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Covid and School This Fall (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter ChiefD
- Start date
jb1020
Footballguy
Mississippi pulled the plug on 7-12th grades yesterday...6 days before they were supposed to start. I haven;'t seen it official yet, but my neighbor said this morning the k-6th graders are starting out doing A and B days. Hope it works out because its boiled over here. I think we're the hottest spot on the planet right now, per capita.
The private school we moved to is still planning all in person school.
sho nuff
Footballguy
We have a new director of schools/superintendent...by new I mean she was named actual director in Mid March (while she had been interim I believe...but yeah first things she had to do was handle the shutting down of everything...then planning for this year. Thus far I think she has done a great job and the teachers seem to really respect her.Mississippi pulled the plug on 7-12th grades yesterday...6 days before they were supposed to start. I haven;'t seen it official yet, but my neighbor said this morning the k-6th graders are starting out doing A and B days. Hope it works out because its boiled over here. I think we're the hottest spot on the planet right now, per capita.
The private school we moved to is still planning all in person school.
Son's high school just got a new principal...other one retired after staying like 5 years longer than he said he was going to as the school needed a lot of change when he came in. He did a great job...we will see how the new one handles things.
MAC_32
Footballguy
Because their budgets were slashed. Poor gov't and citizen decisions led to covid not going away. And those same citizens demands in particular areas are further complicating plan A's (I don't know if yours is one of them - I just know of some). Then gov't and health officials didn't provide tangible guidance on what to do until last week.
With appropriate funding those various if-then's should have been proactively addressed, but again - slashed budgets. Knowing where you are funding issues may not be the case and if true then you have every right to finger point, but know that your district is the extreme minority in the state. Districts and private institutions have had potential plans for weeks/months, but needed funding to be released to execute them. It didn't so they waited til the last minute so they had as much info as they could before executing their (un?)informed plan. Cause they literally can't afford to be wrong.
Flying Elvis
Footballguy
Governor required all SDs in the state to submit 3 plans by July 31. One distance learning, one hybrid, one all in. Most people involved are expecting the hybrid plans to be the chosen option. The hybrid plan is all-virtual on Monday then in school T/Th or W/F.
Decent plan by my district. Google drive link for any that want to see the full plans. Virtual learning is optional for those that choose it.
Masks required for all which is not an issue since we've had excellent compliance with that since April/May. (Currently vacationing in NH and we're out each day doing different activities and venues that require masks. My 6yo doesn't even take it off when it's okay to do so because he thinks it's pretty cool. 8yo doesn't love it and needs to remove it every so often for a break. 12yo is fine with it.)
Cohorts (called pods) will enter building at staggered times. Teachers move from classroom to classroom instead of the kids.
Scheduled bathroom breaks with assigned bathrooms that get cleaned in between each pod's visit.
Daily screening and positive case plans, though that part is vague. It states the administration will coordinate with state DOH and that a school "may" close 2 days for cleaning.
My oldest did way better with distance learning because he is a class clown jackwagon. He already asked to do DL and we are certainly happy with that. Younger boys really need the socialization so we are still considering allowing them to go if it's 2 day in school and 3 days from home to allow smaller cohorts.
ETA: no mention of ventilation at all, which I'm disappointed by. I've been watching the SComm zoom meetings and haven't heard it discussed, but haven't sat through all of them.
Decent plan by my district. Google drive link for any that want to see the full plans. Virtual learning is optional for those that choose it.
Masks required for all which is not an issue since we've had excellent compliance with that since April/May. (Currently vacationing in NH and we're out each day doing different activities and venues that require masks. My 6yo doesn't even take it off when it's okay to do so because he thinks it's pretty cool. 8yo doesn't love it and needs to remove it every so often for a break. 12yo is fine with it.)
Cohorts (called pods) will enter building at staggered times. Teachers move from classroom to classroom instead of the kids.
Scheduled bathroom breaks with assigned bathrooms that get cleaned in between each pod's visit.
Daily screening and positive case plans, though that part is vague. It states the administration will coordinate with state DOH and that a school "may" close 2 days for cleaning.
My oldest did way better with distance learning because he is a class clown jackwagon. He already asked to do DL and we are certainly happy with that. Younger boys really need the socialization so we are still considering allowing them to go if it's 2 day in school and 3 days from home to allow smaller cohorts.
ETA: no mention of ventilation at all, which I'm disappointed by. I've been watching the SComm zoom meetings and haven't heard it discussed, but haven't sat through all of them.
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The Gator
Footballguy
No but, teachers seem to be bearing the brunt of people's criticism when the teachers are not up to speed immediately.
For a typical office worker - the biggest change is the location of the office. But, the job itself has only minor changes.
For teachers, they spent a career focused on engaging students in face-to-face interactions. These are the skills they learned and perfected over the years. (A good teacher is not necessarily an "expert" in history, they are good at teaching history via techniques they have learned). On-line teaching is different (and in many ways more time consuming) than in-person teaching.
Doug B
Footballguy
I don't think the no-notice implementation of online learning this past spring was even close to a fair trial of the concept. That's why, at least locally, kids weren't being held accountable for their online assignments ... and of course, that fact also had an affect on the efficacy of online learning.
That said: I have no doubt that some proportion of students will struggle even with well-planned out remote learning. At least locally, all students have the option of attending school at least part of the time (K-5 can go 5 full days per week, 6-12 can go 2 days per week).
But you know ... the pre-COVID world is gone for some indeterminate time. Things can't be held to pre-COVID standards, and our evaluation of "how things are going" can't be based on things were going in the past. This is a major-league societal shake-up ... and we as individuals can't really push against the tsunami and change things back to how they were before. All we can do is adjust -- and regretably, some will thrive while others suffer, just as before.
EDIT: Ack -- "Things can be held to pre-COVID standards" should be "Things can't be held to pre-COVID standards"
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Doug B
Footballguy
I have a spidey sense that this is coming here in Louisiana, at least in some parishes. Your state's K-6 plan (A & B days) is one of our local plans for grades 6-12.
xulf
Footballguy
I would be rather surprised if it was a funding issue. But, I very much admit that I don't know the ins-and-outs of the budgets and how that plays out under each scenario. We are in a school district that doesn't shy away from expenses and they already had a full online option in place for those wishing to go fully online (with the "online academy" platform purchased and ready to go) -- so, I don't know how that would play into it. There hybrid plan (which we supposedly will go to 4 weeks into the year) also didn't seem like we were being too concerned with budgets considering the buses were going to be used more than usual and they were planning to clean every day in between AM and PM groups and again at the end of the day. There would be ways to reduce costs by having groups go the full day if that was a huge concern...but again, I don't know the numbers on these things just an outside observer.
I do agree that the officials have been extremely wishy-washy but our school districts tries to be ahead of the curve and other districts around us typically follow our lead. Having options A, B, C, D already laid out doesn't seem too hard under different scenarios. The fact that they just are touting that they just came up with the alternate plan rubs me the wrong way.
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Grahamburn
Footballguy
My business provides direct one on one therapy for special needs children. We were forced to close on 3/20 as our procedures were considered "elective," and we did not have telehealth set up as an option. During our closure we implemented multiple new protocols for safety, purchased supplies/PPE, researched HIPPA compliant telehealth options, and then trained staff on the new platform we chose. As of our reopening on 5/1 our business is nearly 40% telehealth. My staff was overwhelmed too as it was a significant amount of new information to absorb, and they had never treated patients this way before. Especially special needs children. However, we did it and they did it, because we had to.
A lot of teachers and their unions are spending their time protesting and suing their governments when they instead could be trying to make the best of an awful situation like other businesses had to do.
shadyridr
Footballguy
Most school districts STILL don't have plans for the fall. My SIL says it's a #### show. Like I said WE WILL SEE.
I don't think the no-notice implementation of online learning this past spring was even close to a fair trial of the concept. That's why, at least locally, kids weren't being held accountable for their online assignments ... and of course, that fact also had an affect on the efficacy of online learning.
That said: I have no doubt that some proportion of students will struggle even with well-planned out remote learning. At least locally, all students have the option of attending school at least part of the time (K-5 can go 5 full days per week, 6-12 can go 2 days per week).
But you know ... the pre-COVID world is gone for some indeterminate time. Things can be held to pre-COVID standards, and our evaluation of "how things are going" can't be based on things were going in the past. This is a major-league societal shake-up ... and we as individuals can't really push against the tsunami and change things back to how they were before. All we can do is adjust -- and regretably, some will thrive while others suffer, just as before.
MAC_32
Footballguy
As far as I know every district and private institution had a fully online option prepared weeks/months ago. It takes time to setup and acclimate its users and not surprisingly demand for these products/services exceeded supply. And this way if an in-person or hybrid model were executed, but the plug got pulled out there would be a more seamless transition to remote than spring. If citizens are resistant to the online option (some % of them are) and the officials don't tell them what to do (they didn't) then releasing those behind the scenes plans early can only result in suboptimal outcomes. Everyone should be dissatisfied with this late roll out of 'plans,' but at least in every case I have been informed about what's happening behind the scenes I don't blame the schools.
Doug B
Footballguy
Even the ones that do have plans ... might not necessarily have plans if assumptions about the pandemic and near-term societal effects don't hold.
parasaurolophus
Footballguy
@Elizashapiro
This is one of the biggest education stories no one is talking about: "As more public schools are moving to remote learning, child care programs and after-school providers in major cities are taking in more children of families who cannot work remotely."
This is one of the biggest education stories no one is talking about: "As more public schools are moving to remote learning, child care programs and after-school providers in major cities are taking in more children of families who cannot work remotely."
MAC_32
Footballguy
I think saying no one is talking about it is preposterous. Child care is likely the biggest issue concerning this in regards to most working adults.
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parasaurolophus
Footballguy
You misunderstood the context. She isnt saying that nobody is talking about child care.
She is saying that everybody is ignoring that schools are getting shuttered, but alternative care centers are just popping up in their place.
In other words, closing schools isnt just about stopping spread.
I would say locally this is actually one of the bigger topics - many daycare facilities are at capacity so parents are struggling to find care, with many trying to come up with "pods" on their own with 4-6 kids that will rotate houses each day so they only need to be home 1 day a week, and then one of the more "contentious" (for lack of a better word) discussions is that while schools are physically closed, the onsite "daycare" programs (which usually provide before and after school activities for kids) run through the school district will continue to be open, on site, and will apparently assist with the remote learning. I don't know all of the details, but it certainly has ruffled a lot of feathers with people arguing about how if a kid can go to "daycare" why can't they be in school.
@parasaurolophus - just read your next reply above - got it - similar to many of the discussions here locally.
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MAC_32
Footballguy
Maybe I'm the minority, but this seems like an obvious outcome to me. Working parents + Remote learning = Kids gotta go somewhere else.
I'm extremely fortunate to work where I do. Cause my wife is an Asst Principal and we have 3 kids aged 4-10. If we're remote then that burden falls on me. My employer's okay with me working 6-10 am and pm so long as I'm available for virtual meetings (and email) as needed in between. I highly doubt most would have such an option. Not that this optimal for me (sure isn't!), but it could be worse.
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parasaurolophus
Footballguy
That is certainly not the vocalized opinion when the topic of closing schools is brought up right now.
xulf
Footballguy
Yeah - we are in discussions with a couple other families to figure out some sort of tutoring pod (us and 2 other families) --- especially if we go full online. We are looking to pay someone to teach the kids the content 2 or so days/afternoons a week. It wouldn't be babysitting as it would be at one of our houses where we can have someone working from home -- but it would focus on getting them through the homework and actually learning the stuff. We are reaching out to some contacts that are former teachers and/or new teachers unable to find work due to this to see what are options are.
xulf
Footballguy
It's a big deal in my discussions, because I always bring it up.
As mentioned, the daycares have to open at full capacity --- someone has to be able to watch the kids. As I posted previously, I have yet to see a plan from the school district that lays out what a typical day will look like for a kid who is in daycare and is remotely learning. There is no way that it is going to work to have late night learning after the kids have been in daycare all day.
MAC_32
Footballguy
Yep, is the media not talking about it? I don't know. I don't spend much time absorbing whatever they're yacking about. But it's a primary topic of conversation in my community and I'm highly confident we are not the minority.
trader jake
Footballguy
Everyone here respects teachers and the challenges they are facing. What you describe above is similar to what parents, small business owners, and anyone in a health care related field is also dealing with. New challenges, new technologies to master, new pressures that can feel overwhelming, etc. I don't type that to undermine the stresses you are feeling, just to illustrate that teachers are not unique to this new reality and the resulting changes that must be made to be successful moving forward.
There will be teachers (and people in all professions) that will rebel, complain, or generally not change. This will only make their own situation and those of their students worse. The same thing applies to other professions and their willingness to adapt or get left behind. It certainly won't be easy. Hopefully you have the support you'll need to be successful at home as well as within your school district. Keep your head up OtoO..we all have teacher's backs. Good luck man.
Agreed. We've also read enough of the various school district plans posted in the COVID threads to know that many are focused on cleaning measures of surfaces and not nearly enough even list their policies/strategy regarding the management of air flow, filtration, etc.
culdeus
Footballguy
Yes, for some it's about outsourcing risk. This has been discussed at length even in the spring. The same things were happening in Dallas, day cares were allowing school aged kids to remote from inside their facilities. The kids they allowed were those of HCW and first responders (mostly) and this was blessed off. Other areas in the state did this, and I would imagine the country.
Now in the fall you have churches and hotels even opening doors to act in the same way.
parasaurolophus
Footballguy
Doug B
Footballguy
I can't explain the whys and hows ... but local daycares have at no point closed yet have apparently avoided transmitting the disease. If they've had any COVID-19 spread, it hasn't been enough to make the local news. I'm sure there have been one here and one there ... maybe enough to shut down a center for a few days for "deep cleaning".
I dunno -- this is something locals with small kids kind of gloss over. "So you say K-12 schools shouldn't hold in person classes? I understand your concern. So where has your three-year-old been going since March? You've still been going into work ... oh, their daycare stayed open ... I see."
Like I said ... I have no idea how to explain the apparent dearth of cases associated with local daycare centers. Then again ... we've got no 10,000-child daycare centers.
shadyridr
Footballguy
Local daycares and preschools were exempt from closures and still are in Florida. Nonetheless, many daycares have closed down, and some preschools tried virtual for short while back in March and April. The on-site daycare where I work closed in April, then opened in late June, then closed 3 weeks ago when an employee tested positive. My roommate was laid off from her job as a preschool teacher for the term starting in a week due to low enrollment. Many parents are saying let's wait until January. This week she's had 3 interviews for virtual preschool, but whose gonna pay out of pocket for that? One interview was for Easter Seals, it went well, the funding could be more secure. Preschool teachers and especially their aids are making more with unemployment.
Ilov80s
Footballguy
I do think there is reasonable evidence to show little kids aren't spreading the disease. It's middle school and especially high school where the concerns are IMO.
Galileo
Footballguy
We started planning in May of the last school year for what this coming fall might look like. We had options A, B, and C laid out. We had many discussions of how our teaching would be impacted and started exploring strategies of approach under the A, B, and C scenarios. As August approached, our district decided to go with plan D.
The Gator
Footballguy
@AAABatteries
An entire classroom full of second graders in Georgia has been forced into quarantine after one classmate tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
Local news station WGCL reports that a student at the Sixes Elementary School in Cherokee County was diagnosed with COVID-19 just after they attended class on Monday, which was the first day back at school after summer break.
All 20 students who are in the class, as well as the students’ teacher, will now be under quarantine for the next two weeks. Students will still receive instruction from the teacher over the internet.
An entire classroom full of second graders in Georgia has been forced into quarantine after one classmate tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
Local news station WGCL reports that a student at the Sixes Elementary School in Cherokee County was diagnosed with COVID-19 just after they attended class on Monday, which was the first day back at school after summer break.
All 20 students who are in the class, as well as the students’ teacher, will now be under quarantine for the next two weeks. Students will still receive instruction from the teacher over the internet.
shadyridr
Footballguy
This is kind of silly isn't it? If this was the plan all along I don't even know why they discussed opening schools in the first place.
Doug B
Footballguy
This is correct, especially for lower values of "little". It's more empirical evidence than it is explanatory evidence, but yes ... the lack of contraction and spread among very young children (~ toddler age) has been well noted.
Ilov80s
Footballguy
Aside from just turning a blind eye to it, there’s not much else you can do. What do you do if a parent of one of the kids tests positive? Obviously that kid stays home but do you shut down the rest of the class too? With kids more likely to be asymptomatic and unlikely tested, a parent getting sick might be the best indicator of an outbreak in class. The correct answer is that opening schools now shouldn’t have been done as much as I think in person classes are needed. And after sitting through just a couple hours of online kindergarten, it’s definitely needed.
AAABatteries
Footballguy
See above - it’s my SIL’s neighbor - kid has been inside their house in the last week. And then we were around them after that.
Ignoratio Elenchi
Footballguy
culdeus
Footballguy
Shutout
Footballguy
The Commish
Footballguy
AAABatteries
Footballguy
https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/mollyhensleyclancy/georgia-school-reopening-photo-paulding-county
I don't know how "good" Buzzfeed is so take this link with a grain of salt. We have friends that live in Paulding and the rumor is the student was suspended - I'm not sure I believe that or if they were that it was for taking a pic and posting online. Either way, it's a complete cluster here in North Georgia suburbs. Not so much because case numbers are high but rather these counties seem to have crazy plans or no real plans. I heard this morning that now they are saying they won't quarantine a whole class but only those that were not wearing masks. Which appears to be around 30-50% based on what I'm hearing.
I don't know how "good" Buzzfeed is so take this link with a grain of salt. We have friends that live in Paulding and the rumor is the student was suspended - I'm not sure I believe that or if they were that it was for taking a pic and posting online. Either way, it's a complete cluster here in North Georgia suburbs. Not so much because case numbers are high but rather these counties seem to have crazy plans or no real plans. I heard this morning that now they are saying they won't quarantine a whole class but only those that were not wearing masks. Which appears to be around 30-50% based on what I'm hearing.
Well I jinxed it.
Found out a fellow lifeguard of my daughter tested positive. Took him 8 days to find out, She last worked with him 10 days ago.
Took her last night and was blown away by the amount of people getting tested. I would guess 2/3rd were girls my daughters age.....15-18 bracket.
She tested negative.
Galileo
Footballguy
gobrowns33
Footballguy
Our middle GA schools started today...students and teachers wear masks, lots of other precautions in place as well to reduce contact from class to class. My wife is a teacher and have 3 kids that go to 3 different schools in our city. The school year seems like it will be fine and not the disaster everyone is predicting. This is public schools.
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Mrs. Rannous
Footballguy
It is accurate. The student who took the picture in the hallway was suspended. There's also a recording of the principal on the PA telling everyone not to post things that are detrimental to the school. That picture doesn't look good.
