Anonymous wrote:I agree. As far as I can tell, most parents have been on board with staying closed, which I’m sure helps (as opposed to the MoCo parents, for example, many of whom are constantly agitating to open up already).

Are PG parents less entitled? Looking like it

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is just based on my experience of course. First, when it became obvious that the pandemic would be a crisis well into the fall, the school system clearly communicated that online school would continue until January and be evaluated at that time. There was no discussion of hybrid schools etc. when it was obvious that would not happen in our area.

Second, I am happy with the rigor of the curriculum as well as the various discussions school counselors have had with the kids about feelings and coping with difficulties. Third, I am happy with the social opportunities the kids have had facilitated by the school. I’m happy with how much clear communication we have received. My kids go to two different schools and both have made the best of a bad situation. Kudos to our kids and our administration!

Could you elaborate on those?

Lunch bunch, putting kids in breakout rooms where they could just socialize, letting them use zoom to have little meetups together. Really little things that help. The kids also haven’t been as overloaded with onerous and pointless work like I am hearing about from friends in DC and VA. It seems like when the ambitions for teleschool are more modest it works better for everybody.

Another happy PGCPS parent here. Our elementary school has also:
—hosted two family gym nights, where the gym teachers do 60-90 minutes of minute-to-win-it type challenges. The teachers and administrators record videos ahead of time of themselves doing the challenges, and tons of teachers log on to participate in real time too.
—planned approximately a dozen after school clubs led by teachers; I know there’s an art club led by the art teacher, and I saw a classroom teacher was doing a dance party club
—continued monthly club day, which is their standard reward in their PBIS system. Teachers host various rooms—drawing, kahoots, animal facts, etc. My kid is obsessive about tracking his points because he would **hate** to miss a club day.

I’ve also been impressed by the academics and how easy my kid’s teacher has made it for him to be self-sufficient in managing his assignments, and she’s making **great** use of Wednesdays.

That sounds awesome!
Thanks so much to the OP and the other parents who shared their experiences. It's so nice to hear some positive vibes these days!

I think our kids schools have done a great job with regard to online instruction.
The elementary school has been making a huge effort to include social time for the kids. After school clubs, lunch bunch with others in their grade, lunch time zoom with the teachers or principal. I give a lot of credit to the principal and assistant principal for their leadership.
The middle school hasn't done ANYTHING as far as social opportunities. Like zero. The only after school activity that is available is Student Government and that is limited to kids who were nominated by their teachers. There has been no communication from the Principal and APs. My kid has a close group of friends who live nearby so it's not an issue for us but I can imagine kids that are more isolated would be having a super hard time.
I wish that Parks and Rec could offer more outdoor activities for the kids but I think that now that the numbers are up that isn't likely to happen.

PGCPS teacher here and I am so happy to know that parents are pleased with DL. I give all of the credit to Dr. Goldson and her dynamic leadership from the start. It has made it easier for us to navigate these rough waters with her at the helm but let's not overlook the phenomenal parents like you supporting us. Thank you so much!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is just based on my experience of course. First, when it became obvious that the pandemic would be a crisis well into the fall, the school system clearly communicated that online school would continue until January and be evaluated at that time. There was no discussion of hybrid schools etc. when it was obvious that would not happen in our area.

Second, I am happy with the rigor of the curriculum as well as the various discussions school counselors have had with the kids about feelings and coping with difficulties. Third, I am happy with the social opportunities the kids have had facilitated by the school. I’m happy with how much clear communication we have received. My kids go to two different schools and both have made the best of a bad situation. Kudos to our kids and our administration!

Could you elaborate on those?

Lunch bunch, putting kids in breakout rooms where they could just socialize, letting them use zoom to have little meetups together. Really little things that help. The kids also haven’t been as overloaded with onerous and pointless work like I am hearing about from friends in DC and VA. It seems like when the ambitions for teleschool are more modest it works better for everybody.

Another happy PGCPS parent here. Our elementary school has also:
—hosted two family gym nights, where the gym teachers do 60-90 minutes of minute-to-win-it type challenges. The teachers and administrators record videos ahead of time of themselves doing the challenges, and tons of teachers log on to participate in real time too.
—planned approximately a dozen after school clubs led by teachers; I know there’s an art club led by the art teacher, and I saw a classroom teacher was doing a dance party club
—continued monthly club day, which is their standard reward in their PBIS system. Teachers host various rooms—drawing, kahoots, animal facts, etc. My kid is obsessive about tracking his points because he would **hate** to miss a club day.

I’ve also been impressed by the academics and how easy my kid’s teacher has made it for him to be self-sufficient in managing his assignments, and she’s making **great** use of Wednesdays.

Our elementary school (in the first town across the AA Co border) has done none of these things! And it's supposed to be one of the better rated schools in AA Co.

Way to go PG County Schools! I'm impressed!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is just based on my experience of course. First, when it became obvious that the pandemic would be a crisis well into the fall, the school system clearly communicated that online school would continue until January and be evaluated at that time. There was no discussion of hybrid schools etc. when it was obvious that would not happen in our area.

Second, I am happy with the rigor of the curriculum as well as the various discussions school counselors have had with the kids about feelings and coping with difficulties. Third, I am happy with the social opportunities the kids have had facilitated by the school. I’m happy with how much clear communication we have received. My kids go to two different schools and both have made the best of a bad situation. Kudos to our kids and our administration!

Could you elaborate on those?

Lunch bunch, putting kids in breakout rooms where they could just socialize, letting them use zoom to have little meetups together. Really little things that help. The kids also haven’t been as overloaded with onerous and pointless work like I am hearing about from friends in DC and VA. It seems like when the ambitions for teleschool are more modest it works better for everybody.

Another happy PGCPS parent here. Our elementary school has also:
—hosted two family gym nights, where the gym teachers do 60-90 minutes of minute-to-win-it type challenges. The teachers and administrators record videos ahead of time of themselves doing the challenges, and tons of teachers log on to participate in real time too.
—planned approximately a dozen after school clubs led by teachers; I know there’s an art club led by the art teacher, and I saw a classroom teacher was doing a dance party club
—continued monthly club day, which is their standard reward in their PBIS system. Teachers host various rooms—drawing, kahoots, animal facts, etc. My kid is obsessive about tracking his points because he would **hate** to miss a club day.

I’ve also been impressed by the academics and how easy my kid’s teacher has made it for him to be self-sufficient in managing his assignments, and she’s making **great** use of Wednesdays.

Anonymous wrote:I'm in FCPS (MD) and feel the same way. We opted for hybrid for my K child if they do decide to go back second semester because I trust the superintendent to prioritize safety and delay reopening if appropriate; the BOE voted to go back Jan 28 before this spike started. So far the district has been quite conservative about risk, haven't jerked us around, and have done a decent job with virtual learning. Much less complaining from parents than in other districts with more of a "will we? Won't we?!" approach.

Honestly I think the complaints against school systems like MCPS are coming from a bunch of uptight parents (there are many of them) who are more concerned about their kid's MAP scores. I'm an MCPS parent and I think our county has done a good job throughout this and the teachers have been phoenomenal.

Given the current situation I personally think they are being irresponsible. Heck I know schools districts in Texas that are closed. But PWCS is open!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm in FCPS (MD) and feel the same way. We opted for hybrid for my K child if they do decide to go back second semester because I trust the superintendent to prioritize safety and delay reopening if appropriate; the BOE voted to go back Jan 28 before this spike started. So far the district has been quite conservative about risk, haven't jerked us around, and have done a decent job with virtual learning. Much less complaining from parents than in other districts with more of a "will we? Won't we?!" approach.

Which county is this?

Frederick. I think most similar approach to PGCPS earlier in the year.

I have to agree. I am so pleased with how this entire situation has been handled by PGCPS. The messaging has been so clear and decisions have been made in a timely manner. My daughter’s teachers are prepared and she is learning. Kudos to PGCPS! And kudos to the parents as well! I see so many parents supporting the decisions that PGCPS is making. It’s been great to see so much unity throughout the county.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm in FCPS (MD) and feel the same way. We opted for hybrid for my K child if they do decide to go back second semester because I trust the superintendent to prioritize safety and delay reopening if appropriate; the BOE voted to go back Jan 28 before this spike started. So far the district has been quite conservative about risk, haven't jerked us around, and have done a decent job with virtual learning. Much less complaining from parents than in other districts with more of a "will we? Won't we?!" approach.

Which county is this?

Frederick. I think most similar approach to PGCPS earlier in the year.

Anonymous wrote:I'm in FCPS (MD) and feel the same way. We opted for hybrid for my K child if they do decide to go back second semester because I trust the superintendent to prioritize safety and delay reopening if appropriate; the BOE voted to go back Jan 28 before this spike started. So far the district has been quite conservative about risk, haven't jerked us around, and have done a decent job with virtual learning. Much less complaining from parents than in other districts with more of a "will we? Won't we?!" approach.

Which county is this?

I agree. For all of the complaints I have heard and read online with other schools/districts, my children’s school has proactively prevented. They have built in breaks during the day, the teachers are basically over communicating this year, and they are engaging the students as much as possible.

I don’t think they going to get a full year of learning this year due to the circumstances, but the teachers are doing the absolute best they can with that they have to work with and I am super appreciative. They are doing a fantastic job.

Totally agree! I’ve been continually impressed by Dr. Goldson and so glad that she’s at the helm now. PG County is a wonderful place with so many wonderful, hardworking, intelligent people, and it’s unfairly portrayed so often. I think we’re really moving in the right direction with people that are in leadership.

Frankly, my frustration about this year has nothing to do with the school system and everything to do with my how my kid is handling DL.

I'm in FCPS (MD) and feel the same way. We opted for hybrid for my K child if they do decide to go back second semester because I trust the superintendent to prioritize safety and delay reopening if appropriate; the BOE voted to go back Jan 28 before this spike started. So far the district has been quite conservative about risk, haven't jerked us around, and have done a decent job with virtual learning. Much less complaining from parents than in other districts with more of a "will we? Won't we?!" approach.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is just based on my experience of course. First, when it became obvious that the pandemic would be a crisis well into the fall, the school system clearly communicated that online school would continue until January and be evaluated at that time. There was no discussion of hybrid schools etc. when it was obvious that would not happen in our area.

Second, I am happy with the rigor of the curriculum as well as the various discussions school counselors have had with the kids about feelings and coping with difficulties. Third, I am happy with the social opportunities the kids have had facilitated by the school. I’m happy with how much clear communication we have received. My kids go to two different schools and both have made the best of a bad situation. Kudos to our kids and our administration!

Could you elaborate on those?

Lunch bunch, putting kids in breakout rooms where they could just socialize, letting them use zoom to have little meetups together. Really little things that help. The kids also haven’t been as overloaded with onerous and pointless work like I am hearing about from friends in DC and VA. It seems like when the ambitions for teleschool are more modest it works better for everybody.