Time to start loking seriously into Double shift school system.

[Anonymous]

No matter the situation in the Fall we should take all precautions and limit the exposure by introducing the change that
would solve many problems. Not only would it allow for the adequate degree of separation but also would solve crowding.

Voila!.. Not a new concept at all:


Double shift school is a type of school which operates in two shifts, with one group of students in the building early in the day and a second group of students later in the day.[1] The purpose of a double shift school is to increase the number of students that can be taught without having to build another building. To avoid crowded classrooms, a school may adopt a dual shift system without reducing the students actual study time.[2]


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_shift_school

[Anonymous]

A big problem with this is that it effectively means parents will have to pay for childcare throughout elementary school. Instead of getting a full day of childcare with a slight aftercare supplement for a couple hours, they would need to spend much more.

If nothing else, this pandemic has shown that school is primarily for childcare and other social functions. Logistically, it’s also more difficult because you’re transporting children more frequently.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
A big problem with this is that it effectively means parents will have to pay for childcare throughout elementary school. Instead of getting a full day of childcare with a slight aftercare supplement for a couple hours, they would need to spend much more.

If nothing else, this pandemic has shown that school is primarily for childcare and other social functions. Logistically, it’s also more difficult because you’re transporting children more frequently.

In theory the whole society should shift to adjust to the new needs.

1. The schools would go first and double shift.
2. Parents would have choice to pick a shift.
3. Workplaces would need to support the hours so parents could work in sync with the kids school.

[Anonymous]

I get the point OP, and in theory it makes sense. But where are we going to get all the extra teachers to handle the shifts?

Or perhaps until there’s a vaccine, classes and subjects are shorten. School is only 4 hours maybe because there are no specials and no lunch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I get the point OP, and in theory it makes sense. But where are we going to get all the extra teachers to handle the shifts?

Or perhaps until there’s a vaccine, classes and subjects are shorten. School is only 4 hours maybe because there are no specials and no lunch.

You answered your own question. It would be impossible to have 2 shifts and keep the school day the same length. Elementary/middle school kids simply wouldn’t physically be able to stay late enough to schedule two full shifts. School would have to be shortened to 4 hours or so. A morning and afternoon shift wouldn’t require any extra teachers BUT would require more bus drivers for example.

Back to the social services aspect of school: providing meals to vulnerable populations is a key function of school. Note that even when schools are closed we restructured lunch service so families could come pick up food. With unemployment as high as it is, meals would absolutely need to be factored in to thy ex schedule.

Honestly, such a short school day sounds really difficult for working parents.

[Anonymous]

Crowding isn’t a problem at many schools.

I Don’t really see how this reduces virus transmission. The teachers stay as vectors for both groups, and there wouldn’t be time to sanitize the whole school and all the buses between shifts every day. You would be causing a ton of problems for very little actual value.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
A big problem with this is that it effectively means parents will have to pay for childcare throughout elementary school. Instead of getting a full day of childcare with a slight aftercare supplement for a couple hours, they would need to spend much more.

If nothing else, this pandemic has shown that school is primarily for childcare and other social functions. Logistically, it’s also more difficult because you’re transporting children more frequently.

This is one of the hundred reasons I choose to homeschool.

[Anonymous]

Perhaps ESs could focus on the self contained classrooms and MSs and HSs could have split days without the need for childcare. The days would have to be short though because of the teachers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
A big problem with this is that it effectively means parents will have to pay for childcare throughout elementary school. Instead of getting a full day of childcare with a slight aftercare supplement for a couple hours, they would need to spend much more.

If nothing else, this pandemic has shown that school is primarily for childcare and other social functions. Logistically, it’s also more difficult because you’re transporting children more frequently.

This is one of the hundred reasons I choose to homeschool.

Shall we assume you have a partner who works?

Don’t be the smug homeschooler, PP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
A big problem with this is that it effectively means parents will have to pay for childcare throughout elementary school. Instead of getting a full day of childcare with a slight aftercare supplement for a couple hours, they would need to spend much more.

If nothing else, this pandemic has shown that school is primarily for childcare and other social functions. Logistically, it’s also more difficult because you’re transporting children more frequently.

+1
Additionally, MCPS would need to hire more teaching staff (including paras) and buy a lot more buses. It would be the end of most field trips and make assemblies less common.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Perhaps ESs could focus on the self contained classrooms and MSs and HSs could have split days without the need for childcare. The days would have to be short though because of the teachers.

Teaching could switch to 10 hour days, 4 days a week like nursing. I would be fine with that. I could run errands, go to the doctor, and have home repair visits done without needing to get a substitute. DH is also a teacher so we don’t have someone who can easily come home an hour earlier to meet the cable guy.

[Anonymous]

Elementary schools can go back first and then later for older kids, but MCPS won't have be able to nimbly adjust to something like that.
Our private school may do that - but it's so much easier in a smaller environment.

[Anonymous]

No need for schools. Move everything to online or get Khan Academy to teach everything. Get the best teachers to teach, record it, and get rid of schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No need for schools. Move everything to online or get Khan Academy to teach everything. Get the best teachers to teach, record it, and get rid of schools.

Lol yeah right

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Crowding isn’t a problem at many schools.

That may be true, but crowding IS a problem at many schools is also true.