someone on AEM posted Bridget Loft's statement earlier this year at a SB meeting that concurrent was uniquely possible for older high school kids and not appropriate for young kids.

It's going to suck for everyone- DL students, hybrid students, and teachers. Even hybrid kids are going to be DL two days per week. Unless they install cameras in the classrooms the teachers will have to stay in front of their laptops to be visible. Unless they install microphones, the hybrid kids will all need to wear headphones so that discussions can include virtual kids. Breakout sessions will end up being a mix of in-class and at-home kids for things like math and language arts.

It's going to be a huge step back for everyone in terms of educational delivery. Not the fault of the teachers like of trying, but trying to equally engage in-person and at-home kids is going to be a nightmare.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The vast majority of 3-5 teachers will be in the building. The purpose of this change is because there wasn’t enough assistants to be the 2nd person for grades 3-5 under the split model.

Since CARES act considerations are over APS is going by ADA accommodations for in person and most teachers who were approved for virtual in the fall are not approved to remain so going forward. It will be the minute exception, not the rule, for an assistant to man a classroom while the teacher is at home.

But again, the teacher will be at a desk teaching to all kids via a device. They don’t have cameras and mics. They might as well be at home, or on Mars.

Correct. APS has not installed cameras or provided microphone systems to teachers (nor are they preinstalled in classrooms). And teachers will be masked while teaching. We will be using the cameras on our APS provided laptops most likely.

At home I use 2 webcams which I purchased, a second monitor which I purchase, and a ring light which I purchased to enhance the student instructional experience. Won't have any of that at school.

Dear Elementary Families,

As return-to-school planning continues, we want to update you on changes to the instructional learning model for 3rd, 4th and 5th grade elementary students, which will take effect once in-person learning transitions begin.

Over the past several weeks, APS elementary principals and the Department of Teaching & Learning have engaged in discussions and scheduling to prepare for student transitions to in-person learning. Discussions have focused on how to best serve all students in the model of their choosing, while addressing 3rd-5th grade staffing limitations.

Based on those discussions, we have decided to transition 3rd- 5th grade students to the “concurrent instruction” model, similar to the model adopted for secondary students. In the concurrent model, all 3rd-5th grade students will be able to continue in their current class, with their current teacher, regardless of the model they selected. Teachers will instruct both groups of students – those attending school in person, and those participating online – simultaneously, whether the teacher is in the classroom or working remotely.

Concurrent Instruction Model for 3rd-5th Grade Students

The concurrent model changes detailed below ONLY apply to 3rd-5th grade students and will take effect once it is determined that hybrid/in-person learning transitions can begin (return dates to be announced). All other elementary students (PreK-2nd grade) selecting hybrid/in-person model will follow the elementary hybrid/in-person learning model as already described.

In the concurrent instructional model:

Students will participate in a combination of synchronous and asynchronous instruction four days (Tues.-Fri.) each week, regardless of the delivery model selected.
Students continue in their current class, with their current teacher, regardless of the model they selected.
Students will be divided into three concurrent groups—full-time distance, Hybrid A (in-person Tues/Wed), and Hybrid B (in-person Thurs/Fri).
Both Full-Distance and Hybrid students will interact with each other and their teachers four days each week. Hybrid students will attend school in-person two days each week.
Teachers will instruct both groups of students simultaneously, whether the teacher is in school in person or teaching remotely. This may mean that some students in school will receive instruction from a teacher who is remote; these students will be monitored and assisted in-person by classroom assistants.
Mondays will continue as asynchronous learning days for all students, with time for teacher planning and small group interventions.
This change applies to 3rd-5th grade students at all elementary neighborhood schools and option programs, except for Montessori Public School of Arlington (MPSA), Claremont Immersion and Key Immersion.

All MPSA students will participate in the original hybrid/in-person model.
All Claremont and Key Immersion students, PreK-5th grade, will follow the concurrent model described above.
Professional learning for 3rd-5th grade teachers will take place on Friday, Feb. 5, in the afternoon, to support the skills needed to teach in these unique environments concurrently. To accommodate this training and other professional learning for elementary teachers and staff, Fri, Feb 5 will be an early release day for elementary students.

Thank you for continued patience and cooperation as we work to navigate these changes. If you have questions about this adjusted model, please reach out to your principal. We will update all families as additional details and student return timelines become available.

Regards,

Bridget Loft
Assistant Superintendent
Department of Teaching and Learning

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:According to the email today. All Montessori and Immersion students will also be concurrent. I was under the impression that concurrent involved teachers teaching IN school to students at home or in school. However, it apparently means teachers teaching at home or school to students at home or in school. I picked hybrid but have zero desire to send me kid to school to do virtual school while watched by a baby sitter. Especially my kinder kid who I assumed would be taught by his teacher or assistant in person at least some of the day.

So hybrid is basically childcare almost a year into this. When most everyone has child care established or will not be helped by sending the kids some place 2 days a week (and for me my kids would go on different days!).

Only 3-5 are switching to concurrent, K is staying with the virtual/hybrid model.

Immersions is switching to the concurrent model for all kids, Pre-K through 5th.

We are Immersion and did not get an email. Who did it come from? Can someone post the full text? I have a 1st grader and the concurrent model sounds like HORROR show for younger kids, regardless of in person or virtual.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:According to the email today. All Montessori and Immersion students will also be concurrent. I was under the impression that concurrent involved teachers teaching IN school to students at home or in school. However, it apparently means teachers teaching at home or school to students at home or in school. I picked hybrid but have zero desire to send me kid to school to do virtual school while watched by a baby sitter. Especially my kinder kid who I assumed would be taught by his teacher or assistant in person at least some of the day.

So hybrid is basically childcare almost a year into this. When most everyone has child care established or will not be helped by sending the kids some place 2 days a week (and for me my kids would go on different days!).

Only 3-5 are switching to concurrent, K is staying with the virtual/hybrid model.

Immersions is switching to the concurrent model for all kids, Pre-K through 5th.

Anonymous wrote:The vast majority of 3-5 teachers will be in the building. The purpose of this change is because there wasn’t enough assistants to be the 2nd person for grades 3-5 under the split model.

Since CARES act considerations are over APS is going by ADA accommodations for in person and most teachers who were approved for virtual in the fall are not approved to remain so going forward. It will be the minute exception, not the rule, for an assistant to man a classroom while the teacher is at home.

But again, the teacher will be at a desk teaching to all kids via a device. They don’t have cameras and mics. They might as well be at home, or on Mars.

Anonymous wrote:The vast majority of 3-5 teachers will be in the building. The purpose of this change is because there wasn’t enough assistants to be the 2nd person for grades 3-5 under the split model.

Since CARES act considerations are over APS is going by ADA accommodations for in person and most teachers who were approved for virtual in the fall are not approved to remain so going forward. It will be the minute exception, not the rule, for an assistant to man a classroom while the teacher is at home.

This gives me hope, thanks for clarifying.. I wish APS would have included something to this tune in the email.

The vast majority of 3-5 teachers will be in the building. The purpose of this change is because there wasn’t enough assistants to be the 2nd person for grades 3-5 under the split model.

Since CARES act considerations are over APS is going by ADA accommodations for in person and most teachers who were approved for virtual in the fall are not approved to remain so going forward. It will be the minute exception, not the rule, for an assistant to man a classroom while the teacher is at home.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most likely your child’s teacher will be in-person unless they specially qualify to teach from home due to specific risk factors. APS isn’t going to hire and pay a whole slew of additional aides to be in classrooms just so teachers can stay home if they want to.

do risk factors include extended family that is high-risk?

I don’t see why it would.

Some families have children with cancer and other immune compromised conditions.

PP said extended family. Your own children are immediate family, not extended family.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most likely your child’s teacher will be in-person unless they specially qualify to teach from home due to specific risk factors. APS isn’t going to hire and pay a whole slew of additional aides to be in classrooms just so teachers can stay home if they want to.

do risk factors include extended family that is high-risk?

I don’t see why it would.

Some families have children with cancer and other immune compromised conditions.

Anonymous wrote:According to the email today. All Montessori and Immersion students will also be concurrent. I was under the impression that concurrent involved teachers teaching IN school to students at home or in school. However, it apparently means teachers teaching at home or school to students at home or in school. I picked hybrid but have zero desire to send me kid to school to do virtual school while watched by a baby sitter. Especially my kinder kid who I assumed would be taught by his teacher or assistant in person at least some of the day.

So hybrid is basically childcare almost a year into this. When most everyone has child care established or will not be helped by sending the kids some place 2 days a week (and for me my kids would go on different days!).

Only 3-5 are switching to concurrent, K is staying with the virtual/hybrid model.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most likely your child’s teacher will be in-person unless they specially qualify to teach from home due to specific risk factors. APS isn’t going to hire and pay a whole slew of additional aides to be in classrooms just so teachers can stay home if they want to.

do risk factors include extended family that is high-risk?

I don’t see why it would.

well aps wanted us to 'unite.' They appear to have united virtual parents, hybrid parents, and teachers, in fury over this ridiculous plan.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:According to the email today. All Montessori and Immersion students will also be concurrent. I was under the impression that concurrent involved teachers teaching IN school to students at home or in school. However, it apparently means teachers teaching at home or school to students at home or in school. I picked hybrid but have zero desire to send me kid to school to do virtual school while watched by a baby sitter. Especially my kinder kid who I assumed would be taught by his teacher or assistant in person at least some of the day.

So hybrid is basically childcare almost a year into this. When most everyone has child care established or will not be helped by sending the kids some place 2 days a week (and for me my kids would go on different days!).

Assistants will be in the building.

Another disastrous decision. Unfair to everyone - virtual students, hybrid students, and all teachers and assistants. AWFUL.