Safety of teachers and school staff when returning to a school setting in August

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^ by social workers, you mean CSFA, right? We’ve gotta start calling a spade a spade. If a child is unsafe in your home it is not a school social worker issue. It is a child & family services issue.

DP

Not teleschooling (or whatever you want to call it) and being in really rough family situations can be two very different things. I have a handful of elementary school kids who are not doing any work because there isn't anyone at home holding them accountable. These are kids that live in stable, safe homes and all appear to be higher SES families. It's shocking to me.

I wouldn’t jump to conclusions. My DH and I are not requiring our child to participate in the school division’s online learning because it’s a waste of her time. I’m an elementary school teacher and I’m providing her with a far better education than what’s available from the school. I know many families who are in similar situations, FWIW.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^ by social workers, you mean CSFA, right? We’ve gotta start calling a spade a spade. If a child is unsafe in your home it is not a school social worker issue. It is a child & family services issue.

DP

Not teleschooling (or whatever you want to call it) and being in really rough family situations can be two very different things. I have a handful of elementary school kids who are not doing any work because there isn't anyone at home holding them accountable. These are kids that live in stable, safe homes and all appear to be higher SES families. It's shocking to me.

Same here. I have a lot of kids with parents also at home right now working (just like me) who have stable homes and have done no work at all. I of course have a select few students who lived in unstable homes who are also not doing the work.

I do wonder, if the main concern is bringing students to school due to their home environment, why was this not an issue before the pandemic? People are okay with them being at home (or not if they’re homeless) after school and on weekends? This has ALWAYS been an issue, but suddenly now people are using it as an excuse to open up schools when it isn’t safe, probably because they don’t want to deal with their own kids at home.

Yes, I have parents who are doing nothing to enforce the work. These are wealthy families.

What? Are you people mental? People can not adequately do their jobs and be full-time teaching. They can probably/ maybe squeeze in 1-2 hrs/ day outside of work. Some are choosing to not do their jobs or to only do the minimum, and that is an extremely valid choice. But many of us actually need our incomes, have meetings all day, and cannot oversee remote learning during the workday. People cannot do two things well at once. There are no good choices here and I feel for all teachers. But blaming parents for being lazy is not the answer and you need to cut it out right now.

I hear your frustration but I am also working and generally monitoring my kids. I get it that it is very difficult for parents of K-2/3. Your school is not doing it’s job if your child needs you to teach full time but your job is also to monitor like you would check if homework were getting done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^ by social workers, you mean CSFA, right? We’ve gotta start calling a spade a spade. If a child is unsafe in your home it is not a school social worker issue. It is a child & family services issue.

DP

Not teleschooling (or whatever you want to call it) and being in really rough family situations can be two very different things. I have a handful of elementary school kids who are not doing any work because there isn't anyone at home holding them accountable. These are kids that live in stable, safe homes and all appear to be higher SES families. It's shocking to me.

Same here. I have a lot of kids with parents also at home right now working (just like me) who have stable homes and have done no work at all. I of course have a select few students who lived in unstable homes who are also not doing the work.

I do wonder, if the main concern is bringing students to school due to their home environment, why was this not an issue before the pandemic? People are okay with them being at home (or not if they’re homeless) after school and on weekends? This has ALWAYS been an issue, but suddenly now people are using it as an excuse to open up schools when it isn’t safe, probably because they don’t want to deal with their own kids at home.

Yes, I have parents who are doing nothing to enforce the work. These are wealthy families.

What? Are you people mental? People can not adequately do their jobs and be full-time teaching. They can probably/ maybe squeeze in 1-2 hrs/ day outside of work. Some are choosing to not do their jobs or to only do the minimum, and that is an extremely valid choice. But many of us actually need our incomes, have meetings all day, and cannot oversee remote learning during the workday. People cannot do two things well at once. There are no good choices here and I feel for all teachers. But blaming parents for being lazy is not the answer and you need to cut it out right now.

I’m a parent, and I don’t feel these teachers were trying to shame parents. I think they were highlighting that this non participation in telelearning is not limited to disadvantaged families. I think that’s an interesting point of view, especially in this forum, where (I’ll stop here bc I don’t want to go negative.)

This forum is a potential opportunity to pinpoint what’s working and what works less well. Obviously, extent of parental facilitation expected is a key element of any telelearning program.

[Anonymous]

The concerns outlined in the OP are the reason most schools wont be reopening in the fall. The issue is a mess and there is little political will to solve it, so everyone will be trying to keep the status quo until around spring. Parents don’t have unions and also many will just find other solutions rather than protest. Also if schools reopen they will be a mess and very barebones and many parents understand that and are looking for solutions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^ by social workers, you mean CSFA, right? We’ve gotta start calling a spade a spade. If a child is unsafe in your home it is not a school social worker issue. It is a child & family services issue.

DP

Not teleschooling (or whatever you want to call it) and being in really rough family situations can be two very different things. I have a handful of elementary school kids who are not doing any work because there isn't anyone at home holding them accountable. These are kids that live in stable, safe homes and all appear to be higher SES families. It's shocking to me.

Same here. I have a lot of kids with parents also at home right now working (just like me) who have stable homes and have done no work at all. I of course have a select few students who lived in unstable homes who are also not doing the work.

I do wonder, if the main concern is bringing students to school due to their home environment, why was this not an issue before the pandemic? People are okay with them being at home (or not if they’re homeless) after school and on weekends? This has ALWAYS been an issue, but suddenly now people are using it as an excuse to open up schools when it isn’t safe, probably because they don’t want to deal with their own kids at home.

Yes, I have parents who are doing nothing to enforce the work. These are wealthy families.

What? Are you people mental? People can not adequately do their jobs and be full-time teaching. They can probably/ maybe squeeze in 1-2 hrs/ day outside of work. Some are choosing to not do their jobs or to only do the minimum, and that is an extremely valid choice. But many of us actually need our incomes, have meetings all day, and cannot oversee remote learning during the workday. People cannot do two things well at once. There are no good choices here and I feel for all teachers. But blaming parents for being lazy is not the answer and you need to cut it out right now.

I’m a parent, and I don’t feel these teachers were trying to shame parents. I think they were highlighting that this non participation in telelearning is not limited to disadvantaged families. I think that’s an interesting point of view, especially in this forum, where (I’ll stop here bc I don’t want to go negative.)

This forum is a potential opportunity to pinpoint what’s working and what works less well. Obviously, extent of parental facilitation expected is a key element of any telelearning program.

dp: The kid matters too. I am available and supportive for my DS. A model student at school, he *hates* distance learning. Getting him to spend 10 minutes on Zoom call is major struggle. He just can’t stand the tedium when there is no structure (other than me) preventing him from leaving. He’ll be fine — he reads and builds non-stop. But he barely participates in DL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^ by social workers, you mean CSFA, right? We’ve gotta start calling a spade a spade. If a child is unsafe in your home it is not a school social worker issue. It is a child & family services issue.

DP

Not teleschooling (or whatever you want to call it) and being in really rough family situations can be two very different things. I have a handful of elementary school kids who are not doing any work because there isn't anyone at home holding them accountable. These are kids that live in stable, safe homes and all appear to be higher SES families. It's shocking to me.

I wouldn’t jump to conclusions. My DH and I are not requiring our child to participate in the school division’s online learning because it’s a waste of her time. I’m an elementary school teacher and I’m providing her with a far better education than what’s available from the school. I know many families who are in similar situations, FWIW.

I'm not jumping to any conclusion I am talking about kids who sometimes do assignments and sometimes don't. Sometimes they will pick up the call, sometimes they won't. Not one of their parents have told me that their child is not required to participate in online learning or they are providing an alternative. I hope that any family in a similar situation notifies at least the teacher so all the energy trying to get kids to do any work can be directed to the students who are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^ by social workers, you mean CSFA, right? We’ve gotta start calling a spade a spade. If a child is unsafe in your home it is not a school social worker issue. It is a child & family services issue.

DP

Not teleschooling (or whatever you want to call it) and being in really rough family situations can be two very different things. I have a handful of elementary school kids who are not doing any work because there isn't anyone at home holding them accountable. These are kids that live in stable, safe homes and all appear to be higher SES families. It's shocking to me.

Same here. I have a lot of kids with parents also at home right now working (just like me) who have stable homes and have done no work at all. I of course have a select few students who lived in unstable homes who are also not doing the work.

I do wonder, if the main concern is bringing students to school due to their home environment, why was this not an issue before the pandemic? People are okay with them being at home (or not if they’re homeless) after school and on weekends? This has ALWAYS been an issue, but suddenly now people are using it as an excuse to open up schools when it isn’t safe, probably because they don’t want to deal with their own kids at home.

Yes, I have parents who are doing nothing to enforce the work. These are wealthy families.

What? Are you people mental? People can not adequately do their jobs and be full-time teaching. They can probably/ maybe squeeze in 1-2 hrs/ day outside of work. Some are choosing to not do their jobs or to only do the minimum, and that is an extremely valid choice. But many of us actually need our incomes, have meetings all day, and cannot oversee remote learning during the workday. People cannot do two things well at once. There are no good choices here and I feel for all teachers. But blaming parents for being lazy is not the answer and you need to cut it out right now.

I’m a parent, and I don’t feel these teachers were trying to shame parents. I think they were highlighting that this non participation in telelearning is not limited to disadvantaged families. I think that’s an interesting point of view, especially in this forum, where (I’ll stop here bc I don’t want to go negative.)

This forum is a potential opportunity to pinpoint what’s working and what works less well. Obviously, extent of parental facilitation expected is a key element of any telelearning program.

I agree that I didn't see any parent shaming. The fact is that we're all struggling in our own way. No one knows what the Fall will look like and there are no easy answers at this time, and that is frustrating for everyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The ignorance is just so endless. I woke up at 3 am today and planned, recorded and uploaded videos for lessons for next week, planned and subsequently led two 45 minute guided reading sessions, led a morning meeting, called three families for 20 minute one-on-one sessions, held an open lunch office hour and provided individualized support in using a remote learning website to a student and parent during that time, updated our class blog and more. It’s 1 and I’ve been working for 10 hours and won’t be done for several more.

Thank you for this! I am so sick of people asserting that teachers aren't working just because their kid had one our of live instruction. There are multiple classes happening a day, plus admin meetings, plus tutoring, plus office hours, plus the expectation of calls to kids
who aren't engaging. Then there's the time it takes to plan a lesson, create and upload all the assignments and grade assignments.

What about the special teachers who we have barely heard from? They are being paid still. Some of the regular teachers are barely working either.

The specials teachers at my school have 700 students so they create a video for each grade and that does take a lot of work. Since you feel entitled to make gross generalizations, I can too. You are a disgusting pig.

And at my DCPS only 1 of the 4 specials teachers have provided anything and that’s a weekly email to parents—most of which we don’t have emails for. Of course one of them barely works IN school but is too senior for anyone to complain about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^ by social workers, you mean CSFA, right? We’ve gotta start calling a spade a spade. If a child is unsafe in your home it is not a school social worker issue. It is a child & family services issue.

DP

Not teleschooling (or whatever you want to call it) and being in really rough family situations can be two very different things. I have a handful of elementary school kids who are not doing any work because there isn't anyone at home holding them accountable. These are kids that live in stable, safe homes and all appear to be higher SES families. It's shocking to me.

Yes. No one is required to participate in distance learning. I’m talking about kids I’m not stable homes. A pp recommended farming out social workers to those kids. My point was- if the home is not stable- it’s not a social worker, it’s CSFA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A story in the Guardian that's related to this thread:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/21/i-feel-expendable-australian-teachers-sound-alarm-about-schools-and-coronavirus

This article is a month old and was written before Australian schools closed. It's not particularly relevant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^ by social workers, you mean CSFA, right? We’ve gotta start calling a spade a spade. If a child is unsafe in your home it is not a school social worker issue. It is a child & family services issue.

DP

Not teleschooling (or whatever you want to call it) and being in really rough family situations can be two very different things. I have a handful of elementary school kids who are not doing any work because there isn't anyone at home holding them accountable. These are kids that live in stable, safe homes and all appear to be higher SES families. It's shocking to me.

Same here. I have a lot of kids with parents also at home right now working (just like me) who have stable homes and have done no work at all. I of course have a select few students who lived in unstable homes who are also not doing the work.

I do wonder, if the main concern is bringing students to school due to their home environment, why was this not an issue before the pandemic? People are okay with them being at home (or not if they’re homeless) after school and on weekends? This has ALWAYS been an issue, but suddenly now people are using it as an excuse to open up schools when it isn’t safe, probably because they don’t want to deal with their own kids at home.

Yes, I have parents who are doing nothing to enforce the work. These are wealthy families.

What? Are you people mental? People can not adequately do their jobs and be full-time teaching. They can probably/ maybe squeeze in 1-2 hrs/ day outside of work. Some are choosing to not do their jobs or to only do the minimum, and that is an extremely valid choice. But many of us actually need our incomes, have meetings all day, and cannot oversee remote learning during the workday. People cannot do two things well at once. There are no good choices here and I feel for all teachers. But blaming parents for being lazy is not the answer and you need to cut it out right now.

I’m a parent, and I don’t feel these teachers were trying to shame parents. I think they were highlighting that this non participation in telelearning is not limited to disadvantaged families. I think that’s an interesting point of view, especially in this forum, where (I’ll stop here bc I don’t want to go negative.)

This forum is a potential opportunity to pinpoint what’s working and what works less well. Obviously, extent of parental facilitation expected is a key element of any telelearning program.

I agree that I didn't see any parent shaming. The fact is that we're all struggling in our own way. No one knows what the Fall will look like and there are no easy answers at this time, and that is frustrating for everyone.

Thanks for this thoughtful comment. I think there actually has been a little bit of parent shaming, but agree to disagree. The point is, this is hard on everyone. If teachers get called back to school in an unsafe situation, it is not the fault of exhausted parents who "failed" to make distance learning a resounding success. If anything, in my very humble opinion, it's the fault of abysmal policymakers who failed to keep us safe, or absent that, failed to provide us the chance to support DL by keeping us economically stable.

I for one am full of guilt all day, every day, for being simultaneously bad at all the things I'm trying to juggle. I think my kids' teachers are doing an amazing job, but like a PP noted, my DC just hates zoom and I don't have the bandwidth to enforce. So the teachers are sitting there dealing with kids who aren't engaged or even present, and everyone is losing. I hope DCPS learns from its survey and other parental engagement and takes that feedback to continue to evolve their thinking about what works and what doesn't. I've been really impressed so far, but sadly, exactly zero of that hard work that the school and teachers are putting in has made it into my child due to the other factors at play. Thus for the younger grades at least I genuinely don't know that there's a good DL solution out there.

[Anonymous]

I am a teacher and parents have lamented to me that they cant’t get their child to complete work in distance learning or attend Zoom classes. These parents are not blaming me or angry, just frustrated and communicating why their child isn’t completing any work. Parents who are experiencing this, what will you do if DL continues in the fall? I teach high school so I think the consequences will be different when we return to school and kids are behind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^ by social workers, you mean CSFA, right? We’ve gotta start calling a spade a spade. If a child is unsafe in your home it is not a school social worker issue. It is a child & family services issue.

DP

Not teleschooling (or whatever you want to call it) and being in really rough family situations can be two very different things. I have a handful of elementary school kids who are not doing any work because there isn't anyone at home holding them accountable. These are kids that live in stable, safe homes and all appear to be higher SES families. It's shocking to me.

Same here. I have a lot of kids with parents also at home right now working (just like me) who have stable homes and have done no work at all. I of course have a select few students who lived in unstable homes who are also not doing the work.

I do wonder, if the main concern is bringing students to school due to their home environment, why was this not an issue before the pandemic? People are okay with them being at home (or not if they’re homeless) after school and on weekends? This has ALWAYS been an issue, but suddenly now people are using it as an excuse to open up schools when it isn’t safe, probably because they don’t want to deal with their own kids at home.

Yes, I have parents who are doing nothing to enforce the work. These are wealthy families.

What? Are you people mental? People can not adequately do their jobs and be full-time teaching. They can probably/ maybe squeeze in 1-2 hrs/ day outside of work. Some are choosing to not do their jobs or to only do the minimum, and that is an extremely valid choice. But many of us actually need our incomes, have meetings all day, and cannot oversee remote learning during the workday. People cannot do two things well at once. There are no good choices here and I feel for all teachers. But blaming parents for being lazy is not the answer and you need to cut it out right now.

I’m a parent, and I don’t feel these teachers were trying to shame parents. I think they were highlighting that this non participation in telelearning is not limited to disadvantaged families. I think that’s an interesting point of view, especially in this forum, where (I’ll stop here bc I don’t want to go negative.)

This forum is a potential opportunity to pinpoint what’s working and what works less well. Obviously, extent of parental facilitation expected is a key element of any telelearning program.

dp: The kid matters too. I am available and supportive for my DS. A model student at school, he *hates* distance learning. Getting him to spend 10 minutes on Zoom call is major struggle. He just can’t stand the tedium when there is no structure (other than me) preventing him from leaving. He’ll be fine — he reads and builds non-stop. But he barely participates in DL.

I’m the PP to whom you are responding. My DC is exactly the same as yours!!! Except DC is 13, so even less interested in having tele education “facilitated” by parents.

Nevertheless, we persisted. (That’s a joke. We have persisted, but it’s been really, really difficult.)

I want my DC to be engaged in school, and I don’t want our relationship with DC to be predicated on DC’s engagement in distance learning. I want DC to have the knowledge and skills to advance to high school and beyond.

But I really don’t want teachers to die alone, or have blood clots, strokes, and possible respiratory issues all life long.

I wish this pandemic had been handled differently at the outset. At this point, we’re left to choose among some terrible options.