The American Academy of Pediatrics released specific guidance for school safety - basically that kids need to physically be in school, and daycare and elementary doesn’t need to put a big emphasis on being physically distanced or wearing face coverings in school, but more important for older grades.
That’s interesting sdlaura. My district is looking at 25%, one day per week and the 5th day for cleaning. So kids in one day, virtual 4 days.
As staff id still go in 4 days though.
So basically I need to secure daycare for 4 days for 2 kids (Possibly 3 days I’d I can have them home on my home workday) and have my oldest stay home. Doubtful that daycare will do the homeschooling.
In talking with my sister this weekend (she's a teacher in a next door district) I think I basically have to plan on working from home indefinitely and assuming that distance learning will happen for most of the year. She said that they're basically prepping to re-open for September and teachers are going to be solely focused on building relationships with the kids and teaching the kids how to better use all the tools like Google Classroom so that when they do have to inevitably shut down again, everyone feels more prepared. The contact tracing and quarantining will just get so out of control once there's a case or two that hit a school, it's going to be a mess.
Post by erinshelley21 on Jun 29, 2020 11:26:03 GMT -5
Our plan is supposedly coming some time after Wednesday. July 1st has been the "we'll have a plan in place" date since before the school year ended. I do know that DH and I (or if we are being honest, I will be the one that is going) have to attend a training session on how to use Google classroom in preparation for distance learning. The teachers at DS's school were using 3 different platforms for sharing and submitting assignments and I cannot imagine the stress that caused for parents with multiple kids.
Our only change so far has been school will be starting a week later than originally planned. So we will go back the first week of August.
Our friends who go to a small private school said they got notification that they would follow the big school district in town but to start planning for a hybrid schedule of in class M/Tu or W/Th and online the other 3 days. At least they had real online classes and learning continued vs the public school stuff which was just random stuff.
I gave in and contacted private schools. We have a tour Friday afternoon of one school, and I’m waiting to hear back from the other. The Friday tour school is planning for classes of 13 because that’s what they can fit in classrooms with social distancing. I think also if things shut down again, their online teaching is more robust.
DH is considering selling his car that we have a large payment on and just going back to his old car that we kept. That would help us pay for private school without an enormous change in lifestyle, though we’d definitely have to make some changes to come up with another $30k+ on top of the extra $15k we’d already planned to spend on the new baby’s daycare.
I just know that I’d have to be the one finding teachers and coordinating care and helping with online learning. So I think private school if it works out would be an investment in me being able to do my job and keep my sanity.
Post by mustardseed2007 on Jun 29, 2020 12:57:39 GMT -5
Our state put guidelines out over the weekend but are supposed to have more coming. Since we're in private school, though, I think they will refer to the state as guidance but will make their own rules. My prediction is that we will be in classrooms and we will be wearing masks. I think the pre K kids might be in face shields (at least that was talked about) but I don't know.
The teachers may be in both masks and face shields so they can take their mask down and teach from more than 6 feet away and then raise their mask back up, but then that's only an idea.
Our district just announced that some students will be in class and “distance learning” will consist of students watching a webcam of the in person instruction...
Our district just announced that some students will be in class and “distance learning” will consist of students watching a webcam of the in person instruction...
This is crazy to me. In talking with my mom and my sister and my BFF - all in education and SpEd specifically - they've said that there's no way to pull this off and maintain confidentiality. You can't be broadcasting which kids get aids, which kids need special accommodations, etc.. I'm curious how school districts are getting around that, because all three of them made it sound like it was a hard no for legal reasons, and they're all in different districts here.
twinmomma, yep. Somehow posting their presentations to parents on FB live so 100% of parents can participate is a "privacy concern" but live streaming classes isn't.
our depart of ed and health depart are planning to release guidance the week of July 27. our district doesn't start until after labor day. the superintendent is saying it'll be a mix of distance learning and in person. I hope it's at least 2 days a week of in person. my kid needs it desperately.
We just listened to the health departments webcast and read through their guidance and... I am more confused than I was before. I have no idea what's happening this year.
In talking with my sister this weekend (she's a teacher in a next door district) I think I basically have to plan on working from home indefinitely and assuming that distance learning will happen for most of the year. She said that they're basically prepping to re-open for September and teachers are going to be solely focused on building relationships with the kids and teaching the kids how to better use all the tools like Google Classroom so that when they do have to inevitably shut down again, everyone feels more prepared. The contact tracing and quarantining will just get so out of control once there's a case or two that hit a school, it's going to be a mess.
This is my plan. I'm hoping for 3-4 weeks with kids to get to know them and teach them how my online class will look before we go online and I assume we'll be online for most of the rest of the school year.
"Hello babies. Welcome to Earth. It's hot in the summer and cold in the winter. It's round and wet and crowded. On the outside, babies, you've got a hundred years here. There's only one rule that I know of, babies-"God damn it, you've got to be kind.”
Our district just announced that some students will be in class and “distance learning” will consist of students watching a webcam of the in person instruction...
oh my. This is worse than any other plan they could put out. So your kid is essentially watching tv for the day? No engagement with the teacher or the class, no online lessons? Jeez.
"Hello babies. Welcome to Earth. It's hot in the summer and cold in the winter. It's round and wet and crowded. On the outside, babies, you've got a hundred years here. There's only one rule that I know of, babies-"God damn it, you've got to be kind.”
Our district just announced that some students will be in class and “distance learning” will consist of students watching a webcam of the in person instruction...
This is crazy to me. In talking with my mom and my sister and my BFF - all in education and SpEd specifically - they've said that there's no way to pull this off and maintain confidentiality. You can't be broadcasting which kids get aids, which kids need special accommodations, etc.. I'm curious how school districts are getting around that, because all three of them made it sound like it was a hard no for legal reasons, and they're all in different districts here.
Listening to the WebEx now.. "We believe that nothing that happens in the classroom shouldn't be available publicly."
You guys.. I'm listening to the WebEx and.. IT SOUNDS FREAKING DOABLE.
Our county health orders aren't going to restrict class sizes for elementary as long as they keep a stable class room. So.. ALL KIDS THAT WANT TO BE IN CLASS WILL BE IN CLASS.
Assuming we don't pull a Texas/Florida, I may make it through the year.
You guys.. I'm listening to the WebEx and.. IT SOUNDS FREAKING DOABLE.
Our county health orders aren't going to restrict class sizes for elementary as long as they keep a stable class room. So.. ALL KIDS THAT WANT TO BE IN CLASS WILL BE IN CLASS.
Assuming we don't pull a Texas/Florida, I may make it through the year.
What does "a stable classroom" mean? No kids who have ieps allowed to come in and out for services/groups?
You guys.. I'm listening to the WebEx and.. IT SOUNDS FREAKING DOABLE.
Our county health orders aren't going to restrict class sizes for elementary as long as they keep a stable class room. So.. ALL KIDS THAT WANT TO BE IN CLASS WILL BE IN CLASS.
Assuming we don't pull a Texas/Florida, I may make it through the year.
What does "a stable classroom" mean? No kids who have ieps allowed to come in and out for services/groups?
Classes will in general stick together and not co-mingle. They are still trying to determine what that looks like for IEPs and services, but they will likely look different from what they’ve been in the past.
The principal just emailed and indicated that they are doing everything they can to open the school full time at 100% capacity while following the state guidelines. This will mean masks full time, lunch in classrooms, etc.
My kids struggle a lot with masks. I’m concerned about that piece.
mae0111 , DD has now gone over a month with wearing a mask for full days at daycare, with the exception of eating and when they're on the playground. I'm sure every kid there has moments with them throughout the day with how well they're worn, but for the most part, I've been impressed. And since eeeeeeeeveryone is wearing them, it's a bit easier for them to get on board with.
That said.. our school isn't requiring them for elementary when they go back, and I'm not upset about it one bit.
mae0111 , DD has now gone over a month with wearing a mask for full days at daycare, with the exception of eating and when they're on the playground. I'm sure every kid there has moments with them throughout the day with how well they're worn, but for the most part, I've been impressed. And since eeeeeeeeveryone is wearing them, it's a bit easier for them to get on board with.
That said.. our school isn't requiring them for elementary when they go back, and I'm not upset about it one bit.
I know some kids are ok with it. Mine just... aren’t. They’re really anxious about it. I don’t know why - I’ve been very breezy about wearing them. Yesterday DD2 asked to leave a CANDY STORE after 5 minutes because she couldn’t stand her mask anymore.
I understand why they’re needed. We are going to keep experimenting with different types of masks to find the most comfortable one. I’m trying to prepare them that this is not an option. Both said they’d rather stay home if they had to wear them.
mae0111, My sister made some super comfy ones for the kids that have just one long loop made of stretchy jersey material that you tie in the back. My kids like those best compared to the double tie or the elastic ear loops. They work well with their glasses too. The top solid part of the tie works well if we rest it on their ponytail and then tie underneath. It's like this style: www.etsy.com/listing/800895110/toddler-face-mask-single-tie-backlittle
My kids are doing okay with masks too. It helps that everyone is wearing them at summer camp and I let them pick out ones they liked. They’re favorites are from zazzle and are super soft material with thin elastic ear loops. We tied the ear loops to make them fit properly. We also have masks from adidas and joah love that are good too, but not the boys favorites. And they like all of those better than the ones I made with ties in the back. Honestly I think masks are here to stay for a while so it’s worth trying a few to find one that works and is comfortable that they like. (Fun patterns the kids choose is what helped most here).
We have Joah Love that I like the best but.. they're expensive and run a little hot. Target actually sells 2/$4 and those are pretty decent, especially for the price.
Our district just announced that some students will be in class and “distance learning” will consist of students watching a webcam of the in person instruction...
oh my. This is worse than any other plan they could put out. So your kid is essentially watching tv for the day? No engagement with the teacher or the class, no online lessons? Jeez.
The issue to me is that a lot of in person class is students working and the teacher facilitating, checking in, doing review with kids who didn't catch it the first time. It isn't like a college lecture where you can just listen in from home. I feel like only 20 mins out the hour would be meaningful an I am not sure you can expect kids to monitor a live feed that closely to see if they are getting the important parts. As an adult who has worked from home for years I can tell you'd I'd struggle with watching a camera feed all day.
Our summer camp mask guidelines are the same as the ones my office has put in place for going back - you have to wear masks on the way in/out/in common areas/when you can’t be six feet apart. But they are only doing camps where the kids can be outside, and distanced, and only in small 10-person or less stable groups. So they’re not wearing masks most of the day.
I think it makes sense to do that at school. Wear them in/out/when moving around but when you get to your desk that is at least six feet from others you take it off. I think that would be doable for little kids. I think all adults and older kids should wear masks. But I also feel this way:
You guys.. I'm listening to the WebEx and.. IT SOUNDS FREAKING DOABLE.
Our county health orders aren't going to restrict class sizes for elementary as long as they keep a stable class room. So.. ALL KIDS THAT WANT TO BE IN CLASS WILL BE IN CLASS.
Assuming we don't pull a Texas/Florida, I may make it through the year.
I laughed out loud and then felt really really depressed.