Are you sending your kids to school next month?

[roomthreeseventeen]

Here's NYC's plan.

UFT is already skeptical.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

People in California - Have you heard that districts in counties on the state's watchlist can submit a waiver to get permission to open, even before completing the 14-day period? Apparently there is a process by which districts can request to open certain classes. They have to complete an application that has to be approved by the state and county's local health department. I've heard that the district where I work is trying to open certain special ed classes in person, as well as set-up supervised rooms for certain kids to do their distance learning. These would be for kids of essential workers, or kids who didn't engage in distance learning in the spring. This plan would require some staff members to be in classrooms everyday, while most get to remain safely at home.

To me, this completely discounts the reason the governor closed schools in high-risk areas in the first place. I think if it's been deemed unsafe to open schools in those areas, they should all remain completely closed until the county meets the standards to open. Sending in a few staff members seems so inequitable. Some will be able to work from the safety of home, while others will be required to work in a classroom, in an area that the state has deemed unsafe. I might be one of these people, yet I'm not supposed to know that! Apparently they plan to spring it on the chosen few just before school is scheduled to start. I suppose they don't want to give people time to object or negotiate. I had a video visit with my doctor the other day and we started talking about the issue of schools reopening. I told her about my situation and she said, "Well, can you afford to quit your job? That's what I'm advising my patients to do instead of working in classrooms right now."

Yes, Newsom approved the plan last Friday. I posted about it another thread as some districts in LA County have said they plan to apply. Neither of the districts my kids are in will he applying for a waiver.

ETA some articles:
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.la...g-waivers-la-county-teachers-unions?_amp=true
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.me...bout-waivers-to-let-kids-return-to-class/amp/

 

[TJA]

Here's NYC's plan.

UFT is already skeptical.

Interesting...thanks for posting. I wonder if other parts of New York will be similar. Plans have to be submitted tomorrow so I'll be anxious to see ours.

 

[barkley]

We'll get back to those better times.
Eh, the math doesn't support this idea. Here are the two options compared:

1. Teach two more years at my current job and "max out" my years and my pension.

2. Retire now, accept the loss of $5000/year (okay, it's actually something like $4700, but round numbers are easier for our purposes here). Looking at my age and my family genetics, I anticipate being retired for 50 years (obviously this is a guess, but that's the number I'm using for my retirement savings and plans). So that $5000/year will turn into $250,000 over the course of my lifetime. Working two more years will net me that $250,000 over the course of my lifetime. I cannot earn $250,000 in two years, and I don't have the years for compound interest to work its magic.

That's not even a choice!

As for a second career, I don't want to dip into my savings too soon, and I can't collect Social Security for quite a few years -- so, yes, I intend to have a part-time job for a while. A part time job + my pension will give me as much as I have now, but I'll only be working part time.

depending on how things go maybe your district will offer a golden handshake. a friend's california district offered one up w/very little notice and a small window to decide (it was within a maybe 3 weeks of their next week anticipated restart). she didn't opt in but i wouldn't be surprised if they offer it again, depending on how this academic year goes if she doesn't take it next summer (her dh planned to work several more years, maybe even another decade but had at least 35 years in so he retired last spring).

 

[Disneylover99]

Yep. Just found out today, elementary students are going back to school full time in September, so I'll be at school.
My kids are in high school, so they will start out half time at school and half time online.

 

[VandVsmama]

I attended a conference call late this afternoon hosted by the principal of our kids' school. The principal presented a bunch of logistical information about picking up school materials and schedules early next week in preparation for online instruction starting next Wednesday.

Interesting quick fun fact:
100% of parents completed the online form/survey where you had to designate which instructional method you want your kid(s) in for starting in early September, when in person instruction will begin the day after Labor Day. 70% of students' parents stated that they want their kids to continue online instruction. You can switch to the other instructional method at the end of each grading period if you so choose.

We selected in person instruction.

So you know what this means? Class size 1/3 of what it normally is. Way fewer total # of kids per teacher in the classroom, which translates to more individualized help for my kids and all the other kids who will be attending in person. I'm quite pleased. It's going to be easy as heck to socially distance, too.

Please no judgement. We have reasons for selecting the choice that we went with. In a nutshell, this is the option that is best for how my kids learn. And yes, everybody will be masking up. And taking temps every day in order to get into the school. And sanitizing your hands in front of a staff member before you can go in the building. I could go on and on with the details, but you get the idea. The administration has been very thorough.

Online instruction will require the kids to be logged in via Microsoft Teams at the start of the regular school day (which varies by grade level). Regular class periods just like in person...50-55 minutes per class followed by a 5 minute break (same as the passing period at school). 50 minute lunch/study hall period. Each teacher will take attendance online, so you have to be there on time. If you're having Internet problems that day, call the school to tell them so they don't mark you absent by mistake. If your kid is not able to attend online because of illness, a parent calls the school attendance line just like you did last school year. Teachers will be doing much more real time/live sessions online with students, online lectures & Q&A sessions, some pre-recorded lessons, plus some offline assignments as well which you turn in online via Microsoft Teams.

Since DH & I are both working from home right now and now that I know that the kids will basically be using VOIP all day from 7:30 am until about 3-3:30 pm (start & end varies based on the kid), I'm going to have to switch to only dialing into my work calls, instead of attending them through my work VPN connection. Otherwise, we're going to run out of bandwidth here at home! Ah, logistics. Isn't it fun?

 

[HeatherC]

Yep. Just found out today, elementary students are going back to school full time in September, so I'll be at school.
My kids are in high school, so they will start out half time at school and half time online.

What state are you in if you don’t mind me asking. Curious as to what states are deciding based on their case numbers.

 

[HeatherC]

I attended a conference call late this afternoon hosted by the principal of our kids' school. The principal presented a bunch of logistical information about picking up school materials and schedules early next week in preparation for online instruction starting next Wednesday.

Interesting quick fun fact:
100% of parents completed the online form/survey where you had to designate which instructional method you want your kid(s) in for starting in early September, when in person instruction will begin the day after Labor Day. 70% of students' parents stated that they want their kids to continue online instruction. You can switch to the other instructional method at the end of each grading period if you so choose.

We selected in person instruction.

So you know what this means? Class size 1/3 of what it normally is. Way fewer total # of kids per teacher in the classroom, which translates to more individualized help for my kids and all the other kids who will be attending in person. I'm quite pleased. It's going to be easy as heck to socially distance, too.

Please no judgement. We have reasons for selecting the choice that we went with. In a nutshell, this is the option that is best for how my kids learn. And yes, everybody will be masking up. And taking temps every day in order to get into the school. And sanitizing your hands in front of a staff member before you can go in the building. I could go on and on with the details, but you get the idea. The administration has been very thorough.

Online instruction will require the kids to be logged in via Microsoft Teams at the start of the regular school day (which varies by grade level). Regular class periods just like in person...50-55 minutes per class followed by a 5 minute break (same as the passing period at school). 50 minute lunch/study hall period. Each teacher will take attendance online, so you have to be there on time. If you're having Internet problems that day, call the school to tell them so they don't mark you absent by mistake. If your kid is not able to attend online because of illness, a parent calls the school attendance line just like you did last school year. Teachers will be doing much more real time/live sessions online with students, online lectures & Q&A sessions, some pre-recorded lessons, plus some offline assignments as well which you turn in online via Microsoft Teams.

Since DH & I are both working from home right now and now that I know that the kids will basically be using VOIP all day from 7:30 am until about 3-3:30 pm (start & end varies based on the kid), I'm going to have to switch to only dialing into my work calls, instead of attending them through my work VPN connection. Otherwise, we're going to run out of bandwidth here at home! Ah, logistics. Isn't it fun?

What state are you in? Sounds like they have a solid plan and enough funds to actually implement this so that is great. I’m assuming teachers will be responsible ONLY for classroom instruction OR remote learning and not both? Did they have to hire more teachers? Wishing you a successful school year.

 

[Disneylover99]

What state are you in if you don’t mind me asking. Curious as to what states are deciding based on their case numbers.

Sorry. I’m not in the States. I’m in Canada. Our Premier made the back to school announcement for Ontario yesterday.

 

[quandrea]

I attended a conference call late this afternoon hosted by the principal of our kids' school. The principal presented a bunch of logistical information about picking up school materials and schedules early next week in preparation for online instruction starting next Wednesday.

Interesting quick fun fact:
100% of parents completed the online form/survey where you had to designate which instructional method you want your kid(s) in for starting in early September, when in person instruction will begin the day after Labor Day. 70% of students' parents stated that they want their kids to continue online instruction. You can switch to the other instructional method at the end of each grading period if you so choose.

We selected in person instruction.

So you know what this means? Class size 1/3 of what it normally is. Way fewer total # of kids per teacher in the classroom, which translates to more individualized help for my kids and all the other kids who will be attending in person. I'm quite pleased. It's going to be easy as heck to socially distance, too.

Please no judgement. We have reasons for selecting the choice that we went with. In a nutshell, this is the option that is best for how my kids learn. And yes, everybody will be masking up. And taking temps every day in order to get into the school. And sanitizing your hands in front of a staff member before you can go in the building. I could go on and on with the details, but you get the idea. The administration has been very thorough.

Online instruction will require the kids to be logged in via Microsoft Teams at the start of the regular school day (which varies by grade level). Regular class periods just like in person...50-55 minutes per class followed by a 5 minute break (same as the passing period at school). 50 minute lunch/study hall period. Each teacher will take attendance online, so you have to be there on time. If you're having Internet problems that day, call the school to tell them so they don't mark you absent by mistake. If your kid is not able to attend online because of illness, a parent calls the school attendance line just like you did last school year. Teachers will be doing much more real time/live sessions online with students, online lectures & Q&A sessions, some pre-recorded lessons, plus some offline assignments as well which you turn in online via Microsoft Teams.

Since DH & I are both working from home right now and now that I know that the kids will basically be using VOIP all day from 7:30 am until about 3-3:30 pm (start & end varies based on the kid), I'm going to have to switch to only dialing into my work calls, instead of attending them through my work VPN connection. Otherwise, we're going to run out of bandwidth here at home! Ah, logistics. Isn't it fun?

It’s the synchronous online learning that prompted my daughter to opt OUT of online learning. She doesn’t want online learning to follow in class learning with its rigid schedules and waiting for all the other kids. We got our plan yesterday— sounds much like this. Dd had noted online on her survey, but we’ve decided to pull her from the school system and finish up her education as a homeschool student. I think it will work well for her. She wants her independence. The Independent Learning Centre is a good fit.

Thanks for posting this detailed information for Ontario. The announcement was vague. It was very helpful to see what the actual action plan and deployment might look like. Reinforces that we’ve made the right choice.

 

[HeatherC]

Sorry. I’m not in the States. I’m in Canada. Our Premier made the back to school announcement for Ontario yesterday.

Thanks! It definitely helps to know where people are because then we have a reference point. Schools in NY or Chicago look a lot different than ones in WY, or SD.

So in Canada the Premier makes the decisions and not local school districts? Do they get a say in the decision making process?

 

[holden]

Last night our school board took away any choice parents have about their child's education this fall. They voted to offer only remote learning until it is deemed safe for students to enter the buildings for hybrid or in-person instruction.

Two weeks ago parents were asked to commit to one of three options: remote, hybrid or in-person. Our commitments were to be biding until January. I chose in-person. My daughter has an IEP and need to have individual attention from teachers and aides.

I'm not happy with what they did, but now they need to make remote learning effective for all students, not just those who do well in that format.

This year is going to be very challenging for many. What about the single parents who have to work and have elementary school kids? How are they supposed to do synchronous remote learning?

I offered to volunteer to help with any planning for the school year. I hope they take me up on my offer.

Edited to add: We are in PA in a suburb of Philadelphia.

 

[unrequited23]

70% of students' parents stated that they want their kids to continue online instruction.

15% of parents have signed students up for our district's online academy with the signup deadline on Monday. I was expecting the number to be higher. Though when I consider the participation rate in the spring (66% elementary, 33% high school) I guess it makes sense.

 

[amylevan]

15% of parents have signed students up for our district's online academy with the signup deadline on Monday. I was expecting the number to be higher. Though when I consider the participation rate in the spring (66% elementary, 33% high school) I guess it makes sense.

Ours is running around 20% choosing online. I would expect that variances in income has a lot to do with it. My school district is very blue collar. With both parents working labor-type jobs (ie not from home), most parents are going to need to send their kids whether they want to or not.

 

[HeatherC]

Just wondering if people mind sharing what state they are in? Helps to know what different areas of the country (or in Canada, etc. ) are doing based on their case counts.

Hearing a school district is opening full time in person in New York or Arizona means something a lot different than a district in South Dakota.

 

[Disneylover99]

Thanks! It definitely helps to know where people are because then we have a reference point. Schools in NY or Chicago look a lot different than ones in WY, or SD.

So in Canada the Premier makes the decisions and not local school districts? Do they get a say in the decision making process?

The Premier with the Minister of Education/Minister of Health makes the decisions/rules about the re-openings of schools throughout the Province. They consult the chief officer of health and other health specialists who look at numbers and trends.

The school boards have some flexibility in how they implement the rules. There are 72 school boards in Ontario. So now we just wait for further information/direction from our School board.

 

[soccerdad72]

Our county board of health came out yesterday with recommendations that all schools begin the semester online. We haven't heard from our son's high school, but I would imagine they'll follow whatever the board of health is recommending, so our opening plan will likely have to be adjusted (or just delayed until told otherwise).

 

[NannyBeBe]

I am very curious to see how the social distancing works with the children returning to school. Our district is giving all parents a choice of online from home or returning to the building and doing online in the classroom. My daughters have their rooms set up in a way that children will be sitting six feet apart. This is for those kids whose parents want their kids back in the building. They will be teaching from home with all the children on Zoom. There will be a monitor in the actual rooms to watch the kids. This all sounds well and good, and in a perfect world, with perfect children, it would be great. But my daughter who teaches third grade will testify that it will be impossible to keep the kids away from each other. And there will be that child who thinks it's funny to purposely remove his mask and cough in another kid's face.
Bottom line - it may be possible to keep the masks on because they like the masks, but they will not stay away from each other.

 

[VandVsmama]

What state are you in? Sounds like they have a solid plan and enough funds to actually implement this so that is great. I’m assuming teachers will be responsible ONLY for classroom instruction OR remote learning and not both? Did they have to hire more teachers? Wishing you a successful school year.

AZ. It's a charter school. I don't know if they hired more teachers.

 

[VandVsmama]

Last night our school board took away any choice parents have about their child's education this fall. They voted to offer only remote learning until it is deemed safe for students to enter the buildings for hybrid or in-person instruction.

Two weeks ago parents were asked to commit to one of three options: remote, hybrid or in-person. Our commitments were to be biding until January. I chose in-person. My daughter has an IEP and need to have individual attention from teachers and aides.

I'm not happy with what they did, but now they need to make remote learning effective for all students, not just those who do well in that format.

This year is going to be very challenging for many. What about the single parents who have to work and have elementary school kids? How are they supposed to do synchronous remote learning?

I offered to volunteer to help with any planning for the school year. I hope they take me up on my offer.

Edited to add: We are in PA in a suburb of Philadelphia.

I totally understand where you're coming from. My nephew has an IEP and needs a lot of individual help from additional teaching specialists and aides. His local school system didn't do a great job last year in handling his learning needs during the shut down. I feel frustrated for him and other kids like him because they will fall farther behind. He's in CA.