Teachers start back next Monday and students back in the classroom August 10th for our school. Also, if you choose to keep your kid at home, they can't be involved in extra curricular activities. We are a small 2A rural school.
Reopening Schools
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Last: 5 yr ago by AustinAg2K
Interesting quote:
After 20 weeks doing COVID-safe programming, we've gotten pretty used to all of the precautions. Kids have been very safe and we've had very few symptoms
That 1) helps support a bit the concept of child immunity and their lack of spread; 2) shows that schools and their regulators have no real excuse for not being prepared...this group learned on the fly and did so safely...why can the schools not?
After 20 weeks doing COVID-safe programming, we've gotten pretty used to all of the precautions. Kids have been very safe and we've had very few symptoms
That 1) helps support a bit the concept of child immunity and their lack of spread; 2) shows that schools and their regulators have no real excuse for not being prepared...this group learned on the fly and did so safely...why can the schools not?
lunchbox said:
Wow. Speaking as a teacher this is driving me crazy. I just want to know one way or the other so I can start planning. I am at a virtual conference as we speak learning about different technology tools and how to use them in the classroom. The tools for effective in person instruction are often completely different than the tools we use for virtual instruction.
maybe these county judges should have researched the legality of usurping state law better before issuing edicts. I'm guessing that is Paxton's rub.
I have seen community centers and day cares say they will open up their doors for virtual learning since they can provide better help than parents, especially if they are working. So in order to socially distance our kids from school a lot of parents have no other options than to send them to a place with other kids and older adults that put the kids more at risk of Covid. Makes total sense.
My kids have spent a few days a week at a mothers day out program for over a month and this week they are at another event every day this week. Not saying there have been no cases but none that anyone is aware of.
nai06 said:lunchbox said:
I'm not a legal expert, but does this actually change anything? This is a non legally binding opinion that doesn't undo local health orders for schools to close.
Or do I have that backwards?
I posted in another thread that I don't think this will change anything. In fact, it might make things more complicated.
The damage was done when the Austin Health Authority publicly said that opening schools could kill between 30-1400 kids just in Travis County. That scared people, and I don't see schools districts/superintendents/school boards being the ones who want to say its "safe" to open schools. That's not their "area of expertise". And no district wants to become the poster child for "I told you it wasn't safe to open."
Public Health Authorities should be doing everything possible to get schools OPEN, and they should have been working with schools since March, when they first closed. Keeping them closed should be a last resort. But the exact opposite is happening.
So, now whose guidance do you use?
I sure hope I'm wrong about this, but it seems clear to me that no one is making these decisions to protect children and teachers. They are making them to protect their own political positions (in that, they are all fighting over who has the authority to close schools).
EMSISD superintendent has been pretty clear in email communication that he is frustrated and wants the students back in school. I'm hoping that this allows him to go back to his original planning, which was giving all parents a choice of virtual or in-person learning and starting on the regular first day of school in August.
That's what i don't get about all of this. Give us all a choice. If you aren't comfortable being in school, either as a student, parent or educator, than you have the right to stay home. Period.
That's what i don't get about all of this. Give us all a choice. If you aren't comfortable being in school, either as a student, parent or educator, than you have the right to stay home. Period.
I mean that is fine to say but that doesn't help the teachers and campus admin who just need to know what the heck to plan for.oldag941 said:
maybe these county judges should have researched the legality of usurping state law better before issuing edicts. I'm guessing that is Paxton's rub.
True. In some ways the ISD's are glad that a higher authority is making the tough decisions for them and providing them some breathing room / cover (I assume). But in other ways, with each higher decision, and yo-yo, it makes planning even tougher on those ISD's.
TEA said they can listen or consult with local health authorities, or at least I thought they did. This is a mess to say the least.
Bing bing bing!
My stance from day one. If you have a choice, there's really no reason to continue all this confusion. Let the schools start moving forward.
My stance from day one. If you have a choice, there's really no reason to continue all this confusion. Let the schools start moving forward.
How may of you have children? Just asking.
And does the Attorney General?
I could not find this in the quick bio I checked.
And does the Attorney General?
I could not find this in the quick bio I checked.
I have a 10 year old and a 7 year old. I want them both to be able to physically go to school from the beginning.
Posted on another thread. I have an email from a regional TDH director, from last week, that is in alignment AG Paxton's letter.
I have three kids going into HS, they want and need to be in person.
I have three kids going into HS, they want and need to be in person.
Hopefully this helps districts like ours, that straddle 2 counties. Our Bexar county schools (until today) were ordered closed, while the rest of the district gets a choice.
I know that Paxton lost my vote today, not that he needs it. He could have made this statement the first time a health department made the call instead of waiting till now, letting schools plan in accordance with their local rules, then only a few days before the start make this statement. He could have made it when he said local health departments could not close church schools.
But instead we have chaos again with most of us starting teacher days next week.
But instead we have chaos again with most of us starting teacher days next week.
Oh my goodness. The order was given on Friday, how about finding fault with the local governments that overstepped their authority a few days ago. It takes a little bit of time to have your ducks in a row to make sure what you're doing is actually legal (contrary to Dora and Sly's approach where they run orders up the flag pole and hope you salute). Today is Tuesday. I'm thinking they got this order out as quickly as they possibly could. They're not sitting on it.3rd Generation Ag said:
I know that Paxton lost my vote today, not that he needs it. He could have made this statement the first time a health department made the call instead of waiting till now, letting schools plan in accordance with their local rules, then only a few days before the start make this statement. He could have made it when he said local health departments could not close church schools.
But instead we have chaos again with most of us starting teacher days next week.
We had the order in Dallas and Tarrant way before this week. He made the no church school ruling way before this week.
I stand corrected. You are right. Your order came out last Tuesday.
21st
But he made the order that closure did not apply to church schools on July 17. Dallas county at least already had an order then.
He could have saved schools much uncertainty then.
But he made the order that closure did not apply to church schools on July 17. Dallas county at least already had an order then.
He could have saved schools much uncertainty then.
Maybe your timing is off, but the statement still seems valid. I would assume Paxton is measuring the response based off actual state law vs. what the county judge and LHAs conjured up as a loop hole.
As I mentioned, above....I have an email from a regional TDH director that is in alignment wit AG Paxton and I received it last week. I additionally heard from a good source they were expecting the state to rule they don't have the authority.
It appears these people playing politics overplayed their hand, once again. I am sure they will come up with another one soon.
As I mentioned, above....I have an email from a regional TDH director that is in alignment wit AG Paxton and I received it last week. I additionally heard from a good source they were expecting the state to rule they don't have the authority.
It appears these people playing politics overplayed their hand, once again. I am sure they will come up with another one soon.
Katy reversed all of their suspended activities, effective immediately following the Paxton announcement.
Willy Wonka said:Oh my goodness. The order was given on Friday, how about finding fault with the local governments that overstepped their authority a few days ago. It takes a little bit of time to have your ducks in a row to make sure what you're doing is actually legal (contrary to Dora and Sly's approach where they run orders up the flag pole and hope you salute). Today is Tuesday. I'm thinking they got this order out as quickly as they possibly could. They're not sitting on it.3rd Generation Ag said:
I know that Paxton lost my vote today, not that he needs it. He could have made this statement the first time a health department made the call instead of waiting till now, letting schools plan in accordance with their local rules, then only a few days before the start make this statement. He could have made it when he said local health departments could not close church schools.
But instead we have chaos again with most of us starting teacher days next week.
The Travis County order which started it was issued the 14th. He definitely sat on this until he couldn't ignore it anymore. Maybe Paxton was researching the legalities. Maybe he was hoping none of the other counties would issue one or have smaller jurisdictions push back. But there could have been easily two weeks of running around like a chicken with a head cut off stopped if he spoke up earlier. It just means that for some of us, school starts in two weeks and we don't know wtf is going to happen.
Honestly at this point I wouldn't mind seeing every school closed until Labor Day, then it all opens up normal. Individual school districts can tweak things as needed for virtual learning, but there should be absolutely no overreaching government mandate past that. Sports, extracurriculars, everything open.
If the counties need to get involved on a individual basis for crowds at a football game, let the county handle that.
The pissing contest to not be the one holding the bag for any political gain is absolutely frustrating and ridiculous at this point. Anyone that had any elected position during all this needs to be voted out. No one has stepped up to be a leader.
(Paxton might be able to stay but I want to see him put a bigger foot down statewide).
If the counties need to get involved on a individual basis for crowds at a football game, let the county handle that.
The pissing contest to not be the one holding the bag for any political gain is absolutely frustrating and ridiculous at this point. Anyone that had any elected position during all this needs to be voted out. No one has stepped up to be a leader.
(Paxton might be able to stay but I want to see him put a bigger foot down statewide).
My district starts Aug 12 and I see no benefit in state wide delay. This should be a local decision, as local as possible. (we are adjacent to a metro area but our decision should be our own, not rolled in to the big city)jopatura said:
Honestly at this point I wouldn't mind seeing every school closed until Labor Day, then it all opens up normal. Individual school districts can tweak things as needed for virtual learning, but there should be absolutely no overreaching government mandate past that. Sports, extracurriculars, everything open.
If the counties need to get involved on a individual basis for crowds at a football game, let the county handle that.
The pissing contest to not be the one holding the bag for any political gain is absolutely frustrating and ridiculous at this point. Anyone that had any elected position during all this needs to be voted out. No one has stepped up to be a leader.
(Paxton might be able to stay but I want to see him put a bigger foot down statewide).
jopatura said:
Honestly at this point I wouldn't mind seeing every school closed until Labor Day, then it all opens up normal. Individual school districts can tweak things as needed for virtual learning, but there should be absolutely no overreaching government mandate past that. Sports, extracurriculars, everything open.
If the counties need to get involved on a individual basis for crowds at a football game, let the county handle that.
The pissing contest to not be the one holding the bag for any political gain is absolutely frustrating and ridiculous at this point. Anyone that had any elected position during all this needs to be voted out. No one has stepped up to be a leader.
(Paxton might be able to stay but I want to see him put a bigger foot down statewide).
No need kicking the can down the road until Labor Day. We are going on nearly 5 months of no in person schools. These kids need back in the classroom ASAP.
Meanwhile in Pasadena (CA), large scale day care for kids up to EIGHTH GRADE will be available, where students can attend online school together. You know, so kids can basically go to school, but with babysitters in the room instead of actual teachers.
Tell me again how teacher's unions have the best interests of the kids at heart?
Day care isnt even a pejorative here, the SPUSD even calls it "Day Care."Keegan99 said:
Meanwhile in Pasadena (CA), large scale day care for kids up to EIGHTH GRADE will be available, where students can attend online school together. You know, so kids can basically go to school, but with babysitters in the room instead of actual teachers.
Tell me again how teacher's unions have the best interests of the kids at heart?
And it costs $180 per week. For a room of 12 kids thats $2160 per week and over $8500 per month. Someone is making some serious money in this deal.
You can't make this stuff up. Logic left a long time ago.
On a positive note Wylie ISD is going back to school on time and the option of in person. They said with about 40% of the parents not wanting their kids to go back in person this will help social distance and make the class size smaller.
Wylie back to school
Wylie back to school
Where are you seeing this?
Keegan99 said:
Meanwhile in Pasadena (CA), large scale day care for kids up to EIGHTH GRADE will be available, where students can attend online school together. You know, so kids can basically go to school, but with babysitters in the room instead of actual teachers.
Tell me again how teachers' unions have the best interests of the kids at heart?
At the risk of sounding like a jerk, why should teacher's unions (or any union/professional association) be concerned with anyone's interests outside of their members?
For those that think the school closures and online options in Texas are because of teacher preference.
We got the numbers for our school (middle school) last week. The parents were split almost exactly 50/50 on in school/online choice for beginning of year. They are asking teachers to volunteer to teach the online classes, but very few have. Many teachers will just be assigned to those positions...because they are needed...because the parents made that choice.
We got the numbers for our school (middle school) last week. The parents were split almost exactly 50/50 on in school/online choice for beginning of year. They are asking teachers to volunteer to teach the online classes, but very few have. Many teachers will just be assigned to those positions...because they are needed...because the parents made that choice.
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