APS - School on Monday?

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Hoping for virtual for HS as soon as possible. Most kids can manage themselves, AP students have an opportunity to not fall behind (because fewer teachers will get infected and be out), and working parents shouldn’t need to take a day off from work to supervise them (they should be able to fix their own lunch at this point).

It would be great if APS could be proactive and do that. But their hands are tied by 1303. Thanks, APE and OpenFCPS.

As someone with early elementary kids, I'm enormously grateful that APS is pressured to stay open. Virtual is worthless.

Yup. I’m another one who won’t have my early elementary child participate if it’s virtual. What are they going to do? Nothing.

But maybe they could ensure ES stays home by directing scarce staff resources (subs, bus drivers, etc.) to the ES. They could do that if they had authority to place MS and/or HS in virtual mode. But they lack that authority.

There is zero reason to believe they would do that. It didn’t happen last year, it wouldn’t happen this year.

It would be totally consistent with SB1303. The only reason it won't is because Duran and Loft are incompetent and don't care about educating early elementary. They've gotten the shift since the beginning.

WTF is wrong with you? Why are you so out of touch with reality & hostile?

Instead of attacking me, perhaps reply to the facts? What is Duran's plan for ensuring learning for K-2 kids who can't meaningfully access virtual learning? Having seen the terrible test scores, have you seen any evidence that he's going to do anything differently from last year? That is the source of a great deal of frustration. His equitable solution is no learning for those students, plus no plan for learning recovery.

Basically this. My first grader missed half a year of preschool (ours closed overnight like many others in March 2020), spent the bulk of his K year in virtual school with only a few months of 2-day per week hybrid, and was just now in a pretty good place with in-person 1st grade. It has taken Herculean efforts and an incredible amount of privilege (being able to hire a pod teacher, educated parents who can supplement, etc.) to even be in this position at all and now I’m worried the solution to the inevitable staffing issues will once again be to treat these young kids as if they’re the same as teenagers who can engage in distance learning.

And I’m tired of being gaslighted by a segment of society who thinks this continues to be ok because the infinitesimal risk of death/serious disease for vaccinated adults. Must be nice to be able to wring your hands over tiny hypothetical risks while parents of young kids have suffered actual harm over the last 2 years. I don’t even have the energy anymore to care about what could happen if sick with COVID because I’ve been so busy dealing with the actual damage of the pandemic response to COVID. Yes, I know hospitals are getting full. But like so many on here use as a refrain “it’s not the job of the schools to fix society’s problems.” Why don’t we let the politicians, private sector, healthcare workers, etc. figure out how to get community spread down and have the school systems focus on actually educating kids, which is, you know their entire.freaking.purpose.

If elementary schools go virtual, I hope all parents of young kids boycott this mess. I honestly don’t think APS should get to count this toward academic hours because they’re not actually educating students. If the test scores drop even more, then perhaps Duran will have to finally come up with a solution or get booted.

Save the essay for your kids Harvard application! They won’t make it in without you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hoping for virtual for HS as soon as possible. Most kids can manage themselves, AP students have an opportunity to not fall behind (because fewer teachers will get infected and be out), and working parents shouldn’t need to take a day off from work to supervise them (they should be able to fix their own lunch at this point).

It would be great if APS could be proactive and do that. But their hands are tied by 1303. Thanks, APE and OpenFCPS.

As someone with early elementary kids, I'm enormously grateful that APS is pressured to stay open. Virtual is worthless.

Yup. I’m another one who won’t have my early elementary child participate if it’s virtual. What are they going to do? Nothing.

But maybe they could ensure ES stays home by directing scarce staff resources (subs, bus drivers, etc.) to the ES. They could do that if they had authority to place MS and/or HS in virtual mode. But they lack that authority.

There is zero reason to believe they would do that. It didn’t happen last year, it wouldn’t happen this year.

It would be totally consistent with SB1303. The only reason it won't is because Duran and Loft are incompetent and don't care about educating early elementary. They've gotten the shift since the beginning.

WTF is wrong with you? Why are you so out of touch with reality & hostile?

Instead of attacking me, perhaps reply to the facts? What is Duran's plan for ensuring learning for K-2 kids who can't meaningfully access virtual learning? Having seen the terrible test scores, have you seen any evidence that he's going to do anything differently from last year? That is the source of a great deal of frustration. His equitable solution is no learning for those students, plus no plan for learning recovery.

Basically this. My first grader missed half a year of preschool (ours closed overnight like many others in March 2020), spent the bulk of his K year in virtual school with only a few months of 2-day per week hybrid, and was just now in a pretty good place with in-person 1st grade. It has taken Herculean efforts and an incredible amount of privilege (being able to hire a pod teacher, educated parents who can supplement, etc.) to even be in this position at all and now I’m worried the solution to the inevitable staffing issues will once again be to treat these young kids as if they’re the same as teenagers who can engage in distance learning.

And I’m tired of being gaslighted by a segment of society who thinks this continues to be ok because the infinitesimal risk of death/serious disease for vaccinated adults. Must be nice to be able to wring your hands over tiny hypothetical risks while parents of young kids have suffered actual harm over the last 2 years. I don’t even have the energy anymore to care about what could happen if sick with COVID because I’ve been so busy dealing with the actual damage of the pandemic response to COVID. Yes, I know hospitals are getting full. But like so many on here use as a refrain “it’s not the job of the schools to fix society’s problems.” Why don’t we let the politicians, private sector, healthcare workers, etc. figure out how to get community spread down and have the school systems focus on actually educating kids, which is, you know their entire.freaking.purpose.

If elementary schools go virtual, I hope all parents of young kids boycott this mess. I honestly don’t think APS should get to count this toward academic hours because they’re not actually educating students. If the test scores drop even more, then perhaps Duran will have to finally come up with a solution or get booted.

So because you're unhappy and can't competently manage your family, you're willing to throw all of this at doctors and nurses to fix for you? And you want us to feel sorry for you while you do it? No can do. Get your act together. Stop complaining. I hope you do "boycott this mess." It will serve you right to have your kids at home for the rest of the year. I cannot wait to see that!

[Anonymous]

If you care so much, lobby for high school to go virtual so necessary resources (buses, subs, N95s, etc) can be directed to elementary schools. Stop whining. This is real.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you care so much, lobby for high school to go virtual so necessary resources (buses, subs, N95s, etc) can be directed to elementary schools. Stop whining. This is real.

No one needs N95s. Those are respirators. There are vaccines available.

Everyone will get COVID. These people trying so hard to avoid it are just prolonging the pandemic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hoping for virtual for HS as soon as possible. Most kids can manage themselves, AP students have an opportunity to not fall behind (because fewer teachers will get infected and be out), and working parents shouldn’t need to take a day off from work to supervise them (they should be able to fix their own lunch at this point).

It would be great if APS could be proactive and do that. But their hands are tied by 1303. Thanks, APE and OpenFCPS.

As someone with early elementary kids, I'm enormously grateful that APS is pressured to stay open. Virtual is worthless.

Yup. I’m another one who won’t have my early elementary child participate if it’s virtual. What are they going to do? Nothing.

But maybe they could ensure ES stays home by directing scarce staff resources (subs, bus drivers, etc.) to the ES. They could do that if they had authority to place MS and/or HS in virtual mode. But they lack that authority.

There is zero reason to believe they would do that. It didn’t happen last year, it wouldn’t happen this year.

It would be totally consistent with SB1303. The only reason it won't is because Duran and Loft are incompetent and don't care about educating early elementary. They've gotten the shift since the beginning.

WTF is wrong with you? Why are you so out of touch with reality & hostile?

Instead of attacking me, perhaps reply to the facts? What is Duran's plan for ensuring learning for K-2 kids who can't meaningfully access virtual learning? Having seen the terrible test scores, have you seen any evidence that he's going to do anything differently from last year? That is the source of a great deal of frustration. His equitable solution is no learning for those students, plus no plan for learning recovery.

Basically this. My first grader missed half a year of preschool (ours closed overnight like many others in March 2020), spent the bulk of his K year in virtual school with only a few months of 2-day per week hybrid, and was just now in a pretty good place with in-person 1st grade. It has taken Herculean efforts and an incredible amount of privilege (being able to hire a pod teacher, educated parents who can supplement, etc.) to even be in this position at all and now I’m worried the solution to the inevitable staffing issues will once again be to treat these young kids as if they’re the same as teenagers who can engage in distance learning.

And I’m tired of being gaslighted by a segment of society who thinks this continues to be ok because the infinitesimal risk of death/serious disease for vaccinated adults. Must be nice to be able to wring your hands over tiny hypothetical risks while parents of young kids have suffered actual harm over the last 2 years. I don’t even have the energy anymore to care about what could happen if sick with COVID because I’ve been so busy dealing with the actual damage of the pandemic response to COVID. Yes, I know hospitals are getting full. But like so many on here use as a refrain “it’s not the job of the schools to fix society’s problems.” Why don’t we let the politicians, private sector, healthcare workers, etc. figure out how to get community spread down and have the school systems focus on actually educating kids, which is, you know their entire.freaking.purpose.

If elementary schools go virtual, I hope all parents of young kids boycott this mess. I honestly don’t think APS should get to count this toward academic hours because they’re not actually educating students. If the test scores drop even more, then perhaps Duran will have to finally come up with a solution or get booted.

So because you're unhappy and can't competently manage your family, you're willing to throw all of this at doctors and nurses to fix for you? And you want us to feel sorry for you while you do it? No can do. Get your act together. Stop complaining. I hope you do "boycott this mess." It will serve you right to have your kids at home for the rest of the year. I cannot wait to see that!

More misinformation. Hospitals in VA aren't even close to "full". They're actually doing much better than this time of year pre-COVID.

[Anonymous]

Yawn
Two comps
No one agrees
No one is right, no one is wrong. Courage in Leadership continues to lack as officials remain frozen in..I don’t know what to do

[Anonymous]

Ok and I declare your allegation of misinformation to be misinformation. Do you read the updates from local hospitals like the one in Arlington or are you just making gross over-generalizations that serve your narrative? And yes, lacking leadership is a real problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ok and I declare your allegation of misinformation to be misinformation. Do you read the updates from local hospitals like the one in Arlington or are you just making gross over-generalizations that serve your narrative? And yes, lacking leadership is a real problem.

Providing education to K-2 isn't going to be what sinks the system. Everyone is fine with daycare being open, why not K-2? If you're concerned about hospitals look at bars, gyms and restaurants.

[Anonymous]

So because you're unhappy and can't competently manage your family, you're willing to throw all of this at doctors and nurses to fix for you? And you want us to feel sorry for you while you do it? No can do. Get your act together. Stop complaining.

Not that PP but parents of young kids can say the same to others.

Because you hospitals can’t competently manage your patient care, you’re willing to throw this at young kids and their parents?

Because you politicians, doctors and public health specialists can’t competently manage to get people vaccinated, you’re going to throw this at young kids and parents?

Because you schools can’t get adequate staff and substitutes, you’re willing to throw this at young kids and their parents?

Because you at risk people can’t manage to quarantine during times of high community spread, you’re going to throw this on young kids and their parents?

But tell me all about how parents are supposed to do two things at once: make their kids sit in front of a screen or make them do asynchronous work while also working a full time job. Tell me how we are supposed to competently manage a job and constant in person supervision for kids. And tell me how we are selfish for expecting some relief after 2 years and after the rest of society opening up (sports, entertainment, restaurants, cruise ships).

[Anonymous]

+ infinity. Well said, PP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hoping for virtual for HS as soon as possible. Most kids can manage themselves, AP students have an opportunity to not fall behind (because fewer teachers will get infected and be out), and working parents shouldn’t need to take a day off from work to supervise them (they should be able to fix their own lunch at this point).

It would be great if APS could be proactive and do that. But their hands are tied by 1303. Thanks, APE and OpenFCPS.

As someone with early elementary kids, I'm enormously grateful that APS is pressured to stay open. Virtual is worthless.

Yup. I’m another one who won’t have my early elementary child participate if it’s virtual. What are they going to do? Nothing.

But maybe they could ensure ES stays home by directing scarce staff resources (subs, bus drivers, etc.) to the ES. They could do that if they had authority to place MS and/or HS in virtual mode. But they lack that authority.

There is zero reason to believe they would do that. It didn’t happen last year, it wouldn’t happen this year.

It would be totally consistent with SB1303. The only reason it won't is because Duran and Loft are incompetent and don't care about educating early elementary. They've gotten the shift since the beginning.

WTF is wrong with you? Why are you so out of touch with reality & hostile?

Instead of attacking me, perhaps reply to the facts? What is Duran's plan for ensuring learning for K-2 kids who can't meaningfully access virtual learning? Having seen the terrible test scores, have you seen any evidence that he's going to do anything differently from last year? That is the source of a great deal of frustration. His equitable solution is no learning for those students, plus no plan for learning recovery.

Basically this. My first grader missed half a year of preschool (ours closed overnight like many others in March 2020), spent the bulk of his K year in virtual school with only a few months of 2-day per week hybrid, and was just now in a pretty good place with in-person 1st grade. It has taken Herculean efforts and an incredible amount of privilege (being able to hire a pod teacher, educated parents who can supplement, etc.) to even be in this position at all and now I’m worried the solution to the inevitable staffing issues will once again be to treat these young kids as if they’re the same as teenagers who can engage in distance learning.

And I’m tired of being gaslighted by a segment of society who thinks this continues to be ok because the infinitesimal risk of death/serious disease for vaccinated adults. Must be nice to be able to wring your hands over tiny hypothetical risks while parents of young kids have suffered actual harm over the last 2 years. I don’t even have the energy anymore to care about what could happen if sick with COVID because I’ve been so busy dealing with the actual damage of the pandemic response to COVID. Yes, I know hospitals are getting full. But like so many on here use as a refrain “it’s not the job of the schools to fix society’s problems.” Why don’t we let the politicians, private sector, healthcare workers, etc. figure out how to get community spread down and have the school systems focus on actually educating kids, which is, you know their entire.freaking.purpose.

If elementary schools go virtual, I hope all parents of young kids boycott this mess. I honestly don’t think APS should get to count this toward academic hours because they’re not actually educating students. If the test scores drop even more, then perhaps Duran will have to finally come up with a solution or get booted.

So because you're unhappy and can't competently manage your family, you're willing to throw all of this at doctors and nurses to fix for you? And you want us to feel sorry for you while you do it? No can do. Get your act together. Stop complaining. I hope you do "boycott this mess." It will serve you right to have your kids at home for the rest of the year. I cannot wait to see that!

Gee, I can’t imagine why families with young kids are burnt out and tired of feeling like society doesn’t give a crap about them. I can’t imagine why they don’t want to keep making sacrifices for the sake of others while everyone else resumes vacations, bar hopping, cruising, going to sports games, etc. Look around you at what has been prioritized … it’s clear young kids are bottom of the barrel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Alright, I need someone to give it to me straight. What are we thinking for Monday re staffing? Please tell me my kids will be in school..

100% chance they will be in school early in the week. Later in the week, who knows. Depends how bad it goes w/ substitutes.

Does APS have any planning in place? Have I missed some metrics as to when school will need to go virtual due to staffing issues? And will they close just certain unstaffed classrooms, entire grades, the whole school? How will staffing be prioritized (e.g. will special needs or younger Elementary kids be prioritized, can substitutes and bus drivers be allocated toward the most in need students?). And will virtual be mandatory? Distance learning didn’t work for us last year. I’d rather just go on vacation than spend the time at home on an iPad. If my kid can’t get a real education for a week or two, then I’d rather use that forced time off work for something enjoyable since I only get limited PTO.

To answer your first questions, APS has no plan and has disclosed no metrics. They're flying by the seat of their pants. Zero leadership.

Sad but true

[Anonymous]

So because you're unhappy and can't competently manage your family, you're willing to throw all of this at doctors and nurses to fix for you? And you want us to feel sorry for you while you do it? No can do. Get your act together. Stop complaining.

If you’re a healthcare worker blaming the current peak on low risk young children and their families for wanting to prioritize education instead of realizing the responsibility lies with the unvaccinated adults and politician’s refusal to adequately regulate high risk indoor venues, then you have very poor reasoning skills.
This doesn’t bode well for the state of medical care.

[Anonymous]

The reason why it has to be the schools that shut is because you’re not just sending your kids to,school. Because of your evaluation of risk, you’re also sending your kids to sports, parties, playdates, etc. You’re also over it so you’re eating at restaurants, masking “only if asked”, going to adult gatherings, church, etc. The schools are the thing that the local jurisdictions can control. Our church shut down, but most didn’t. So now there isn’t enough staff to staff the buildings. A two or three wee reset isn’t to get rid of covid, it’s to allow everyone enough time to clear the virus and not spread it to the other half of the people who don’t have it yet. Allow middle and high schoolers to get the booster.

I am telling my kid that if he gets to school and they try to shove him in an auditorium because there aren’t enough teachers and they are going to create lovely superspreader events while staring at his iPad, to call me and I will call the school to sign him out and let him come home. It they at least put the older kids in virtual, then we know what each day is going to look like. For this who need the child care, you can send your kids in for that, not judging.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The reason why it has to be the schools that shut is because you’re not just sending your kids to,school. Because of your evaluation of risk, you’re also sending your kids to sports, parties, playdates, etc. You’re also over it so you’re eating at restaurants, masking “only if asked”, going to adult gatherings, church, etc. The schools are the thing that the local jurisdictions can control. Our church shut down, but most didn’t. So now there isn’t enough staff to staff the buildings. A two or three wee reset isn’t to get rid of covid, it’s to allow everyone enough time to clear the virus and not spread it to the other half of the people who don’t have it yet. Allow middle and high schoolers to get the booster.

I am telling my kid that if he gets to school and they try to shove him in an auditorium because there aren’t enough teachers and they are going to create lovely superspreader events while staring at his iPad, to call me and I will call the school to sign him out and let him come home. It they at least put the older kids in virtual, then we know what each day is going to look like. For this who need the child care, you can send your kids in for that, not judging.

School closures are for the adults and have nothing to do with concern about children. Very, very few people are actually worried about whether kids first getting sick then adults.