Anonymous
Post 04/21/2020 07:13     Subject: Re:honest question - what do we do with our kids after May 29?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I've been very grateful to DCPS for figuring out something to give structure and normalcy to the kids beyond what I could give them myself. You can't be the only adult in their lives. And my introvert would NEVER set up a call on his own - virtual school at least gives him a glimpse of his friends without having to put himself out there. I'm so bummed they're calling it 3 weeks early. Our teachers are also it seems

And not looking forward to doing this all myself while working :/ Scared to explain this to my childless boss.


Same, I don't get the logic DCPS is following it cutting the school year short several weeks early. Who gains? Teachers who crave a longer summer break and less contact with students? Come June, my shy 7 year old is really going to be missing her live class sessions and the chance to see and hear her beloved classroom teacher on weekday mornings. She will then really miss her usual summer camps.. Everyone will survive, but the news about the May 29th ending isn't welcome.


Nobody gains, it's more about preventing further losses and/or managing summer slide. Ask your 7 year old's beloved teacher if she will Zoom with her daily, set up a "tutoring" arrangement to keep you child connected to her former teacher and put some money in the teacher's pocket.


Makes no sense. How are you preventing further loss to her kid by cutting short the school year? You are cutting short her learning, not increasing it. In fact, cutting short all the kids in DCPS from learning.


Go look up and read about equity, achievement gap & remote learning and get back to me. I am tired of spoon feeding.
Anonymous
Post 04/20/2020 22:01     Subject: honest question - what do we do with our kids after May 29?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I don't understand this question.....what were you planning to do with the kids after June 19th in light of the pandemic? The answer is the same. Those three weeks aren't going to make a difference.


We were planning to put them into camps. There were no camps scheduled for the first week of June, so of course, the answer is not the same. There may not be camps at all this summer, if social distancing continues.


Same. I just don't understand people who don't see that some households have working parents. We are still caring for our kids, but if we have to work 8-5 and they don't have school work, are too young to be running around the neighborhood by themselves, and camps haven't yet started, we are looking for ideas. Sheesh.
Anonymous
Post 04/20/2020 21:50     Subject: honest question - what do we do with our kids after May 29?
Anonymous wrote:My guess is that some camps will do some kind of part-day distance programming. Dance Place, Writopia, and Theatre Lab already have stuff up and running, and I'm guessing Mad Science will think up something, too. It's not too active, it costs money, and it doesn't appeal to every kid, but all the summer programs will be desperate to regain lost income and many will pull something together.

There's also some lowish hanging fruit online. Our kids are at a charter school and we already use some of DCPS's stuff when the lessons won't fill the right number of hours. So maybe there are free resources online in different states. Brainpop, Brainpop Junior, Commonlit, Scholastic, Khan Academy, PBS Learning Media, and Newsela also have lots of curriculum online. It takes some parent oversight to fill out the docket, and I bet the kids will not be pleased to do this type of learning over the summer, but giving kids a chance to choose what they learn might be helpful. And maybe being honest with the kids about the parents' need to work and their need for their kids to be meaningfully occupied could build some understanding.

None of what I'm saying will work for everyone, but in case it's a start for some, I share it.



Will try to be constructive. I also have no idea what we are going to do, but it is some form of what PP is suggesting here. We will split the day, with one of us working our day early, and the other later, to the extent we can so we each have time to get them outside and supervise activities, and fill some of the time with online activities that we've found. Trying BrainChase now, also looking at Outschool. Experimenting with different Apps. Virtual chess club. Finding online games for grandparents to play with the kids. May also try to set up some virtual co-op with other parents where we take turns leading the kids in some activity (that could be really too ambitious) or at least a set time for the kids to get on zoom to hang out. The thought of no camp is a nightmare, but likely the reality. Oh, also need to buy a kiddie pool big enough for elementary age but small enough for our patio. And yes, I have work flexibility but a demanding job, and just got told I'm facing a mandatory pay cut. Good luck all.
Anonymous
Post 04/20/2020 21:34     Subject: Re:honest question - what do we do with our kids after May 29?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I've been very grateful to DCPS for figuring out something to give structure and normalcy to the kids beyond what I could give them myself. You can't be the only adult in their lives. And my introvert would NEVER set up a call on his own - virtual school at least gives him a glimpse of his friends without having to put himself out there. I'm so bummed they're calling it 3 weeks early. Our teachers are also it seems

And not looking forward to doing this all myself while working :/ Scared to explain this to my childless boss.


Same, I don't get the logic DCPS is following it cutting the school year short several weeks early. Who gains? Teachers who crave a longer summer break and less contact with students? Come June, my shy 7 year old is really going to be missing her live class sessions and the chance to see and hear her beloved classroom teacher on weekday mornings. She will then really miss her usual summer camps.. Everyone will survive, but the news about the May 29th ending isn't welcome.


Nobody gains, it's more about preventing further losses and/or managing summer slide. Ask your 7 year old's beloved teacher if she will Zoom with her daily, set up a "tutoring" arrangement to keep you child connected to her former teacher and put some money in the teacher's pocket.



Some people really don’t believe in equity. That’s what I am learning. I expect that this is not for nothing, they will use the time gained to create better curriculum or start early next year. Why have we said this so many times as has the mayor but no one listens.
Makes no sense. How are you preventing further loss to her kid by cutting short the school year? You are cutting short her learning, not increasing it. In fact, cutting short all the kids in DCPS from learning.
Anonymous
Post 04/20/2020 21:00     Subject: Re:honest question - what do we do with our kids after May 29?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I've been very grateful to DCPS for figuring out something to give structure and normalcy to the kids beyond what I could give them myself. You can't be the only adult in their lives. And my introvert would NEVER set up a call on his own - virtual school at least gives him a glimpse of his friends without having to put himself out there. I'm so bummed they're calling it 3 weeks early. Our teachers are also it seems

And not looking forward to doing this all myself while working :/ Scared to explain this to my childless boss.


Same, I don't get the logic DCPS is following it cutting the school year short several weeks early. Who gains? Teachers who crave a longer summer break and less contact with students? Come June, my shy 7 year old is really going to be missing her live class sessions and the chance to see and hear her beloved classroom teacher on weekday mornings. She will then really miss her usual summer camps.. Everyone will survive, but the news about the May 29th ending isn't welcome.


Nobody gains, it's more about preventing further losses and/or managing summer slide. Ask your 7 year old's beloved teacher if she will Zoom with her daily, set up a "tutoring" arrangement to keep you child connected to her former teacher and put some money in the teacher's pocket.


Makes no sense. How are you preventing further loss to her kid by cutting short the school year? You are cutting short her learning, not increasing it. In fact, cutting short all the kids in DCPS from learning.
Anonymous
Post 04/20/2020 20:26     Subject: honest question - what do we do with our kids after May 29?
Anonymous wrote:I'm not going to tell DD6 when school ends. I have enough workbooks and activity sheets that I can keep her occupied while I work instead of letting her be a zombie in front of the TV all day. I'll also take some time off work so that I can be a lot more present/spend more time outdoors with her.


Yep, we will be doing some amount of school work all summer. I will have to explain the lack of zoom lessons and pre-recorded messages. But I am hoping maybe schools will keep those posted and accessible for the summer so kids can review.
Since we won't likely be doing our normal playground, library and DPR pools rotation we will have to get creative. I assume the larger group gatherings of 101 free concerts, Smithsonians and community activities it will certainly be a different kind of summer break.
Anonymous
Post 04/20/2020 18:28     Subject: Re:honest question - what do we do with our kids after May 29?
What do you do with your kids? You take care of them. If camps are open (they won't be) then send them if you are comfortable. Or hire a nanny. But either way, you chose to have kids and it is 100% on you to figure out how to care for them. The reality is that even when school is open, it is still 100% your responsibility to ensure your kids are well cared for. School is not daycare.
Anonymous
Post 04/20/2020 18:17     Subject: Re:honest question - what do we do with our kids after May 29?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I've been very grateful to DCPS for figuring out something to give structure and normalcy to the kids beyond what I could give them myself. You can't be the only adult in their lives. And my introvert would NEVER set up a call on his own - virtual school at least gives him a glimpse of his friends without having to put himself out there. I'm so bummed they're calling it 3 weeks early. Our teachers are also it seems

And not looking forward to doing this all myself while working :/ Scared to explain this to my childless boss.


Same, I don't get the logic DCPS is following it cutting the school year short several weeks early. Who gains? Teachers who crave a longer summer break and less contact with students? Come June, my shy 7 year old is really going to be missing her live class sessions and the chance to see and hear her beloved classroom teacher on weekday mornings. She will then really miss her usual summer camps.. Everyone will survive, but the news about the May 29th ending isn't welcome.


Nobody gains, it's more about preventing further losses and/or managing summer slide. Ask your 7 year old's beloved teacher if she will Zoom with her daily, set up a "tutoring" arrangement to keep you child connected to her former teacher and put some money in the teacher's pocket.
Anonymous
Post 04/20/2020 17:51     Subject: Re:honest question - what do we do with our kids after May 29?
Anonymous wrote:I've been very grateful to DCPS for figuring out something to give structure and normalcy to the kids beyond what I could give them myself. You can't be the only adult in their lives. And my introvert would NEVER set up a call on his own - virtual school at least gives him a glimpse of his friends without having to put himself out there. I'm so bummed they're calling it 3 weeks early. Our teachers are also it seems

And not looking forward to doing this all myself while working :/ Scared to explain this to my childless boss.


Same, I don't get the logic DCPS is following it cutting the school year short several weeks early. Who gains? Teachers who crave a longer summer break and less contact with students? Come June, my shy 7 year old is really going to be missing her live class sessions and the chance to see and hear her beloved classroom teacher on weekday mornings. She will then really miss her usual summer camps.. Everyone will survive, but the news about the May 29th ending isn't welcome.
Anonymous
Post 04/20/2020 16:23     Subject: Re:honest question - what do we do with our kids after May 29?
I've been very grateful to DCPS for figuring out something to give structure and normalcy to the kids beyond what I could give them myself. You can't be the only adult in their lives. And my introvert would NEVER set up a call on his own - virtual school at least gives him a glimpse of his friends without having to put himself out there. I'm so bummed they're calling it 3 weeks early. Our teachers are also it seems

And not looking forward to doing this all myself while working :/ Scared to explain this to my childless boss.
Anonymous
Post 04/20/2020 14:21     Subject: honest question - what do we do with our kids after May 29?
You are seeing- the clearly it is no longer reasonable to just assume your kids will be in school so you can forge ahead with life.
Anonymous
Post 04/20/2020 12:38     Subject: honest question - what do we do with our kids after May 29?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:15:41
Sounds like you’ve identified the things in your life that need to change. You set your a life totally dependent on 2 incomes & away from all family. Sounds like choices have consequences...


I am so glad you are so rich and smug!

On the contrary. We made tough choices to manage the needs of our family. Walked away from many things we felt entitled to, so we could accept 100% responsibility for our kids 100% of the time.
If we made more $$, we’d have more kids. If I’d stayed in a high demand job- we’d have fewer kids ect. If we lived closer to family, that would have played in too. And smug, no. Just tired of parents blaming their work/life balance on no one picking up more of the ‘life’.


So when it’s not a pandemic, you sit at home doing nothing....

Nope. Like I said earlier, I work. But I work a job that isn’t high paying or incredibly demanding. By choice. We had to move when our family made that choice. We gave up lots of things when I made that choice. We stopped having kids when I made that choice. We don’t panic every time the nurse calls from school, or the car pool is late, or after care closes.
The amount of stress parents put on outsourcing everything- so they can work more is astonishing.


You are coming across as extremely smug. Not everyone had the option of making the same choices you did so you could be available for your school age children "100 percent of the time, 100 percent own your own" in perpetuity. It is not unreasonable for parents to structure their lives based on having their children IN SCHOOL during the school year. To expect everyone to sustain full time work AND manage distance learning AND try to keep everyone in their family healthy and sane week after week in their homes without any hitches is not reasonable.
Anonymous
Post 04/20/2020 11:41     Subject: honest question - what do we do with our kids after May 29?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I don't understand this question.....what were you planning to do with the kids after June 19th in light of the pandemic? The answer is the same. Those three weeks aren't going to make a difference.


We were planning to put them into camps. There were no camps scheduled for the first week of June, so of course, the answer is not the same. There may not be camps at all this summer, if social distancing continues.


There definitely won't be camps this summer. There might be dumb digital camps, whatever that means.

So yeah I don't really get all the angst either.


I've accepted that summer camp is cancelled. but I've also concluded we will likely be under reduced restrictions at that point... aka gatherings of 10 or less are allows. I'm starting to talk to families in class with my kiddos and start up a small coop (maybe 3 or 4 kids) and we each take a half day a week.
Anonymous
Post 04/20/2020 10:56     Subject: honest question - what do we do with our kids after May 29?
I'm not going to tell DD6 when school ends. I have enough workbooks and activity sheets that I can keep her occupied while I work instead of letting her be a zombie in front of the TV all day. I'll also take some time off work so that I can be a lot more present/spend more time outdoors with her.
Anonymous
Post 04/20/2020 10:43     Subject: honest question - what do we do with our kids after May 29?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I don't understand this question.....what were you planning to do with the kids after June 19th in light of the pandemic? The answer is the same. Those three weeks aren't going to make a difference.


We were planning to put them into camps. There were no camps scheduled for the first week of June, so of course, the answer is not the same. There may not be camps at all this summer, if social distancing continues.


There definitely won't be camps this summer. There might be dumb digital camps, whatever that means.

So yeah I don't really get all the angst either.