Has Duran gone mad? (APS)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most people aren’t judging those who want to be back in the classroom. I’d love my kids to be back in the classroom. But there is still safety to consider. It’s not safe right now, even if it’s very important for your child to be back. Just cause they should have been back in in September doesn’t mean they should be back in now.

You are entitled to your opinion, but please know that keeping students home is not a harmless alternative. Even beyond the learning loss for totally typical students, there are children who are now suffering from depression and engaging in self-harm. There are suicides. There is increased child abuse happening at home. There are students with special needs who will age out of services this year or next who aren't getting necessary job training and other skills development, which will put them at increased risk of homelessness, substance abuse, and premature death. So when you take that position, you are not advocating for a solution that is clearly safer overall, you have simply weighed the risks and made a value judgment about who you feel is expendable.

So you are upset that teachers aren’t choosing themselves as the expendable ones? Please stop with the moralizing. If you want teachers to be happy about going back to the buildings without a vaccine, put your energies into fundraising for hazard pay and a healthy supply of N95 masks for them That might work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most people aren’t judging those who want to be back in the classroom. I’d love my kids to be back in the classroom. But there is still safety to consider. It’s not safe right now, even if it’s very important for your child to be back. Just cause they should have been back in in September doesn’t mean they should be back in now.

You are entitled to your opinion, but please know that keeping students home is not a harmless alternative. Even beyond the learning loss for totally typical students, there are children who are now suffering from depression and engaging in self-harm. There are suicides. There is increased child abuse happening at home. There are students with special needs who will age out of services this year or next who aren't getting necessary job training and other skills development, which will put them at increased risk of homelessness, substance abuse, and premature death. So when you take that position, you are not advocating for a solution that is clearly safer overall, you have simply weighed the risks and made a value judgment about who you feel is expendable.

And where do the teachers fit in to your world where everyone makes their own determination about what’s safe? Do you REALLY think that it’s safe to go back hybrid based on the numbers right now?

All the districts are feeling pressure and itching to get back in some way. Heck, even Montgomery County has adjusted their metrics upward to make it more (but still unlikely) possible. And it's not because they're listening to various "open crowds" (because those messages have been there since summer). They all realize they're now sitting on top of a devastating educational and mental health outcome and if there's a way to balance metrics with mitigation, they need to figure it out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most people aren’t judging those who want to be back in the classroom. I’d love my kids to be back in the classroom. But there is still safety to consider. It’s not safe right now, even if it’s very important for your child to be back. Just cause they should have been back in in September doesn’t mean they should be back in now.

You are entitled to your opinion, but please know that keeping students home is not a harmless alternative. Even beyond the learning loss for totally typical students, there are children who are now suffering from depression and engaging in self-harm. There are suicides. There is increased child abuse happening at home. There are students with special needs who will age out of services this year or next who aren't getting necessary job training and other skills development, which will put them at increased risk of homelessness, substance abuse, and premature death. So when you take that position, you are not advocating for a solution that is clearly safer overall, you have simply weighed the risks and made a value judgment about who you feel is expendable.

So you are upset that teachers aren’t choosing themselves as the expendable ones? Please stop with the moralizing. If you want teachers to be happy about going back to the buildings without a vaccine, put your energies into fundraising for hazard pay and a healthy supply of N95 masks for them That might work.

Why do you assume I haven’t? Since late spring I have been advocating at the school, county and state levels for increased funding for PPE and other safety equipment to maximize our ability to reopen safely. I have been hyper-diligent about masking, social distancing, etc., to make sure we don’t personally contribute to virus spread. I want APS to choose the best option for this moment based on weighing the needs and risks of *everyone* involved, not just a single group. Based on all of my own review of the available data and research, I believe that option is to reopen schools with an emphasis on safety precautions and leaving a virtual option for those who need it. That includes teachers who need it because they are high risk. Obviously there still need to be adults in the schools to supervise, but I’m fine with that being an aide to assist a teacher who is teaching remotely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Very sorry PP. so angry that APS is doing this to teachers for what amounts to DL in school. It is not a magically better instructional option. All it brings is risk. I am keeping my kids home to protect them and teachers. But I know that doesn’t help you. We’re at one of the crazy high hybrid middle schools.

It break the ice and helps set the stage for next year. It's not practical to think we'll flip the switch and just return to the classroom next school year. But feel free to wander around your house shaking your fists in anger.

Putting teachers at risk at the height of the pandemic to “break the ice.” Arlington parents at their very best.

It needs to happen. Call it whatever you want. The DL model is not sustainable and is causing catastrophic damage.

OK. Then get the #s to come down. Get the testing. Get the air filtration. Better get to work!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most people aren’t judging those who want to be back in the classroom. I’d love my kids to be back in the classroom. But there is still safety to consider. It’s not safe right now, even if it’s very important for your child to be back. Just cause they should have been back in in September doesn’t mean they should be back in now.

You are entitled to your opinion, but please know that keeping students home is not a harmless alternative. Even beyond the learning loss for totally typical students, there are children who are now suffering from depression and engaging in self-harm. There are suicides. There is increased child abuse happening at home. There are students with special needs who will age out of services this year or next who aren't getting necessary job training and other skills development, which will put them at increased risk of homelessness, substance abuse, and premature death. So when you take that position, you are not advocating for a solution that is clearly safer overall, you have simply weighed the risks and made a value judgment about who you feel is expendable.

So you are upset that teachers aren’t choosing themselves as the expendable ones? Please stop with the moralizing. If you want teachers to be happy about going back to the buildings without a vaccine, put your energies into fundraising for hazard pay and a healthy supply of N95 masks for them That might work.

Why do you assume I haven’t? Since late spring I have been advocating at the school, county and state levels for increased funding for PPE and other safety equipment to maximize our ability to reopen safely. I have been hyper-diligent about masking, social distancing, etc., to make sure we don’t personally contribute to virus spread. I want APS to choose the best option for this moment based on weighing the needs and risks of *everyone* involved, not just a single group. Based on all of my own review of the available data and research, I believe that option is to reopen schools with an emphasis on safety precautions and leaving a virtual option for those who need it. That includes teachers who need it because they are high risk. Obviously there still need to be adults in the schools to supervise, but I’m fine with that being an aide to assist a teacher who is teaching remotely.

We're all glad that you're "fine" with it... it seems so long as you aren't the one putting your life on the line... And I'm a parent responding to your post btw. With people like you around no wonder teachers don't want to be in the buildings to teach. I wouldn't be "fine" teaching your kids with you a parent to kids I teach either. Yowza.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Make some room for kids with disabilities and kids with mental health problems and career center kids to go into the classroom with aides or teachers who volunteer. Why should all teachers need to go back and risk safety right now to serve the needs of a small percentage of kids. Plenty want to go back. But now right now.

You can thank all your open school now neighbors for this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most people aren’t judging those who want to be back in the classroom. I’d love my kids to be back in the classroom. But there is still safety to consider. It’s not safe right now, even if it’s very important for your child to be back. Just cause they should have been back in in September doesn’t mean they should be back in now.

You are entitled to your opinion, but please know that keeping students home is not a harmless alternative. Even beyond the learning loss for totally typical students, there are children who are now suffering from depression and engaging in self-harm. There are suicides. There is increased child abuse happening at home. There are students with special needs who will age out of services this year or next who aren't getting necessary job training and other skills development, which will put them at increased risk of homelessness, substance abuse, and premature death. So when you take that position, you are not advocating for a solution that is clearly safer overall, you have simply weighed the risks and made a value judgment about who you feel is expendable.

So you are upset that teachers aren’t choosing themselves as the expendable ones? Please stop with the moralizing. If you want teachers to be happy about going back to the buildings without a vaccine, put your energies into fundraising for hazard pay and a healthy supply of N95 masks for them That might work.

Why do you assume I haven’t? Since late spring I have been advocating at the school, county and state levels for increased funding for PPE and other safety equipment to maximize our ability to reopen safely. I have been hyper-diligent about masking, social distancing, etc., to make sure we don’t personally contribute to virus spread. I want APS to choose the best option for this moment based on weighing the needs and risks of *everyone* involved, not just a single group. Based on all of my own review of the available data and research, I believe that option is to reopen schools with an emphasis on safety precautions and leaving a virtual option for those who need it. That includes teachers who need it because they are high risk. Obviously there still need to be adults in the schools to supervise, but I’m fine with that being an aide to assist a teacher who is teaching remotely.

We're all glad that you're "fine" with it... it seems so long as you aren't the one putting your life on the line... And I'm a parent responding to your post btw. With people like you around no wonder teachers don't want to be in the buildings to teach. I wouldn't be "fine" teaching your kids with you a parent to kids I teach either. Yowza.

Your response doesn't make any sense given what PP posted. Like any sense. Yowza...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most people aren’t judging those who want to be back in the classroom. I’d love my kids to be back in the classroom. But there is still safety to consider. It’s not safe right now, even if it’s very important for your child to be back. Just cause they should have been back in in September doesn’t mean they should be back in now.

You are entitled to your opinion, but please know that keeping students home is not a harmless alternative. Even beyond the learning loss for totally typical students, there are children who are now suffering from depression and engaging in self-harm. There are suicides. There is increased child abuse happening at home. There are students with special needs who will age out of services this year or next who aren't getting necessary job training and other skills development, which will put them at increased risk of homelessness, substance abuse, and premature death. So when you take that position, you are not advocating for a solution that is clearly safer overall, you have simply weighed the risks and made a value judgment about who you feel is expendable.

So you are upset that teachers aren’t choosing themselves as the expendable ones? Please stop with the moralizing. If you want teachers to be happy about going back to the buildings without a vaccine, put your energies into fundraising for hazard pay and a healthy supply of N95 masks for them That might work.

Why do you assume I haven’t? Since late spring I have been advocating at the school, county and state levels for increased funding for PPE and other safety equipment to maximize our ability to reopen safely. I have been hyper-diligent about masking, social distancing, etc., to make sure we don’t personally contribute to virus spread. I want APS to choose the best option for this moment based on weighing the needs and risks of *everyone* involved, not just a single group. Based on all of my own review of the available data and research, I believe that option is to reopen schools with an emphasis on safety precautions and leaving a virtual option for those who need it. That includes teachers who need it because they are high risk. Obviously there still need to be adults in the schools to supervise, but I’m fine with that being an aide to assist a teacher who is teaching remotely.

We're all glad that you're "fine" with it... it seems so long as you aren't the one putting your life on the line... And I'm a parent responding to your post btw. With people like you around no wonder teachers don't want to be in the buildings to teach. I wouldn't be "fine" teaching your kids with you a parent to kids I teach either. Yowza.

I am an attorney who does a lot of work with clients who face barriers to remote engagement (e.g., technology for receiving, reviewing, signing and returning digital documents). I could decline to represent such clients right now, but I don’t because I know how much they need the assistance and don’t have at alternative options. So I meet with them in person as needed, taking all reasonable safety precautions, despite the risk to myself. I am not a teacher, but I am walking the walk here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most people aren’t judging those who want to be back in the classroom. I’d love my kids to be back in the classroom. But there is still safety to consider. It’s not safe right now, even if it’s very important for your child to be back. Just cause they should have been back in in September doesn’t mean they should be back in now.

You are entitled to your opinion, but please know that keeping students home is not a harmless alternative. Even beyond the learning loss for totally typical students, there are children who are now suffering from depression and engaging in self-harm. There are suicides. There is increased child abuse happening at home. There are students with special needs who will age out of services this year or next who aren't getting necessary job training and other skills development, which will put them at increased risk of homelessness, substance abuse, and premature death. So when you take that position, you are not advocating for a solution that is clearly safer overall, you have simply weighed the risks and made a value judgment about who you feel is expendable.

So you are upset that teachers aren’t choosing themselves as the expendable ones? Please stop with the moralizing. If you want teachers to be happy about going back to the buildings without a vaccine, put your energies into fundraising for hazard pay and a healthy supply of N95 masks for them That might work.

Why do you assume I haven’t? Since late spring I have been advocating at the school, county and state levels for increased funding for PPE and other safety equipment to maximize our ability to reopen safely. I have been hyper-diligent about masking, social distancing, etc., to make sure we don’t personally contribute to virus spread. I want APS to choose the best option for this moment based on weighing the needs and risks of *everyone* involved, not just a single group. Based on all of my own review of the available data and research, I believe that option is to reopen schools with an emphasis on safety precautions and leaving a virtual option for those who need it. That includes teachers who need it because they are high risk. Obviously there still need to be adults in the schools to supervise, but I’m fine with that being an aide to assist a teacher who is teaching remotely.

Are you the parent at my kid’s school who talks endlessly about her research and desire for teachers to feel safe and then announced she doesn’t understand the value of surveillance testing?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most people aren’t judging those who want to be back in the classroom. I’d love my kids to be back in the classroom. But there is still safety to consider. It’s not safe right now, even if it’s very important for your child to be back. Just cause they should have been back in in September doesn’t mean they should be back in now.

You are entitled to your opinion, but please know that keeping students home is not a harmless alternative. Even beyond the learning loss for totally typical students, there are children who are now suffering from depression and engaging in self-harm. There are suicides. There is increased child abuse happening at home. There are students with special needs who will age out of services this year or next who aren't getting necessary job training and other skills development, which will put them at increased risk of homelessness, substance abuse, and premature death. So when you take that position, you are not advocating for a solution that is clearly safer overall, you have simply weighed the risks and made a value judgment about who you feel is expendable.

So you are upset that teachers aren’t choosing themselves as the expendable ones? Please stop with the moralizing. If you want teachers to be happy about going back to the buildings without a vaccine, put your energies into fundraising for hazard pay and a healthy supply of N95 masks for them That might work.

Why do you assume I haven’t? Since late spring I have been advocating at the school, county and state levels for increased funding for PPE and other safety equipment to maximize our ability to reopen safely. I have been hyper-diligent about masking, social distancing, etc., to make sure we don’t personally contribute to virus spread. I want APS to choose the best option for this moment based on weighing the needs and risks of *everyone* involved, not just a single group. Based on all of my own review of the available data and research, I believe that option is to reopen schools with an emphasis on safety precautions and leaving a virtual option for those who need it. That includes teachers who need it because they are high risk. Obviously there still need to be adults in the schools to supervise, but I’m fine with that being an aide to assist a teacher who is teaching remotely.

Are you the parent at my kid’s school who talks endlessly about her research and desire for teachers to feel safe and then announced she doesn’t understand the value of surveillance testing?

No, and I don’t know why you would assume I am unless you are just looking for reasons to disregard differing opinions you find inconvenient.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most people aren’t judging those who want to be back in the classroom. I’d love my kids to be back in the classroom. But there is still safety to consider. It’s not safe right now, even if it’s very important for your child to be back. Just cause they should have been back in in September doesn’t mean they should be back in now.

You are entitled to your opinion, but please know that keeping students home is not a harmless alternative. Even beyond the learning loss for totally typical students, there are children who are now suffering from depression and engaging in self-harm. There are suicides. There is increased child abuse happening at home. There are students with special needs who will age out of services this year or next who aren't getting necessary job training and other skills development, which will put them at increased risk of homelessness, substance abuse, and premature death. So when you take that position, you are not advocating for a solution that is clearly safer overall, you have simply weighed the risks and made a value judgment about who you feel is expendable.

So you are upset that teachers aren’t choosing themselves as the expendable ones? Please stop with the moralizing. If you want teachers to be happy about going back to the buildings without a vaccine, put your energies into fundraising for hazard pay and a healthy supply of N95 masks for them That might work.

Why do you assume I haven’t? Since late spring I have been advocating at the school, county and state levels for increased funding for PPE and other safety equipment to maximize our ability to reopen safely. I have been hyper-diligent about masking, social distancing, etc., to make sure we don’t personally contribute to virus spread. I want APS to choose the best option for this moment based on weighing the needs and risks of *everyone* involved, not just a single group. Based on all of my own review of the available data and research, I believe that option is to reopen schools with an emphasis on safety precautions and leaving a virtual option for those who need it. That includes teachers who need it because they are high risk. Obviously there still need to be adults in the schools to supervise, but I’m fine with that being an aide to assist a teacher who is teaching remotely.

We're all glad that you're "fine" with it... it seems so long as you aren't the one putting your life on the line... And I'm a parent responding to your post btw. With people like you around no wonder teachers don't want to be in the buildings to teach. I wouldn't be "fine" teaching your kids with you a parent to kids I teach either. Yowza.

I am an attorney who does a lot of work with clients who face barriers to remote engagement (e.g., technology for receiving, reviewing, signing and returning digital documents). I could decline to represent such clients right now, but I don’t because I know how much they need the assistance and don’t have at alternative options. So I meet with them in person as needed, taking all reasonable safety precautions, despite the risk to myself. I am not a teacher, but I am walking the walk here.

Hhhmmmm... it is hard to see you walking the walk when your circumstances meeting with people in person for a brief time doesn't come anywhere near what is expected for a teacher to be in a room with 6-15 kids for 7 hours a day and at times when they are unmasked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most people aren’t judging those who want to be back in the classroom. I’d love my kids to be back in the classroom. But there is still safety to consider. It’s not safe right now, even if it’s very important for your child to be back. Just cause they should have been back in in September doesn’t mean they should be back in now.

You are entitled to your opinion, but please know that keeping students home is not a harmless alternative. Even beyond the learning loss for totally typical students, there are children who are now suffering from depression and engaging in self-harm. There are suicides. There is increased child abuse happening at home. There are students with special needs who will age out of services this year or next who aren't getting necessary job training and other skills development, which will put them at increased risk of homelessness, substance abuse, and premature death. So when you take that position, you are not advocating for a solution that is clearly safer overall, you have simply weighed the risks and made a value judgment about who you feel is expendable.

So you are upset that teachers aren’t choosing themselves as the expendable ones? Please stop with the moralizing. If you want teachers to be happy about going back to the buildings without a vaccine, put your energies into fundraising for hazard pay and a healthy supply of N95 masks for them That might work.

Why do you assume I haven’t? Since late spring I have been advocating at the school, county and state levels for increased funding for PPE and other safety equipment to maximize our ability to reopen safely. I have been hyper-diligent about masking, social distancing, etc., to make sure we don’t personally contribute to virus spread. I want APS to choose the best option for this moment based on weighing the needs and risks of *everyone* involved, not just a single group. Based on all of my own review of the available data and research, I believe that option is to reopen schools with an emphasis on safety precautions and leaving a virtual option for those who need it. That includes teachers who need it because they are high risk. Obviously there still need to be adults in the schools to supervise, but I’m fine with that being an aide to assist a teacher who is teaching remotely.

We're all glad that you're "fine" with it... it seems so long as you aren't the one putting your life on the line... And I'm a parent responding to your post btw. With people like you around no wonder teachers don't want to be in the buildings to teach. I wouldn't be "fine" teaching your kids with you a parent to kids I teach either. Yowza.

I am an attorney who does a lot of work with clients who face barriers to remote engagement (e.g., technology for receiving, reviewing, signing and returning digital documents). I could decline to represent such clients right now, but I don’t because I know how much they need the assistance and don’t have at alternative options. So I meet with them in person as needed, taking all reasonable safety precautions, despite the risk to myself. I am not a teacher, but I am walking the walk here.

OK - are you pushing for APS to implement all reasonable safety precautions?

Entrance & surveillance testing
Air filters
PPE

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most people aren’t judging those who want to be back in the classroom. I’d love my kids to be back in the classroom. But there is still safety to consider. It’s not safe right now, even if it’s very important for your child to be back. Just cause they should have been back in in September doesn’t mean they should be back in now.

You are entitled to your opinion, but please know that keeping students home is not a harmless alternative. Even beyond the learning loss for totally typical students, there are children who are now suffering from depression and engaging in self-harm. There are suicides. There is increased child abuse happening at home. There are students with special needs who will age out of services this year or next who aren't getting necessary job training and other skills development, which will put them at increased risk of homelessness, substance abuse, and premature death. So when you take that position, you are not advocating for a solution that is clearly safer overall, you have simply weighed the risks and made a value judgment about who you feel is expendable.

So you are upset that teachers aren’t choosing themselves as the expendable ones? Please stop with the moralizing. If you want teachers to be happy about going back to the buildings without a vaccine, put your energies into fundraising for hazard pay and a healthy supply of N95 masks for them That might work.

Why do you assume I haven’t? Since late spring I have been advocating at the school, county and state levels for increased funding for PPE and other safety equipment to maximize our ability to reopen safely. I have been hyper-diligent about masking, social distancing, etc., to make sure we don’t personally contribute to virus spread. I want APS to choose the best option for this moment based on weighing the needs and risks of *everyone* involved, not just a single group. Based on all of my own review of the available data and research, I believe that option is to reopen schools with an emphasis on safety precautions and leaving a virtual option for those who need it. That includes teachers who need it because they are high risk. Obviously there still need to be adults in the schools to supervise, but I’m fine with that being an aide to assist a teacher who is teaching remotely.

We're all glad that you're "fine" with it... it seems so long as you aren't the one putting your life on the line... And I'm a parent responding to your post btw. With people like you around no wonder teachers don't want to be in the buildings to teach. I wouldn't be "fine" teaching your kids with you a parent to kids I teach either. Yowza.

I am an attorney who does a lot of work with clients who face barriers to remote engagement (e.g., technology for receiving, reviewing, signing and returning digital documents). I could decline to represent such clients right now, but I don’t because I know how much they need the assistance and don’t have at alternative options. So I meet with them in person as needed, taking all reasonable safety precautions, despite the risk to myself. I am not a teacher, but I am walking the walk here.

OK - are you pushing for APS to implement all reasonable safety precautions?

Entrance & surveillance testing
Air filters
PPE

I already said I was, and have been for months. If you’re going to read that selectively, I can’t help you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most people aren’t judging those who want to be back in the classroom. I’d love my kids to be back in the classroom. But there is still safety to consider. It’s not safe right now, even if it’s very important for your child to be back. Just cause they should have been back in in September doesn’t mean they should be back in now.

You are entitled to your opinion, but please know that keeping students home is not a harmless alternative. Even beyond the learning loss for totally typical students, there are children who are now suffering from depression and engaging in self-harm. There are suicides. There is increased child abuse happening at home. There are students with special needs who will age out of services this year or next who aren't getting necessary job training and other skills development, which will put them at increased risk of homelessness, substance abuse, and premature death. So when you take that position, you are not advocating for a solution that is clearly safer overall, you have simply weighed the risks and made a value judgment about who you feel is expendable.

So you are upset that teachers aren’t choosing themselves as the expendable ones? Please stop with the moralizing. If you want teachers to be happy about going back to the buildings without a vaccine, put your energies into fundraising for hazard pay and a healthy supply of N95 masks for them That might work.

Why do you assume I haven’t? Since late spring I have been advocating at the school, county and state levels for increased funding for PPE and other safety equipment to maximize our ability to reopen safely. I have been hyper-diligent about masking, social distancing, etc., to make sure we don’t personally contribute to virus spread. I want APS to choose the best option for this moment based on weighing the needs and risks of *everyone* involved, not just a single group. Based on all of my own review of the available data and research, I believe that option is to reopen schools with an emphasis on safety precautions and leaving a virtual option for those who need it. That includes teachers who need it because they are high risk. Obviously there still need to be adults in the schools to supervise, but I’m fine with that being an aide to assist a teacher who is teaching remotely.

We're all glad that you're "fine" with it... it seems so long as you aren't the one putting your life on the line... And I'm a parent responding to your post btw. With people like you around no wonder teachers don't want to be in the buildings to teach. I wouldn't be "fine" teaching your kids with you a parent to kids I teach either. Yowza.

I am an attorney who does a lot of work with clients who face barriers to remote engagement (e.g., technology for receiving, reviewing, signing and returning digital documents). I could decline to represent such clients right now, but I don’t because I know how much they need the assistance and don’t have at alternative options. So I meet with them in person as needed, taking all reasonable safety precautions, despite the risk to myself. I am not a teacher, but I am walking the walk here.

Hhhmmmm... it is hard to see you walking the walk when your circumstances meeting with people in person for a brief time doesn't come anywhere near what is expected for a teacher to be in a room with 6-15 kids for 7 hours a day and at times when they are unmasked.

Like when I’m meeting with nursing and rehab facility residents who can’t wear masks due to medical conditions?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most people aren’t judging those who want to be back in the classroom. I’d love my kids to be back in the classroom. But there is still safety to consider. It’s not safe right now, even if it’s very important for your child to be back. Just cause they should have been back in in September doesn’t mean they should be back in now.

You are entitled to your opinion, but please know that keeping students home is not a harmless alternative. Even beyond the learning loss for totally typical students, there are children who are now suffering from depression and engaging in self-harm. There are suicides. There is increased child abuse happening at home. There are students with special needs who will age out of services this year or next who aren't getting necessary job training and other skills development, which will put them at increased risk of homelessness, substance abuse, and premature death. So when you take that position, you are not advocating for a solution that is clearly safer overall, you have simply weighed the risks and made a value judgment about who you feel is expendable.

So you are upset that teachers aren’t choosing themselves as the expendable ones? Please stop with the moralizing. If you want teachers to be happy about going back to the buildings without a vaccine, put your energies into fundraising for hazard pay and a healthy supply of N95 masks for them That might work.

Why do you assume I haven’t? Since late spring I have been advocating at the school, county and state levels for increased funding for PPE and other safety equipment to maximize our ability to reopen safely. I have been hyper-diligent about masking, social distancing, etc., to make sure we don’t personally contribute to virus spread. I want APS to choose the best option for this moment based on weighing the needs and risks of *everyone* involved, not just a single group. Based on all of my own review of the available data and research, I believe that option is to reopen schools with an emphasis on safety precautions and leaving a virtual option for those who need it. That includes teachers who need it because they are high risk. Obviously there still need to be adults in the schools to supervise, but I’m fine with that being an aide to assist a teacher who is teaching remotely.

We're all glad that you're "fine" with it... it seems so long as you aren't the one putting your life on the line... And I'm a parent responding to your post btw. With people like you around no wonder teachers don't want to be in the buildings to teach. I wouldn't be "fine" teaching your kids with you a parent to kids I teach either. Yowza.

I am an attorney who does a lot of work with clients who face barriers to remote engagement (e.g., technology for receiving, reviewing, signing and returning digital documents). I could decline to represent such clients right now, but I don’t because I know how much they need the assistance and don’t have at alternative options. So I meet with them in person as needed, taking all reasonable safety precautions, despite the risk to myself. I am not a teacher, but I am walking the walk here.

I don’t think your situation is at all analogous to teachers teaching in person in the school buildings. Be honest with yourself when doing a risk assessment of the two different work scenarios.

Also, while I am glad you can indulge a measure of selfless humanitarianism, it is unreasonable to expect everyone else to match or exceed your willingness to self sacrifice. If I get seriously sick, I know I don’t have the funds or a support system that is going to come to the rescue. Some of us live a little closer to the “just trying to survive and get by” line than others. I am generous when I can be and I love my students, but I am realistic, this is America, and there is no safety net for some of us.