It's going to be bumpy. Be patient and kind.

[Anonymous]

Like everyone, we are getting ready for the new school year to start next week, and I'm trying to remember that it's going to be so hard for everyone -- teachers, parents, and especially students, and that we only get through this if get through it together, with kindness and patience.

So -- if you are frustrated because the platform isn't working right, or you can't set up the call to work, or your kid's headphones got left on the floor and trod on -- take a breath. It's hard. It's okay if it doesn't go 100% smoothly for the first week.

It's not going to be as good as in-person school. It's just not, and we shouldn't expect it to be. Lower your expectations. It's the best option right now to keep everyone safe. So if you don't understand the instructions of how to log on, or you want more information about the schedule, or you didn't get into the homeroom group you want -- extend some grace to the school staff who didn't sign up for this either, and are working their tails off to figure this out in time.

If your kid has a meltdown in the first week because they can't turn in their homework or the call is super loud, or they just bug off and can't keep still, be kind. Help them out, let them lose it for a moment, help them back to emotional balance. I know my own kid is putting on a brave face for us but he is going to crash out at some point. Give kids a safe space to express big emotion.

And -- especially if your family has resources -- give a little so that schools can focus on the kids that need it. If you have computers for your kids, and home internet, and adults still working, and the space for everyone to work from home, that doesn't mean things aren't still hard, but if you can put off that one extra email to the teacher that isn't strictly necessary, then your kid's teacher will have that little bit of extra time to think about how to find resources for kids who don't have everything they need. If you have some cash you can send to funds that are getting school supplies, or helping with technology, or even to a food bank, this is the time to dig in and be kind.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for this reminder, OP. I needed it this morning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Like everyone, we are getting ready for the new school year to start next week, and I'm trying to remember that it's going to be so hard for everyone -- teachers, parents, and especially students, and that we only get through this if get through it together, with kindness and patience.

So -- if you are frustrated because the platform isn't working right, or you can't set up the call to work, or your kid's headphones got left on the floor and trod on -- take a breath. It's hard. It's okay if it doesn't go 100% smoothly for the first week.

It's not going to be as good as in-person school. It's just not, and we shouldn't expect it to be. Lower your expectations. It's the best option right now to keep everyone safe. So if you don't understand the instructions of how to log on, or you want more information about the schedule, or you didn't get into the homeroom group you want -- extend some grace to the school staff who didn't sign up for this either, and are working their tails off to figure this out in time.

If your kid has a meltdown in the first week because they can't turn in their homework or the call is super loud, or they just bug off and can't keep still, be kind. Help them out, let them lose it for a moment, help them back to emotional balance. I know my own kid is putting on a brave face for us but he is going to crash out at some point. Give kids a safe space to express big emotion.

And -- especially if your family has resources -- give a little so that schools can focus on the kids that need it. If you have computers for your kids, and home internet, and adults still working, and the space for everyone to work from home, that doesn't mean things aren't still hard, but if you can put off that one extra email to the teacher that isn't strictly necessary, then your kid's teacher will have that little bit of extra time to think about how to find resources for kids who don't have everything they need. If you have some cash you can send to funds that are getting school supplies, or helping with technology, or even to a food bank, this is the time to dig in and be kind.

Yes! Thank you.

[Anonymous]

It's true. But it's also true that schools need to communicate more, be honest, tell us what they know and don't know. Pretending that they have everything in hand and cheerleading about how great it's all going when it's clearly not isn't helpful.

If we can all be honest with each other and communicate more, not less, that would be a step forward.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's true. But it's also true that schools need to communicate more, be honest, tell us what they know and don't know. Pretending that they have everything in hand and cheerleading about how great it's all going when it's clearly not isn't helpful.

If we can all be honest with each other and communicate more, not less, that would be a step forward.

You need to be more specific. “School leaders” need to communicate. As a teacher I know very little more than parents. Please don’t blame us for the hand we have been dealt!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's true. But it's also true that schools need to communicate more, be honest, tell us what they know and don't know. Pretending that they have everything in hand and cheerleading about how great it's all going when it's clearly not isn't helpful.

If we can all be honest with each other and communicate more, not less, that would be a step forward.

You need to be more specific. “School leaders” need to communicate. As a teacher I know very little more than parents. Please don’t blame us for the hand we have been dealt!

Maybe you are right - but as parents we don't know who knows what, especially with teachers we've never met or seen before. You can't expect parents to understand the politics of a school from afar. I have no idea who knows what, but I do know that I got the message "it's all great and ready to go!" and then a schedule and message from a teacher that is a hot mess -- gets my defenses up.

[Anonymous]

I’m trying to be kind. And I have resources - i.e., I didn’t ask for a school device or a hotspot. I’ve attended two parent universities, two Zoom calls with the principal, and one Zoom call with DC’s teacher. So far I can’t log onto Canvas and no one can help me figure this out and I’ve heard from the school that they haven’t created packets or planned when to pass out packets once they’ve created them.

And I know you are trying to help, but I’m still going to send more emails trying to figure out how to get someone to tell me how to log in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m trying to be kind. And I have resources - i.e., I didn’t ask for a school device or a hotspot. I’ve attended two parent universities, two Zoom calls with the principal, and one Zoom call with DC’s teacher. So far I can’t log onto Canvas and no one can help me figure this out and I’ve heard from the school that they haven’t created packets or planned when to pass out packets once they’ve created them.

And I know you are trying to help, but I’m still going to send more emails trying to figure out how to get someone to tell me how to log in.

I'm having the same experience but with other issues. The thing is, I start out sweet as pie and totally patient. But by the 3rd or 4th unanswered email or call... I have no choice but to escalate. And then escalate again.

[Anonymous]

Good post, op. I know most teachers are working hard. It's good to go in expecting bumps... And hopefully be pleasantly surprised.

[Anonymous]

I’m pretty mad, and I’m usually a calm person. But I’m mad that the school district has had the summer to prepare and seemed to mostly dick around. I’m mad that they are still doing morning meeting with 20 8 year olds on a screen, when it was obviously a colossal failure in the spring. I’m mad that they didn’t consider for a moment breaking the kids into smaller groups and trying to meet outside. I’m mad that my kids don’t read actual books. I’m mad that they are assigned Video lessons. I’m mad that the school district is offering soccer and football teams but not offering outside English or math instruction. I’m mad that I could pay $800 a week to day care workers to do school in person, but my district that gets $25k a kid can’t pull ANY in person learning off in person. Meanwhile, grocery store workers and nurses and almost everyone else who had to earn a living is back to work.

I’ll try to keep it quiet, but I am angry and a lot of my neighbors are too.

[Anonymous]

I am mad that they do not have a working 8th grade math platform.

I am all for being patient and kind. But the school district needs to step up and say something. But the lack of transparency is unfair to the students, teachers, parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m pretty mad, and I’m usually a calm person. But I’m mad that the school district has had the summer to prepare and seemed to mostly dick around. I’m mad that they are still doing morning meeting with 20 8 year olds on a screen, when it was obviously a colossal failure in the spring. I’m mad that they didn’t consider for a moment breaking the kids into smaller groups and trying to meet outside. I’m mad that my kids don’t read actual books. I’m mad that they are assigned Video lessons. I’m mad that the school district is offering soccer and football teams but not offering outside English or math instruction. I’m mad that I could pay $800 a week to day care workers to do school in person, but my district that gets $25k a kid can’t pull ANY in person learning off in person. Meanwhile, grocery store workers and nurses and almost everyone else who had to earn a living is back to work.

I’ll try to keep it quiet, but I am angry and a lot of my neighbors are too.

Amen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am mad that they do not have a working 8th grade math platform.

I am all for being patient and kind. But the school district needs to step up and say something. But the lack of transparency is unfair to the students, teachers, parents.

[Anonymous]

Didn't the schools have the whole summer to work on this. The incompetence and laziness is astounding. I'd get fired for this product

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Didn't the schools have the whole summer to work on this. The incompetence and laziness is astounding. I'd get fired for this product

PLEASE do not blame the schools or the teachers. This is district mismanagement at work. DCPS bureaucracy flailing. Still haven't gotten the schedule OR the class list, but I do NOT blame the school.