PP teacher. I’m at a standards based grading school and we have more standards to cover and assess this year than we did last year. If your school does regular letter grades than you likely have no idea what your kid is being taught standards wise in a normal year because the grades are basically made up and super subjective. Standards based at least specifics what the students should be learning and how well they are mastering them individually. For example if the standard is comparing fractions and your kid gets developing mastery, and you want to know why, I can show you the data. Ask your A/B/C 3rd grade teacher for specific evidence and let me know what they show you.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it just me, or are others getting the sense that many teachers will battle returning to class even if we had every safety measure in place. Feels like it will never be enough.

That’s my sense too. If we don’t get schools reopened this year, I expect teachers will fight for them to remain closed next year too.

Why though?? Is it because they are too comfortable WFH? I just can't figure out why so many teachers are making the return extremely difficult.

I think it’s a bunch of factors. Yes, working from home is a lot more comfortable. There are far fewer disciplinary issues and behavioral management issues that come with 100% DL. It’s like having all the bad/disruptive kids out of your class and just the calm, compliant ones. With the standards so far relaxed for this year to the point where there’s basically no accountability to prove the students are actually learning anything, it’s easy to rely on the continued closures/all DL as a convenient crutch. Say “it’s not safe” but really you don’t care if it’s safe or not because distance learning is working for some teachers and they’ll fight tooth and nail to hang onto it.

Then there are some who are really paranoid about the virus. Maybe they’re actually high risk, maybe they’re not.

Then there are some who don’t want to make any changes that might be required if they go into schools. These are the ones who are traveling, seeing friends, and/or relying on older people in their lives for child care. With more exposure in the schools, they’d have to make lifestyle changes as a result and they just don’t want to do that.

This is awful. Especially point #1.

Well, now you have a bunch of people agreeing with me on point #1 soooooo apparently I wasn’t too far off base, was I? Just be really intellectually honest with yourself. DL is generally easier on the teachers, especially given the relaxing of standards/testing this year. Yes, education is much, much more effectively delivered in person. But if the effectiveness doesn’t matter .......

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Look you need to stop looking at a Facebook parent group as if they have any power, they can’t make up any conditions of employment but to answer your question, no I do not trust all my fellow staff to be safe and wear masks faithfully. Plenty of teachers are living life as usual, traveling, lax with masks. They’re the ones least worried about going back but yeah we all have to work with them even when we are really careful.

Correct. I teach with a team of much younger teachers and they are taking risks with travel and going out that make me extremely uncomfortable. I don’t feel lie I can work closely with them with their behavior and doing so puts mr at risk. Not to mention the kids aspect.

I'm a parent and I don't trust the other families. So many are traveling, allowing kids into each others homes to hang out unmasked. These are the ones who will be in school. Assume the careful ones will stay virtual.

+1 Another parent concurring. Some of the behaviors I am seeing with other families makes me very worried about the safety of reopening schools...as in, it won't be safe.

Exact same experience. People who think it's "safe" to open schools under current conditions also lack appropriate judgement in other areas of COVID risk assessment.

x1000 for the three parents. I completely agree with you, and I especially appreciate the last assessment that is bolded.

Agree.

This is why we need testing.

I’m an APS teacher who does not feel comfortable returning due to the level of mitigation APS is doing (not enough for me to feel comfortable) combined with my own family’s risk factors. I myself am not at increased risk should I contract the virus but I have a family member in my household who is. I have not been authorized to remain virtual for the rest of the school year (I was authorized for the first half of the year, though it is moot now since everyone was home anyway). APS has made this next round of authorizations to remain virtual more difficult, I’m sure because they saw that more teachers wanted to remain virtual than students who selected virtual. I do understand that conundrum APS is in.

However, I very much *prefer* to be in person, and I don’t know any teacher who doesn’t (at the elementary level at least). My job is far easier in person, I am far more skilled teaching in person, I am better able to meet the needs of my students in person, etc. I can prefer in person instruction while also not feeling safe to go back because at this time, with cases rising and hospitals filling and my own personal family risk profile, as well as APS mitigation plans. It’s not time to return. If I am not authorized to remain virtual and am told to return, I will take a LOA or quit. I can afford to do it and my family is more important than my job.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it just me, or are others getting the sense that many teachers will battle returning to class even if we had every safety measure in place. Feels like it will never be enough.

That’s my sense too. If we don’t get schools reopened this year, I expect teachers will fight for them to remain closed next year too.

Why though?? Is it because they are too comfortable WFH? I just can't figure out why so many teachers are making the return extremely difficult.

I think it’s a bunch of factors. Yes, working from home is a lot more comfortable. There are far fewer disciplinary issues and behavioral management issues that come with 100% DL. It’s like having all the bad/disruptive kids out of your class and just the calm, compliant ones. With the standards so far relaxed for this year to the point where there’s basically no accountability to prove the students are actually learning anything, it’s easy to rely on the continued closures/all DL as a convenient crutch. Say “it’s not safe” but really you don’t care if it’s safe or not because distance learning is working for some teachers and they’ll fight tooth and nail to hang onto it.

Then there are some who are really paranoid about the virus. Maybe they’re actually high risk, maybe they’re not.

Then there are some who don’t want to make any changes that might be required if they go into schools. These are the ones who are traveling, seeing friends, and/or relying on older people in their lives for child care. With more exposure in the schools, they’d have to make lifestyle changes as a result and they just don’t want to do that.

This is awful. Especially point #1.

My kids are loving school without the behavior problems. I cannot tell you how happy they are that all the bad kids are sidelined. It is like a totally diffferent experience for them without having their classes constantly disrupted by some random kid who is acting out.

Every time I read a comment like this, I become that much more committed to advocating for schools to reopen. You’re not a good person, and I’m not going to cater to the worst of our community. And no, I don’t have one of “those kids,” I’m just not a rank asshole.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it just me, or are others getting the sense that many teachers will battle returning to class even if we had every safety measure in place. Feels like it will never be enough.

That’s my sense too. If we don’t get schools reopened this year, I expect teachers will fight for them to remain closed next year too.

Why though?? Is it because they are too comfortable WFH? I just can't figure out why so many teachers are making the return extremely difficult.

I think it’s a bunch of factors. Yes, working from home is a lot more comfortable. There are far fewer disciplinary issues and behavioral management issues that come with 100% DL. It’s like having all the bad/disruptive kids out of your class and just the calm, compliant ones. With the standards so far relaxed for this year to the point where there’s basically no accountability to prove the students are actually learning anything, it’s easy to rely on the continued closures/all DL as a convenient crutch. Say “it’s not safe” but really you don’t care if it’s safe or not because distance learning is working for some teachers and they’ll fight tooth and nail to hang onto it.

Then there are some who are really paranoid about the virus. Maybe they’re actually high risk, maybe they’re not.

Then there are some who don’t want to make any changes that might be required if they go into schools. These are the ones who are traveling, seeing friends, and/or relying on older people in their lives for child care. With more exposure in the schools, they’d have to make lifestyle changes as a result and they just don’t want to do that.

This is awful. Especially point #1.

My kids are loving school without the behavior problems. I cannot tell you how happy they are that all the bad kids are sidelined. It is like a totally diffferent experience for them without having their classes constantly disrupted by some random kid who is acting out.

My kids have found school easier without those children too. That said, this experience has been truly eye-opening about how few parents have any compassion or empathy for students with special needs. It may be easier, but I know it’s only because those students are being side-lined and left behind, which only makes it harder for them to them get the support they need. The casual cruelty of parents who openly celebrate this is heart-breaking.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it just me, or are others getting the sense that many teachers will battle returning to class even if we had every safety measure in place. Feels like it will never be enough.

That’s my sense too. If we don’t get schools reopened this year, I expect teachers will fight for them to remain closed next year too.

Why though?? Is it because they are too comfortable WFH? I just can't figure out why so many teachers are making the return extremely difficult.

I think it’s a bunch of factors. Yes, working from home is a lot more comfortable. There are far fewer disciplinary issues and behavioral management issues that come with 100% DL. It’s like having all the bad/disruptive kids out of your class and just the calm, compliant ones. With the standards so far relaxed for this year to the point where there’s basically no accountability to prove the students are actually learning anything, it’s easy to rely on the continued closures/all DL as a convenient crutch. Say “it’s not safe” but really you don’t care if it’s safe or not because distance learning is working for some teachers and they’ll fight tooth and nail to hang onto it.

Then there are some who are really paranoid about the virus. Maybe they’re actually high risk, maybe they’re not.

Then there are some who don’t want to make any changes that might be required if they go into schools. These are the ones who are traveling, seeing friends, and/or relying on older people in their lives for child care. With more exposure in the schools, they’d have to make lifestyle changes as a result and they just don’t want to do that.

This is awful. Especially point #1.

My kids are loving school without the behavior problems. I cannot tell you how happy they are that all the bad kids are sidelined. It is like a totally diffferent experience for them without having their classes constantly disrupted by some random kid who is acting out.

Your child must not be in elementary. My daughter's teacher spends half her time redirecting kids who are not paying attention or didn't listen to instruction. It's a constant disruption from the actual teaching.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it just me, or are others getting the sense that many teachers will battle returning to class even if we had every safety measure in place. Feels like it will never be enough.

That’s my sense too. If we don’t get schools reopened this year, I expect teachers will fight for them to remain closed next year too.

Why though?? Is it because they are too comfortable WFH? I just can't figure out why so many teachers are making the return extremely difficult.

I think it’s a bunch of factors. Yes, working from home is a lot more comfortable. There are far fewer disciplinary issues and behavioral management issues that come with 100% DL. It’s like having all the bad/disruptive kids out of your class and just the calm, compliant ones. With the standards so far relaxed for this year to the point where there’s basically no accountability to prove the students are actually learning anything, it’s easy to rely on the continued closures/all DL as a convenient crutch. Say “it’s not safe” but really you don’t care if it’s safe or not because distance learning is working for some teachers and they’ll fight tooth and nail to hang onto it.

Then there are some who are really paranoid about the virus. Maybe they’re actually high risk, maybe they’re not.

Then there are some who don’t want to make any changes that might be required if they go into schools. These are the ones who are traveling, seeing friends, and/or relying on older people in their lives for child care. With more exposure in the schools, they’d have to make lifestyle changes as a result and they just don’t want to do that.

This is awful. Especially point #1.

My kids are loving school without the behavior problems. I cannot tell you how happy they are that all the bad kids are sidelined. It is like a totally diffferent experience for them without having their classes constantly disrupted by some random kid who is acting out.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it just me, or are others getting the sense that many teachers will battle returning to class even if we had every safety measure in place. Feels like it will never be enough.

That’s my sense too. If we don’t get schools reopened this year, I expect teachers will fight for them to remain closed next year too.

Why though?? Is it because they are too comfortable WFH? I just can't figure out why so many teachers are making the return extremely difficult.

The WHY seems self-evident to me. They value their health and lives over your kid's education. It is hard to argue with that. I am a parent btw.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it just me, or are others getting the sense that many teachers will battle returning to class even if we had every safety measure in place. Feels like it will never be enough.

That’s my sense too. If we don’t get schools reopened this year, I expect teachers will fight for them to remain closed next year too.

Why though?? Is it because they are too comfortable WFH? I just can't figure out why so many teachers are making the return extremely difficult.

I think it’s a bunch of factors. Yes, working from home is a lot more comfortable. There are far fewer disciplinary issues and behavioral management issues that come with 100% DL. It’s like having all the bad/disruptive kids out of your class and just the calm, compliant ones. With the standards so far relaxed for this year to the point where there’s basically no accountability to prove the students are actually learning anything, it’s easy to rely on the continued closures/all DL as a convenient crutch. Say “it’s not safe” but really you don’t care if it’s safe or not because distance learning is working for some teachers and they’ll fight tooth and nail to hang onto it.

Then there are some who are really paranoid about the virus. Maybe they’re actually high risk, maybe they’re not.

Then there are some who don’t want to make any changes that might be required if they go into schools. These are the ones who are traveling, seeing friends, and/or relying on older people in their lives for child care. With more exposure in the schools, they’d have to make lifestyle changes as a result and they just don’t want to do that.

This is awful. Especially point #1.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it just me, or are others getting the sense that many teachers will battle returning to class even if we had every safety measure in place. Feels like it will never be enough.

No. I think if the numbers come down, we put air filters in schools, implement regular testing, and provide n95 masks, teachers will return.

That’s not their official position.

That’s what needs to happen to open schools safely. I wouldn’t push for anyone to be back in schools without all of that.

What if we had the vaccine? I feel like vaccines and masks should suffice for a safe return.

I don't. Nothing has been proven that we can't transfer the germs from our hair/clothing/person to other people. I don't think any of us, kids or their teachers, should be exposed to people who might contaminate us and then we bring the virus home to our families.

If you are a teacher, please quit. Students don’t need paranoid teachers like you. If you are this paranoid about something that has never been deemed a risk, what other paranoias do you have? There is no way in every day life someone with your level of paranoia and anxiety is able to mask it. Feel free to consular a medical doctor for more information and treatment.

I'm a parent actually. I read the science journals and I listen to our family's doctors, both the pediatricians and our (my husband and my) internists. These doctors are not sending their kids to school in person, they in fact think it is ludicrous that people are demanding schools be taught in person, and I agree with them.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it just me, or are others getting the sense that many teachers will battle returning to class even if we had every safety measure in place. Feels like it will never be enough.

When your life is the one at stake then you'll get to decide what is "enough." I don't blame the teachers one bit for advocating for themselves. If they don't advocate for their health and safety then no one else will.

Not true - there are lots of parents and groups advocating for **Schools** to open safely. My concern is that it will never be good enough for many teachers.

Buuuuuuut, **Schools** are open. They're just not open in a way you like; DL is **School.**

Barely.

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it just me, or are others getting the sense that many teachers will battle returning to class even if we had every safety measure in place. Feels like it will never be enough.

No. I think if the numbers come down, we put air filters in schools, implement regular testing, and provide n95 masks, teachers will return.

That’s not their official position.

That’s what needs to happen to open schools safely. I wouldn’t push for anyone to be back in schools without all of that.

What if we had the vaccine? I feel like vaccines and masks should suffice for a safe return.

I don't. Nothing has been proven that we can't transfer the germs from our hair/clothing/person to other people. I don't think any of us, kids or their teachers, should be exposed to people who might contaminate us and then we bring the virus home to our families.

If you are a teacher, please quit. Students don’t need paranoid teachers like you. If you are this paranoid about something that has never been deemed a risk, what other paranoias do you have? There is no way in every day life someone with your level of paranoia and anxiety is able to mask it. Feel free to consular a medical doctor for more information and treatment.

Whether I agree with them or not, and I don’t, stop telling teachers to quit over EVERY LITTLE THING. You do NOT have a backup source of teachers. Some of these people may have ideas you don’t agree with but be AMAZING teachers. “Just quit” is the laziest most uncritical and self sabotaging comment and position there is. When all the good ones quit, who is left to fight for your kids within the system? To devote their careers to teaching your kids? Nobody.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it just me, or are others getting the sense that many teachers will battle returning to class even if we had every safety measure in place. Feels like it will never be enough.

That’s my sense too. If we don’t get schools reopened this year, I expect teachers will fight for them to remain closed next year too.

Why though?? Is it because they are too comfortable WFH? I just can't figure out why so many teachers are making the return extremely difficult.

They’re not! Seriously. You have created that image in your mind. It doesn’t make sense to you because it isn’t real.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it just me, or are others getting the sense that many teachers will battle returning to class even if we had every safety measure in place. Feels like it will never be enough.

That’s my sense too. If we don’t get schools reopened this year, I expect teachers will fight for them to remain closed next year too.

Why though?? Is it because they are too comfortable WFH? I just can't figure out why so many teachers are making the return extremely difficult.

I think it’s a bunch of factors. Yes, working from home is a lot more comfortable. There are far fewer disciplinary issues and behavioral management issues that come with 100% DL. It’s like having all the bad/disruptive kids out of your class and just the calm, compliant ones. With the standards so far relaxed for this year to the point where there’s basically no accountability to prove the students are actually learning anything, it’s easy to rely on the continued closures/all DL as a convenient crutch. Say “it’s not safe” but really you don’t care if it’s safe or not because distance learning is working for some teachers and they’ll fight tooth and nail to hang onto it.

Then there are some who are really paranoid about the virus. Maybe they’re actually high risk, maybe they’re not.

Then there are some who don’t want to make any changes that might be required if they go into schools. These are the ones who are traveling, seeing friends, and/or relying on older people in their lives for child care. With more exposure in the schools, they’d have to make lifestyle changes as a result and they just don’t want to do that.