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

[AngelDisney]

Again where were all the teachers voicing concern over their teenage students working full time in April with NO protection? What would you have done if all the grocery store workers just didn’t go to work

The issue here is teachers are forced to use what’s provided for their protection. Grocery workers have had a choice of what they can use for their safety, work or not work as well. I have an elderly mom to care for. If I get sick, who’s going to take care of her! It is easier to say whatever when you are not in the shoes. I am more worried about passing COVID-19 to health compromised family members or friends without knowing it. Think about how many teachers and students there are and how widely students and teachers can spread COVID. It’s more that personal concerns here!

 

[wdwmom3]

The issue here is teachers are forced to use what’s provided for their protection. Grocery workers have had a choice of what they can use for their safety, work or not work as well. I have an elderly mom to care for. If I get sick, who’s going to take care of her! It is easier to say whatever when you are not in the shoes. I am more worried about passing COVID-19 to health compromised family members or friends without knowing it. Think about how many teachers and students there are and how widely students and teachers can spread COVID. It’s more that personal concerns here!

Well you mention grocery store workers had a choice to work or not work. You also have that choice. Yes those decisions suck. I have a friend who quit her job as a dental hygienist because she felt like she had to. Teachers have those same choices. I don’t get why teachers should be treated differently then everyone else.

And not everyone has can “wear what they want”. My daughter has to wear specific masks provided to her. I know others that are the same. It’s like some people on here think that everyone else working has been given amazing protection and the teachers are just being left out . Or is that they feel teachers should get better then everyone else?

 

[AngelDisney]

Well I have heard from many of my daughters friends who were forced (or lose their job) to work full time in April with zero protection. And now they see their “teachers” complaining about the type of male they are being give. It makes the teenagers feel like crap, where was the teachers union calling for protection of everyone? That’s right they weren’t. Where were teachers posting all over social media, standing up for their students they claim they care about? That’s right there weren’t.

My daughter had to receive training on what would happen if someone got mad and spit in her face. And you guys are complaining that you aren’t getting masks that medical professional use to treat covid patients? Seriously?

You know what happened to everyone else who chooses to not go to work cause they think it’s “not safe”. They lose their job and get zero pay and no CERB and no ei. I never liked Ford but I’m starting to share his frustration with teachers unions.

To your knowledge, I have seen students spit at their teachers. And teachers are never trained to protect themselves from that. They may also have to treat students with seizures before professional help arrives. Only when you are in the profession, you know the inside out. Stereotyping based on personal experiences is dividing up the world unnecessarily.

 

[wdwmom3]

To your knowledge, I have seen students spit at their teachers. And teachers are never trained to protect themselves from that. They may also have to treat students with seizures before professional help arrives. Only when you are in the profession, you know the inside out. Stereotyping based on personal experiences is dividing up the world unnecessarily.

You are right and obviously some teachers have no idea what people who work in other professions have to deal with. We keep getting told over and over again how much harder your job is then anyone else’s. But I don’t think you have a clue what people without a powerful union have to deal with.

And sorry but for a lot of us this is getting old. It’s the same story we kept hearing before the pandemic.

 

[quandrea]

Well I guess then teachers can quit too?

Not everyone has the luxury of quitting work and getting no paycheque

That’s what I would be doing, yes. The stumbling block on the mask issue for me is that the choice to purchase one’s own n95 has been removed. That’s unreasonable in my opinion. If I’m heading into a higher risk environment, I choose an n95. A visit to the hospital? N95. To the hairdresser? N95. A quick run to to curb side pick up? A level 1 mask. My choice.

The viral load in those rooms can build if there is a Covid case present. Think what you will, but many medical professionals recommend n95 masks in a classroom setting. I’m not saying the board needs to supply them. I’m saying staff should have a choice to buy their own if they decide to do so.

My family has completely withdrawn from the school system.We know the consequences of this. We haven’t taken one penny from the government in all this. I have no dog in this fight. I’m just appalled that choice In managing one’s risk has been taken away from school staff. And yes, I’d grieve that removal of choice or quit if necessary. And I’d rearrange my whole life if it came to that.

 

[bababear_50]

School staff are just like anyone else. We have children,friends and family.
We have held many jobs in the Gov/Private sector.
My job is no more easier / harder than anyone else's.
This is however Canada and we are afforded the freedom of rights to advocate for ourselves.
You can be your own child's advocate for education,,join a school council,,call your MP or area superintendent,etc.

Mel

 

[AngelDisney]

Well you mention grocery store workers had a choice to work or not work. You also have that choice. Yes those decisions suck. I have a friend who quit her job as a dental hygienist because she felt like she had to. Teachers have those same choices. I don’t get why teachers should be treated differently then everyone else.

And not everyone has can “wear what they want”. My daughter has to wear specific masks provided to her. I know others that are the same. It’s like some people on here think that everyone else working has been given amazing protection and the teachers are just being left out . Or is that they feel teachers should get better then everyone else?

Everyone has the right to voice their concerns. Teachers have a bigger presence so the voice is louder. So you can hear it. Imagine your daughter had a union to represent her, would you feel the same now. We don’t think we deserve better, but if you work in a room with no window and poor ventilation that never works properly for 6 hours, you get worried.

You are right and obviously some teachers have no idea what people who work in other professions have to deal with. We keep getting told over and over again how much harder your job is then anyone else’s. But I don’t think you have a clue what people without a powerful union have to deal with.

And sorry but for a lot of us this is getting old. It’s the same story we kept hearing before the pandemic.

Teachers have a bigger united body, so their voices are bigger. Every profession should have the right to voice their workers’ concerns. We are lucky to be able to do that. I don’t think we are better but now I may think we are luckier. I do have colleagues who choose to quit. It’s a loss to the students. They are great teachers.

 

[pigletto]

You are right and obviously some teachers have no idea what people who work in other professions have to deal with. We keep getting told over and over again how much harder your job is then anyone else’s. But I don’t think you have a clue what people without a powerful union have to deal with.

And sorry but for a lot of us this is getting old. It’s the same story we kept hearing before the pandemic.

Who keeps saying their job is so much harder ? Or is that your negative perception of their concerns and fears ? Im self employed, I don’t have a powerful union. I don’t even have paid sick days. I still support educators and their right to fair and safe working conditions. I will never understand the argument that because working conditions are unsafe or unfair for one group it should suck for everyone. Why not throw some energy behind advocating for those who don’t have the working conditions you are concerned about rather than taking issue with those who do ?

 

[Donald - my hero]

Hey, I'll take the heat this might generate but perhaps this specific thread is discussing the ramifications to teachers and staff in schools because it's a thread ABOUT school? There was never one comment throughout this entire thread that dismissed any other type of employee and how their personal lives, health (both physical & mental) and family lives were not impacted by the conditions created by COVID-19. I have seen comparison based on what we have either read, heard or personally experienced between school staff (and yes, I'm lumping everyone together because every single one of the adults inside a school will be in contact with many other people throughout the day) and any other job situations. Comparisons based on the perceived differences in level of contact each type of employee experiences, the main one being, that other than those in health care and meat packing plants, those who've been working from the beginning (or as we passed through each phase and more places opened up) haven't been in close contact with the same group of people for extended periods of time in enclosed spaces that tend to have poor air quality.

 

[isabellea]

I will only post ONCE about masks on this thread. I'm only giving info because I've seen wrong recommendations about N95 posted, not debating on whether or not a teacher should wear a N95 or not.

If you decide to wear a N95 mask, remember it has to be your fit. For that you need to be fit-tested and buy the right N95 model. If your N95 is not a good fit (no way to know unless you get fit-tested), your mask probably won't protect you more than a level 1 or even a non-medical mask (or offers no protection at all). N95 are DISPOSABLE! That means one use only. I know some hospitals are testing ways to disinfect N95 masks to re-use them when stocks are low but right now, to my knowledge, these methods are not approved by Health Canada and I don't see how someone can do it safely from home. If you want a re-usable N95 level 'mask', you need to get a reusable respirator.

https://www.3mcanada.ca/3M/en_CA/wo.../respiratory-protection/reusable-respirators/

 

[Madame]

I will only post ONCE about masks on this thread. I'm only giving info, not debating.

If you decide to wear a N95 mask, remember it has to be your fit. For that you need to be fit-tested and buy the right N95 model. If your N95 is not a good fit (no way to know unless you get fit-tested), your mask probably won't protect you more than a level 1 or even a non-medical mask (or offers no protection at all). N95 are DISPOSABLE! That means one use only. I know some hospitals are testing ways to disinfect N95 masks to re-use them when stocks are low but right now, to my knowledge, these methods are not approved by Health Canada and I don't see how someone can do it safely from home. If you want a re-usable N95 level 'mask', you need to get a reusable respirator.

https://www.3mcanada.ca/3M/en_CA/wo.../respiratory-protection/reusable-respirators/

Meh. Masks don’t matter anyway. Kids are eating maskless in rooms & some boards have indicated that kids can’t be taken outside for lunch.

 

[bcwife76]

We're in BC and our school board (Surrey School district) has really stepped up to the plate to go above and beyond what the MOE has planned. Just today they announced some more learning options, including now adding in a blended learning/hybrid model for those who do not want to return full time as of yet (they will be 'phased in' to return to full time face to face by January). While we are still planning on sending our kids to school full time face to face I am really happy to be in a school district that values parents opinions and is giving families even more options. Those who chose this route WILL be tied to their choice school and will NOT lose their place, which again is even more than what the gov't has mandated.

 

[quandrea]

I will only post ONCE about masks on this thread. I'm only giving info because I've seen wrong recommendations about N95 posted, not debating on whether or not a teacher should wear a N95 or not.

If you decide to wear a N95 mask, remember it has to be your fit. For that you need to be fit-tested and buy the right N95 model. If your N95 is not a good fit (no way to know unless you get fit-tested), your mask probably won't protect you more than a level 1 or even a non-medical mask (or offers no protection at all). N95 are DISPOSABLE! That means one use only. I know some hospitals are testing ways to disinfect N95 masks to re-use them when stocks are low but right now, to my knowledge, these methods are not approved by Health Canada and I don't see how someone can do it safely from home. If you want a re-usable N95 level 'mask', you need to get a reusable respirator.

https://www.3mcanada.ca/3M/en_CA/wo.../respiratory-protection/reusable-respirators/

Good information. I was in health care and have been fit tested. I agree, it’s important. As for reusing them, even hospitals are reusing them as they are scarce. Not ideal, but there you have it.

 

[Silvermist999]

Teachers and school staff do have a valid concern that they will be at risk without proper PPE or smaller class sizes. However, it seems as if the focus of many conversations is always on the safety of the teachers and school staff.

Think about all of the children who are in these crowded classrooms. Will these children be protected enough by their personal cloth/disposable masks in a crowded classroom. They could also get infected by their teacher, and their classmates.

Think also about their parents who are likely anxious and worried, since they have no other choice but to send their kids to school, in order to go to work. These parents are those that do not have the option to work from home or stay home with their kids, they are likely those who kept working in healthcare, manufacturing or at local grocery stores, when everyone else including teachers, stayed safe at home back in March.

Let’s also remember that there are thousands of children in these crowded classrooms, who are facing the same health risks as the teachers.

 

[Lumpy1106]

Well here we go...
First grader in private Catholic school - started this AM, online only, went off without a hitch. The school pretty much had it together last spring though, so it went as well as we expected and there was ZERO drama about it all summer. 10/10.

Public High School starts tomorrow - buckle up and don't look into the eye, this is going to be rough. Spring was a fiasco, it could only improve, but drama? Oh dear lord. More drama than Newsies! First they sent out a bunch of questionnaires, all of which were moot because the state shut down the schools anyway. Then they fought about contracts. As part of the fight, the superintendent said they had to teach from their classrooms. You would have though the superintendent was filling each classroom with angry bees, because that really started an uproar. The superintended relented - they could teach from home. Then the FINALLY chose to use Canvas. More drama - how long will they get (paid) training? They got a full week of paid training, but honestly - look up "Canvas" on YouTube. There are, no exaggeration, 100's, maybe 1000's of videos for every imaginable question you could possible have. That didn't stop the drama - several of the more outspoken teachers took to social media crying about how hard it was. Well, no, because I could set it up for them and I've only watched a couple of videos - 15 mins tops. It's not that hard - learn by doing, just jump in.

But wait...
We've been getting e-mails all morning - Canvas has not gone live, and does not work. Classes start tomorrow. They are scheduled to teach for 1/2 days for the first 3 days, then take Friday off. Personally, my line of work, I'd be writing lesson plans using Powerpoint, or making PDFs and soldiering on like it didn't matter, but guessing it will get pushed until after the holiday.

Is that vaccine ready yet?

 

[bankr63]

I know this is Florida and not Ontario, and their situation is much more dire than ours, but still, this is a horrible result for the first two weeks of classes:

https://thehill.com/homenews/state-...Nq0YWL1HIqJ-TSdmLekx23xlETloM_vdnRTViHHTgeqTw

 

[hdrolfe]

Ottawa public board is post posing the start of school, again. Catholic board hasn't said anything though. I have already had to add extra vacation days and shuffle my time off to accommodate this, and my employer is pretty understanding. I am not sure what the extra week is for. But this is what annoys me about the planning and I dont know if it is the boards or the unions who cause the teachers to not be able to get to their classes to start preparing. Even knowing that they had a hard time planning without knowing parents choices. They have had the information for a week or two already and should have been in the school this week to set it up.

Seems to me this year will be another write off for education, like last year with all the strikes and then covid shutdown. I wonder when the kids will make up the information they will be missing.

 

[Debbie]

..... I dont know if it is the boards or the unions who cause the teachers to not be able to get to their classes to start preparing. Even knowing that they had a hard time planning without knowing parents choices. They have had the information for a week or two already and should have been in the school this week to set it up.

Seems to me this year will be another write off for education, like last year with all the strikes and then covid shutdown. I wonder when the kids will make up the information they will be missing.

I know that in TVDSB it was the Boards that would not let the teachers into their classrooms until after August 15. The teachers who went in went in blind as to numbers. And some, because of the Boards adding more time for parents to decide (not enough information earlier) are now not teaching the same grade (classes ARE being consolidated) or are surplus and haven't YET been assigned their position for the new year. I posted a link on FB about the vision of FDK and my daughter about flipped....she has never seen the proposals that the Board is putting out there for parents. It affects how she will set up her classroom, and teach. (Luckily much is what she had planned anyway, but still...)

So, in a nutshell....the information is not there for the teachers. They have nothing, and are planning blind, but knowing that it could all change tomorrow or next Tuesday. (Not to mention on October 1)

Finally, the teachers will, as they always do, take each child from where they are and plan to move them forward. Teaching facts isn't the goal, teaching learning strategies is. And, to be honest, who's to say that they are behind? If the curriculum needs to be adjusted over the next little while, that's fine. The learning strategies won't.

 

[Debbie]

One more thing that I thought of this morning. For anyone who has registered for face-to-face education but planning to keep them at home to see how it goes, do not forget to call them in absent every day. I did one year when my daughter was on a choral trip and when she got back to school they had removed her from the roll and she needed to be re-registered.

 

[star72232]

WRDSB has changed their start again.

I just have to laugh at this point. I get the teachers' frustration - I know some who don't even know what grade they will be teaching yet. I get parents' frustration - dates and times and everything are still changing. We are lucky - my DH is a SAHD, so we have a lot more flexibility than most people. However, with 4 kids in 3 different schools, with start dates changing, with cohorts still not assigned for HS, with my HS kids classes changing on a daily basis - - I think I'm ready for a drink.