Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP hit the nail on the head: it is about privacy and security. ZOOM is not approved and will not be approved by FCPS because it does not protect students’ privacy. This is directly from the mouth of Maribeth Luftglass, the assistant superintendent for IT at FCPS. Principals asked specifically about using it, and this is the reason why.

Teachers are being trained to use Blackboard Collaborate which they can then use with their students. It’s not as fabulous as ZOOM, but it’s secure.

When friends ask why FCPS isn’t using ZOOM, please explain that it’s about security. It’s not about equity, because there is a tool for videoconferencing.

-a principal

This is such bureaucratic BS. Name something that is not secure in Zoom (or any other modern collaboration tool). The fact that admins can't easily monitor (aka spy) on teachers? Or are you claiming that teachers can't be trusted to turn off the student options to chat/show face/etc, all of which (and much more) that can be easily done in the tool. Face the reality people, this has nothing to do with "security", it's completely political and driven by the bloated legal soul sucking culture. Again and again, it's the teachers who want to teach, and the students who want to learn, who are getting screwed the most in the name of bureacracy. And this is just because admins don't want to feel "exposed" since they're worried parents will have a view into the virtual classroom. Ridiculous nonsense.

Zoom is essentially no better than spyware. When you run it it can see inside your entire device. Please learn what you’re talking about. There’s other video platforms that will eventually work but we are talking little kids’ safety. It’s worth taking a week or two to get it right.

What a silly comment! So you don't want teachers to share their screen to teach? And OMG the kids are now in danger of being hacked by their teacher, we can't have this type of spyware around our kids... And while we're at it, let's stop them from using Skype, and every other tool, in fact it would be better to not allow them to teach our kids remotely because of... wait for it... it's a safety issue.

DP. When I saw posts mentioning Blackboard Collaborate, I looked it up. It seems fine to me. It seems that FCPS does have some approved programs, so going with another one doesn't really make sense.

The laptops are there, and they'll be distributed. The programs are there, and teachers are learning how to use then. All that's needed is patience from parents.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your child will be fine.

Hand out computers. Really?? Get a grip.

No YOU get a grip, asshole. The schools are saying they cannot educate all children because some children don't have access to technology. So HELL YEAH, they should make sure those kids who need the technology get it. I'm not going to have my child go three months without any education because Fairfax County, which has a TON of money, is too f-ing lazy to get laptops that they already own to the children who need them. They DID do a technology survey, they WERE going to hand them out last Monday, then they closed the schools because one teacher at ONE school (out of hundreds) was positive. And she hadn't even been at school in a week.

I imagine there will be a LOT of turnover in the school board the next time there is an election.

Ok.... I did not realize that.

I apologize.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also, OP, we can’t do read alouds. There is the possibility of copyright infringement.

Really? Copyright infringement? That's what you're worried about? What IP lawyer is going to go after an elementary school for reading a Pete the Cat book right now?

Considering how hard suburban fairfax moms are coming for us... nothing is off the table

Anonymous wrote:Also, OP, we can’t do read alouds. There is the possibility of copyright infringement.

Really? Copyright infringement? That's what you're worried about? What IP lawyer is going to go after an elementary school for reading a Pete the Cat book right now?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP hit the nail on the head: it is about privacy and security. ZOOM is not approved and will not be approved by FCPS because it does not protect students’ privacy. This is directly from the mouth of Maribeth Luftglass, the assistant superintendent for IT at FCPS. Principals asked specifically about using it, and this is the reason why.

Teachers are being trained to use Blackboard Collaborate which they can then use with their students. It’s not as fabulous as ZOOM, but it’s secure.

When friends ask why FCPS isn’t using ZOOM, please explain that it’s about security. It’s not about equity, because there is a tool for videoconferencing.

-a principal

This is such bureaucratic BS. Name something that is not secure in Zoom (or any other modern collaboration tool). The fact that admins can't easily monitor (aka spy) on teachers? Or are you claiming that teachers can't be trusted to turn off the student options to chat/show face/etc, all of which (and much more) that can be easily done in the tool. Face the reality people, this has nothing to do with "security", it's completely political and driven by the bloated legal soul sucking culture. Again and again, it's the teachers who want to teach, and the students who want to learn, who are getting screwed the most in the name of bureacracy. And this is just because admins don't want to feel "exposed" since they're worried parents will have a view into the virtual classroom. Ridiculous nonsense.

Zoom is essentially no better than spyware. When you run it it can see inside your entire device. Please learn what you’re talking about. There’s other video platforms that will eventually work but we are talking little kids’ safety. It’s worth taking a week or two to get it right.

What a silly comment! So you don't want teachers to share their screen to teach? And OMG the kids are now in danger of being hacked by their teacher, we can't have this type of spyware around our kids... And while we're at it, let's stop them from using Skype, and every other tool, in fact it would be better to not allow them to teach our kids remotely because of... wait for it... it's a safety issue.

Anonymous wrote:Zoom is not approved for instruction in FCPS. Any FCPS teacher using it faces a reprimand.

Could you PLEASE lay off until the end of the week? FCPS has 190,000 students. They are doing the best that they can. Many teachers didn’t even have their *laptops* until principals allowed them back into the building for literally 10 minutes today. Buildings have been ordered closed. Instructional devices provided 2 weeks’ worth of work on Blackboard. Have you done it all? And if your child misses classmates so much, why don’t YOU organize a Zoom play date among children?

Easy problem to solve. Admins, approve it.

It really is that easy.

Well, my kids are using Skype rather than Zoom to talk to their friends, but yeah, it's easy enough for a 12 and 13 YO to figure out. Too bad FCPS lack that level of initiative.

I just got this email from our principal:

Dear beloved Stenwood Families -

We know many of you watched the news conference as Governor Northam announced that our schools would be closed for the remainder of this school year. Our heart is heavy at the thought of such an extended time not being physically together. We are at a loss for words to comfort you, yet please know that we are still highly committed to our work as educators and we are diligently working on the next steps to be ready for distance learning.

We held a virtual staff meeting today with over 40 present and we wish we could say that it was filled with smiling faces, happy to be connected. Truth be told, it was filled with many long faces and heartbroken teachers. We love your children so incredibly much, and we are so saddened.

Please offer us your patience and understanding as we, like each of you, navigate uncharted waters. In the upcoming days, we will start a new chapter in public education together as a professional learning community. There will be a big learning curve that we will navigate together! Our staff have had very little time to prepare, yet they are professionals who are adjusting, adapting and learning to do whatever is necessary to create meaningful learning experiences for our children. As you know, learners need to feel comfortable taking risks as they try out new skills. Our teachers work diligently to create a classroom environment that supports students as they take risks with their new learning.

We are asking you all to send us pictures so we can share them with our teachers. Everyone really misses the smiles. We know connecting to your teachers is really important. This week FCPS is providing significant training to the administrative staff as well technology support staff so that we can turn around and train our staff next week. This includes determining which tools the county will allow us to access in order to connect us with our students while still ensuring that the safety and privacy of our students are protected.

If you haven’t had a chance to watch it, I made a short video after the announcement to reassure everyone that we are thinking about them. Please know the videos I post daily are an attempt to provide reassurance to your students in this very anxious time. I hope to have some guest appearances soon from some other familiar faces!

We love our children and we are ready for this challenge. We will be bringing our absolute best and we will all learn so much together through this experience. Take care and know that we are working to support our students, staff, and community. Feel free to email us with any questions you may have or any support you may need.



Erica Riley, esriley@fcps.edu

Meredith Mitchell, mamitchell@fcps.edu

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP hit the nail on the head: it is about privacy and security. ZOOM is not approved and will not be approved by FCPS because it does not protect students’ privacy. This is directly from the mouth of Maribeth Luftglass, the assistant superintendent for IT at FCPS. Principals asked specifically about using it, and this is the reason why.

Teachers are being trained to use Blackboard Collaborate which they can then use with their students. It’s not as fabulous as ZOOM, but it’s secure.

When friends ask why FCPS isn’t using ZOOM, please explain that it’s about security. It’s not about equity, because there is a tool for videoconferencing.

-a principal

This is such bureaucratic BS. Name something that is not secure in Zoom (or any other modern collaboration tool). The fact that admins can't easily monitor (aka spy) on teachers? Or are you claiming that teachers can't be trusted to turn off the student options to chat/show face/etc, all of which (and much more) that can be easily done in the tool. Face the reality people, this has nothing to do with "security", it's completely political and driven by the bloated legal soul sucking culture. Again and again, it's the teachers who want to teach, and the students who want to learn, who are getting screwed the most in the name of bureacracy. And this is just because admins don't want to feel "exposed" since they're worried parents will have a view into the virtual classroom. Ridiculous nonsense.

Zoom is essentially no better than spyware. When you run it it can see inside your entire device. Please learn what you’re talking about. There’s other video platforms that will eventually work but we are talking little kids’ safety. It’s worth taking a week or two to get it right.

Anonymous wrote:PP hit the nail on the head: it is about privacy and security. ZOOM is not approved and will not be approved by FCPS because it does not protect students’ privacy. This is directly from the mouth of Maribeth Luftglass, the assistant superintendent for IT at FCPS. Principals asked specifically about using it, and this is the reason why.

Teachers are being trained to use Blackboard Collaborate which they can then use with their students. It’s not as fabulous as ZOOM, but it’s secure.

When friends ask why FCPS isn’t using ZOOM, please explain that it’s about security. It’s not about equity, because there is a tool for videoconferencing.

-a principal

This is such bureaucratic BS. Name something that is not secure in Zoom (or any other modern collaboration tool). The fact that admins can't easily monitor (aka spy) on teachers? Or are you claiming that teachers can't be trusted to turn off the student options to chat/show face/etc, all of which (and much more) that can be easily done in the tool. Face the reality people, this has nothing to do with "security", it's completely political and driven by the bloated legal soul sucking culture. Again and again, it's the teachers who want to teach, and the students who want to learn, who are getting screwed the most in the name of bureacracy. And this is just because admins don't want to feel "exposed" since they're worried parents will have a view into the virtual classroom. Ridiculous nonsense.

Anonymous wrote:Who in MCPS is doing Zoom?

MCPS teachers are not allowed to contact students.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also, OP, we can’t do read alouds. There is the possibility of copyright infringement.

Then read something out of copyright. My 1st grader would love to see his teacher's face or hear her voice. He's sad right now. And as the months of isolation go on, it won't get better.

You read to him!

Anonymous wrote:FCC is not doing Zoom but there is a conference feature on Schoology that is similar and they are using that. Still not teaching any new stuff but that might change in April according to the superintendent.

I'm wondering if everybody who says FCPS is so much better than FCCPS because big is better, more academic choices, athletics are better, etc. still feels that way right about now.

+1

FCPS has had plenty of time to get their act together. FCPS is far too big to be managed properly.

Anonymous wrote: DO YOU not get there are FEDERAL LAWS around this stuff that schools have to navigate before they can release teachers to use them?? Also, districts themselves don’t get to make a lot of these choices. They have to come from state and federal agencies and be approved by them first.

Government is the things we're not allowed to do together.

Anyway, basically any distance learning solution is going to draw lawsuits under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, regardless of whatever waffly guidance is issued by the DoE. We've started networking with other parents.

At my daugther's elementary school, there are not enough laptops to go around. And, we are in one of the wealthier parts of Fairfax. There have been several times she has had to take a test on paper and then transfer it online once a laptop is available.

And, even when they are able to hand them out, you have make sure the student/parent knows how to log in, be able to access blackboard, google classroom, etc.

When the Governor closed the school for two weeks he said that there would be no instruction. That was in the original order. FCPS cannot allow its Teachers to conduct any type of construction because the executive order shutting down the schools prevents it.

Some teachers are working around that, good for them. Don't name them because it could get them in trouble. Middle School and High School students should know what they were suppose to be working on for classes. They have assignments planned out in advance. I am sure some Teachers did a better job laying out what would need to be done over a longer period of time as the shut down became more likely.

We are setting up virtual lunches with family and friends for our second grader because he does miss his friends. Email your childs friends and set up a virtual play date. Kids can color together or do origami or read to each other. It is going to be a few weeks, after Spring Break, before FCPS starts any type of online school. Stop blaming FCPS for what the Governor did.