Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think a big problem is that teachers don't trust DCPS admin and that makes us reluctant to return to work when we feel like they probably won't take adequate steps to protect us. I would love to teach in person and see my students again but I don't have much faith that DCPS will do much to keep me safe. Most teachers I know feel the same. Nobody thinks that central office is going to help us because they never have up to now. IMPACT has seriously eroded trust in admin. There is a gotcha culture towards teachers. So now we don't feel safe. But we love our students and want to come back. It's not unreasonable to feel scared about it and nervous.

+1

To close out for this school year the teachers at my school were promised that there would be temperature checks at the door. There was no one at my school taking temps. My classroom had not been cleaned that entire distant learning time.

+1

When individual schools were closed for a deep cleaning in March, nothing was cleaned. Then central office staff came and lied to teachers saying cleaning crews came through. Nothing was moved on desks, kids' desks still dirty, etc. They really don't care.

+1
I went on leave before schools closed and went back in June to clean up. Everything was left the exact same way I left it. Even down to the sheets up paper that I left in my trashcan. So yea, there was no "deep cleaning". I packed up my room in plastic containers, lysol'd down my desk and chair, and am hoping for the best when I get to return when the building opens again. I do not have any faith in DCPS providing a safe working environment for me when I return.

First, COVID-19 is airborne and dies out on surfaces quickly - max seven days. So deep cleaning an empty building does not help stop the spread of the virus. Second, the custodial staff was also on lockdown. Their health and safety matter too. And March - May - PPE was reserved for health care workers - so most school custodial teams were limited in what they can do.

Anonymous wrote:To the person who said no specials because of 100 kids... As a science teacher I teach 120 a day. Your solution isn’t feasible at the middle and high school level.

PP- I also have supplied my own wipes, paper towels, and soap in my classroom for 12 years. I went through 2 containers of wipes and at least a roll of paper towels each week without Covid. I 1) can’t afford to buy even more and 2) can’t even find wipes for my home right now, much less for my classroom.

To the person who said no specials because of 100 kids... As a science teacher I teach 120 a day. Your solution isn’t feasible at the middle and high school level.

Anonymous wrote:The 12 weeks FFCRA leave are not in addition to traditional FMLA. It counts against any traditional FMLA balance. It’s literally titled “expanded FML” and just adds one qualifying reason for FMLA leave: that your kids are home because school is closed.

My kids have been in a daycare for kids of essential workers since the pandemic started. No infections. No closures.

Whoever cited the example of the gym: seriously? An outbreak among a group of adults is not relevant when considering putting a group of kids with one or two adults and the adults can distance from each other. Kids are less likely than adults to get it and pass it on.

Yes, school is childcare and is essential.

Kids, even young kids, will wear masks at school with teacher and peer pressure. Teachers get the kids to do a ton of things they don’t want to do (like line up, clean up, etc.) with guidance and peer pressure.

Re: fecal matter: um, my kid’s PK teachers wouldn’t wipe her butt. PK3 kids have to be potty trained and have to wipe themselves, or no wipe. Exceptions for kids who can’t due to developmental delays can be made.

Specials shouldn’t happen if school reopens. It’s not wise for an art teacher to see 100 students a day. The art teacher, if able to report to school, becomes a main teacher for another small pod of students.

I’m an essential worker and cannot take off of work to stay home and care for/manage distance learning for my kids. I am expected to go to work. Teachers are essential too. I’m afraid I do not support teachers who don’t feel comfortable going to work, unless they are in an at-risk category.

Schools should have a hybrid model. Teachers who are at-risk can lead the remote learning.

NP here:

Actually, DCPS policy is that no child is refused enrollment due to not being toilet trained for ANY reason. I’m a PK teacher and I do change diapers and wipe butts, actually. They haven’t said what PPE they’ll be providing me in order to do so *especially* since DCPS neglected to reapply for Head Start funds which previously funded a paltry supply of gloves and baby wipes, which we still had to beg for. I don’t have a sink in my PK classroom, the bathroom on our hallway has been out of soap for probably at least 75% of the days I’ve worked in the building (been there for years). Staff bathroom never has soap.... we bring our own. All of these things have been described already by other posters.

Nurse refuses to call to send kids home because they don’t like to do the paperwork part or get cussed out by parents or because honestly often parents don’t answer.... and that’s on days that we even have a nurse in the building. I’m not sure where exactly they would isolate a symptomatic student in our building because they don’t specify in the DCPS document what that means. Parents send their kids to school ill all the time because they don’t have other options... they will straight up tell me they knew their child was sick.

The bottom line is that FMLA does not cover all teachers or school staff who are high risk. Even DC FMLA would cover a max of 16 weeks for an employee’s own medical condition. Beyond that you could use 16 weeks if you could prove a family member had a medical condition you were actively caring for. Nothing requires that leave be paid.... so DCPS is essentially saying take the time off unpaid once your accrued sick leave is gone. For example, you are not fully covered if you just had a baby as one PP said — if you’ve taken 12 weeks of federal FMLA you are not eligible for the child care leave if your kid’s school or daycare is closed. DCPS document does not state that teachers would have an option to opt to telework / be assigned to distance learning. If families are being given the option to opt for 100% distance learning without penalty because they or their child are at risk or they aren’t comfortable, we should be given the same respect and accommodation. Central office employees are being given the option to telework without taking leave. I would like to be able to opt to be teaching via distance learning from my home even if it means temporary reassignment to a grade level etc..... which isn’t something DCPS offered in this form they asked us to sign. I’m not asking to be paid for not working without a medical reason to be home. Childcare for DCPS employees is going to be a huge issue, though. Most of us live in MD or VA.

I would be fine with going back in person if I was sure DCPS would follow through with specific plans and protocols. They have provided vague ideas which historically they have not followed through with.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fine, but then the teachers union should say they support in-person school with appropriate precautions.

Make the common goal in-person school or it won’t happen.

80% of teachers in DCPS have said they won’t return to in-person work until there’s a vaccine

Source?

WTU call with teachers today. Over 1,000 teachers in attendance. 80% said no in person until a vaccine

that could be never, then what?

I was on the call. There were not over 1,000 teachers because Zoom limits attendance to 1,000. (And of course not all 1,000 attendees were teachers.)

The first survey question said “Given the current conditions, do you feel comfortable signing the DCPS Intent To return to In Person Work Form and returning to the classroom?” This is what received an 80% of “No.”

The second survey given was: “Motion 1: WTU Members will engage in distance learning only until the health protections in the WTU Memorandum or Agreement and set by the CDC and OSSE are fully me and implemented in collaboration with the WTU.” To that, 95% said yes they agreed with that position.

As you can see, neither question said anything about a vaccine or stage 4. What they both showed is that we are not comfortable returning given the current conditions and DCPS’ weak offering of protections. Most people on the call who commented started by saying they WANT to be back.

To be clear AGAIN...this thread is NOT about preventing a return to the classroom. It’s a demand for the protections that will make it safe to do so, and a guarantee that DCPS will provide those protections. We do not trust DCPS.

I think DCPS teacher and WTU are asking the right questions, none of this is about safety for DCPS or government it's about how much risk can they tolerate as if they don't get folks back to work the Untied States is doomed. Unfortunately, that means teachers too. Currently the USA has the worse Covid rate in the world, we are completely out of control at this point!

DC needs to lock itself down to keep everyone else out, becaue for right now DC is doing okay! Pay everyone a minimum wage until Covid gone, and if you return to work get whole salary. Online learning for ALL.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fine, but then the teachers union should say they support in-person school with appropriate precautions.

Make the common goal in-person school or it won’t happen.

80% of teachers in DCPS have said they won’t return to in-person work until there’s a vaccine

Source?

WTU call with teachers today. Over 1,000 teachers in attendance. 80% said no in person until a vaccine

that could be never, then what?

I was on the call. There were not over 1,000 teachers because Zoom limits attendance to 1,000. (And of course not all 1,000 attendees were teachers.)

The first survey question said “Given the current conditions, do you feel comfortable signing the DCPS Intent To return to In Person Work Form and returning to the classroom?” This is what received an 80% of “No.”

The second survey given was: “Motion 1: WTU Members will engage in distance learning only until the health protections in the WTU Memorandum or Agreement and set by the CDC and OSSE are fully me and implemented in collaboration with the WTU.” To that, 95% said yes they agreed with that position.

As you can see, neither question said anything about a vaccine or stage 4. What they both showed is that we are not comfortable returning given the current conditions and DCPS’ weak offering of protections. Most people on the call who commented started by saying they WANT to be back.

To be clear AGAIN...this thread is NOT about preventing a return to the classroom. It’s a demand for the protections that will make it safe to do so, and a guarantee that DCPS will provide those protections. We do not trust DCPS.

I think DCPS teacher and WTU are asking the right questions, none of this is about safety for DCPS or government it's about how much risk can they tolerate as if they don't get folks back to work the Untied States is doomed. Unfortunately, that means teachers too. Currently the USA has the worse Covid rate in the world, we are completely out of control at this point!

^ Thank you!

Some fool trying to gaslight teachers. I'm sure some do feel no in-person til a vaccine, however the MAJORITY just do not trust DCPS to follow through on basic safety precautions. And the poll was worded to reflect that.

We also want to push DCPS on actually providing a clear plan and work with teachers as well as parents in carving that plan.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fine, but then the teachers union should say they support in-person school with appropriate precautions.

Make the common goal in-person school or it won’t happen.

80% of teachers in DCPS have said they won’t return to in-person work until there’s a vaccine

Source?

WTU call with teachers today. Over 1,000 teachers in attendance. 80% said no in person until a vaccine

that could be never, then what?

I was on the call. There were not over 1,000 teachers because Zoom limits attendance to 1,000. (And of course not all 1,000 attendees were teachers.)

The first survey question said “Given the current conditions, do you feel comfortable signing the DCPS Intent To return to In Person Work Form and returning to the classroom?” This is what received an 80% of “No.”

The second survey given was: “Motion 1: WTU Members will engage in distance learning only until the health protections in the WTU Memorandum or Agreement and set by the CDC and OSSE are fully me and implemented in collaboration with the WTU.” To that, 95% said yes they agreed with that position.

As you can see, neither question said anything about a vaccine or stage 4. What they both showed is that we are not comfortable returning given the current conditions and DCPS’ weak offering of protections. Most people on the call who commented started by saying they WANT to be back.

To be clear AGAIN...this thread is NOT about preventing a return to the classroom. It’s a demand for the protections that will make it safe to do so, and a guarantee that DCPS will provide those protections. We do not trust DCPS.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fine, but then the teachers union should say they support in-person school with appropriate precautions.

Make the common goal in-person school or it won’t happen.

80% of teachers in DCPS have said they won’t return to in-person work until there’s a vaccine

Source?

WTU call with teachers today. Over 1,000 teachers in attendance. 80% said no in person until a vaccine

that could be never, then what?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The 12 weeks FFCRA leave are not in addition to traditional FMLA. It counts against any traditional FMLA balance. It’s literally titled “expanded FML” and just adds one qualifying reason for FMLA leave: that your kids are home because school is closed.

My kids have been in a daycare for kids of essential workers since the pandemic started. No infections. No closures.

Whoever cited the example of the gym: seriously? An outbreak among a group of adults is not relevant when considering putting a group of kids with one or two adults and the adults can distance from each other. Kids are less likely than adults to get it and pass it on.

Yes, school is childcare and is essential.

Kids, even young kids, will wear masks at school with teacher and peer pressure. Teachers get the kids to do a ton of things they don’t want to do (like line up, clean up, etc.) with guidance and peer pressure.

Re: fecal matter: um, my kid’s PK teachers wouldn’t wipe her butt. PK3 kids have to be potty trained and have to wipe themselves, or no wipe. Exceptions for kids who can’t due to developmental delays can be made.

Specials shouldn’t happen if school reopens. It’s not wise for an art teacher to see 100 students a day. The art teacher, if able to report to school, becomes a main teacher for another small pod of students.

I’m an essential worker and cannot take off of work to stay home and care for/manage distance learning for my kids. I am expected to go to work. Teachers are essential too. I’m afraid I do not support teachers who don’t feel comfortable going to work, unless they are in an at-risk category.

Schools should have a hybrid model. Teachers who are at-risk can lead the remote learning.

Your last sentence is exactly what we are asking for.

I think the PP means full time in person for those who want, full time DL for the rest. That would be another way to do “hybrid”. I read an article by a school superintendent back in April that suggested this concept. It won’t be feasible though because not enough parents would choose DL.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The 12 weeks FFCRA leave are not in addition to traditional FMLA. It counts against any traditional FMLA balance. It’s literally titled “expanded FML” and just adds one qualifying reason for FMLA leave: that your kids are home because school is closed.

My kids have been in a daycare for kids of essential workers since the pandemic started. No infections. No closures.

Whoever cited the example of the gym: seriously? An outbreak among a group of adults is not relevant when considering putting a group of kids with one or two adults and the adults can distance from each other. Kids are less likely than adults to get it and pass it on.

Yes, school is childcare and is essential.

Kids, even young kids, will wear masks at school with teacher and peer pressure. Teachers get the kids to do a ton of things they don’t want to do (like line up, clean up, etc.) with guidance and peer pressure.

Re: fecal matter: um, my kid’s PK teachers wouldn’t wipe her butt. PK3 kids have to be potty trained and have to wipe themselves, or no wipe. Exceptions for kids who can’t due to developmental delays can be made.

Specials shouldn’t happen if school reopens. It’s not wise for an art teacher to see 100 students a day. The art teacher, if able to report to school, becomes a main teacher for another small pod of students.

I’m an essential worker and cannot take off of work to stay home and care for/manage distance learning for my kids. I am expected to go to work. Teachers are essential too. I’m afraid I do not support teachers who don’t feel comfortable going to work, unless they are in an at-risk category.

Schools should have a hybrid model. Teachers who are at-risk can lead the remote learning.

Your last sentence is exactly what we are asking for.

I understand that. I’m agreeing with teachers on that point.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fine, but then the teachers union should say they support in-person school with appropriate precautions.

Make the common goal in-person school or it won’t happen.

80% of teachers in DCPS have said they won’t return to in-person work until there’s a vaccine

Source?

WTU call with teachers today. Over 1,000 teachers in attendance. 80% said no in person until a vaccine

Anonymous wrote:The 12 weeks FFCRA leave are not in addition to traditional FMLA. It counts against any traditional FMLA balance. It’s literally titled “expanded FML” and just adds one qualifying reason for FMLA leave: that your kids are home because school is closed.

My kids have been in a daycare for kids of essential workers since the pandemic started. No infections. No closures.

Whoever cited the example of the gym: seriously? An outbreak among a group of adults is not relevant when considering putting a group of kids with one or two adults and the adults can distance from each other. Kids are less likely than adults to get it and pass it on.

Yes, school is childcare and is essential.

Kids, even young kids, will wear masks at school with teacher and peer pressure. Teachers get the kids to do a ton of things they don’t want to do (like line up, clean up, etc.) with guidance and peer pressure.

Re: fecal matter: um, my kid’s PK teachers wouldn’t wipe her butt. PK3 kids have to be potty trained and have to wipe themselves, or no wipe. Exceptions for kids who can’t due to developmental delays can be made.

Specials shouldn’t happen if school reopens. It’s not wise for an art teacher to see 100 students a day. The art teacher, if able to report to school, becomes a main teacher for another small pod of students.

I’m an essential worker and cannot take off of work to stay home and care for/manage distance learning for my kids. I am expected to go to work. Teachers are essential too. I’m afraid I do not support teachers who don’t feel comfortable going to work, unless they are in an at-risk category.

Schools should have a hybrid model. Teachers who are at-risk can lead the remote learning.

Your last sentence is exactly what we are asking for.

The 12 weeks FFCRA leave are not in addition to traditional FMLA. It counts against any traditional FMLA balance. It’s literally titled “expanded FML” and just adds one qualifying reason for FMLA leave: that your kids are home because school is closed.

My kids have been in a daycare for kids of essential workers since the pandemic started. No infections. No closures.

Whoever cited the example of the gym: seriously? An outbreak among a group of adults is not relevant when considering putting a group of kids with one or two adults and the adults can distance from each other. Kids are less likely than adults to get it and pass it on.

Yes, school is childcare and is essential.

Kids, even young kids, will wear masks at school with teacher and peer pressure. Teachers get the kids to do a ton of things they don’t want to do (like line up, clean up, etc.) with guidance and peer pressure.

Re: fecal matter: um, my kid’s PK teachers wouldn’t wipe her butt. PK3 kids have to be potty trained and have to wipe themselves, or no wipe. Exceptions for kids who can’t due to developmental delays can be made.

Specials shouldn’t happen if school reopens. It’s not wise for an art teacher to see 100 students a day. The art teacher, if able to report to school, becomes a main teacher for another small pod of students.

I’m an essential worker and cannot take off of work to stay home and care for/manage distance learning for my kids. I am expected to go to work. Teachers are essential too. I’m afraid I do not support teachers who don’t feel comfortable going to work, unless they are in an at-risk category.

Schools should have a hybrid model. Teachers who are at-risk can lead the remote learning.

Without