Are you sending your kids to school next month?

[Renarr]

The <10 cases per 100,000 residents. The population of the county is 171,000, so less than 17 active cases in the county in order to move to the next phase. And since an "active case" is considered any positive test result in the previous 14 days, a person with multiple positive tests is one case for each test. There are counties in this state that have had single digit cases for the entire pandemic that are considered "Areas of High COVID Activity."

It would have been nice if the had published the metrics for each of the different phases (I couldn't find them with a search), but my read on the <10 cases per 100,000 residents was that this was the target for resuming full in-person instruction, if they're willing to do hybrid instruction with their current load of 120ish cases per 100,000.

Our governor, on the other hand, is indicating no high school hybrids until <25 cases per 100,000 resident. We haven't been there since mid-March, and as a few more things here and there open up, this doesn't seem like it's going to happen anytime soon.

 

[EACarlson]

It would have been nice if the had published the metrics for each of the different phases (I couldn't find them with a search), but my read on the <10 cases per 100,000 residents was that this was the target for resuming full in-person instruction, if they're willing to do hybrid instruction with their current load of 120ish cases per 100,000.

Our governor, on the other hand, is indicating no high school hybrids until <25 cases per 100,000 resident. We haven't been there since mid-March, and as a few more things here and there open up, this doesn't seem like it's going to happen anytime soon.

This is the addendum to the previously adopted plan for the district for this year. https://docs.google.com/document/d/19BFv87OeZWAewqK_DfwLtd3DjqrixduAoUq_qVDM82w/edit The first paragraph says there are not hard and fast rules as to what will cause a change between models. I believe the Governor either misspoke or was outright deceptive when he chose the metric he is using to define "High Levels of COVID Activity." Under his method, which the counties and school districts are using by default, two positive tests per day puts my county into the high category. Compare that with what NY and IL is using for their definition, which would be 17. Using NY's methodology, the number would in my county would be 8.9

 

[BlueStarryHat]

My aunt is a school bus aide and the kids are going back on September 8th. She has to wear a mask, gloves, and a face shield. She is not allowed to touch or aid a child with their seatbelt. There are to be no more than 11 kids on each bus. Kids must wear masks. I need to add that my aunt is a bus aide for kids with special needs, mostly kids on the spectrum. She feels that most of them will not keep their masks on, or will fiddle with them. In a "normal" year, she has to be close to the kids to help them when they need physical reassurance or other things that require touching them.

She says that all of the rules sound fine and dandy on paper, but they are counting on children not being, well, children.

 

[JM23457]

I hope that you FULLY understand your child is just as likely to be one of those "some" as it is to be some nameless stranger's child. This isn't some abstract concept we are talking about - it is your children, your neighbors' children, your kids' friends and your family members.

It doesn't matter if it's the child of a stranger or a child I know. Objectively, every child has the same value. As a mother and a teacher, I FULLY understand the academic and social damage that school closure has on my son, on one of my son's friends, on several students I have taught, and on millions of other American children. The children who are hurt the most are those who are already disadvantaged: those with disabilities, less available parents, and/or economic disadvantages that make home learning much less effective, and who NEED (not just want) the social experiences that they will only get at school.

 

[Pyotr]

Two of my children started school last Monday and my youngest has been going to daycare since June 1st.

 

[sk!mom]

It doesn't matter of it's the child of a stranger or a child I know. Objectively, every child has the same value. As a mother and a teacher, I FULLY understand the academic and social damage that school closure has on my son, on one of my son's friends, on several students I have taught, and on millions of other American children. The children who are hurt the most are those who are already disadvantaged: those with disabilities, less available parents, and/or economic disadvantages that make home learning much less effective, and who NEED (not just want) the social experiences that they will only get at school.

I honestly think that many are overstating the experience of public education. Much in the same way that we forget all the negatives, and only remember the positives, when someone passes.

Being inside a school building for hours daily is a stressful experience for many and there is a lot of time “wasted.” Wasted isn’t really the word I want but it’s the fact that it takes a lot more time to accomplish learning goals in a room of 20. Lots of time goes to management. The same learning can be much more quickly accomplished at home for many.

It seems at my school, the 50-55% who needed school to start so they could work without the constant stress of childcare sent their kids back last week. The other 45-50% choose to stay home and accomplish school in 3 hours a day without masks And Covid weirdness. It’s a Title I school so we aren’t talking about people of means here. Many of the students that I worried the most about and would consider the most disadvantaged, did not come back.

I’m also confused about all the talk of social. Yes, that is a part of pre Covid school. It’s much less a part now. At my school, kids stay with only their class all day, even recess. For most classes that means you are with 5-12 students all day. It’s simply luck of the draw whether or not you have friends in there. Even lunch, which would normally be social, is now eaten behind a divider with little chance to visit. My kids are grown but I think that I would have come up with some friend interaction options in the last 6 months if they were young. I know several families who allowed a friend or two to come and hang out in the back yard or go on bike rides.

 

[paisleys]

Mine started school two weeks ago...5 days in, their class met the requirements for two week quarantine. They had been wearing masks and the school followed rules, but a student was sick and tested positive. Just like that--all 7 of the girl's classes, her bus route and entire sports team are under quarantine. My kids are also missing two weeks of their sport and volunteering. They've left the house once in the past 8 days and that was to get Covid tests (came back negative). When their home confinement sentence ends, I am keeping them home for remote learning indefinitely. It's not worth going through this again (and again).

 

[lil mermaid]

My aunt is a school bus aide and the kids are going back on September 8th. She has to wear a mask, gloves, and a face shield. She is not allowed to touch or aid a child with their seatbelt. There are to be no more than 11 kids on each bus. Kids must wear masks. I need to add that my aunt is a bus aide for kids with special needs, mostly kids on the spectrum. She feels that most of them will not keep their masks on, or will fiddle with them. In a "normal" year, she has to be close to the kids to help them when they need physical reassurance or other things that require touching them.

She says that all of the rules sound fine and dandy on paper, but they are counting on children not being, well, children.

Our school started with the special needs students in person this week (everyone else is still online.) I subbed for one of the paraprofessionals and most of the kiddos were really, really good with their masks. All day. These are kids with Autism and other conditions. I think we need to have higher expectations and not expect them to fail.

 

[JM23457]

I honestly think that many are overstating the experience of public education. Much in the same way that we forget all the negatives, and only remember the positives, when someone passes.

Being inside a school building for hours daily is a stressful experience for many and there is a lot of time “wasted.” Wasted isn’t really the word I want but it’s the fact that it takes a lot more time to accomplish learning goals in a room of 20. Lots of time goes to management. The same learning can be much more quickly accomplished at home for many.

It seems at my school, the 50-55% who needed school to start so they could work without the constant stress of childcare sent their kids back last week. The other 45-50% choose to stay home and accomplish school in 3 hours a day without masks And Covid weirdness. It’s a Title I school so we aren’t talking about people of means here. Many of the students that I worried the most about and would consider the most disadvantaged, did not come back.

I’m also confused about all the talk of social. Yes, that is a part of pre Covid school. It’s much less a part now. At my school, kids stay with only their class all day, even recess. For most classes that means you are with 5-12 students all day. It’s simply luck of the draw whether or not you have friends in there. Even lunch, which would normally be social, is now eaten behind a divider with little chance to visit. My kids are grown but I think that I would have come up with some friend interaction options in the last 6 months if they were young. I know several families who allowed a friend or two to come and hang out in the back yard or go on bike rides.

You are glossing over and disregarding all of the good that is done in schools. What a pity that some people have so little respect for all that is done for students there.

 

[sk!mom]

You are glossing over and disregarding all of the good that is done in schools. What a pity that some people have so little respect for all that is done for students there.

Nope! I’m a teacher and well aware of all the good that happens at school. I’m simply speaking to the fact that it’s not all easy breezy for all students. I am very happy to be back even with how weird it is But I also do not think we should be back. I can be both at the same time.

No lack of respect here for what I and my coworkers do just being really honest about what it is like now with Covid. If a school is taking any where near the precautions that should be taken it is far from normal. It’s actually sad to see kids eating lunch behind a divider. And shouting across a playground to the friend in another class because they aren’t allowed in that area.

Whether you see it or not, school is a stress point for those who don’t easily fit into the norms.

 

[quandrea]

Nope! I’m a teacher and well aware of all the good that happens at school. I’m simply speaking to the fact that it’s not all easy breezy for all students. I am very happy to be back even with how weird it is But I also do not think we should be back. I can be both at the same time.

No lack of respect here for what I and my coworkers do just being really honest about what it is like now with Covid. If a school is taking any where near the precautions that should be taken it is far from normal. It’s actually sad to see kids eating lunch behind a divider. And shouting across a playground to the friend in another class because they aren’t allowed in that area.

Whether you see it or not, school is a stress point for those who don’t easily fit into the norms.

I too am a teacher and everything you wrote rang so true. Not negative, just realistic and honest.

 

[sk!mom]

I too am a teacher and everything you wrote rang so true. Not negative, just realistic and honest.

Thank you for understanding that it’s possible to see (and strive to be) “the good” daily while still recognizing that there are some definite negatives for some.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Well we had our first full week of virtual last week and we were really settling into a groove. Teachers are doing a fantastic job keeping kids engaged and being attentive to both virtual and in person kids. Now school is closed for 2 days for the first of 2 hurricanes that were coming right at us. I expect them to remain closed until at least Thursday since the 2nd hurricane might actually do something to us.

Now we'll have to start all over with a routine next week. I hate 2020.

 

[BlueStarryHat]

I think we need to have higher expectations and not expect them to fail.

Not what I stated in my post, nor inferred.

My aunt has the same children every year. She knows them all very well, and if she thinks there are kids on her bus who won't wear the mask, I have to go with her opinion.

 

[sk!mom]

I honestly think that many are overstating the experience of public education. Much in the same way that we forget all the negatives, and only remember the positives, when someone passes.

Being inside a school building for hours daily is a stressful experience for many and there is a lot of time “wasted.” Wasted isn’t really the word I want but it’s the fact that it takes a lot more time to accomplish learning goals in a room of 20. Lots of time goes to management. The same learning can be much more quickly accomplished at home for many.

It seems at my school, the 50-55% who needed school to start so they could work without the constant stress of childcare sent their kids back last week. The other 45-50% choose to stay home and accomplish school in 3 hours a day without masks And Covid weirdness. It’s a Title I school so we aren’t talking about people of means here. Many of the students that I worried the most about and would consider the most disadvantaged, did not come back.

I’m also confused about all the talk of social. Yes, that is a part of pre Covid school. It’s much less a part now. At my school, kids stay with only their class all day, even recess. For most classes that means you are with 5-12 students all day. It’s simply luck of the draw whether or not you have friends in there. Even lunch, which would normally be social, is now eaten behind a divider with little chance to visit. My kids are grown but I think that I would have come up with some friend interaction options in the last 6 months if they were young. I know several families who allowed a friend or two to come and hang out in the back yard or go on bike rides.

Quoting my own post because I ran across an article today that supports it.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.com/news/amp/uk-53884401

 

[momz]

Quoting my own post because I ran across an article today that supports it.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.com/news/amp/uk-53884401

I can anectdotally agree with the article as regards my 16 year old son. His anxiety was the worst he’s ever experienced last spring and then school closed. Gradually, he settled and I started seeing the happy go lucky boy that I once knew. Now, he’s been back to school for 3 weeks. I am withdrawing him from school and will he enrolling him in an online school instead. He is not thriving at traditional school setting.

 

[TikiTikiFan]

Nope! I’m a teacher and well aware of all the good that happens at school. I’m simply speaking to the fact that it’s not all easy breezy for all students. I am very happy to be back even with how weird it is But I also do not think we should be back. I can be both at the same time.

No lack of respect here for what I and my coworkers do just being really honest about what it is like now with Covid. If a school is taking any where near the precautions that should be taken it is far from normal. It’s actually sad to see kids eating lunch behind a divider. And shouting across a playground to the friend in another class because they aren’t allowed in that area.

Whether you see it or not, school is a stress point for those who don’t easily fit into the norms.

I too am a teacher and everything you wrote rang so true. Not negative, just realistic and honest.

I am also a teacher and I agree with everything you wrote too. While not ideal, we can make remote learning a positive experience if we stop vilifying it.

I never thought I’d say this but thank goodness for Fortnite, being able to voice chat with his friends has been a lifesaver for my son.

 

[Kestryl]

Well surprise- classes started in-person at my husband’s school Monday, and some idiotic parent sent their kid to school when the kid had a positive test. They even told the school, but the kid still made it through half of their classes before a teacher realized the kid was on the positive list.

And a few of the students went to admin over the last few days to ask to switch to virtual, since school isn’t as fun as it used to be. Well duh. Parents are complaining their kids don’t get to socialize... again, duh. Not sure what they expected.

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

In person classes started today at my little private JK - 8 school. I’m still out on medical leave, so I wasn’t there today, but one of my middle school teacher friends texted me. She found a backpack left in her classroom at the end of the day. She opened it and looked inside to figure out who it belonged to and found a bottle of Children’s Tylenol Fever Reducer!!!! She turned the backpack over to the principal. First, kids are not allowed to have any kind of medication in their possession at my school. All meds must be turned in to the school nurse with the appropriate paperwork. Second, fever reducer?!??!!! I hope to God that kid didn’t have a fever the parents were masking with Tylenol!!!!!!

 

[momz]

In person classes started today at my little private JK - 8 school. I’m still out on medical leave, so I wasn’t there today, but one of my middle school teacher friends texted me. She found a backpack left in her classroom at the end of the day. She opened it and looked inside to figure out who it belonged to and found a bottle of Children’s Tylenol Fever Reducer!!!! She turned the backpack over to the principal. First, kids are not allowed to have any kind of medication in their possession at my school. All meds must be turned in to the school nurse with the appropriate paperwork. Second, fever reducer?!??!!! I hope to God that kid didn’t have a fever the parents were masking with Tylenol!!!!!!

I completely understand why schools have this rule, and other rules. Its a societal problem. A tylenol bottle can be used to conceal some other drug. I hate that our society has dropped to such lows that it results in honest kids having to carry the consequence. Some kids do drugs, so no kids can carry their own tylenol, ibuprofen, eye drops or even hand lotion. Some kids shoot up schools, so no kids can return to their car after enter the school. Some kids search for porn on their phones, or use the phone to cyberbully, so no kids can use their phones during the school day (even though I have had teachers tell me to have my child us his phone to track assignments...mixed messages). Some kids bring alcohol to school in their water bottles, so all kids may use only clear bottles. Lockers and backpacks carry their own issues too. Heck, even simply using the bathroom is not a normal process for kids in school, they need "permission" to relieve themselves.

My point is, perhaps the child has tylenol for another purpose, it is also a pain reliever. Bottom line, the kid was breaking the rules to have it and it's a shame that this rule has to even exist. You can't trust people to make logical and rational decisions. Too many are skirting the rules. Meanwhile, the administration/teachers also skirt the rules. Mixed messages, and policies not being adhered to.