Reopening Schools

247,040 Views | 2236 Replies | Last: 5 yr ago by AustinAg2K
elbow
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There is a very low chance that we'll have any extracurricular activities. In elementary school, anyway. Choir and band are out. Maybe the running group can go ahead but I haven't heard either way. We did chess and coding last year and they are talking about offering an online option. I mean, online is good but it's not the same as being around your friends.
elbow
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I'd send my kid to school but since I don't work, I'd rather let there be more social distancing space for my working neighbors. And my kid isn't too crazy about having to wear a mask and face shield the entire day. Or eating lunch at her desk. It appears that there will be so many restrictions, like one way hallways, no movement around the building, no specials etc, that going to school won't be the same experience anyway.

I think at this point, I've resigned myself to having her repeat the year once there's a vaccine. Imo, it's not the end of the world. I eavesdrop while she's FaceTiming her friends and they talk a lot about how nervous they are about going into buildings and being around people that they aren't related to. She worries about infecting her teachers, or us.
Keegan99
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Anyone claiming they want heavy school restrictions is being guided by fear, not science.
Complete Idiot
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I really hope they let parents have the option to send kids to school, ours starts August 13th and I worry this uptick will change their plans. They've been planning to provide in school or remote school, which seems reasonable I have no problem with providing an option.

Since Covid seems to burn through any reasonably "open" population in 4-8 weeks I think Texas will be on the down slide, if not back to where we were a week or two ago, bu august 13th.
tylercsbn9
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ORAggieFan said:


Friend in Portland, OR found out his kids school is 4th grade and younger, 100% back. 5th and above hybrid. Seems stupid.
It doesn't seem stupid. It is stupid.
Keegan99
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elbow
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This would be great if we had FIVE lab-reported cases like Switzerland did on 6/27. Unfortunately, Dallas county had 601, Tarrant had 605, Collin had 100 etc etc. While the EU was on lockdown, their government actually did the work. Testing people, educating them on mask use, creating a contact tracing app that almost a million people have downloaded in Switzerland alone. Our virus levels are uncontrolled. There aren't enough tests. We have half the number of contact tracers that we were supposed to have. During lockdown, our government twiddled their thumbs and then decided that by the power of magical thinking, the pandemic was over. Maybe some other people want to sacrifice their children on the altar of the economy, but I don't have to.

https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/covid-19_coronavirus--the-situation-in-switzerland/45592192
Keegan99
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Kids don't get bad cases, and they don't transmit the virus at significant levels. That's the science. It has nothing to do with government policy.
Keegan99
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But if you want to create actual risk for America's youth, keep schools closed.

Alta
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Some of us don't want to sacrifice our children's education and mental health either. Everybody is welcome to make their own decision as to what is best for their children and family.
ORAggieFan
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elbow said:

This would be great if we had FIVE lab-reported cases like Switzerland did on 6/27. Unfortunately, Dallas county had 601, Tarrant had 605, Collin had 100 etc etc. While the EU was on lockdown, their government actually did the work. Testing people, educating them on mask use, creating a contact tracing app that almost a million people have downloaded in Switzerland alone. Our virus levels are uncontrolled. There aren't enough tests. We have half the number of contact tracers that we were supposed to have. During lockdown, our government twiddled their thumbs and then decided that by the power of magical thinking, the pandemic was over. Maybe some other people want to sacrifice their children on the altar of the economy, but I don't have to.

https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/covid-19_coronavirus--the-situation-in-switzerland/45592192

Kids are way more at risk from the flu or riding in a car. Add in the mental aspect and it's a no brainer.

My kids are on their third week if camp at school. No field trips and less interaction than years past but they are still enjoying it. Every elementary school in the district has it and zero issues.
HowdyTexasAggies
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" Maybe some other people want to sacrifice their children on the altar of the economy, but I don't have to."

What in the world are you reading that makes you think this is true?
BowSowy
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HowdyTexasAggies said:

" Maybe some other people want to sacrifice their children on the altar of the economy, but I don't have to."

What in the world are you reading that makes you think this is true?
Based on the rest of their post - too many facebook posts from concerned parents
tysker
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Quote:

More high schoolers will commit suicide from the #COVID19 shutdowns than will ever die from the disease itself.
About two months ago we had a neighbor tell us they had a friend of their high schooler come over during the height of lock down because the friend's parents were worried about their child's mental health and, well, negative thoughts. Both parents and families felt it was worth the risk to have friends spend time together in person.

Why are we prioritizing the lives of those in hospice and in LTC versus those in high school, college and in their first job? The medical ethicists must be pulling their hair out.
DTP02
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elbow said:

Maybe some other people want to sacrifice their children on the altar of the economy, but I don't have to.

https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/covid-19_coronavirus--the-situation-in-switzerland/45592192


That nine people agreed with this post is why we will likely continue to have completely backward, statistically ignorant, and irrational fear-driven policIes regarding children and COVID19 .

"Sacrifice your children on the altar?" Children are in more danger driving to school than they are from covid19. Until everyone can get that point thru their heads, we are going to continue to make counter-productive decisions about returning to school.
tysker
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They are the same nine people that have pool in their yard at let friend come over and swim when they're away. Their kids are also more likely to die vaping synthetic THC from China.

Humans are bad at evaluating risks. The insurance business counts on it.
rojo_ag
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DTP02 said:

elbow said:

Maybe some other people want to sacrifice their children on the altar of the economy, but I don't have to.

https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/covid-19_coronavirus--the-situation-in-switzerland/45592192


That nine people agreed with this post is why we will likely continue to have completely backward, statistically ignorant, and emotional driven policIes regarding children and COVID19 .

"Sacrifice your children on the altar?" Children are in more danger driving to school than they are from covid19. Until everyone can get that point thru their heads, we are going to continue to make counter-productive decisions about returning to school.

I understand where you are coming from and your argument is valid. I think the bigger question is when students go back to school in the fall, will measures be taken to reduce the spread? The amount of restrictions that will potentially be put in place will make traditional schooling extremely difficult for students, faculty, and staff. Many parents will choose to keep their children at home either to be safe or because of the extreme restrictions.

Do you propose business as usual on campuses with only minimal mitigation strategies? Even if young people have minuscule risk, in the last 3+ months, there has been no evidence that leadership at any level is willing to allow the virus to spread throughout the population freely. Will this change by August?
88planoAg
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I am not willing to sacrifice my HS junior. Of course not.

I am, however, wanting to evaluate the risk to him and his classmates if they continue to be completely socially isolated. Schools must consider the whole of K-12, not just elementary. Extracurriculars and electives are very important in HS, and in fact are what keep a lot of students engaged and attending school.

I don't think America should shrug off evidence from schools elsewhere in the world that are showing the risk of spread is minimal. Instead let's find out what they are doing and emulate that here.

I am very worried about my 16 year old, and not because I think he might become seriously ill. The odds of that are vanishingly small.

J. Walter Weatherman
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Unfortunately this is probably not an uncommon viewpoint from people who don't do any research on their own and only listen to the media, who are doing everything they can to scare everyone because they know they can profit from the hysteria.
Aust Ag
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My Senior this year was part of a team of students that went to local elementary schools mentoring, I don't want to say "troubled", but kids with some issues. One kid he got close to, a 3rd grader, his Dad had died and he was having a hard time as you would expect, depression issues. My son talks about him from time to time, wonders how he is? Can't be easy for this kid sitting at home all day, where his Dad used to be. School, I'm sure, was a welcome distraction.

He also spoke about other kids in this program, a few he wondered about abuse (mostly mental abuse), some had speech issues. We've got to get these kids back to school. Doubtful their homelife has "improved" over the last few months.

Next years Seniors are going to have their hands full I'm afraid.
HowdyTexasAggies
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" I understand where you are coming from and your argument is valid."

Really, you think there is a chance of sacrificing kids? Can you point to any data that corroborates this position?

Edit - misread your post
rojo_ag
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HowdyTexasAggies said:

" I understand where you are coming from and your argument is valid."

Really, you think there is a chance of sacrificing kids? Can you point to any data that corroborates this position?
Hmmm. I'm confused. I agreed with the post that argued that we are not truly sacrificing kids if we send them to school. Am I misunderstanding you?
HowdyTexasAggies
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My bad
rojo_ag
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HowdyTexasAggies said:

My bad
No worries. Sometimes when responding to a post that responded to a post it gets a bit muddled.
AgBrother
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Humble ISD - sent out an email for each student about a week ago - giving a choice for each student (choices had to be made by today).

For Elementary it was back to school 5 days a week or school from home 5 days a week.

Middle and High School was a bit different - same two options but the back to school will be on a A & B block for the first few weeks at least - where the kids go to school every other day. There is also an option for those Middle and High if they want to do school from home but also participate in extracurricular activities.

Someone posted a poll for our area and the elementary school and about 250 people voted and 62% said they would send kids back to school while 38% will keep them at home.

I appreciate the choice the district has given to each family and it will be interesting to see how it works and what happens when someone tests positive. We decided to send the kids to school (they actually both wanted to go back - we have one in elementary and one in middle).
Keegan99
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Read this entire thread. Expert advice from across the pond.

AggieSarah01
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Do we know which of those countries has their kids in masks at school and which don't?
Ag_N_Houston
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A lot of the uncertainty around school openings isn't about the kids getting sick/spreading the virus. It's really about the what if factors.

What if I get sick? I have 150 students. Do they all have to quarantine? Will there be a qualified sub to take my place for a minimum of 2 weeks? Will teachers have enough sick days to use or will the district have to pay for sick days that haven't been earned? How will schools handle parents in the building? What if a bus driver test positive? What about a cafeteria worker or custodian?

The amount of adults that it takes to keep a school running smoothly is very high and if those adults start getting sick (no matter where they get the virus), schools will run into trouble.
88planoAg
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Boerne ISD finally made some announcements. Families choose either in or out, no hybrid. Can change decision within the year, timeframes (how long before change) tba.

No extracurriculars for those choosing home.

Synchronous at home school - kid required to sit at computer for school day.

Parents (FB) seem upset about the 2 above points.

Other mitigation activities tba (masks, etc)
Aust Ag
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Those are good questions, about the "adults". With the kids, apparently they won't even show symptoms so we'll probably not even know if they're sick. If they do (probably a higher temp), hopefully the kid goes home, like always, and comes back after 24 hours with no temp...and the rest of the class plows on. Like always.
Aust Ag
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88planoAg said:

Boerne ISD finally made some announcements. Families choose either in or out, no hybrid. Can change decision within the year, timeframes (how long before change) tba.

No extracurriculars for those choosing home.

Synchronous at home school - kid required to sit at computer for school day.

Parents (FB) seem upset about the 2 above points.

Other mitigation activities tba (masks, etc)
People are mad about kid not being able to do extracurriculars if they choose to stay home? What?? That's crazy, why would you say, "Johnny wants to play ball, and will come to practice, but I want him at home the rest of the time"?
Prexys Moon
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88planoAg said:

Boerne ISD finally made some announcements. Families choose either in or out, no hybrid. Can change decision within the year, timeframes (how long before change) tba.

No extracurriculars for those choosing home.

Synchronous at home school - kid required to sit at computer for school day.

Parents (FB) seem upset about the 2 above points.




Other mitigation activities tba (masks, etc)





Cutting extracurriculars for distance learning will really separate the true believers from the lazy parents.
88planoAg
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Aust Ag said:

88planoAg said:

Boerne ISD finally made some announcements. Families choose either in or out, no hybrid. Can change decision within the year, timeframes (how long before change) tba.

No extracurriculars for those choosing home.

Synchronous at home school - kid required to sit at computer for school day.

Parents (FB) seem upset about the 2 above points.

Other mitigation activities tba (masks, etc)
People are mad about kid not being able to do extracurriculars if they choose to stay home? What?? That's crazy, why would you say, "Johnny wants to play ball, and will come to practice, but I want him at home the rest of the time"?
Yup. 'it is outside, more safe, school district is bullying and trying to force kids to go to in person school'.

Those are some of the various comments.

Doesn't make any sense to me.
tysker
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from a link in the twitter thread
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8406723/Secondary-schools-resume-Spain-Netherlands-South-Africa.html

Countries are trying a variety of solutions
Charpie
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Had to fill out the survey for my senior. Only options were online only or in school only. For her sake, we chose in school.
 
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