 days instead of two doesn't make this harder- it makes it more 'worth it.'
They already redid the classes- so kids who are virtual k-2 are in virtual only classes, they wouldn't be impacted.

I read the statements to be saying that these populations are less able to make new transportation and after school arrangements in a short period of time. They have work schedules that go to 5pm and so can't necessarily change either those schedules, their child's transportation needs, or after school arrangements, in the time needed to allow kids who are currently 2-day hybrid to switch to 4-day in person. They could have really struggled to move schedules to make bus or school pickup before work ended for 2 days a week, but be absolutely unable to make that happen 4 days a week.

Whatever the VPI schedules turned out to be, they warned parents about that a month ago and parents have made those arrangements now and no one is trying to switch them again before the end of the year. Here, parents were also warned about what options were available about a month ago, parents made the best arrangements that worked for their families, and now all of a sudden if low-income families can't make new child care and possibly even transportation arrangements for another two days a week, their kid loses their chance at 2 days of school in person. It's not as much of a problem for parents who are working from home to be around for pickup or dropoff from school, but it is for these parents.

People keep saying well then just have these kids move from half in person to fully virtual, but they didn't choose virtual, they chose hybrid, and frankly may really need that in person contact for those two days more than other kids need the extra two days of in person.

Also, these families in hybrid may feel they can deal with the risk of 2 days in person right now but not want the additional risk of 4 days in person.

That being said, I'm sure that there are also families from these communities that would make 4 day return to school work. I'm not speaking with these families and I don't know. I'm just reading the statements of the latino ladies that talked at the board meeting and several of them said that they thought what was being offered now was what they could deal with and they did not want to change to a full return to school. And that the options of the vocal parents were not more important in the long run than the options of these sections of the community that were being hit hard by the virus.

I’m a K-2 parent and I do hear all this. I really do. But I’m also concerned APS is using equity as an excuse for inaction. Why is it that lower income populations in FCPS (of which there are many) are not having similar issues getting their kids to school? Is FCPS doing a better job of providing transportation for them? Has Fairfax County better facilitated vaccinations in these neighborhoods. Or conversely is Fairfax just ignoring their struggles in which case APS is doing a better job of listening to these voices? Shouldn’t we be trying to figure this out?

I don’t think parents should shout over people at meetings. But I also do think people should be able to press the SB and Dr. Duran for answers without being dismissed as privileged. At this point I’ve given up on more days this year, but I want to know what about the existing logistical challenges will be different by the fall? I’m concerned they’re simply hoping CDC guidance will change so they don’t have to figure this all out. How will bussing be different next year, especially as (likely) even more kids opt to return? What is preventing APS from offering aftercare this year to these communities who are citing this as a barrier to getting their children in class more days? Does APS realistically expect to be able to offer aftercare next year?

I mean, I hear these parents saying they can’t get their kids to school more days because of XYZ issues and there is a subset of parents out there saying “see, we shouldn’t do anything because equity!” as if they are such activists for these families. And I guess I just wish we had a school district that actually had a fire under its butt to at least get the youngest kids back and decided to at least solve XYZ issues for the youngest learners. Even just expanding for the K crowd who have never even had a normal school year EVER would be some improvement.

I feel like the SB has been watching the clock count down ever since Feb. when they clearly decided hybrid is all they would offer this year. I think they were counting on surrounding jurisdictions to also only stay 2 days and didn’t count on looking inferior for not being able to manage 4 days like the other Virginia districts.

100% agree with you, as a 1st grade parent

So you guys should probably feel comforted by Dr. Duran's announcement this afternoon that due to the enthusiastic response of parents to the return to school in person/virtual survey for next fall (overwhelming response for in person), APS was going to have to drop the 3 foot distancing between desks, where needed (possibly everywhere) in order to fit all the kids who wanted to attend into the schools. He said that he was extending the deadline to respond in case that made anyone change their mind about going, but that the numbers indicated that they would not be able to enforce those guidelines given the large number of kids intending to return.

I think this should comfort you for next year given that your priority is returning to school -- now APS is clearly stating that they will preference returning over this distancing guideline so that this guideline, which is part of the reason why returning kids was difficult this Spring, should not be standing in the way next Fall. It should show folks here that Dr. Duran is serious about return to school in the Fall.