What do you think school will be like in the fall? UPDATE page 29 for Mass.

[Lumpy1106]

I don’t know where you get your info, but you are so wrong it makes my head hurt.

Likewise., and that's the NY data. There have been ZERO school-age deaths in CA. Z-E-R-O.

 

[Lumpy1106]

Didn't read all replies, but where I live in upstate NY, my MIL works at a public school and they are making plans to have all grade levels attend class virtually. Teachers will still go into their classroom to teach as normal, but students will be via webcams. They plan to invest in technology to make this an easier effort. I have no idea what the plan would be for parents who have to go to work and can't leave little kids at home, families who don't have access to computes and webcams, or even teachers who have kids that can't be left alone. Will be interesting to see how it plays out.

That sounds exactly backwards to me. If it is the teachers who are vulnerable, they are the ones who should be staying home. What does that look like? Hard to say, but since it's not being discussed we'll never know.

 

[nkereina]

That sounds exactly backwards to me. If it is the teachers who are vulnerable, they are the ones who should be staying home. What does that look like? Hard to say, but since it's not being discussed we'll never know.

The point is more for social distancing - the teachers would be in a classroom alone, so their risk would be minimal if they happen to be older or immuno-compromised. I'm not sure how social distancing could be achieved if the children were the ones in school with teachers at home.

 

[Lumpy1106]

The point is more for social distancing - the teachers would be in a classroom alone, so their risk would be minimal if they happen to be older or immuno-compromised. I'm not sure how social distancing could be achieved if the children were the ones in school with teachers at home.

Why are the teachers in the classrooms and the kids at home? Why can't they teach from home? Let that sink in...

 

[piccolopat]

I wonder if middle and high schools would stop having the kids change classrooms during the day and instead have the teaching staff move. Keeping massive amounts of kids out of the hallways during period changes would help with the social distancing. They can also have split sessions so only half the kids are physically in school at any one time.

 

[nkereina]

Why are the teachers in the classrooms and the kids at home? Why can't they teach from home? Let that sink in...

For a couple of reasons - first, to normalize it as more of a classroom setting, where the kids will be switching between teachers like they do periods. Two, because they are investing in technology for the teachers that they will not have the same access to at home thereby making it easier to teach. And three, teachers will have access to all the school's resources and materials which will make lesson planning and execution easier.

Perhaps the school will give the option to teachers to teach at home if they wish, the details haven't been flushed out yet. But I know one source of frustration and feedback they keep hearing is the teachers trying to balance home responsibilities with teaching, as well as their lack of resources at home, and that they are missing the structured environment. I think the approach is meant to get as close to the typical school setting before as possible since this could be for the long haul next year, but without having the students physically present in the classroom.

 

[lilypgirl]

Didn't read all replies, but where I live in upstate NY, my MIL works at a public school and they are making plans to have all grade levels attend class virtually. Teachers will still go into their classroom to teach as normal, but students will be via webcams. They plan to invest in technology to make this an easier effort. I have no idea what the plan would be for parents who have to go to work and can't leave little kids at home, families who don't have access to computes and webcams, or even teachers who have kids that can't be left alone. Will be interesting to see how it plays out.

This is horrible solution for underprivileged children, ones whose parents aren't able or won't supervise their child during school hours, and abused and at risk students. This will set us back light years in terms of education equality and a over reaction to a disease the average person has a over a 98% chance of surviving.

 

[AlohaNow]

I couldn't even bear to think about what fall semester will look like until we finished this semester, which happened yesterday. Here in our suburb of Denver district, there was a message about exploring staggered schedules so that only half of the school population would be in the building each day. Everything is in flux so I guess we'll hear the plan when we hear the plan. I'll have two high schoolers in the fall, and my senior is planning on graduating early this December. He is holding out hope for one last fall athletic season, but knows that most likely won't happen. It will be so interesting to follow here and see what certain parts of the country decide to do. The disparities are just fascinating to me.

 

[SamFaniam]

Likewise., and that's the NY data. There have been ZERO school-age deaths in CA. Z-E-R-O.

A 17-year-old died in California.

That sounds exactly backwards to me. If it is the teachers who are vulnerable, they are the ones who should be staying home. What does that look like? Hard to say, but since it's not being discussed we'll never know.

Such hyperbole here. No schools are discussing any options anywhere? How do you know this?

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

Didn't read all replies, but where I live in upstate NY, my MIL works at a public school and they are making plans to have all grade levels attend class virtually. Teachers will still go into their classroom to teach as normal, but students will be via webcams. They plan to invest in technology to make this an easier effort. I have no idea what the plan would be for parents who have to go to work and can't leave little kids at home, families who don't have access to computes and webcams, or even teachers who have kids that can't be left alone. Will be interesting to see how it plays out.

While I see this as a better solution than what we currently have, I can't wrap my head around how this works. I have 4 kids - how are they all going to be online all day, all at the same time? I don't see how younger kids stay engaged this way. Not to mention all the issues you've mentioned. And we still have the problem of some kids not having internet access. I agree, it will be interesting to see.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

The county next to us got permission to open schools starting June 1st. Their school board says they currently don't have any plans to do so (I assume since the year is just ending), but it does sound like more and more counties in CA are getting permission. I see many having that permission by August/Sept, so it will just be how the different districts decide to make it work.

 

[SamFaniam]

While I see this as a better solution than what we currently have, I can't wrap my head around how this works. I have 4 kids - how are they all going to be online all day, all at the same time? I don't see how younger kids stay engaged this way. Not to mention all the issues you've mentioned. And we still have the problem of some kids not having internet access. I agree, it will be interesting to see.

I think as schools end this academic year, and I know some places are closer than others, then administrations will have more time to plan for the future. Right now, schools are focused on what they need to do to finish this year, especially schools that have graduating seniors. I haven’t seen anything in our local area that indicates any sort of a firm decision. Most of the statements have been about possibilities for the fall.

I do think situations with colleges will be different because for the vast majority of colleges most of their students are not actually local. So they have to think about things like dorms. Mandating that they are already going to be online may make some sense for them.

 

[godisney14]

That sounds exactly backwards to me. If it is the teachers who are vulnerable, they are the ones who should be staying home. What does that look like? Hard to say, but since it's not being discussed we'll never know.

About 20% of American public school teachers are 56+ years old. How do you think they can be replaced if they stop teaching?

The county next to us got permission to open schools starting June 1st. Their school board says they currently don't have any plans to do so (I assume since the year is just ending), but it does sound like more and more counties in CA are getting permission. I see many having that permission by August/Sept, so it will just be how the different districts decide to make it work.

I believe all schools being open is a given, and the question is “how” as being discussed.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

A 17-year-old died in California.

Unless there have been more recent stories if you're talking about the teen back in March the claim that he passed from coronavirus directly was called into question and was being investigated further.

Do you have a source that states it was confirmed that he passed from coronavirus? All the stories I see (and saw back then) state it was called into question and investigated. Furthermore an early April article lists that LA county removed his death from their count. Have they re-added that for that particular teen?

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

I believe all schools being open is a given, and the question is “how” as being discussed.

I'm aware. I'm talking about got permission for in person opening. And getting the green light to open to in person instruction in May/June helps the chances of coming up with a workable plan by Aug/Sept.

 

[godisney14]

I'm aware. I'm talking about got permission for in person opening. And getting the green light to open to in person instruction in May/June helps the chances of coming up with a workable plan by Aug/Sept.

Right. I’m also talking about having green light for in-person instruction next school year. I think that’s a given. But, how and whether schools actually do so is unknown IMO.
I don’t know what affect there is to be given green light for in person instruction in June. Are there any schools in Bay Area that end in June? East Bay schools all end this month. I would assume it’s the same nearby as well.

 

[Lumpy1106]

A 17-year-old died in California.



Such hyperbole here. No schools are discussing any options anywhere? How do you know this?

I meant kids going to school, teachers teaching from home. Have you seen this option discussed anywhere? I haven't. Maybe have the teachers teach remotely to a classroom managed by a TA in PPE? Again, I've yet to see this option even suggested. I've seen remote learning for all kids (pretty big failure in our experience) or all sorts of social distancing ideas for teachers and kids in school. Kids staying 6 feet apart and not touching anything? I agree, that's pretty unrealistic. I would argue, also unnecessary, kids aren't getting sick. If it's the teachers you are concerned about, that's another story.

 

[SamFaniam]

Unless there have been more recent stories if you're talking about the teen back in March the claim that he passed from coronavirus directly was called into question and was being investigated further.

Do you have a source that states it was confirmed that he passed from coronavirus? All the stories I see (and saw back then) state it was called into question and investigated. Furthermore an early April article lists that LA county removed his death from their count. Have they re-added that for that particular teen?

Yes, that was the article that I found. They said the teen tested positive for COVID-19, but that other factors may also have been involved in his death. This was mostly a response to lumpy’s absolute assertion that children don’t seem to die from Covid.

 

[piccolopat]

I meant kids going to school, teachers teaching from home. Have you seen this option discussed anywhere? I haven't. Maybe have the teachers teach remotely to a classroom managed by a TA in PPE? Again, I've yet to see this option even suggested. I've seen remote learning for all kids (pretty big failure in our experience) or all sorts of social distancing ideas for teachers and kids in school. Kids staying 6 feet apart and not touching anything? I agree, that's pretty unrealistic. I would argue, also unnecessary, kids aren't getting sick. If it's the teachers you are concerned about, that's another story.

I don't think you can have the kids physically in school and the teachers remote. Why have a TA there to supervise the kids instead of the actual teachers? This might be an option for at risk teachers but I don't see it for most classrooms.

 

[SmallWorld71]

Likewise., and that's the NY data. There have been ZERO school-age deaths in CA. Z-E-R-O.

There have been zero in MA as well, another hard hit area. This disease is not a big risk for children. IMO, not returning to school will be far more detrimental for a majority of children. (with a few exceptions of course)
Now older teachers are a whole other issue and I think we need to keep them in mind in our plans as we hopefully return to school.