Anonymous wrote:I find the overall argument ridiculous. Teachers aren't just in charge of lecturing. Schools are there to engage and teach students skills beyond just reading and writing, but how to be a student, focus on tasks, take responsibility, etc. They're clearly not able to do that virtually.

Anonymous wrote:It isn’t racist to point out that schools have no responsibility to provide childcare during an emergency. Schools routinely close for hurricanes, fires, and blizzards. The pandemic is an ongoing emergency. More low income families and families of color have opted out of in person learning when given the choice. It IS racist to assume that your priorities are the same as everyone else’s and that poor people are eager to warehouse their children in school buildings during the pandemic when they have explicitly said that they do not feel comfortable with that risk. You do realize that contracting the virus and the resulting loss of work (for possibly all income earning members of a household, not just one) and paying for the medical expenses (many people are uninsured or have catastrophic plans that cover very little) could be devestating for these families, right? They may also place more value on keeping their children and relatives safe, over the cold calculation many are making that their own are unlikely to become seriously ill. You don’t get to decide what’s best for another group of people and use that to push your own agenda.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The people who scream "school isn't childcare" tend to be appallingly racist, sexist, and elitist. The way they disparage childcare workers is disgusting.

That phrase is basically a dog whistle at this point, IMO.

And yet, disturbingly, numerous people who identify themselves as teachers on these boards will say it.

I always assume they aren't actually teachers, of course, but far-right or libertarian trolls. But it is alarming how often the sentiment pops up in these conversations as though it has any validity at all. And the variations!

No teacher I've ever actually talked to in real life thinks this. The prevailing wisdom on education is that schools teach "the whole child" which means they serve many roles including but not limited to academic enrichment. And that includes protecting and caring for children, which is why educators are also mandatory reporters and why schools have legal responsibilities for keeping track of children.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It isn’t racist to point out that schools have no responsibility to provide childcare during an emergency. Schools routinely close for hurricanes, fires, and blizzards. The pandemic is an ongoing emergency. More low income families and families of color have opted out of in person learning when given the choice. It IS racist to assume that your priorities are the same as everyone else’s and that poor people are eager to warehouse their children in school buildings during the pandemic when they have explicitly said that they do not feel comfortable with that risk. You do realize that contracting the virus and the resulting loss of work (for possibly all income earning members of a household, not just one) and paying for the medical expenses (many people are uninsured or have catastrophic plans that cover very little) could be devestating for these families, right? They may also place more value on keeping their children and relatives safe, over the cold calculation many are making that their own are unlikely to become seriously ill. You don’t get to decide what’s best for another group of people and use that to push your own agenda.

The pandemic was an emergency in March. Now we know much more about the disease, and in fact schools in many places have been open for a long time. School is essential, beyond just providing education.

Anonymous wrote:It isn’t racist to point out that schools have no responsibility to provide childcare during an emergency. Schools routinely close for hurricanes, fires, and blizzards. The pandemic is an ongoing emergency. More low income families and families of color have opted out of in person learning when given the choice. It IS racist to assume that your priorities are the same as everyone else’s and that poor people are eager to warehouse their children in school buildings during the pandemic when they have explicitly said that they do not feel comfortable with that risk. You do realize that contracting the virus and the resulting loss of work (for possibly all income earning members of a household, not just one) and paying for the medical expenses (many people are uninsured or have catastrophic plans that cover very little) could be devestating for these families, right? They may also place more value on keeping their children and relatives safe, over the cold calculation many are making that their own are unlikely to become seriously ill. You don’t get to decide what’s best for another group of people and use that to push your own agenda.

Anonymous wrote:It isn’t racist to point out that schools have no responsibility to provide childcare during an emergency. Schools routinely close for hurricanes, fires, and blizzards. The pandemic is an ongoing emergency. More low income families and families of color have opted out of in person learning when given the choice. It IS racist to assume that your priorities are the same as everyone else’s and that poor people are eager to warehouse their children in school buildings during the pandemic when they have explicitly said that they do not feel comfortable with that risk. You do realize that contracting the virus and the resulting loss of work (for possibly all income earning members of a household, not just one) and paying for the medical expenses (many people are uninsured or have catastrophic plans that cover very little) could be devestating for these families, right? They may also place more value on keeping their children and relatives safe, over the cold calculation many are making that their own are unlikely to become seriously ill. You don’t get to decide what’s best for another group of people and use that to push your own agenda.

Anonymous wrote:It isn’t racist to point out that schools have no responsibility to provide childcare during an emergency. Schools routinely close for hurricanes, fires, and blizzards. The pandemic is an ongoing emergency. More low income families and families of color have opted out of in person learning when given the choice. It IS racist to assume that your priorities are the same as everyone else’s and that poor people are eager to warehouse their children in school buildings during the pandemic when they have explicitly said that they do not feel comfortable with that risk. You do realize that contracting the virus and the resulting loss of work (for possibly all income earning members of a household, not just one) and paying for the medical expenses (many people are uninsured or have catastrophic plans that cover very little) could be devestating for these families, right? They may also place more value on keeping their children and relatives safe, over the cold calculation many are making that their own are unlikely to become seriously ill. You don’t get to decide what’s best for another group of people and use that to push your own agenda.

Anonymous wrote:It isn’t racist to point out that schools have no responsibility to provide childcare during an emergency. Schools routinely close for hurricanes, fires, and blizzards. The pandemic is an ongoing emergency. More low income families and families of color have opted out of in person learning when given the choice. It IS racist to assume that your priorities are the same as everyone else’s and that poor people are eager to warehouse their children in school buildings during the pandemic when they have explicitly said that they do not feel comfortable with that risk. You do realize that contracting the virus and the resulting loss of work (for possibly all income earning members of a household, not just one) and paying for the medical expenses (many people are uninsured or have catastrophic plans that cover very little) could be devestating for these families, right? They may also place more value on keeping their children and relatives safe, over the cold calculation many are making that their own are unlikely to become seriously ill. You don’t get to decide what’s best for another group of people and use that to push your own agenda.

Anonymous wrote:The people who scream "school isn't childcare" tend to be appallingly racist, sexist, and elitist. The way they disparage childcare workers is disgusting.

That phrase is basically a dog whistle at this point, IMO.

Anonymous wrote:There have been public schools which have provided daycare for well over 100 years. It is so patently ridiculous to say that parents should have prepared to go without something that has been around since their grandparent's time, that anyone who argues otherwise is clearly a troll.

What's next? You shouldn't have a child unless you're prepared to pay for potential cancer treatment out of pocket? You shouldn't drive a car unless you're prepared to pave your own roads? You shouldn't have a family unless you're prepared to grow all your own food?

Anonymous wrote:The people who scream "school isn't childcare" tend to be appallingly racist, sexist, and elitist. The way they disparage childcare workers is disgusting.

That phrase is basically a dog whistle at this point, IMO.