Anonymous wrote:Honestly, if you want schools to open then EVERY SINGLE BUSINESS in this city should open immediately. Schools should not open so you can do your work easier from home. If it’s ok for kids and teachers to go back, it is ok for everyone to go back. End stop.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is great. The Economist objects to keeping schools shut even as lock down restrictions ease up.

https://www.economist.com/leaders/2020/04/30/when-easing-lockdowns-governments-should-open-schools-first?cid1=cust/ednew/n/bl/n/2020/04/30n/owned/n/n/nwl/n/n/AP/463610/n

Understood, but this article also takes very little consideration towards the health risks posed to adults working in schools. This article seems to insinuate that teachers should put their health (and the health of their families) at risk for the students they teach.

I get that there is no easy solution. I get that children need and deserve an education. But getting teachers unions to agree to what this article suggests is a long shot.

I feel for teachers, but I don't quite understand what makes them so special as compared to doctors, nurses, PAs, EMS techs, transit workers, garbage collectors, mail men, policemen, fire men, grocery store employees, etc, etc. If all of those other people have to work, why shouldn't teachers? Why would the union get a veto over teachers working as per their agreed contracts any more than all other essential workers do? School for kids is essential in my mind. More essential than some things getting treated as essential now and WAY more essential than some things that are part of the phased re-entry plans.

FWIW, I'm all for government accommodations in particular high risk cases (for instance by extending disability eligibility), but that not the same thing as saying that no teachers have to work.

The only ones in direct contact with people are medical workers and sometimes grocers(Some grocery stores are only delivering now) /police. The rest really aren't.
Also those people to not have to come in close contact with children who can carry and spend the virus. What makes teachers ‘special’ is that we have NEVER been seen as essential before. This is one of the most mocked professions. So now that there’s a virus all of the sudden people want to deem us essential? Nice try, that should have been the case long ago.


Also we will veto it because we value our lives, I work with children with special needs who are constantly sent to school sick, like many other children. A lot of them are still learning how to cover their mouth when coughing and sneezing, as well as not to touch others without permission, etc.
Unlike other jobs you listed we have the ability to teach from home, I do 1 on 1 lessons with all my students multiple times per week and it works. Nothing is a replacement for the classroom but this is working better than I thought it would.

These are children with autism, behavioral disorders, adhd, etc. some also live in Ward 8 and have poor internet. Are you saying the majority of children who don’t have these barriers can’t learn during distance learning? Seriously?


Learn to work with your teachers and set high expectations for them. Don’t just sit here and expect us to be essential only when it’s convenient for you. I’ve seen so many horrid post bashing the heck out of teachers and there are a lot less now, except that many of you are getting tired of having to partially facilitate your child’s learning. I get it it’s stressful, find the balance..we all have to.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is great. The Economist objects to keeping schools shut even as lock down restrictions ease up.

https://www.economist.com/leaders/2020/04/30/when-easing-lockdowns-governments-should-open-schools-first?cid1=cust/ednew/n/bl/n/2020/04/30n/owned/n/n/nwl/n/n/AP/463610/n

Understood, but this article also takes very little consideration towards the health risks posed to adults working in schools. This article seems to insinuate that teachers should put their health (and the health of their families) at risk for the students they teach.

I get that there is no easy solution. I get that children need and deserve an education. But getting teachers unions to agree to what this article suggests is a long shot.

I feel for teachers, but I don't quite understand what makes them so special as compared to doctors, nurses, PAs, EMS techs, transit workers, garbage collectors, mail men, policemen, fire men, grocery store employees, etc, etc. If all of those other people have to work, why shouldn't teachers? Why would the union get a veto over teachers working as per their agreed contracts any more than all other essential workers do? School for kids is essential in my mind. More essential than some things getting treated as essential now and WAY more essential than some things that are part of the phased re-entry plans.

FWIW, I'm all for government accommodations in particular high risk cases (for instance by extending disability eligibility), but that not the same thing as saying that no teachers have to work.

The only ones in direct contact with people are medical workers and sometimes grocers(Some grocery stores are only delivering now) /police. The rest really aren't.
Also those people to not have to come in close contact with children who can carry and spend the virus. What makes teachers ‘special’ is that we have NEVER been seen as essential before. This is one of the most mocked professions. So now that there’s a virus all of the sudden people want to deem us essential? Nice try, that should have been the case long ago.


Also we will veto it because we value our lives, I work with children with special needs who are constantly sent to school sick, like many other children. A lot of them are still learning how to cover their mouth when coughing and sneezing, as well as not to touch others without permission, etc.
Unlike other jobs you listed we have the ability to teach from home, I do 1 on 1 lessons with all my students multiple times per week and it works. Nothing is a replacement for the classroom but this is working better than I thought it would.

These are children with autism, behavioral disorders, adhd, etc. some also live in Ward 8 and have poor internet. Are you saying the majority of children who don’t have these barriers can’t learn during distance learning? Seriously?


Learn to work with your teachers and set high expectations for them. Don’t just sit here and expect us to be essential only when it’s convenient for you. I’ve seen so many horrid post bashing the heck out of teachers and there are a lot less now, except that many of you are getting tired of having to partially facilitate your child’s learning. I get it it’s stressful, find the balance..we all have to.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is great. The Economist objects to keeping schools shut even as lock down restrictions ease up.

https://www.economist.com/leaders/2020/04/30/when-easing-lockdowns-governments-should-open-schools-first?cid1=cust/ednew/n/bl/n/2020/04/30n/owned/n/n/nwl/n/n/AP/463610/n

Understood, but this article also takes very little consideration towards the health risks posed to adults working in schools. This article seems to insinuate that teachers should put their health (and the health of their families) at risk for the students they teach.

I get that there is no easy solution. I get that children need and deserve an education. But getting teachers unions to agree to what this article suggests is a long shot.

I feel for teachers, but I don't quite understand what makes them so special as compared to doctors, nurses, PAs, EMS techs, transit workers, garbage collectors, mail men, policemen, fire men, grocery store employees, etc, etc. If all of those other people have to work, why shouldn't teachers? Why would the union get a veto over teachers working as per their agreed contracts any more than all other essential workers do? School for kids is essential in my mind. More essential than some things getting treated as essential now and WAY more essential than some things that are part of the phased re-entry plans.

FWIW, I'm all for government accommodations in particular high risk cases (for instance by extending disability eligibility), but that not the same thing as saying that no teachers have to work.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is great. The Economist objects to keeping schools shut even as lock down restrictions ease up.

https://www.economist.com/leaders/2020/04/30/when-easing-lockdowns-governments-should-open-schools-first?cid1=cust/ednew/n/bl/n/2020/04/30n/owned/n/n/nwl/n/n/AP/463610/n

Understood, but this article also takes very little consideration towards the health risks posed to adults working in schools. This article seems to insinuate that teachers should put their health (and the health of their families) at risk for the students they teach.

I get that there is no easy solution. I get that children need and deserve an education. But getting teachers unions to agree to what this article suggests is a long shot.

I feel for teachers, but I don't quite understand what makes them so special as compared to doctors, nurses, PAs, EMS techs, transit workers, garbage collectors, mail men, policemen, fire men, grocery store employees, etc, etc. If all of those other people have to work, why shouldn't teachers? Why would the union get a veto over teachers working as per their agreed contracts any more than all other essential workers do? School for kids is essential in my mind. More essential than some things getting treated as essential now and WAY more essential than some things that are part of the phased re-entry plans.

FWIW, I'm all for government accommodations in particular high risk cases (for instance by extending disability eligibility), but that not the same thing as saying that no teachers have to work.

If you have ever worked in a school (particularly with young children), you would know that you are exposed to a lot of illness, even in good times. It is impossible to avoid getting sick when you have kids coughing, sneezing, wiping boogers, and vomiting near you. This happens a lot. In other office situations, you don’t have to worry about being in a room with 25-30 people who don’t understand basic hygiene. If you have a teacher who is immunocompromised (or has a family member who is), this is a very stressful situation. Yes, some teachers in cities make decent money, but the majority of the ones I know in other areas of the country are making less than $40,000 a year.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is great. The Economist objects to keeping schools shut even as lock down restrictions ease up.

https://www.economist.com/leaders/2020/04/30/when-easing-lockdowns-governments-should-open-schools-first?cid1=cust/ednew/n/bl/n/2020/04/30n/owned/n/n/nwl/n/n/AP/463610/n

Understood, but this article also takes very little consideration towards the health risks posed to adults working in schools. This article seems to insinuate that teachers should put their health (and the health of their families) at risk for the students they teach.

I get that there is no easy solution. I get that children need and deserve an education. But getting teachers unions to agree to what this article suggests is a long shot.

I feel for teachers, but I don't quite understand what makes them so special as compared to doctors, nurses, PAs, EMS techs, transit workers, garbage collectors, mail men, policemen, fire men, grocery store employees, etc, etc. If all of those other people have to work, why shouldn't teachers? Why would the union get a veto over teachers working as per their agreed contracts any more than all other essential workers do? School for kids is essential in my mind. More essential than some things getting treated as essential now and WAY more essential than some things that are part of the phased re-entry plans.

FWIW, I'm all for government accommodations in particular high risk cases (for instance by extending disability eligibility), but that not the same thing as saying that no teachers have to work.

That fact that you, and so many parents on here, don’t think that teachers are working right now is the frustrating part. My colleagues and I ARE working.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is great. The Economist objects to keeping schools shut even as lock down restrictions ease up.

https://www.economist.com/leaders/2020/04/30/when-easing-lockdowns-governments-should-open-schools-first?cid1=cust/ednew/n/bl/n/2020/04/30n/owned/n/n/nwl/n/n/AP/463610/n

Understood, but this article also takes very little consideration towards the health risks posed to adults working in schools. This article seems to insinuate that teachers should put their health (and the health of their families) at risk for the students they teach.

I get that there is no easy solution. I get that children need and deserve an education. But getting teachers unions to agree to what this article suggests is a long shot.

I feel for teachers, but I don't quite understand what makes them so special as compared to doctors, nurses, PAs, EMS techs, transit workers, garbage collectors, mail men, policemen, fire men, grocery store employees, etc, etc. If all of those other people have to work, why shouldn't teachers? Why would the union get a veto over teachers working as per their agreed contracts any more than all other essential workers do? School for kids is essential in my mind. More essential than some things getting treated as essential now and WAY more essential than some things that are part of the phased re-entry plans.

FWIW, I'm all for government accommodations in particular high risk cases (for instance by extending disability eligibility), but that not the same thing as saying that no teachers have to work.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is great. The Economist objects to keeping schools shut even as lock down restrictions ease up.

https://www.economist.com/leaders/2020/04/30/when-easing-lockdowns-governments-should-open-schools-first?cid1=cust/ednew/n/bl/n/2020/04/30n/owned/n/n/nwl/n/n/AP/463610/n

Understood, but this article also takes very little consideration towards the health risks posed to adults working in schools. This article seems to insinuate that teachers should put their health (and the health of their families) at risk for the students they teach.

I get that there is no easy solution. I get that children need and deserve an education. But getting teachers unions to agree to what this article suggests is a long shot.

I feel for teachers, but I don't quite understand what makes them so special as compared to doctors, nurses, PAs, EMS techs, transit workers, garbage collectors, mail men, policemen, fire men, grocery store employees, etc, etc. If all of those other people have to work, why shouldn't teachers? Why would the union get a veto over teachers working as per their agreed contracts any more than all other essential workers do? School for kids is essential in my mind. More essential than some things getting treated as essential now and WAY more essential than some things that are part of the phased re-entry plans.

FWIW, I'm all for government accommodations in particular high risk cases (for instance by extending disability eligibility), but that not the same thing as saying that no teachers have to work.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is great. The Economist objects to keeping schools shut even as lock down restrictions ease up.

https://www.economist.com/leaders/2020/04/30/when-easing-lockdowns-governments-should-open-schools-first?cid1=cust/ednew/n/bl/n/2020/04/30n/owned/n/n/nwl/n/n/AP/463610/n

Understood, but this article also takes very little consideration towards the health risks posed to adults working in schools. This article seems to insinuate that teachers should put their health (and the health of their families) at risk for the students they teach.

I get that there is no easy solution. I get that children need and deserve an education. But getting teachers unions to agree to what this article suggests is a long shot.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is great. The Economist objects to keeping schools shut even as lock down restrictions ease up.

https://www.economist.com/leaders/2020/04/30/when-easing-lockdowns-governments-should-open-schools-first?cid1=cust/ednew/n/bl/n/2020/04/30n/owned/n/n/nwl/n/n/AP/463610/n

Thank you for posting this.

How do parents feel about the alternating days to reduce class sizes? It allows parents to go into work some days, but doesn’t it create a big childcare headache for the other days? That problem aside, I heard a plan where one cohort costs Mon-Tues, building closed for cleaning Wed., second cohort Thurs. and Fri. We could compensate for Wednesday by extending the day, allowing more time for hand washing, lunch in the classroom, outdoor time, etc.

I'd MUCH rather see the elementary school kids go to school in morning or afternoon shifts. That way, I could hire a babysitter who works on a regular part-time schedule, and the keep the kids on track better academically. If they only attend school two days a week, they'll surely forget most of what they learned in the 5 days a week they don't attend school. My spouse attended school in morning or afternoon shifts growing up up in the Soviet Union, where the practice was widespread. He was OK with it as a kid, although he says American style fun at school (music, art, PE, recess) was in short supply.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is great. The Economist objects to keeping schools shut even as lock down restrictions ease up.

https://www.economist.com/leaders/2020/04/30/when-easing-lockdowns-governments-should-open-schools-first?cid1=cust/ednew/n/bl/n/2020/04/30n/owned/n/n/nwl/n/n/AP/463610/n

Thank you for posting this.

How do parents feel about the alternating days to reduce class sizes? It allows parents to go into work some days, but doesn’t it create a big childcare headache for the other days? That problem aside, I heard a plan where one cohort costs Mon-Tues, building closed for cleaning Wed., second cohort Thurs. and Fri. We could compensate for Wednesday by extending the day, allowing more time for hand washing, lunch in the classroom, outdoor time, etc.