School complaint

[petesgirl]

I still can’t decide what to do for school this year. I emailed the principal and she called me back this morning, basically confirming that the in person option is the only one the district is putting any effort into. I can choose an absolutely ridiculous hybrid option (any parent can choose to keep their kid home anytime they choose because teachers will be uploading all assignments to google classroom at the end of the day- does nothing to encourage smaller classes or social distancing, may encourage kids to stay home when sick) or an online option that is basically ‘self-taught’ as the online instructors are also in charge of an in person classroom and have 1 hr between 3:15-4:30 when they can be reached by email for questions.

My big hang up with in person is that they are planning to use the same platform as online so that both sets of kids can do the same work. All work will be completed digitally as each student has their own Chromebook. Only difference is that there will be a teacher on site for instruction and questions. Masks required all day- I was hoping they could space desks out enough to remove masks sometimes, BUT the clincher— masks are required in the lunchroom at all times!! I asked how kids are supposed to eat with a mask on and she said “That’s one of the details we are still working through, but students will need to keep their masks on at all times.” Seriously??

[gymnbomb]

Wow, those all sound like horrible options! Can you home school?

Still waiting to see if we have options and, if so, what they are.


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[DualvansMommy]

OP;

What ideally do you want to see/happen with this school?

I think the fact with teaching/instruction being the same whether in person or hybrid is gonna be the approach many school districts is offering. My kids district included.

We have the hybrid model of in person/live instruction from home or virtual 100%. The only difference is our kids are dismissed by lunchtime with lunch to go, so the issue of masks around lunchtime is avoided. They’re to wear masks all the time while in class 4 hours of their days.

All options aren’t ideal, and that is tough on us as a parent.


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[bisous]

Ugh. Those sound just awful. Does your DS need services? I cannot honestly remember if he was one who is getting evaluated for an IEP/504 (my DS3 is so this isn't a judgment--just can't remember!). I think that's the only scenario where I would stick with what they are offering because I really value the expertise of the various therapists at school. Otherwise this whole thing sounds like a whole lot of work for you with very little advantage. I bet in your area they have tons of cool homeschool options. I'm so sorry. I know this has been so stressful. I know this is the b-post but I want to help troubleshoot your problem!!

[Liziz]

Wow. Those really all are utterly terrible options!

I am a big believer in just making the best of the options you have available, but those are all seriously horrible options!

If my kid is in school, I DO NOT want them sitting in front of a computer screen all day. If my kid is learning from home, I want digital interaction with the teacher, during school time. Neither of those is happening there. I also feel sorry for the teachers of your district because it sounds miserable for them, too.

Pandemics suck.

[petesgirl]

OP;

What ideally do you want to see/happen with this school?

I think the fact with teaching/instruction being the same whether in person or hybrid is gonna be the approach many school districts is offering. My kids district included.

We have the hybrid model of in person/live instruction from home or virtual 100%. The only difference is our kids are dismissed by lunchtime with lunch to go, so the issue of masks around lunchtime is avoided. They’re to wear masks all the time while in class 4 hours of their days.

All options aren’t ideal, and that is tough on us as a parent.


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I'm just frustrated that it seems like virtual and in person learning will be almost the same, except with the added 'bonus' that in school the kids have to wear masks. I think if they open schools to in person learning they need to teach normally, and not slap the kids at a desk with a computer and a Kahn Academy video.

I do understand that every situation is going to be difficult right now, but the way my district has done it really hurts those kids who don't do well sitting at a computer all day. And come on, wearing a mask and trying to eat at the same time is downright ridiculous. They are going to end up with kids who have too low of a blood sugar level to be able to learn anyway.

[petesgirl]

Ugh. Those sound just awful. Does your DS need services? I cannot honestly remember if he was one who is getting evaluated for an IEP/504 (my DS3 is so this isn't a judgment--just can't remember!). I think that's the only scenario where I would stick with what they are offering because I really value the expertise of the various therapists at school. Otherwise this whole thing sounds like a whole lot of work for you with very little advantage. I bet in your area they have tons of cool homeschool options. I'm so sorry. I know this has been so stressful. I know this is the b-post but I want to help troubleshoot your problem!!

He has been diagnosed with ADHD but doesn't have an IEP or anything. I actually had my first meeting with the principal and school social worker at the end of February and we talked about some interventions because he was wasting a lot of time in class and not working. But none of the interventions ever happened.

[DualvansMommy]

I'm just frustrated that it seems like virtual and in person learning will be almost the same, except with the added 'bonus' that in school the kids have to wear masks. I think if they open schools to in person learning they need to teach normally, and not slap the kids at a desk with a computer and a Kahn Academy video.

I do understand that every situation is going to be difficult right now, but the way my district has done it really hurts those kids who don't do well sitting at a computer all day. And come on, wearing a mask and trying to eat at the same time is downright ridiculous. They are going to end up with kids who have too low of a blood sugar level to be able to learn anyway.

Oh the I misunderstood you I wouldn’t be happy at all with that style of teaching with another platform like khan style, cuz then what is the point of going to school? For my kids district, families who are choosing the in person hybrid style will get instruction from their home room teachers. Exactly like pre convid style, but will have notable differences with masks and social distancing.


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[bisous]

He has been diagnosed with ADHD but doesn't have an IEP or anything. I actually had my first meeting with the principal and school social worker at the end of February and we talked about some interventions because he was wasting a lot of time in class and not working. But none of the interventions ever happened.

Bummer! I'm on the lookout for ADHD supports for distance learning. I've been getting a bunch of articles from ADDitude magazine but of course I have yet to read them. DS3 has what appears to be inattentive ADHD and distance learning was very challenging for us.

[petesgirl]

Bummer! I'm on the lookout for ADHD supports for distance learning. I've been getting a bunch of articles from ADDitude magazine but of course I have yet to read them. DS3 has what appears to be inattentive ADHD and distance learning was very challenging for us.

Ha! I have all those same ADDitude articles building up in my email!

[PZMommy]

Oh the I misunderstood you I wouldn’t be happy at all with that style of teaching with another platform like khan style, cuz then what is the point of going to school? For my kids district, families who are choosing the in person hybrid style will get instruction from their home room teachers. Exactly like pre convid style, but will have notable differences with masks and social distancing.


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It provides parents with free child care so the economy can open. That is really the only reason schools are opening. What most parents don’t realize, is even if their kid goes to school in person, it will not be normal school. Most work will all be done online, so when (not if) someone gets Covid and the whole class/school have to be quarantined at home for 14 days, they can do it easily.

[petesgirl]

It provides parents with free child care so the economy can open. That is really the only reason schools are opening. What most parents don’t realize, is even if their kid goes to school in person, it will not be normal school. Most work will all be done online, so when (not if) someone gets Covid and the whole class/school have to be quarantined at home for 14 days, they can do it easily.

Exactly what my principal said. The school couldn't do hybrid because it leaves too many parents without childcare. Which I know is a worry for a lot of people.

[doberbrat]

BUT the clincher— masks are required in the lunchroom at all times!! I asked how kids are supposed to eat with a mask on and she said “That’s one of the details we are still working through, but students will need to keep their masks on at all times.” Seriously??

Well, I can help with the lunch issue..... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08D9J2C9T Smoothies for lunch. Will go perfectly with the diapers I told dd2 all kids were going to get so they dont have to go to the bathroom except at their assigned times! :boogie:

sorry couldnt help it I have to laugh ... or cry.

[theriviera]

It provides parents with free child care so the economy can open. That is really the only reason schools are opening. What most parents don’t realize, is even if their kid goes to school in person, it will not be normal school. Most work will all be done online, so when (not if) someone gets Covid and the whole class/school have to be quarantined at home for 14 days, they can do it easily.

Well, that, and the fact that there is no comparison between in person and online instruction.


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[PZMommy]

Well, that, and the fact that there is no comparison between in person and online instruction.


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But the instruction is going to be pretty similar. Teaching using only online platforms and staying far away from students.

[DualvansMommy]

Exactly what my principal said. The school couldn't do hybrid because it leaves too many parents without childcare. Which I know is a worry for a lot of people.

That is rather unfortunate, and such a tough situation for you. Now this new development in news from the Republicans saying they’ll withhold school fundings if they don’t open! Now it’ll just force many districts to open in a unsafe manner, to just essentially get funding. So please vote this November.


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[petesgirl]

Well, I can help with the lunch issue..... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08D9J2C9T Smoothies for lunch. Will go perfectly with the diapers I told dd2 all kids were going to get so they dont have to go to the bathroom except at their assigned times! :boogie:

sorry couldnt help it I have to laugh ... or cry.

My DS would freak out if I told him that! Ha ha!! He also refuses to drink smoothies but those masks designs are pretty cool.

[lizzywednesday]

Bummer! I'm on the lookout for ADHD supports for distance learning. I've been getting a bunch of articles from ADDitude magazine but of course I have yet to read them...

What I'm finding helpful is considering the supports my DD had in school (she's going into 5th grade & has ADHD-combined) plus the ones I outlined in the Big Long Email I sent to her case-manager for her 504 plus the areas of development I noticed during distance learning in the spring ... and writing a LONG DETAILED AND VERY FIRM (yes, I'm using all caps for a reason) letter/email attachment to develop something for September.

I have also refused to communicate about it over the phone, because I don't think my concerns manage to make it into the plans if we talk about them.

I'd be happy to share by email.

[Dayzy]

Did they say that all the teaching would be done via online platform or that the work would be done via online platform? Even before COVID-19, the school my kids go to embraced using technology to do work. My kids do homework on Khan Academy, they took tests using Google Forms... The teachers still taught, but the work was done online. That's what they are going to be doing now for our school's hybrid learning and remote learning. There's still a teacher teaching, but the work will all be on Khan and Google classroom.

[petesgirl]

Did they say that all the teaching would be done via online platform or that the work would be done via online platform? Even before COVID-19, the school my kids go to embraced using technology to do work. My kids do homework on Khan Academy, they took tests using Google Forms... The teachers still taught, but the work was done online. That's what they are going to be doing now for our school's hybrid learning and remote learning. There's still a teacher teaching, but the work will all be on Khan and Google classroom.

For core subjects, all teaching and practice work will be done using online platforms. This is to keep 'equality' between the students doing online and in person. My district is also giving online kids the options of integrating back into the classroom after Christmas break if they want to. So both learning platforms have to be similar enough for that to happen. Not exactly what role teachers will be playing for the in-person option-- babysitter?

[Dayzy]

For core subjects, all teaching and practice work will be done using online platforms. This is to keep 'equality' between the students doing online and in person. My district is also giving online kids the options of integrating back into the classroom after Christmas break if they want to. So both learning platforms have to be similar enough for that to happen. Not exactly what role teachers will be playing for the in-person option-- babysitter?

That's just ridiculous. If I'm not wrong our school is going to be using a webcam thing so the teacher is teaching both in school and remote students. I have no clue how that's going to work out, but I am happy they are trying. But all work will be done online.