Are you sending your kids to school next month?

[PollyannaMom]

I'm a teacher & at my district the numbers are also about 50/50. I don't get why the school can't just open at the beginning of the year for that 50%, and teach the other 50% online.

Exactly! - If we let those who prefer virtual do virtual, it will greatly cut the in-person numbers, and make that safer as well.

Same with the idea that somehow only going to school in person will provide children with emotional well-being. There are introverts and extroverts among homeschooled kids, and similarly, there are introverts and extroverts in public schools.

Absolutely true! Some kids suffered from the lack of a "traditional" school environment, but I'm sure many thrived as well.

Please don't judge how last spring was to the coming up school year.

Amen! An emergency situation is very different than a situation that is planned for.

 

[monsterkitty]

We will make the decision based on the safety for our child. He is scheduled to be in 2-day a week preschool as of now but we will see. If we don't feel it is safe we will delay sending him. While it would be easier for us to concentrate on work if he was not here every day we manage and will continue to do so if necessary.

I am surprised at how poorly some districts did with remote teaching. I have been doing some of my MBA remote and find the medium great when implemented properly. Most industries had to implement new remote work functionality on the fly and did it quickly and successfully. Listening to educators online would make you think they were the only industry that had to make on the fly changes to how they deliver their services as opposed to being one of many industries that had to do this in a short amount of time. Anecdotally educators seem very resistant to moving to electronic teaching while most of the other professionals I work with had no real resistance to delivering their service remotely and electronically.

ETA: Even if schools open it is likely many will have to close in cycles so being able to shift between in-person and online seamlessly in both directions is what they should all be striving towards.

Many teachers at my school were paper-less in their classrooms so it was easier for them. Some subjects, like literacy, it wasn't possible to teach to the same standards they have in the classrooms because they didn't have access to books. For example, a teacher who was having her class read The Hunger Games could not continue with that lesson because the kids did not have access to the books. The district would not pay for the electronic versions of the books so the teachers get blamed.

Now for my classes I could do Zoom lessons but I could not send any music electronically because that would be breaking copywrite laws. Smart Music did upload some music for free, but it wasn't a lot and it wasn't the level for all of my groups.

Finally, we could not control what was going on in the homes of our students. Their parents were using the middle school students to babysit younger siblings. They were using the kids school-issued devices for their own jobs that did not give them a computer to work from, but was required to have. I received many emails from parents saying their kids could not play their instruments at home for various, legitimate reasons. One student emailed me because she knew she was failing all of her classes at that point because her parents were making her babysit her younger brothers, they were using her Chromebook, and in the evening her mom was making her help her study for her own classes. When I contacted the mom saying, "Hey, your DD has not completed any assignments for me or other teachers. Is there something we can do to help?" The mom's reply was that her DD was an 8th grader and school was not important at this point. I'm not the only teacher who had these conversations.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

It's been safe for grocery store employees, fast food, travel personnel, hospital personnel and the list goes on. We all made it work, yet teachers/schools can't.

I have to respectfully disagree with this statement. It hasn't been safe for essential workers. The first documented person to die of Covid in my county was a grocery store worker. Just last night, there was a news story about a nurse dying after getting exposed in her job. Healthcare workers all over the country are the getting virus. It's not that teachers and schools "can't make it work." We don't think it's safe. Back in March when we shut down, there was a small but growing number of cases in most states. For safety, we were told to teach from home. Now the cases are exploding all over and, in many states, show no signs of slowing down. And people want us to go back into classrooms? Why? Because it's August and that's when we always go back? That makes no sense. Our return needs to be based on science, not a calendar.

This is not a cold. People are dying from it. And since it such a new virus, no one really knows its long term effects. Even after recovery, patients are showing damage the the lungs, heart, kidneys, blood vessels and brain. It's not something to mess around with.

Our kids will get back to school eventually. As educators, we will work hard, use our skills and creative thinking to bridge the gap caused by the pandemic. In the meantime, we will do as much as we can to keep them learning, but from a distance.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

I respectfully disagree. I want them to go to school for a proper education.

This isn't meant to be argumentative - I'm genuinely curious. Do you really think in person, under these conditions will lead to a proper education? I can see it better at the high school level where they proposed AA/BB for hybrid, but the elementary school plan of AM/PM just feels like it would be a mess. 3 hours a day per cohort - with staggered arrivals and departures, mask issues and just general kid behavior, I have concerns over how much actual learning would be done.

I totally agree with you that in person is better than remote - for my kids at least - but that's under normal circumstances. I feel like nothing this year is going to give our kids the education they deserve or need.

My biggest concern is social interaction. I've seen my child's emotional and mental state deteriorate over the last four months because he can't be around people his own age, he can't play or interact with them. He is an only child so no siblings either. We work full time from home 5 days a week. We do as much as we can on the weekends and weeknights and as much as we can during the work day but it's not a lot.
His relationship with his father and I is totally different than his relationship and interaction with peers.

We send him to a private school, they transitioned brilliantly from in person to virtual when the quarantines began in early March. He continued to get an amazing education and I'm very grateful for that but he isn't getting peer to peer interaction that I think is VITAL for his development. He's under 7 - it's rough at this age to go from constant socialization to no one.

Edited to add: Not everyone wants schools to open for child care. That's an absurd broad brush assumption and says more about how people view education than it does about people who want the schools to open.

As above, not meant to be argumentative, but curious. Do you think in person, when socially distanced and with masks will give him the social interactions he needs? I understand as an only child even being around kids is better than by himself, but kids have all said they'd struggle with the idea that they could be in the same room as their friends, but not actually be around them. And this idea that kids would be playing on the playground by themselves - or without shared equipment just depresses me. I personally feel that it could make them feel more isolated because they can be around kids but not actually truly interact with any of them.

Now obviously my opinion is based on what's been presented by my own school districts, so it may not be the situation for others. As I've said, it doesn't matter if kids are in person or remote, they've being screwed in all of this. There are no perfect answers.

 

[mjkacmom]

My daughter is in Calc 3 and Physics 2 this year. So far they are still in person because they are smaller classes. Physics 2 is an honors segment, so they are trying very hard to keep it in person. I won't be the least bit shocked to see them end up online. But I'm hoping she at least gets a chance to meet the professor and a few classmates before it goes down, to make some connections before heading back to her apartment classroom.

As an engineering major, it's critical that she actually masters the course content rather than just getting through and getting an acceptable grade.

My daughter’s chemistry component was pretty bad with a TA, at one point her group ganged up on her a little on a zoom call, because they felt they weren’t getting good feedback on a group virtual project.

 

[lifesavacation]

Our district survey results were taken over a month ago before cases spiked. At the time, about 90% of teachers, parents, and students wanted in-person school. Since we’ve spiked and continue to rise, the district should really redo the survey. I would expect some change in the responses.

Updating my post. Our district sent a new survey today. They recognize that our county COVID situation has significantly changed.

 

[MrsBooch]

Do you think in person, when socially distanced and with masks will give him the social interactions he needs? I understand as an only child even being around kids is better than by himself, but kids have all said they'd struggle with the idea that they could be in the same room as their friends, but not actually be around them. And this idea that kids would be playing on the playground by themselves - or without shared equipment just depresses me. I personally feel that it could make them feel more isolated because they can be around kids but not actually truly interact with any of them.

I understand what you mean but I don't think this has to be an all or nothing deal. I don't think we should be comparing what recess looked like two years ago to what it might look like now. We can't ask kids to visualize this as a possibility with last year's actual data (i.e. running around on a playground mask free without a care in the world) and expect them to say anything but "that would be hard". Ultimately, I think children are extremely adaptable and I think they would be able to make it work and find creative ways to "come together" without coming together.
But I think it does more harm, I can only speak for our own child, who has been in daycare since 3 months, and sports, and after school activities, and stop everything and live inside a bubble without any interaction. I can tell you, he would rather be there, with a mask on, than in this house for another academic year having class over zoom and listening to me say "please be quiet i'm on a call".

 

[mjkacmom]

I understand what you mean but I don't think this has to be an all or nothing deal. I don't think we should be comparing what recess looked like two years ago to what it might look like now. We can't ask kids to visualize this as a possibility with last year's actual data (i.e. running around on a playground mask free without a care in the world) and expect them to say anything but "that would be hard". Ultimately, I think children are extremely adaptable and I think they would be able to make it work and find creative ways to "come together" without coming together.
But I think it does more harm, I can only speak for our own child, who has been in daycare since 3 months, and sports, and after school activities, and stop everything and live inside a bubble without any interaction. I can tell you, he would rather be there, with a mask on, than in this house for another academic year having class over zoom and listening to me say "please be quiet i'm on a call".

But you can make sure your child can safely socialize, I know here the playgrounds have re-opened. Do you have the contact information for his friends’ parents? See what is available in your area. My teens have been with friends a lot, only outside.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

This isn't meant to be argumentative - I'm genuinely curious. Do you really think in person, under these conditions will lead to a proper education? I can see it better at the high school level where they proposed AA/BB for hybrid, but the elementary school plan of AM/PM just feels like it would be a mess. 3 hours a day per cohort - with staggered arrivals and departures, mask issues and just general kid behavior, I have concerns over how much actual learning would be done.

I totally agree with you that in person is better than remote - for my kids at least - but that's under normal circumstances. I feel like nothing this year is going to give our kids the education they deserve or need.



As above, not meant to be argumentative, but curious. Do you think in person, when socially distanced and with masks will give him the social interactions he needs? I understand as an only child even being around kids is better than by himself, but kids have all said they'd struggle with the idea that they could be in the same room as their friends, but not actually be around them. And this idea that kids would be playing on the playground by themselves - or without shared equipment just depresses me. I personally feel that it could make them feel more isolated because they can be around kids but not actually truly interact with any of them.

Now obviously my opinion is based on what's been presented by my own school districts, so it may not be the situation for others. As I've said, it doesn't matter if kids are in person or remote, they've being screwed in all of this. There are no perfect answers.

This is what I’ve explained to my daughter. I honestly think it’s going to create a bunch of over anxious kids.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

I understand what you mean but I don't think this has to be an all or nothing deal. I don't think we should be comparing what recess looked like two years ago to what it might look like now. We can't ask kids to visualize this as a possibility with last year's actual data (i.e. running around on a playground mask free without a care in the world) and expect them to say anything but "that would be hard". Ultimately, I think children are extremely adaptable and I think they would be able to make it work and find creative ways to "come together" without coming together.
But I think it does more harm, I can only speak for our own child, who has been in daycare since 3 months, and sports, and after school activities, and stop everything and live inside a bubble without any interaction. I can tell you, he would rather be there, with a mask on, than in this house for another academic year having class over zoom and listening to me say "please be quiet i'm on a call".

Fair enough. And I truly appreciate you answering.

I agree kids are adaptable, but I'm not confident they're as adaptable as we think. I personally think the worry over distance and masks and a friend getting too close, in addition to being with only half their class, will lead to anxiety for a lot of them.

I know a lot of parents here are making their own cohorts to do distance learning together. And for us personally, it's much safer to allow them socially distanced play dates/get togethers with their own friends than sticking them in a classroom of peers they may or may not enjoy being around. And that still allows them the social interaction. But again, that's a personal thought, so I know not the way everybody else will see it.

 

[billlaurie]

This is what I’ve explained to my daughter. I honestly think it’s going to create a bunch of over anxious kids.

I agree so much. And germaphobes. Mental health fields are going to be making out big time after this passes.

 

[MrsBooch]

But you can make sure your child can safely socialize, I know here the playgrounds have re-opened. Do you have the contact information for his friends’ parents? See what is available in your area. My teens have been with friends a lot, only outside.

I do have contact information of parents but there isn't a whole lot open here for them to do and these kids aren't teenagers. They're between the ages of 5-6. So we can't just leave them outside to mingle. He's doing small group golf lessons with a friend and that's one day a week. We try to go to the pool as well but I'm not looking for alternatives to being in school I'm explaining why I think school is important.

His school plans on operating within small cohorts - class size no larger than 16 with two teachers, each teacher has 8 children and that's their cohort. They do their activities, school day, and play time all within that cohort. Their specialty classes take place in the homeroom (languages, math, literacy) and where they have to move out of their homeroom or be around other cohorts outside of their own they need to wear masks. They've fitted each classroom and specialty space with cameras to accodomate for remote learning or teaching (where teachers arent comfortable coming in so they teach from their home, but the kids are in class) I'm confident that they'll move forward.

But one or two play dates after work or on a weekend doesn't cut it.

Fair enough. And I truly appreciate you answering.

I agree kids are adaptable, but I'm not confident they're as adaptable as we think. I personally think the worry over distance and masks and a friend getting too close, in addition to being with only half their class, will lead to anxiety for a lot of them.

I know a lot of parents here are making their own cohorts to do distance learning together. And for us personally, it's much safer to allow them socially distanced play dates/get togethers with their own friends than sticking them in a classroom of peers they may or may not enjoy being around. And that still allows them the social interaction. But again, that's a personal thought, so I know not the way everybody else will see it.

see my answer above re: how his school plans to handle this - small cohort learning.

I know a lot of parents are doing a lot of different things. As of now, this is our plan. Per the title of the thread. Are you sending your kids to school next month - as of now yes (technically in september).

 

[ddkkanders]

Students temps will be taken before they are allowed to enter school. Did all those people who passed the cashiers in a grocery store have a temperature check??? Those grocery clerks were exposed to alot more people then a teacher would be exposed to. Follow safe precautions, like medical professionals and everyone else that has to go to work.

I believe this is the relevant part of your statement “has to go to work”. A grocery store clerk can’t do their job remotely, but a teacher can. Why should the teachers have to put themselves in a situation where they can‘t be safe when it isn’t necessary?

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I believe this is the relevant part of your statement “has to go to work”. A grocery store clerk can’t do their job remotely, but a teacher can. Why should the teachers have to put themselves in a situation where they can‘t be safe when it isn’t necessary?

I would disagree with a teacher can do their job remotely when you're discussing generalities. Just as everyone has different ways of learning that works best for them so do teachers. I would assume teachers who are through online schools or professors who teach online courses chose that for a reason--that they felt they could teach that way.

Maybe most things could be taught online whereas a cashier can't remotely check you out at Walmart I agree with you there but that doesn't mean a teacher as in personally feels they can teach online.

I think the hard part is weighing have to vs voluntary. You're never going to get consensus that 100% of all teachers want in-person or distance learning throughout the U.S. That much is true. Some feel very strongly on both sides. The education system is not exactly like corporate world who may be more easily able to just say "so who wants to stay home?" thus compounding this issue further.

 

[sk!mom]

Edited to add: Not everyone wants schools to open for child care. That's an absurd broad brush assumption and says more about how people view education than it does about people who want the schools to open.

I never said “everyone” but for “many” parents, school is their normal childcare so it is definitely a part, and in some cases, 100% of the decision maker.

 

[LiteBrite]

Our county school board gave parents 3 choices - traditional (in person), remote, or virtual. School was scheduled to start August 10, but apparently so many people opted for remote or virtual that they've put the start date 2 weeks later on August 24, to give them time to train teachers for the remote and virtual options.

 

[AndreaA]

I believe this is the relevant part of your statement “has to go to work”. A grocery store clerk can’t do their job remotely, but a teacher can. Why should the teachers have to put themselves in a situation where they can‘t be safe when it isn’t necessary?

But they really, really can’t. Most teachers are not trained to teach remotely, and from what I saw in our district, they are NOT good at it. I believe “unmitigated disaster” was one of the comments a parent made on a survey this summer. However, I don’t think anyone should force all students back to school - or all teachers, for that matter. Anyone who wants to stay home, they get distance learning with the teachers who opt to stay home. Everyone who goes to school has the teachers who want to be there - and likely much smaller classes to boot.

Teachers want their profession to be seen as one of the most important in the world (and I tend to agree that it is right up there) and unfortunately that comes with the same responsibilities as any front-line worker. NONE of us ”signed up for this” and I’m getting tired of hearing that over and over again.

Admittedly I am in an area with about 500 active cases in the state, decreasing numbers, 82% of fatalities were in LTC facilities and only 2% of cases have been in people under 18 - most in their teens. If I was in Florida or Arizona, I would likely feel differently.

 

[LSUmiss]

No country in the world has opened up their schools with such massive community spread. We’ll look back on this whole nightmare years from now with horror at how incredibly stupid we were as a nation. We’ll look at the bad decisions made along the way. And rushing to open up our schools as our cases were surging will be at the top of the list.

AstraZeneca has announced the three countries where they will begin “challenge testing” the vaccine they are developing in Oxford. They chose Brazil, South Africa and the United States of America. Those countries were chosen because that have massive community spread. I thought we were supposed to be making everything great...instead, we have a pandemic response of a third world country. We should be outraged.

You can’t open schools in that environment. Not safely. It’s just not all that difficult to predict how this is going to go. In a country where we’re divided over masks and have prioritized opening bars and theme parks over schools....well, you reap what you sow. We’ve planted “stupid”, and so now we’re reaping pain.

This! We had a record number of deaths in my state today & yet some districts are still planning to open for in-person learning in less than a month!

 

[SaintsManiac]

This! We had a record number of deaths in my state today & yet some districts are still planning to open for in-person learning in less than a month!

it’s insanity.

 

[LSUmiss]

But they really, really can’t. Most teachers are not trained to teach remotely, and from what I saw in our district, they are NOT good at it. I believe “unmitigated disaster” was one of the comments a parent made on a survey this summer. However, I don’t think anyone should force all students back to school - or all teachers, for that matter. Anyone who wants to stay home, they get distance learning with the teachers who opt to stay home. Everyone who goes to school has the teachers who want to be there - and likely much smaller classes to boot.

Teachers want their profession to be seen as one of the most important in the world (and I tend to agree that it is right up there) and unfortunately that comes with the same responsibilities as any front-line worker. NONE of us ”signed up for this” and I’m getting tired of hearing that over and over again.

Admittedly I am in an area with about 500 active cases in the state, decreasing numbers, 82% of fatalities were in LTC facilities and only 2% of cases have been in people under 18 - most in their teens. If I was in Florida or Arizona, I would likely feel differently.

The difference is other front line workers cannot possibly work from home. Teachers & school staff can even if that’s not as effective. It’s not permanent.