In-person school plans

[Anonymous]

I know that the overall return to in-person learning depends on the Board of Ed, who will meet on Jan. 12 and vote about the potential Feb. 1 start date.

However, I'm wondering if anybody has started to hear from their schools about what the partial in-person return would look like.

My ES shared some information, with the caveat that many things remain unknown. However, it's looking like there would be direct instruction for the younger kids, but that the older grades would likely have supported virtual instruction (i.e., supervised in a classroom, but still learning on Zoom). Specials would all still be virtual. Concurrent instruction (teachers teaching to both in-person and virtual kids at the same time) is not being considered at this school. The school schedule would also shift back to normal school hours for everybody (in-person and virtual) to allow for transportation.

Has anybody else heard details of plans? I'm curious about variations between schools, and also about middle and high schools; we haven't heard details from my older kid's school yet. It seems like only ~25% of the kids at my ES elected in-person return.

[Anonymous]

Wow its nice your school reached out with info. We have heard nothing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know that the overall return to in-person learning depends on the Board of Ed, who will meet on Jan. 12 and vote about the potential Feb. 1 start date.

However, I'm wondering if anybody has started to hear from their schools about what the partial in-person return would look like.

My ES shared some information, with the caveat that many things remain unknown. However, it's looking like there would be direct instruction for the younger kids, but that the older grades would likely have supported virtual instruction (i.e., supervised in a classroom, but still learning on Zoom). Specials would all still be virtual. Concurrent instruction (teachers teaching to both in-person and virtual kids at the same time) is not being considered at this school. The school schedule would also shift back to normal school hours for everybody (in-person and virtual) to allow for transportation.

Has anybody else heard details of plans? I'm curious about variations between schools, and also about middle and high schools; we haven't heard details from my older kid's school yet. It seems like only ~25% of the kids at my ES elected in-person return.

No it really depends on people to follow guidelines to reduce the spread of COVID. The board makes decisions based on metrics. It isn't about what some whiney parents want.

[Anonymous]

This was sent from the principal of Poolesville High School. Sounds like supervised virtual.

-----

While much is still left to be decided, it is important to understand that the students’ experiences in the building will not look the same as it did before the pandemic. We are so excited at the prospect of welcoming our students back, but that excitement comes with setting realistic expectations and understanding our limitations. Most students who return partially to the building are coming in for support as a compliment to the virtual experience, and they will have adults available to supervise and support their virtual learning. I will be transparent in our planning, and I will keep you updated with any logistics, schedule changes, and expectations. I appreciate your patience and support as we design the virtual and in-person experiences for our students.

[Anonymous]

Elementary: Kids will be at their desks for class, lunch and specials. They will have to follow the virtual schedule. They don't know about recess.

At our school 4th and 5th change teachers for math and ela and how that will work with hybrid is unsure. They also don't know how that will work with the virtual students. There are many unknowns but they are trying to make it work.

*The metrics are not going to be met so this won't be happening this year. (My opinion)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This was sent from the principal of Poolesville High School. Sounds like supervised virtual.

-----

While much is still left to be decided, it is important to understand that the students’ experiences in the building will not look the same as it did before the pandemic. We are so excited at the prospect of welcoming our students back, but that excitement comes with setting realistic expectations and understanding our limitations. Most students who return partially to the building are coming in for support as a compliment to the virtual experience, and they will have adults available to supervise and support their virtual learning. I will be transparent in our planning, and I will keep you updated with any logistics, schedule changes, and expectations. I appreciate your patience and support as we design the virtual and in-person experiences for our students.

Freudian slip?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know that the overall return to in-person learning depends on the Board of Ed, who will meet on Jan. 12 and vote about the potential Feb. 1 start date.

However, I'm wondering if anybody has started to hear from their schools about what the partial in-person return would look like.

My ES shared some information, with the caveat that many things remain unknown. However, it's looking like there would be direct instruction for the younger kids, but that the older grades would likely have supported virtual instruction (i.e., supervised in a classroom, but still learning on Zoom). Specials would all still be virtual. Concurrent instruction (teachers teaching to both in-person and virtual kids at the same time) is not being considered at this school. The school schedule would also shift back to normal school hours for everybody (in-person and virtual) to allow for transportation.

Has anybody else heard details of plans? I'm curious about variations between schools, and also about middle and high schools; we haven't heard details from my older kid's school yet. It seems like only ~25% of the kids at my ES elected in-person return.

No it really depends on people to follow guidelines to reduce the spread of COVID. The board makes decisions based on metrics. It isn't about what some whiney parents want.

I don't understand your comment. OP just wondered if people had heard from schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This was sent from the principal of Poolesville High School. Sounds like supervised virtual.

-----

While much is still left to be decided, it is important to understand that the students’ experiences in the building will not look the same as it did before the pandemic. We are so excited at the prospect of welcoming our students back, but that excitement comes with setting realistic expectations and understanding our limitations. Most students who return partially to the building are coming in for support as a compliment to the virtual experience, and they will have adults available to supervise and support their virtual learning. I will be transparent in our planning, and I will keep you updated with any logistics, schedule changes, and expectations. I appreciate your patience and support as we design the virtual and in-person experiences for our students.

Supervised virtual (aka DL with babysitting according to my principal) is planned for my MS. Definitely not what we had in March.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Elementary: Kids will be at their desks for class, lunch and specials. They will have to follow the virtual schedule. They don't know about recess.

At our school 4th and 5th change teachers for math and ela and how that will work with hybrid is unsure. They also don't know how that will work with the virtual students. There are many unknowns but they are trying to make it work.

*The metrics are not going to be met so this won't be happening this year. (My opinion)

I think it's possible they will be met in the spring.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This was sent from the principal of Poolesville High School. Sounds like supervised virtual.

-----

While much is still left to be decided, it is important to understand that the students’ experiences in the building will not look the same as it did before the pandemic. We are so excited at the prospect of welcoming our students back, but that excitement comes with setting realistic expectations and understanding our limitations. Most students who return partially to the building are coming in for support as a compliment to the virtual experience, and they will have adults available to supervise and support their virtual learning. I will be transparent in our planning, and I will keep you updated with any logistics, schedule changes, and expectations. I appreciate your patience and support as we design the virtual and in-person experiences for our students.

Supervised virtual (aka DL with babysitting according to my principal) is planned for my MS. Definitely not what we had in March.

Meaning, there will be no live instruction in the classroom? Teachers will still be teaching from home and kids in the classroom will see them on screens?
That's not what I thought 'hybrid' entailed. In MS kids don't need babysitting, if that's what the plan is, everyone might as well continue DL from home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Meaning, there will be no live instruction in the classroom? Teachers will still be teaching from home and kids in the classroom will see them on screens?
That's not what I thought 'hybrid' entailed. In MS kids don't need babysitting, if that's what the plan is, everyone might as well continue DL from home.

From what I've seen this year, a lot of middle school kids need more close supervision than DL offers.

[Anonymous]

Per the county website,
“ We expect to reach Phase 1B in February 2021.”

That means they plan to start vaccination 1b next month. They could give 1 shot on 2/28 and they will have met that goal.

If vaccination will be the key to in-person school resuming, it won’t happen in February ‘21. Maybe in mid to late March. I think April is more likely.

As for those upset about “Zoom in the classroom”, remember that the school buildings are magical places where children learn easily and never experience mental illness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This was sent from the principal of Poolesville High School. Sounds like supervised virtual.

-----

While much is still left to be decided, it is important to understand that the students’ experiences in the building will not look the same as it did before the pandemic. We are so excited at the prospect of welcoming our students back, but that excitement comes with setting realistic expectations and understanding our limitations. Most students who return partially to the building are coming in for support as a compliment to the virtual experience, and they will have adults available to supervise and support their virtual learning. I will be transparent in our planning, and I will keep you updated with any logistics, schedule changes, and expectations. I appreciate your patience and support as we design the virtual and in-person experiences for our students.

Supervised virtual (aka DL with babysitting according to my principal) is planned for my MS. Definitely not what we had in March.

Meaning, there will be no live instruction in the classroom? Teachers will still be teaching from home and kids in the classroom will see them on screens?
That's not what I thought 'hybrid' entailed. In MS kids don't need babysitting, if that's what the plan is, everyone might as well continue DL from home.

Not all teachers will be home. Those with ADA accommodations will be home. If so, an aide or a random teacher will babysit for safety reasons.

Others will be at school, but they will teach concurrently and thus everyone in the classroom will be working on a screen —following slides, typing on Google Docs, probably a lot of PearDeck since MCPS decided to purchase that over Nearpod (horrible choice!) just like the students in DL at home. Your child might be in a work group with students who are not physically in the same room.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Per the county website,
“ We expect to reach Phase 1B in February 2021.”

That means they plan to start vaccination 1b next month. They could give 1 shot on 2/28 and they will have met that goal.

If vaccination will be the key to in-person school resuming, it won’t happen in February ‘21. Maybe in mid to late March. I think April is more likely.

As for those upset about “Zoom in the classroom”, remember that the school buildings are magical places where children learn easily and never experience mental illness.

If you have an issue keep your kid home. Some of ours love seeing others and being in the building that means so much to them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This was sent from the principal of Poolesville High School. Sounds like supervised virtual.

-----

While much is still left to be decided, it is important to understand that the students’ experiences in the building will not look the same as it did before the pandemic. We are so excited at the prospect of welcoming our students back, but that excitement comes with setting realistic expectations and understanding our limitations. Most students who return partially to the building are coming in for support as a compliment to the virtual experience, and they will have adults available to supervise and support their virtual learning. I will be transparent in our planning, and I will keep you updated with any logistics, schedule changes, and expectations. I appreciate your patience and support as we design the virtual and in-person experiences for our students.

Supervised virtual (aka DL with babysitting according to my principal) is planned for my MS. Definitely not what we had in March.

Meaning, there will be no live instruction in the classroom? Teachers will still be teaching from home and kids in the classroom will see them on screens?
That's not what I thought 'hybrid' entailed. In MS kids don't need babysitting, if that's what the plan is, everyone might as well continue DL from home.

Not all teachers will be home. Those with ADA accommodations will be home. If so, an aide or a random teacher will babysit for safety reasons.

Others will be at school, but they will teach concurrently and thus everyone in the classroom will be working on a screen —following slides, typing on Google Docs, probably a lot of PearDeck since MCPS decided to purchase that over Nearpod (horrible choice!) just like the students in DL at home. Your child might be in a work group with students who are not physically in the same room.

Why do they need ADA once they're vaccinated (before everyone else?)