Parents Anyone gone back to school in person yet?

[Deleted member 18037]

And everyone needs to understand, this is based on infection rates. If I lived in a state with a high infection rate I might make a different decision. But again, the whole country should be treated the same. The circumstances are different.

 

[Deleted member 18037]

That is happening in our district.....people are being pulled, so classes, if in person, will be slightly larger.

Again, what is larger? The guidelines state you have to be able to socially distance. So class size should be determined by space.

If you have space to socially distance a class of 20 you can have 20. In our district, we can only SD 10-15 depending on the classroom.

 

[Deleted member 18037]

The lack of continuity has me really nervous for this academic year.

All of the choices are not good. Unless your kid was already homeschooled and in actual established homeschoo/online programs. None of it will be what it should be.

There is no public school system ready to do this and do it well. It comes down to making the best of bad choices that work for our kids and families.

If my kid was 2 years older I’d be having her take college courses. If she was 3 younger I’d officially pull her and home school her.

 

[Freddy's Fred]

Or watch that they don't go up...........

Remember they horror that was reported that 2 hair stylists worked covid positive. Made a big deal about all the "exposure". The story ended..... No one, no other worker or client tested positive or got sick.

Also based on your link, they distinguish actual positive cases vs precautionary quarantine. Precautionary being the operative word. Not because of direct exposure. They are being cautious as they should be.

I would love nothing more than for my kids to be back in school at least part time, but what is going down in ignorant white suburban counties N of Atlanta is nothing short of shameful. There will be mass casualties and this was 100% preventable. It is absolutely infuriating.

 

[skschlag]

Again, what is larger? The guidelines state you have to be able to socially distance. So class size should be determined by space.

If you have space to socially distance a class of 20 you can have 20. In our district, we can only SD 10-15 depending on the classroom.

Well, I spent several hours trying to distance 18 students in my class. Not possible. MOst teachers have been able to figure out how to fit 15 in their class, distanced. But they might have 20. So they are revamping. But because many teachers are being recalled from schools to teach the online school, it makes it harder to keep distancing.

In addition, due to budget deficits with the economy and parents choosing other options, there is no money to hire teachers. So if we DO go back in person, and kids start coming back, those class sizes will increase.

 

[mommyof1]

Again, what is larger? The guidelines state you have to be able to socially distance. So class size should be determined by space.

If you have space to socially distance a class of 20 you can have 20. In our district, we can only SD 10-15 depending on the classroom.

Our district doesn’t have the teachers or space to provide for adequate distancing, so it has just advised parents that even 3 feet cannot be guaranteed and families must assume the risk. No, thank you.

 

[Deleted member 18037]

@mommyof1 and @skschlag

In our state we can not open the classroom unless we can maintain distancing. So if the classroom only allow for 10 kids that is the class size. There is no option to assume risk.

Our district assumed all kids were coming back for planning purposes. In order to get all kids in class we have to have a hybrid. That means 2 teams. So its 2 days in, 2 days at home per team, the 5th day everyone home for building cleaning.

So the kids that are going back will have much more then the minimum distance because it was planned for 100% based on current survey, it will acutally be no more then 60% maybe less.

 

[skschlag]

@mommyof1 and @skschlag

In our state we can not open the classroom unless we can maintain distancing. So if the classroom only allow for 10 kids that is the class size. There is no option to assume risk.

Our district assumed all kids were coming back for planning purposes. In order to get all kids in class we have to have a hybrid. That means 2 teams. So its 2 days in, 2 days at home per team, the 5th day everyone home for building cleaning.

So the kids that are going back will have much more then the minimum distance because it was planned for 100% based on current survey, it will acutally be no more then 60% maybe less.

That is great for you guys! I love that. And some of our schools can do that. BUt we are in a very low income area, with limited resources. And, we have lost at least 1 staff member to online learning. So, our class sizes are around 15-20 right now.

THe issue is, that parents can come back when ever they want. So, if Homeschooling, or online schooling is not working, and they want to come back, we have to let them. Room or not. Distancing or not. So, it could happen that we end up with too many kids and not enough room/staff.

We cannot hire more teachers to open another room if we get more kids.
We cannot add rooms to our buildings.
But kids can come, anytime.

We planned for 100%, but now that we know the number not coming right now, cuts have been made. BUt, kids can come back, and if they live in our attendance area, we have to take them. That is our concern.

We might do hybrid, but studies have shown that might actually be worse, so we are waiting for now. Thank goodness we are online through October so we can figure more of this out.

 

[Deleted member 18037]

I would love nothing more than for my kids to be back in school at least part time, but what is going down in ignorant white suburban counties N of Atlanta is nothing short of shameful. There will be mass casualties and this was 100% preventable. It is absolutely infuriating.

I'm sorry to hear that.

We have parents getting their knickers in a twist because masks at their seats are not required..... Again, guidelines read masks if you can't social distance. Just because they aren't required at their seats doesn't mean they can't wear them.

My kid knows her mask stays on most of the time.

They are also worried about desks being cleaned. Simple (and these are High School kids) Wipe your desk and chair down as you get to class. This is something that is second nature to me as work in a lab, I do it at the gym (when it was open) even in pre-covid days. I could watch you wipe the desk down and if its my turn to sit there, I'm wiping it down again.

So my kid knows, I don't care if you watched the principal wipe your desk. Wipe it again.

 

[Deleted member 18037]

We might do hybrid, but studies have shown that might actually be worse, so we are waiting for now. Thank goodness we are online through October so we can figure more of this out.

I think all the current options s*ck. For my kids mental health, hybrid is better then 100% home.

Our remote option is being done by district (and they are seriously not ready to effectively teach remote), not an established online program. 2 days in class will be better then 5 days out.

 

[skschlag]

I think all the current options s*ck. For my kids mental health, hybrid is better then 100% home.

Our remote option is being done by district (and they are seriously not ready to effectively teach remote), not an established online program. 2 days in class will be better then 5 days out.

I think it is harder for elementary school kids (which I teach), that are low income (which I teach,). They will be in day care the other days. SO in 2 cohorts, vs. 1. Add in the fact that many in our school have severe disabilities (which I teach), who will be in school, daycare, and respite in the hybrid scenario, that becomes the issue.

For older kids who can be at home alone when not at school, hybrid is a decent option.

 

[mommyof1]

@mommyof1 and @skschlag

In our state we can not open the classroom unless we can maintain distancing. So if the classroom only allow for 10 kids that is the class size. There is no option to assume risk.

Our district assumed all kids were coming back for planning purposes. In order to get all kids in class we have to have a hybrid. That means 2 teams. So its 2 days in, 2 days at home per team, the 5th day everyone home for building cleaning.

So the kids that are going back will have much more then the minimum distance because it was planned for 100% based on current survey, it will acutally be no more then 60% maybe less.

It is wonderful that your district is taking physical distancing seriously. Unfortunately, not all states or school districts are doing the same. The standards in NY are not the standards everywhere.

The lack of a mask requirement would still give me pause, though.

 

[skschlag]

It is wonderful that your district is taking physical distancing seriously. Unfortunately, not all states or school districts are doing the same. The standards in NY are not the standards everywhere.

The lack of a mask requirement would still give me pause, though.

I agree. And that NY has the money to do this. We just do not. It is a big issue in our many places right now. Teachers and other staff (aides, paras, etc), being furloughed, laid off, or being moved from schools to online. Definitely affecting districts in different ways

 

[mommyof1]

I think it is harder for elementary school kids (which I teach), that are low income (which I teach,). They will be in day care the other days. SO in 2 cohorts, vs. 1. Add in the fact that many in our school have severe disabilities (which I teach), who will be in school, daycare, and respite in the hybrid scenario, that becomes the issue.

For older kids who can be at home alone when not at school, hybrid is a decent option.

This is what I don’t like about the hybrid option. What do they think parents will do with the kids on the days when they aren’t in school? I don’t trust high school kids to stay home and not socialize on their off days, either.

 

[skschlag]

This is what I don’t like about the hybrid option. What do they think parents will do with the kids on the days when they aren’t in school? I don’t trust high school kids to stay home and not socialize on their off days, either.

True. My son has a small group that hangs together, and they have since our lockdown ended. They are careful, and do not hang out with others. They do each have one other activity, but really, overall, it is a trusted community (as much as one can be). I am glad he has these really good friends. But, I do see that issue!

 

[Deleted member 18037]

I agree. And that NY has the money to do this. We just do not. It is a big issue in our many places right now. Teachers and other staff (aides, paras, etc), being furloughed, laid off, or being moved from schools to online. Definitely affecting districts in different ways

We don't have the money. Districts that can't make the distancing requirements can't open.

There are districts that will be able to open 5 days. Most are doing hybrid at at least 50% capacity (if everyone would come back). There are districst only able to do 1 day in. Some districts no days in. Same teachers are teaching in classroom those staying home get the video.

 

[mommyof1]

I agree. And that NY has the money to do this. We just do not. It is a big issue in our many places right now. Teachers and other staff (aides, paras, etc), being furloughed, laid off, or being moved from schools to online. Definitely affecting districts in different ways

Definitely. Our district has stated that it cannot hire additional teachers, bus drivers, custodial workers, or other staff, and we are a relatively well-resourced county. And if districts drive parents to homeschool, the situation will get even worse as they lose per-pupil funding for those students.

 

[Deleted member 18037]

This is what I don’t like about the hybrid option. What do they think parents will do with the kids on the days when they aren’t in school? I don’t trust high school kids to stay home and not socialize on their off days, either.

Well if you don't like teens at home part of the week. How can you be OK with them home all week?

If thats the issue the answer is in building 5 days

 

[skschlag]

Definitely. Our district has stated that it cannot hire additional teachers, bus drivers, custodial workers, or other staff, and we are a relatively well-resourced county. And if districts drive parents to homeschool, the situation will get even worse as they lose per-pupil funding for those students.

Exactly. And we are already one of the worst funded districts in one of the worst funded states..

 

[skschlag]

We don't have the money. Districts that can't make the distancing requirements can't open.

There are districts that will be able to open 5 days. Most are doing hybrid at at least 50% capacity (if everyone would come back). There are districst only able to do 1 day in. Some districts no days in. Same teachers are teaching in classroom those staying home get the video.

So do they have plans for when they open, and then kids come back, or enroll, or move in, etc??

And, I may have to teach kids IN person AND online.