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Post by iteach3rdgrade on Jul 23, 2020 3:45:39 GMT
I just read a Facebook post started by a parent at school and she is so torn on either online or in person school. She listed pros and cons, so she's really thinking about each issue. She will feel guilt for either choice. There were 4 more parents feeling the same way about making the choice. Then I started wondering about how many parents have the ability to choose either and how tough that choice is. For some I know returning is a necessity for work, so there is no choice. Some will make the choice very easily. We are going back in person unlike many other districts doing hybrid or online.
How easy do you think this choice is? Do you have to make the choice?
ETA: This post just made me wonder about how many families this difficult choice affects compared to a quick online schooling choice. I'll never know the percent. What if online schooling helped the majority by removing the tough decision and guilt?
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tracylynn
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,899
Jun 26, 2014 22:49:09 GMT
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Post by tracylynn on Jul 23, 2020 3:48:43 GMT
I have a friend who agonized over it. She decided this week to take a leave of absence from her job to be with her kids at home. She is lucky that she can make that choice.
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Post by iteach3rdgrade on Jul 23, 2020 3:49:22 GMT
I have a friend who agonized over it. She decided this week to take a leave of absence from her job to be with her kids at home. She is lucky that she can make that choice. That's great that she can make that choice.
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ashley
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,400
Jun 17, 2016 12:36:53 GMT
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Post by ashley on Jul 23, 2020 3:55:19 GMT
Our school board had not announced any options or decisions yet, but the province has indicated that schools will be open five days a week. So in person full time school is definitely an option.
I feel like I need to choose between sacrificing my family’s health and safety, or sacrificing my career/job options. This is further complicated by the fact all of my children take the bus to school (city bus for high school, school bus for the elementary students) which adds a whole additional risk factor. Plus if I’m working they’re going to need to attend day care. So I have to choose to expose us/them to at least three separate groups of other students, plus a minimum of three adults for each child in elementary school. The high school student needs to transfer buses, so that’s two buses and bus drivers, plus whatever random strangers are there that day, and whatever teachers and changing groups of students will be in her classes. It is conceivable my family will be exposed to easily 100+ individuals a day.
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Post by iteach3rdgrade on Jul 23, 2020 3:58:30 GMT
Our school board had not announced any options or decisions yet, but the province has indicated that schools will be open five days a week. So in person full time school is definitely an option. I feel like I need to choose between sacrificing my family’s health and safety, or sacrificing my career/job options. This is further complicated by the fact all of my children take the bus to school (city bus for high school, school bus for the elementary students) which adds a whole additional risk factor. Plus if I’m working they’re going to need to attend day care. So I have to choose to expose us/them to at least three separate groups of other students, plus a minimum of three adults for each child in elementary school. The high school student needs to transfer buses, so that’s two buses and bus drivers, plus whatever random strangers are there that day, and whatever teachers and changing groups of students will be in her classes. It is conceivable my family will be exposed to easily 100+ individuals a day. I'm sorry! I wish you had other options.
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Post by bothmykidsrbrats on Jul 23, 2020 3:59:30 GMT
I have 2 SIL that are HS teachers, as well as mothers to school age children. Neither of them want to go back to school or send their children. Both were very much in the let's wait and see what happens after the 4th of July camp. Well, what came to Vegas stayed in Vegas and now we are surging. Out district is opening 100% distance learning next month. My youngest is a 2020 really sucks HS senior, and already planned a gap year. DS will continue his university classes online. I've always been a SAHM and my heart breaks for what this is doing to families, especially working moms.
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Post by iteach3rdgrade on Jul 23, 2020 4:02:29 GMT
I have 2 SIL that are HS teachers, as well as mothers to school age children. Neither of them want to go back to school or send their children. Both were very much in the let's wait and see what happens after the 4th of July camp. Well, what came to Vegas stayed in Vegas and now we are surging. Out district is opening 100% distance learning next month. My youngest is a 2020 really sucks HS senior, and already planned a gap year. DS will continue his university classes online. I've always been a SAHM and my heart breaks for what this is doing to families, especially working moms. I think all the teachers (parents with kids in our district) in our building would prefer 100% distance learning, and it wasn't easy or exciting. If they had to work, and didn't want to send their kids what would they have done?
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Post by leannec on Jul 23, 2020 4:09:34 GMT
It is conceivable my family will be exposed to easily 100+ individuals a day. I'm a teacher as you know ... it has been decided here that we are going back to school in the fall ... I will be wearing my array of cute masks because I will be exposed to hundreds of crazy junior high students every day ... it's scary but online teaching really sucked ... the students just didn't get the best experience ... at least not my students ... and, for me, I missed seeing them ... even the "characters" I understand your concerns and you need to do what is right for you
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Post by bothmykidsrbrats on Jul 23, 2020 4:10:25 GMT
I have 2 SIL that are HS teachers, as well as mothers to school age children. Neither of them want to go back to school or send their children. Both were very much in the let's wait and see what happens after the 4th of July camp. Well, what came to Vegas stayed in Vegas and now we are surging. Out district is opening 100% distance learning next month. My youngest is a 2020 really sucks HS senior, and already planned a gap year. DS will continue his university classes online. I've always been a SAHM and my heart breaks for what this is doing to families, especially working moms. I think all the teachers in our building would prefer 100% distance learning, and it wasn't easy or exciting. If they had to work, and didn't want to send their kids what would they have done? They would have had the luxury of sending them to my MIL, that does not believe these particular grandchildren could possibly infect her with anything.
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Post by iamkristinl16 on Jul 23, 2020 4:11:31 GMT
Our state/district hasn’t said what is happening yet but if we have a choice, it will be difficult.
I have some relatives in Iowa who thought they had plans to be online or hybrid (different school districts had different plans). But the governor just announced last week that they had to be in person. So now many of the parents I know are planning to withdraw the students because they are not ok with 100% in school.
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AmandaA
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,502
Aug 28, 2015 22:31:17 GMT
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Post by AmandaA on Jul 23, 2020 4:21:23 GMT
We had to make a major decision for our kids and not as simple as in person or virtual. It feels like there is no right answer and there will be guilt no matter what. And if “something” happens then the guilt will continue to pile up. I realize that the stress of our decisions pale in comparison to those of single parents and working parents, but damn it still sucks. I like being in control, like really like being in control (enneagram 1 🙋🏻♀️), but part of me just wants to go one day without making a big decision or second guessing a decision I already made. Having choices feels like a double edged sword. If this doesn’t end up being the best or right choice, it was mine and I will feel responsible.
In our situation, our older kids were at a very small private school where we were happy. I began asking questions this month about their plans and wasn’t happy with what I heard. No masks for anyone and just doing their best to distance (because most people want a “normal” experience) paired with “at least this surge will get us closer to herd immunity”. Oh hell to the no! Our public school district is small and rural, but offering in person and virtual. Putting aside our academic concerns, they would be masks when necessary (read buses and hallways) for in person and we still don’t have a plan for virtual even though school starts in 2 weeks. So those options suck too. So do we homeschool? We were in a hybrid program and did pretty well, but I know the limits of my ability and it wouldn’t be good for any of us. So next option... we had the opportunity to hire my son’s first grade teacher (who is amazing and we adored). But what happens if/when her kids’ public school gets shut down, what about my kids getting no social interaction to speak of for another 9 months. Ugh. You can see why part of me wishes I didn’t have to make a decision at this point. We ended up hiring the former teacher. One child is thrilled and rolling with it the other is still mad at me 3 days later about leaving behind school and friends. In my heart I feel like we made the best and safest choice for our family, and we are so lucky to even have the choice and means to make it, but it still sucks for all of us. Sorry for the long ramble but I am so tired of making big decisions. But I would probably complain if the decision were out of our hands too. Everything feels like a no win situation at this point 😏
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samantha25
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,077
Jun 27, 2014 19:06:19 GMT
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Post by samantha25 on Jul 23, 2020 4:21:38 GMT
We made the decision to do online learning because I can stay home with the kids. However, the school/teachers/curriculum is geared toward online learning (been around for 1 year) for high school and have extended it to lower levels. It's not the in-school teachers putting together an online program. There's also a brand new building (pretty large, with appropriate social distancing furniture setup) that offers a one-day a week face to face learning option or can opt out of this and do all online. It's one year out of their learning, which isn't too long to sacrifice being safe.
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Post by sam9 on Jul 23, 2020 4:24:00 GMT
We don't have a choice. As of now, it is 100% in person. Today, I'm okay with that. Ask me tomorrow and I might have changed my mind.
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Post by iteach3rdgrade on Jul 23, 2020 4:26:18 GMT
We don't have a choice. As of now, it is 100% in person. Today, I'm okay with that. Ask me tomorrow and I might have changed my mind. What state?
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Post by snugglebutter on Jul 23, 2020 4:26:55 GMT
It's definitely a struggle. Our district sent out a survey in mid-June to ask if our preference was in-person or virtual learning. I indicated in-person at the time, but our area hadn't had it's recent case explosion yet. Our preference is now virtual for at least the first 9 week period, but it's looking like it will be that way regardless.
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finaledition
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,896
Jun 26, 2014 0:30:34 GMT
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Post by finaledition on Jul 23, 2020 4:33:52 GMT
I feel like I spent a couple weeks struggling, I slept very poorly. But since I live in CA and the decision has been made for me-I’m ok with it.
I still have they options for a couple types of distance learning, but ultimately we’ve chosen the same as my son’s closest friends and feel that may provide opportunities for them to do some group distance learning opportunities.
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muggins
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,861
Jul 30, 2017 3:38:57 GMT
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Post by muggins on Jul 23, 2020 4:35:09 GMT
Our district in MI is giving the option of in person or distance learning, not both. From reading the posts on our local FB page, many are sending their kids in person. Some dont think the virus is a big deal, others think their kids will develop serious psychological issues if they don’t see their friends, others found homeschooling too challenging, others have to go back to work so need childcare, some have SEN children who need in person teaching, etc. Others are really agonising over the decision, especially if they have a vulnerable adult living at home. The distance learning curriculum doesn’t allow for some accelerated courses or more than two AP classes for older kids so that’s a big consideration for MS and HS parents. A few have said they’re going to opt out altogether and create small homeschool groups for younger kids. The district are pretty open about their plans and are holding virtual town hall meetings to answer parents’ questions. They want decisions by August 1st, but parents are requesting an extra week to make their final decision once they roll out their final plans. We’ve chosen to do distance learning for 9th grade. DS doesn’t care either way.
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Post by iteach3rdgrade on Jul 23, 2020 4:37:57 GMT
We had to make a major decision for our kids and not as simple as in person or virtual. It feels like there is no right answer and there will be guilt no matter what. And if “something” happens then the guilt will continue to pile up. I realize that the stress of our decisions pale in comparison to those of single parents and working parents, but damn it still sucks. I like being in control, like really like being in control (enneagram 1 🙋🏻♀️), but part of me just wants to go one day without making a big decision or second guessing a decision I already made. Having choices feels like a double edged sword. If this doesn’t end up being the best or right choice, it was mine and I will feel responsible. In our situation, our older kids were at a very small private school where we were happy. I began asking questions this month about their plans and wasn’t happy with what I heard. No masks for anyone and just doing their best to distance (because most people want a “normal” experience) paired with “at least this surge will get us closer to herd immunity”. Oh hell to the no! Our public school district is small and rural, but offering in person and virtual. Putting aside our academic concerns, they would be masks when necessary (read buses and hallways) for in person and we still don’t have a plan for virtual even though school starts in 2 weeks. So those options suck too. So do we homeschool? We were in a hybrid program and did pretty well, but I know the limits of my ability and it wouldn’t be good for any of us. So next option... we had the opportunity to hire my son’s first grade teacher (who is amazing and we adored). But what happens if/when her kids’ public school gets shut down, what about my kids getting no social interaction to speak of for another 9 months. Ugh. You can see why part of me wishes I didn’t have to make a decision at this point. We ended up hiring the former teacher. One child is thrilled and rolling with it the other is still mad at me 3 days later about leaving behind school and friends. In my heart I feel like we made the best and safest choice for our family, and we are so lucky to even have the choice and means to make it, but it still sucks for all of us. Sorry for the long ramble but I am so tired of making big decisions. But I would probably complain if the decision were out of our hands too. Everything feels like a no win situation at this point 😏 Thank you for sharing! You didn't ramble. This was exactly what I'm interested in... how many families feel this way. I agree, guilt either way and not happy with no choice.
I haven't decided what I'm having my son do yet. Masks being mandated has me thinking a bit differently. I know our online program, and I know when he did one subject that I couldn't imagine doing it full-time. I know I'll have to depend on my husband at work to make sure the work gets done while running our business which is ok in the winter, but not in the spring. I don't want to pull him out first semester and then put him in second semester since friendships will be formed and it won't be easy for him.Decisions, decisions.
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Post by iteach3rdgrade on Jul 23, 2020 4:41:33 GMT
It's definitely a struggle. Our district sent out a survey in mid-June to ask if our preference was in-person or virtual learning. I indicated in-person at the time, but our area hadn't had it's recent case explosion yet. Our preference is now virtual for at least the first 9 week period, but it's looking like it will be that way regardless. That's why I'm so curious about how people feel now. I know exactly why we got the results we did in May/June... parents were done! They were exhausted. I'm so tired of surveys and manipulation of numbers. Even with our mask mandate, my students are less than 10, so I'm hoping I can still strongly encourage masks.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 6, 2024 17:01:59 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 23, 2020 4:41:45 GMT
Almost all districts in Ca will start 100% remote learning.
When safe to do so per county/district they will move to hybrid. Who knows when that will be.
I am happy it is 100% remote learning and I am happy I don't have to make the choice between remote and hybrid.
Also our district and DHs will offer remote 100% even when hybrid begins which I love.
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Post by freecharlie on Jul 23, 2020 4:42:59 GMT
Ds's district hasn't officially released their plan, but i have inside knowledge. They are going 100% in person, no mandates, bought some clorox wipes and sanitizer.
This dumb ass backward fucking place is so full of antimaskers. I've always loved our small town, but this just shows how ignorant they are
Eta: ds will go to school because he has no other choice. I hope he will wear his mask,but I think the peer pressure will get to him and he won't
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SabrinaP
Pearl Clutcher
Busy Teacher Pea
Posts: 4,408
Location: Dallas Texas
Jun 26, 2014 12:16:22 GMT
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Post by SabrinaP on Jul 23, 2020 4:45:19 GMT
My district is starting on time and giving a choice between 100% in person and 100% online. My kids are going to go back in person. DH and I are both teachers. We’ve both requested to teach virtual this year, but we would still be assigned a building and reporting to that building each day. Even though my boys are old enough to stay home by themselves and do their work, I know they will not do a great job at it, especially my 11 year old. I feel he especially would need some supervision and needs that teacher interaction that we cannot give him while working full time.
I know parents are agonizing over the decision. I have a very large family(my dad is one of 9) and we have all been talking about it on our Facebook group. Most of my cousins are sending their kids to school, but I have tons of cousins that are in education and don’t really have much of a choice.
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Post by SAHM wannabe on Jul 23, 2020 4:46:34 GMT
I was very torn about making a decision for my children who are both in high school. We had the option of hybrid or 100% online. Both children want to go back to school.
As an elementary teacher, I have very mixed feelings about being in the classroom. Unfortunately, I don’t have the luxury of not working (sahmwannabe lol).
Just yesterday, our school board unanimously agreed to begin our school year 100% online. This was after they had already announced the hybrid model was an option. As bothmykidsrbrats said upthread, what came to Vegas stayed in Vegas. Our numbers are up. I’m grateful the school board said no to meeting in class for now. They will monitor and adjust what the school district provides as the number of cases changes.
I feel like a huge weight has been lifted. Is distant learning ideal? No, but our collective health should be the number one priority.
Edited to add that when going back to school was an option (2 days per week), masks were required for EVERYONE unless there were special needs.
I’m sad for my fellow educators in other districts who are being forced to teach in conditions with so little regard for everyone’s safety.
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Post by iteach3rdgrade on Jul 23, 2020 4:46:35 GMT
Ds's district hasn't officially released their plan, but i have inside knowledge. They are going 100% in person, no mandates, bought some clorox wipes and sanitizer. This dumb ass backward fucking place is so full of antimaskers. I've always loved our small town, but this just shows how ignorant they are Eta: ds will go to school because he has no other choice. I hope he will wear his mask,but I think the peer pressure will get to him and he won't I just don't understand people!
I just hope our mask mandate lasts for 6-8 weeks. My son was excited to hear it's required, otherwise, peer pressure could get to him as well. I haven't given up on our governor just yet to make everything online. He'll see what the masks are doing and a lot of fairs are beginning so maybe the masks will prevent a lot.
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garcia5050
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,770
Location: So. Calif.
Jun 25, 2014 23:22:29 GMT
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Post by garcia5050 on Jul 23, 2020 4:48:43 GMT
Im fortunate that I can work from home. I’m also fortunate that my kids are high schoolers and can be home alone, even if I did have to be at work. It was a no-brainer for me. Not torn at all. Safety for all can really only be achieved if there is no in-person. But I know that circumstances for everyone aren’t the same.
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Post by iteach3rdgrade on Jul 23, 2020 4:49:28 GMT
I was very torn about making a decision for my children who are both in high school. We had the option of hybrid or 100% online. Both children want to go back to school. As an elementary teacher, I have very mixed feelings about being in the classroom. Unfortunately, I don’t have the luxury of not working (sahmwannabe lol). Just yesterday, our school board unanimously agreed to begin our school year 100% online. This was after they had already announced the hybrid model was an option. As bothmykidsrbrats said upthread, what came to Vegas stayed in Vegas. Our numbers are up. I’m grateful the school board said no to meeting in class for now. They will monitor and adjust what the school district provides as the number of cases changes. I feel like a huge weight has been lifted. Is distant learning ideal? No, but our collective health should be the number one priority. I agree on our collective health. Too many people haven't been affected so it isn't real just yet. The cases where I teacher are probably .0026 of the population (estimated population so it could be a much lower percent). No worries with that percent until it hits your own family.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 6, 2024 17:01:59 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 23, 2020 4:50:10 GMT
There are also other factors at play besides exposure. One of my friends has very limited English (and her husband has less). Her daughters do speak English because they have attended school and daycare but they are 1st and 2nd grade so very young and don't read well enough to do it on their own. She told me this week that trying to help her kids with online classes is beyond her English speaking skill and that it takes hours because she has to use translator programs to help her. She also really can't afford for one of them to stay home. Their daycare may be offering additional programs/teachers for home schooled kids during the day but it will probably increase her daycare costs by 2 to 3 times or more and they also can't afford that.
So her choices are to send her children to school if it is even open and hope that it doesn't get closed (it will), leave her job to stay home and spend frustrating hours for all of them because of her limited English (which they can't afford), or hope that the daycare has another solution (which she also likely won't be able to afford).
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Post by iteach3rdgrade on Jul 23, 2020 4:51:28 GMT
Im fortunate that I can work from home. I’m also fortunate that my kids are high schoolers and can be home alone, even if I did have to be at work. It was a no-brainer for me. Not torn at all. Safety for all can really only be achieved if there is no in-person. But I know that circumstances for everyone aren’t the same. I'm glad it wasn't hard to decide.
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Post by iteach3rdgrade on Jul 23, 2020 4:55:17 GMT
My district is starting on time and giving a choice between 100% in person and 100% online. My kids are going to go back in person. DH and I are both teachers. We’ve both requested to teach virtual this year, but we would still be assigned a building and reporting to that building each day. Even though my boys are old enough to stay home by themselves and do their work, I know they will not do a great job at it, especially my 11 year old. I feel he especially would need some supervision and needs that teacher interaction that we cannot give him while working full time. I know parents are agonizing over the decision. I have a very large family(my dad is one of 9) and we have all been talking about it on our Facebook group. Most of my cousins are sending their kids to school, but I have tons of cousins that are in education and don’t really have much of a choice. That's wonderful that you have a virtual choice for teaching. I don't think many around us offer that. My son could stay home alone, but he'd do no work.
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Post by freecharlie on Jul 23, 2020 4:56:05 GMT
Ds's district hasn't officially released their plan, but i have inside knowledge. They are going 100% in person, no mandates, bought some clorox wipes and sanitizer. This dumb ass backward fucking place is so full of antimaskers. I've always loved our small town, but this just shows how ignorant they are Eta: ds will go to school because he has no other choice. I hope he will wear his mask,but I think the peer pressure will get to him and he won't I just don't understand people!
I just hope our mask mandate lasts for 6-8 weeks. My son was excited to hear it's required, otherwise, peer pressure could get to him as well. I haven't given up on our governor just yet to make everything online. He'll see what the masks are doing and a lot of fairs are beginning so maybe the masks will prevent a lot.
i wish my governor would nut up and just say, masks are required across the board for schools. That way the superintendents don't have to piss one side or the other off and people aren't able to yank their kids out and go somewhere else. Although our state association may organza a strike/walk out, so maybe we will force his hand
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