Will DCPS really choose hybrid when all surrounding districts are virtual only?

[Anonymous]

I see a lot of posts and comments discussing a possible hybrid scenario. I am just curious if I’m getting my hopes up for no reason. Is it realistic that Bowser will go a completely different direction than basically everyone else?

[Anonymous]

Hope so.

[Anonymous]

No idea.

[Anonymous]

DC schools serve a more economically disadvantaged population that will need more supports for distance learning than the surrounding districts. I suspect they are thinking about that.

[Anonymous]

It’s not just surrounding districts, it’s charter schools within the city too. I don’t know how you can have half the city on distance learning and half the city on hybrid and act like everything is ok. Bowser has labeled DC high risk based on DCHealth’s own metrics for other cities. No matter what she will decide she will have the blame either way. Sick kids and sick teachers...her fault. Kids staying home...her fault.

My bigger concern as it relates to schools is what is happening in the DC libraries. Librarians are testing positive and the city is trying to hide the news. I have a feeling the same will happen in schools.

[Anonymous]

I’ve seen this trend in other cities as opposed to the surrounding ‘burbs. Makes you go hmmmm...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC schools serve a more economically disadvantaged population that will need more supports for distance learning than the surrounding districts. I suspect they are thinking about that.

Are they more economically disadvantaged than Baltimore City Schools? They chose virtual for safety. If they can....so can DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC schools serve a more economically disadvantaged population that will need more supports for distance learning than the surrounding districts. I suspect they are thinking about that.

Are they more economically disadvantaged than Baltimore City Schools? They chose virtual for safety. If they can....so can DC.

You have no idea how safe or unsafe it can be with precautions. And just because Baltimore City chose all virtual doesn't it does not have consequences for the well being of children and families. Both AAP and CDC have encouraged schools to think critically about the risks of COVID to children versus the benefits of attending school in person, at least some of the time. It you have a telework job that requires mostly email checking and/or affording a nanny, babysitter or tutor it is very easy to shut your eyes to the crisis of work and child care for low income families that this situation is worsening. I hope DC schools are thinking about these real issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC schools serve a more economically disadvantaged population that will need more supports for distance learning than the surrounding districts. I suspect they are thinking about that.

Are they more economically disadvantaged than Baltimore City Schools? They chose virtual for safety. If they can....so can DC.

Arlington, Fairfax, and Montgomery Counties also have large areas with economically disadvantaged populations. At least in Fairfax, a majority of those populations indicated that they preferred virtual learning.

[Anonymous]

If schools are closed, it will also be necessary to close libraries. Otherwise, the libraries will be used as makeshift childcare. Nothing new (ask a librarian), but counterproductive if you want to keep kids from congregating.

[Anonymous]

I think teachers would have been more amenable to returning had DCPS been more inclusive and transparent. Teachers could figure out a way to make it work for just about all parties. I would return to work in an environment of transparency and trust. But we’re left out, talked down too, etc.

DCPS is just not trustworthy. They set their own track record so have themselves to blame.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC schools serve a more economically disadvantaged population that will need more supports for distance learning than the surrounding districts. I suspect they are thinking about that.

More than PG County? Nope. PGCPS is bigger than DCPS with similar numbers of Title 1 schools.


Also - DCPS must realize how many of their teachers live in Maryland, and have kids in MD schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC schools serve a more economically disadvantaged population that will need more supports for distance learning than the surrounding districts. I suspect they are thinking about that.

Are they more economically disadvantaged than Baltimore City Schools? They chose virtual for safety. If they can....so can DC.

Arlington, Fairfax, and Montgomery Counties also have large areas with economically disadvantaged populations. At least in Fairfax, a majority of those populations indicated that they preferred virtual learning.

DC is not even close to these other counties in terms of its population. Seventy-seven percent of DC public schools students are economically disadvantaged, defined as free or reduced lunch or public assistance. In comparison, 28 percent of Fairfax, 33 percent of Montgomery, and 29 percent of Arlington county students received free/reduced lunch. So DC does have to think about these issues because they potentially impact most students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I see a lot of posts and comments discussing a possible hybrid scenario. I am just curious if I’m getting my hopes up for no reason. Is it realistic that Bowser will go a completely different direction than basically everyone else?

I am praying so. My child with an IEP is hopeless with distance learning. Bowser and the chancellor are heroes for seriously trying to make it work and for not being driven by partisan politics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I see a lot of posts and comments discussing a possible hybrid scenario. I am just curious if I’m getting my hopes up for no reason. Is it realistic that Bowser will go a completely different direction than basically everyone else?

I really don't think so. I am expecting an announcement of all virtual on Friday, but even if they announce hybrid on Friday I expect that to change before school starts. I would love to be wrong about this, but I don't expect to be.