Any chance DCPS reopens in person for Term 2 or Term 3?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Public schools in New England have started reopening as normal — kids going to school in person, five days a week. These are states with similar coronavirus caseloads as DC.

I don’t understand these people who think schools can never reopen.

Which schools/districts in New England? Boston and Cambridge opened virtually with plans to move to hybrid later in the fall.

I don’t have a comprehensive list but I know schools are open in Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire. They’re open in person in more places than people probably realize. Schools in Long Island started in person this week. They’re open in some midwestern states and also obviously the south. Schools in Alabama have been open for almost a month.

I love that people in Alabama are like “kids need an education!”

And in DC, people are like, “why do kids need to go to school? School is not that important.”

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Public schools in New England have started reopening as normal — kids going to school in person, five days a week. These are states with similar coronavirus caseloads as DC.

I don’t understand these people who think schools can never reopen.

Which schools/districts in New England? Boston and Cambridge opened virtually with plans to move to hybrid later in the fall.

I don’t have a comprehensive list but I know schools are open in Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire. They’re open in person in more places than people probably realize. Schools in Long Island started in person this week. They’re open in some midwestern states and also obviously the south. Schools in Alabama have been open for almost a month.

Thanks. Just looking online, it seems like the districts in these states are all over the place. Some are all-remote, some are in a hybrid model and only a couple opened as normal. Hopefully, DC and other states will learn from those in hybrid and opening normally so that we can all get back to school.

DC is not New England. They have entire states (Vermont, Maine) with 7-day average daily case counts in the single digits. We have municipalities like DC/Alexandria/Arlington with case counts in the 70s and counties like Montgomery, PG, and Fairfax that have almost 100 cases per day. We are much more similar to urban areas in New England like Boston or Cambridge where they are all virtual as well.

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/us/coronavirus-us-cases.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Public schools in New England have started reopening as normal — kids going to school in person, five days a week. These are states with similar coronavirus caseloads as DC.

I don’t understand these people who think schools can never reopen.

Which schools/districts in New England? Boston and Cambridge opened virtually with plans to move to hybrid later in the fall.

I don’t have a comprehensive list but I know schools are open in Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire. They’re open in person in more places than people probably realize. Schools in Long Island started in person this week. They’re open in some midwestern states and also obviously the south. Schools in Alabama have been open for almost a month.

I love that people in Alabama are like “kids need an education!”

And in DC, people are like, “why do kids need to go to school? School is not that important.”

Actually, they are like, "I'm morbidly obese and a founding member of the Proud Boys. The PK-12 education out kids receive is one of the worst in the country and we have super high rates of poverty and are leeches who complain about the overreaching federal government while we take way more money than we pay into the system."

But if you like Alabama so much, you should move there. You will be missed!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm visiting my parents in PA. Schools are open. The middle school that my mom's neighbor goes to had one case, they didn't close the whole school, just sent the class home. Today, the neighbor's kid who is in a different grade than the original case woke up with a 103 degree fever, chills, and sore throat. They were just here on the porch saying hi for 5 minutes (masks, 12 feet apart) and now we are all worried about my 91 year old mom. Schools are just disease spreaders.

It sounds like your mom's neighbors were the spreaders given that they came to your porch knowing their kid was sick. Why would you be worried about your mom -- who does not attend school -- otherwise?

Oh I don’t know.....maybe because it’s her MOM? Seriously.

What? I mean why would she be worried about school w/r/t her elderly mother? Truthfully, a 91 year old should be in their house seeing as few people as possible. School being open or shut should have an extremely limited impact on a 91 year old. She should be far more worried about indoor dining and bars in terms of population spread, both of which are also open in PA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Public schools in New England have started reopening as normal — kids going to school in person, five days a week. These are states with similar coronavirus caseloads as DC.

I don’t understand these people who think schools can never reopen.

Which schools/districts in New England? Boston and Cambridge opened virtually with plans to move to hybrid later in the fall.

I don’t have a comprehensive list but I know schools are open in Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire. They’re open in person in more places than people probably realize. Schools in Long Island started in person this week. They’re open in some midwestern states and also obviously the south. Schools in Alabama have been open for almost a month.

Thanks. Just looking online, it seems like the districts in these states are all over the place. Some are all-remote, some are in a hybrid model and only a couple opened as normal. Hopefully, DC and other states will learn from those in hybrid and opening normally so that we can all get back to school.

DC is not New England. They have entire states (Vermont, Maine) with 7-day average daily case counts in the single digits. We have municipalities like DC/Alexandria/Arlington with case counts in the 70s and counties like Montgomery, PG, and Fairfax that have almost 100 cases per day. We are much more similar to urban areas in New England like Boston or Cambridge where they are all virtual as well.

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/us/coronavirus-us-cases.html

DC’s numbers are actually better than some New England states. Better than New Hampshire for example where schools are open.

https://covidactnow.org/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Friends in Arkansas and Alabama in school full time. Also friends in catholic schools in various cities full time.

Ummmmm. I don’t think that’s a good comparison. I’m not sure anyone on this board wants to follow Arkansas and Alabama for much of anything.

Stop your prejudice.

NP. It isn't "prejudice" to rely on data. Such as...

47 and 46 for least educated states
49 and 40 for pre-k to 12
49 and 45 for income per capita
Alabama receives 3X more from federal government than they pay into it (5th highest)

The two states you cited have a bunch of characteristics that most people who choose to live in DC would not consider indicators that we would want to follow their lead. Now, if you told me you were striving to create a new DC that was uneducated, unhealthy, sucked off the teet of the federal government, had super low income levels, were incredibly hospitable to hate groups (SPLC) and lacked ay significant diversity, these might be good choices.

It is funny how people like you have o problem taking shots at things about DC you don't like (even if they are made up by Fox News), but anyone who dislikes what you like is embracing cancel culture or being prejudiced.

No go watch your DVR'd Hannity/Ingrahm power hours.

I love you

It’s odd how no one seems curious about how school is going in Alabama. They’ve been at it for almost a month, and people here are citing lots of irrelevant data without bothering to ask if coronavirus has been a problem since they opened.

(We know you don’t like Alabama. And you know what? No one cares).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Friends in Arkansas and Alabama in school full time. Also friends in catholic schools in various cities full time.

Ummmmm. I don’t think that’s a good comparison. I’m not sure anyone on this board wants to follow Arkansas and Alabama for much of anything.

Stop your prejudice.

NP. It isn't "prejudice" to rely on data. Such as...

47 and 46 for least educated states
49 and 40 for pre-k to 12
49 and 45 for income per capita
Alabama receives 3X more from federal government than they pay into it (5th highest)

The two states you cited have a bunch of characteristics that most people who choose to live in DC would not consider indicators that we would want to follow their lead. Now, if you told me you were striving to create a new DC that was uneducated, unhealthy, sucked off the teet of the federal government, had super low income levels, were incredibly hospitable to hate groups (SPLC) and lacked ay significant diversity, these might be good choices.

It is funny how people like you have o problem taking shots at things about DC you don't like (even if they are made up by Fox News), but anyone who dislikes what you like is embracing cancel culture or being prejudiced.

No go watch your DVR'd Hannity/Ingrahm power hours.

I love you

It’s odd how no one seems curious about how school is going in Alabama. They’ve been at it for almost a month, and people here are citing lots of irrelevant data without bothering to ask if coronavirus has been a problem since they opened.

(We know you don’t like Alabama. And you know what? No one cares).

I like Alabama fine. I work for a company that makes processed foods that are OK for Alabama public schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The November 9th reopening date never made sense to me. It’s just not feasible to jump from virtual learning on 11/6 to in-person learning on 11/9. Teachers will need time to put their classrooms together, get the school ready, and of course adjust plans for in-person learning. I’m certain this will require additional planning days being added to the calendar which will just push us closer to the holidays!

I’m thinking January at the earliest.

DCPS is most definitely not opening in 2020. I am hoping in January they start limited opening at least at the elementary schools, this is the age that really needs in person teaching. no ECE, move those teachers into other grades so classes can be small.

100% agree. Get the kindergarteners and 1st graders into the classroom, and small groups for kids with high level IEPs. I want my 3rd grader to go back, but I can wait.

Where are all these teachers coming from?! The Metro area has an extremely small substitute teaching pool. You live in a fantasy world.

um, the existing staff and aides?

So kids are all going back 5 days a week, 25 per class?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Public schools in New England have started reopening as normal — kids going to school in person, five days a week. These are states with similar coronavirus caseloads as DC.

I don’t understand these people who think schools can never reopen.

Which schools/districts in New England? Boston and Cambridge opened virtually with plans to move to hybrid later in the fall.

I don’t have a comprehensive list but I know schools are open in Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire. They’re open in person in more places than people probably realize. Schools in Long Island started in person this week. They’re open in some midwestern states and also obviously the south. Schools in Alabama have been open for almost a month.

Thanks. Just looking online, it seems like the districts in these states are all over the place. Some are all-remote, some are in a hybrid model and only a couple opened as normal. Hopefully, DC and other states will learn from those in hybrid and opening normally so that we can all get back to school.

DC is not New England. They have entire states (Vermont, Maine) with 7-day average daily case counts in the single digits. We have municipalities like DC/Alexandria/Arlington with case counts in the 70s and counties like Montgomery, PG, and Fairfax that have almost 100 cases per day. We are much more similar to urban areas in New England like Boston or Cambridge where they are all virtual as well.

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/us/coronavirus-us-cases.html

And not to beat a dead horse, but Birmingham, AL is also 100% DL right now. This is really an urban issue, not a state-level issue. that said, NYC is very brave to re-open and I hope it goes well, and we re-open too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The November 9th reopening date never made sense to me. It’s just not feasible to jump from virtual learning on 11/6 to in-person learning on 11/9. Teachers will need time to put their classrooms together, get the school ready, and of course adjust plans for in-person learning. I’m certain this will require additional planning days being added to the calendar which will just push us closer to the holidays!

I’m thinking January at the earliest.

DCPS is most definitely not opening in 2020. I am hoping in January they start limited opening at least at the elementary schools, this is the age that really needs in person teaching. no ECE, move those teachers into other grades so classes can be small.

100% agree. Get the kindergarteners and 1st graders into the classroom, and small groups for kids with high level IEPs. I want my 3rd grader to go back, but I can wait.

Where are all these teachers coming from?! The Metro area has an extremely small substitute teaching pool. You live in a fantasy world.

um, the existing staff and aides?

So kids are all going back 5 days a week, 25 per class?

The point is, if we wanted to prioritize the most important groups for in-person school, we could figure it out. Most DCPS K classes (all?) don't have 25 kids anyway. They have more like 20 plus an aide. So I'm pretty sure it could be worked out if there was the will to do it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Friends in Arkansas and Alabama in school full time. Also friends in catholic schools in various cities full time.

Ummmmm. I don’t think that’s a good comparison. I’m not sure anyone on this board wants to follow Arkansas and Alabama for much of anything.

Stop your prejudice.

NP. It isn't "prejudice" to rely on data. Such as...

47 and 46 for least educated states
49 and 40 for pre-k to 12
49 and 45 for income per capita
Alabama receives 3X more from federal government than they pay into it (5th highest)

The two states you cited have a bunch of characteristics that most people who choose to live in DC would not consider indicators that we would want to follow their lead. Now, if you told me you were striving to create a new DC that was uneducated, unhealthy, sucked off the teet of the federal government, had super low income levels, were incredibly hospitable to hate groups (SPLC) and lacked ay significant diversity, these might be good choices.

It is funny how people like you have o problem taking shots at things about DC you don't like (even if they are made up by Fox News), but anyone who dislikes what you like is embracing cancel culture or being prejudiced.

No go watch your DVR'd Hannity/Ingrahm power hours.

I love you

It’s odd how no one seems curious about how school is going in Alabama. They’ve been at it for almost a month, and people here are citing lots of irrelevant data without bothering to ask if coronavirus has been a problem since they opened.

(We know you don’t like Alabama. And you know what? No one cares).

Largest school district in Alabama is currently online only.

https://birminghamwatch.org/jefferson-county-schools-go-virtual-first-nine-weeks-start-sept-1/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The November 9th reopening date never made sense to me. It’s just not feasible to jump from virtual learning on 11/6 to in-person learning on 11/9. Teachers will need time to put their classrooms together, get the school ready, and of course adjust plans for in-person learning. I’m certain this will require additional planning days being added to the calendar which will just push us closer to the holidays!

I’m thinking January at the earliest.

DCPS is most definitely not opening in 2020. I am hoping in January they start limited opening at least at the elementary schools, this is the age that really needs in person teaching. no ECE, move those teachers into other grades so classes can be small.

100% agree. Get the kindergarteners and 1st graders into the classroom, and small groups for kids with high level IEPs. I want my 3rd grader to go back, but I can wait.

Where are all these teachers coming from?! The Metro area has an extremely small substitute teaching pool. You live in a fantasy world.

um, the existing staff and aides?

So kids are all going back 5 days a week, 25 per class?

The point is, if we wanted to prioritize the most important groups for in-person school, we could figure it out. Most DCPS K classes (all?) don't have 25 kids anyway. They have more like 20 plus an aide. So I'm pretty sure it could be worked out if there was the will to do it.

+1

Bring back K and 1st grade. Bring back those teachers of K, 1st and their aides as well as ECE teachers to make smaller classes for K and 1st. We know ECE doesn’t work online anyway, and it isn’t a compulsory grade. Add in reading specialists, math coach, instructional coaches and anyone else who could teach those grades to make small classes.

[Anonymous]

And to add, K and 1st are really important for learning how to read. When kids fall behind in those grades it affects the rest of their school career without really aggressive interventions. That should be the priority to prevent a widening achievement gap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Public schools in New England have started reopening as normal — kids going to school in person, five days a week. These are states with similar coronavirus caseloads as DC.

I don’t understand these people who think schools can never reopen.

Which schools/districts in New England? Boston and Cambridge opened virtually with plans to move to hybrid later in the fall.

I don’t have a comprehensive list but I know schools are open in Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire. They’re open in person in more places than people probably realize. Schools in Long Island started in person this week. They’re open in some midwestern states and also obviously the south. Schools in Alabama have been open for almost a month.

I love that people in Alabama are like “kids need an education!”

And in DC, people are like, “why do kids need to go to school? School is not that important.”

+1

Are you that daft? Some of you people loooooove cherry picking. The largest school district in Alabama (Mobile) has 55k students, they are NOT back in person.

They are scheduled to be this Monday if parents choose to and ONLY self contained students. The rest is a ‘maybe’

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The November 9th reopening date never made sense to me. It’s just not feasible to jump from virtual learning on 11/6 to in-person learning on 11/9. Teachers will need time to put their classrooms together, get the school ready, and of course adjust plans for in-person learning. I’m certain this will require additional planning days being added to the calendar which will just push us closer to the holidays!

I’m thinking January at the earliest.

DCPS is most definitely not opening in 2020. I am hoping in January they start limited opening at least at the elementary schools, this is the age that really needs in person teaching. no ECE, move those teachers into other grades so classes can be small.

100% agree. Get the kindergarteners and 1st graders into the classroom, and small groups for kids with high level IEPs. I want my 3rd grader to go back, but I can wait.

Where are all these teachers coming from?! The Metro area has an extremely small substitute teaching pool. You live in a fantasy world.

um, the existing staff and aides?

So kids are all going back 5 days a week, 25 per class?

The point is, if we wanted to prioritize the most important groups for in-person school, we could figure it out. Most DCPS K classes (all?) don't have 25 kids anyway. They have more like 20 plus an aide. So I'm pretty sure it could be worked out if there was the will to do it.

+1

Bring back K and 1st grade. Bring back those teachers of K, 1st and their aides as well as ECE teachers to make smaller classes for K and 1st. We know ECE doesn’t work online anyway, and it isn’t a compulsory grade. Add in reading specialists, math coach, instructional coaches and anyone else who could teach those grades to make small classes.

If anyone goes back it will always be self contained first, then ELL, ECE, THEN K-2. I’m sorry but ECE is important and they don’t have time to be teaching K-2 kids.

This is why the US is rapidly falling behind other countries that on average have 97% participation across ECE.