OT: Back to K-12 school......

[MoobyCow]

Sounds like lazy administrators.

I mostly agree with your post, but this seems harsh. We have people making decisions they shouldn't have to make at the local level, schools with different resources, different composition of kids, different requirements for busing, hell different buildings, some with windows that open and outdoor space, some closed up and little space outside.

This is legitimately difficult and not all districts will come up with the same answers.

 

[RULegion]

I mostly agree with your post, but this seems harsh. We have people making decisions they shouldn't have to make at the local level, schools with different resources, different composition of kids, different requirements for busing, hell different buildings, some with windows that open and outdoor space, some closed up and little space outside.

This is legitimately difficult and not all districts will come up with the same answers.

Fair. That’s why I said more guidance with exact info should be coming from county or state to make it less confusing for those who have to make decisions.

 

[RULegion]

Plus everyone who needs to make decisions don’t want to because they are afraid of a lawsuit.

 

[Knight Shift]

I've worn a mask and am uncomfortable, distracted, and sometimes overheated and short of breath. And I'm 37 and run/work out every day. Limiting amounts of oxygen to my child's brain, increased CO2, creating a distraction, not conducive to learning - all reasons I am against. I see these as negative impacts on both health and learning.

So the schools say lets go half a day of mask wearing because a full day is too much for the kids. On what grounds is 4 hours ok vs. 6 hours vs. 8 hours? So lets get all the kids home for virtual learning in the afternoon.

The oxygen/CO2 theory has been debunked multiple times. I am not attacking you--I am just stating facts and science. Perhaps you have a breathing issue that increases your susceptibility. But for the average person, wearing a cloth mask should not cause issues, according to multiple experts.
http://med.stanford.edu/news/all-ne...ntists-contribute-to-who-mask-guidelines.html

 

[Tango Two]

 

[Greg2020]

@Richard Schnyderite How do you ban people for making political posts when you have a mod in this thread post two political anti science videos in the course of 3 minutes?

 

[Jm0513]

@Richard Schnyderite How do you ban people for making political posts when you have a mod in this thread post two political anti science videos in the course of 3 minutes?

What a tattletale!

 

[Zimm80]

The oxygen/CO2 theory has been debunked multiple times. I am not attacking you--I am just stating facts and science. Perhaps you have a breathing issue that increases your susceptibility. But for the average person, wearing a cloth mask should not cause issues, according to multiple experts.
http://med.stanford.edu/news/all-ne...ntists-contribute-to-who-mask-guidelines.html

Wearing a cloth mask is fine for regular activity’s but wearing cloth masks while doing manual labor for long periods of time and or moderate or heavy lifting when temps are hot or your in locations with high humidity is a problem. Imagine 300 lb football players wearing a mask during practice or during a game, you’d have to strap an oxygen tank to there back. There’s just gonna be some situations where it’s not feasible.

 

[Jm0513]

I work with Preschool Disabled and children with ASD. Having them wear masks is not an option.
Curious to see what will happen. All our kids are bused in as well.

 

[NorthernKnight_rivals]

No, I try to open it but instead I accidentally deleted It. If you sent it again I think I can open it.

I created a new E mail [email protected]

I resent the PM

 

[ClassOf02v.2]

What a tattletale!

Yes, over the top. But at the same time, we do have a mod who posts in topics the owners of the board have said are out of bounds. And who, recently at least, has been deleting posts he doesn’t like.

Tattling ain’t cool, but neither is this other crap.

 

[RULegion]

Wearing a cloth mask is fine for regular activity’s but wearing cloth masks while doing manual labor for long periods of time and or moderate or heavy lifting when temps are hot or your in locations with high humidity is a problem. Imagine 300 lb football players wearing a mask during practice or during a game, you’d have to strap an oxygen tank to there back. There’s just gonna be some situations where it’s not feasible.

Agreed masks or football can’t be both

 

[mikershoein]

What’s sad is I hear “kids need to be back in school” but parents are cool not going back to work. I’ve heard all the defenses for working from home, but employers don’t like like it, even with reduced overhead for the main reason being “ they don’t always know what your doing”

 

[RUschool]

I resent the PM

Got the message

 

[Greg2020]

What a tattletale!

The rules should be applied to all equally.

 

[Zimm80]

I work with Preschool Disabled and children with ASD. Having them wear masks is not an option.
Curious to see what will happen. All our kids are bused in as well.

Busing is a big problem for so many people, being on a bus is like being in a plane, people sitting within 3 ft or less of each other. Masks do a reasonable job to protect people but someone sneezes or coughs even with a mask on some of that aerosol or droplets will make it out and be airborne.

 

[hinson32]

So I'm in Florida and hearing kids could be required to wear masks upon return. Also hearing the same thing in NJ; however, half days for the kids and then teachers teach online for the second half of the day. Heard in PA that kids are to distance 3ft apart, teachers only wear masks, but kids wear masks in halls and buses.

I have an issue with sending my 3-year old and and 7-year old to school, half or full day with masks. If this is the case, we'll continue with online education if available.

Who makes these random arbitrary rules, 3ft vs. 6ft, masks no masks? And on what grounds do they stand and differ from school district and from state to state. Mind-blown at the lack of consistency in health practices. It feels like the wrong people are making these rules up on the fly.

Read the re-opening of schools in 22-European countries has not led to any increase in COVID. Also read 67,000 pediatricians are all for sending kids back to school. Am I off-base, losing my mind?

That is because Europe has figured out a way to control this virus, where as the US is a disaster.

New cases yesterday:

Denmark-1-
Norway-11
Sweden-57
Germany-298
USA-55,442

Which one of those stands out?

 

[Spare130_rivals]

I didn't read through the who thread so sorry if it's been covered but what does having half days accomplish?

 

[Rhuarc]

What’s sad is I hear “kids need to be back in school” but parents are cool not going back to work. I’ve heard all the defenses for working from home, but employers don’t like like it, even with reduced overhead for the main reason being “ they don’t always know what your doing”

I'm most concerned that nobody really gives a crap about the potential health of teachers in September. You can start with the head woman in charge that is demanding schools open all the way no matter what.

 

[T2Kplus10]

I'm most concerned that nobody really gives a crap about the potential health of teachers in September. You can start with the head woman in charge that is demanding schools open all the way no matter what.

 

[NickRU714]

I didn't read through the who thread so sorry if it's been covered but what does having half days accomplish?

My neighbor briefly mentioned this to me - I’ll have to ask him the options our local elementary school proposed.

I think the kids are split into half days to reduce capacity in the school and help with SD.

Group A goes into school in the morning.
Group B goes into school in the afternoon.

Alternatively:
Group A goes full day MWF
Group B goes full day TTh
Swap the following week.

Group A goes full day all week
Group B goes virtual all week
Swap in school the following week.

 

[NickRU714]

What’s sad is I hear “kids need to be back in school” but parents are cool not going back to work. I’ve heard all the defenses for working from home, but employers don’t like like it, even with reduced overhead for the main reason being “ they don’t always know what your doing”

I wish I knew how to post the “How dare you!” meme.

I’ve done all the research:
1. Daycares are completely safe and should stay open.
2. Skyscrapers in NYC - especially downtown - are basically death traps and need to stay closed indefinitely. Even after a vaccine.
Never know what virus could come next.

 

[Mr. Magoo1]

What’s sad is I hear “kids need to be back in school” but parents are cool not going back to work. I’ve heard all the defenses for working from home, but employers don’t like like it, even with reduced overhead for the main reason being “ they don’t always know what your doing”

My employer loves it. They are getting minimum 11-12 hour days from everyone and hardly anyone is taking any vacation. Emails are constantly sent globally from all hours of the night and days are packed full with meetings..often scheduled with less than 15 minutes notice. Productivity is way up. We were already told not to expect to go back to the office before Jan. 1 though I wonder if it will happen at all.

 

[Proud NJ Sports Fan]

That is because Europe has figured out a way to control this virus, where as the US is a disaster.

New cases yesterday:

Denmark-1-
Norway-11
Sweden-57
Germany-298
USA-55,442

Which one of those stands out?

California

 

[mikershoein]

My employer loves it. They are getting minimum 11-12 hour days from everyone and hardly anyone is taking any vacation. Emails are constantly sent globally from all hours of the night and days are packed full with meetings..often scheduled with less than 15 minutes notice. Productivity is way up. We were already told not to expect to go back to the office before Jan. 1 though I wonder if it will happen at all.

It’s being forced in almost all industries, but it won’t survive in many parts of the country (I think NYC is the exception)
What happens when numbers are down and the next generation demands to have that work style, it’s not sustainable
If we’ve learned anything it that adults can be irresponsible children, but HR rules will have to be RE-written on how to figure out how to fire someone working at home, and production is not a measurable as it may seem across the board
I had lunch with my boss today and told him I didn’t want his job, managing people is too much of a pain

 

[Shell21]

I'm most concerned that nobody really gives a crap about the potential health of teachers in September. You can start with the head woman in charge that is demanding schools open all the way no matter what.

The next time Betsy D steps foot in a classroom will be the first . She could be Trumps worst hire and that’s saying something. Lady has no right be in charge of anything and I’ll tell you no educator respects her . We haven’t heard a peep from her since March until the other day . Great leadership .

Superintendent on district where I teach plans on having all the kids in the building at once ( don’t Sk me how) with masks and social distancing . They will go to school until lunch and then go home and do 2 hours of virtual learning to conclude the day but can do it at any time of the day .

We still don’t know all the details yet and if will even be approved since most districts seem to be doing split days or every other day . As a teacher , I’m fine going but I don’t blame older teachers or people with conditions not going . I also don’t see the kids keeping the masks on all day . It’s going to be a crapshow.

Also , like others have said other countries are going back with minimal problems but they all have done a much better job and have much better leaders than we do , hence the position we are in. You just don’t snap your fingers and everything goes back to normal

 

[Mr. Magoo1]

It’s being forced in almost all industries, but it won’t survive in many parts of the country (I think NYC is the exception)
What happens when numbers are down and the next generation demands to have that work style, it’s not sustainable
If we’ve learned anything it that adults can be irresponsible children, but HR rules will have to be RE-written on how to figure out how to fire someone working at home, and production is not a measurable as it may seem across the board
I had lunch with my boss today and told him I didn’t want his job, managing people is too much of a pain

You have a point about it not being sustainable. It’s exhausting.

 

[mikershoein]

You have a point about it not being sustainable. It’s exhausting.

My company had a systems outage today. It happens, usually corrected in under 60 minutes.
Today it took 7 hours, reason being was not enough hands on deck in the office

 

[Knightmoves]

I'm most concerned that nobody really gives a crap about the potential health of teachers in September. You can start with the head woman in charge that is demanding schools open all the way no matter what.

Kudos to Betsy DeVos for taking a strong stand for onsite education in the Fall. The remote learning our public grade school kids got this Spring was mostly, if not totally, worthless. Private schools and Charter schools have done a much better job imo. Another long layoff from school is not what our students need at this point.

 

[Skindawgs]

Schools should not open until possible vaccine
The administration running this country has made it a dumpster fire.
As someone who spent time in the cornfield a mod should not be breaking rules of this board which people get banished for

 

[Shell21]

Kudos to Betsy DeVos for taking a strong stand for onsite education in the Fall. The remote learning our public grade school kids got this Spring was mostly, if not totally, worthless. Private schools and Charter schools have done a much better job imo. Another long layoff from school is not what our students need at this point.

Betsy D provided no virtual learning guidance the entire time and I almost forgot she was education commissioner until the other day . She is worthless and still has given no guidance other than saying schools need to be back .

 

[RutgHoops]

We got this from Univ of Michigan today. I found it a short, informative read about the thoughts of an educator, albeit in higher education, right now.

https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/w...3W7yd2qD6qxxEtNRhSe2-ny8sjUencIWVLGDmHmJq_hqk

 

[Rhuarc]

Kudos to Betsy DeVos for taking a strong stand for onsite education in the Fall. The remote learning our public grade school kids got this Spring was mostly, if not totally, worthless. Private schools and Charter schools have done a much better job imo. Another long layoff from school is not what our students need at this point.

So you subscribe to the "screw the teachers, let them worry about it in September" group then?

Just to clarify, I'm perfectly fine with going back and teaching my whole class in September. However, I'm very concerned about my at risk colleagues (like my wife) and the lack of guidance/money being given to do this right. The lack of leadership in this situation is ridiculous.

 

[Rhuarc]

The next time Betsy D steps foot in a classroom will be the first . She could be Trumps worst hire and that’s saying something. Lady has no right be in charge of anything and I’ll tell you no educator respects her . We haven’t heard a peep from her since March until the other day . Great leadership .

Superintendent on district where I teach plans on having all the kids in the building at once ( don’t Sk me how) with masks and social distancing . They will go to school until lunch and then go home and do 2 hours of virtual learning to conclude the day but can do it at any time of the day .

We still don’t know all the details yet and if will even be approved since most districts seem to be doing split days or every other day . As a teacher , I’m fine going but I don’t blame older teachers or people with conditions not going . I also don’t see the kids keeping the masks on all day . It’s going to be a crapshow.

Also , like others have said other countries are going back with minimal problems but they all have done a much better job and have much better leaders than we do , hence the position we are in. You just don’t snap your fingers and everything goes back to normal

Amen.

 

[kapyoche]

I was a my son's graduation today and here is my observation.
The school did a good job keeping social distance when everyone entered the graduation ceremeony,
But did a terrible job when it all ended. People were all gathered around and some were not wearing masks.
That has me worried that school will not be able to keep social distancing.

 

[newwavedave1]

I am scared to death about sending my three grandchildren, who live with me, back to school. I'm 67 years old with underlying conditions and don't want to become infected, as it would probably kill me.

 

[Sweet Pea's Corner]

@Richard Schnyderite How do you ban people for making political posts when you have a mod in this thread post two political anti science videos in the course of 3 minutes?

Ima gonna tell Ima gonna tell.

 

[Sweet Pea's Corner]

If schools are allowed(lol) kids should have to wear masks from 2 yrs to 18 and up, NO EXCEPTIONS. If we have to wear them now outside you bet your sweet bippy everyone wear them inside.

 

[MoobyCow]

I was a my son's graduation today and here is my observation.
The school did a good job keeping social distance when everyone entered the graduation ceremeony,
But did a terrible job when it all ended. People were all gathered around and some were not wearing masks.
That has me worried that school will not be able to keep social distancing.

Of course they won't be able to keep social distancing. In the best case, it's difficult to over come a lifetime conditioning even if everyone is trying to be careful. Current conditions and views on the virus make a best case scenario where everyone actually tries impossible to imagine.

 

[Plum Street]

My neighbor briefly mentioned this to me - I’ll have to ask him the options our local elementary school proposed.

I think the kids are split into half days to reduce capacity in the school and help with SD.

Group A goes into school in the morning.
Group B goes into school in the afternoon.

Alternatively:
Group A goes full day MWF
Group B goes full day TTh
Swap the following week.

Group A goes full day all week
Group B goes virtual all week
Swap in school the following week.

Shouldn’t teachers be in Group A and B in that scenario too? The whole point would be so the two sets of kids/teachers stay separate .