Anonymous wrote:For those of you who think that the school would have been able to solicit input from parents - the mayor did not make a decision on Distance Learning until July 30th, and schools were not permitted to make plans for a distance learning schedule until then. The district then provided schools with guidelines on August 10th, which pretty much mandated everything that needed to happen. They demanded a finalized schedule by the end of the week.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can I ask how schools would have gathered input in 5 days? My school had the teachers make the schedule and it took a week, the district gave schools a week to turn in a plan...

Also how did you plan on getting all kids instruction done by 12? Some kids would always have to be later.

What I would have liked is if DCPS allowed each classroom to make their own schedule. But they needed a mass schedule so if a parent complains because the teacher tweaked the schedule to help them they will be at fault and not dcps.

Where do you get 5 days? Anyone who reads a newspaper knows that virtual instruction was coming - if not in Sept, then in winter months. The schools literally had MONTHS to think this through.

As someone involved in the scheduling for our school it’s true we had five days. We had to receive from the district all of the requirements and guidelines before we could proceed. Five days. And it was such a complicated puzzle we were lucky to get even one decent version!

So explain why the first 3 weeks aren't just two 1-hour chat SEL sessions and meaningful planning for actual learning? I understand it's ridiculous, but truly you all should have been planning since MARCH.

Your reply was disrespectful. Many people spent countless hours sweating over what would be best for you, your child, and all parties. Those who did that planning were mandated to start as we meant to go on. So you are barking up the wrong tree. I’m sorry this situation has been so hard on families. Trust me that it’s been hard on teachers and administrators too. I promise you, though, that everyone had children’s best interest front and center in their approach to planning, even if it is less than perfect. Please ask yourself as you post in an anonymous forum whether your mother would be proud of your approach? I wish you and your family well.

How is this disrespectful? I'm advocating for you all to have the appropriate time to actually plan to teach. And how does 40 hours (one week, as you say) count as "countless hours"? My young kids' schedule is like this:

8:30 (x2)
9:00
9:30 (x2)
10:30
11:15 (x2)
12:30
1:00
1:30 (x2)
2:30
3:00

So that's helping one of them get all their supplies and logon because he just turned 5. And it's helping the other through a lot of confusion, remembering to check all the channels so he submits his assignments on time. Checking back on at least 3 subjects where videos haven't been working. Etc etc.

And did you notice? There isn't a long enough break for us to get outside.

How is that schedule working for anyone? I am not currently working and it's still infuriating. Why can't the teachers just live teach for 90 minutes twice a day? Why does my 7 year old who is doing more advanced math have to spend an entire hour on the computer doing number bonds for 10s in order to get a good grade? What an awful, soul sucking thing. Why can't he use her paper book? Or worksheets? Or have decent enough software that he can advance?

I guess my kids are learning how to manage frustration, but that's about it. We all hate it. I'm absolutely and thoroughly disappointed that this is what they landed on after March.

+ 1

DCPS failed little kids (Kindergarten)
Doing ok with the 2nd grade + (Not always ideal, but manageable)

In failing little kids, they failed families. It's really inexcusable because some schools (those with A blocks and B blocks) got it right.

Whine and complain, gosh then don’t have your child attend all the blocks! The subjects they’re better at just ask the teacher for supplemental info and teach it.

There’s no such thing as a schedule to please everyone. Many parents work, as a teacher I can only make 1 lesson with my child at lunch so I just hired a facilitator. We all have to make sacrifices we shouldn’t have to make right now.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can I ask how schools would have gathered input in 5 days? My school had the teachers make the schedule and it took a week, the district gave schools a week to turn in a plan...

Also how did you plan on getting all kids instruction done by 12? Some kids would always have to be later.

What I would have liked is if DCPS allowed each classroom to make their own schedule. But they needed a mass schedule so if a parent complains because the teacher tweaked the schedule to help them they will be at fault and not dcps.

Where do you get 5 days? Anyone who reads a newspaper knows that virtual instruction was coming - if not in Sept, then in winter months. The schools literally had MONTHS to think this through.

As someone involved in the scheduling for our school it’s true we had five days. We had to receive from the district all of the requirements and guidelines before we could proceed. Five days. And it was such a complicated puzzle we were lucky to get even one decent version!

So explain why the first 3 weeks aren't just two 1-hour chat SEL sessions and meaningful planning for actual learning? I understand it's ridiculous, but truly you all should have been planning since MARCH.

Your reply was disrespectful. Many people spent countless hours sweating over what would be best for you, your child, and all parties. Those who did that planning were mandated to start as we meant to go on. So you are barking up the wrong tree. I’m sorry this situation has been so hard on families. Trust me that it’s been hard on teachers and administrators too. I promise you, though, that everyone had children’s best interest front and center in their approach to planning, even if it is less than perfect. Please ask yourself as you post in an anonymous forum whether your mother would be proud of your approach? I wish you and your family well.

How is this disrespectful? I'm advocating for you all to have the appropriate time to actually plan to teach. And how does 40 hours (one week, as you say) count as "countless hours"? My young kids' schedule is like this:

8:30 (x2)
9:00
9:30 (x2)
10:30
11:15 (x2)
12:30
1:00
1:30 (x2)
2:30
3:00

So that's helping one of them get all their supplies and logon because he just turned 5. And it's helping the other through a lot of confusion, remembering to check all the channels so he submits his assignments on time. Checking back on at least 3 subjects where videos haven't been working. Etc etc.

And did you notice? There isn't a long enough break for us to get outside.

How is that schedule working for anyone? I am not currently working and it's still infuriating. Why can't the teachers just live teach for 90 minutes twice a day? Why does my 7 year old who is doing more advanced math have to spend an entire hour on the computer doing number bonds for 10s in order to get a good grade? What an awful, soul sucking thing. Why can't he use her paper book? Or worksheets? Or have decent enough software that he can advance?

I guess my kids are learning how to manage frustration, but that's about it. We all hate it. I'm absolutely and thoroughly disappointed that this is what they landed on after March.

+ 1

DCPS failed little kids (Kindergarten)
Doing ok with the 2nd grade + (Not always ideal, but manageable)

In failing little kids, they failed families. It's really inexcusable because some schools (those with A blocks and B blocks) got it right.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can I ask how schools would have gathered input in 5 days? My school had the teachers make the schedule and it took a week, the district gave schools a week to turn in a plan...

Also how did you plan on getting all kids instruction done by 12? Some kids would always have to be later.

What I would have liked is if DCPS allowed each classroom to make their own schedule. But they needed a mass schedule so if a parent complains because the teacher tweaked the schedule to help them they will be at fault and not dcps.

Where do you get 5 days? Anyone who reads a newspaper knows that virtual instruction was coming - if not in Sept, then in winter months. The schools literally had MONTHS to think this through.

As someone involved in the scheduling for our school it’s true we had five days. We had to receive from the district all of the requirements and guidelines before we could proceed. Five days. And it was such a complicated puzzle we were lucky to get even one decent version!

So explain why the first 3 weeks aren't just two 1-hour chat SEL sessions and meaningful planning for actual learning? I understand it's ridiculous, but truly you all should have been planning since MARCH.

Your reply was disrespectful. Many people spent countless hours sweating over what would be best for you, your child, and all parties. Those who did that planning were mandated to start as we meant to go on. So you are barking up the wrong tree. I’m sorry this situation has been so hard on families. Trust me that it’s been hard on teachers and administrators too. I promise you, though, that everyone had children’s best interest front and center in their approach to planning, even if it is less than perfect. Please ask yourself as you post in an anonymous forum whether your mother would be proud of your approach? I wish you and your family well.

How is this disrespectful? I'm advocating for you all to have the appropriate time to actually plan to teach. And how does 40 hours (one week, as you say) count as "countless hours"? My young kids' schedule is like this:

8:30 (x2)
9:00
9:30 (x2)
10:30
11:15 (x2)
12:30
1:00
1:30 (x2)
2:30
3:00

So that's helping one of them get all their supplies and logon because he just turned 5. And it's helping the other through a lot of confusion, remembering to check all the channels so he submits his assignments on time. Checking back on at least 3 subjects where videos haven't been working. Etc etc.

And did you notice? There isn't a long enough break for us to get outside.

How is that schedule working for anyone? I am not currently working and it's still infuriating. Why can't the teachers just live teach for 90 minutes twice a day? Why does my 7 year old who is doing more advanced math have to spend an entire hour on the computer doing number bonds for 10s in order to get a good grade? What an awful, soul sucking thing. Why can't he use her paper book? Or worksheets? Or have decent enough software that he can advance?

I guess my kids are learning how to manage frustration, but that's about it. We all hate it. I'm absolutely and thoroughly disappointed that this is what they landed on after March.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can I ask how schools would have gathered input in 5 days? My school had the teachers make the schedule and it took a week, the district gave schools a week to turn in a plan...

Also how did you plan on getting all kids instruction done by 12? Some kids would always have to be later.

What I would have liked is if DCPS allowed each classroom to make their own schedule. But they needed a mass schedule so if a parent complains because the teacher tweaked the schedule to help them they will be at fault and not dcps.

Where do you get 5 days? Anyone who reads a newspaper knows that virtual instruction was coming - if not in Sept, then in winter months. The schools literally had MONTHS to think this through.

As someone involved in the scheduling for our school it’s true we had five days. We had to receive from the district all of the requirements and guidelines before we could proceed. Five days. And it was such a complicated puzzle we were lucky to get even one decent version!

So explain why the first 3 weeks aren't just two 1-hour chat SEL sessions and meaningful planning for actual learning? I understand it's ridiculous, but truly you all should have been planning since MARCH.

Your reply was disrespectful. Many people spent countless hours sweating over what would be best for you, your child, and all parties. Those who did that planning were mandated to start as we meant to go on. So you are barking up the wrong tree. I’m sorry this situation has been so hard on families. Trust me that it’s been hard on teachers and administrators too. I promise you, though, that everyone had children’s best interest front and center in their approach to planning, even if it is less than perfect. Please ask yourself as you post in an anonymous forum whether your mother would be proud of your approach? I wish you and your family well.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can I ask how schools would have gathered input in 5 days? My school had the teachers make the schedule and it took a week, the district gave schools a week to turn in a plan...

Also how did you plan on getting all kids instruction done by 12? Some kids would always have to be later.

What I would have liked is if DCPS allowed each classroom to make their own schedule. But they needed a mass schedule so if a parent complains because the teacher tweaked the schedule to help them they will be at fault and not dcps.

Where do you get 5 days? Anyone who reads a newspaper knows that virtual instruction was coming - if not in Sept, then in winter months. The schools literally had MONTHS to think this through.

As someone involved in the scheduling for our school it’s true we had five days. We had to receive from the district all of the requirements and guidelines before we could proceed. Five days. And it was such a complicated puzzle we were lucky to get even one decent version!

So explain why the first 3 weeks aren't just two 1-hour chat SEL sessions and meaningful planning for actual learning? I understand it's ridiculous, but truly you all should have been planning since MARCH.

Your reply was disrespectful. Many people spent countless hours sweating over what would be best for you, your child, and all parties. Those who did that planning were mandated to start as we meant to go on. So you are barking up the wrong tree. I’m sorry this situation has been so hard on families. Trust me that it’s been hard on teachers and administrators too. I promise you, though, that everyone had children’s best interest front and center in their approach to planning, even if it is less than perfect. Please ask yourself as you post in an anonymous forum whether your mother would be proud of your approach? I wish you and your family well.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agreed. You can’t claim expertise and they claim too much difficulty when you fail to deliver. Means you’re not actually an expert. And I think that’s your biggest fear. A bit of humility and working WITH parents probably would have helped.

Maybe you just are at a crap school.

Anonymous wrote:Agreed. You can’t claim expertise and they claim too much difficulty when you fail to deliver. Means you’re not actually an expert. And I think that’s your biggest fear. A bit of humility and working WITH parents probably would have helped.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can I ask how schools would have gathered input in 5 days? My school had the teachers make the schedule and it took a week, the district gave schools a week to turn in a plan...

Also how did you plan on getting all kids instruction done by 12? Some kids would always have to be later.

What I would have liked is if DCPS allowed each classroom to make their own schedule. But they needed a mass schedule so if a parent complains because the teacher tweaked the schedule to help them they will be at fault and not dcps.

Where do you get 5 days? Anyone who reads a newspaper knows that virtual instruction was coming - if not in Sept, then in winter months. The schools literally had MONTHS to think this through.

As someone involved in the scheduling for our school it’s true we had five days. We had to receive from the district all of the requirements and guidelines before we could proceed. Five days. And it was such a complicated puzzle we were lucky to get even one decent version!

So explain why the first 3 weeks aren't just two 1-hour chat SEL sessions and meaningful planning for actual learning? I understand it's ridiculous, but truly you all should have been planning since MARCH.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To respond to OP's actual question...

Yes. Our Charter (one of the "HRCS") did multiple surveys and a couple of Zoom calls before they finalized schedules. They continue to solicit feedback about changes they should make.

New to DCPS parent here - can you tell me what "HRCS" means?

Curious what your school asked in the survey.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Were you the type of parent that complained to everyone with a pulse all summer about the schedule and then just shoved your kids off on a babysitter anyway?

There's no way there would have been consensus among parents. Some work out of the house, some don't. Some have siblings in different grades, some don't.

If you don't like the schedule, just do the asynchronous work or whatever it is you need to do to provide attendance.

You seem to not understand how surveys work.

I much rather the schools do what is best for the students and not be bullied by parents about what works for them. Teachers and school administrators have actually studied the theory behind education and childhood development. So while parents may know their child, educators know children.

I kind of take all that with a grain of salt when my 5 y/o and 7 y/o are expected to do all their work through apps on the screen. The very first thing they should learn in school is how the human brain works. Children need PAPER and tangible items. They need to WRITE WITH THEIR HANDS. Their brain works differently when they do. They also don't do well logging in at 8:30, 9:00, 9:30, 10:30, 11:15, 12:30, 1:00, 2:30, and 3:30. That's so insane. We can't even go outside during the week. I'm looking into homeschooling.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Were you the type of parent that complained to everyone with a pulse all summer about the schedule and then just shoved your kids off on a babysitter anyway?

There's no way there would have been consensus among parents. Some work out of the house, some don't. Some have siblings in different grades, some don't.

If you don't like the schedule, just do the asynchronous work or whatever it is you need to do to provide attendance.

You seem to not understand how surveys work.

I much rather the schools do what is best for the students and not be bullied by parents about what works for them. Teachers and school administrators have actually studied the theory behind education and childhood development. So while parents may know their child, educators know children.

"BREAST IS BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"