Red means nothing folks. The VDH dashboard just communicates numbers. It is not meant to be a dashboard to open schools. It doesn’t predict if schools can open safely. They only thing that matters are risk mitigation measures in terms of opening schools. If we meet those metrics, open schools. Schools are not a source of community spread and nor do children transmit virus to adults. Everyone needs to get informed with the new research and advocate to open schools.

The VDH metrics were not meant to be used as green or red light for going to school. The vdh dashboard is meant to be inform level of mitigation procedures (e.g, 3 ft vs 6 ft distancing), kids on busses, hybrid vs 5 day, etc. Kids can go to school per the governor. The whole metrics thing was stupid from the start. People insisted from the start on metrics because Duran arbitrarily decided not to open in September, so that’s why we got arbitrary metrics. We didn’t open because APS and other surrounding districts were not ready to open. Schools can open now and APS just needs to figure out how to make it happen. It’s really unfortunate we didn’t open from the start and so that we could have flexibility for a long break. Blame the one APS and AEA for that nonsense. The premise that everyone starting dL was more equitable was so dumb and has caused a lot of harm, unfortunately.

Anonymous wrote:how could they even manage having enough staff if they try to open in red? APS is down a lot of staff now in level 1 with really small number of students back. Other systems are shutting down daily because so many staff are out or quarantined or sick.

Yes, and if they want to retain the staff they have, they’ll consider these points.

how could they even manage having enough staff if they try to open in red? APS is down a lot of staff now in level 1 with really small number of students back. Other systems are shutting down daily because so many staff are out or quarantined or sick.

Anonymous wrote:Bumping this thread because Duran was pushed into a little more clarity regarding how they are currently using the metrics at tonight’s school board meeting.

The metrics still are being tracked, but they are now essentially only using them to guide mitigation strategies. There can be a category in the red zone, and this is no longer necessarily a barrier to opening schools. Whether they will be able to come up with effective mitigation strategies is another question altogether.

Yeah this was very concerning. Opening in RED - nuts.

Anonymous wrote:Look, study after study is showing the risk in person is relatively low for elementary. Community metrics were just a wild guess all along anyway, as the science has just begun to mature on this.

Get the kids back in school like so many other schools have done!

It sounds like that message is connecting with Duran and at least some of the SB.

Look, study after study is showing the risk in person is relatively low for elementary. Community metrics were just a wild guess all along anyway, as the science has just begun to mature on this.

Get the kids back in school like so many other schools have done!

Hmm. That is helpful info. Makes me even more inclined to choose DL for my kids.

Bumping this thread because Duran was pushed into a little more clarity regarding how they are currently using the metrics at tonight’s school board meeting.

The metrics still are being tracked, but they are now essentially only using them to guide mitigation strategies. There can be a category in the red zone, and this is no longer necessarily a barrier to opening schools. Whether they will be able to come up with effective mitigation strategies is another question altogether.

Yes. That is my concern as well. Particularly with middle and high school students who will be exposed to 4 different groups of students each day they go in.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As soon as other districts can also sports, APS will follow suit again. Look at the VHC report. We aren’t the Midwest, but we are headed that way.

I know. It’s disturbing that Dr. Duran caves on this. I think highly of him but really think he will regret giving in to the parents and school board members who pushed this.

It just makes him look like someone who gives in to pressure. Because he is.

That's why I want actual metrics. I don't want to elect hybrid then have Dr. Duran decide to go back in a high risk category just because these Open Up Now idiots send him a lot of emails.

Anonymous wrote:As soon as other districts can also sports, APS will follow suit again. Look at the VHC report. We aren’t the Midwest, but we are headed that way.

I know. It’s disturbing that Dr. Duran caves on this. I think highly of him but really think he will regret giving in to the parents and school board members who pushed this.

As soon as other districts can also sports, APS will follow suit again. Look at the VHC report. We aren’t the Midwest, but we are headed that way.

Yep.

Anonymous wrote:By abandoning metrics. Did Open Schools Now not demand metrics, get them, then demand APS abandon them, and then APS abandoned them? Did they also demand APS cave on opening winter sports, even while schools are closed? Did APS change course with no explanation whatsoever? That’s called caving.

Exactly. And now those of us who are actually trying to figure this out are screwed.