Some child care centers never closed during the lockdown. The YMCA has taken care of 40,000 children of essential workers since March. Guess how many coronavirus outbreaks they've had.

Zero.

From NPR:


https://www.npr.org/2020/06/24/882316641/what-parents-can-learn-from-child-care-centers-that-stayed-open-during-lockdowns

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here is a new article that sums up what we know about kids and Covid and schools so far:

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/07/parents-need-facts-kids-covid-19/613744/

Once again, for the friends in the back. This is fine. You can get someone to write anything.
But, make DCPS come up with an ACTUAL plan. With dates and times. Thats it.

If its all good to open up- then make a dammed plan. Why is this so confusing for folks?

All the bored teachers who hang out on DCUM all day are suddenly anti-science when doctors say it’s safe to reopen schools.

Love it.

Parent here. It does no good to harangue teachers that they should suck it up and show up. If teachers don't feel safe no teaching happens, even if they are at less risk than they might think. Period.

It sounds like teachers would be willing to show up if DCPS could show that they will commit and follow a decent plan. If I were the WTU, I'd be asking for a contract for admin as well- that essentially if the cleaning and equipment and monitoring fail to materialize or stay consistent, teachers have the right to take leave and teach from home.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here is a new article that sums up what we know about kids and Covid and schools so far:

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/07/parents-need-facts-kids-covid-19/613744/

Once again, for the friends in the back. This is fine. You can get someone to write anything.
But, make DCPS come up with an ACTUAL plan. With dates and times. Thats it.

If its all good to open up- then make a dammed plan. Why is this so confusing for folks?

All the bored teachers who hang out on DCUM all day are suddenly anti-science when doctors say it’s safe to reopen schools.

Love it.

No, that’s not the fact and you know it. People want to know DCPS’ plan? It’s it full time open? It is hybrid? If so, what days? What those extensive cleaning mean? Is there going to be soap in the bathroom?

Why is this considered too much to ask?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here is a new article that sums up what we know about kids and Covid and schools so far:

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/07/parents-need-facts-kids-covid-19/613744/

Once again, for the friends in the back. This is fine. You can get someone to write anything.
But, make DCPS come up with an ACTUAL plan. With dates and times. Thats it.

If its all good to open up- then make a dammed plan. Why is this so confusing for folks?

All the bored teachers who hang out on DCUM all day are suddenly anti-science when doctors say it’s safe to reopen schools.

Love it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What happens with subs who have to go from school to school? That seems like an increased risk of exposure.

+1

And what happens when there aren't enough subs? Which let's be honest is a problem when there aren't heightened health restrictions.

Last year they had classes split up or random staff covering for classes. You might have 5 or more adults watching one class in a day. I don't think my school had a single sub until November, and even then nothing reliable until January when we had a few that would come every day. Teachers were restricted on taking personal days, and EVERY sick day needed a doctor's note. So the whole staff staying home for a headache, sore throat, etc. will be a disaster if I need a note every time.

Anonymous wrote:What happens with subs who have to go from school to school? That seems like an increased risk of exposure.

+1

And what happens when there aren't enough subs? Which let's be honest is a problem when there aren't heightened health restrictions.

What happens with subs who have to go from school to school? That seems like an increased risk of exposure.

Anonymous wrote:hello- so do not forget, they have not put forward a plan, just an idea. MANY teachers want to go back- but those with kids do need an idea of the days we will be in the building. The very last thing I want to do is over commit to being there and screw over my students and school.

Ask DCPS for a real plan (days, weeks, hours) but for in person and distance learning.

Then- ask us to commit.

+1

This is a totally vague document. I am fine with returning in person if I know the plan. My husband's office held a two hour long Zoom meeting prior to returning to share the specific protocols and layout of the office now. It was quite specific. In this document there is no outline of:

1. Who will be doing these health screenings at the door?
2. Who will cover classes when teachers are told they must stay home?
3. Our custodial staff only emptied trash and sweeps the floor each day. Who will do this extensive cleaning?
4. Who will monitor distance learning for half the students while the other half get in person instruction?
5. How will discipline be handled around students who won't wear masks/stay socially distant?
6. Who will monitor the student isolation area if they don't pass the health screening while waiting for parents?

Hint my guess is all of these things to some degree will fall on teachers.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You would think that DCPS would have talked about this to the unions before putting out such a document...especially knowing they'd probably reject it. Is that not how things work?

If you start a sentence with “you would think that...” I can guarantee you it’s not something DCPS would do!

I was thinking the same thing...

Haha ok point taken. I also imagined the WTU had power because of other threads on here...

I think the union flexes on some specific items that it cares about, few of which impact teachers in a daily basis. One year I sent almost a dozen emails and never got a response. My building rep is really good and has been helpful, but going beyond that it’s mostly political lobbying.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You would think that DCPS would have talked about this to the unions before putting out such a document...especially knowing they'd probably reject it. Is that not how things work?

If you start a sentence with “you would think that...” I can guarantee you it’s not something DCPS would do!

I was thinking the same thing...

Haha ok point taken. I also imagined the WTU had power because of other threads on here...

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You would think that DCPS would have talked about this to the unions before putting out such a document...especially knowing they'd probably reject it. Is that not how things work?

If you start a sentence with “you would think that...” I can guarantee you it’s not something DCPS would do!

I was thinking the same thing...

Anonymous wrote:You would think that DCPS would have talked about this to the unions before putting out such a document...especially knowing they'd probably reject it. Is that not how things work?

In DCPS the union really has no power, not like in other states anyway. Even though WTU said not to sign it, I’m sure some teachers did.

Anonymous wrote:You would think that DCPS would have talked about this to the unions before putting out such a document...especially knowing they'd probably reject it. Is that not how things work?

If you start a sentence with “you would think that...” I can guarantee you it’s not something DCPS would do!

You would think that DCPS would have talked about this to the unions before putting out such a document...especially knowing they'd probably reject it. Is that not how things work?

The CSO, union for principals, has also advised its members not sign the employee return to work document.