How is it going?

[Anonymous]

Well... we're about 3 hours into the virtual school year. How's it going?

So far, I am really impressed with AACPS. We haven't had any technical issues, the teachers are engaging the kids, and my daughter is staying focused and participating. 3rd grade.
All things considered, this is about a million times better than I'd feared it could be.

How is it going elsewhere?

[Anonymous]

We are AACPS as well. It's definitely much better than the spring, but my kids are already checked out and kept asking when it will be over. The teachers are trying, but we would definitely prefer to be back in-person.

[Anonymous]

This is OP.

I posted right before lunch break. DD got off and her first words were "that was really hard" I guess not as rosy as it seemed.

She said sitting on a google meet for so long was hard to focus and that her neck and back hurt.
So.... not a surprise I guess.
She has an amazing teacher, and from what I heard the teacher was doing a fantastic job engaging the kids and having everyone involved and doing things.
Still, three hours of computer meetings is hard for an 8 year old.

Hopefully some of that will get better as they get used to the new format and increase their stamina.

[Anonymous]

We are in Howard. Kids are in upper ES. They are tired and not really loving it, and there have been some minor technical things, mostly related to my younger one not being very computer-savvy.

However, I am not in the room with them. I don't think it's sustainable to do that because I am working from home, and they have to learn to navigate this. I set them up with a work area, their schedule, and have been providing support when they've called me, but I won't hover and listen in.

Overall, it's not what any of us want, but there isn't anything we can do about it, so I'm modeling positivity for my kids and trying to send them the message that this is school, they need to take it seriously, and that it will be okay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are in Howard. Kids are in upper ES. They are tired and not really loving it, and there have been some minor technical things, mostly related to my younger one not being very computer-savvy.

However, I am not in the room with them. I don't think it's sustainable to do that because I am working from home, and they have to learn to navigate this. I set them up with a work area, their schedule, and have been providing support when they've called me, but I won't hover and listen in.

Overall, it's not what any of us want, but there isn't anything we can do about it, so I'm modeling positivity for my kids and trying to send them the message that this is school, they need to take it seriously, and that it will be okay.

I took a few hours off today so that I could be in the room and help with any technical issues, and just help her get settled in. I can tell she doesn't want to participate as much because I'm there listening, so I'll definitely be working in another room from now on. (To be clear, it's not like I'm sitting next to her listening in - I just have my computer in the same room as hers)

[Anonymous]

OP -- teachers (and more importantly administrators and the School Board) need to be reminded of screen time best practices.

Every 20 minutes, at least a 5 minute short break to rest the eyes and focus on something in the distance.

Every 2 hours, focus the eyes on something far away for 20 minutes.

They need to be ABSOLUTELY SURE that kids are getting these breaks at a minimum. Parents need to demand it.

[Anonymous]

Crazy. Ironic, me the parent more stressed than the MS. Trying to make sure accessing the differnt google meet codes is a little stressful.
Hopefully next week MS will be able to log in each class without me hovering.

[Anonymous]

Not saying where in MD, but it’s going well. The teachers are amazing. My ds needs help writing so that is hard, but happy with the quality of teaching. We’re going hybrid this fall as well.

[Anonymous]

I’m in Frederick and it’s okay. Luckily my MSer is motivated and will do her best with what distance learning is. And luckily she doesn’t need my help.

My HS senior rolls out of bed about two minutes before class starts and needs more structure and accountability. I try to keep an eye on him, but it’s hard with my work, which is in its busiest time of the year.

I do hope re-evaluations will happen and at least a hybrid starts for the 2nd quarter.

[Anonymous]

My MS DD was nearly in tears yesterday, she's having a hard time keeping up with Algebra. She said it's hard when you can't easily ask questions. I suggested the teacher's office hours, but she said by that time, she's missed a key element and is completely lost for the rest of class. We're going to give it a little more time and then I may have to look into a tutor.

[Anonymous]

In PGCPS-
First has been fine. At the end of week 2 now and most of the technical issues have been worked out. The work is pretty minimal but my kid seems engaged during the lessons. They go to class for about 30 minutes and then have Independent work, which he finishes in about 10 minutes. He then has a long break for lunch and the has specials, math and science. Again with 30 minutes of class, 10-15 minutes of Independent work and a break in between.
Fourth grade has been mostly fine. A few times the zoom links or passcodes didn't work the first time, which was a bit frustrating but iReady and the other apps have worked fine.
7th has been.... a lot. They have 6 mods, with 6 links and teachers with varying technical knowledge. They start doing testing next week which will be interesting. Everyone has been pretty flexible.
I'm not sure how families are doing it if the parents aren't familiar with computers.

[Anonymous]

PGCPS parent and teacher here. For my kid in middle school, it has been great. I don’t have to deal with anything school related with him. He knows exactly where to go and what to do from day one. All I do with him is check school max once a week. He says he is tired after the school day and indeed, he looks and acts tired. Some days I tell him not to participate in live and just do the independent work to give his body a break from all the screens and sitting. On the teacher side of me, it has been ok. Pretty much how previous poster explained the schedule. The technical issues are all resolved. Testing is next week and we aren’t prepared or trained on it yet. Although we are trying to make sure that the chromebooks are set for it. All of my students participate in live which is great. However, it is really hard to truly get to know the kids over a screen. It is hard to know where they are at academically. We don’t even have much data from last year since they didn’t test at the end of last year. I will not lie, most of the kids are extremely behind currently. My co teachers and I are very concerned.

[Anonymous]

Virtual learning is an advantage to grades vs in person. My middle schooler had the opportunity to retake math tests at least 2x. so that is HUGE advantage for him.
I told him if he was in person, his grade would be lower. Allowing re take the math test is probably due to the possibility of technical glitches, but on the bright side its an huge advantage for DS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Virtual learning is an advantage to grades vs in person. My middle schooler had the opportunity to retake math tests at least 2x. so that is HUGE advantage for him.
I told him if he was in person, his grade would be lower. Allowing re take the math test is probably due to the possibility of technical glitches, but on the bright side its an huge advantage for DS.

If you are in PGCPS, there are a lot of policies in place that allows kids to retake most assignments, including many quizzes/tests.