Has Duran gone mad? (APS)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I'm a different poster. What this parent wrote probably describes at least 1/2 if not more of the students in DL. Obviously some of the details are different- but that is a vivid picture of how DL is working for the majority of kids. Certainly it describes my kids, and I have heard many many stories from different parents along these lines. There is no amount of 'support' the school can give- they need to get the kids back in school. I want to throw things when I hear Bridget Loft say at school board meetings 'well if a student is struggling start by reaching out to the teacher.' They need to be back in school- anything else is just nibbling around the edges.
————
Fascinating. Because everyone I know with middle schoolers says it’s fine. Not great but fine. So there are a lot of experiences. I dont think your claim that it’s half the kids having extreme anxiety is remotely accurate.

It’s not. As a teacher I would say the “vast majority” of my students are getting by. They don’t love it, they’re resigned to it, get why it’s necessary, and 80% chose DL for semester 2 as well even with the things they don’t like. So that says something. I would say 10-15% are thriving/excelling beyond what they would in school or managing pretty well nonetheless and 10-15% are TRULY struggling to an extent that can’t really be fixed. They are struggling but are NOT the vast majority

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

How have you been advocating for that? I only hear a handful of parents pushing for these safety measures. And they aren’t the ones sh1tting on the teachers.

I didn’t “sh1t on” teachers either, so I don’t know why you’re projecting that on me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am the poster to whom you originally responded with suggestions. I understand that you were trying to be helpful, I really do. But it is also tiresome, because underlying your suggestions is an assumption that I'm some lazy, disengaged, etc., parent who just isn't trying hard enough to help her child learn effectively. That I'm just screaming for schools to open because I don't want to parent my kid.

I have engaged. I have thrown everything I have into this, plus time and money I don't, to try to make distance learning work for him because I appreciate that if we could make distance learning effective for everyone, it would solve this whole issue because we would simply continue with distance learning until the pandemic is over. But distance learning isn't working for him. In some ways, I'd rather see APS punt on this whole school year, just cancel it and repeat the year next year, because I'm deeply worried that my child is getting left behind and that no one in the schools is going to take responsibility for making up what he didn't learn this year.

I'm also worried about the toll this is taking on him mentally. He is now in teletherapy (that I'm running up credit card debt to pay for) because the effects of the isolation became so bad that I was worried he was going to hurt himself. He is in sixth grade, in a bunch of classes with kids he doesn't know (because his school somehow managed to put him in classes with almost no one from his elementary school). His middle school has done virtually nothing to help the sixth graders integrate socially through this, so online learning has become a huge source of anxiety for him, always worried about whether his picture is showing on everyone else's screen (and afraid to speak up to ask a question because then he'll definitely be on everyone's screens, even after he's done talking) and a bunch of kids who barely know him will see him doing something embarrassing and that's how everyone at middle school will know him going forward. If I didn't have to work, I would withdraw him and homeschool because I am that worried about the toll this is taking on him, but becoming homeless would take an even worse toll.

So please, go ahead and keep assuming that I'm just some ignorant, disengaged parent who doesn't care about teachers, but also know that your assumptions are false and offensive. I care about the teachers, but I can't care about them more than I care about my own child.

To the parent who wrote this: I am so, so sorry to hear this. Have you reached out to the school? Because if one of my students’ parents told me this, I would be bending over backward to get them support.

What kind of support do you think the school should be able to provide? If there's something our school could be doing but isn't, I'd be happy to hear it.

DP. There isn’t. But I think you should also be realistic that your son has school anxiety. Possibly general anxiety exacerbated by it. If he doesn’t know kids in his classes and is afraid they’ll see him in camera, how does that work when it’s time to go back in? It’s good you have him in therapy. I dont envision that need going away even in hybrid because your kid has anxiety. Probably always will. There’s nothing wrong with that, lots of kids do. But distance learning didn’t create if and hybrid won’t fix it. He is at a vulnerable age in a pandemic and his life is upside down. He will have other things that cause anxiety in school. Based on what I know of secondary kids, he sounds like my students who hate and avoid group work and presentations too. Don’t socialize much at school. I’m not trying to tell you there’s nothing wrong and you’re doing the right things - but I also think you’re pinning too much hope on hybrid “fixing” him. Normal 5x a week in person school is ...really hard for kids like your son. Whatever the format.

This is a very ignorant statement that reflects nothing but your own biases and agenda.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

How have you been advocating for that? I only hear a handful of parents pushing for these safety measures. And they aren’t the ones sh1tting on the teachers.

You hear that handful of parents where? I’m guessing AEM. Newsflash: parents might be incredibly vocal advocates where it matters and not be loud on AEM. There are a handful of people that post constantly on AEM and suggest in their comments that other parents aren’t similarly committed. As if posting every thought you’ve ever had on FB was meaningful advocacy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I'm a different poster. What this parent wrote probably describes at least 1/2 if not more of the students in DL. Obviously some of the details are different- but that is a vivid picture of how DL is working for the majority of kids. Certainly it describes my kids, and I have heard many many stories from different parents along these lines. There is no amount of 'support' the school can give- they need to get the kids back in school. I want to throw things when I hear Bridget Loft say at school board meetings 'well if a student is struggling start by reaching out to the teacher.' They need to be back in school- anything else is just nibbling around the edges.
————
Fascinating. Because everyone I know with middle schoolers says it’s fine. Not great but fine. So there are a lot of experiences. I dont think your claim that it’s half the kids having extreme anxiety is remotely accurate.

And who cares about the ones who do, right? They’re damaged goods, this is just natural selection weeding them out.

No. Didn’t say that. Just pointing out that it’s very likely not the majority.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am the poster to whom you originally responded with suggestions. I understand that you were trying to be helpful, I really do. But it is also tiresome, because underlying your suggestions is an assumption that I'm some lazy, disengaged, etc., parent who just isn't trying hard enough to help her child learn effectively. That I'm just screaming for schools to open because I don't want to parent my kid.

I have engaged. I have thrown everything I have into this, plus time and money I don't, to try to make distance learning work for him because I appreciate that if we could make distance learning effective for everyone, it would solve this whole issue because we would simply continue with distance learning until the pandemic is over. But distance learning isn't working for him. In some ways, I'd rather see APS punt on this whole school year, just cancel it and repeat the year next year, because I'm deeply worried that my child is getting left behind and that no one in the schools is going to take responsibility for making up what he didn't learn this year.

I'm also worried about the toll this is taking on him mentally. He is now in teletherapy (that I'm running up credit card debt to pay for) because the effects of the isolation became so bad that I was worried he was going to hurt himself. He is in sixth grade, in a bunch of classes with kids he doesn't know (because his school somehow managed to put him in classes with almost no one from his elementary school). His middle school has done virtually nothing to help the sixth graders integrate socially through this, so online learning has become a huge source of anxiety for him, always worried about whether his picture is showing on everyone else's screen (and afraid to speak up to ask a question because then he'll definitely be on everyone's screens, even after he's done talking) and a bunch of kids who barely know him will see him doing something embarrassing and that's how everyone at middle school will know him going forward. If I didn't have to work, I would withdraw him and homeschool because I am that worried about the toll this is taking on him, but becoming homeless would take an even worse toll.

So please, go ahead and keep assuming that I'm just some ignorant, disengaged parent who doesn't care about teachers, but also know that your assumptions are false and offensive. I care about the teachers, but I can't care about them more than I care about my own child.

To the parent who wrote this: I am so, so sorry to hear this. Have you reached out to the school? Because if one of my students’ parents told me this, I would be bending over backward to get them support.

What kind of support do you think the school should be able to provide? If there's something our school could be doing but isn't, I'd be happy to hear it.

DP. There isn’t. But I think you should also be realistic that your son has school anxiety. Possibly general anxiety exacerbated by it. If he doesn’t know kids in his classes and is afraid they’ll see him in camera, how does that work when it’s time to go back in? It’s good you have him in therapy. I dont envision that need going away even in hybrid because your kid has anxiety. Probably always will. There’s nothing wrong with that, lots of kids do. But distance learning didn’t create if and hybrid won’t fix it. He is at a vulnerable age in a pandemic and his life is upside down. He will have other things that cause anxiety in school. Based on what I know of secondary kids, he sounds like my students who hate and avoid group work and presentations too. Don’t socialize much at school. I’m not trying to tell you there’s nothing wrong and you’re doing the right things - but I also think you’re pinning too much hope on hybrid “fixing” him. Normal 5x a week in person school is ...really hard for kids like your son. Whatever the format.

This is a very ignorant statement that reflects nothing but your own biases and agenda.

I’m trying to help a mom. Who could honestly be the mom of any one of my students and this is what I would say to them. What agenda does that serve.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am the poster to whom you originally responded with suggestions. I understand that you were trying to be helpful, I really do. But it is also tiresome, because underlying your suggestions is an assumption that I'm some lazy, disengaged, etc., parent who just isn't trying hard enough to help her child learn effectively. That I'm just screaming for schools to open because I don't want to parent my kid.

I have engaged. I have thrown everything I have into this, plus time and money I don't, to try to make distance learning work for him because I appreciate that if we could make distance learning effective for everyone, it would solve this whole issue because we would simply continue with distance learning until the pandemic is over. But distance learning isn't working for him. In some ways, I'd rather see APS punt on this whole school year, just cancel it and repeat the year next year, because I'm deeply worried that my child is getting left behind and that no one in the schools is going to take responsibility for making up what he didn't learn this year.

I'm also worried about the toll this is taking on him mentally. He is now in teletherapy (that I'm running up credit card debt to pay for) because the effects of the isolation became so bad that I was worried he was going to hurt himself. He is in sixth grade, in a bunch of classes with kids he doesn't know (because his school somehow managed to put him in classes with almost no one from his elementary school). His middle school has done virtually nothing to help the sixth graders integrate socially through this, so online learning has become a huge source of anxiety for him, always worried about whether his picture is showing on everyone else's screen (and afraid to speak up to ask a question because then he'll definitely be on everyone's screens, even after he's done talking) and a bunch of kids who barely know him will see him doing something embarrassing and that's how everyone at middle school will know him going forward. If I didn't have to work, I would withdraw him and homeschool because I am that worried about the toll this is taking on him, but becoming homeless would take an even worse toll.

So please, go ahead and keep assuming that I'm just some ignorant, disengaged parent who doesn't care about teachers, but also know that your assumptions are false and offensive. I care about the teachers, but I can't care about them more than I care about my own child.

To the parent who wrote this: I am so, so sorry to hear this. Have you reached out to the school? Because if one of my students’ parents told me this, I would be bending over backward to get them support.

What kind of support do you think the school should be able to provide? If there's something our school could be doing but isn't, I'd be happy to hear it.

DP. There isn’t. But I think you should also be realistic that your son has school anxiety. Possibly general anxiety exacerbated by it. If he doesn’t know kids in his classes and is afraid they’ll see him in camera, how does that work when it’s time to go back in? It’s good you have him in therapy. I dont envision that need going away even in hybrid because your kid has anxiety. Probably always will. There’s nothing wrong with that, lots of kids do. But distance learning didn’t create if and hybrid won’t fix it. He is at a vulnerable age in a pandemic and his life is upside down. He will have other things that cause anxiety in school. Based on what I know of secondary kids, he sounds like my students who hate and avoid group work and presentations too. Don’t socialize much at school. I’m not trying to tell you there’s nothing wrong and you’re doing the right things - but I also think you’re pinning too much hope on hybrid “fixing” him. Normal 5x a week in person school is ...really hard for kids like your son. Whatever the format.

This is a very ignorant statement that reflects nothing but your own biases and agenda.

I’m trying to help a mom. Who could honestly be the mom of any one of my students and this is what I would say to them. What agenda does that serve.

Don’t bother. They aren’t looking for help. You’ll just get in the crosshairs of rage looking for a convenient target.

[Anonymous]

Seems to be true with a lot of these parents. They are at wits end. That’s why they want to open school in January. Their focus is the crisis in their homes. I understand that. Don’t think it should drive policy. But I get it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

How have you been advocating for that? I only hear a handful of parents pushing for these safety measures. And they aren’t the ones sh1tting on the teachers.

You hear that handful of parents where? I’m guessing AEM. Newsflash: parents might be incredibly vocal advocates where it matters and not be loud on AEM. There are a handful of people that post constantly on AEM and suggest in their comments that other parents aren’t similarly committed. As if posting every thought you’ve ever had on FB was meaningful advocacy.

Then put your money where your mouth is. APE doesn't advocate for any of these things. No safety items on its platform - just open now, it's fine!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

How have you been advocating for that? I only hear a handful of parents pushing for these safety measures. And they aren’t the ones sh1tting on the teachers.

You hear that handful of parents where? I’m guessing AEM. Newsflash: parents might be incredibly vocal advocates where it matters and not be loud on AEM. There are a handful of people that post constantly on AEM and suggest in their comments that other parents aren’t similarly committed. As if posting every thought you’ve ever had on FB was meaningful advocacy.

Then put your money where your mouth is. APE doesn't advocate for any of these things. No safety items on its platform - just open now, it's fine!

Seriously. I am surprised by how many parents would prefer to fund private school tuition rather than do a grassroots fundraiser for N95 masks and a HEPA filter for all public school teachers.. The latter requires more effort, but it would also provide more justification for sanctimoniousness.

[Anonymous]

they are also fine with paying for their signs, ads and now a lawsuit instead.

[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: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.

How have you been advocating for that? I only hear a handful of parents pushing for these safety measures. And they aren’t the ones sh1tting on the teachers.

You hear that handful of parents where? I’m guessing AEM. Newsflash: parents might be incredibly vocal advocates where it matters and not be loud on AEM. There are a handful of people that post constantly on AEM and suggest in their comments that other parents aren’t similarly committed. As if posting every thought you’ve ever had on FB was meaningful advocacy.

Then put your money where your mouth is. APE doesn't advocate for any of these things. No safety items on its platform - just open now, it's fine!

Seriously. I am surprised by how many parents would prefer to fund private school tuition rather than do a grassroots fundraiser for N95 masks and a HEPA filter for all public school teachers.. The latter requires more effort, but it would also provide more justification for sanctimoniousness.

Sourcing N95 masks and HEPA filters would be a fool's errand. The goal posts would just be moved again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Seems to be true with a lot of these parents. They are at wits end. That’s why they want to open school in January. Their focus is the crisis in their homes. I understand that. Don’t think it should drive policy. But I get it.

I “get” it. But I’m someone’s mom. Why should we go back in before I at least can have a vaccine to be even reasonably safe because some parents are having a hard time. I’m a parent too! I have my own family to worry about and kids to care for and hope make okay academic progress. I know very few people not struggling in some fashion this year, whether it’s financially, emotionally and mentally, physically. The stress is enormous. There’s no doubt. But my issues with my kids don’t mean someone else should risk their health. School is an institution. It cannot care for your kid better than you. The human beings who work in it cannot fix everything. The fact that all of society’s issues right now are being pinned on PUBLIC SCHOOL opening tells you how overburdened they system is and all the social failures it is expected to absorb.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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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.

How have you been advocating for that? I only hear a handful of parents pushing for these safety measures. And they aren’t the ones sh1tting on the teachers.

You hear that handful of parents where? I’m guessing AEM. Newsflash: parents might be incredibly vocal advocates where it matters and not be loud on AEM. There are a handful of people that post constantly on AEM and suggest in their comments that other parents aren’t similarly committed. As if posting every thought you’ve ever had on FB was meaningful advocacy.

Then put your money where your mouth is. APE doesn't advocate for any of these things. No safety items on its platform - just open now, it's fine!

Seriously. I am surprised by how many parents would prefer to fund private school tuition rather than do a grassroots fundraiser for N95 masks and a HEPA filter for all public school teachers.. The latter requires more effort, but it would also provide more justification for sanctimoniousness.

Sourcing N95 masks and HEPA filters would be a fool's errand. The goal posts would just be moved again.

excuses excuses. good luck with your lawsuit.

[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: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.

How have you been advocating for that? I only hear a handful of parents pushing for these safety measures. And they aren’t the ones sh1tting on the teachers.

You hear that handful of parents where? I’m guessing AEM. Newsflash: parents might be incredibly vocal advocates where it matters and not be loud on AEM. There are a handful of people that post constantly on AEM and suggest in their comments that other parents aren’t similarly committed. As if posting every thought you’ve ever had on FB was meaningful advocacy.

Then put your money where your mouth is. APE doesn't advocate for any of these things. No safety items on its platform - just open now, it's fine!

Seriously. I am surprised by how many parents would prefer to fund private school tuition rather than do a grassroots fundraiser for N95 masks and a HEPA filter for all public school teachers.. The latter requires more effort, but it would also provide more justification for sanctimoniousness.

Sourcing N95 masks and HEPA filters would be a fool's errand. The goal posts would just be moved again.

excuses excuses. good luck with your lawsuit.

So the community gets the schools masks and filters and everybody goes back? Is that what you're saying?