Post by Patsy Baloney on Jul 29, 2020 13:18:21 GMT -5
I have a 2nd grader. We have chosen remote learning. This decision locks us in for a semester. It will be taught by a district teacher and DD will have contact with the rest of her virtual class.
We chose this for 3 reasons -
1. Consistency. We’re in Illinois and have a governor who is aggressively battling Covid. We expect (and the school has said they do, too) that we will be moved back an opening phase at some point in the fall/winter. I would rather, instead of a crisis teaching model that switching back and forth may have, be consistently virtual. If major strides are made in the battle against Covid, we will move to classroom in the spring semester.
2. We’re able to manage at-home learning. Having us out of the classroom gives those who need to send kids back for whatever reason more room and resources.
3. We have people who are high-risk in our family bubble, specifically my mom and her husband. They see our children almost every day, and would be the ones getting DD off the bus. Because we do not have to introduce the school risk to them, we won’t.
That being said, I think our school’s hybrid plan is a good one and would send my kid back if we needed to.
North Carolina guidances districts that they could do 50/50 in person or fully remote, their choice. Our district was going to start our virtual but there plan has been horrible. We just did a 360 and enrolled both girls at a local charter school that is smaller and is easier to implement the 50/50. My K student will go 3 says a week, 5th grade will go 2 days a week. Fully masked, desks 6 feet apart, and max room occupancy of 10.
Our county is starting 100% virtual until they can eventually transition to a hybrid model where kids will be split into 3 groups. One week in, 2 weeks virtual. At first we were planning on doing whatever the county was going to do. But just today I signed up to commit to our 100% virtual program for the fall semester. We have hired help for 3-4 hrs per day since we both work full time (from home).
Today, the school system is planning to start 100% remote and then hopefully move to hybrid as if allowed and as the temperature gets cooler. You can also choose 100% virtual. We are going with the remote to hopefully hybrid model. Who knows what will really happen? I have a feeling we will be home for a while.
Still today and they have pushed remote learning out till the middle of October. They had been saying September 8th.
Our school just announced 1/2 days for all elementary so kids will be either morning or afternoon at school. Mandatory masks, no lunch at school, desks 6’. They will get ELA, and math at school. Social studies and science will be done online from home.
Post by dancingirl21 on Jul 29, 2020 14:56:18 GMT -5
We are in the Chicago suburbs and K-5 is going fulltime here. Our other option was a virtual academy 100% of the time. Our state has mandated masks in the classroom and 6 feet social distancing, so we are sending our rising 1st grader. They are supposed to start Aug 17 but there has been a lot of talk about pushing that back. The board meets again tonight so we will see if they have thoughts on that.
DS2 is in 4 year old preschool. Masks are required to enter and leave the building and "as much as tolerable" in the classroom. I'm going to ask his teacher to keep it on him always except for snack, obviously. I did learn yesterday that if the school district goes back to e-learning, preschool (not affiliated with the school district) can stay open. The kids had well checks with our pediatrician today and I asked her about that. She said if I'm able, she would recommend pulling him out of preschool if we go back to phase 4 and the schools close.
Post by timorousbeastie on Jul 29, 2020 19:29:46 GMT -5
Our district still hasn’t said anything other than that there will be an in person and a virtual option, which was announced back when the last school year ended. No details at all have been given as to what either would look like. I’m not really expecting to hear anything definite until 8/15 when they have to present their plan to the state, which would give us ~3 weeks to come up with a plan of what to do. My thoughts change multiple times a day about what to do with DD, who will be starting 1st grade. I know I don’t want to send her in person here. I like the idea of virtual because then there is at least the potential for DD to interact with people other than me, even if only through the computer. But she *hates* doing school virtually; both the end of last school year and now doing a virtual reading program through her school she is doing this summer have caused massive meltdowns every single morning, all about how she doesn’t want to have to log in to do the work. So I am considering homeschooling her, even though I know full well she will probably melt down every day when I tell her it’s time to do school work with me teaching it. And then my H had to go and plant the idea of sending her to a particular private school; it’s consistently ranked the best school in the state, she has done summer camp there before, and if we lived closer we probably would have sent her there in non-COVID times. The campus is huge, with plenty of buildings to spread out all the classes to keep class sizes small (they are even setting up the 4th graders in classrooms in their science museum; the scientist in me is dying at the idea of getting to go to school in a science museum every day!) But it is crazily expensive and 45 minutes away (and that’s 45 minutes in the summer; winter commutes would be much worse thanks to the snow). And then there is still the likelihood of it getting shut down at some point, leaving us paying $$$$ for a virtual program that DD hates. So I’m sure we won’t go with that option, but I still can’t stop thinking about it.
I have no idea what we are going to do, or how to even make a decision about the whole mess.
As of right this second (9:15am EST) our district's plans for the start of the school year are hybrid model (Mon/Weds or Tues/Thurs with alternating Fridays) or opting for 100% online with start of school pushed back to 8/31. However, our county board of health announced this week that they are recommending school start the year at 100% online for at least the first grading period so a lot of schools that had announced plans for a hybrid model have reversed course. Plus the district suspended all fall sports and extracurriculars effective yesterday....so I'm sure the 100% online announcement is coming. My kids' amazing, fantastic babysitter has already started planning how she'll have her kids plus the three school age kids she watches structured for online learning part of the day...I freaking love her.
ETA: got the email as I was typing this, we will be 100% online until the end of the grading period (10/30) at the earliest.
I asked E last night what she wanted and she said she wants to go back. She said even if she had to wear a mask and stand 6' apart that was better than being home and not seeing her friends. My heart aches for what all of these kids are going through and for her to know and still say she would rather go, ugh.
But we're a 2 working parent household. We don't have the time/capacity to make sure she's doing her online stuff for the whole semester, so I don't see how we could pick virtual. It would be one thing if she could choose her block of learning, but it's not. It's some sort of school day, just on the computer the whole time. They can't even guarantee she'll have a local teacher and the kids in her class could be anyone in the county.
So that's where we are. Me hoping the school board makes the right decision or possibly sending my kid to school and then at the holidays not being able to see anyone because my kid is back in school and I won't have us be the reason a grandparent gets sick.
We're 100% virtual, but trying to find some sort of outside-the-house supervision for the school day. It looks like some of the aftercare providers in the neighborhood will be running "Zoom Study Hall" from 8:30-2 and then have normal aftercare 2-6. Others are full day. Everyone is trying to keep the kids in pods and keep the ratio to 9-to-1.
I volunteered with the PTA to help coordinate this stuff, see if the various Zoom Study Hall locations need any resources like computers or help logging on little kids, trying to encourage people to use the same aftercare location for the whole fall season.
Our district (WA) just announced 100% virtual for the beginning of the school year. No definitive time frame but a plan to move from 100% virtual to hybrid to 100% in person. DD is supposed to start K this year. I can't see how virtual learning will work for any of us. She can barely focus on a Skype call with Grandma for 15 minutes so I don't realistically see her doing well with this model. And in order for one of us to facilitate virtual school at least one of us would have to quit our job as they both do not have the possibility of working remotely (auto body and veterinary). So, not really sure where that leaves us. DD is currently in PreK and besides an initial closure in April she has been attending FT. I'm hoping they will explore an option for K and of not just keep her in Pre-k another year maybe? IDK. I get the decision, safety and all. But this really sucks. Poor kid was crying today when I told her. Thankfully kids are resilient.
Well...during last night’s 4 hour school board meeting it was said that the district is short 40 custodians, no one is applying, and, as a result, adequate cleaning of classrooms is not possible.
So...I am assuming they will announce we’re going all virtual? 🤷♀️
This is giving me hope, as I'm also in NY and have a rising kindergartner. Do you mind sharing what region you're in? We're Mid-Hudson, where things have been pretty stable for a while, so I'm hopeful for in-person classes but trying to prepare for everything.
I'm in NY, so no decision yet. I'm still inclined toward in person kindergarten if it's offered, but we'll see.
We just got an email from our current daycare that they are planning to try to set up something for school age kids, with wifi for Zoom, to facilitate virtual school. I've been trying to move DS to a new daycare closer to home, but if we end up remote, I'm so going to need that, and two separate drop offs does not appeal. My kids are already attending daycare there, so I feel like I've already accepted the risk. So many IDK-what-to-do's. The center has been open all along but for 2 weeks in April after a parent who was working an essential role outside the home, tested positive. No staff and no kids have, including the kids of that parent.
Our daycare also asked if parents would be interested in some sort of school-age care if schools are hybrid or all online and I could not reply yes fast enough. No idea what will happen of course, but it would be nice to know that option will be there if we need it.
This is giving me hope, as I'm also in NY and have a rising kindergartner. Do you mind sharing what region you're in? We're Mid-Hudson, where things have been pretty stable for a while, so I'm hopeful for in-person classes but trying to prepare for everything.
We’re mid-Hudson, too (Westchester County). Our district is actually walking back the K-5, 5 days, full time plan because they say that last week they thought they had the staffing and space to do it, but now they’re not sure. The good news is that they’re still holding to it for K-2, at least for now. And, they say they’re hoping to bring back 3-5 full time, too, but they need to see if they can fit.
E1 is going to his private school in person. Only if they move to virtual learning would we pull him. E2 is in daycare, where the boys have been since June.
DH WFH full time and cannot care for/teach a 5 yo and a 1 yo. I am starting my second to last semester of grad school (at last I can see the light) and will be in clinicals, attending conferences, and studying like mad. I cannot take more time off to stay home with my kids. I feel comfortable with the precautions that the daycare and E1's school are taking, and his school has small class sizes (usually 10-12 kids).
I'm in NY, so no decision yet. I'm still inclined toward in person kindergarten if it's offered, but we'll see.
We just got an email from our current daycare that they are planning to try to set up something for school age kids, with wifi for Zoom, to facilitate virtual school. I've been trying to move DS to a new daycare closer to home, but if we end up remote, I'm so going to need that, and two separate drop offs does not appeal. My kids are already attending daycare there, so I feel like I've already accepted the risk. So many IDK-what-to-do's. The center has been open all along but for 2 weeks in April after a parent who was working an essential role outside the home, tested positive. No staff and no kids have, including the kids of that parent.
Our daycare also asked if parents would be interested in some sort of school-age care if schools are hybrid or all online and I could not reply yes fast enough. No idea what will happen of course, but it would be nice to know that option will be there if we need it.
Our daycare said the same. DH and I are considering it.
I have incoming 1st and 4th graders, as well as two 3 year olds. We will be keeping them all home. I know what school will look like for them and with the added risks, we will not be sending them. It's not ideal, but I know they will be better off at home. My parents will be watching the boys and doing their schooling. Luckily for us, my mom is a retired elementary teacher.
My husband and I are both teachers and will both be returning to work as decided by our districts (as of now, anyway). We will be wearing masks at home anytime we are around our kids and my parents for the foreseeable future. It breaks my heart, but we literally have no other options. I am a specialist who will still teach 700 K-5 students pushing into every classroom every two weeks. The chances of me picking it up are likely pretty high considering the amount of exposure I will have. I'm so angry that this is where we are and it didn't have to be this way.
Post by minniemouse on Jul 31, 2020 18:08:53 GMT -5
Our school will be hybrid, pending approval by Cuomo. Last names starting with A-L attend Mondays and Tuesdays. M-Z attend Thurs-Friday. Wednesdays are remote for all. There are exceptions for English language learners and special needs, they get more in person days. My 6th grader is not happy. She wants normal school, and with this set up she won’t be able to see some of her friends.
Our district (WA) just announced 100% virtual for the beginning of the school year. No definitive time frame but a plan to move from 100% virtual to hybrid to 100% in person. DD is supposed to start K this year. I can't see how virtual learning will work for any of us. She can barely focus on a Skype call with Grandma for 15 minutes so I don't realistically see her doing well with this model. And in order for one of us to facilitate virtual school at least one of us would have to quit our job as they both do not have the possibility of working remotely (auto body and veterinary). So, not really sure where that leaves us. DD is currently in PreK and besides an initial closure in April she has been attending FT. I'm hoping they will explore an option for K and of not just keep her in Pre-k another year maybe? IDK. I get the decision, safety and all. But this really sucks. Poor kid was crying today when I told her. Thankfully kids are resilient.
I’m not sure where you are, but when our district closed in the spring they were able to take 2 weeks and create a really great remote learning program. DS was in KG and did not like zoom, but his teacher adapted really well. He had short 15-30 minute small group lessons and 10 minute 1:1 individual lessons. He took to the online platform really well and loved making videos showing his work and could navigate finding and turning his assignments solo. He did need guidance doing them, but part of that for him was had everything was in Spanish. I know it’s not the KG experience you wanted, but I hope your kiddo will be able to find a way to embrace it. Our district did have a day camp open for families who were essential workers and needed care. You could look into that for the fall- it was a directive from the state, so hopefully your district will be able to have one in the fall.
Last Edit: Jul 31, 2020 20:10:33 GMT -5 by bugandbibs
share.memebox.com/x/uKhKaZmemebox referal code for 20% off! DD1 "J" born 3/2003 DD2 "G" born 4/2011 DS is here! "H" born 2/2014 m/c#3 1-13-13 @ 9 weeks m/c#2 11-11-12 @ 5w2d I am an extended breastfeeding, cloth diapering, baby wearing, pro marriage equality, birth control lovin', Catholic mama.
Welp, one step closer to knowing what's going to happen. K-2 get 2 days in person per week, 3-12 get 1 day in person per week. Full virtual option that I can't choose and stay employed.
I am so dissapointed with our BOE they literally took the most liberal approach possible with the guidelines. Kids don’t have to wear masks in the classroom bc their desks are 6 ft apart. They aren’t doing temp checks just a form each day on the online portal for parents (or even kids) to fill out. No lunch and DSs school has a late start so that would mean he won’t eat until 2pm. They aren’t allowed to play. I emailed the principle, but I expect we will have to do all virtual. It was only 2 days per week/4 hrs at a time anyways. I don’t know how I will remain employed. I asked HR for guidance and got crickets. FML.
I am so dissapointed with our BOE they literally took the most liberal approach possible with the guidelines. Kids don’t have to wear masks in the classroom bc their desks are 6 ft apart. They aren’t doing temp checks just a form each day on the online portal for parents (or even kids) to fill out. No lunch and DSs school has a late start so that would mean he won’t eat until 2pm. They aren’t allowed to play. I emailed the principle, but I expect we will have to do all virtual. It was only 2 days per week/4 hrs at a time anyways. I don’t know how I will remain employed. I asked HR for guidance and got crickets. FML.
Is this my district? Because OMG that sounds like the plan they rolled out.
Our district won’t make a final decision until August 13th, but as of now, k-5 will be fully in person and middle and high school will both be on a hybrid schedule with two cohorts each attending in person twice a week.
We intend to send DS1 (kinder) in person, knowing that they will likely switch to virtual at some point during the year. We’ve secured a neighbor to teach him when school is closed.
After listening to the superintendent speak during the board meeting yesterday, I feel better about our decision. The board is clearly taking this seriously and following the science and recommendations from multiple boards, medical personnel, etc. They called out the “restart the economy! Don’t make my kid wear a mask!” People during the board meeting. All kids will wear masks, including K students. We’re going to take the risk and hope he gets the chance to develop at least superficial relationships with his teacher and classmates.
I’m in upstate NY. My district is assuming 70% (based on parent response) want to send their children in person and apparently we can accommodate that full time. If when they have to officially choose, the number goes up, we will go hybrid. I am a special ed teacher and will be full time in person with my class regardless because I only have 12, but no idea who will teach my students who may choose online. I hope it is not also me.
We live in a different district. My daughter is in her last year of elementary and it’s hybrid. MW or TTh and every other Friday. My son is going into 7th and will go every 3rd day (which is clearly going to be confusing). I am dying to know how all of the online instruction will be because it sounds like it will be synchronous at least some of the time and small groups. Who the f is going to teach that? Anyway, I am also getting divorced and hoping to move out 10/1 but STBX will work from home and have them? I couldn’t have planned this for a better year if chaos and ridiculousness.
Post by timorousbeastie on Aug 1, 2020 8:35:31 GMT -5
Our district sent out an email yesterday stating that they will give us an overview of their plan 8/11. We will then have from 8/11 to 8/17 to officially choose whether we want in person or virtual. They will also send out a detailed description of how the plan will be implemented (things like if there will be a hybrid option, what transportation might look like, procedures for how everything will run). This description won’t be sent out until 8/17. So, that will be ever so helpful for making a decision on what to do. I understand that some things the school can’t plan for until they know how many students will be there, but from the description this email gave, it sounds like some info that could really help parents decide won’t be released until it is too late.
The email did at least say that health and safety protocols will be science based and are not up for debate, so I’m hopeful that means they won’t listen to the anti-maskers.
Post by beachwinescrewsandy on Aug 1, 2020 8:52:51 GMT -5
I live in NJ. Our BOE presented a plan that meets the bare minimum per the return to school guidelines. I’ve emailed questions to the address provided & basically got “we’re working on it” as a response. Surrounding districts seem to have much better plans. We’re a huge district, but come on people. I’m disappointed in the high level administration at this point.
This is giving me hope, as I'm also in NY and have a rising kindergartner. Do you mind sharing what region you're in? We're Mid-Hudson, where things have been pretty stable for a while, so I'm hopeful for in-person classes but trying to prepare for everything.
We’re mid-Hudson, too (Westchester County). Our district is actually walking back the K-5, 5 days, full time plan because they say that last week they thought they had the staffing and space to do it, but now they’re not sure. The good news is that they’re still holding to it for K-2, at least for now. And, they say they’re hoping to bring back 3-5 full time, too, but they need to see if they can fit.
Oh you're lucky. We're in Dutchess. Our district's plan basically said they can't do 100% in person, they don't have the space or transportation capacity, but they haven't talked about having the young kids in person. There was a vague comment about English Language Learners, kids who need interventions, and something about "kids who didn't participate in online learning in the Sprint" being priority for in person, but we'll see.
I am so dissapointed with our BOE they literally took the most liberal approach possible with the guidelines. Kids don’t have to wear masks in the classroom bc their desks are 6 ft apart. They aren’t doing temp checks just a form each day on the online portal for parents (or even kids) to fill out. No lunch and DSs school has a late start so that would mean he won’t eat until 2pm. They aren’t allowed to play. I emailed the principle, but I expect we will have to do all virtual. It was only 2 days per week/4 hrs at a time anyways. I don’t know how I will remain employed. I asked HR for guidance and got crickets. FML.
Is this my district? Because OMG that sounds like the plan they rolled out.
I live in NJ. Our BOE presented a plan that meets the bare minimum per the return to school guidelines. I’ve emailed questions to the address provided & basically got “we’re working on it” as a response. Surrounding districts seem to have much better plans. We’re a huge district, but come on people. I’m disappointed in the high level administration at this point.
Sounds like my district. We are a big district in Ocean County.