Back to School during the pandemic ...a discussion thread

[hdrolfe]

Our Board announced just tonight....school is not starting until September 14, with half the kids going the 14th and 15th, the second half the 16th and 17th, and then everyone on the 18th.

Oh goodness, I hope that isn't here, I've already had to ask for more time off. I normally take him on the first day of school, this is the last year I guess for that since he'll be off to high school.

 

[FigmentSpark]

I don't think we have an early start, but I just got my son's class schedule for the year. Quadmesters in first Sem., regular semester (so far) in the second sem.

 

[Iralyn]

I too, don’t understand why teachers are deciding to take leave so close to school opening. If they feel unsafe, I think they should of not waited until last minute and request unpaid leave.

I think many teachers expected the return to school circumstances to be different. In June we were told that it would be a hybrid model for September with smaller class sizes. Of course, that is not what is happening. And there have been lots of gaps and delays in communications about what is going on. I see pictures being shared of classrooms online with all the desks in rows, 1 metre apart. But that is not what is happening in my classroom -- we only have shared tables, no desks and that is not changing (no money for alternate furniture). Kids will be wearing masks for much of the day but I will also be supervising them for part of the day when they will be eating without masks on. Some school boards are apparently providing plexiglass dividers and such but not mine.

Despite all that, I'm kind of anxious to get back. But if there are active cases in the community, I don't think school will be at all safe. So I understand why some teachers are not wanting to return.

 

[uandmfan]

The Ottawa English Public Board announced that school is delayed until the 8th (we were supposed to start on the 3rd) with a staggered entry. We have no details on the staggered entry, only that it goes to the 14th. More details to come the last week in August. Which I hope means this week.

 

[chrispeto]

Just a FYI
Staff in certain areas (Boards) were not given the opportunity you suggest until the second week of Aug. It is now the last week of Aug and staff are still checking their emails and waiting for notifications.
Many Boards have said they are unsure if all staff groups can/will be accomodated.
Many teachers/ECE EA are not sure where they will even be working in a week,,online/in classroom or with what grade level.
Leaves of absence even without pay are not automatically accepted by the school Board.

Mel

that is because the priority to stay home and teach online learning was given to teachers with pre existing health conditions

 

[Pumpkin1172]

I do wish that they would delay the schools opening here ( Alberta ) by a week, to let teachers get better prepared. Officials on both sides have met, and it was decided that school is starting when they first stated the start date ( next Monday or Tuesday ) I know my ds start on Sept 2.

I also heard on the news today, that Trudeau is now printing another 2 billion dollars to give to the provinces to help school boards for extra funding ( which our Alberta teachers were asking for more money to help cover costs ) I hope that this will help.

But at the same time, as was mentioned earlier in the thread, I was ( at the time thankful and still am ) that I was able to work through the shutdown. But we also had to get creative and change they way we did business, and still keep the doors open for people to be able to get our products. We DID NOT have access to PPE or many of the recommendations that are now in place for many businesses. I do understand teachers concerns are kids are like little petri dishes!!!! But many adults ( especially older adult males and yes...I see and work with MANY all day ) are just as gross.

I think some families feel that their needs are not being addressed. What works for one family, will not necessarily work for another family. It is a fluid situation for every family. There are no right or wrong answers, but finding a solution that works for their family. What works for my family, may not work for someone else. I hope all families can find solutions that work for their situation. It is NOT going to be easy.

 

[Pumpkin1172]

I just got an email from my son's Taekwondo instructor. His wife is a retired teacher, so they are opening the dojang and will take 14 elementary aged kids. Children will do fully remote at their school, but will be able to get help from a teacher. Also, they will provide the after school care. It's a perfect set up for parents that aren't comfortable with the 25+ kids in a classroom, have to go to work and would need after school care anyway.

I wonder if we will see a lot of these pockets of alternative remote learning?

I have seen other businesses and even home daycares ( we call them dayhomes here ) are offering to help parents who have to work, but do not want their children back into the actual schools, to be there as a guide to help with the online learning. It would be using the online teaching ( if there was enough interest for that to happen ) and guide the kids through the day and their studies, in a safer and controlled environment. People will get creative and find ways to make it safer for those who need " safer " schools!

All businesses and offices are needing to be creative in how to create safer work environments for their employees and customers. Schools are NO different.

Like I said earlier in the thread, I expect the schools to creative and create a safe environment for our kids. I was expected to change and adapt to new policies and practices to keep myself, my co-workers, and customers as well. We have changed the way we operate our business. My second job as well, there are changes, and even more changes with mandatory masks and sanitizer for everyone starting Sept 1. We have all changed the way we operate. Daycares, dayhomes, ( I still have friends who run dayhomes ) have all had to change practices and policies to make it safe for all in their care. Teachers and school boards will find a way to make it work too. They will be just a creative as they had to be in the past. They are teachers, and honestly, they are sooooooooooooo great at being creative, I have no doubts that they will find ways to do this too.

 

[hdrolfe]

The teachers do seem to be scrambling, I understand high schools (in Ontario) now have to offer one class at a time? That's nuts. So instead of taking two classes at a time the kids will have one and focus on it for 5 weeks then move to the next. Also looks like the Public board here (Ottawa) is scrambling to find teachers for the online stuff for the elementary kids, where they want to make those online classes bigger so the in person can be smaller, which makes sense in a safety way, but they say they need 750 teachers for online and only 300 applied to do it. And how does a teacher get up to 35 kids in an online class to pay attention, or even know if they are?

While I do understand this whole things has been very fluid and changes from day to day, it feels like the schools and boards are really struggling. But I guess that is the way of all bureacracy, when you have so many levels of people to get through, the ones doing the work are often the last to get the details they need.

I hope we get some more information this week, though I'm guessing it won't be until next week, coming frmo the school principal. I hate that I feel like I am crossing my fingers and hoping for the best, if it was me, sure, but for my kid? That does really add an extra layer of "am I making the right choice" worry.

 

[ilovetotravel1977]

I start back to work in-office on Monday on a rotational basis - one week in, the next work from home, etc.

I will be working from home the first week of school, which I like just in case $hit hits the fan and DD needs to be pulled. I highly doubt that will happen since NS has a good grasp on the virus right now. BUT, we did catch and fine a University student $1000 for not self-isolating up in Antigonish. They are likely attending St FX University.

The Northern area of the province has had three separate clusters of 2-3 cases in the last couple of weeks.

 

[FigmentSpark]

The teachers do seem to be scrambling, I understand high schools (in Ontario) now have to offer one class at a time? That's nuts. So instead of taking two classes at a time the kids will have one and focus on it for 5 weeks then move to the next. Also looks like the Public board here (Ottawa) is scrambling to find teachers for the online stuff for the elementary kids, where they want to make those online classes bigger so the in person can be smaller, which makes sense in a safety way, but they say they need 750 teachers for online and only 300 applied to do it. And how does a teacher get up to 35 kids in an online class to pay attention, or even know if they are?

While I do understand this whole things has been very fluid and changes from day to day, it feels like the schools and boards are really struggling. But I guess that is the way of all bureacracy, when you have so many levels of people to get through, the ones doing the work are often the last to get the details they need.

I hope we get some more information this week, though I'm guessing it won't be until next week, coming frmo the school principal. I hate that I feel like I am crossing my fingers and hoping for the best, if it was me, sure, but for my kid? That does really add an extra layer of "am I making the right choice" worry.

Our board was going to go with the ‘one class at a time’ plan for high school, but, at the last minute changed to quadmesters. I can’t imagine all students being able to focus on just one class and absorbing everything in only 5 weeks. Sure, they do it in summer school, but most kids don’t take summer school. Missing one day, say, if one is sick can be hard to catch up.

Anyway, our two class system will see them still only in one class a day, but alternating classes each day (more or less), which gives them time to absorb the material.

 

[Aladora]

BC's back to school plan was released yesterday but we are still waiting to hear from DS's private school with their plan. I got an email from the Head of the school and he basically said that they are waiting to hear back from the government about the plans they submitted before informing the parents and they anticipate hearing back by tomorrow.

If they follow the SD61 (our catchment school district) then the plan for secondary school is as follows:

Students will have two face-to-face classes each 10 week term for a total of 8 courses per year.
Course A will be face-to-face 5 mornings each week in a Learning Group of approximately 30.
Course B will be in a blended model with instruction being in-person 2 afternoons per week, supplemented by independent home study on the remaining afternoons.
Course B in-person instruction will be in small groups to allow physical distancing.
After five weeks, courses flip – Course B becomes face-to-face every day and Course A is blended.

As my husband put it, we're gonna need a decoder ring to sort that...crud...out!

But, like everything relating to schooling and the current crisis, we will have to wait and see!

 

[FigmentSpark]

BC's back to school plan was released yesterday but we are still waiting to hear from DS's private school with their plan. I got an email from the Head of the school and he basically said that they are waiting to hear back from the government about the plans they submitted before informing the parents and they anticipate hearing back by tomorrow.

If they follow the SD61 (our catchment school district) then the plan for secondary school is as follows:

Students will have two face-to-face classes each 10 week term for a total of 8 courses per year.
Course A will be face-to-face 5 mornings each week in a Learning Group of approximately 30.
Course B will be in a blended model with instruction being in-person 2 afternoons per week, supplemented by independent home study on the remaining afternoons.
Course B in-person instruction will be in small groups to allow physical distancing.
After five weeks, courses flip – Course B becomes face-to-face every day and Course A is blended.

As my husband put it, we're gonna need a decoder ring to sort that...crud...out!

But, like everything relating to schooling and the current crisis, we will have to wait and see!

You think you need a decoder ring? Check this out:


We need a detailed calendar. Some days the classes alternate, others are back to back with a 2 day break for the other class. Two cohorts of students and two classes on different days each. I get it, because in 4 weeks, they've all had the same time in each class, but it's complicated.

 

[wdwmom3]

Thought others would like this. Yes it’s from one particular school board but I thought others may find it helpful. It’s a short video about what kids can expect at school. May help some kids who are concerned

https://www.wrdsb.ca/blog/2020/08/27/day-in-the-life-elementary-students/

 

[Aladora]

You think you need a decoder ring? Check this out:
View attachment 522073

We need a detailed calendar. Some days the classes alternate, others are back to back with a 2 day break for the other class. Two cohorts of students and two classes on different days each. I get it, because in 4 weeks, they've all had the same time in each class, but it's complicated.

We just went on a school tour and got our son's schedule, at least the one they have so far...who knows what is going to change when the plan is released tomorrow! The school divides the schedule into week 1 and week 2. Even without Covid adding to the confusion, the schedule is crazy! (Blacked out any last names) Also, the school doesn't use typical course names for some of the classes, IB Design is actually Computers and IT, IB Individuals and Societies is Social Studies, etc.

 

[FigmentSpark]

We just went on a school tour and got our son's schedule, at least the one they have so far...who knows what is going to change when the plan is released tomorrow! The school divides the schedule into week 1 and week 2. Even without Covid adding to the confusion, the schedule is crazy! (Blacked out any last names) Also, the school doesn't use typical course names for some of the classes, IB Design is actually Computers and IT, IB Individuals and Societies is Social Studies, etc.

View attachment 522155View attachment 522156

So that's totally all in class, then? That's a lot of in-person contacts.

 

[Aladora]

So that's totally all in class, then? That's a lot of in-person contacts.

As of today it is totally in class but that could change tomorrow when the school is sending out their approved reopening plan.

And yes, it is a lot of in person contact but the school he is going to is really small, less than I think 300 for grades 9-12. The province has set out a cap of 120 in any high school cohort and even if they added all the grade 9s and the grade 10s, they would not reach that amount. The average class size at the school is less than 22.

It is an independent school so they don’t have to follow the public school district plans but I am really curious to see what they send out tomorrow!

 

[hdrolfe]

My son's school has sent out it's weekly memo (they normally do this Fridays during the school year). Apparently the online French won't start for at least 3 weeks. And they have a map of the play yard with marks to show where each grade will play when they arrive and for recess and such. I'll have to make sure kiddo knows where to go. They split the grade 5 & 6's from each other, putting the grade 3's between them. But this does seem to imply that the whole of grade 6 will be a "cohort" to play together. I'm not sure how I feel about that, though he will be happy to a certain extent since some of his friends are not in immersion and likely not in his class, unless they've put them all in one class. More info to follow next week I guess. Hopefully a bit more detailed since that'll be the last update before the school year starts.

 

[susanv]

My kids schools have sent out the plans for what they are doing. I am very happy with them. For the two in High School they will be going 5 days a week for in person schooling. They will have two courses a day for 42 or 43 days (quadmester system) in cohorts of 15. Luckily they are in the process of finishing off an addition so that helps. Staggered lunches and breaks with an extra custodian exclusively for cleaning the washrooms between kids. Three main sets of washrooms are being rotated through during breaks. No lunch room/cafeteria, however they can order one of two offerings that will be prepaid the week ahead and then delivered to the classroom. No use of the microwave. Sports and teams will be decided later in the fall when they see what they can safely do and follow all safety protocols. Maximum 30 to a school bus with siblings sitting together. Classes run from 8:45 am until 1:45 pm, with the students required to do 40 minutes work online at home per subject per day. My two in elementary school are in cohorts of 18 per class, two cohorts per grade. Five days a week, full days. Also staggered lunches and breaks, with a lot of outdoor educating going on. We have our own outdoor classroom in the woodlot behind the school. All phys ed taking place outdoors. Again no microwave, this time with lunch orders available only two days a week. Extra teachers hired and an extra daytime custodian strictly for cleaning surfaces, etc. Parents and visitors are not allowed in the schools at this time. We are at two different private christian schools.

My work not quite the same. I drive a school bus for both the public and separate school boards. I will have to do my best to make sure I am not the weak link.

 

[bababear_50]

New update for the staff at my school,,a little late for those who already made or purchased their own.............................
:***To ensure that health and safety standards are met, school-based staff are required to wear the medical mask that is being provided by the Ministry/Board. The mask that is being provided is an ASTM Level 1 grade mask that provides a higher level of protection than any cloth or non-medical mask. School-based staff may not wear their own cloth masks or alternative face coverings.
Staff will not be able to work in a school building without wearing a board-provided face mask.




Hugs
Mel

 

[bankr63]

Shocked at the recent change for high school students at OCDSB (Ottawa). Students will be quadmestered (nothing new there) but will be taking only one subject per week alternating weeks between the two subjects. Instructional periods will be 225 minutes long - yes that is 3 hours and 45 minutes long!
I'm not sure how teachers are going to maintain the focus of a room full of teenagers for 3 and 3/4 hours at a stretch. I know how I get when a meeting runs much more than an hour at work. And this will be every instructional day for them.
https://www.ottawamatters.com/local...students-to-learn-one-course-per-week-2673967
DW is back in school tomorrow. Looking forward to finally getting the revelation of the plans (at least we hope she does)! Normally she would have spent last week in preparing her room, but it seemed futile as she doesn't even really know what her teaching assignment will be at this point. With the start of classes delayed a week now though, she has this coming week to prepare as best she can.

Funny @bababear_50's post about masks. They are starting with a staff meeting, and have all been told to "bring your own masks". Note that the staff meeting is a bit funny too; all teachers are expected to join a zoom call from isolation in their classrooms. Hardly seems worth the trip in to school just to lock yourself into your room; could have just joined from home.