SabrinaP
Pearl Clutcher
Busy Teacher Pea
Posts: 4,350
Location: Dallas Texas
Jun 26, 2014 12:16:22 GMT
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Post by SabrinaP on Jul 10, 2020 3:10:24 GMT
Thank you Merge for putting it perfectly! Teachers really just want to keep themselves, their colleagues, and especially the kids safe while being able to deliver the education and emotional support kids need. It’s going to be the most challenging year of my 22 years of teaching for sure.
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Post by karen on Jul 10, 2020 3:17:39 GMT
Good! My district will release their plan tomorrow afternoon. My principal sent an email saying that teachers will get a survey tomorrow. I don’t understand how those both happen on the same day, but I’m hoping that they will do the right thing. I hope teachers are able to make enough noise to make a change. It just isn’t safe for all districts to go back now. TEA should let districts decide how to handle the This school year.
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Post by freecharlie on Jul 10, 2020 3:29:14 GMT
March... close the schools because it is unsafe August... open the schools when there are more cases and a virus that has mutated to be more easily spread. I believe strongly that all teachers should show up to school in masks, face shields, gloves, and white jumpsuits to make a statement. I have been told I will no longer have a daily prep period, I will increased duties, and I will need to stay past contract hours to monitor socially distanced dismissal. Teachers and students will die. No question about it. Is it okay if it is your kid? Your kid’s teacher? What if your kid tests positive and then their teacher does? Can you look them in the eye and say... well, we had to get back to normal? Fuck that!!!!
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SabrinaP
Pearl Clutcher
Busy Teacher Pea
Posts: 4,350
Location: Dallas Texas
Jun 26, 2014 12:16:22 GMT
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Post by SabrinaP on Jul 10, 2020 3:32:52 GMT
One of the scary things to me is that TEA is allowing parents the right to choose virtual or in person with a deadline of 2 weeks before instruction. 2 weeks before instruction does not leave us much time to prepare. We usually have our class lists done by then, but we won’t even know final numbers by the first day of teacher reporting. My district is doing a k-12 virtual academy. I’m not sure how they will staff it without knowing numbers of kids.
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Post by birdy on Jul 10, 2020 4:16:25 GMT
A teacher posted a long but very well thought out post yesterday on our local fb page about how she's scared, doesn't see how this can possibly work, etc. I was appalled at some of the commenters calling her selfish. Some told her that if she's that worried, she should find another job. Unless these assholes have ever been in a classroom of little ones, even middle elementary, they can't fathom how unsafe going back can be! I'm a former teacher (K, 3, 4). I've subbed for the past 9 years for K-5. There is no way that K, heck even 1 and 2 are going to be able to social distance, stay safe, etc. They're very affectionate and "touchy>" Hugging on each other, hands on each other (nicely or in anger), sharing manipulatives, not able to keep well to a personal space. It's just a recipe for disaster! I am praying every day for all of the teachers that are faced with returning this fall. We have made the decision to pull our DD and do online public school through our state, so I'll be staying at home with her as well. No way I'm going back in where I'm exposed to different classes everyday in 7 different buildings. My thoughts and heart are with you katybee and all the teachers!!!
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pinklady
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,496
Nov 14, 2016 23:47:03 GMT
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Post by pinklady on Jul 10, 2020 4:32:33 GMT
I guess I am not getting the histrionics that teachers are having about going back to school. There is a whole world of people who are already back to work or never were off work and who work in very close contact jobs with other people. The world keeps revolving. You will find a way to manage just like they have. This is rich coming from the holier than thou pea who just a few days ago whined that this board is full of bullies and assholes who are too harsh and blunt with their posts. Look in the mirror, you're a fucking "parsnip". The problem is that parsnips almost never realize they are awful. They think they are great and that every other vegetable is inferior to them simply because they are parsnips. They don't realize that if they push all the other vegetables out of the soup, they end up with only other parsnips and they have to start throwing each other out of the pan and into the fire.
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AmeliaBloomer
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,842
Location: USA
Jun 26, 2014 5:01:45 GMT
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Post by AmeliaBloomer on Jul 10, 2020 4:35:43 GMT
I guess I am not getting the histrionics that teachers are having about going back to school. There is a whole world of people who are already back to work or never were off work and who work in very close contact jobs with other people. The world keeps revolving. You will find a way to manage just like they have. Good God. Please explain this whole world of people who have similar occupational risk as teachers, with similar physical environments, with as much responsibility for others, and with as little protection for all. All while completely reinventing their job. WITH MINORS. Please help by sharing a solution or three from this so-very-similar “whole world of people who have found a way to manage.” I’d say that anyone who repeatedly claims to become anxious and triggered (and dismissed) because she is forced to simply scroll by titles of political threads on a virtual message board might have even a scintilla of empathy for people who might be anxious and triggered by the idea of being forced into these real life school situations - while (literally and figuratively) being the only adult in the room. “Histrionics?” Talk about being dismissed. I go to sleep every night thanking my lucky stars I retired from teaching so soon before this all happened....and feeling a gnawing and palpable fear for my former colleagues and students. Every teacher I know is terrified. Reacting to them with cavalier dismissal and contempt is unfathomable. But you’re right about one thing: you don’t get it.
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Post by flanz on Jul 10, 2020 4:41:47 GMT
I'm so sorry katybee. that is really lousy~! All of the teachers, staff, students and families deserve better!
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seaexplore
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,400
Apr 25, 2015 23:57:30 GMT
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Post by seaexplore on Jul 10, 2020 4:53:48 GMT
I guess I am not getting the histrionics that teachers are having about going back to school. There is a whole world of people who are already back to work or never were off work and who work in very close contact jobs with other people. The world keeps revolving. You will find a way to manage just like they have. What other profession has to be in a 10x10 room with 30 people who are not masked or distanced? THANK YOU!
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Apr 25, 2024 10:02:35 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 10, 2020 6:09:17 GMT
I guess I am not getting the histrionics that teachers are having about going back to school. There is a whole world of people who are already back to work or never were off work and who work in very close contact jobs with other people. The world keeps revolving. You will find a way to manage just like they have. This is rich coming from the holier than thou pea who just a few days ago whined that this board is full of bullies and assholes who are too harsh and blunt with their posts. Look in the mirror, you're a fucking "parsnip". The problem is that parsnips almost never realize they are awful. They think they are great and that every other vegetable is inferior to them simply because they are parsnips. They don't realize that if they push all the other vegetables out of the soup, they end up with only other parsnips and they have to start throwing each other out of the pan and into the fire. if you can't beat them, join them
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Post by happyOCgirl on Jul 10, 2020 7:01:02 GMT
I keep recalling how all things to do with school have been handled in the past. In California, we recently were made lots of promises (ie: increased taxes will be going to education), then within a year we wonder where the money went (general pool). We are used to teaching with one arm tied behind our back while performing amazing feats. Those making decisions for schools continue to make promises they can't keep (for millions of reasons), but those in the classrooms manage to keep those promises with creativeness and limited resources. I have never taught during a pandemic, but I have taught under Dem and GOP governors and presidents. There has never been leadership that has kept long term promises to schools. Do I believe we will be fully stocked with hand sanitizer and soap? Maybe in the first few weeks back.
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Post by ~summer~ on Jul 10, 2020 7:07:48 GMT
Oh wow.
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Post by rune2484 on Jul 10, 2020 8:16:12 GMT
One of my teacher friends posted this image and I can't help but share since it used the same phrasing as your thread title, katybeeSorry it is so huge, I'm not sure how to make it smaller. I am livid that our leaders at all levels are being so cavalier with the lives of teachers and school staff. Teachers have been criminally underpaid and overworked. The schools and classrooms have been underfunded for so long that I am surprised that they function at all. I can't help but to think that the fact we are leading our school populations to slaughter is a not a bug in the system, but rather certain key political administrators are counting it as a feature. People like Betsy Devos are setting the system up to fail so she swoop in and monetize the student population just like they did the prisons. That woman and her cadre are vultures on the best of days. Honestly? Fuck this shit. Fuck Betsy, fuck right to work, and fuck the guilt society is trying to control you with. This is going to be the lost year anyway - kids need stability and pandemics don't allow for that. Now is the time for teachers nation-wide to assert themselves and take back this broken system. You all deserve so much more! Your profession and the kids you serve will be so much better off if we just used the opportunity and leverage you have right now. Assert your right to an acceptable work environment and a wage befitting the asset you are! I may be little more than an over-bearing parent to the school system, but I am absolutely an advocate for your profession. I know I am not the only parent that would show up to picket with you.
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Post by monklady123 on Jul 10, 2020 9:39:55 GMT
Isn't there a teachers union?? NEA or something like that? Organize! No. We are a right to work state. If we strike, we could lose our teaching certificate and every penny we’ve put into the state retirement system (which is my social security). I technically cannot even quit at this point. We have to give our resignation at least 45 days prior to our report date. That would have been last Friday. But we still don’t even have details on how they plan to keep us safe. If we break our contract, we could lose our teaching certificate for a year. Virginia is the same. In my district (which is the bluest of the blue, just about 100% Democratic) the teachers are fortunate to have a lot of VERY vocal parents who do not think we should just waltz back into the classroom and resume business as usual. We also have a Democratic governor which helps. There are still a million questions but at this point I think our district has given a choice of a hybrid model or a full-time online model, for elementary and middle schools. High school has the same I think. Mostly, nothing except the two options has been decided on yet because the deadline for parents to make their choice isn't until mid-July. It's so complicated. I'm sorry you're being put in that situation. What is the school system's plan for when people in the school get sick? Will they just carry on or will school shut down again? Seems to me that opening and then shutting down will be more disruptive than just staying closed.
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Post by monklady123 on Jul 10, 2020 9:55:24 GMT
I guess I am not getting the histrionics that teachers are having about going back to school. There is a whole world of people who are already back to work or never were off work and who work in very close contact jobs with other people. The world keeps revolving. You will find a way to manage just like they have. That's my only reply for now because I haven't read through the entire thread yet. I'll assume others have replied to say what I'm thinking... ETA: Just finished reading the whole thread and yep, others stepped up and said what I was thinking.
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Post by yivit on Jul 10, 2020 11:02:44 GMT
That doesn't surprise me at all. For those of you without spreadsheets lol, I work at NASA in Houston. We have facilities that are under our center at El Paso Hangar and White Sands Test Facility (in Las Cruces NM). While JSC is at a Stage 3 on the agency framework (mandatory telework), WSTF, EPH and WSC (White Sands Complex, managed by Goddard) are actually at a 3+ (because there are critical things that have to continue and they just can't do Stage 4 facility closure as a result) and have been since this started (we moved from 3+ to 3 right before the 'uptick' started in May). We have people who live in LC and in EP who work at WSTF so there's that added complication of interstate travel (not to mention that Ciudad Juarez is right there too). I haven't heard any news from my WSTF folks yet in what LC schools are planning, but I bet it's similar to EP. I'm not going to get to go to WSTF this year for my annual F2F with my troops and penetration test because of the plague (which is what I'm calling it only because it's easier for me). I'm not okay with it, but it's what has to be done. Even if it was okay but only if I drove (and for those non-TX folks, that trip is about 800 miles or almost 1300 km one way), I don't think I would. Guess my hatch chile fix will have to wait a year (I'm usually there during the chile festival, wah). Hugs to all of you who are apparently getting tossed into the Petri dishes we call schools, especially those who teach specials. One of my good friends is a middle school band teacher and she's STILL wondering how they're going to do it. It's one thing when you've been in class for a good chunk of the year with the kids, but how do you start the year with new musicians AND you're also trying to socially distance? I'm lucky in that my job doesn't require in-person interaction for the most part. Still, there's nothing like 17 weeks (and counting, probably for at least the rest of the year) of forced distancing to realize that there are some times when you really need that F2F.
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Post by Merge on Jul 10, 2020 11:59:47 GMT
One of the scary things to me is that TEA is allowing parents the right to choose virtual or in person with a deadline of 2 weeks before instruction. 2 weeks before instruction does not leave us much time to prepare. We usually have our class lists done by then, but we won’t even know final numbers by the first day of teacher reporting. My district is doing a k-12 virtual academy. I’m not sure how they will staff it without knowing numbers of kids. Or know how many laptops/hotspots they may need to provide for families without access, or which schools/parts of the city may need them. Or be able to tell how many teachers will need to be willing to teach in person at each grade level on each campus. The state loves to create enormous, unfunded logistical nightmares for the public schools. It’s all part of their plan to make sure we “fail” so they can turn us all into for-profit charters.
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Post by epeanymous on Jul 10, 2020 12:06:43 GMT
I mean, I could see districts in areas of the country where cases have sharply declined already considering options that include socially-distanced in-person instruction.
Texas is in the middle of a full-blown outbreak. This is nuts. And is driven by wanting to get parents back to work, not care for the kids (even though online schooling definitely isn’t right for a lot of kids).
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Apr 25, 2024 10:02:35 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 10, 2020 12:47:18 GMT
I think our district is going to offer choices and we are going to keep our kids home. We have that privilege...if enough parents keep kids home maybe it will be a little safer for those that go? However I am sad how my teen daughter will take this news. It is going to hurt her. And she has already been feeling pretty bad.
Also for teachers who are older or have health conditions are they able to get medical excuses not to return? Some teachers should probably be seeing a doctor and a lawyer.
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Post by mollycoddle on Jul 10, 2020 13:05:58 GMT
Some of my friends are planning on wearing masks and those clear visors. Uncomfortable but they work with very young children and children with special needs. If I were still working, I would be wearing both too. It just sucks all the way round.
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Post by mollycoddle on Jul 10, 2020 13:10:49 GMT
I guess I am not getting the histrionics that teachers are having about going back to school. There is a whole world of people who are already back to work or never were off work and who work in very close contact jobs with other people. The world keeps revolving. You will find a way to manage just like they have. Good God. Please explain this whole world of people who have similar occupational risk as teachers, with similar physical environments, with as much responsibility for others, and with as little protection for all. All while completely reinventing their job. WITH MINORS. Please help by sharing a solution or three from this so-very-similar “whole world of people who have found a way to manage.” I’d say that anyone who repeatedly claims to become anxious and triggered (and dismissed) because she is forced to simply scroll by titles of political threads on a virtual message board might have even a scintilla of empathy for people who might be anxious and triggered by the idea of being forced into these real life school situations - while (literally and figuratively) being the only adult in the room. “Histrionics?” Talk about being dismissed. I go to sleep every night thanking my lucky stars I retired from teaching so soon before this all happened....and feeling a gnawing and palpable fear for my former colleagues and students. Every teacher I know is terrified. Reacting to them with cavalier dismissal and contempt is unfathomable. But you’re right about one thing: you don’t get it. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Standing ovation. I agree; I waffle between huge relief that I retired and concern for my friends who are still teaching.
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Post by Merge on Jul 10, 2020 14:01:56 GMT
Some of my friends are planning on wearing masks and those clear visors. Uncomfortable but they work with very young children and children with special needs. If I were still working, I would be wearing both too. It just sucks all the way round. If I end up going back, that's what I'll be doing as well, at least when teaching K-1 and the special needs PK class. I'm thinking the kids will end up with something very close to a virtual experience anyway, because what I'm going to have to do is pre-record my lesson without the mask and visor and show it to them on a screen. I'll basically be there for support and behavior management. There's simply no way to do what I do from behind two layers of PPE. At least when they end up closing us down again, they'll be used to operating that way. Let's not talk about how many hours of work will be involved in pre-recording 6 highly engaging lesson videos each week.
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artbabe
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,026
Jun 26, 2014 1:59:10 GMT
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Post by artbabe on Jul 10, 2020 14:34:05 GMT
it is not just Texas, Colorado is on the same path I'd wager that every state with a Republican governor is on this path. All following the directives of dear leader. Ohio has a Republican governor but he has been a very free thinker in all of this. DeWine is totally pro mask and pro social distancing. He is not pushing for kids to go back full time. Our legislature, on the other hand, is very Republican and very anti-mask. DeWine is stuck between a rock (Trump) and a hard place (legislature). I know he is feeling a lot of pressure. I cannot imagine living in Texas. I just cannot. I would be terrified. Sending kids back full time with no precautions is idiotic. So far all of the Central Ohio schools have been putting together a hybrid plan that depends on what level emergency it is. For example, level 2 and 3- staggered days, level 4- distance learning. My district has not announced anything yet. I'm assuming we will be doing a staggered day plan, too. I'm in a very strong union so I know they will have say in whatever we are doing. My contract is pretty clear about working conditions (planning periods, contract hours, etc.).
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Post by myshelly on Jul 10, 2020 15:03:11 GMT
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johnnysmom
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,682
Jun 25, 2014 21:16:33 GMT
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Post by johnnysmom on Jul 10, 2020 15:33:13 GMT
it is not just Texas, Colorado is on the same path I'd wager that every state with a Republican governor is on this path. All following the directives of dear leader. Michigan's is a Democrat and been pretty strict (we're still not fully open) but unless we go back a phase schools are allowed to reopen. Districts have some flexibility in how that happens but the guidelines say masks aren't required in the classroom for grades 5 & under (they are required in common areas like buses and hallways) and while distancing desks is encouraged as much as possible it's not required. Masks are required all day for higher grades and staff. Devil's advocate question: is teaching in a class with the same 30 students (yes, I know some teachers engage with many more students) more dangerous than working in a restaurant with hundreds of different unmasked people in and out all day? Not getting into what's right or wrong because the situation is vastly different based on location just playing devil's advocate cuz the thought crossed my mind.
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katybee
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,377
Jun 25, 2014 23:25:39 GMT
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Post by katybee on Jul 10, 2020 15:35:25 GMT
No. We are a right to work state. If we strike, we could lose our teaching certificate and every penny we’ve put into the state retirement system (which is my social security). I technically cannot even quit at this point. We have to give our resignation at least 45 days prior to our report date. That would have been last Friday. But we still don’t even have details on how they plan to keep us safe. If we break our contract, we could lose our teaching certificate for a year. Virginia is the same. In my district (which is the bluest of the blue, just about 100% Democratic) the teachers are fortunate to have a lot of VERY vocal parents who do not think we should just waltz back into the classroom and resume business as usual. We also have a Democratic governor which helps. There are still a million questions but at this point I think our district has given a choice of a hybrid model or a full-time online model, for elementary and middle schools. High school has the same I think. Mostly, nothing except the two options has been decided on yet because the deadline for parents to make their choice isn't until mid-July. It's so complicated. I'm sorry you're being put in that situation. What is the school system's plan for when people in the school get sick? Will they just carry on or will school shut down again? Seems to me that opening and then shutting down will be more disruptive than just staying closed. Schools can shut down for 5 days (to clean) when 10% of students test positive.
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inkedup
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,837
Jun 26, 2014 5:00:26 GMT
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Post by inkedup on Jul 10, 2020 15:51:55 GMT
it is not just Texas, Colorado is on the same path I'd wager that every state with a Republican governor is on this path. All following the directives of dear leader. California is on this path. The "Freedumb" crowd has effectively erased all the gains from locking down first. The "no masks, no modifications, no virus" crowd in our city is vocal and seemingly huge. These parents are the ones calling teachers hysterical ("histrionics", really? 😡) and proudly letting everyone know that they have instructed their children not to wear masks in class. (Yes, there are a lot of these parents in my city.) Teachers, please know that many parents appreciate you and share your fears.
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SabrinaP
Pearl Clutcher
Busy Teacher Pea
Posts: 4,350
Location: Dallas Texas
Jun 26, 2014 12:16:22 GMT
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Post by SabrinaP on Jul 10, 2020 15:56:33 GMT
I'd wager that every state with a Republican governor is on this path. All following the directives of dear leader. Michigan's is a Democrat and been pretty strict (we're still not fully open) but unless we go back a phase schools are allowed to reopen. Districts have some flexibility in how that happens but the guidelines say masks aren't required in the classroom for grades 5 & under (they are required in common areas like buses and hallways) and while distancing desks is encouraged as much as possible it's not required. Masks are required all day for higher grades and staff. Devil's advocate question: is teaching in a class with the same 30 students (yes, I know some teachers engage with many more students) more dangerous than working in a restaurant with hundreds of different unmasked people in and out all day? Not getting into what's right or wrong because the situation is vastly different based on location just playing devil's advocate cuz the thought crossed my mind. In teaching we get much closer to kids than any server in a restaurant. I teach math to 100-150 kids per day. My lessons usually take up about 10-20% of the class time and the rest is spent practicing the skills they learned. During their practice time I’m walking around helping them. I often have to work the problem for them or look at their work to see where their mistake is. They cannot be done from any further than maybe a foot or so away. Plus kids are going to have to eat. I’m betting they will not want them in the cafeteria, so that means they will be eating in our rooms. I’m thankful that I teach a grade that will have to wear masks. Kids under 10 in Texas do not have to wear masks, so the little kid teachers are definitely at risk. I also have a sink in my room, so I can do frequent hand washing. Bathrooms are an issue though. The only teacher bathroom is all the way across the building. I’m not sure how that is going to work now. I used to be able to quickly run to the kids restroom between classes (kids can’t use it during passing periods), but now that won’t be possible.
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katybee
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,377
Jun 25, 2014 23:25:39 GMT
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Post by katybee on Jul 10, 2020 16:04:34 GMT
Devil's advocate question: is teaching in a class with the same 30 students (yes, I know some teachers engage with many more students) more dangerous than working in a restaurant with hundreds of different unmasked people in and out all day? Not getting into what's right or wrong because the situation is vastly different based on location just playing devil's advocate cuz the thought crossed my mind. No. Being in a restaurant with hundreds of different unmasked people in and out all day would be EXTREMELY dangerous, which is why experts are saying DON’T DO IT. Restaurants here can only operate at 50% capacity, and I would still never consider dining in at this point—to protect both myself and the staff. I order curbside to go and deliver at least twice a week, though.
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Post by Skellinton on Jul 10, 2020 16:05:34 GMT
I'd wager that every state with a Republican governor is on this path. All following the directives of dear leader. Michigan's is a Democrat and been pretty strict (we're still not fully open) but unless we go back a phase schools are allowed to reopen. Districts have some flexibility in how that happens but the guidelines say masks aren't required in the classroom for grades 5 & under (they are required in common areas like buses and hallways) and while distancing desks is encouraged as much as possible it's not required. Masks are required all day for higher grades and staff. Devil's advocate question: is teaching in a class with the same 30 students (yes, I know some teachers engage with many more students) more dangerous than working in a restaurant with hundreds of different unmasked people in and out all day? Not getting into what's right or wrong because the situation is vastly different based on location just playing devil's advocate cuz the thought crossed my mind. That is a fair question, but I would say absolutely, it is different. Kids, especially the little ones, are all up in each other’s and the teacher’s business. It is going to be extremely difficult to socially distance kids from each other and the teacher. At a restaurant (granted I have not been in one since March) how close do you get to the server? I don’t think servers get as close as teachers need to get to students. Also in restaurants staff have sanitizing supplies and time to sanitize between each set of customers. Teachers barely have time to pee during the day. We have to sneak Clorox wipes (which we pay for) and generally don’t use them when the kids are in the room. Kids will likely be in the classroom all day, even eating there so when are teachers going to time to clean? Also, generally wait staff aren’t having to preform crowd control and remind their customers to not use each other’s silverware or touch each other while educating the customers. Wait staff are given tools for each customer to have all the supplies they need to preform the necessary tasks. Classrooms generally don’t have 25-30 sets of individual supplies the kids will need to learn. For what it is worth I don’t think restaurants should be open to sit down service either in many areas. I think take out is more then adequate.
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