gussie
Amethyst
Posts: 6,331 Likes: 18,769
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Post by gussie on Aug 5, 2020 11:41:45 GMT -6
I just ordered a printer, iPad stand, Bluetooth keyboard, a rolling organizer cart thing, and a bunch of school supplies. This is costing a small fortune. I had to buy two desks and two chrome books. My wallet is crying.
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gussie
Amethyst
Posts: 6,331 Likes: 18,769
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Post by gussie on Aug 5, 2020 11:45:04 GMT -6
DD2’s preschool just sent a plan for remote if they have to go that route. Just...no. I’m not managing a virtual 1st and 2nd grade education along with virtual preschool. And I’m sure as shit not paying for it. Ugh.
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abs
Sapphire
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Member is Online
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Post by abs on Aug 5, 2020 11:47:59 GMT -6
We just got our schedule for my 4th grader. It involves her simply watching a live stream of what's going on in the classroom for 8 hours a day. They get an hour for lunch and recess. Otherwise? Computer. All day. My 9 year old burst into tears when I shared the schedule. It's not going to work. They won’t be doing exercises, reading, assignments along with the live stream? Some independent work mixed in but the independent work is all on Schoology so watching videos, completing work online, etc. Even for specials. They get an hour break for lunch/recess and two other 10 minute breaks. Otherwise? All computer stuff all day from 8-3:30.
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STP
Diamond
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Post by STP on Aug 5, 2020 11:48:10 GMT -6
DD2’s preschool just sent a plan for remote if they have to go that route. Just...no. I’m not managing a virtual 1st and 2nd grade education along with virtual preschool. And I’m sure as shit not paying for it. Ugh. There’s zero chance I’d do it for preschool. The point of preschool is socializing,
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Post by rosierae on Aug 5, 2020 11:50:53 GMT -6
I go back to school next week. We are remote teaching from our classroom. We found this out late last week. Supposedly, we will get an email with more directions today. My district has set the teachers, students, and parents up to fail. I use my summers to plan and prepare, I have done close to nothing because we don’t know what we can do (we couldn’t zoom in the spring). Central admin tell parents to reach out to your child’s teacher with questions-I know nothing AND I don’t even have a class list! 🤦🏻♀️
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STP
Diamond
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Post by STP on Aug 5, 2020 11:55:57 GMT -6
They won’t be doing exercises, reading, assignments along with the live stream? Some independent work mixed in but the independent work is all on Schoology so watching videos, completing work online, etc. Even for specials. They get an hour break for lunch/recess and two other 10 minute breaks. Otherwise? All computer stuff all day from 8-3:30. Ok, but not just listening to instruction for 8 hours.
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brux
Diamond
Posts: 35,340 Likes: 282,560
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Post by brux on Aug 5, 2020 11:58:26 GMT -6
I'm going to burst some bubbles here but, teachers haven't been preparing all summer for distance learning in the fall. First, no one knew if we were going to be in-person, hybrid, or remote. Even if I've taught the same grade level and curriculum for a number of years, I was stuck doing nothing because creating/ improving lesson plans or coming up with new projects or whatever is so different whether it's remote learning or in-person. Secondly, teachers may have just found out what grade or course they are teaching. When options for virtual teaching came up, principals had to adjust their staffing plans based on who requested virtual vs who requested in-person. It's very possible that a good number of teachers were reassigned (happened at my school). I imagine a lot of elementary teachers will work to share the load, if allowed, to reduce the work. One may teach math, another literacy, etc. and just share the lessons with each other. But those decisions can't get made until you find out who is on what grade level. And then districts are still scrambling to figure out the details--how much of the day is synchronous vs asynchronous? How much time does each subject get? What is the pacing of standards? What instructional adjustments do we need to make knowing that there are huge learning gaps? And on and on and on. But teachers don't get to make any of these decisions, so they're just there anxiously waiting so they can start planning something. Just know that the beginning of the year may still be a little rocky even though it seems that there have been months and months to "prepare." Yes ma'am. Friends who are teachers are commenting in FB groups with "yes, I'm also anxious to find out what the plan will be and what I'm expected to do." Education is not run like corporate America. While there have been focus groups and task forces, those are at the district HQ level, meanwhile principals just reported back to the buildings yesterday with teachers to follow in a couple weeks.
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Post by doublestuf on Aug 5, 2020 11:58:32 GMT -6
I'm going to burst some bubbles here but, teachers haven't been preparing all summer for distance learning in the fall. First, no one knew if we were going to be in-person, hybrid, or remote. Even if I've taught the same grade level and curriculum for a number of years, I was stuck doing nothing because creating/ improving lesson plans or coming up with new projects or whatever is so different whether it's remote learning or in-person. Secondly, teachers may have just found out what grade or course they are teaching. When options for virtual teaching came up, principals had to adjust their staffing plans based on who requested virtual vs who requested in-person. It's very possible that a good number of teachers were reassigned (happened at my school). I imagine a lot of elementary teachers will work to share the load, if allowed, to reduce the work. One may teach math, another literacy, etc. and just share the lessons with each other. But those decisions can't get made until you find out who is on what grade level. And then districts are still scrambling to figure out the details--how much of the day is synchronous vs asynchronous? How much time does each subject get? What is the pacing of standards? What instructional adjustments do we need to make knowing that there are huge learning gaps? And on and on and on. But teachers don't get to make any of these decisions, so they're just there anxiously waiting so they can start planning something. Just know that the beginning of the year may still be a little rocky even though it seems that there have been months and months to "prepare." I mean, a “some” and “not all” feels applicable. I have friends who teach in this district. Not true for them. And I shared that months ago. Yes, thank you for reminding me that I should have included the required asterisk. **As always, nothing is 100% for everyone everywhere. Regardless, I do feel that what I said is more generally true than not. Most districts did not have their decision cemented in May or June so that teachers could prepare. Hell, some districts still haven't made the final call.
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Cher
Global Moderator
BMB, GD, Special Interests
Posts: 57,567 Likes: 442,343
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Post by Cher on Aug 5, 2020 12:00:26 GMT -6
I'm going to burst some bubbles here but, teachers haven't been preparing all summer for distance learning in the fall. Yes ma'am. Friends who are teachers are commenting in FB groups with "yes, I'm also anxious to find out what the plan will be and what I'm expected to do." Education is not run like corporate America. While there have been focus groups and task forces, those are at the district HQ level, meanwhile principals just reported back to the buildings yesterday with teachers to follow in a couple weeks. Same here. We're looking like hybrid but when I have told friends its okay and they are preparing differently this time, our teacher friends have been like, "well, actually ...."
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STP
Diamond
Posts: 43,353 Likes: 314,953
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Post by STP on Aug 5, 2020 12:00:52 GMT -6
I mean, a “some” and “not all” feels applicable. I have friends who teach in this district. Not true for them. And I shared that months ago. Yes, thank you for reminding me that I should have included the required asterisk. **As always, nothing is 100% for everyone everywhere. Regardless, I do feel that what I said is more generally true than not. Most districts did not have their decision cemented in May or June so that teachers could prepare. Hell, some districts still haven't made the final call. The decision wasn’t cemented, I just know they were working with the teachers for different scenarios. And it’s been ongoing these months. I’m sorry to hear it that’s not more universal.
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brux
Diamond
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Post by brux on Aug 5, 2020 12:05:11 GMT -6
I saw in our district that teachers will be given the option to "teach" virtually from their classrooms.
I have to think that would be a welcome option, especially if synchronous instruction is required. Our school doors were locked on March 16 and no one could go inside.
When I think of all the lesson plans and materials that were trapped in classrooms in the spring, it has to be a little bit of a relief to be able to now leverage all the classroom resources that educators didn't have access to in the spring.
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Post by ambiguousmango on Aug 5, 2020 12:05:21 GMT -6
I feel so bad for everyone with school aged kids. None of the options are perfect and I feel ill just think about having to make these kind of decisions. I have never been more grateful that my kid is not yet in school.
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hawkward
Global Moderator
Loss, Infertility
Posts: 19,638 Likes: 123,092
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Post by hawkward on Aug 5, 2020 12:07:29 GMT -6
All the things discussed here are why I wish more schools* would have tapped into existing homeschool structures. There are a wide variety of plans available from very parent intensive to pretty hands off. No matter what, it’s not ideal for working parents but it’s better than the complete lack of guidance happening in places. If Betsy DeVoss is soooo pro-charter and homeschooling, she really missed her big moment here (spoiler: she not pro-alternative schooling, she’s pro-elitism).
*I’m not blaming the actual schools. I’m blaming all the demands they’re having made on them with no consistent guidance or structure.
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rubysue
Amethyst
Posts: 7,203 Likes: 35,112
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Post by rubysue on Aug 5, 2020 12:10:29 GMT -6
I'm going to burst some bubbles here but, teachers haven't been preparing all summer for distance learning in the fall. First, no one knew if we were going to be in-person, hybrid, or remote. Even if I've taught the same grade level and curriculum for a number of years, I was stuck doing nothing because creating/ improving lesson plans or coming up with new projects or whatever is so different whether it's remote learning or in-person. Secondly, teachers may have just found out what grade or course they are teaching. When options for virtual teaching came up, principals had to adjust their staffing plans based on who requested virtual vs who requested in-person. It's very possible that a good number of teachers were reassigned (happened at my school). I imagine a lot of elementary teachers will work to share the load, if allowed, to reduce the work. One may teach math, another literacy, etc. and just share the lessons with each other. But those decisions can't get made until you find out who is on what grade level. And then districts are still scrambling to figure out the details--how much of the day is synchronous vs asynchronous? How much time does each subject get? What is the pacing of standards? What instructional adjustments do we need to make knowing that there are huge learning gaps? And on and on and on. But teachers don't get to make any of these decisions, so they're just there anxiously waiting so they can start planning something. Just know that the beginning of the year may still be a little rocky even though it seems that there have been months and months to "prepare." I emailed my kid’s teacher early last week (school starts Monday) with a question about schedules and she still had no idea what things were going to look like. We’re just now getting emails detailing schedules/grouping/etc. Less than a week before the first day.
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pobre
Ruby
Posts: 22,376 Likes: 203,355
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Post by pobre on Aug 5, 2020 12:11:41 GMT -6
I guess I'm in the minority but I feel our school district has been planning all summer and has their shit together. I already have a 38 page document that covers re-opening and in person and virtual learning details. Schedules, protocols, student services, specials, etc. are all covered.
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rubysue
Amethyst
Posts: 7,203 Likes: 35,112
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Post by rubysue on Aug 5, 2020 12:13:29 GMT -6
I’ve been getting communication from our district all summer, but nothing other than the decision to be virtual only for the first month had been solidified until this week. I don’t doubt many teachers/admin have been working since March to try to make this school year work.
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Post by coffeecake on Aug 5, 2020 12:13:30 GMT -6
I saw in our district that teachers will be given the option to "teach" virtually from their classrooms. I have to think that would be a welcome option, especially if synchronous instruction is required. Our school doors were locked on March 16 and no one could go inside. When I think of all the lesson plans and materials that were trapped in classrooms in the spring, it has to be a little bit of a relief to be able to now leverage all the classroom resources that educators didn't have access to in the spring. Well, yes, from a teaching standpoint. Except my teacher friends were told weeks ago they were doing virtual, but were given no other details. And now, a week before school starts they’re told they have to be in their classrooms and have no childcare for their own kids. Obviously, teaching at home while your own kids do virtual learning is hard and not ideal. But they now, at a moment’s notice have to find and pay for childcare they didn’t know that they were going to need. So it’s also frustrating for people.
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lemons
Sapphire
Posts: 2,629 Likes: 17,720
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Post by lemons on Aug 5, 2020 12:15:02 GMT -6
At our last school board meeting the committee for virtual learning brought their plan for having two 45 minute sessions of synchronous learning for grades 7-12. You could tell they put a lot of thought into it and gave rationales and explanations.
The school board was basically like, “nah, we don’t like that. They should be connected all day. Try again and have a plan by the time schedules are released on 8/19”.
Oh and they still have to bring all the teachers and staff up to speed on how to use Canvas and other platforms for teaching.
I feel so bad for all parties involved. It’s just ugly.
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mc03
Gold
Posts: 627 Likes: 3,135
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Post by mc03 on Aug 5, 2020 12:15:04 GMT -6
They won’t be doing exercises, reading, assignments along with the live stream? Some independent work mixed in but the independent work is all on Schoology so watching videos, completing work online, etc. Even for specials. They get an hour break for lunch/recess and two other 10 minute breaks. Otherwise? All computer stuff all day from 8-3:30. Ok but at least they are getting live instruction and presumably the teacher will try to find ways to make it interactive. Is it ideal? Maybe not but I’d prefer that to a couple of worksheets and no structure. As has been said previously, kids (most and obviously there are other challenges involved for children with special needs) will adapt. I think a positive attitude at least from the start will be crucial to trying to make things work. This is not forever.
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Post by doublestuf on Aug 5, 2020 12:15:25 GMT -6
Yes, thank you for reminding me that I should have included the required asterisk. **As always, nothing is 100% for everyone everywhere. Regardless, I do feel that what I said is more generally true than not. Most districts did not have their decision cemented in May or June so that teachers could prepare. Hell, some districts still haven't made the final call. The decision wasn’t cemented, I just know they were working with the teachers for different scenarios. And it’s been ongoing these months. I’m sorry to hear it that’s not more universal. I see what you're saying. And it sounds like your district was being very proactive, which is awesome. But from a teacher standpoint, even if I did try to think through several different scenarios, there was nothing concrete I could actually do to prepare--nothing I could produce to plan for the first 2 weeks of school or first math/science/literacy unit. For most places, I think anything that did come out was so so so broad that no instructional decisions that impact me the teacher, and therefore you and your child, could be made. Our kids start the 17th, workdays on the 13th. State laws keep us from starting earlier since they certainly aren't going to be pay us for doing back to work early! So teachers are going to receive all the nitty-gritty details with 2 days to plan. Although the first 2 weeks are expected to be instruction-lite. Again, this is just in my tiny corner of the world.
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STP
Diamond
Posts: 43,353 Likes: 314,953
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Post by STP on Aug 5, 2020 12:17:57 GMT -6
The decision wasn’t cemented, I just know they were working with the teachers for different scenarios. And it’s been ongoing these months. I’m sorry to hear it that’s not more universal. I see what you're saying. And it sounds like your district was being very proactive, which is awesome. But from a teacher standpoint, even if I did try to think through several different scenarios, there was nothing concrete I could actually do to prepare--nothing I could produce to plan for the first 2 weeks of school or first math/science/literacy unit. For most places, I think anything that did come out was so so so broad that no instructional decisions that impact me the teacher, and therefore you and your child, could be made. Our kids start the 17th, workdays on the 13th. State laws keep us from starting earlier since they certainly aren't going to be pay us for doing back to work early! So teachers are going to receive all the nitty-gritty details with 2 days to plan. Although the first 2 weeks are expected to be instruction-lite. Again, this is just in my tiny corner of the world. I don’t know. It’s not the vibe I’m getting from those I know who instruct in our district. It’s a small district, and I’ll just be glad the teachers seem to feel reasonably positive about our start. I’m not expecting smooth perfection, of course.
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jaygee
Diamond
Posts: 28,309 Likes: 220,025
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Post by jaygee on Aug 5, 2020 12:20:39 GMT -6
I saw in our district that teachers will be given the option to "teach" virtually from their classrooms. I have to think that would be a welcome option, especially if synchronous instruction is required. Our school doors were locked on March 16 and no one could go inside. When I think of all the lesson plans and materials that were trapped in classrooms in the spring, it has to be a little bit of a relief to be able to now leverage all the classroom resources that educators didn't have access to in the spring. That’s crazy that they couldn’t even go inside. Our principal and teachers were able to access the school in the spring as needed but because we were on shelter in place the teachers did so only for essential needs. The principal seemed to split her time. I think virtual teachers should be allowed to have space to work from as needed, but I bristle are being required to teach from a classroom. Because of child care, transportation and other logistical concerns.
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rubysue
Amethyst
Posts: 7,203 Likes: 35,112
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Post by rubysue on Aug 5, 2020 12:24:21 GMT -6
This is our 1st grade schedule for virtual learning. Sorry if huge.
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jaygee
Diamond
Posts: 28,309 Likes: 220,025
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Post by jaygee on Aug 5, 2020 12:25:12 GMT -6
I know my district is doing stuff but I have no idea how much or what about the curriculum. We’ve only heard about the protocols and logistics for hybrid. Like hours of the day and masks and stuff like that. Hopefully something is happening but we’ll find out in a couple weeks. I think teachers are back this week or next and we start on 8/26. I’m keeping the faith because it’s all I can do.
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hawkward
Global Moderator
Loss, Infertility
Posts: 19,638 Likes: 123,092
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Post by hawkward on Aug 5, 2020 12:26:35 GMT -6
Those seem like really long days for a kid that age with only 2-3 30 minute breaks. I wonder if they are expected to be online and engaged that whole time.
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brux
Diamond
Posts: 35,340 Likes: 282,560
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Post by brux on Aug 5, 2020 12:28:03 GMT -6
I guess I'm in the minority but I feel our school district has been planning all summer and has their shit together. I already have a 38 page document that covers re-opening and in person and virtual learning details. Schedules, protocols, student services, specials, etc. are all covered. I've seen similar detailed plans at our district level. But the staff who have to implement those plans are totally in the dark.
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Post by doublestuf on Aug 5, 2020 12:28:09 GMT -6
I saw in our district that teachers will be given the option to "teach" virtually from their classrooms. I have to think that would be a welcome option, especially if synchronous instruction is required. Our school doors were locked on March 16 and no one could go inside. When I think of all the lesson plans and materials that were trapped in classrooms in the spring, it has to be a little bit of a relief to be able to now leverage all the classroom resources that educators didn't have access to in the spring. H and I both teach, and we were both so excited that we get to escape our 4 walls and our 2 little monsters on a daily basis. BUT our district has free childcare for elementary-aged teacher's kids (and has worked with community orgs to provide free and low-cost care for working parents). They acknowledged that if droves of us quit because of costly childcare they would be screwed. It will be so much easier to have Smartboards, whiteboards bigger than my kids' easel, math manipulatives, etc at our finger-tips.
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Post by ambiguousmango on Aug 5, 2020 12:28:20 GMT -6
I wonder with distance learning if some people may qualify for leave with the FFCRA? I know it still wouldn't be ideal but would maybe help until *hopefully* schools open later in the fall.
Eta: maybe not since school is in session and not "closed". But if school is your childcare while you are working and they can not physically take them.. idk all of this makes my head and heart hurt.
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pobre
Ruby
Posts: 22,376 Likes: 203,355
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Post by pobre on Aug 5, 2020 12:29:13 GMT -6
I guess I'm in the minority but I feel our school district has been planning all summer and has their shit together. I already have a 38 page document that covers re-opening and in person and virtual learning details. Schedules, protocols, student services, specials, etc. are all covered. I've seen similar detailed plans at our district level. But the staff who have to implement those plans are totally in the dark. OK. I wasn't speaking about the staff.
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CeeBug
Opal
Posts: 8,072 Likes: 41,567
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Post by CeeBug on Aug 5, 2020 12:29:26 GMT -6
My gosh, 2020 is such a disaster. That’s all I’ve got. I have already decided that I am throwing a huge New Year's Eve party for my little family this year. There will be lots of food and revelry.
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