General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsSchools will reopen in 2 weeks, as parents we're terrified
(I apologize at the outset for the long rant)
My son will by starting 5th grade this year. He's an incredibly bright, inquisitive child who has a real thirst for not only taking in knowledge, but retaining that knowledge and putting it to use. (Case in point: during quarantine, we played NBA2K on PS4 many nights. He became fascinated with learning all he could about NBA greats to the point that he can literally hold a discussion about which players he might want in which positions and why on his historic team; ie Kobe has to play SF so that Jerry West and John Havlicek can split SG, and Bill Russell and Shaq as centers. Sigh, I could go on and on). During the lock down in our state, our son did remarkably well with online learning and, in some ways, it encouraged him to prioritize and organize his time to get the necessary work completed.
In less than three weeks, our schools will be returning in our very red suburb of Nashville. The county has opted for a "hybrid model" where children will be divided by last name into two groups with one group going Mon/Thurs and the second groups going Tues/Fri with Wednesday being on online learning day. For parents who wish to keep their kids at home there is an online "virtual learning" option.
Sounds ok on the surface, but, for us, our situation becomes a bit more complicated. Our son attends the county's magnet school. He worked very hard to get into that program and has thoroughly enjoyed that school. The parents had a "Zoom" meeting with the principal last night in which night he outlined the "hybrid plan" and we were informed that, while the virtual learning option would still be available to us and we would not lose our spot in the magnet school if we chose that route, the virtual learning option would not be a magnet teacher, it would not include any magnet options, we would not have access to the Google classrooms at his magnet school, and if we opted into that program we were committing for nine weeks at a time, regardless of what the Covid status of the county may be.
This school is K-12 and is top rated in the state and nationally. We want our child to be able to have the education they offer, but at what cost?! As parents, we're currently feeling guilted into accepting this "hybrid plan". The extra scary part is that the county is only doing that model in two week increments, so they may be sitting in a full classroom in mid August. If we commit to online only, our child will be in that plan for nine weeks at a time. If we commit to the in person model, we're stuck with whatever the county may decide as far as when to open or close schools.
This is such an incredibly overwhelming time for parents. I'm happy we have the options we have, but it does feel like we're being ask to roll the dice on our child's health vs education.
JCMach1
(27,590 posts)September whatever option they chose.
Forget about magnet. Health and possible long-term damage such as lung, heart and fertility issues make it an easy decision.
Docreed2003
(16,900 posts)And thankfully we're in a situation where we can make that work for us. Covid numbers are climbing in our area and politics is driving a public health decision. Being guilted and shamed about our decision by those around us is what makes this so crazy.
Tipperary
(6,930 posts)Hope he is interested in history and other such subjects that might make a difference in life.
NBA? Not so much.
Docreed2003
(16,900 posts)That's a superficial thing that he enjoys, he's only ten. I guarantee that he can go toe to toe with many folks on history and science topics. He won our regions National Geographic Geography Bee, the state competition was cancelled due to Covid. The kid's a sponge and yes he plans on contributing to society and making a difference.
Mariana
(14,863 posts)Learning about anything is never a bad thing. Good on you for encouraging him to delve into something that he wanted to know more about. No doubt he gained or improved some skills while doing it that will be useful to him in the future.
MoonchildCA
(1,301 posts)FelineOverlord
(3,604 posts)I have to be honest, I would not be sending my kids to school right now.
The fact that they will not give you a magnet teacher if you do the Zoom route sounds extremely manipulative to me. It sounds like blackmail or something similar.
They clearly don't want the Zoom routes and are trying to force the parents into an untenable situation. Trust me, I would be causing a lot of trouble of I were a parent in that situation.
I just wish that there would be a national teachers strike and a national student walkout.
School can be made up later.
This is causing danger not only to the children but to everyone who works in the school.
Children with covid may have life-long health problems.
A child who dies is gone forever.
https://www.sun-sentinel.com/coronavirus/fl-ne-pbc-health-director-covid-children-20200714-xcdall2tsrd4riim2nwokvmsxm-story.html
Docreed2003
(16,900 posts)We're firmly in the online learning plan. It was just a really disappointing meeting, almost as if they were guilting us for making that decision.
I'm in the healthcare field and I can see the numbers rising in our area first hand. We aren't anywhere close to being ready for in person school.
If you needed to know the priority of the district, a child can opt for the online learning and also participate in all sports at the school, but no magnet option.
GeorgeGist
(25,326 posts)Phoenix61
(17,025 posts)If its not safe for you, as adults, to meet in person now, how is it going to be safe for for the kids in two weeks? I completely get wanting your child to do great in school but, Ill share this story with you. I have dear friends who took their son out of school for a year and literally sailed around the world. Hes attending the Naval Academy now. It sounds like your son is the intellectually curious type. Hes going to learn and excel where ever he is. I hate that you and your family are in this situation.
Docreed2003
(16,900 posts)Baclava
(12,047 posts)MissB
(15,813 posts)If I had a child that age, Id be doing the virtual option.
Look, by 5th grade, my kid was taking Algebra 1. He was very bright and way into math, much like your kid drills into the fine details of the NBA that would escape most peoples passing fancy of the sport.
I dont think he wouldve lost anything if we had to go virtual at that point in his life, because his learning was merely facilitated by his very capable teachers, who taught all levels within the class (no tag or gifted differentiation per se). His progress wasnt because of the instruction - he wouldve moved along academically even if he wasnt in a classroom. (That kid is entering his fully funded PhD program in engineering this month and will likely also be online)
Get it in writing that your son wont lose his space in the program and then continue to push for additional resources. In about 6 weeks, once things shut down again at your kids district and they allll go virtual because of the increased infections, theyre going to have to figure out how to provide their magnet education virtually.
crickets
(25,990 posts)Agreed that the rest will fall into place as schools are forced to close, and thereby forced to offer all programs online.
https://news.yahoo.com/israeli-data-show-school-openings-073608473.html
Docreed, you and your wife are wonderful parents for keeping your child home. You're doing the right thing. It's unconscionable that parents and children are being put into this situation at all.
spanone
(135,924 posts)tblue37
(65,528 posts)Phoenix61
(17,025 posts)I took some computer classes on web design and really learned a lot.
vu.org
Squinch
(51,083 posts)Docreed2003
(16,900 posts)I've seen this virus and it's effect up close and personal. We're seeing numbers rise in our area and our hospital is running on limited testing supplies, and this is in a major county outside of Nashville. It just isn't safe right now and it's so damn infuriating that these decision are being driven more by politics than public health
Squinch
(51,083 posts)your decision, but you will have a child at the end of all this.
I work in schools. Trying now to get an accommodation based on age and underlying conditions to continue video sessions instead of going back to in-person. It's agonizing. I'm not ready to retire, but if I don't get the accommodation, I'll have to apply for a leave or something.
Docreed2003
(16,900 posts)What you are asking for is entirely reasonable. I hope your board is understanding to your situation!
It's funny, as red as our area is, Nashville, which is the next county and 15 mins from our house to downtown, is a vibrant blue. The joys of living in the south I suppose
SheltieLover
(57,073 posts)Our district never sent a survey, yet publicly proclaimed "94% want on-campus" for their students, as per "the survey." Hmmmmm...
Not happening here!
Your son would likely benefit socially from attending, but trom what you have shared, I'm guessing he would do a better job of educating himself anyway.
Our district (red) requires a full semester commitment & is focused only on core subjects. Not sure how that will play out.
Pur district is also NOT requiring masks in classrooms! Only during passing periods & while entering / leaving thr building.
This school has been so crowded - literally shoulder-to-shoulder during passing periods - that only having 1/2 the students in the building at a time would still leave it way too crowded to be reasonably safe.
I'm predicting a massive increase in cases within a month of schools opening, similar, but perhaps worse, than when phases were advanced.
I'm not a medical professional or statistician, but it only seems to follow common eense, imho.
What would be the negative consequence of doing online school for 9 weeks & watch what happens?
Just a thought. 😉
Docreed2003
(16,900 posts)I think you're exactly right on the rise of cases with schools going back. I know you guys in the Memphis area are seeing a huge spike as are we in the Nashville area and they're still pushing ahead with these plans. It's insane!
I understand that people want to return to "normal", but the reality is there isn't going to BE a return to that reality. We're in a new reality now and we have to be willing to adjust and sacrifice to get this virus under control.
I think our son will be fine in the online option. I told my wife last night I would rather be wrong about that decision than risk his health or anyone else's.
SheltieLover
(57,073 posts)So glad to know you are keeping your precious son out of harm's way!
Many years ago, one of my kids was out of HS for an entire year due to a medical problem. Initially, I picked up schoolwork & returned it for grading. Sick as a dog, the work was done, self-teaching, in ~ 2 hours consistently.
So I had to ask the obvious: WTH do they do the other 5 hrs/day? 😳
No hesitation: "waste time." 🤬
My student is still much like your son, with an inherent cutiosity & love of learning & great respect for teachers.
It almost seems many districts have gone out of their way to ensure everyone is infected. Their proposed plans make zero sense otherwise.
Compound covid with flu season & l'm afraid it will be a huge mess. I am glad to know your family will not be impacted!
Lars39
(26,117 posts)Vanderbilt is requiring and providing face shields for Physical Therapy employee starting Monday. I dont know if other employees will have to wear face shield or not.
And yet its going to be safe for schools to reopen.
Docreed2003
(16,900 posts)So wish we had some of that sanity here, and I can see downtown in the distance from my hospital!
Lars39
(26,117 posts)Stay safe, doc.
LizBeth
(9,953 posts)I do not know any that start the first week in Aug. generally they start going around the 15th. That is almost a month. I just do not like it when misinformation for inflammatory reason is used. It is wrong.
Now, I would not be sending my kids into the mess. So that is where I stand. My job to protect my kids. Sending them in the mess is the opposite. And I am not into killing teachers.
Docreed2003
(16,900 posts)I'm not spreading misinformation. First day of school is August 3rd. That's 16 days from today.
If you'd like to see our county schedule, I'll gladly show it
LizBeth
(9,953 posts)not heard of any school, ever, starting the first week in aug. What state do you live, but it would more likely be district and not state. Thanks for the clarification. I realized only after posting this was not an article, but your own writing.
Docreed2003
(16,900 posts)We're in TN, in Sumner Co, just north of Nashville. Our district has been going back earlier and earlier each year.
LizBeth
(9,953 posts)ready for a couple weeks getting ready for school mid Aug. I was always ready for them to go back, lol. I was always happy when they got out. Both have the ups and downs.
They must get out at the beginning of May. Mine would get out third week and we could hit our longer vacation while a lot of the nation was still in school and not as hot yet.
I would not send the kids to school in this. What is behind? An arbitrary definition. Schools can easily accelerate what is missed and catch almost all up. But maybe Junior and seniors and cut them a break on requirements. It is not necessary. I would take all the online course and husband could do the math, depending what grade. I get some parents have a challenge with that, and that is ok too. We can figure it out. Have appt with teacher so kids can get one on one or something. With distance. On online help from the teacher.
It is beyond stupid sending kids, teachers and minimum wage workers in the environment when WH tours have stopped, they get tested regularly, conventions going on line and Republicans refusing to go, restaurants, bars shut down. But we will send the kids back.