APS - Over/Under on Duran changing his mind if CDC reduces school distancing to 3 feet?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Every school system has bent over backwards to create an admittedly imperfect but very complicated system for this year. Asking for that to be completely redone yet again is unbelievable.

NOPE - March-June 2020 was a complete waste and the school systems did ZERO to help our students. So now it's time to make up for that mess and pathetic attempt at equity. Yes, many of us are asking for more students in-person asap.

I am really surprised how many people are still fighting in-person school. I may become an APE-Er after all. The refusal to have kids in the classroom for more than 2 days a week is pathetic, esp after teachers and staff have been vaccinated and distancing guidelines relaxed. Duran is being obstinate because he is inept.

Kids **are** in-person. There are still 6’ requirements for lunch and transportation limitations. Even if you double the # on the buses that is still 1/2 of a typical load (50 kids).

If they can squeeze in more kids in the current plan, then fine. But please don’t disrupt the whole apple cart this late in the school year with new bus routes and new class assignments.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Every school system has bent over backwards to create an admittedly imperfect but very complicated system for this year. Asking for that to be completely redone yet again is unbelievable.

NOPE - March-June 2020 was a complete waste and the school systems did ZERO to help our students. So now it's time to make up for that mess and pathetic attempt at equity. Yes, many of us are asking for more students in-person asap.

I am really surprised how many people are still fighting in-person school. I may become an APE-Er after all. The refusal to have kids in the classroom for more than 2 days a week is pathetic, esp after teachers and staff have been vaccinated and distancing guidelines relaxed. Duran is being obstinate because he is inept.

All these assumptions about what plan Duran has or doesn't have, jeesh. How do you know they don't have a 3 foot plan? Because he hasn't emailed you personally? What makes him obstinate? I have found him to be very reasonable and forthcoming in all of his school board meetings and emails. Just because you aren't happy with the situation the PANDEMIC has put us in, doesn't make him inept or obstinate.

[Anonymous]

People on this forum do not seem to get that the classrooms K-2 are being shared. Each K class at our school takes up 2 classrooms, which is why 1st grade can’t be there at the same time. Extra space is not suddenly going to magically appear at APS schools as much as you wish it would.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Every school system has bent over backwards to create an admittedly imperfect but very complicated system for this year. Asking for that to be completely redone yet again is unbelievable.

NOPE - March-June 2020 was a complete waste and the school systems did ZERO to help our students. So now it's time to make up for that mess and pathetic attempt at equity. Yes, many of us are asking for more students in-person asap.

I am really surprised how many people are still fighting in-person school. I may become an APE-Er after all. The refusal to have kids in the classroom for more than 2 days a week is pathetic, esp after teachers and staff have been vaccinated and distancing guidelines relaxed. Duran is being obstinate because he is inept.

All these assumptions about what plan Duran has or doesn't have, jeesh. How do you know they don't have a 3 foot plan? Because he hasn't emailed you personally? What makes him obstinate? I have found him to be very reasonable and forthcoming in all of his school board meetings and emails. Just because you aren't happy with the situation the PANDEMIC has put us in, doesn't make him inept or obstinate.

+1

[Anonymous]

Another irrational tantrum.

It’s still 6’ for lunch and MS/HS. Virtual school has been working for many.

Send your kid to summer school to catch up. They will be back 5 days in the fall.

LOL. Did you see the summer school email sent earlier? Only English language learners, students with a disability, children who haven't attended school, and failing middle and high-schoolers will be given the option of summer school. Your generic struggling kid will have no public option this summer. All people are asking for is the opportunity for APS to make up for missing an entire quarter of instruction last spring.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Another irrational tantrum.

It’s still 6’ for lunch and MS/HS. Virtual school has been working for many.

Send your kid to summer school to catch up. They will be back 5 days in the fall.

LOL. Did you see the summer school email sent earlier? Only English language learners, students with a disability, children who haven't attended school, and failing middle and high-schoolers will be given the option of summer school. Your generic struggling kid will have no public option this summer. All people are asking for is the opportunity for APS to make up for missing an entire quarter of instruction last spring.

“Any rising Kindergarten through 3rd graders who have not consistently attended during the 2020-21 school year or who have evidenced little to no growth”

If your kid is struggling that much they should qualify.

Missing “quarter”? There was probably only about a month left of actual instruction. Spring break, SOL prep, and SOLs take up much of the 4th quarter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People on this forum do not seem to get that the classrooms K-2 are being shared. Each K class at our school takes up 2 classrooms, which is why 1st grade can’t be there at the same time. Extra space is not suddenly going to magically appear at APS schools as much as you wish it would.

And some schools were 120% overcapacity prepandemic. Remember the classes in the hallway BEFORE social distancing?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Every school system has bent over backwards to create an admittedly imperfect but very complicated system for this year. Asking for that to be completely redone yet again is unbelievable.

NOPE - March-June 2020 was a complete waste and the school systems did ZERO to help our students. So now it's time to make up for that mess and pathetic attempt at equity. Yes, many of us are asking for more students in-person asap.

I am really surprised how many people are still fighting in-person school. I may become an APE-Er after all. The refusal to have kids in the classroom for more than 2 days a week is pathetic, esp after teachers and staff have been vaccinated and distancing guidelines relaxed. Duran is being obstinate because he is inept.

All these assumptions about what plan Duran has or doesn't have, jeesh. How do you know they don't have a 3 foot plan? Because he hasn't emailed you personally? What makes him obstinate? I have found him to be very reasonable and forthcoming in all of his school board meetings and emails. Just because you aren't happy with the situation the PANDEMIC has put us in, doesn't make him inept or obstinate.

+1

+2

Irrational whining.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People on this forum do not seem to get that the classrooms K-2 are being shared. Each K class at our school takes up 2 classrooms, which is why 1st grade can’t be there at the same time. Extra space is not suddenly going to magically appear at APS schools as much as you wish it would.

This isn't true at our elementary school. Classrooms aren't being shared. Aids aren't being shared. Nearly everyone is in the expanded walkzone. There is really no barrier to bringing back kids in K-2 for four days a week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People on this forum do not seem to get that the classrooms K-2 are being shared. Each K class at our school takes up 2 classrooms, which is why 1st grade can’t be there at the same time. Extra space is not suddenly going to magically appear at APS schools as much as you wish it would.

This isn't true at our elementary school. Classrooms aren't being shared. Aids aren't being shared. Nearly everyone is in the expanded walkzone. There is really no barrier to bringing back kids in K-2 for four days a week.

But it is true at many schools. This has to be workable for all schools for it to happen. Like someone else said, if they can make it work without upsetting the whole apple cart again, great. Either way I hope they're putting effort towards making sure the fall goes smoothly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People on this forum do not seem to get that the classrooms K-2 are being shared. Each K class at our school takes up 2 classrooms, which is why 1st grade can’t be there at the same time. Extra space is not suddenly going to magically appear at APS schools as much as you wish it would.

This isn't true at our elementary school. Classrooms aren't being shared. Aids aren't being shared. Nearly everyone is in the expanded walkzone. There is really no barrier to bringing back kids in K-2 for four days a week.

But it is true at many schools. This has to be workable for all schools for it to happen. Like someone else said, if they can make it work without upsetting the whole apple cart again, great. Either way I hope they're putting effort towards making sure the fall goes smoothly.

Agree!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People on this forum do not seem to get that the classrooms K-2 are being shared. Each K class at our school takes up 2 classrooms, which is why 1st grade can’t be there at the same time. Extra space is not suddenly going to magically appear at APS schools as much as you wish it would.

This isn't true at our elementary school. Classrooms aren't being shared. Aids aren't being shared. Nearly everyone is in the expanded walkzone. There is really no barrier to bringing back kids in K-2 for four days a week.

But it is true at many schools. This has to be workable for all schools for it to happen. Like someone else said, if they can make it work without upsetting the whole apple cart again, great. Either way I hope they're putting effort towards making sure the fall goes smoothly.

Agree!

They are using 2 classrooms b/c they are using 6 foot distancing. Drop that to 3 feet and they only need 1 classroom and have vastly simplified logistics.
Same thing with the busses- they are using this crazy 11 person to a bus rule (the only system in the state of VA that appears to be doing that craziness.) Drop that rule and bus is a non-issue.
They should bring back K-5 5 days a week right away. Its not a huge change its 'normal' e.g. pre-pandemic but with masks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Every school system has bent over backwards to create an admittedly imperfect but very complicated system for this year. Asking for that to be completely redone yet again is unbelievable.

+1

It’s already a logistical nightmare. GMAFB.

Given the new CDC guidelines, Duran should be asking every school to evaluate expanding access to in person learning to:

1. Waitlists - anyone who has asked to move to in person learning should be accommodated asap

2. At risk students - for all grades, see if there is room to have at risk students in 4 days per week.

3. K-2 students - see if you can get the youngest students into the classroom 4 days a week

4. 3-5 students - given that these students are cohorted, see if you can get them in 4 days per week

I agree with this and will add that it would be more flexible, where possible in elementary, to let ANY kid come to school if there is space, without being locked into a "selection."

With 3-5, this would mean that space permitting, Bobby can come sit in the classroom if his parents say he can. Maybe they aren't comfortable locking into hybrid yet but will be once his parents are vaccinated and/or 2 weeks after Spring Break.

K-2, I'd like to see 4 days definitely, would for all elementary if possible. Not sure how to handle allowing more hybrid without so many class switches. Maybe an assistant can be in a room for kids who choose to come in on any given day?

(Full Disclosure, I am a hybrid early elementary parent.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People on this forum do not seem to get that the classrooms K-2 are being shared. Each K class at our school takes up 2 classrooms, which is why 1st grade can’t be there at the same time. Extra space is not suddenly going to magically appear at APS schools as much as you wish it would.

This isn't true at our elementary school. Classrooms aren't being shared. Aids aren't being shared. Nearly everyone is in the expanded walkzone. There is really no barrier to bringing back kids in K-2 for four days a week.

But it is true at many schools. This has to be workable for all schools for it to happen. Like someone else said, if they can make it work without upsetting the whole apple cart again, great. Either way I hope they're putting effort towards making sure the fall goes smoothly.

Agree!

They are using 2 classrooms b/c they are using 6 foot distancing. Drop that to 3 feet and they only need 1 classroom and have vastly simplified logistics.
Same thing with the busses- they are using this crazy 11 person to a bus rule (the only system in the state of VA that appears to be doing that craziness.) Drop that rule and bus is a non-issue.
They should bring back K-5 5 days a week right away. Its not a huge change its 'normal' e.g. pre-pandemic but with masks.

Classrooms are 2D though so you may not be able to fit 2x the number kids.

The ventilation #s will need to be reworked for additional bodies.

And you can add more kids to the buses but not 4-5x (to fill bus to capacity). Plus do the routes for T/W line up with routes for Th/F?

If they can safely add more kids without reassigning teachers or reworking the bus routes they should try to add kids from hybrid waitlist. And, if there truly is room at all schools, 4 days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Every school system has bent over backwards to create an admittedly imperfect but very complicated system for this year. Asking for that to be completely redone yet again is unbelievable.

NOPE - March-June 2020 was a complete waste and the school systems did ZERO to help our students. So now it's time to make up for that mess and pathetic attempt at equity. Yes, many of us are asking for more students in-person asap.

I am really surprised how many people are still fighting in-person school. I may become an APE-Er after all. The refusal to have kids in the classroom for more than 2 days a week is pathetic, esp after teachers and staff have been vaccinated and distancing guidelines relaxed. Duran is being obstinate because he is inept.

Kids **are** in-person. There are still 6’ requirements for lunch and transportation limitations. Even if you double the # on the buses that is still 1/2 of a typical load (50 kids).

If they can squeeze in more kids in the current plan, then fine. But please don’t disrupt the whole apple cart this late in the school year with new bus routes and new class assignments.

Just stop already with logistics preventing the kids from a full-time, in-person education. The fact that busses are part of the problem is yet another reason our SB is completely unqualified to do their jobs