I have an introvert kid and an extrovert kid, and they're both doing fine. The introvert would choose to stay in distance learning - he really likes that he has free time in between the classes to recharge and do independent things that he likes to work on. The extrovert looks forward to going back to school, but uses her free time to meet up with friends (outside, masked) or have virtual "playdate" type things with them.

Honestly what I've noticed in my circle is that the kids who are doing fine have parents who are doing fine. The moms I know who are losing it with quarantine have kids who are not doing well either. Small sample though, who knows. I'm sure lots of variables.

Oldest, extremely shy DC has thrived in DL. I don't think its necessarily preferred for DC but it has the one thing to help DC come out of their shell. We still prefer in person but hopefully this new confidence found in DL will stay once in-person resumes.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids are all extroverts. They also are high performers academically.

I think the reason why they love DL so much is that all of the class fools are completely mitigated online. It has been such a relief to them, from my high schooler to my middle schoolers to my elementary schooler, that the fools are knocked out of the game. The teachers are teaching and my kids are knocking it out of the park. Instruction is "bell-to-bell" so to speak.

Plus my kids have a lot more time for sports and relaxing. I think it helps that they have a wide circle of friends who are all pretty technologically adept.

Do high school classes for high performers really have large populations of class fools in need of muting?

No. I’m a high school teacher and most don’t turn on cameras or participate. This is true for all of the levels I teach. I have 1-4 cameras on each class and almost no one ever uses voice. I’m amazed when I walk my my elementary DD’s class and see a screen full of faces.

I'm the person you are responding to. I was basically questioning the PP's statement that her high performing high school students are doing better because the class fools aren't showing up. I question whether there were really "class fools" in "high performing "classes in the first place so that their absence would make a huge difference.

Did you read where I said I have high school students, middle school students and elementary school students in my family? Why are you only asking about my high school AP kids? Yes, class clowns and behavior problems exist even in Honors classes and TAG classes in Middle School and Elementary School. Their absence makes a HUGE difference in the quality of teaching and learning for my kids. They are happy those kids are sidelined. May it continue.

It is a huge issue. The thread asking about cutthroat kids in the application magnets made me laugh because class clowns and slackers (gifted underachievers) are a much bigger problem for teachers and peers. Where do you put them? In a group together so they only rank each other? Spread out in the hopes that peer pressure will get them to perform?

I agree. I don't know what the answer is. I do think part of it is that their parents are not being held accountable for the child's actions. There is an adult responsibility component that isn't being addressed. One of my son's teachers was completely upset that her repeated requests for a parent to "shadow" the kid was being denied by administration. The parent refused to accept that his child was disruptive and the teacher wanted his dad to see him in action. I just know there has to be a better answer than what was being done (or not done).

Anonymous wrote:OP, I haven't read all these posts.

But, quite the opposite of what you titled your thread. The introverts -- at least some of them -- are the ones who rely entirely on the rhythm of the school day to have any social interaction at all. I'm not kidding when I tell you that my 17 yr old who is very introverted has not seen one live person socially since Mar. 12 of last year (except for the day she took the PSAT). Literally no one.

Her social interaction is on line with people she has never met and doesn't know where they live or who they really are. She relies on the regular routine of required interactions at school for as much social contact as she needs. But, make no mistake, she NEEDS that. She doesn't have a friend group outside of school interactions. She doesn't text people and wouldn't be comfortable reaching out to someone. She is on the edges of the social community at school, but that is a lot for her. To lose that is worse than it is for the extroverts.

The extroverts have social circles. They are still meeting up.

The introverts have nothing with DL. Nothing.

The introverts need in person school more than people realize.

I think you make a good point. Our kids are predominantly extroverts and thrive with people around them. You would think that means that they would hate DL but they are happy because we have a tribe and they have a lot of friends to connect with socially because of church and sports. I can see how introverts might need school to provide that social interaction.

However, I also think that learning to reach out and to develop friends is a teachable skill. I am glad your daughter has friends online but maybe there is a way to get her involved with people who live more locally? Like perhaps a church social group for teens or clubs at school?

I am an introvert by nature - I need alone time to refresh and recharge. I have had to teach myself how to reach outside of my comfort zone. It was hard but it was worth it. Especially since your daughter is coming up on college, which may or may not be the typical college experience with the pandemic, it may be good to help her figure out ways that she can expand her interaction. Her guidance counselor may have some suggestions.

Best wishes!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids are all extroverts. They also are high performers academically.

I think the reason why they love DL so much is that all of the class fools are completely mitigated online. It has been such a relief to them, from my high schooler to my middle schoolers to my elementary schooler, that the fools are knocked out of the game. The teachers are teaching and my kids are knocking it out of the park. Instruction is "bell-to-bell" so to speak.

Plus my kids have a lot more time for sports and relaxing. I think it helps that they have a wide circle of friends who are all pretty technologically adept.

Do high school classes for high performers really have large populations of class fools in need of muting?

No. I’m a high school teacher and most don’t turn on cameras or participate. This is true for all of the levels I teach. I have 1-4 cameras on each class and almost no one ever uses voice. I’m amazed when I walk my my elementary DD’s class and see a screen full of faces.

I'm the person you are responding to. I was basically questioning the PP's statement that her high performing high school students are doing better because the class fools aren't showing up. I question whether there were really "class fools" in "high performing "classes in the first place so that their absence would make a huge difference.

Did you read where I said I have high school students, middle school students and elementary school students in my family? Why are you only asking about my high school AP kids? Yes, class clowns and behavior problems exist even in Honors classes and TAG classes in Middle School and Elementary School. Their absence makes a HUGE difference in the quality of teaching and learning for my kids. They are happy those kids are sidelined. May it continue.

It is a huge issue. The thread asking about cutthroat kids in the application magnets made me laugh because class clowns and slackers (gifted underachievers) are a much bigger problem for teachers and peers. Where do you put them? In a group together so they only rank each other? Spread out in the hopes that peer pressure will get them to perform?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids are all extroverts. They also are high performers academically.

I think the reason why they love DL so much is that all of the class fools are completely mitigated online. It has been such a relief to them, from my high schooler to my middle schoolers to my elementary schooler, that the fools are knocked out of the game. The teachers are teaching and my kids are knocking it out of the park. Instruction is "bell-to-bell" so to speak.

Plus my kids have a lot more time for sports and relaxing. I think it helps that they have a wide circle of friends who are all pretty technologically adept.

Do high school classes for high performers really have large populations of class fools in need of muting?

No. I’m a high school teacher and most don’t turn on cameras or participate. This is true for all of the levels I teach. I have 1-4 cameras on each class and almost no one ever uses voice. I’m amazed when I walk my my elementary DD’s class and see a screen full of faces.

I'm the person you are responding to. I was basically questioning the PP's statement that her high performing high school students are doing better because the class fools aren't showing up. I question whether there were really "class fools" in "high performing "classes in the first place so that their absence would make a huge difference.

Did you read where I said I have high school students, middle school students and elementary school students in my family? Why are you only asking about my high school AP kids? Yes, class clowns and behavior problems exist even in Honors classes and TAG classes in Middle School and Elementary School. Their absence makes a HUGE difference in the quality of teaching and learning for my kids. They are happy those kids are sidelined. May it continue.

I have an introvert and an extrovert and both prefer DL for different reasons.

The introvert has ADHD and prefers DL because less executive function is involved. The computer keeps her on task. They use Schoology. It's a Godsend for ADHD kids. Also, because she's home there is no "I forgot to bring" this book or that book or this assignment, etc... It's done wondered for her grades. She's in 7th but takes Algebra I Honors and a language which will go on her HS transcript and my kid who usually gets marked down for missing assignments has not missed 1 all year and had all As both quarters.

The extrovert likes DL because she gets to spend more time with her friends. She spends most lunch breaks with them (even on cold days they bundle up and head outside, masked to sit distanced and socialize). This allows her to be with friends she is closest to and not just friends who have her same period lunch. She also enjoys being home and eating during class, sitting in her pajamas, seeing us all day. DL also allows her to sleep in longer.

Both of my kids have asked if they could stay DL forever. Sorry kids! I wouldn't mind but unless FCPS offers it we have no way to do it. My kids are independent so having them home does not bother me in the least. My husband and I are 100% working from home and our kids don't keep us from getting work done.

Anonymous wrote:I am not one of these "open school" yellers and I don't think teachers are bad or lazy. We are doing the best we can and so are they.

That being said, my kids are pretty unhappy and really do want to go back to school. Both are extremely extroverted and both loved school prior to Covid and got good grades (and still are.) Yes they see friends and do extracurriculars but that is not nearly enough for them. When I hear so many people (on here and IRL) say their kids "love DL" it is incomprehensible to me, in the literal sense of the word. Are these kids just very introverted and don't require much interaction with others to be content? Did they dislike school before Covid?

Hoping for a few sincere answers before the trolls take over.

No, mine is not. Mine likes to not have to get up at the crack of dawn for a lengthy bus rid to a school 3 miles away. She likes being able to do classes in her PJs and to get up and move around with her computer. She also doesn't have to deal with certain student groups (the "popular" kids, who are generally jerks; the kids constantly causing disruptions, etc.). And she has more time in her day. There is a lot of wasted school time during the day.

She has a couple friends in our neighborhood that she sometimes does classes with (in our "bubble"). And she has an outdoor, masked sport she participates in. So she gets some outlet.

She asked to be homeschooled next year, something I declined at this point. But I would be open to it depending on how it goes.

My son likes remote learning, he also really liked school. He particularly enjoys the extra time being home provides. He does homework between classes or picks up a book at lunch, he’ll Skype with friends during homework and has started using the phone to just talk to friends. We have distanced outdoor in person hangouts with friends every weekend, and my spouse and I have found regular times of the week day to spend time with him that works with our work schedules. Things that I think help; he’s bright with no learning challenges, he’s able to stay focused and engaged on his work without much prompting, he’s an only child who has always been good at finding ways to happily play on his own, he sees/talks/plays with his friends every day after school and we meet up for longer hangouts every weekend. We also talk often about how fortunate our family has been, how much harder others have it right now, and how the pandemic won’t last forever. We have also taught him from when he was little that his attitude is a big part of any situation, good or bad, and we model this ourselves as often as we can.

I’m not sure how much of this helps or doesn’t. I’m sure there are families out there with very similar circumstances and their kid hates remote learning. I think a lot of it is individual.

My easy going kid is neither very introverted or very extroverted. He’s been doing great with distance learning and when things shut down he actually became more pleasant to be around. Fifth grade social dynamics and unruly kids in his class had been stressing him out (he’s well liked and friendly, but pretty focused and a rule follower, and was annoyed that other kids in his class were distracting and disrupting). We did not realize how much it was impacting him until he suddenly became happy and pleasant again when school shut last March. That said, he says he really wants to go back.

My kids aren’t. they just like having the free time during the day and not having ng to deal with all the disruptive kids when they are trying to learn.

I think it is so kid dependent and situation dependent you can’t generalize. I also don’t think that many kids “love” DL. I have an introvert who is doing well with it academically and he doesn’t crave much social interaction but he’s much prefer to be back in school.

I know extroverted kids who are also fine, sometimes because they are still socializing with quite a few kids, even outside but sometimes lots and lots of time with multiple friends and groups, as well as in person sports.

For those being more careful or whose kids’ friend groups are also cautious, it’s been more challenging.

OP, I haven't read all these posts.

But, quite the opposite of what you titled your thread. The introverts -- at least some of them -- are the ones who rely entirely on the rhythm of the school day to have any social interaction at all. I'm not kidding when I tell you that my 17 yr old who is very introverted has not seen one live person socially since Mar. 12 of last year (except for the day she took the PSAT). Literally no one.

Her social interaction is on line with people she has never met and doesn't know where they live or who they really are. She relies on the regular routine of required interactions at school for as much social contact as she needs. But, make no mistake, she NEEDS that. She doesn't have a friend group outside of school interactions. She doesn't text people and wouldn't be comfortable reaching out to someone. She is on the edges of the social community at school, but that is a lot for her. To lose that is worse than it is for the extroverts.

The extroverts have social circles. They are still meeting up.

The introverts have nothing with DL. Nothing.

The introverts need in person school more than people realize.

Anonymous wrote:I am not one of these "open school" yellers and I don't think teachers are bad or lazy. We are doing the best we can and so are they.

That being said, my kids are pretty unhappy and really do want to go back to school. Both are extremely extroverted and both loved school prior to Covid and got good grades (and still are.) Yes they see friends and do extracurriculars but that is not nearly enough for them. When I hear so many people (on here and IRL) say their kids "love DL" it is incomprehensible to me, in the literal sense of the word. Are these kids just very introverted and don't require much interaction with others to be content? Did they dislike school before Covid?

Hoping for a few sincere answers before the trolls take over.

12 year old niece extremely social. Think Queen bee in middle school.

There are many many kids that are happy.

It's not incomprehensible.

We all want schools open. Blame Q and stop trolling for schools to open.

^^ me again OP: We do masked outside playdates for the extroversion.