Are you sending your kids to school next month?

[SamFaniam]

Um, many, many places do not have that kind of testing available. If they do, it may be 8 days or more before they get their results back. So at school for a week...oh a cold, so out for 8 days. I'm back. Next month, allergies kick in...oops, out another 8 days. Learning is just going to be a mess.

I don’t have a school-age child, but I went to our states testing site just to see what would be available. In my city there is one location that specializes in testing pediatric patients. They are open for a total of three hours a week spread out over two days. They do not guarantee when results will be provided.

 

[anniemae]

Um, many, many places do not have that kind of testing available. If they do, it may be 8 days or more before they get their results back. So at school for a week...oh a cold, so out for 8 days. I'm back. Next month, allergies kick in...oops, out another 8 days. Learning is just going to be a mess.

Such a mess.

I think they are trying to roll out more of the rapid tests. Some tests have results in 45 minutes. Others it takes days. Depending on the demand, it can take many many days, as you said. Even if you have symptoms, then they clear up before the test comes back, it's my understanding they can't return to school until the results are back.

Every cough and cold symptom will require testing and/or 14 days of quarantine. For a cold. I understand there is no way around it, but it's just a hassle for parents, especially working parents who have to take time off to go to the testing site, then the dr. if the test is negative but the child is still symptomatic. then multiple days off waiting for the results. It's going to be a long year.........

 

[JM23457]

But we see these young couples move into our neighborhood, before they have kids, and soon find out that they can't afford it once the kids come. They did not factor in the costs of daycare or one parent staying home. These are important things to run the numbers and figure out before hand. I always tell young couples to live off of one income because you never know what will happen.

Your comments and tone are disapproving of 2-income families. You're telling people that the ideal is the 1-income family, and you're assuming that those who opt for 2-income haven't carefully thought things out. That's what's causing the negative reaction. You aren't showing full respect for their different life choice.

Btw, maybe those couples are planning for their future children when they move into the nice neighborhood, the one with the better schools than the poorer neighborhood. And they put their children's education first. You don't seem to have considered how closely school quality is tied to neighborhood cost in many communities throughout the U.S. As a mother and a teacher who has taught in very different parts of town in one city for 20 years, I know from experience that can be a huge issue.

 

[Searc]

I am late to this thread but I agree with you with the one adult working model. When my hubby and I first got married almost 25 years ago, we decided that we did not want to put our kids in daycare just to have more. We geared our life on 1 income. We bought a smaller house, cheaper cars that we kept for years, cooked at home, shop at Walmart, etc. Our kids are 18 and & 19 now and we still live off of 1 income. Even though I went back to work part time when the kids were older, we use that money as splurge vacation and savings. Many people that we know have both parents that work and they don't really seem to be much better off then we are. My daughter will be going to college, but she is an adult and understands that she needs to follow safety measures. My hubby and I actually talked about this recently and we both agreed that if our kids where still young, that we would not have sent them to school this year. We would have figured out a way to get them educated. I don't think it is safe enough to be in a school setting, especially with the younger ones. Our first priority is our kids' safety.

Same for me, all of what you said.

 

[kandb]

I am late to this thread but I agree with you with the one adult working model. When my hubby and I first got married almost 25 years ago, we decided that we did not want to put our kids in daycare just to have more. We geared our life on 1 income. We bought a smaller house, cheaper cars that we kept for years, cooked at home, shop at Walmart, etc. Our kids are 18 and & 19 now and we still live off of 1 income. Even though I went back to work part time when the kids were older, we use that money as splurge vacation and savings. Many people that we know have both parents that work and they don't really seem to be much better off then we are. My daughter will be going to college, but she is an adult and understands that she needs to follow safety measures. My hubby and I actually talked about this recently and we both agreed that if our kids where still young, that we would not have sent them to school this year. We would have figured out a way to get them educated. I don't think it is safe enough to be in a school setting, especially with the younger ones. Our first priority is our kids' safety.

I live in a upper middle class area and for my job visit daycares at times. I know some people have to put their children in daycare to be able to afford to live a decent life but I can't tell you how many people are dropping their kids off in $80K Cadillac Escalades. It's all about priorities that the parents have. The reality is some parents don't want to be home full time with their children and that is their choice, however, I give credit to the parents who don't have the nicest cars, houses etc. because they decided to have a parent at home raising their children full-time.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Aside from the mess of distance learning, children can and do die from COVID. A little girl with no underlying conditions died in Florida just this past week.

 

[CarolAnn856]

I do believe that the posted that single parent's would need child care. That is a given. I do feel that everyone needs to do what is right for their family. My point was that I think many feel like they need to have both incomes to be able to survive. We are older now and have a greater income so we are in a nicer house then what we started, as it normally goes. But we see these young couples move into our neighborhood, before they have kids, and soon find out that they can't afford it once the kids come. They did not factor in the costs of daycare or one parent staying home. These are important things to run the numbers and figure out before hand. I always tell young couples to live off of one income because you never know what will happen.

You act like the only reason that, in many families, both parents work is because they just didn't plan well. I can't respect that attitude. My husband and I were fortunate enough that we were able to plan for that, and that's what we both wanted. Others take different paths, sometimes out of need and sometimes out of desire to do so. Quit judging them all as if you have some second sight telling you that they just suck at planning. Maybe they chose a more expensive area for the excellent schools. Maybe they both want to work. Maybe they have expenses you don't know about. Maybe it's really none of your business. I was on your side at first, but I was clearly wrong to do so.

 

[LSUmiss]

Such a mess.

I think they are trying to roll out more of the rapid tests. Some tests have results in 45 minutes. Others it takes days. Depending on the demand, it can take many many days, as you said. Even if you have symptoms, then they clear up before the test comes back, it's my understanding they can't return to school until the results are back.

Every cough and cold symptom will require testing and/or 14 days of quarantine. For a cold. I understand there is no way around it, but it's just a hassle for parents, especially working parents who have to take time off to go to the testing site, then the dr. if the test is negative but the child is still symptomatic. then multiple days off waiting for the results. It's going to be a long year.........

Which to me is why virtual is the way to go again right now. Kids are going to miss so much school for stuff like this right now.

 

[Frwinkley]

As a 3rd grade teacher, I want everyone to be considerate of the teachers; their fears/stresses, etc. seem to be lost in all of this. I am pretty comfortable going back to in-person instruction, however, many of my co-workers are not.

My biggest concern is the mask issue. If you expect me to get close enough to help your child, I should be able to request that your child put his mask on. My district is saying that kids can take their masks off when they are seated and working independently at their desks, which are placed 6 ft apart. I agree completely with this. However, there are not many lower elementary students that can work independently all day long. I will kneel on the floor next to your child to help them, but they must put their mask back on. I should be able to request this without any backlash from parents. I'm afraid our administration will also not be supportive.

 

[FigmentSpark]

As a 3rd grade teacher, I want everyone to be considerate of the teachers; their fears/stresses, etc. seem to be lost in all of this. I am pretty comfortable going back to in-person instruction, however, many of my co-workers are not.

My biggest concern is the mask issue. If you expect me to get close enough to help your child, I should be able to request that your child put his mask on. My district is saying that kids can take their masks off when they are seated and working independently at their desks, which are placed 6 ft apart. I agree completely with this. However, there are not many lower elementary students that can work independently all day long. I will kneel on the floor next to your child to help them, but they must put their mask back on. I should be able to request this without any backlash from parents. I'm afraid our administration will also not be supportive.

And... wait until the first of your third graders comes in or over to your desk with tears in her eyes wanting reassurance or even just because they are feeling so alone in the crowd or fearful. It's going to be tough on teachers because they are more than just teachers.

 

[jlwhitney]

Aside from the mess of distance learning, children can and do die from COVID. A little girl with no underlying conditions died in Florida just this past week.

and there are rising suspicions that there is more to the story.

 

[Happyinwonerland]

Aside from the mess of distance learning, children can and do die from COVID. A little girl with no underlying conditions died in Florida just this past week.

I saw that, very sad

 

[Happyinwonerland]

and there are rising suspicions that there is more to the story.

Source?

 

[barkley]

Many parents don't want to take one of their vacation or personal days to be home with their child. How many people get fired for taking a sick day. I don't know any people who get NO sick days!

No reason to get snippy. Of course it doesn't matter if I know them or not, I find it hard to believe so many get NO sick days. Are these people who are working, working on the books? I thought a company has to provide it's employees with sick days by law? I am wondering what jobs these 32% Americans do?

re. vacation usage or personal days off-most employers that even offer it have policies in place such that it requires a minimum number of days preapproval. while i think it should be available to use for self/family member's sickness it's rare that an employer would permit it usage same day as often is the case when day care calls to advise a parent of a child's illness or when a parent discovers a child is ill in the morning when getting ready to drop off/go to work. that's the case for those WITH vacation, personal or sick leave. with the exception of civil service, unionized or professional positions within industry that is competing for staff it is not unusual for employers to not even offer paid leave of any kind. jobs that offer paid sick leave can put severe restrictions on it as well.

before i retired i supervised civil service staff in dshs. good paying jobs/good paying paid time off (at retirement i was at the low end of accruals b/c i had fewer years than most in the system-5 weeks per year paid vacation/personal time off and another 12 days per year paid sick time. one of the biggest regular arguments i would get into with h/r was over their directives that i had to write up staff who utilized over a certain percentage of their sick leave accruals in a given quarter. i had staff with hundreds of hours of sick leave on the books but if it was a quarter where the flu or cold season was going through the schools and their kids were getting it (and sharing it with their siblings) and they used so much as 20 hours of the 24 they accrued they were put on a warning. it was doubly despicable b/c we worked with the public who were often sick themselves when they came to us seeking the then only hand issued medicaid cards they needed to seek medical service. i would like to think things have changed in almost 20 years since my retirement but my oldest's employer has a point system that dings their staff each time they use their identical sick leave accruals so it's still happening.

Yes. Ours are starting remote, but we just got the Covid hand book for return to school and they are requiring a doctor’s note to return to school after ANY illness, Covid-like or not. I can’t imagine the headache that’s going to cause for all involved.

this is identical to what some employers are doing, and yes-doctor's offices are getting slammed. my oldest's employer requires anyone who displays a "symptom common to covid" to go to the doctors, get a covid test (doctor has to write a note if test is denied and document why). wait till negative result test returns or if no test a minimum of 72 hours at which point they have to establish ANOTHER 72 period of time absent any covid common symptoms. my kid was off work (thankfully on their dime) 2 1/2 weeks due to seasonal allergies (sneezing and coughing). the doctor's offices are getting slammed with employees of businesses instituting identical practices.

 

[godisney14]

Such a mess.

I think they are trying to roll out more of the rapid tests. Some tests have results in 45 minutes. Others it takes days. Depending on the demand, it can take many many days, as you said. Even if you have symptoms, then they clear up before the test comes back, it's my understanding they can't return to school until the results are back.

Every cough and cold symptom will require testing and/or 14 days of quarantine. For a cold. I understand there is no way around it, but it's just a hassle for parents, especially working parents who have to take time off to go to the testing site, then the dr. if the test is negative but the child is still symptomatic. then multiple days off waiting for the results. It's going to be a long year.........

Same at our school district. Before most of CA was told to go all virtual, the hybrid plan had guidelines such as what you mentioned. They were going to take very strict precautions to minimize potential for cases on campus.

If a child was sick showing ANY cold/flu-like symptoms, the child is required to be picked up immediately (or kept at home, if not already at school) and not return to school until the child is completely symptom-free AND a doctor’s note is procured showing that the child does not have COVID-19.

If at any point, a coronavirus test was taken voluntarily by the parent, or prescribed by the doctor to do so, the child must be symptom free and proof of a negative test result shown to the school before being allowed back onto campus.

If a child tests positive for COVID-19, the child must be kept home for at least 2 weeks from the first date that the child missed school, and be completely symptom free with a doctor’s note. (Note: no follow-up test showing proof of negative result was required).
And, if a positive case was to be confirmed, the class needs to be closed for 2 days for cleaning.
If more than one student were to test positive around the same time, the entire school would be closed for 2 days for cleaning.

So, even with a hybrid, or full-time in-person schedule, there was going to be guaranteed repeated off-on disruption with learning IMO. Even outside of school, in the real world, there’s just going to be so much more concern because precautions will need to be enforced more strictly since the early symptoms of COVID-19 and seasonal cold/flu are so similar.

I don’t believe this country is anywhere near ready to tackle seasonal cold/flu and SARS-COV-2 simultaneously from a logistics perspective.

 

[katie01]

As I’m reading your post, I kept thinking, “Did I write this??!!”

I teach MS at a small Catholic school. What your school us telling you is exactly what my school is telling me. Except my school will not require the students to wear their masks in the classroom if they’re desks are 6ft apart. So I’ll have 18 kids in one room in spread out desks with no masks. They will have to mask up to go out into the hallway. But I’m thinking the same thing you are thinking - how in the world can this be SAFE???!!!!

I do know that at our school we do have a cap in place per classroom. Classrooms were emptied out and measured. As long as we adhere to that cap, we can keep desks 6 feet apart. Our diocese has instructed us to respect the cap for the sake of our current families even though public school families are also flocking to our school for in person learning. We can only accept up to the cap for each grade. We do have some room though because many of our families are doing exactly what you are going to do, which is exactly what I would do if I still had school age kids - pulling them out and homeschooling through the pandemic. I am generally not a fan of homeschooling, but I think the current crisis warrants it.

Oh no, I am so sorry! I do not think that is safe at all either. I was concerned for the safety of my kids even with them requiring masks, and very concerned about teachers and staff too. But to not even require masks at all in your school? Even if they are sitting six feet apart, a cough or a sneeze can expel droplets much farther! Praying for your health and safety and that the administration will look out for the well being of all, not money or pressure to have face to face classes when cases are rising

 

[godisney14]

Maybe some but not majority. Many parents don't want to take one of their vacation or personal days to be home with their child. How many people get fired for taking a sick day. I don't know any people who get NO sick days!

No reason to get snippy. Of course it doesn't matter if I know them or not, I find it hard to believe so many get NO sick days. Are these people who are working, working on the books? I thought a company has to provide it's employees with sick days by law? I am wondering what jobs these 32% Americans do?

Right now, only 12 (yes, just twelve!) states have some sort of paid sick leave requirement. For the other states, FMLA only requires employers with 50 or more employees to provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid sick leave each year, as quoted by @roomthreeseventeen.

Currently, there are no federal legal requirements for paid sick leave. For companies subject to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Act does require unpaid sick leave. FMLA provides for up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for certain medical situations for either the employee or a member of the employee's immediate family. In many instances paid leave may be substituted for unpaid FMLA leave.

 

[godisney14]

As I’m reading your post, I kept thinking, “Did I write this??!!”

I teach MS at a small Catholic school. What your school us telling you is exactly what my school is telling me. Except my school will not require the students to wear their masks in the classroom if they’re desks are 6ft apart. So I’ll have 18 kids in one room in spread out desks with no masks. They will have to mask up to go out into the hallway. But I’m thinking the same thing you are thinking - how in the world can this be SAFE???!!!!

That doesn’t sound right at all.
With any air circulation turned on, those classrooms would become instant Petri dishes.
I can confidently say that not even 0.0001% of school classrooms in the US has adequate HVAC to minimize spread in an enclosed space.

 

[barkley]

I don’t believe this country is anywhere near ready to tackle seasonal cold/flu and SARS-COV-2 simultaneously from a logistics perspective.

totally agree, and i don't know about other parts of the country but in the pacific northwest our weather has been nuts this year such that stuff that should have bloomed/produced pollen in may is just now gearing up. i've got bulbs in my yard and flowering bushes that should be completely shed of flowers for weeks on end by now that are just beginning to blossom. pollen count weather reports are common in the spring and early summer-not entering august. everyone is coughing or sneezing so add that on to the list with covid and seasonal cold and flu so that everyone appears to be potential danger.

 

[Renarr]

totally agree, and i don't know about other parts of the country but in the pacific northwest our weather has been nuts this year such that stuff that should have bloomed/produced pollen in may is just now gearing up. i've got bulbs in my yard and flowering bushes that should be completely shed of flowers for weeks on end by now that are just beginning to blossom. pollen count weather reports are common in the spring and early summer-not entering august. everyone is coughing or sneezing so add that on to the list with covid and seasonal cold and flu so that everyone appears to be potential danger.

Also a Pacific Northwester here, and my seasonal allergies (confirmed by a doctor) have been running haywire for four months now. Having to be symptom-free for three consecutive days would mean I'm probably not going back this year.