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Post by Linda on Sept 4, 2020 22:41:57 GMT
We've just finished week two of virtual school for my 8th grader.
6-12th graders - the class teacher is teaching both the in-person and virtual students. They've moved to block scheduling and are utilising Google Classroom for the virtual kids (probably the in-class kids also to some degree).
She's definitely getting more than sufficient work. She's a steady worker -responsible, a teacher-pleaser, expects to earn As - and she's working ALL day. School is 9-330 and she's logging in before 9 and not done before 430-530. (She's a pre-AP/advanced/gifted student
There's not a lot of teacher interaction - they do google hangouts during office hours (30 min every other day) but after week 1, the students were told they only had to attend if they had questions unless notified otherwise.
There have been a couple of technology blips - mostly with attendence. Originally each class was to have a bellringer assignment that was due by midnight and completion = attended class. But for some reason or another, attendence wasn't getting updated. So starting yesterday, the students have to log in to the portal daily by 10am and click present. Mine was late this morning because she forgot but she was still marked present so hopefully they were giving leeway.
I had to reach out to a teacher yesterday - had DD reach out first but the answer didn't help and DD had melted down. I got a quick response and a clearer explanation of the assignment she was struggling with as well as encouragement for DD.
DD had to reach out to another teacher today because she couldn't find the test she was supposed to be taking - it took several back and forths but was resolved. Again - a quick response.
Overall - I'm happy with virtual schooling here. I wish DD didn't have quite such a long school day...
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Post by Basket1lady on Sept 4, 2020 22:51:22 GMT
That is a long day. Does she have more homework after she logs out? If so, that may be a lot to carry through the year. But if your DD is done when she logs out, it sounds about right. My kids used to say that the homework load for gifted/AP classes was their punishment for being smart.
I would hope to see more teacher interaction. At that age, I would expect the teacher to be there for at least a 30 minute lecture for the day. Otherwise, couldn’t they just teach themselves?
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Post by Linda on Sept 4, 2020 23:03:11 GMT
That is a long day. Does she have more homework after she logs out? If so, that may be a lot to carry through the year. But if your DD is done when she logs out, it sounds about right. My kids used to say that the homework load for gifted/AP classes was their punishment for being smart. I would hope to see more teacher interaction. At that age, I would expect the teacher to be there for at least a 30 minute lecture for the day. Otherwise, couldn’t they just teach themselves? At the moment - no, no additional homework other than reading a book in preparation for a book report, but I suspect there will be other longer term assignments/reports/projects as the term continues. She's used to getting all her homework done IN school when she finishes classwork early with the exception of longer projects. I'm assuming that the workload is including assignments that the in-person students are receiving as homework - certainly at least a couple of her teachers are assigning daily work despite the block scheduling and she has assignments due Monday (Labour Day and a school holiday) There is at least one video lesson/week for each core class. The elementary grades have maths and reading live each day but the schools also have teachers assigned solely to virtual for those grades. oh and PE has one hour of exercise each class (every other day) that has to be logged and submitted before midnight - she is LOVING that because she can go outside and ride her bike or play basketball for an hour |
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Post by LisaDV on Sept 4, 2020 23:15:41 GMT
Sounds like it's going well, Linda. I hope that it continues through the year. My kids both go to an online private school and have since high school. DS is starting his senior year, and DD is starting her sophomore year. As everything was shutting down in March for typical brick and mortar students, my kids were business as usual except they got no leeway for having to also be worried about the state of the world. They both had summer classes that started in July. There fall classes start September 8th, except for one of DS started this week. It is typical that each class takes about an hour per day. Sometimes it goes faster and sometimes much slower. |
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Post by Linda on Sept 4, 2020 23:26:14 GMT
Thank you LisaDV - I'm glad that your kids school has been less disrupted than most. |
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Post by epeanymous on Sept 4, 2020 23:49:04 GMT
That does sound like a long day!
1-12 started here today. For the first five days, it’s non-academic class bonding and orientation. We don’t have a schedule for what happens after that.
Kindergarten starts on Tuesday for 1/2 hour a day the first week.
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Post by snugglebutter on Sept 5, 2020 0:28:23 GMT
My 9th grader is two weeks into her year too. Her day is 9:00-4:20, which will mimic what in-person schooling will have, plus homework. She hasn't needed help from me since the first week when I needed to email a few teachers about login issues. The teachers have been very helpful and encouraging. They usually include a little break during each period to get up and stretch etc.
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Post by angel97701 on Sept 5, 2020 3:43:36 GMT
Our Comprehensive Distance Learning (CDL) starts 9/14, and my DS14 diagnosed on the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome spectrum after a full psychological evaluation at wilderness therapy (80 days) is NOT looking forward to school. I've asked for an IEP since May (right after he went into WT), and it was suggested we wait until fall and his outcomes from WT. Okay I get that. Teachers have had inservice days since 9/1. I requested the IEP on 8/25, and it is finally scheduled for 9/11! Yep, one day before he has to start CDL. We have hired a SpEd attorney, and already she is worth the $$$$. Her review of the files, and the fact that we had similar results in his private psych eval shows that the district missed a huge goal that should be in his IEP, that they even identified. Social emotional deficits, identified anxiety, depression, withdrawal etc. For what it is worth, I've been requesting this kind of assistance most of his 8th grade year!!!!!! No surprise from me or DH. So his IEP meeting will be interesting. I know that the CDL is tough enough for teachers (I am a retired/substitute teacher, I get it) BUT for the district school psychologist and his case manager last year really missed a huge need that is not being meet at school or through his IEP. We requested specific teachers from MS for the IEP, and his case manager will be someone we know at the high school. He was DS21's soccer coach 5 years ago. I also know the addition case manager who will be included from my days of part-time teaching and subbing at the HS.
With all that said, Wilderness therapy clinician and the private psychologist both recommended therapeutic boarding school. DH and I decided we wanted him home . . . so far things are OK. Last week his BF moved out-of-state, which would throw anyone for a loop. We still have him in therapy 90 minutes per week, and Sylvan Learning Center for 4 hours per week. IF the need arises and he really loses it, we now have an avenue through our attorney for reimbursement for therapeutic boarding school. Not our first choice at all! DS14 was adopted from Russia at age 4, along with bio brother who is now 21. Both boys suffer from PTSD (early developmental trauma to be exact), so none of this is a surprise and part of the package that we choose when we adopted them 11 years ago. They are siblings 1 and 4 of their birth family, brother and sister did not survive the birth home. It's just been a tough 5 months, with both going into treatment in late April. DS21 in substance abuse after Job Corps sent everyone home, and DS14 to WT.
So no idea how CDL will look for DS14. Only that he has live WebEx Monday/Thursday mornings, and Tuesday/Friday afternoons. No idea of supports, no idea at all. ACK!
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breetheflea
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,379 
Location: PNW
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Post by breetheflea on Sept 5, 2020 4:06:42 GMT
We are 100% virtual for who knows how long and I have 4 kids (1st, 6th, 8th and 10th grades). We started Tuesday. We didn't have as many technical glitches as I expected and were able to figure them out fairly quickly (and one was a teacher error because he gave the wrong link three times...) so that's good.
My problems are mostly that we don't want the kids doing school in their rooms (oldest likes to 'forget' things so we want to see that she's going to class for now) which means 4 kids online at the same time downstairs which means multiple Zooms going from every corner of my main floor of my house... it's like being in the TV section of the store when they are on different channels. The oldest does use headphones sometimes, the 8th grader doesn't like wearing them, and the younger two I need to hear what's going on. Plus I keep getting the glare at for 'making noise' (I was boiling water in my electric kettle so I could have tea...) and loading the dishwasher...
The other issue is their schedules do not coordinate so they change classes at different times, don't have the same lunch time and Wednesday is a totally different schedule so I'm constantly having to check to make sure everyone is at school who needs to be and assigning who gets to sit where... I am not teaching them anything, I'm more like air traffic control...
I'm exhausted and it's only been 4 days.
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seaexplore
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,798
Apr 25, 2015 23:57:30 GMT
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Post by seaexplore on Sept 5, 2020 5:03:24 GMT
Our Comprehensive Distance Learning (CDL) starts 9/14, and my DS14 diagnosed on the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome spectrum after a full psychological evaluation at wilderness therapy (80 days) is NOT looking forward to school. I've asked for an IEP since May (right after he went into WT), and it was suggested we wait until fall and his outcomes from WT. Okay I get that. Teachers have had inservice days since 9/1. I requested the IEP on 8/25, and it is finally scheduled for 9/11! Yep, one day before he has to start CDL. We have hired a SpEd attorney, and already she is worth the $$$$. Her review of the files, and the fact that we had similar results in his private psych eval shows that the district missed a huge goal that should be in his IEP, that they even identified. Social emotional deficits, identified anxiety, depression, withdrawal etc. For what it is worth, I've been requesting this kind of assistance most of his 8th grade year!!!!!! No surprise from me or DH. So his IEP meeting will be interesting. I know that the CDL is tough enough for teachers (I am a retired/substitute teacher, I get it) BUT for the district school psychologist and his case manager last year really missed a huge need that is not being meet at school or through his IEP. We requested specific teachers from MS for the IEP, and his case manager will be someone we know at the high school. He was DS21's soccer coach 5 years ago. I also know the addition case manager who will be included from my days of part-time teaching and subbing at the HS.
With all that said, Wilderness therapy clinician and the private psychologist both recommended therapeutic boarding school. DH and I decided we wanted him home . . . so far things are OK. Last week his BF moved out-of-state, which would throw anyone for a loop. We still have him in therapy 90 minutes per week, and Sylvan Learning Center for 4 hours per week. IF the need arises and he really loses it, we now have an avenue through our attorney for reimbursement for therapeutic boarding school. Not our first choice at all! DS14 was adopted from Russia at age 4, along with bio brother who is now 21. Both boys suffer from PTSD (early developmental trauma to be exact), so none of this is a surprise and part of the package that we choose when we adopted them 11 years ago. They are siblings 1 and 4 of their birth family, brother and sister did not survive the birth home. It's just been a tough 5 months, with both going into treatment in late April. DS21 in substance abuse after Job Corps sent everyone home, and DS14 to WT.
So no idea how CDL will look for DS14. Only that he has live WebEx Monday/Thursday mornings, and Tuesday/Friday afternoons. No idea of supports, no idea at all. ACK!
Curious what wilderness therapy is. |
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finaledition
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,896
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Post by finaledition on Sept 5, 2020 5:32:14 GMT
We are 100% virtual and have completed 3 weeks. It is an improvement over spring, but this model is not sustainable. I have a bright 7th grader who is becoming less engaged everyday. School is technically 8:30-12:45 four days a week, one hour less on M/TH. The hour long classes are rarely more than 40 minutes if that with no assigned work. There’s just way too much down time. I’m frustrated and feel like I’m lacking options and it is very unlikely this school will have any in person instruction this year.
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Deleted
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Oct 6, 2024 17:35:25 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Sept 5, 2020 9:49:45 GMT
We are 100% virtual for who knows how long and I have 4 kids (1st, 6th, 8th and 10th grades). We started Tuesday. We didn't have as many technical glitches as I expected and were able to figure them out fairly quickly (and one was a teacher error because he gave the wrong link three times...) so that's good. My problems are mostly that we don't want the kids doing school in their rooms (oldest likes to 'forget' things so we want to see that she's going to class for now) which means 4 kids online at the same time downstairs which means multiple Zooms going from every corner of my main floor of my house... it's like being in the TV section of the store when they are on different channels. The oldest does use headphones sometimes, the 8th grader doesn't like wearing them, and the younger two I need to hear what's going on. Plus I keep getting the glare at for 'making noise' (I was boiling water in my electric kettle so I could have tea...) and loading the dishwasher... The other issue is their schedules do not coordinate so they change classes at different times, don't have the same lunch time and Wednesday is a totally different schedule so I'm constantly having to check to make sure everyone is at school who needs to be and assigning who gets to sit where... I am not teaching them anything, I'm more like air traffic control... I'm exhausted and it's only been 4 days. Best description E.V.E.R. of being a parent at home with virtual school!!!!! I am the English curriculum coordinator for several schools and I make the virtual content for all of the students. I am SO going to use this with your permission of course! |
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paigepea
Drama Llama
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Posts: 5,609
Location: BC, Canada
Jun 26, 2014 4:28:55 GMT
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Post by paigepea on Sept 5, 2020 11:45:15 GMT
We are 100% virtual for who knows how long and I have 4 kids (1st, 6th, 8th and 10th grades). We started Tuesday. We didn't have as many technical glitches as I expected and were able to figure them out fairly quickly (and one was a teacher error because he gave the wrong link three times...) so that's good. My problems are mostly that we don't want the kids doing school in their rooms (oldest likes to 'forget' things so we want to see that she's going to class for now) which means 4 kids online at the same time downstairs which means multiple Zooms going from every corner of my main floor of my house... it's like being in the TV section of the store when they are on different channels. The oldest does use headphones sometimes, the 8th grader doesn't like wearing them, and the younger two I need to hear what's going on. Plus I keep getting the glare at for 'making noise' (I was boiling water in my electric kettle so I could have tea...) and loading the dishwasher... The other issue is their schedules do not coordinate so they change classes at different times, don't have the same lunch time and Wednesday is a totally different schedule so I'm constantly having to check to make sure everyone is at school who needs to be and assigning who gets to sit where... I am not teaching them anything, I'm more like air traffic control... I'm exhausted and it's only been 4 days. This was me in the spring with my girls and I found it very frustrating. Diff start times, end times, break times, and lunch times. At least my girls were in their rooms - we found it not ideal to be in the bedroom all day but it was the most private spot in the house for them. Good luck. |
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Post by Linda on Sept 5, 2020 13:00:32 GMT
So no idea how CDL will look for DS14. Only that he has live WebEx Monday/Thursday mornings, and Tuesday/Friday afternoons. No idea of supports, no idea at all. ACK! ((((Hugs))) and prayers. I hope the IEP meeting goes well and school ends up being a blessing not a burden for you and DS14 My problems are mostly that we don't want the kids doing school in their rooms (oldest likes to 'forget' things so we want to see that she's going to class for now) which means 4 kids online at the same time downstairs which means multiple Zooms going from every corner of my main floor of my house... it's like being in the TV section of the store when they are on different channels. The oldest does use headphones sometimes, the 8th grader doesn't like wearing them, and the younger two I need to hear what's going on. Plus I keep getting the glare at for 'making noise' (I was boiling water in my electric kettle so I could have tea...) and loading the dishwasher... The other issue is their schedules do not coordinate so they change classes at different times, don't have the same lunch time and Wednesday is a totally different schedule so I'm constantly having to check to make sure everyone is at school who needs to be and assigning who gets to sit where... I am not teaching them anything, I'm more like air traffic control... I only have DD13 and DD20 (online college) but yes - different schedules (red/white block scheduling vs MWF/TTH classes). I have one in the family room and one in DH's hobby room - thankfully they both use headphones but I have to be quiet while they are working so all my household chores are before/after school or on weekends now. And I got an irritated text from DD20 when DD13 had a meltdown And of course DD20 has a much shorter college day than DD13 has a school day which isn't helping. ((((Hugs))) We are 100% virtual and have completed 3 weeks. It is an improvement over spring, but this model is not sustainable. I have a bright 7th grader who is becoming less engaged everyday. School is technically 8:30-12:45 four days a week, one hour less on M/TH. The hour long classes are rarely more than 40 minutes if that with no assigned work. There’s just way too much down time. I’m frustrated and feel like I’m lacking options and it is very unlikely this school will have any in person instruction this year. Wow - that would be hard. I hope it improves. |
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artbabe
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,352
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Post by artbabe on Sept 5, 2020 14:26:22 GMT
Not a parent, but an aunt. I'm a teacher, too.
We had problems with my 15-year-old nephew all of last year. He was just overwhelmed by being in high school. In January he just quit going to school, so he missed half a year and flunked Freshman year. He has depression, anxiety, and other things. It was a disaster- he spent January-June having panic attacks, crying fits, etc. He is gifted (usually scores in the 95th percentile or above on standardized tests- yes, even when he wasn't going to school) but is an emotional train wreck.
Right now his high school is totally virtual. It has been 10 days- he has attended everyday and he has almost all 100% on his assignments! We are really encouraged. The high school did a great job with his schedule and I'm hoping that this will continue once they go back hybrid. If not we might need to look at an all virtual option- this seems to be working for him better than going into the school building.
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Post by iteach3rdgrade on Sept 5, 2020 14:47:34 GMT
Not a parent, but an aunt. I'm a teacher, too. We had problems with my 15-year-old nephew all of last year. He was just overwhelmed by being in high school. In January he just quit going to school, so he missed half a year and flunked Freshman year. He has depression, anxiety, and other things. It was a disaster- he spent January-June having panic attacks, crying fits, etc. He is gifted (usually scores in the 95th percentile or above on standardized tests- yes, even when he wasn't going to school) but is an emotional train wreck. Right now his high school is totally virtual. It has been 10 days- he has attended everyday and he has almost all 100% on his assignments! We are really encouraged. The high school did a great job with his schedule and I'm hoping that this will continue once they go back hybrid. If not we might need to look at an all virtual option- this seems to be working for him better than going into the school building. I'm hoping my son enjoys the virtual. He starts on Tuesday. He doesn't miss anything about seeing kids at school. He's happier than he has been in a few years. That may all change when online work starts. 😳 |
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Post by Linda on Sept 5, 2020 15:33:25 GMT
artbabe - I'm so glad it's working out for him. DD misses her trio of art friends and getting to know her teachers but otherwise she's not really missing school so much as missing leaving the house. She's been bullied every year in school K-7th so getting a break for 8th is nice. It's not easy being quirky and non-gender conforming in a conservative bible belt school.
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breetheflea
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,379
Location: PNW
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Post by breetheflea on Sept 5, 2020 16:17:53 GMT
We are 100% virtual for who knows how long and I have 4 kids (1st, 6th, 8th and 10th grades). We started Tuesday. We didn't have as many technical glitches as I expected and were able to figure them out fairly quickly (and one was a teacher error because he gave the wrong link three times...) so that's good. My problems are mostly that we don't want the kids doing school in their rooms (oldest likes to 'forget' things so we want to see that she's going to class for now) which means 4 kids online at the same time downstairs which means multiple Zooms going from every corner of my main floor of my house... it's like being in the TV section of the store when they are on different channels. The oldest does use headphones sometimes, the 8th grader doesn't like wearing them, and the younger two I need to hear what's going on. Plus I keep getting the glare at for 'making noise' (I was boiling water in my electric kettle so I could have tea...) and loading the dishwasher... The other issue is their schedules do not coordinate so they change classes at different times, don't have the same lunch time and Wednesday is a totally different schedule so I'm constantly having to check to make sure everyone is at school who needs to be and assigning who gets to sit where... I am not teaching them anything, I'm more like air traffic control... I'm exhausted and it's only been 4 days. Best description E.V.E.R. of being a parent at home with virtual school!!!!! I am the English curriculum coordinator for several schools and I make the virtual content for all of the students. I am SO going to use this with your permission of course! If you want to use that, I would be OK with it  |
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sarahruby
Full Member
Posts: 311
Jul 1, 2014 0:40:17 GMT
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Post by sarahruby on Sept 6, 2020 22:14:54 GMT
DS10 started virtual learning this past week. It's a little challenging for me, I work full time from home.
I am hoping in time that he will work the modules himself and I can help him when I am done working. This past week I ended up working with DS after I was done working.... it doesn't take long to go thru the modules...thank heavens!
I'm happy with the program our school has - have no complaints. DS prefers that I work with him, so this past week was a little crazy.
Our school district does have class streaming - part of me felt that would benefit him. Not sure yet if we will take advantage of that.
DS has focusing issues and is dyslexic. He does have an IEP - he will connect with the SPED teacher via zoom. I am looking forward to this, that will be good for him.
I am working on finding some educational activities for him when he isn't doing school. He loves video games and you tube, he'd do that all day if he could.
I am hoping he will do virtual learning through high school. Despite the challenges, I do feel this is best for him.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Sept 6, 2020 22:35:03 GMT
Mine doesn’t start until the 14th, but after reading the emails her new teacher has sent with the initial schedule and plans, I feel very reassured that this was the right choice for us. It sounds like it is going to be much more interactive than last spring not only between the teacher and students but also between the students themselves which will be a huge help.
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Post by monklady123 on Sept 6, 2020 22:48:26 GMT
We are 100% virtual for who knows how long and I have 4 kids (1st, 6th, 8th and 10th grades). We started Tuesday. We didn't have as many technical glitches as I expected and were able to figure them out fairly quickly (and one was a teacher error because he gave the wrong link three times...) so that's good. My problems are mostly that we don't want the kids doing school in their rooms (oldest likes to 'forget' things so we want to see that she's going to class for now) which means 4 kids online at the same time downstairs which means multiple Zooms going from every corner of my main floor of my house... it's like being in the TV section of the store when they are on different channels. The oldest does use headphones sometimes, the 8th grader doesn't like wearing them, and the younger two I need to hear what's going on. Plus I keep getting the glare at for 'making noise' (I was boiling water in my electric kettle so I could have tea...) and loading the dishwasher... The other issue is their schedules do not coordinate so they change classes at different times, don't have the same lunch time and Wednesday is a totally different schedule so I'm constantly having to check to make sure everyone is at school who needs to be and assigning who gets to sit where... I am not teaching them anything, I'm more like air traffic control... I'm exhausted and it's only been 4 days. I've seen a lot of parents mentioning this as a problem. SO many here asked if all the schools could be on basically the same schedule so that siblings would have the same lunch breaks at least, and they'd all start at the same time. But the county said no because "if we keep their schedules as it will be when they go back in the building it will be easier for them."  It's almost as if these people in charge of children don't really know children at all. Kids manage to change their schedules when they go back to school after being home all summer, so why do they think they'll have trouble adjusting from an 11:30 lunch time to a 12:15 lunch time? |
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seaexplore
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,798
Apr 25, 2015 23:57:30 GMT
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Post by seaexplore on Sept 7, 2020 1:56:17 GMT
We are 100% virtual for who knows how long and I have 4 kids (1st, 6th, 8th and 10th grades). We started Tuesday. We didn't have as many technical glitches as I expected and were able to figure them out fairly quickly (and one was a teacher error because he gave the wrong link three times...) so that's good. My problems are mostly that we don't want the kids doing school in their rooms (oldest likes to 'forget' things so we want to see that she's going to class for now) which means 4 kids online at the same time downstairs which means multiple Zooms going from every corner of my main floor of my house... it's like being in the TV section of the store when they are on different channels. The oldest does use headphones sometimes, the 8th grader doesn't like wearing them, and the younger two I need to hear what's going on. Plus I keep getting the glare at for 'making noise' (I was boiling water in my electric kettle so I could have tea...) and loading the dishwasher... The other issue is their schedules do not coordinate so they change classes at different times, don't have the same lunch time and Wednesday is a totally different schedule so I'm constantly having to check to make sure everyone is at school who needs to be and assigning who gets to sit where... I am not teaching them anything, I'm more like air traffic control... I'm exhausted and it's only been 4 days. I've seen a lot of parents mentioning this as a problem. SO many here asked if all the schools could be on basically the same schedule so that siblings would have the same lunch breaks at least, and they'd all start at the same time. But the county said no because "if we keep their schedules as it will be when they go back in the building it will be easier for them."  It's almost as if these people in charge of children don't really know children at all. Kids manage to change their schedules when they go back to school after being home all summer, so why do they think they'll have trouble adjusting from an 11:30 lunch time to a 12:15 lunch time? Might not have to do anything with keeping them on the schedule they'd have at school. I know at my school, we had to add in an extra lunch so lunches got shifted around (yes, even virtual) and trying to keep staff numbers in the staff room down to maintain distancing. Then recesses were all moved around so that we used all 3 playgrounds at every recess. Then you have the "specials" like PE and Music that have to be fit into ONE teachers schedule. When we did our schedule for this year, my principal put in when everyone had music and PE and lunch and we planned our virtual day around that. I know that when we come back, our schedule will be different because currently 8th graders all go to PE at the same time- there are 65 total that the poor PE teacher has to manage for 45 minutes. When we come back, I will have prep when my homeroom kids are at PE and the other 8th grade teacher will have prep when her homeroom kids are at PE. |
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Post by monklady123 on Sept 7, 2020 10:56:46 GMT
I've seen a lot of parents mentioning this as a problem. SO many here asked if all the schools could be on basically the same schedule so that siblings would have the same lunch breaks at least, and they'd all start at the same time. But the county said no because "if we keep their schedules as it will be when they go back in the building it will be easier for them." It's almost as if these people in charge of children don't really know children at all. Kids manage to change their schedules when they go back to school after being home all summer, so why do they think they'll have trouble adjusting from an 11:30 lunch time to a 12:15 lunch time? Might not have to do anything with keeping them on the schedule they'd have at school. I know at my school, we had to add in an extra lunch so lunches got shifted around (yes, even virtual) and trying to keep staff numbers in the staff room down to maintain distancing. Then recesses were all moved around so that we used all 3 playgrounds at every recess. Then you have the "specials" like PE and Music that have to be fit into ONE teachers schedule. When we did our schedule for this year, my principal put in when everyone had music and PE and lunch and we planned our virtual day around that. I know that when we come back, our schedule will be different because currently 8th graders all go to PE at the same time- there are 65 total that the poor PE teacher has to manage for 45 minutes. When we come back, I will have prep when my homeroom kids are at PE and the other 8th grade teacher will have prep when her homeroom kids are at PE. Well, if it has nothing to do with keeping everyone on the schedule they'd have at school then they should have told us that. What they said was that it was "we want to keep everyone on the same schedule they'll have at school". So therefore it's hard not to assume they meant that they want to keep everyone on the schedule they'll have at school. Which is really difficult for some parents. |
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Sept 7, 2020 11:14:25 GMT
After a week, I'm already kinda emotionally drained.
Three kids in two schools.
I have someone helping with the technicalities of logging in while I'm at work, but all the assignments (homework & classwork & book reports & monthly projects) are on me to help the kids navigate.
And it's a lot of work.
I appreciate the teachers who design their assignments so that they can be directly typed in & turned in. Those that post a PDF that has to be copied & formatted to be editable, then saved, uploaded, & submitted.... not so much.
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Post by mikklynn on Sept 7, 2020 12:14:41 GMT
Giant hugs to all of you moms and teachers trying your best this year.
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Post by peasapie on Sept 7, 2020 12:25:27 GMT
My grandsons, grades 2 and 3, start tomorrow. Six hours online....sounds like disaster but we are all trying to be positive.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Sept 7, 2020 14:34:45 GMT
We are 100% virtual for who knows how long and I have 4 kids (1st, 6th, 8th and 10th grades). We started Tuesday. We didn't have as many technical glitches as I expected and were able to figure them out fairly quickly (and one was a teacher error because he gave the wrong link three times...) so that's good. My problems are mostly that we don't want the kids doing school in their rooms (oldest likes to 'forget' things so we want to see that she's going to class for now) which means 4 kids online at the same time downstairs which means multiple Zooms going from every corner of my main floor of my house... it's like being in the TV section of the store when they are on different channels. The oldest does use headphones sometimes, the 8th grader doesn't like wearing them, and the younger two I need to hear what's going on. Plus I keep getting the glare at for 'making noise' (I was boiling water in my electric kettle so I could have tea...) and loading the dishwasher... The other issue is their schedules do not coordinate so they change classes at different times, don't have the same lunch time and Wednesday is a totally different schedule so I'm constantly having to check to make sure everyone is at school who needs to be and assigning who gets to sit where... I am not teaching them anything, I'm more like air traffic control... I'm exhausted and it's only been 4 days. I've seen a lot of parents mentioning this as a problem. SO many here asked if all the schools could be on basically the same schedule so that siblings would have the same lunch breaks at least, and they'd all start at the same time. But the county said no because "if we keep their schedules as it will be when they go back in the building it will be easier for them."  It's almost as if these people in charge of children don't really know children at all. Kids manage to change their schedules when they go back to school after being home all summer, so why do they think they'll have trouble adjusting from an 11:30 lunch time to a 12:15 lunch time? The thing is, even in normal times two or more kids from the same family attending the same school probably wouldn’t have lunch and recess at the same time, so it isn’t practical or realistic for parents to think the schools could arrange for kids in individual families to be on the same lunch schedule especially if they are attending different schools. My kid’s school had something like four or maybe even five lunch periods daily. Some kids would go to lunch as early as 11:00 or 11:30 and others would have their lunch as late as 1:00-1:30. They also plan a “nutrition break” for each class in either am or pm, opposite of when the kids have lunch so no one is starving to death by the time their lunch rolls around. I think our district went above and beyond to at least try to keep the hybrid kids from the same families attending in person on the same days. |
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seaexplore
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,798
Apr 25, 2015 23:57:30 GMT
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Post by seaexplore on Sept 7, 2020 15:05:56 GMT
Might not have to do anything with keeping them on the schedule they'd have at school. I know at my school, we had to add in an extra lunch so lunches got shifted around (yes, even virtual) and trying to keep staff numbers in the staff room down to maintain distancing. Then recesses were all moved around so that we used all 3 playgrounds at every recess. Then you have the "specials" like PE and Music that have to be fit into ONE teachers schedule. When we did our schedule for this year, my principal put in when everyone had music and PE and lunch and we planned our virtual day around that. I know that when we come back, our schedule will be different because currently 8th graders all go to PE at the same time- there are 65 total that the poor PE teacher has to manage for 45 minutes. When we come back, I will have prep when my homeroom kids are at PE and the other 8th grade teacher will have prep when her homeroom kids are at PE. Well, if it has nothing to do with keeping everyone on the schedule they'd have at school then they should have told us that. What they said was that it was "we want to keep everyone on the same schedule they'll have at school". So therefore it's hard not to assume they meant that they want to keep everyone on the schedule they'll have at school. Which is really difficult for some parents. Yeah. Your district stinks. I’m sorry. 🙁 |
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Post by monklady123 on Sept 7, 2020 16:27:52 GMT
Well, if it has nothing to do with keeping everyone on the schedule they'd have at school then they should have told us that. What they said was that it was "we want to keep everyone on the same schedule they'll have at school". So therefore it's hard not to assume they meant that they want to keep everyone on the schedule they'll have at school. Which is really difficult for some parents. Yeah. Your district stinks. I’m sorry. 🙁 Well, it doesn't really. It's a good school system and I think they're doing their best. But there are some things that could have been done differently in order to make it more convenient for parents without inconveniencing teachers (who are already working overtime)... But we will see... since school hasn't even started yet who knows what's going to happen! |
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seaexplore
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,798
Apr 25, 2015 23:57:30 GMT
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Post by seaexplore on Sept 7, 2020 16:33:45 GMT
Yeah. Your district stinks. I’m sorry. 🙁 Well, it doesn't really. It's a good school system and I think they're doing their best. But there are some things that could have been done differently in order to make it more convenient for parents without inconveniencing teachers (who are already working overtime)... But we will see... since school hasn't even started yet who knows what's going to happen! Be prepared for craziness and last minute changes if your district is anything like mine. Lol. The best thing to do it just roll with it and make changes as they happen. We JUST got an MOU with our district to vote on tomorrow. We’ve been in school since 8/12 distance and since 7/29 for preservice! Things changed so much in those 2 weeks! Sigh. |
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It's almost as if these people in charge of children don't really know children at all. Kids manage to change their schedules when they go back to school after being home all summer, so why do they think they'll have trouble adjusting from an 11:30 lunch time to a 12:15 lunch time? 
It's almost as if these people in charge of children don't really know children at all. Kids manage to change their schedules when they go back to school after being home all summer, so why do they think they'll have trouble adjusting from an 11:30 lunch time to a 12:15 lunch time? 
It's almost as if these people in charge of children don't really know children at all. Kids manage to change their schedules when they go back to school after being home all summer, so why do they think they'll have trouble adjusting from an 11:30 lunch time to a 12:15 lunch time?