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Anonymous wrote:I'm hoping for hybrid in Fall, 2021, and then maybe full IP in Fall, 2022. If by some miracle there's a pediatric vaccine by Winter, 2021. Otherwise I'd imagine we will be in hybrid until 2023? Whenever there's a pediatric vaccine.

Note: I don't think that's scientifically the right thing. I think that's what the DMV teachers' unions will allow.

Then the DMV teachers unions need to be busted. At some point we need to start following the science and doing right by the kids, like the rest of the world.

What part of the rest of the world are you speaking of? Not Germany, the UK, Denmark ... https://www.wsj.com/articles/europes-schools-are-closing-again-on-concerns-they-spread-covid-19-11610805601

Many elementary schools in Germany are staying open on a hybrid basis, even through this lockdown. I know because my kids are in school there right now.

Not only that, they are bringing back graduating high school classes this week. My brother is a teacher in Berlin and just went back in person.

Not to mention that Germany has had fully open schools all fall and can therefore afford to close for a limited amount of time. They'll be back full-time for all while we'll still be doing DL and fighting over hybrid spots. (And of course, Germany would never so such an inequitable thing as offering IPL spots by lottery, excluding part of the kids. It's either DL for all or IPL for all.

By the way, Germany also has teachers’ unions, and very strong support for parents including the monetary support of Kindergeld (219 Euros per month foe the first two children), as well as universal health insurance that means that if, say, you get coronavirus because you are a school staff member and you end up being one of the unlucky long-haul Covid sufferers and can’t go back to work because of your medical condition you will not have to lose your job AND your health insurance. (And before the pandemic there were a lot of elementary schools that closed for the day between 12:15 and 1 pm which kind of sucks if you’re a working mom too... there are more Ganztagschule now but I still remember my German friends being astonished at the fact that my kid went to school until 3:30 in first grade.)

Yes, Germany has done a lot right in the pandemic but part of why they were able to do it is because they have social safety nets that do not exist in the US. A one-time payment in May and another one in January versus monthly payments such that people could live on them is another way in which the US is very different.

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Anonymous wrote:By CDC standards even in red, all elementary should be hybrid right now. It’s just the middle and high school that can’t until orange.

Good thing they are open in hybrid. It may not be the hybrid you like, but DCPS has elementary schools open using the hybrid model.

DP. It's not that it's "not the hybrid I like", but it's hybrid that's not available to my kids because the school couldn't meet the demand. Calling schools "open" that are not able to open to all of their students, at least within the same grade, is very disingenuous. Unfortunately, the willingness to gloss over this glaring issue has kind of taken the pressure off the mayor, DCPS, and principals.

Which school, may I ask? Because what I hear argued is that they can't bring back more kids not because of lack of staff but because of lack of space.

NP. That is entirely school dependent on how they opened. Our school only opened one class per grade K-3. Usually there are 3 classrooms per grade K-5 and 2 PK4 classes. So lack of space is not the issue there since they don’t even have one class in each grade open!

Ours was the same (except the opened one CARES classroom for PK-5) and it was clear that is was a staffing issue as the demand from parents was there. Some principals forced back teachers who didn't want to come back; some didn't.

Space is ultimately going to be the major issue at all schools when it comes to Biden's goal of opening five days a week, and at many schools it is even an issue for hybrid. Until they finally acknowledge that and relax the distancing requirements for students (teachers should keep their 6 foot distance), they won't even be able to offer part-time school for all. Unfortunately, that realization doesn't seem to have dawned on those writing the guidelines while saying schools should be open in at least a hybrid form.

At our CH ES, there is additional space (not a ton, but a few classrooms, since some planned classrooms didn't open), but no additional teachers. Soon there will also be no additional space (although several grades are modeled on cohort rotation, so that could be expanded to other grades to allow more students SOME IPL without requiring more space).

DCPS doesn't have the ability to offer the vaccine to more teachers, the Mayor has to do that.

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Anonymous wrote:By CDC standards even in red, all elementary should be hybrid right now. It’s just the middle and high school that can’t until orange.

Good thing they are open in hybrid. It may not be the hybrid you like, but DCPS has elementary schools open using the hybrid model.

DP. It's not that it's "not the hybrid I like", but it's hybrid that's not available to my kids because the school couldn't meet the demand. Calling schools "open" that are not able to open to all of their students, at least within the same grade, is very disingenuous. Unfortunately, the willingness to gloss over this glaring issue has kind of taken the pressure off the mayor, DCPS, and principals.

Which school, may I ask? Because what I hear argued is that they can't bring back more kids not because of lack of staff but because of lack of space.

NP. That is entirely school dependent on how they opened. Our school only opened one class per grade K-3. Usually there are 3 classrooms per grade K-5 and 2 PK4 classes. So lack of space is not the issue there since they don’t even have one class in each grade open!

Ours was the same (except the opened one CARES classroom for PK-5) and it was clear that is was a staffing issue as the demand from parents was there. Some principals forced back teachers who didn't want to come back; some didn't.

Space is ultimately going to be the major issue at all schools when it comes to Biden's goal of opening five days a week, and at many schools it is even an issue for hybrid. Until they finally acknowledge that and relax the distancing requirements for students (teachers should keep their 6 foot distance), they won't even be able to offer part-time school for all. Unfortunately, that realization doesn't seem to have dawned on those writing the guidelines while saying schools should be open in at least a hybrid form.

Except that 6 ft distancing requirement only applies if DC is orange or red in community transmission, as it is now. If DC is in blue or yellow, then the guidance calls for full-time in-person school with physical distancing to the greatest extent possible. DC is very likely to be in blue or yellow by next Fall.

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:By CDC standards even in red, all elementary should be hybrid right now. It’s just the middle and high school that can’t until orange.

Good thing they are open in hybrid. It may not be the hybrid you like, but DCPS has elementary schools open using the hybrid model.

DP. It's not that it's "not the hybrid I like", but it's hybrid that's not available to my kids because the school couldn't meet the demand. Calling schools "open" that are not able to open to all of their students, at least within the same grade, is very disingenuous. Unfortunately, the willingness to gloss over this glaring issue has kind of taken the pressure off the mayor, DCPS, and principals.

Which school, may I ask? Because what I hear argued is that they can't bring back more kids not because of lack of staff but because of lack of space.

NP. That is entirely school dependent on how they opened. Our school only opened one class per grade K-3. Usually there are 3 classrooms per grade K-5 and 2 PK4 classes. So lack of space is not the issue there since they don’t even have one class in each grade open!

Ours was the same (except the opened one CARES classroom for PK-5) and it was clear that is was a staffing issue as the demand from parents was there. Some principals forced back teachers who didn't want to come back; some didn't.

Space is ultimately going to be the major issue at all schools when it comes to Biden's goal of opening five days a week, and at many schools it is even an issue for hybrid. Until they finally acknowledge that and relax the distancing requirements for students (teachers should keep their 6 foot distance), they won't even be able to offer part-time school for all. Unfortunately, that realization doesn't seem to have dawned on those writing the guidelines while saying schools should be open in at least a hybrid form.

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Anonymous wrote:Oh hell no. My kids are going to school in person full time (they will wear masks if necessary). Even if we have to go stay with grandparents in another state, I absolutely refuse to do distance learning beyond the end of this year.

Same. DCs tax base will take a beating. There will be teacher layoffs. No one is sticking around for fall hybrid.

Us, too. One of us will go stay with grandparents in the fall if we don't have access to full-time school we can afford in the DC Metro area. My 8-year-old just isn't learning enough, and isn't happy enough with hybrid. I've have more than enough of the stress the dearth of in-person learning is placing on our whole family. We won't put up with another season of this travesty.

Same. My real question is: does anyone care? Isn't city and school leadership, and most teachers and the WTU, sending a strong message - don't let the door hit you on the way out? We don't want you white people in our school district messing up things anyhow? The upper NW schools are overcrowded and make the city look bad because of how they provide a better education for the white people, and the gentrifying schools are in even worse shape, with annoying white parents trying to open them and hoard education and stuff.

I am seriously getting that strong hint, and considering where to move or which private schools to try for. Don't really like going where I'm not wanted.

My favorite meeting this year:
Dad demanded a meeting with teachers, school admin and a central office rep. Brought articles on schools opening in Europe and wonder why...WHY our school can't open. Yelling, moaning. Finally, threatens to buy a 2nd home so his children can go to a school in Vermont.
Without blinking an eye, the central office representative provided steps to unenroll and to make sure to do so immediately. Our schools waitlist is ridiculous. His child's spot was filled the day after the father submitted the forms.

All of the parents who LOVE urban education, ADORE raising a city kid, CLAIM diversity is SOOOO important: The world will continue to spin without you. This is a rough year but DCPS and other urban school districts will prevail- with or without you.

So go. Go back to Ohio or Indiana or wherever you are originally from. Go back to your hometowns. Do whats best for you and your child but you can leave with some grace.

Right back at ya. You don’t want to work in person (especially now that there is a vaccine) go...go work in some district that tolerates your nonsense. Stop using our tax dollars to provide an inadequate education.

Stop blaming teachers.

Stop blaming teachers for not doing their jobs? No, I don't think I will.

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Anonymous wrote:By CDC standards even in red, all elementary should be hybrid right now. It’s just the middle and high school that can’t until orange.

Good thing they are open in hybrid. It may not be the hybrid you like, but DCPS has elementary schools open using the hybrid model.

DP. It's not that it's "not the hybrid I like", but it's hybrid that's not available to my kids because the school couldn't meet the demand. Calling schools "open" that are not able to open to all of their students, at least within the same grade, is very disingenuous. Unfortunately, the willingness to gloss over this glaring issue has kind of taken the pressure off the mayor, DCPS, and principals.

Which school, may I ask? Because what I hear argued is that they can't bring back more kids not because of lack of staff but because of lack of space.

NP. That is entirely school dependent on how they opened. Our school only opened one class per grade K-3. Usually there are 3 classrooms per grade K-5 and 2 PK4 classes. So lack of space is not the issue there since they don’t even have one class in each grade open!

Ours was the same (except the opened one CARES classroom for PK-5) and it was clear that is was a staffing issue as the demand from parents was there. Some principals forced back teachers who didn't want to come back; some didn't.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:By CDC standards even in red, all elementary should be hybrid right now. It’s just the middle and high school that can’t until orange.

Good thing they are open in hybrid. It may not be the hybrid you like, but DCPS has elementary schools open using the hybrid model.

DP. It's not that it's "not the hybrid I like", but it's hybrid that's not available to my kids because the school couldn't meet the demand. Calling schools "open" that are not able to open to all of their students, at least within the same grade, is very disingenuous. Unfortunately, the willingness to gloss over this glaring issue has kind of taken the pressure off the mayor, DCPS, and principals.

Which school, may I ask? Because what I hear argued is that they can't bring back more kids not because of lack of staff but because of lack of space.

NP. That is entirely school dependent on how they opened. Our school only opened one class per grade K-3. Usually there are 3 classrooms per grade K-5 and 2 PK4 classes. So lack of space is not the issue there since they don’t even have one class in each grade open!

Anonymous wrote:I know a few teachers who want to come back in Term 4 but want to be fully vaccinated first. Apparently DCPS has not opened up vaccination slots for those teachers yet? Is this true?

Teachers don't need to be vaccinated to safely return to the classroom.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:By CDC standards even in red, all elementary should be hybrid right now. It’s just the middle and high school that can’t until orange.

Good thing they are open in hybrid. It may not be the hybrid you like, but DCPS has elementary schools open using the hybrid model.

DP. It's not that it's "not the hybrid I like", but it's hybrid that's not available to my kids because the school couldn't meet the demand. Calling schools "open" that are not able to open to all of their students, at least within the same grade, is very disingenuous. Unfortunately, the willingness to gloss over this glaring issue has kind of taken the pressure off the mayor, DCPS, and principals.

Which school, may I ask? Because what I hear argued is that they can't bring back more kids not because of lack of staff but because of lack of space.

I know a few teachers who want to come back in Term 4 but want to be fully vaccinated first. Apparently DCPS has not opened up vaccination slots for those teachers yet? Is this true?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:By CDC standards even in red, all elementary should be hybrid right now. It’s just the middle and high school that can’t until orange.

Good thing they are open in hybrid. It may not be the hybrid you like, but DCPS has elementary schools open using the hybrid model.

DP. It's not that it's "not the hybrid I like", but it's hybrid that's not available to my kids because the school couldn't meet the demand. Calling schools "open" that are not able to open to all of their students, at least within the same grade, is very disingenuous. Unfortunately, the willingness to gloss over this glaring issue has kind of taken the pressure off the mayor, DCPS, and principals.

Anonymous wrote:By CDC standards even in red, all elementary should be hybrid right now. It’s just the middle and high school that can’t until orange.

Good thing they are open in hybrid. It may not be the hybrid you like, but DCPS has elementary schools open using the hybrid model.

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Anonymous wrote:Well first DC has to stop being a red zone.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/coronavirus-covid-19/map/washington-dc

Wow that truly is an alarming looking color without context. I prefer the blue one below that which also lacks context. It's much more calming.

not enough for you lol

"This map shows a rolling average of daily cases for the past week. This is the best sign of hot spots."

Do you understand that this is meant to show data at the county level within states?

You do realize DC is not CA right? It's small and it's all red.

Did you look at the shading? It's not that red. It's like number 2 of 8 reds.

Better sources for understanding DC data and a picture of how quickly things are improving:

https://covidactnow.org/us/district_of_columbia-dc/?s=1602544
https://coronavirus.dc.gov/page/reopening-metrics

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Anonymous wrote:Well first DC has to stop being a red zone.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/coronavirus-covid-19/map/washington-dc

Wow that truly is an alarming looking color without context. I prefer the blue one below that which also lacks context. It's much more calming.

not enough for you lol

"This map shows a rolling average of daily cases for the past week. This is the best sign of hot spots."

Do you understand that this is meant to show data at the county level within states?

You do realize DC is not CA right? It's small and it's all red.

Did you look at the shading? It's not that red. It's like number 2 of 8 reds.

By CDC standards even in red, all elementary should be hybrid right now. It’s just the middle and high school that can’t until orange.