Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s not that hard! Use zoom to have a class with the kids everyday. What’s the freakin’ problem??

Equity. 1% of students may not have access to this (lack of computer or internet access); or unable to use it (blind, for example).

Way more than 1% of kids in Moco don't have a device or internet or an IEP

My guess is that they will set up some kind of distance learning program and deploy Chromebooks to students who need it but it's going to be difficult.

Why can't they go on-line for those students who have the ability to do so. Other students without access can be given printed packets with the material to be competed.

Instead of regular grading go to what most colleges are going to this semester and just have pass/fail.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:$100 says that they're just gonna call it and waive the rest of the year.

Nah. it'll be an "accessible" online program:

Packets of work available online, emailed, mailed, or picked up from locations
Return work via online portal, mail, e-mail, or drop off at locations
Non-interactive sessions on the web as videos and reading materials, and perhaps also made available other ways
Interactive sessions via video possible, but also by phone. Some may be small groups.


It's going to be CRAP. Time to reduce Superintendent pay by 50% until he can deliver a proper solution.

I think it's going to be this, minus the interactive sessions.

If it goes to this, my plan is to get together with the other parents in our DD's elementary school class, and pay for some teacher to do a daily Zoom lesson for all the kids in the class. I assume it'll be against various rules to offer $$ to their own ES teacher for this, but I guess we can find one who will moonlight and do this.

Anonymous wrote:It’s not that hard! Use zoom to have a class with the kids everyday. What’s the freakin’ problem??

Equity. 1% of students may not have access to this (lack of computer or internet access); or unable to use it (blind, for example).

Anonymous wrote:
School is finished for the year, people.

MCPS has taken this break to figure out distance learning. Public schools have a mandate to teach, and they have complex laws to comply with, because some regulations can be restrictive (for special needs students, for example) I have a special needs child, and I'm not going to fight at this time to have all his needs met! We can't have everything in wartime.

So expect some form of distance learning. It will probably not be great, so also figure out a homeschooling plan.
I remind all of you that you can legally homeschool with very few regulations.

Homeschooling is difficult for parents who have full time jobs. We don’t all stay home with the kids full time.

It’s not that hard! Use zoom to have a class with the kids everyday. What’s the freakin’ problem??

Anonymous wrote:Is it likely that MCPS will follow DCPS and close through April? I’d rather just try to plan for that now with work then scramble in two weeks time.

At least. I am planning to be home with my kids for the rest of the school year.

This was addressed in yesterday's email update:

While state officials have only announced a two-week emergency closure at this time, we are anticipating and actively preparing for the very real possibility of an extended closure. We expect to hear from our state officials in the coming days. Our preparation includes designing plans for innovative, remote student instruction (continuity of learning) that uses multiple tools (for example, online, TV and telephone and hard copy packets) to provide teaching and learning. We are also gathering and finalizing distribution plans for digital devices that will help ensure our students can fully engage in this new model. These devices will be prioritized for students in need. 
Transitioning to a new learning model will take time and patience. Our students and staff will be asked to use various tools and engage in teaching and learning in new and creative ways. However, we are confident that instruction in this new model can be delivered successfully and effectively.  
We will provide updates to the community on this new continuity of learning model next week. 

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone have a sense or inside information if virtual classrooms with student's teachers will happen if this goes past the two weeks? My 6th grader has almost finished the materials provided by MCPS. I'm trying to find other resources but I also need to work. Plus it would be great for kids to see their teachers and classmates, even if just through a computer screen for a couple of hours a day. Hoping it's in the works...

I was told by someone in MCPS that they don’t want to do virtual classrooms because they can’t guarantee that every kid would have access, and it’s an equity problem.

If I understand correctly, DC public schools will be starting distance learning soon. If DCPS can figure out how to do this when some kids do not have access, then MCPS needs to get on it stat. I understand that kids need to be fed as well, and I have received about 20 emails about the available meals, so it seems that they have this in hand. I think MCPS needs to step up on the remote learning as well and demonstrate that they can be problem-solvers, not just wring their hands and do nothing for ANY of the MCPS kids in terms of adequate remote learning.

+1

There are a lot of Chrome books at most of the schools. Can't they distribute them for use in households that do not have access to technology? My understanding is that Comcast is providing free internet access--including free self-installation kits--during this time.

I've heard that they're trying to figure out ways to get Chromebooks to all kids who don't have access to technology at home. My question is--how are the kids going to be able to charge the Chromebooks? At school they're all plugged into carts--they don't have individual chargers. I guess MCPS has to order individual chargers for all of the Chromebooks? The other thing is that many of the Chromebooks are in terrible condition and barely function, especially the oldest ones which will be the first ones to be given out. Not to mention they will need a serious cleaning.

If shut down goes on and on, you’ll have bigger problems than distance learning....like a Great Depression complete with social unrest and violence. You can’t keep poor people from working, plunge them into extreme poverty and expect things to go well.....

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it likely that MCPS will follow DCPS and close through April? I’d rather just try to plan for that now with work then scramble in two weeks time.

This is what they should do. No one Knows what things will look like in a month, despite tragedy vultures insisting they do. There is absolutely a chance to open later this spring.

An epidemiologist or infectious disease specialist is not a tragedy vulture, PP.

In April and May, we will be at peak surge with high number of deaths every day . June will hopefully be when the surge comes back down.

There is absolutely no way we are opening the schools again for the academic year unless there is a plan to open this summer, and that doesn't look likely either.

School is finished for the year, people.

MCPS has taken this break to figure out distance learning. Public schools have a mandate to teach, and they have complex laws to comply with, because some regulations can be restrictive (for special needs students, for example) I have a special needs child, and I'm not going to fight at this time to have all his needs met! We can't have everything in wartime.

So expect some form of distance learning. It will probably not be great, so also figure out a homeschooling plan.
I remind all of you that you can legally homeschool with very few regulations.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it likely that MCPS will follow DCPS and close through April? I’d rather just try to plan for that now with work then scramble in two weeks time.

This is what they should do. No one Knows what things will look like in a month, despite tragedy vultures insisting they do. There is absolutely a chance to open later this spring.

But it’s not an MCPS decision...the state superintendent needs to make the call

Anonymous wrote:Is it likely that MCPS will follow DCPS and close through April? I’d rather just try to plan for that now with work then scramble in two weeks time.

This is what they should do. No one Knows what things will look like in a month, despite tragedy vultures insisting they do. There is absolutely a chance to open later this spring.