luckyjune
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,685
Location: In the rainy, rainy WA
Jul 22, 2017 4:59:41 GMT
|
Post by luckyjune on Aug 2, 2020 15:02:36 GMT
Hello fellow teacher during these strange times! This is the first of weekly check-ins I'll post to keep us connected and supporting each other as we all walk into the unknown! I included friends because many of our peas have teacher partners/relatives/friends. I'll post a question, but feel free to post outside of that.
For this first round, let's do some introductions. Let us know what you teach, how long you've been teaching, etc, and what you know about the start of the school year so far.
I'm a 7th grade ELA teacher from Western WA, on my 31st year of teaching this coming year. I've always been middle school and always taught English. I LOVE my job beyond measure and the people I teach with are top notch. My countdown to retirement is on...9 more years (in order to get full retirement. In our state it is based on your age, not the number of years taught, so those of us who started right out of college get screwed). Here's what I know so far: we are teaching remotely at the beginning of the school year (kids' first day is Sept. 9). Our district is saying we are doing this for at least a quarter, maybe a semester, it all depends on numbers of cases. I do not know the schedule yet, which is frustrating when it comes to planning. I'm on the exec board for our union; our regional union is known to be strong, which is certainly to our benefit in this situation.
Your turn!
|
|
|
Post by myshelly on Aug 2, 2020 15:07:10 GMT
DH goes back to work on Tuesday (elementary school, Texas).
He doesn’t know what the kids’ first day will be, if everyone will be remote start, if he is teaching face to face or virtual or both, if he can work from home. Basically he doesn’t know anything.
Some districts around us have announced, some still have not. They’re all doing something completely different, so we have no idea what to expect.
Thanks, Ken Paxton.
|
|
artbabe
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,026
Jun 26, 2014 1:59:10 GMT
|
Post by artbabe on Aug 2, 2020 15:23:34 GMT
I'm a middle school art teacher and this will be my 27th year. I do love it. Not every minute, but for the most part. If it weren't for some discipline issues and a few adults my job would be a dream.
I teach in a large district that covers inner city, rural, and suburban areas. I'm in the suburban part. There are about 700 kids at my school.
I can retire at 35 years, which will make me 62. I'm one of the older people in my building.
We had planned on going back with a hybrid model but our county's health department sent a letter to the superintendents recommending that we start virtual, so we are. I didn't mind teaching virtually last spring but I already knew the kids. I'm not thrilled about teaching kids I haven't met in person. I thought spring worked well because I knew personalities and we already knew artists and techniques that I could build on. Now I'm starting from scratch.
|
|
|
Post by Merge on Aug 2, 2020 15:40:41 GMT
Elementary school K-5 music. In a new school this year, which makes things extra unsettled. But I love my new principal and teammates, so that’s all positive.
We are starting the year all online as of right now. I’m wrapping my head around teaching via MS Teams and ItsLearning, two new-to-me platforms after I put in the work to learn Google Classroom and Seesaw last spring. Sigh.
Most exciting new purchase - I ordered a ring light/phone stand combo to improve the lighting for my instructional videos. It’s too hot to make them all outside. I’m required to be live with each grade level (120 kids) for an hour per week, but since I won’t have a helper to moderate the chat or answer questions, my plan is to sort of clone myself and do the majority of instruction via video, and then monitor the chat for questions. I think I’m allowed to use flipgrid to collect student video responses to an assignment, because it’s included in Teams apps now.
As of now we start online September 8 and we’re supposed to return to in person instruction on October 18. We will see.
|
|
|
Post by ihaveonly1l on Aug 2, 2020 15:57:14 GMT
First grade teacher here-year 22. Midwest so we don't start for a few weeks yet. I've got plenty of meetings and special projects starting this week, but I am not quite sure when I can gain access to the building and what I should set up. Our district is planning to do distant learning to start the year, but teachers will teach from the classroom rather than home. I'm ok with it, because I do not have my own children to figure out what I'm going to do with them, but I know that is a major stress for some. Since everything is so unpredictable with the numbers, I'm not sure if I should actually set up student spaces or if so much will change before they can physically be there, if I should wait.
|
|
|
Post by leannec on Aug 2, 2020 15:58:20 GMT
I'm in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and as of now we will be back in the school in September ... in person teaching ... it's going to be interesting I teach grade 7 Humanities and 7,8,9 Fashion Studies options ... I've been teaching since 1996 but was off for 10 years on disability ... I've now been back for two years ... I teach in a very challenging school ... low income, refugees, immigrants, aboriginal, English as a second language ... I hated teaching from home in the spring I missed the interaction with the kids so much!
|
|
|
Post by Skellinton on Aug 2, 2020 15:59:33 GMT
PreK teacher in Oregon here. Public schools are online until at least November 5th, our program has not made a decision what we are doing. Normally we operate in a public elementary school, but there was some thought that we would rent a space elsewhere until the public schools open. Not knowing is incredibly difficult, then of course of we don’t open I will still be on unemployment which is really hard financially.
I miss my job, I miss the kids , I miss reading stories and playing with slime and planning activities. I miss the silly stories the kids tell me, I miss chatting with them and eavesdropping on their conversations. I miss setting up different dramatic play areas and seeing how excited the kids are to play in it.
The uncertainty is very hard, I know we won’t do online. We tried in spring and parents aren’t willing to pay for it, which is understandable, online PreK should just not be a thing.
Hope it is ok if I participate, I know I am in a different situation then everyone else that is a proper teacher.
|
|
|
Post by SockMonkey on Aug 2, 2020 16:01:55 GMT
High school instructional tech coach, starting my 22nd year in education. Also my building's association president (1st year, but not 1st year doing union stuff. Have been VP, rep, & grievance in the past.) As of right now, we're starting in a hybrid with students attending four days (half days, half schedule at a time, so they see each teacher 2 times in person), with Wednesdays as all remote. Parents can choose full remote if they want. Oh, and livestreaming in person classes? But that's not worked out yet? We are pushing hard for full remote start (or remote for most with ability for some high need students to attend in person). Our district is NOT ready. Teachers report the 10th, students the 17th. No plans for testing. No solid plans for how contact tracing will happen. No plans for how students will self-certify they're symptomless (though we do have temp cameras installed now for what that's worth). No plans for how subs will work, especially with live streaming and accessing all the digital materials that will be needed since students can't share supplies. I've been working all summer on virtual PD for teachers to help get us ready for the year. It's a lot. Pretty much at my breaking point and the year hasn't started. I'm spending today working on more PD, developing instructional videos and online courses. Current mood:
|
|
|
Post by mom2rjcr on Aug 2, 2020 16:03:14 GMT
I am an elementary special education teacher in a small school district northwest of Dallas. This is my 25th year of teaching and my 7th year in special ed. I have also taught general ed 4th grade and 5th grade. This year I am only responsible for 4th and 5th grade resource and inclusion. We added a third teacher to our team this year because of our case loads. I love my school district...best place I have ever worked. We are starting back on the 17th. Families have three options: 1)face to face; 2)virtually for nine weeks at a time; 3)virtually until Sept. 8, and then can either choose face to face or to continue virtual learning. Number 3 is because of county health suggestions. We have set of teachers who will be doing on-line only. I will be consulting with them to support any of my students who are on IEP's or 504's.
|
|
|
Post by SockMonkey on Aug 2, 2020 16:03:26 GMT
PreK teacher in Oregon here. Public schools are online until at least November 5th, our program has not made a decision what we are doing. Normally we operate in a public elementary school, but there was some thought that we would rent a space elsewhere until the public schools open. Not knowing is incredibly difficult, then of course of we don’t open I will still be on unemployment which is really hard financially. I miss my job, I miss the kids , I miss reading stories and playing with slime and planning activities. I miss the silly stories the kids tell me, I miss chatting with them and eavesdropping on their conversations. I miss setting up different dramatic play areas and seeing how excited the kids are to play in it. The uncertainty is very hard, I know we won’t do online. We tried in spring and parents aren’t willing to pay for it, which is understandable, online PreK should just not be a thing. Hope it is ok if I participate, I know I am in a different situation then everyone else that is a proper teacher. Early childhood educators ARE proper teachers. You are in the right place.
|
|
|
Post by ihaveonly1l on Aug 2, 2020 16:10:13 GMT
PreK teacher in Oregon here. Public schools are online until at least November 5th, our program has not made a decision what we are doing. Normally we operate in a public elementary school, but there was some thought that we would rent a space elsewhere until the public schools open. Not knowing is incredibly difficult, then of course of we don’t open I will still be on unemployment which is really hard financially. I miss my job, I miss the kids , I miss reading stories and playing with slime and planning activities. I miss the silly stories the kids tell me, I miss chatting with them and eavesdropping on their conversations. I miss setting up different dramatic play areas and seeing how excited the kids are to play in it. The uncertainty is very hard, I know we won’t do online. We tried in spring and parents aren’t willing to pay for it, which is understandable, online PreK should just not be a thing. Hope it is ok if I participate, I know I am in a different situation then everyone else that is a proper teacher. Since early childhood education (in a variety of formats) is vital for life-long success, I'd say you are high on the "proper" teacher scale.
|
|
The Great Carpezio
Pearl Clutcher
Something profound goes here.
Posts: 2,913
Jun 25, 2014 21:50:33 GMT
|
Post by The Great Carpezio on Aug 2, 2020 16:18:53 GMT
Thanks for starting this.
I teach high school English. I teach 9th ELA on a team for half the day all year. The rest of the time I teach creative writing, mythology and usually mass communications, but this year I need to switch back to American lit for one section instead due to scheduling/sections.
I am entering my 24th year of teaching.
I am in central Minnesota. Each district gets to decide. I’m pretty sure we will be hybrid in some way. Still a possibility of distance for secondary, but based on what I am seeing come out of the Twin Cities area, hybrid start seems likely. I have middle school twin boys who are in a different district.
I think we will know more soon, but not for a week or more. I have no idea what to do or where to begin.
My husband and I have comorbidities, and my mom has even more. She is a widow and we-I am her main connection to the outside world. I am worried, and I can’t wrap my brain around a hybrid schedule at the high school.
|
|
katybee
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,377
Jun 25, 2014 23:25:39 GMT
|
Post by katybee on Aug 2, 2020 16:22:14 GMT
Kindergarten teacher. 18th year. We start PD on August 10 (all virtual, from home, thank goodness. It was originally going to be virtual AT SCHOOL, in the same room as our team). We start virtually with kids on August 20 (also from home). We return to campus on Sep. 8 and the kids who are returning start on campus Sep. 10. Things change here every day. At first, each teacher was going to be teaching virtual and F2F at the same time. Kids on campus would be at a computer, getting all of the exact same instruction as kids at home. That did NOT go over great with parents—at all! So the district changed their plan. Now, we will have in person teachers and virtual teachers. The virtual teachers will be on campus, and will do lunch duty and hall duty for the F2F teachers. F2F teachers will have about 8-10 students, virtual teachers will have a lot more (more than 22? Probably.) We cannot figure out how this math is gonna work. At this point, they say about 50% of the kids will return for on-campus instruction. We usually get about 65 English speaking kids and have 3 English speaking kinder teachers. If we each take 10 kids, there are gonna be some leftovers. And then who is gonna teach the 30 leftover virtual kids? They’re not hiring any more teachers... They’re making us take all of our personal stuff home. If you are a teacher, you know that almost everything is personal stuff we’ve bought ourselves. So I literally have to get a storage unit. But then I won’t have enough tables to distance kids. So my principal said to keep things that kids can sit in/at. I think I’ll take it home anyway and let them figure out where kids are gonna sit. Because I’m bitter. All of the precautions they’re taking are theater only. They’re so proud that they got us each a gallon sized container of hand sanitizer—and it can be refilled! At first, they were providing us with PPE...we’ve since been told we need to provide our own. The kids in my class are not required to wear masks. Basically—it’s a SHIT SHOW. It’s very cathartic for me to say that. It’s a SHIT SHOW!!!!!! I’m SURE it’s going to change again, so I’m not doing anything prepare this year. Normally, I would be in full on school prep mode by now. This year, I’m cocooning on my couch, watching the crappiest stuff I can possibly find to watch....in complete denial.
|
|
kate
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,509
Location: The city that doesn't sleep
Site Supporter
Jun 26, 2014 3:30:05 GMT
|
Post by kate on Aug 2, 2020 16:30:46 GMT
I teach music at a PK-5th grade school. We are due to start in person full-time. Specialist teachers are teaching remotely from within the building, though, since they don't want us seeing multiple groups of kids. I kinda feel like it's the worst of both worlds: I have to run the risk of public transportation and the petri dish that is elementary school, AND I don't get to see my kids IRL. The rest of my household is either hybrid (alternating F2F and remote) or 100% remote. I didn't mind teaching virtually last spring but I already knew the kids. I'm not thrilled about teaching kids I haven't met in person. I feel the same way. I almost wish we could go back IRL for 2 weeks to establish some routines and relationships, then go remote for safety... That may end up happening if/when we get shut down, but I will not get the F2F in any case. Skellinton, you are most definitely a proper teacher! Preschool skills are so important! I’m wrapping my head around teaching via MS Teams and ItsLearning, two new-to-me platforms after I put in the work to learn Google Classroom and Seesaw last spring. Sigh. SAME! Our new platforms are not the same as yours, but I do. not. understand why we're changing platforms when all of the teachers and most of the kids already know GC and SS.
|
|
|
Post by SAHM wannabe on Aug 2, 2020 17:07:38 GMT
I’m starting my 24th year. I’ve taught 2nd, 3rd, and 5th grades. Will be teaching 3rd this year.
My district originally offered hybrid or completely online with parents choosing which model they preferred. About 3 weeks ago the decision was made to start with 100% distant learning due to surge in cases. After the first quarter, the school board will re-evaluate based on case numbers.
Teachers start this Wednesday and have 2 1/2 weeks of training. Students start Aug 24th.
This past week my principal sent a teacher survey asking each of us if we want to work from home, from our classroom, or a combination. She wants to put together an entry/exit schedule with staggered times based on who wants to work from school.
I think my biggest challenge this week will be getting myself back into a regular sleep pattern!!
|
|
SabrinaP
Pearl Clutcher
Busy Teacher Pea
Posts: 4,350
Location: Dallas Texas
Jun 26, 2014 12:16:22 GMT
|
Post by SabrinaP on Aug 2, 2020 17:21:56 GMT
I’m a 6th grade math teacher just outside of Dallas. This will be my 22nd year of teaching. That is so hard to believe!
My district is offering 100% virtual, 100% in person, or a hybrid where kids in upper grades can come up for electives that are pretty much impossible to do at home and then take everything else virtually.
Dh and I teach in the same district and our kids both go to school in the district. The kids are going to school in person. I really just felt like we didn’t really have a choice. Although they are old enough to stay home by themselves, I just don’t think they will do good work if left to their own devices.
Dh and I both applied to teach virtually. Dh has already been told he will probably have some virtual classes and some in person classes because that’s what they are doing with high school. With elementary and intermediate the teachers will either be all virtual or all in person. I probably won’t find out until middle to end of next week what my assignment is. The worst thing is if Get to teach virtually, I will have to move classrooms.
It’s such a mess! Parents have until tomorrow by midnight to make their choice so we can make no plans until after then. Our first day of inservice starts tomorrow!
|
|
|
Post by maryland on Aug 2, 2020 17:37:03 GMT
My sil teaches in Maryland, and many counties are online until 2nd semester (early Feb.). We were talking about the fact that when they go back to school, they would have been out of school for almost a year! Their last day was March 13th.
We are in Pittsburgh area, and our district is going back the regular date Aug. 27th to 5 days a week school. The students have the option to do cyber school if they don't want to attend school. We are in a very pro Trump school district, and many parents think it's ridiculous to not go back to school.
|
|
Dani-Mani
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,706
Jun 28, 2014 17:36:35 GMT
|
Post by Dani-Mani on Aug 2, 2020 17:41:46 GMT
Fully virtual with staff on site. Masks required for all staff unless they are in their rooms/offices with DOORS CLOSED. They are looking at opening all entrances so staff aren’t all coming in one entrance too.
I don’t have one complaint. This is the way to do it.
|
|
|
Post by natscraps on Aug 2, 2020 19:10:42 GMT
I teach 3 and 4 year old preschool in Northeast Ohio. This is my 13th year teaching, 6th year where I’m at. Our administrator/PreK teacher retired at the end of last year (not pandemic related.) I’ve taken over as administrator so i’ve been busy cleaning up the mess she left behind. We are planning on starting school September 8th (day after labor day) which is usual for us.
We are technically licensed as child care center even though we are a part time school. At the end of May the state allowed child cares to reopen but you were only allowed 9 preschoolers per classroom. You could divide classrooms with proper barriers to allow for more children. We’ve been planning our year based on this and last week they rescinded it and said we can go back to normal which for me is 20 kids in the room. I’ve proposed to the preschool board that we leave the rooms divided as plan even though going back to the old way would be easier teaching wise. I just can’t in my good conscience have 18 kids loose in a big room.
The surrounding districts have already changed their plans dozens of times. Most are offering 5 day in person for at least K-5. After that plans drastically differ between the districts. The public schools are struggling because all of their classrooms are set up for collaborative learning. One of the brand new high schools has mostly conference rooms. Lots of big tables that don’t work real well for physical distancing.
DS5 is starting JrK at a Catholic school. They are in person 5 days. The classes are being live-streamed for the families that chose virtual learning. They just pushed the start date back from August 18th to the 31st. They are preparing to go full virtual at any time.
|
|
|
Post by freecharlie on Aug 2, 2020 19:13:44 GMT
PreK teacher in Oregon here. Public schools are online until at least November 5th, our program has not made a decision what we are doing. Normally we operate in a public elementary school, but there was some thought that we would rent a space elsewhere until the public schools open. Not knowing is incredibly difficult, then of course of we don’t open I will still be on unemployment which is really hard financially. I miss my job, I miss the kids , I miss reading stories and playing with slime and planning activities. I miss the silly stories the kids tell me, I miss chatting with them and eavesdropping on their conversations. I miss setting up different dramatic play areas and seeing how excited the kids are to play in it. The uncertainty is very hard, I know we won’t do online. We tried in spring and parents aren’t willing to pay for it, which is understandable, online PreK should just not be a thing. Hope it is ok if I participate, I know I am in a different situation then everyone else that is a proper teacher. i started pre-k sped also housed in an elementary school. Pre-k teachers are teachers
|
|
|
Post by freecharlie on Aug 2, 2020 19:18:58 GMT
16 years in, I teach high school and am the association president.
We going back f2f on August 18th. The district did finally agree to mandate masks. So masks and sanitizers and 1:1.
I say we are shut down by October 3rd (need to get October count day in) if not before
|
|
johnnysmom
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,682
Jun 25, 2014 21:16:33 GMT
|
Post by johnnysmom on Aug 2, 2020 19:39:16 GMT
I don't know what my position is but I collect a paycheck from a school district....does that count? I'll layout my cluster to people who might understand..... For 5 years I was the Friday teacher's aide for the preschool housed in the elementary building. The lead teacher had Fridays off for planning, so the regular aide moved to lead teacher and I became her aide every Friday. Plus I subbed in that class or the other preschool class as needed (including long stints the 2 years they had challenging classes/new teachers and needed an extra set of hands in the fall). It was the perfect balance of lots of hugs and playing with playdoh without the hassle of dealing with parents or having to do PD stuff Late January/early Feb the principal asked if I'd be interested in going part-time in the office so one of the office girls could cover a maternity leave for a para. I got a whopping 6 weeks in before the world imploded. Once the building could be open to staff again (late April-ish) I started back in there helping the teachers/principal with distance learning and wrapping up the school year. Did that once a week until mid June. Now I don't know where I stand. I know where the principal wants me.....she wants me full-time in the office, the other part-time girl (there's a full time head secretary as well who is staying) is great at some stuff but lacks some of the important computer skills; there's also the increased risk with us sharing a computer/phone. The principal has a great plan and rationale to back it up and she's confident she'll get it approved, but the board office/superintendent hasn't approved it yet. So I could be part-time, I could be full-time, I could be nothing (though I could also throw my hat in the ring for a preschool position, and I might get it but the principal doesn't want to interview me b/c she says it would be a waste of time....she's far more confident than I am ) ) In the meantime I was in the office this past week a couple of days and I'll go back (unless something changes) on the 10th at least part time. At this point school is scheduled to start on the 31st with parents choosing between full time in person or full time online (as of Thursday about 25-30% said online, the rest who answered voted in person; principals were calling those who hadn't responded to get an idea of which way they were leaning). Sounds like online will be mainly pre-recorded or individual learning with planned meeting times with the teachers. Teachers were also surveyed to see if they were comfortable in person or not, I don't know the results of that. There's a board meeting on the 10th where the plans for phases 1-3 (remote learning only), phase 4 (where we are now, in person with restrictions) and phase 5 (improved, fewer restrictions but not normal) need to be presented. Hopefully parents and staff will know what's going on after that, right now it feels like everything is up in the air.
|
|
|
Post by iteach3rdgrade on Aug 2, 2020 19:51:01 GMT
28th year. Assoc. Pres. Going back f2f 5 days a week. Masks 4-12. We start in about 2 weeks. luckyjune Thanks for starting this.
|
|
|
Post by SockMonkey on Aug 2, 2020 19:54:16 GMT
28th year. Assoc. Pres. Going back f2f 5 days a week. Masks 4-12. We start in about 2 weeks. luckyjune Thanks for starting this. I just want to send you a HUGE hug because I've been assoc pres for like five hot minutes and I'm drowning. I can't imagine what you're going through with a schedule like that. SO MANY HUGS. DISTANT THO, VIRTUAL HUGS AND MASKS ON.
|
|
|
Post by SockMonkey on Aug 2, 2020 19:54:39 GMT
16 years in, I teach high school and am the association president. We going back f2f on August 18th. The district did finally agree to mandate masks. So masks and sanitizers and 1:1. I say we are shut down by October 3rd (need to get October count day in) if not before SOLIDARITY AND SOCIALLY DISTANT HUGS. This sucks.
|
|
|
Post by SockMonkey on Aug 2, 2020 19:56:56 GMT
Fully virtual with staff on site. Masks required for all staff unless they are in their rooms/offices with DOORS CLOSED. They are looking at opening all entrances so staff aren’t all coming in one entrance too. I don’t have one complaint. This is the way to do it. AMEN.
|
|
|
Post by stargazer on Aug 2, 2020 20:06:44 GMT
I’m a primary school (4-11 yo) teacher in the UK, currently teaching year5 (9-10 yo) but our summer doesn’t end until early september so I don’t have much to add right now. Currently plans are full classes, in person. I’ll have 31 children with one support assistant, mornings only & no phone in my classroom in case of emergencies. I haven’t been in class since March due to lockdown & because my 92yo dad who lives with us is high risk so we have been “shielding” with him.
|
|
|
Post by mom2kbs on Aug 2, 2020 20:26:21 GMT
I am an administrator in our district. This is year 25. My responsibilities are for the preschools and before and after school programs. We start virtual preschool Wed. We start three in-person childcare programs on Wed. I have rewritten plans more times than I can count.
Our virtual programs are using google classroom and see-saw.
Our in-person are in groups of ten max of 50 per location. We have 2 staff per ten kids and people whose only job is to clean all day. We are supporting students as they do their online learning.
I feel ready as does my team. We are in a state that has high COVID numbers.
|
|
ddly
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,947
Jul 10, 2014 19:36:28 GMT
|
Post by ddly on Aug 2, 2020 20:28:56 GMT
I'm a high school special educator. This is my 13th year of teaching. Oh, typing that number doesn't make me feel good! LOL This coming year all my students are seniors. It'll be sad when they're all graduated! I live in northern VT. Our start date has been pushed back by the Governor to Sept 8th but now one knows for sure if a school could start earlier if they are ready. I think our Principal would like to continue with our Aug 24th start date. I don't care either way. He's a good leader and I'm happy to do what he feels is best.
We are starting with a hybrid model. All teachers have to be ready to go full remote. We will have 50% of the population in the building each day. Fresh/Soph M/Th and Jr/Sr T/F. Wed will be remote for all. We are expected to be in the building. The first week is one grade per day with the Fresh having the first two. We've always had the first day as Freshman day. We'll still do that in a different capacity.
While Covid rates in Vermont have been very low, one can never predict what may happen. Our Gov. is not education friendly and has been at battle with the union for years. They've put in a proposal for a slower start and he hasn't even bothered to read it. I'm not sure how I feel about the proposal but it's kinda rude to hold a press conference and say you haven't bothered to look at the proposal yet. The bigger problem is that he's taken a long time to make any decisions or put things in writing. He has been remarkable in his response to Covid but he wants to leave everything about restarting school to the schools themselves.
It's happening so I need to get my head in the game and protect myself the best I can while still trying to do my job. We'll all be there. I do feel fortunate to be in an area with so little cases. I can't imagine trying to go back to school in a hot spot! I really feel for all of you!
|
|
ddly
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,947
Jul 10, 2014 19:36:28 GMT
|
Post by ddly on Aug 2, 2020 20:30:55 GMT
Kindergarten teacher. 18th year. We start PD on August 10 (all virtual, from home, thank goodness. It was originally going to be virtual AT SCHOOL, in the same room as our team). We start virtually with kids on August 20 (also from home). We return to campus on Sep. 8 and the kids who are returning start on campus Sep. 10. Things change here every day. At first, each teacher was going to be teaching virtual and F2F at the same time. Kids on campus would be at a computer, getting all of the exact same instruction as kids at home. That did NOT go over great with parents—at all! So the district changed their plan. Now, we will have in person teachers and virtual teachers. The virtual teachers will be on campus, and will do lunch duty and hall duty for the F2F teachers. F2F teachers will have about 8-10 students, virtual teachers will have a lot more (more than 22? Probably.) We cannot figure out how this math is gonna work. At this point, they say about 50% of the kids will return for on-campus instruction. We usually get about 65 English speaking kids and have 3 English speaking kinder teachers. If we each take 10 kids, there are gonna be some leftovers. And then who is gonna teach the 30 leftover virtual kids? They’re not hiring any more teachers... They’re making us take all of our personal stuff home. If you are a teacher, you know that almost everything is personal stuff we’ve bought ourselves. So I literally have to get a storage unit. But then I won’t have enough tables to distance kids. So my principal said to keep things that kids can sit in/at. I think I’ll take it home anyway and let them figure out where kids are gonna sit. Because I’m bitter. All of the precautions they’re taking are theater only. They’re so proud that they got us each a gallon sized container of hand sanitizer—and it can be refilled! At first, they were providing us with PPE...we’ve since been told we need to provide our own. The kids in my class are not required to wear masks. Basically—it’s a SHIT SHOW. It’s very cathartic for me to say that. It’s a SHIT SHOW!!!!!! I’m SURE it’s going to change again, so I’m not doing anything prepare this year. Normally, I would be in full on school prep mode by now. This year, I’m cocooning on my couch, watching the crappiest stuff I can possibly find to watch....in complete denial. I'm a special educator so I don't have a classroom and provide services in other people's rooms. Fortunately I don't have a lot of stuff if we had to bring it all home. What a pia that must be!
|
|