I repeat my question: Are these kids also being forced to mask? Because, if not, what is even the theoretical justification for mandatory outdoor lunch?

I mean… I guess technically there’s still a pandemic but (looks around) seems like everyone else is eating ok and no one is really dying as a result?

Outdoor lunch in December? Is their cafeteria being renovated? Someone should bring this up downtown if you’re afraid of the admin. The kids should not be forced to do that.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And on top of that, an elementary school in NE(DCPS) just made 3 year olds mask during a concert. Are we done with this or not?

DCB is virtual in Jan, KIPP extending break. Everywhere else in the united states may be done but apparently not DC. It.is.maddening.

Wait what? What is the justification?

You want to do this again? Get a life. Find a hobby.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And on top of that, an elementary school in NE(DCPS) just made 3 year olds mask during a concert. Are we done with this or not?

DCB is virtual in Jan, KIPP extending break. Everywhere else in the united states may be done but apparently not DC. It.is.maddening.

Wait what? What is the justification?

Anonymous wrote:And on top of that, an elementary school in NE(DCPS) just made 3 year olds mask during a concert. Are we done with this or not?

DCB is virtual in Jan, KIPP extending break. Everywhere else in the united states may be done but apparently not DC. It.is.maddening.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:wtf. a charter?

No. Hearst in the Cleveland Park neighborhood.

bwahaha so glad we left that school years ago

my kid also prefers the optional outside option at Janney for a host of reasons both health but a good portion of it social reasons.....Last year we preferred it given vaccination timings and the omicron wave and honestly kid didn't care or complain at all (and the weather was largely not an issue) - this year, fine with it being kids choice (get some kids wouldn't like it the same) as long as its not really overburdening the staff....

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Janney offered an outside option this year. It was not mandatory. My kid loves eating outside and would prefer it regardless of the weather because it is less hectic and the lunch side let the outdoor kids start recess as soon as they are done eating.

I guess that if s family is still asking their kid to mask during class they would also want outdoor lunch. That was not us, although we are asking our kids to mark leading up to the holidays and we appreciate the outdoor option.

Cold temperatures do not make you sick but germs do.

Maybe the older kids were able to choose but the younger ones weren’t. My early elementary kiddo has been forced to eat outside daily unless
It was super hot, super cold or the mulch was too wet.

My early elementary schoolers (before covid) would definitely have preferred this to being forced to eat inside. I don't know any school that gives young kids a choice.

Anonymous wrote:Janney offered an outside option this year. It was not mandatory. My kid loves eating outside and would prefer it regardless of the weather because it is less hectic and the lunch side let the outdoor kids start recess as soon as they are done eating.

I guess that if s family is still asking their kid to mask during class they would also want outdoor lunch. That was not us, although we are asking our kids to mark leading up to the holidays and we appreciate the outdoor option.

Cold temperatures do not make you sick but germs do.

Maybe the older kids were able to choose but the younger ones weren’t. My early elementary kiddo has been forced to eat outside daily unless
It was super hot, super cold or the mulch was too wet.

No. My school won’t even do outdoor recess if it’s under 44 degrees (they didn’t do it today, which irked me)

Janney offered an outside option this year. It was not mandatory. My kid loves eating outside and would prefer it regardless of the weather because it is less hectic and the lunch side let the outdoor kids start recess as soon as they are done eating.

I guess that if s family is still asking their kid to mask during class they would also want outdoor lunch. That was not us, although we are asking our kids to mark leading up to the holidays and we appreciate the outdoor option.

Cold temperatures do not make you sick but germs do.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Janney switched to inside recently.

Both of my kids at Janney have been eating inside since September.

I guess it was grade by grade. My kid’s started to eat inside last week.

What am I missing? Why in the world is this school eating outside in December?

Anonymous wrote:What viruses are acquired by being cold?

Obviously we should be well past the point where we thinking being cold gives you a cold. However, there is actually some evidence that cold weather makes people more susceptible to respiratory illness (of course, insufficient sun exposure can too): https://www.nm.org/healthbeat/healthy-tips/can-winter-make-you-sick#:~:text=Low%20temperatures%20can%20increase%20the,more%20easily%20in%20the%20winter.

In any case, the real point is that kids sitting outside in conditions that are freezing with the wind chill factor while not even moving around (normal recess) is a completely ridiculous thing to force on kids... because it's miserable and will make kids hate school. Also, many kids will probably choose not to eat because their hands are so cold and maneuvering bags/lids/wrappers with freezing hands is especially tricky for the youngest set. There are actually negative educational outcomes tied to not eating enough during the day.