DCPS Employee Return to In Person Work Guidance

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teachers do care about education. We don't trust the district or the parents to keep us safe. Parents are saying their kids should not be required to wear masks, but they want schools to open full time. Give me a break.

I don't think that's parents in DC. I would bet all DCPS parents are fine with masks.

I can't speak for anyone else, of course, but I appreciate my kid's teachers A LOT. Her teacher this year was crying because she missed her students, and hated teaching them over a computer screen instead of in person. We could tell that she really cared about our kid, and was doing her best to support them and keep them on track with at least some learning. I am sure that her teachers next year will be the same -- dedicated and caring.

We are already preparing my kid for the fact that when/if she is back in school, she will have to wear a mask. That's just the way it will be. I would love for schools to be open, because DL is hard on teachers and kids. But only if they can be opened safely, which I know will mean masks, distancing, and other precautions that will not always be easy or convenient. Pitting parents against teachers is not helpful. Everyone needs to be compassionate and flexible.

You are lovely!!! We need more parents like you in the District!!!

[Anonymous]

I think a big problem is that teachers don't trust DCPS admin and that makes us reluctant to return to work when we feel like they probably won't take adequate steps to protect us. I would love to teach in person and see my students again but I don't have much faith that DCPS will do much to keep me safe. Most teachers I know feel the same. Nobody thinks that central office is going to help us because they never have up to now. IMPACT has seriously eroded trust in admin. There is a gotcha culture towards teachers. So now we don't feel safe. But we love our students and want to come back. It's not unreasonable to feel scared about it and nervous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think a big problem is that teachers don't trust DCPS admin and that makes us reluctant to return to work when we feel like they probably won't take adequate steps to protect us. I would love to teach in person and see my students again but I don't have much faith that DCPS will do much to keep me safe. Most teachers I know feel the same. Nobody thinks that central office is going to help us because they never have up to now. IMPACT has seriously eroded trust in admin. There is a gotcha culture towards teachers. So now we don't feel safe. But we love our students and want to come back. It's not unreasonable to feel scared about it and nervous.

This is exactly my concern. They talk a good talk but when the time comes no one cares. The guidelines for what DCPS will require and provide are probably purposefully vague so they don't actually have to provide anything. Enhanced cleaning? That can mean anything. When they don't do it, you have to complain to your building admin who are the ones not providing what's promised. I hated online teaching, but I'm also at risk. I feel like absent any concrete promises and a plan for when they aren't followed, I'm better off being at home and not having to worry about it.

[Anonymous]

To all the teachers out there -- just a note to say as parents, we support you. You shouldn't go back to work if your workplace isn't safe. It's not easy; my kid would love to go back to school and we'd love it too -- but if there's no way for you to be safe, we'll stand with you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think a big problem is that teachers don't trust DCPS admin and that makes us reluctant to return to work when we feel like they probably won't take adequate steps to protect us. I would love to teach in person and see my students again but I don't have much faith that DCPS will do much to keep me safe. Most teachers I know feel the same. Nobody thinks that central office is going to help us because they never have up to now. IMPACT has seriously eroded trust in admin. There is a gotcha culture towards teachers. So now we don't feel safe. But we love our students and want to come back. It's not unreasonable to feel scared about it and nervous.

Agreed. Though I hated teaching through a computer, I’m hesitant to return to the building because DCPS has failed to properly plan for our return. I’m worried for all stakeholders who will spend time in schools and the people with whom they’ll come in contact. DCPS has failed to maintain our buildings and provide necessary supplies for years. I don’t trust that will change and the stakes are much higher now. There are schools with unreliable/ broken HVAC systems, windows that don’t open, custodians who don’t actually clean anything, broken soap dispensers, inconsistent access to soap and paper towels, not enough staff to monitor smaller groups of students at lunch and recess, etc. The list goes on and on. Until DCPS “leadership” fix these and many other issues, none of us are safe in school buildings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teachers do care about education. We don't trust the district or the parents to keep us safe. Parents are saying their kids should not be required to wear masks, but they want schools to open full time. Give me a break.

I don't think that's parents in DC. I would bet all DCPS parents are fine with masks.

I can't speak for anyone else, of course, but I appreciate my kid's teachers A LOT. Her teacher this year was crying because she missed her students, and hated teaching them over a computer screen instead of in person. We could tell that she really cared about our kid, and was doing her best to support them and keep them on track with at least some learning. I am sure that her teachers next year will be the same -- dedicated and caring.

We are already preparing my kid for the fact that when/if she is back in school, she will have to wear a mask. That's just the way it will be. I would love for schools to be open, because DL is hard on teachers and kids. But only if they can be opened safely, which I know will mean masks, distancing, and other precautions that will not always be easy or convenient. Pitting parents against teachers is not helpful. Everyone needs to be compassionate and flexible.

You are lovely!!! We need more parents like you in the District!!!

how old is your child? how long have they worn a mask so far? how long have you worn a mask?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teachers do care about education. We don't trust the district or the parents to keep us safe. Parents are saying their kids should not be required to wear masks, but they want schools to open full time. Give me a break.

I don't think that's parents in DC. I would bet all DCPS parents are fine with masks.

I can't speak for anyone else, of course, but I appreciate my kid's teachers A LOT. Her teacher this year was crying because she missed her students, and hated teaching them over a computer screen instead of in person. We could tell that she really cared about our kid, and was doing her best to support them and keep them on track with at least some learning. I am sure that her teachers next year will be the same -- dedicated and caring.

We are already preparing my kid for the fact that when/if she is back in school, she will have to wear a mask. That's just the way it will be. I would love for schools to be open, because DL is hard on teachers and kids. But only if they can be opened safely, which I know will mean masks, distancing, and other precautions that will not always be easy or convenient. Pitting parents against teachers is not helpful. Everyone needs to be compassionate and flexible.

You are lovely!!! We need more parents like you in the District!!!

how old is your child? how long have they worn a mask so far? how long have you worn a mask?

DP, but my 6-year-old can wear a mask for 5 hours so far without taking it off and we'll keep practicing. I'm not saying this is easy, but it is possible, and I think all parents need to be working on it.

[Anonymous]

Re masks - have a little more faith in kids’ adaptability and understanding of reality. We live in an apartment building so masks have been our reality for months whenever we leave our apartment. My 3 and 5 year old wear them no problem, even for multi-hour jaunts into Rock Creek Park. Granted, we haven’t done an 8-hour day yet but they know why masks are important and accept them as just a new part of their reality. (Wasn’t too long ago they had to learn to accept underwear as a new part of their reality!). They won’t be perfect but kids will do better with masks than people think.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think a big problem is that teachers don't trust DCPS admin and that makes us reluctant to return to work when we feel like they probably won't take adequate steps to protect us. I would love to teach in person and see my students again but I don't have much faith that DCPS will do much to keep me safe. Most teachers I know feel the same. Nobody thinks that central office is going to help us because they never have up to now. IMPACT has seriously eroded trust in admin. There is a gotcha culture towards teachers. So now we don't feel safe. But we love our students and want to come back. It's not unreasonable to feel scared about it and nervous.

Agreed. Though I hated teaching through a computer, I’m hesitant to return to the building because DCPS has failed to properly plan for our return. I’m worried for all stakeholders who will spend time in schools and the people with whom they’ll come in contact. DCPS has failed to maintain our buildings and provide necessary supplies for years. I don’t trust that will change and the stakes are much higher now. There are schools with unreliable/ broken HVAC systems, windows that don’t open, custodians who don’t actually clean anything, broken soap dispensers, inconsistent access to soap and paper towels, not enough staff to monitor smaller groups of students at lunch and recess, etc. The list goes on and on. Until DCPS “leadership” fix these and many other issues, none of us are safe in school buildings.

Masks and other PPE - critical (I'd put teachers in shields instead personally). Hand-sanitizer - critical. Physical distancing -- for young kids PK-5 that means 3 feet. For older kids - 6.

As scientists have learned more the whole surfaces/enhanced cleaning has turned out to be not very important or a source of infection. It's become health theatre. Focus on the big stuff.

[Anonymous]

They are discovering that it’s passed through fecal material. What does that mean for non potty trained kids?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think a big problem is that teachers don't trust DCPS admin and that makes us reluctant to return to work when we feel like they probably won't take adequate steps to protect us. I would love to teach in person and see my students again but I don't have much faith that DCPS will do much to keep me safe. Most teachers I know feel the same. Nobody thinks that central office is going to help us because they never have up to now. IMPACT has seriously eroded trust in admin. There is a gotcha culture towards teachers. So now we don't feel safe. But we love our students and want to come back. It's not unreasonable to feel scared about it and nervous.

Agreed. Though I hated teaching through a computer, I’m hesitant to return to the building because DCPS has failed to properly plan for our return. I’m worried for all stakeholders who will spend time in schools and the people with whom they’ll come in contact. DCPS has failed to maintain our buildings and provide necessary supplies for years. I don’t trust that will change and the stakes are much higher now. There are schools with unreliable/ broken HVAC systems, windows that don’t open, custodians who don’t actually clean anything, broken soap dispensers, inconsistent access to soap and paper towels, not enough staff to monitor smaller groups of students at lunch and recess, etc. The list goes on and on. Until DCPS “leadership” fix these and many other issues, none of us are safe in school buildings.

Masks and other PPE - critical (I'd put teachers in shields instead personally). Hand-sanitizer - critical. Physical distancing -- for young kids PK-5 that means 3 feet. For older kids - 6.

As scientists have learned more the whole surfaces/enhanced cleaning has turned out to be not very important or a source of infection. It's become health theatre. Focus on the big stuff.

Thanks! I agree with the statements regarding shields and distancing. I’m still careful about surfaces because the guidance there has changed more than once. I’m also concerned about the poor ventilation because studies have shown improper ventilation can increase chances of infection. Soap is a commodity for washing hands after recess, before lunch and after using the bathroom. We were told to stop providing hand sanitizer to students because it isn’t as effective as washing with soap and water. Parents also expressed concerns it dries out their child’s skin. Based on my experiences in DCPS schools, all the things are “big” to me, particularly since I’m required to be in the building five days a week for 7.5-8 hours each day.

I’m ready to go back and want buildings to be as safe as possible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think a big problem is that teachers don't trust DCPS admin and that makes us reluctant to return to work when we feel like they probably won't take adequate steps to protect us. I would love to teach in person and see my students again but I don't have much faith that DCPS will do much to keep me safe. Most teachers I know feel the same. Nobody thinks that central office is going to help us because they never have up to now. IMPACT has seriously eroded trust in admin. There is a gotcha culture towards teachers. So now we don't feel safe. But we love our students and want to come back. It's not unreasonable to feel scared about it and nervous.

+1

To close out for this school year the teachers at my school were promised that there would be temperature checks at the door. There was no one at my school taking temps. My classroom had not been cleaned that entire distant learning time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think a big problem is that teachers don't trust DCPS admin and that makes us reluctant to return to work when we feel like they probably won't take adequate steps to protect us. I would love to teach in person and see my students again but I don't have much faith that DCPS will do much to keep me safe. Most teachers I know feel the same. Nobody thinks that central office is going to help us because they never have up to now. IMPACT has seriously eroded trust in admin. There is a gotcha culture towards teachers. So now we don't feel safe. But we love our students and want to come back. It's not unreasonable to feel scared about it and nervous.

+1

To close out for this school year the teachers at my school were promised that there would be temperature checks at the door. There was no one at my school taking temps. My classroom had not been cleaned that entire distant learning time.

+1

When individual schools were closed for a deep cleaning in March, nothing was cleaned. Then central office staff came and lied to teachers saying cleaning crews came through. Nothing was moved on desks, kids' desks still dirty, etc. They really don't care.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think a big problem is that teachers don't trust DCPS admin and that makes us reluctant to return to work when we feel like they probably won't take adequate steps to protect us. I would love to teach in person and see my students again but I don't have much faith that DCPS will do much to keep me safe. Most teachers I know feel the same. Nobody thinks that central office is going to help us because they never have up to now. IMPACT has seriously eroded trust in admin. There is a gotcha culture towards teachers. So now we don't feel safe. But we love our students and want to come back. It's not unreasonable to feel scared about it and nervous.

+1

To close out for this school year the teachers at my school were promised that there would be temperature checks at the door. There was no one at my school taking temps. My classroom had not been cleaned that entire distant learning time.

+1

When individual schools were closed for a deep cleaning in March, nothing was cleaned. Then central office staff came and lied to teachers saying cleaning crews came through. Nothing was moved on desks, kids' desks still dirty, etc. They really don't care.

Wow, this is awful. Thank you for sharing so now I understand what teachers are so concerned about. DCPS needs to take this much more seriously. What will it take? Asking seriously. In these areas charters have it better I feel, or can, if they are able to have more trust and care more about the individuals in the buildings. But, no one has extra funds for building upgrades - that has to come from somewhere. We can’t expect to have schools open on the same budgets as pre covid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This document was sent out today, with a form to share your intent by July 10. WTU quickly followed with an email to not submit yet. I have no idea what to do as I really want to be in person, but don’t trust any promises of PPE/supplies or enhanced cleaning. It’s not like once I show up and any of that isn’t happening I can just back out, I’ll have to use my own leave.

It’s a 4 1/2 page document so I’ll paste highlights:

DCPS will implement a hybrid learning model for the 2020-21 School Year (SY) that will include continued virtual instruction and in-person instruction for a portion of our students. DCPS will continue to ensurethe safety of school-based employees who report to work in-person.

All employees who report to work in-person will be provided with a daily supply of disposable face masksat no cost to the employee. Additionally, staff will be provided with a full supply of hand sanitizers and cleaning supplies to maintain their workspaces

Daily Health Screening
DCPS will implement a daily health screen for all students and staff entering DCPS buildings. Employees will complete this screening through a self-assessment that needs to occur before arrival daily. A team of screening facilitators will monitor screening results to ensure appropriate follow up occurs.
An individual with any of the following symptoms will be instructed to not enter DCPS buildings, to isolate immediately, and call their healthcare provider:
• Fever (defined as 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit);
• Chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing;
• Fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache; or
New loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion, nausea or vomiting, or diarrhea, or otherwise feeling unwell.
If a student or staff member develops any of the symptoms above during the course of the school day, DCPS will have a designated physical location and a process in place that allows the individual to isolate until it is safe to go home and seek healthcare provider guidance.

Enhanced Cleaning Routines
Schools will undergo daily cleaning at the end of each day and deep cleaning based on a prescribed schedule.

This shouldn't be a surprise to you as a teacher . It is literally cut and paste from the DC Task force public plan released 6 WEEKS AGO

So what is your plan forward then ? There is no vaccine and children need to be educated.

If you are 65 or older,have a medical condition placing you in high risk or if you suffer from OCD , you get paid leave. Its the law

If you are just a whiner, maybe consider another profession