ELHS 4 Day Hybrid Model Transition by Amy Drowne https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo Please offer your commendations/questions in regards to the phase in model of moving to a four days a week hybrid model. en-us 2017-12-04 19:54:52 UTC 2025-09-24 12:28:24 UTC hello@padlet.com Zoom https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238240855 Will we still be zooming our virtual vikings into class?]]> 2021-02-24 19:51:42 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238240855 April Vacation https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238247467 Will students and staff be expected to quarantine if they travel during April vacation? ]]> 2021-02-24 19:53:16 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238247467 Why are we opening the high school (or any of the schools) right before we are getting vaccinated? We are so close to being vaccinated...couldn't we wait 2 extra weeks? https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238247914 2021-02-24 19:53:23 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238247914 How do we maintain social distancing with so many students in the classroom. The CDC is still recommending six feet. https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238247917 2021-02-24 19:53:23 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238247917 Lunch is already not socially distanced, rooms can't be social distanced. How do we handle lunch, passing, and science rooms where kids sit shoulder to shoulder at 2 person desks. No social distancing at all. https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238248691 2021-02-24 19:53:32 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238248691 Time https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238249034 Right now with our Wednesday office hour days, that allows me with the time to make sure my online students are accommodated for, how can we ensure that we as teachers still have the time to make sure our online kids and our in school kids are receiving an equitable education? I worry that with taking away the Wednesday office hours, it takes more time away from us.]]> 2021-02-24 19:53:36 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238249034 Wednesday https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238250719 Could we line up the HS and MS Wednesday schedules for people how travel between school. For example, if the HS sees all blocks then so does the MS. If we rotate so should MS. THX]]> 2021-02-24 19:54:00 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238250719 Small classrooms and large classes, how will this be accommodated when students will be sitting directly next to each other at tables? maryturano1 https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238251077 2021-02-24 19:54:05 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238251077 Non-virtual students deciding to be virtual for a day https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238251605 Can there be stricter guidelines on when students can just up and decide they are going to be remote that day?  It's one thing to be suddenly quarantined, it's another thing to just not be at school one day. 
 
For example, on Monday one Cohort A student Zoomed in because he "missed the bus."  Last week, a student Zoomed in because her family was leaving for Maine at 1:30 and it was just easier to Zoom and leave straight from home rather than come into the building. 
 
This is unacceptable, stressful for me as the teacher to keep track of everyone, and results in a HUGE waste of time.  When this happens, I have to stop everything I'm doing, go into GC, and make sure the student on Zoom has the online materials for that day. 
 
Yes, it's just clicking a few buttons, but the discussion about why they are not there, telling them I am still marking them absent but putting a note in IC that says they zoomed in, and making sure they have the online materials easily takes up 2-3 minutes of valuable class time.   
 
What can be done about this moving forward?  I feel like this is going to get worse if we are "All in" but still have Zoom as an option for Virtual students....]]> 2021-02-24 19:54:12 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238251605 Can we start enforcing that if your mask is below your nose or an inappropriate mask, you go home https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238251639 2021-02-24 19:54:13 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238251639 mauthr1 https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238252202 2021-02-24 19:54:18 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238252202 Virtual Viking https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238252645 If the Virtual Viking option is still being offered, and we might potentially see more families choosing this, how will those students social/emotional needs be met? Because the mental health argument for reopening doesn't work if not all kids are back.]]> 2021-02-24 19:54:24 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238252645 Why are we coming back before staff are vaccinated if it is only a difference of a few weeks? Possibly waiting to open after April break would be a good balance of welcoming students back and protecting the health of the faculty. We have been out so long, why not just wait the extra few weeks proactively, instead of just hoping that we don't get sick when social distancing is no longer possible and we are exposed to twice as many individuals? https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238252965 2021-02-24 19:54:29 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238252965 can we stay with the Day 1 and Day 2 rotation like a traditional year, and have an extended advisory at the end of each Wednesday for 30 min? https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238253366 2021-02-24 19:54:34 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238253366 Wed is a mess - please no 30 minute classes. They take more time to plan than to run. I'd rather have an A/B schedule than 30 minute classes https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238253747 2021-02-24 19:54:39 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238253747 I'm glad we are trying to bring kids back and hope this helps reengage many students. reithk1 https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238254699 2021-02-24 19:54:52 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238254699 Wednesday Schedule thomsv1 https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238254903 Would we be zooming in with Virtual Vikings on Wednesday too?]]> 2021-02-24 19:54:54 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238254903 No more social distancing? https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238255457 With hybrid, I have 12 in the room for each of my 5 classes which allows for social distancing (sort of) in that there's a desk between each kid.  So, now we'll have potentially 24/25 in the room. 

So, I guess my question is have we decided as a district that we are okay with going against CDC guidelines for mitigation of "masking and social distancing" since now, inside these small rooms, it will be "masking, but not social distancing"?  Does LLHD support this relaxation of mitigation within the small classrooms?  Aka, is just masking safe enough?  

And if just masking is safe enough now, and social distancing is out the window, then why does the BOE still zoom their meetings?  And will our faculty meetings, etc. all be back in person now?

And follow up to that, have we determined that the classrooms at the hs are properly ventilated since there will now be up to 25 adult-sized people in these relatively small areas?  

Lastly, considering all this, don't we now have a moral/ethical obligation to directly announce to families that there will not be social distancing in these classrooms? Isn't it our obligation to be transparent about that fact?

Thank you!]]> 2021-02-24 19:55:03 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238255457 I don't think that much will change - we will still have many Virtual Vikings - maybe even more than we do now - is there a way to keep Wednesdays as is - it's so important to meet with students, have club meetings, and to plan and (try) to catch up with grading and creating lessons for both home and in person teaching https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238255508 2021-02-24 19:55:03 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238255508 We still have planning and grading for the virtual students, the on-line grading takes easily 4 to 5 times longer. How do we handle that extra work load without time on Wednesdays. https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238257691 2021-02-24 19:55:31 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238257691 Wednesday is invaluable for planning and meeting with students. Many are behind. Thirty minute classes only create more stress for the teacher. We are already being asked to teach both remotely and in person. The Virtual Vikings require a lot of extra work. https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238257700 2021-02-24 19:55:31 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238257700 https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238258554 I can't wait to have all the kids back in!]]> 2021-02-24 19:55:42 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238258554 I can't wait to have all the students back. The timeline is good. https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238259697 2021-02-24 19:55:56 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238259697 Additional PPE kellymnelsonpro https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238259812 What additional PPE is being considered at this time? Plexiglass barriers on individual desks? ]]> 2021-02-24 19:55:58 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238259812 Line up HS and MS Wednesdays https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238260127 2021-02-24 19:56:02 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238260127 I'm assuming we still can't do labs because of social distancing and minimal supplies ordered this year. That might be okay for this year, but not for next year. https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238260492 2021-02-24 19:56:08 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238260492 Wednesdays https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238260691 This might be a kneejerk reaction but I thought I'd put it out there: the idea of seeing our Advisees plus all of our other classes on Wednesdays concerns me. This means that by the 2:10 on Wednesdays, there will have been  104 human beings, including myself, breathing inside my classroom, each for a period of thirty minutes. It feels like it would unnecessarily be mixing lots of folks together just to get kids a half hour class more of class per week. As we all know, when one is used to an 84 minute block, a 30 minute class is hard to plan for and feels too fast. I don't have any better ideas to propose but this particular suggestion is sitting weird with me at the moment. ]]> 2021-02-24 19:56:11 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238260691 It seems that the re-opening could follow after all teachers have received their 2nd vaccine. Why not wait the extra time? maryturano1 https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238261754 2021-02-24 19:56:26 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238261754 Im looking forward to having all students in, but not if I have to also deal with virtual students zooming in. ceciliaprytko1_1 https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238262261 2021-02-24 19:56:32 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238262261 Classroom Management https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238263048 Right now, I worry that with 20+ kids in my classroom, I will be more preoccupied with various tasks of making sure kids will be paying attention, understanding material, etc. I worry that with the mass migration back to the classroom students will be able to "get away" with more masks below the nose, etc. I already have issues with dealing with this. I'm afraid that bringing kids back full time (is a great idea) but promoting a more normal sense that kids don't need to continue making the same precautions as we did a year ago.]]> 2021-02-24 19:56:43 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238263048 I would be more comfortable ensuring staff are fully immunized with both shots prior to having full return to building. Will timeline allow for this to happen prior to March 22 all in school building? https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238264802 2021-02-24 19:57:09 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238264802 Are you reviewing the requests from departments (air filters, plexiglass for lab benches, etc) https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238265289 2021-02-24 19:57:16 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238265289 Wednesday seems that if we had all students plus advisory, all HS teachers will have had over or close to 100 students over the course of the day, this is a lot of contact. maryturano1 https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238265870 2021-02-24 19:57:24 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238265870 Why not offer the Viking 4 option to all families instead of a full opening? This will enable anyone who wants to bring back their kids to bring them back. While not yet filling the school with all the hundreds of students at one time. https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238266684 2021-02-24 19:57:36 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238266684 Please make sure that students and parents are aware that it will be virtually impossible to socially distance within the classroom - in my small classroom the desks will be within 1 foot of each other. https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238266920 2021-02-24 19:57:39 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238266920 Students should return after we are vaccinated or they will get us sick. https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238267368 2021-02-24 19:57:46 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238267368 when will we get our desks, chairs, stools returned to us. https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238268861 2021-02-24 19:58:05 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238268861 Wednesdays No Longer for Planning --> Cannot Accommodate Virtual Students https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238269136 From a planning standpoint, I am VERY concerned about not having Wednesdays to plan.  Since I teach four completely different classes, I use the ENTIRE DAY to create online materials for the Virtual Vikings.  If being virtual is allowed for the rest of the year, then we need to time to continue to accommodate them. Having two sets of materials, one for students online and one for students in class, is extremely time consuming to prepare.  As long as some students are virtual, we need Wednesdays to plan. I agree that going back 4 days a week is crucial and necessary, but please do not take this day away from us. We will become ineffective teachers to the virtual students.]]> 2021-02-24 19:58:09 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238269136 Students should not return to in full instruction until 3 weeks after educators have received their second vaccine dose. https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238269301 2021-02-24 19:58:11 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238269301 Have you thought about how you are handling spring athletes who lost last year's season and will lose this year's season if we go remote. It seems unfair to them that fall and winter sports could continue because hybrid reduced exposure but they could lose another season. https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238270760 2021-02-24 19:58:30 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238270760 What about community spread? kellymnelsonpro https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238272591 I'm concerned about how many students will be in the building and after school there is no one to monitor them. Maybe during the school day covid is not spreading but we have seen sports teams quarantined. Kids might see this as a free pass to hang out outside of school since they are now in full time.  ]]> 2021-02-24 19:58:55 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238272591 Now we will have more kids in class that we have to monitor & be mask police while zooming too? jenniferbrush1 https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238272806 Is it possible to have Virtual Vikings have their own section of a class with one teacher so that we are not trying to do 2 things at once?  and neither of them end up good because we are overwhelmed?!

]]> 2021-02-24 19:58:58 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238272806 Kids outside of School https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238273673 As you have mentioned, I'm very happy that the school has remained a place where there has been very little school transmissions of COVID. However, one of my worries is that now that everyone is back in school and closely together, the idea social distancing is going to be no longer. I worry that kids will begin or continue to start hanging out more outside of school without PPE. Is there anything the school or we as teachers can do to help promote social distancing outside of school? If a few kids get it outside of school, I worry how easily it will spread with more people in the classrooms, commons, etc.]]> 2021-02-24 19:59:10 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238273673 Teachers will have access to vaccinations shortly, but students will not ceciliaprytko1_1 https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238274266 2021-02-24 19:59:19 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238274266 So if more people opt for VV this means that all classes would still have to zoom in addition to now handling large students in the classroom. maryturano1 https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238275158 2021-02-24 19:59:32 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238275158 How are we doing study halls - again social distancing is not possible. https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238275717 2021-02-24 19:59:40 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238275717 Similar to previous comments, we have been so cautious up until this point. It seems most logical to have staff receive both of their vaccinations before reopening fully. (especially when the vaccination timeline is so close- it seems premature). https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238276029 2021-02-24 19:59:45 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238276029 How are you handling clubs that currently meet on Wed via zoom. They can no longer meet at lunch, and many of our most active kids are also in sports so after school doesn't work well https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238277007 2021-02-24 19:59:59 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238277007 Will Virtual Viking still be an option? If so, will they still zoom into their regular classes? Or will they move to more of a VLA model? https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238279141 2021-02-24 20:00:26 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238279141 I agree with previous comments about Virtual Vikings - many of them are the students who are not engaging - having the option to still be virtual will not help these students. https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238279366 2021-02-24 20:00:30 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238279366 Many classrooms (specially computer labs) cannot both accomodate a full class and social distancing guidelines. ceciliaprytko1_1 https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238279484 2021-02-24 20:00:31 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238279484 I love the idea of keeping M/T/TH/F fixed as it is. Thank you for being thoughtful about having the least disruption to our schedules. This also allows for meetings and specific programs to run as planned for this year. https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238281229 2021-02-24 20:00:54 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238281229 when will clubs meet? Can we have an x-block on Wednesdays for clubs in addition to advisory? https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238284121 2021-02-24 20:01:35 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238284121 Lunch duty is already a nightmare with the disrespect of students, and refusing to move in order to spread out. There is plenty of room in the cafeteria for all of the students we have in this hybrid model. I hope there is a plan for setting expectations during lunch that is actually followed. fadroa1 https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238284369 2021-02-24 20:01:39 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238284369 Still need that planning time Wednesday provides us ceciliaprytko1_1 https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238284483 2021-02-24 20:01:40 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238284483 Numerous classes have over 24 kids - how do you plan on handling what would be overcrowded on a normal year https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238286556 2021-02-24 20:02:10 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238286556 Very concerned that social distancing would not be remotely possible within most classes and especially now that students would be back, going to the bathrooms at all the same times, passing times and lunches maryturano1 https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238286843 2021-02-24 20:02:14 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238286843 https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238287279 We need universal mask enforcement. Students should not be allowed to pull masks down or wear them under their noses in some classes. 

]]> 2021-02-24 20:02:20 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238287279 Need new tables... thomsv1 https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238287664 My tables in a noncovid setting have 2 students per table. The tables are 120 cm long. I'm afraid students won't be comfortable sitting right next to another student. What should I do if a student can't find a comfortable, safe seat? Can we remove all of these tables that sit pairs of students and replace them with single desks? Do we have those?]]> 2021-02-24 20:02:26 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238287664 WELCOME BACK! https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238287834 I am very excited to be back in school with (almost) all of my students! The opportunity is exciting to really "see" my students in the same setting. 

A question I have about the vaccine is that after receiving both of the shots (more so with the second shot) there is a serious day of side effects. Is there any planning when teachers get those shots to be able to accommodate for a day or two of rest? The last thing I would like to do is attempt to get a sub for a day.]]> 2021-02-24 20:02:29 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238287834 Wednesdays: 2 concerns https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238288380 I'm fine with coming back 4 days, or even 5, but the "new schedule" that Jeff mentioned for Wednesday gives me instant concerns, 2 of them:
1.  I have 125 students with all 5 of my classes.  Yes, some will be virtual.  Let's say 25 just for sake of argument, though that's high.  So, now in one day, I'm going to be exposed to 100 kids, plus advisory where I have 25 more.  In one day?  In my small classroom?  Why are we increasing contact like that for teachers already fearful and anxious?  Seems excessive.
2.  And two, this is a whole new planning problem.  Once again, we are back at one of the biggest problems that teachers increasingly face in this profession year after year:  something is getting added to our plates, yet no time is being given in exchange to deal with this new thing being added.  Thus, where will that time come from?  It'll be more work done at night, at home, unpaid - and we do too much of that already, especially this year.

This is actually adding a prep that never even existed in our "regular/normal" school years.  In a typical year, we have 3 Day 1s and 2  Day 2s in a week (or visa versa).  That means I would plan for 13 class meetings in any given week.  Now, in an abnormal, extremely overwhelming, pressure-filled year, I now have to gear up for 15 class meetings each week plus advisory... but are we being given more time to plan for those extra class meetings and extra/new/different/shorter lesson plans that we've never done before or worked into our lesson planning before?  Keep in mind, I can't even try to collect myself between each class, catch up with or reflect on what just happened in a class, make quick copies, or write notes to myself  between classes anymore because between classes we now sanitize each desk a kid sat at, and door handles, and now with full back, we'll be sanitizing more desks between each class...plus setting up the Zooming between each class.

We still have to plan, every day, for our lessons to be accessible both in-person and for our kids who will remain virtual. The 11:30-2 autonomous time slot on Wednesdays was the acknowledgement of that fact:  that to grade and plan for kids in-person plus virtual kids takes more time.  Now, that time slot is going away, but we still have the reality of dual in-person/virtual teaching/planning/grading.   This will ADD to us, while taking away TIME we need to handle it all.  We're now going to have more kids in a room, plus 15 class meetings a week instead of 13 or less to now plan for, but still have to plan creatively for kids who are Zooming in, but less time to plan for it all.

Solution:
The only way I could see this being manageable for teachers while still giving kids that much-needed face-to-face time on Wednesdays is treating it, still, as "office hours Wednesdays."  Meaning, new learning and new lessons is not the expectation for those 30-minute classes.  Rather, it's time to talk, catch up, counsel kids one-on-one, check on their progress, go over an old quiz, etc.  But we would not be expected to teach anything new that requires more planning.  In that scenario, I could manage it, and since it would be all 8 blocks that day, we'd still have two 30-minute prep blocks where we could get at least a little bit of work done.  ]]> 2021-02-24 20:02:37 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238288380 There needs to be a concrete cut off date for changes to Virtual Viking. We cannot effectively teach a full class of students and accommodate the significant amount fluctuations in cohort changes that have happened so rapidly and with such short notice like it has been throughout this year. We already have to anticipate there will be more students being medically excused as close contacts due to lack of social distancing from being back in full. While cases have gone down in CT, they have been pretty consistent at ELHS. https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238289457 2021-02-24 20:02:45 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238289457 Would it make sense to have students attend 1/2 days. Dismiss them with a to go lunch. That way we would not have students with masks off eating in such large numbers. https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238289616

]]> 2021-02-24 20:02:48 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238289616 I wish we could all be vaccinated prior to full reopening. We've been safe so far, why risk it now? https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238291608 2021-02-24 20:03:17 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238291608 We still clean desks between classes - with more kids this takes more time and is not a possibility with 30 minute classes. Plus what's the point of cleaning when kids are sitting shoulder to shoulder at a 2 person desk. https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238292110 2021-02-24 20:03:25 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238292110 Are there still going to be 3 lunches? because all 1 lunch seems a bit much but then if everyone's back in school and social distancing isn't possible in the classes, I guess lunch wouldn't matter either? maryturano1 https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238294653 2021-02-24 20:04:01 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238294653 On lunch duty over the last week I've noticed more kids standing, walking not sitting This is manageable now but will not be when we double the number of kids. I don't want to stop them from standing as it's hard for a 16 year old male to sit in little desks all day. https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238298909 2021-02-24 20:04:58 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238298909 Classroom not big enough thomsv1 https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238301794 I'm not sure how to accomodate 24 students safely in my given space. What are your ideas?]]> 2021-02-24 20:05:40 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238301794 6 feet hiltzj1 https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238302321 I am assuming that the 6 feet apart recommendation is no longer valid.  This is impossible with a full reopening.  In science classrooms the students will literally be sitting inches from one another at the student tables.  

Which health and safety measures will be enforceable?  Only masks?

]]> 2021-02-24 20:05:46 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238302321 I agree with the have them eat off property, this is how other schools are dealing with lunches and not having masks off with all students on campus maryturano1 https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238304876 2021-02-24 20:06:21 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238304876 Vaccine kellymnelsonpro https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238309613 When you get the first shot of the vaccine, you need to wait 21 days to get the second with Pfizer or 28 days with Moderna. There is no guarantee that everyone will have both shots by April 5th. It is incredibly anxiety inducing to think that we will be full time with no vaccine and the students can't get vaccinated yet either. ]]> 2021-02-24 20:07:30 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238309613 The vaccine takes a few weeks to be 90% effective. Can you guarantee we'll have the vaccine 4 weeks before seeing kids? https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238310262 2021-02-24 20:07:40 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238310262 Social Distancing https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238312465 Are we going to encourage social distancing? I don't think it can happen in classrooms, nor in the hallways during passing times. Is that ok? ]]> 2021-02-24 20:08:11 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238312465 Many kids will not have the stamina to handle 5 days especially a day of 8 classes + advisory. https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238319555 2021-02-24 20:09:53 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238319555 Are all teachers going to be required to take the vaccine? And if some teachers decide not to take the vaccine will there be repercussions for them? fadroa1 https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238322801 2021-02-24 20:10:42 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238322801 I agree with others that having all 8 classes on Wednesday would be too risky and a bit negligent. Way too much exposure. Kids would be better off doing a rotating day. Most are used to that and no students are used to all 8 blocks in a day. https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238324981 2021-02-24 20:11:14 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238324981 Not sure why we can't just wait until all staff are vaccinated. jenniferbrush1 https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238326133 2021-02-24 20:11:33 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238326133 hiltzj1 https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238329350 An 8 day class with advisory does not make any sense at all, not educationally nor when considering health and safety concerns.  

]]> 2021-02-24 20:12:23 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238329350 If we are back in full time- can field trips resume? jenniferbrush1 https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238330473 2021-02-24 20:12:41 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238330473 If the Wednesday remote day is eliminated, the stress for teachers will increase dramatically. We are already being asked to do so much. Please leave Wednesday remote. It is the best solution for students who need office hours, and for teachers who do not have time to catch their breath. https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238332261 2021-02-24 20:13:10 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238332261 Are we still responsible for wiping all desk and equipment before & after class? jenniferbrush1 https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238335413 2021-02-24 20:14:00 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238335413 Can we get hand sanitizer pumps on the walls in the hallways & outside of the gyms? jenniferbrush1 https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238337063 2021-02-24 20:14:26 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238337063 Other schools have installed hands-free sanitizing pump stations for students. It would encourage more sanitizing and could help especially before/during/after lunch. https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238338385 2021-02-24 20:14:48 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238338385 Will the locker rooms be open? jenniferbrush1 https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238338770 2021-02-24 20:14:54 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238338770 Why has the date to return been set before parents have been surveyed? https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238356470 2021-02-24 20:19:37 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238356470 https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238363776 Will more picnic tables be purchased so that kids can start to have lunch outside when the weather improves?]]> 2021-02-24 20:21:35 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238363776 Phase in https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238364825 If the elementary and middle schools are phasing in, why isn't the high school? The explanation that multiple grade levels are in courses doesn't make sense as teachers will still have to Zoom in the Virtual Vikings]]> 2021-02-24 20:21:52 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238364825 Will mask breaks be scheduled so that everyone isn't out at the same time and not on the football field because this is where pe classes will be. jenniferbrush1 https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238373089 2021-02-24 20:24:10 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238373089 https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238374818 There need to be more serious consequences for students pulling down their masks or removing masks. ]]> 2021-02-24 20:24:39 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238374818 Classrooms Crowded with Older Children oreilr2 https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238376481 Having 24+ adult-sized bodies in our classrooms for 84 sustained minutes where social-distancing is nearly impossible is a big concern. My students are all either the same size as me or larger. It is the same as having a room filled with adults for that long, which is not something other establishments and businesses are doing right now. Why is it okay for schools?]]> 2021-02-24 20:25:06 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238376481 https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238377453 There is no distancing already. Desks are on top of each other. Doubling the amount of students is going to make classrooms feel extremely unsafe. ]]> 2021-02-24 20:25:21 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238377453 5 day schedule https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238377564 If we go to 5 days a week, why not just follow the day 1/day 2 schedule?]]> 2021-02-24 20:25:23 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238377564 vaccines & 4 days https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238381609 Now that we can get vaccinated, I don't worry too much about the 4 days full in. Kids will benefit. I only hope and pray the vaccinations happen efficiently for us. I'm having worries about waiting in long lines for hours or not being scheduled till the end of March. I hope they come up with smart, efficient way to do this for educators. The flu shot this year was so easy: went to the nurse's office on my prep block, got my shot, went back to my classroom and kept working. That was awesome. Wish it could be something smart like that.]]> 2021-02-24 20:26:29 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238381609 https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238388447 I want to echo what other people are saying: please keep Wednesday a remote day. It's when I complete a great deal of planning for the week, meet with clubs, etc. This year has been extremely challenging as far as planning. Yes, students are coming back full time, but we're still going to have Virtual Vikings which means we have to plan accordingly for a live and virtual classroom. The extra time on Wednesdays allows us to modify our lessons for virtual and in-person class. ]]> 2021-02-24 20:28:23 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238388447 Parents need to made aware what distancing will look like realistically at ELHS. To be back in larger groups after so long will be a serious adjustment, on top of digesting that we will be so close to one another. Teachers have been left to "do their best" through all of this. We are often to blame when things don't go well when this is out of our control. https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238388702 2021-02-24 20:28:27 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238388702 We will be dealing with more anxiety as students are back full-time - anxiety experienced by parents, students and staff. Psychologists and counselors be ready! https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238398830 2021-02-24 20:31:16 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238398830 Wednesday - Teacher Mental Health oreilr2 https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238401518 The time we use on Wednesday to touch base with virtual students, meet with all students during Office Hours, plan lessons so they are appropriate for both in-person and virtual students, AND attempt to stay on top of grading... that time  is invaluable.  By adding an extra lesson to plan for AND taking away that time to do the already impossibly large job we are asked to do this year is going to deteriorate  the teachers' mental health.  And, many of us are holding on by a thread this year trying to balance work and our families.  A Wednesday schedule with all 8 blocks and advisory is unrealistic.  I am not sure that we would be able to keep the remote day, but could we consider a half day?  It wouldn't eliminate the extra lesson to plan for but we would still have the extra time for planning.  Or, a Wednesday remote half day so we don't have the exposure of so many students rotating through our classrooms during one day. Or, could we consider shortening the five days and have some time in the afternoon each day as extra planning?  I have seen other schools with earlier dismissal times to accommodate for cleaning.  The students' could work on asynchronous work at home for that last hour or so of the day.]]> 2021-02-24 20:31:58 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238401518 We need Wednesdays to plan. We all agreed (students and teachers) the 20 minute classes we had at the start didn't work and were not useful. In person 30 minute classes is no different. Plus, how can we expect students to come back in full to yet another change? They need that day also. In person learning is best but we are not taking into account the social emotional challenges and tolls all these significant changes are having on our students. Ask them and they will tell you. There is going to be a lot of anxiety with the return. https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238407691 2021-02-24 20:33:38 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238407691 I think it would be a good idea to survey students and staff to see who likes the idea of all 8 classes on Wednesday? With snow days now being remote you should still be able to have a fixed schedule if a normal day1/day2 rotation was done... so scheduled meetings would not be impacted. Looking at all of the comments it seems that no one wants an 8 block schedule one Wednesday? So who does want that schedule? https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238410524 2021-02-24 20:34:25 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238410524 Awesome!! https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238412712 Students need to be back in school getting a full education and bringing some normalcy back into their lives. We will keep them safe and make adjustments when needed!!]]> 2021-02-24 20:35:03 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238412712 There is a huge difference between 10 students in person (Hybrid model) and a full-blown, class size of 17 +.... the lab courses with daily hands on interaction and experiential activities will not be safe. Students and the teachers will not be able to safely socially distance per CDC guidelines. This has nothing to do with being encouraged to be a "creativie problem solver", it has everything to do to do with real time- and our class sizes exceeding safe distance protocols per CDC. https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238424778 2021-02-24 20:38:28 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238424778 I had 2 cohort classes in the north gym yesterday at once & it felt crowded. It was only 21 kids- but when we are used to 10 or so- it was a bit overwhelming for myself & the kids. Why can't we wait until the weather warms up so we can go outside? jenniferbrush1 https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238426523 2021-02-24 20:38:57 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238426523 Virtual Vikings = Hybrid is NOT done. nazzad1 https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238433607 Hybrid LEARNING for students might be done, but not Hybrid Teaching for teachers. The teaching experience is incredibly different and challenging with just one student on zoom. Now we will be doing it with potentially 20+ students in the room. Hybrid is only done when Virtual Vikings are no longer allowed. Are we going to continue Virtual Vikings? I agree with many here, maybe we should keep Wednesdays as they currently are especially if virtual vikings are allowed.

]]> 2021-02-24 20:41:01 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238433607 Fixed Schedule in 4 Day Model oreilr2 https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238440940 I was relieved to see that in the 4 day model we will keep the schedule as is. I think the consistency is going to be so important for the transition. I hope we can somehow work to keep that for the remainder of the year. The Wednesday schedule fiasco is a real puzzle.]]> 2021-02-24 20:43:01 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238440940 Offering V4 now? https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238445337 It seems like it might be a good idea to open up Viking4  Immediately and see how that goes in the next couple of weeks so when students come back fully in a few weeks the change to the student body won’t be so drastic]]> 2021-02-24 20:44:19 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238445337 https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238447986 30 minute classes with everyone moving around the building eight times does not seem like a great idea nor do I think the students would get much benefit… I hope Wednesday comes up with a better plan]]> 2021-02-24 20:45:06 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238447986 https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238451296 Although it is very exciting to have the students all back in the building I think it will be very stressful and anxiety producing for the staff not to have been vaccinated before that happens… It’s a shame that the school system is not waiting until the teachers and staff feel safe]]> 2021-02-24 20:46:01 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238451296 https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238456685 Might might be a much better idea to add Wednesdays back after spring break ...Having said that it’s hard to imagine teachers not having the planning time that they so desperately need… Things will not change that much for them because they still will be teaching live, to many more students and online at the same time to virtual Viking students… It might actually be harder for them]]> 2021-02-24 20:47:30 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238456685 https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238463941 I know at a school in Rhode Island they are taking lunch out and ending the day earlier and offering to go lunch as the students leave… This might be much safer in the long run and take out the amount of planning it will take to make lunch safe which seems doubtful in any case]]> 2021-02-24 20:49:42 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238463941 Could we get the building cleaned on Wednesdays https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238485908 2021-02-24 20:56:08 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238485908 Lunch and PE seem impossible to keep safe at the HS with the numbers of people needed https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238490128 2021-02-24 20:57:21 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238490128 https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238531858 Not really a question, but I am not comfortable having all students back without having both doses of the vaccine. I have too many vulnerable people at home.]]> 2021-02-24 21:09:27 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238531858 I have mixed emotions here. I am happy to hear that the students come back but I am also very anxious about not being fully vaccinated before this happens. It would be such a huge relief to wait just a tad longer and get our teachers vaccinated. Mental health is a real thing for educators too! nathaliecasey1 https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238560037 2021-02-24 21:17:40 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238560037 https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238569575 If vaccinations are pushed back, and we are not vaccinated even with one shot will we push back the reopening? If we still reopen will staff be allowed to opt out of in person teaching? 
 ]]> 2021-02-24 21:20:46 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238569575 https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238593767 Will the staff who are remote be returning to the building?]]> 2021-02-24 21:28:53 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238593767 https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238597787 If Wednesdays have to be in person and the need to do 8 blocks is to satisfy the schedule staying fixed because of meetings and ppt’s being booked out already just make the first in full Wednesday a day 1, the next a day 2 and so on.  Gives longer duration of planning blocks for teachers and is less of yet another drastic change for everyone to stomach this year.  Easier to manage and adjust to for everyone .  30 minute classes are a waste and not useful we already learned that from the start of the year.  Please hear us out on this rather than just moving forward with something that doesn’t work.  ]]> 2021-02-24 21:30:18 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238597787 The though of what Wednesdays are going to look like, makes me hyperventilate. Just to give you an idea what it is going to look like . . basically a big mess . . .trying to teach for 30 minutes and being depressed after the fact because it didn't go like planned. Well there is a scenario we already went through before: Trying to plan and teach 20 minute classes on Wednesday (btw, I never got to do my attendance during that time, I always did it after 11am, and being in a daze for the rest of my day). I confess that it was nothing but stress. If you want to look out for us and our mental health please reconsider this option. The same "bad move" (I am not calling it a "mistake" because we know that much planning goes into these actions and just like our teaching, some is good and some not so much) does not need to be repeated! There are other solutions: please consider leaving it the way it is, it would relieve many teachers and give them the time they need to plan. I know I need the planning time. . . Thanks for listening to us and I hope you can re-think some of the decisions and consider some of the suggestions being made. 😍 nathaliecasey1 https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238619730 2021-02-24 21:37:38 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238619730 I thought it became clear that 30 minute classes on Wednesdays did not work at all… Why would we return to that model? https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238660185 2021-02-24 21:52:07 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238660185 Social Distancing in Classrooms--How is this going to be followed? https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238714579 Classrooms are already struggling with social distancing in the hybrid model, so how are we going to ensure safe distancing when bringing all students back everyday? Are we just going to ignore the guidance from the CDC? The regular education classrooms are going to be out of compliance for sure, but also the special education and related services room that are half the size or even smaller than half the size of a typical classroom space are going to be packed. There is no way to socially distance in most of these smaller spaces now. Some blocks, even if we weren't dealing with Covid, the rooms are too full to function, focus, or feel comfortable. When all students return these rooms will be extra crowded each block, in addition to the extra students who come in for accommodations throughout the day. ]]> 2021-02-24 22:13:41 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238714579 Most kids will love this change!!!! https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238791770 2021-02-24 22:48:12 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238791770 There are schools in the area already have their vaccines set up for their teachers. Perhaps we should not be waiting for Ledge Light and be more proactive like other districts. I addition the sheer number of students an average high school teacher sees in both days is high. For most close to one hundred or more. It seems like exposure is not being considered. Cleaning is not happening like was talked about in the summer and if a janitor is out, there is no sub. maryjennings1 https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238802125 2021-02-24 22:53:11 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238802125 I agree https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238802951 I don't understand why we are reopening without all teachers being fully vaccinated. We have been so careful for almost a year now, why not wait a little longer, so we can feel safe? It seems like a big risk to take. Also, I think it's a good idea to have students eat lunch at home. Having all those students in the Commons at once without masks has the potential to be a super spreader gathering, and doesn't seem safe or smart at all. ]]> 2021-02-24 22:53:34 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238802951 My kid's middle school has taken out the lunch waves and send lunch on the go. Teachers send in the count during 2nd period, and distribute a lunch/raffle ticket so there is no waste and ensure that students that ordered a lunch will have a lunch. Would that aleviate the crowding during lunch waves when all students go back? My kids have been full 4 days since the beginning of January, with Wednesdays as a asynchronous remote learning day, where teachers have the option to meet with students individually or in small groups (like office hours) could this work for us, as well? ceciliaprytko1_1 https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238813939 2021-02-24 22:59:00 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238813939 Quality of masks https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238816233 I keep hearing about the importance of quality masks.  I've been wearing two close fitting masks, yet I see some students being allowed to wear thin gators.  I feel like those should definitely not be allowed. I've heard experts say that they do nothing at all.  Enforcement of quality masks needs to be consistent (among students and staff).

]]> 2021-02-24 23:00:02 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238816233 I agree that 30 min classes on Wed were a waste of time for large group instruction. That time has been much better spent providing individual feedback to student work. ceciliaprytko1_1 https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238828156 2021-02-24 23:05:43 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238828156 Wednesdays and VV https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238839032 I think meeting with all students for 30 minutes would be exhausting and unproductive for both teachers and students.  I would rather just go back to a day 1, day 2 schedule (after teachers are fully vaccinated).  I agree that Wednesdays have become essential to do all the extra online record keeping, planning, correcting and meeting with students that the Hybrid model has required of us. Another valid point that was made...if we allow Virtual Vikings to continue to Zoom into our classrooms, we are not permanently ending the model.  It will be just as much work (if not more) for teachers to attempt to manage a large group in front of us in the classroom, yet still try to navigate the three screens and present the material to the VV at home, so that they are getting a similar experience. I understand that some students can't come to school because of an underlying condition, but those students should be prioritized in the vaccine distribution, so that they can come to school with the rest of the students. In my opinion, parents should not be given the option to allow their students to stay at home because they are uncomfortable having them in the building with all the other students.  Many of us are  nervous and uncomfortable returning to full time school, but we're being asked to do it anyway.

]]> 2021-02-24 23:11:15 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238839032 Wednesdays 8 Blocks: https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238859812 Hybrid might be ending for students, but it's not ending for teachers. We still have to plan lessons that are effective in-person AND virtual, since some students will remain virtual. Please don't forget how that has changed our lives, our craft, and our daylight hours. Not much changes for us - it still takes so much more time than it ever has before. Are we just not going to give teachers autonomous time to handle all that anymore?]]> 2021-02-24 23:22:17 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238859812 https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238866167 We have to be honest about the fact that social distancing will not be happening, not in classrooms and not during passing time.]]> 2021-02-24 23:25:35 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238866167 Wednesday 8 blocks- https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238867423 Can we invest in wipes for classrooms (in addition to just the spray)? It would be a lot easier, if we're going to have 8 blocks of kids packing into these small rooms in 1 day, if we could give each kid a wipe at the last minute of class and they could wipe their own desk right before the next group comes in. Otherwise, we are now sanitizing 8x a day between classes and we're now cleaning double the desks since they're coming back full. Don't forget that between classes, we also have to set up our next Zoom, our next PowerPoint/Prezi/Kahoot/Padlet/magic trick, transfer to our next lesson plan, maybe check email, get ready to punch in new attendance on new roster, etc. If we could at least eliminate the cleaning of 24 desks in between X8 times by having each kid wipe their own, that would help.]]> 2021-02-24 23:26:15 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238867423 I agree https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238873588 that we have to be transparent to parents and the public about the fact that we will not be social distancing in the classroom.  I am also concerned about ventilation. Are we at least allowed to open windows?

]]> 2021-02-24 23:29:14 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238873588 I think it is wonderful and students will love it. https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238876636 2021-02-24 23:30:44 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238876636 I totally trust the administration with the decisions being taken. Our leaders have done great job during the pandemic. https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238878390 2021-02-24 23:31:37 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238878390 Everybody should keep wearing mask until the end of the academic year. https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238881020 2021-02-24 23:33:03 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238881020 https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238881059 What infection and transmission criteria will determine a switch to remote learning? Thirty cases in January and sixteen so far this month seems excessive and begs the question of the wisdom of going full in.]]> 2021-02-24 23:33:05 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238881059 Floating Teachers - Transitions between classes https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238882437 As a floating teacher, I am also packing up my own belongings and sanitizing my own work space before moving to the next room where I need to start from scratch setting up technology and logging into multiple devices to zoom, prep my slides/lesson, and prepare to take attendance. Sometimes the teacher who is leaving isn’t 100% ready to give me their space when I arrive either. I lose about 10 minutes of instructional time for each block currently. 30 minute blocks would be impractical. ]]> 2021-02-24 23:33:55 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238882437 Fixed schedule in 5 days https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238883353 I think that having Wednesday with students gives us a chance to catch up students with quizzes, late work, extra help, questions, etc. ]]> 2021-02-24 23:34:26 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238883353 https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238887064



















s]]> 2021-02-24 23:36:28 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238887064 Social distance https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238887227 Lunch and being so close together is my only concern.]]> 2021-02-24 23:36:33 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238887227 I agree with others. We have been hybrid for a long time. Why can't we wait 2 extra weeks so we can be vaccinated. It seems like a slap in the face for us. If the vaccination was far off I could understand this decision a bit more. Surely the board of Ed could stomach pushing this back a tiny bit. Pushing it back 2 weeks would cost students 4 days of being in the building. Are those 4 days worth putting us at this risk? I get reopening, but just push it back 2 weeks. https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238898424 2021-02-24 23:42:47 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238898424 Will the gyms be used for lunch? I just read that online- where will the 3 PE classes that are scheduled to use the gyms do? Not too mention set up ‘ clean up before and after classes will cut into the blocks before & after. https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238910234 2021-02-24 23:49:11 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238910234 I like the idea of making all students eligible to be viking IVs rather than making all students come in. https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238915094 2021-02-24 23:52:17 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1238915094 https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1239005885 I agree with the sentiment, expressed in many of these comments, that waiting a few more weeks, until we all have the second dose of the vaccine, seems like a "no brainer." It's a lot of stress to create for teachers just for a few more days in the building for kids. I'd also feel much more comfortable about returning if the folks at Ledge Light and our medical advisor would share some of the studies they've looked at to determine that we'll be safe back at full capacity. I keep seeing headlines about studies that show schools are safe, but when I click on the studies mentioned in the articles, they always seem to be studies of hybrid schools, not full capacity schools. Are there studies I can read in order to reassure myself? Are there schools in our state that are the same size as us that have been doing it without incident? I only know of schools that are much smaller than us, where they have smaller class sizes anyway. ]]> 2021-02-25 00:45:09 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1239005885 https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1239013460 I agree with many of the teachers who have responded below regarding the necessity to have teachers vaccinate before we move forward with this plan. The thought of having 23 nearly adults in my classroom for over 80 minutes a block is terrifying. It is important for the teachers to feel safe before we reopen so that we can provide the best possible instruction for our students ]]> 2021-02-25 00:49:42 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1239013460 mahons2 https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1239253634 Consequences for students not abiding by mask wearing guidelines - what should be a behavioral rule once we come in full - must be severe. I have at least three students that I have to remind about covering the nose. I am simply going to dismiss them from my class. I will not put up with it.]]> 2021-02-25 03:05:57 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1239253634 kellymnelsonpro https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1240455223 What number of students/staff quarantined or sick with Covid will result in going remote? We have not gone remote since November due to numbers so is there a number or a percentage that would cause us to go remote?]]> 2021-02-25 11:13:41 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1240455223 Students changing classes https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1240588110 Hoping the direction the students walk will finally be all in one direction one classes change for everyone’s safety ]]> 2021-02-25 12:05:41 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1240588110 https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1240607778 I agree that there needs to be a stricter policy regarding mask wearing and social distancing (especially at lunch). It would be great if the administration would remind both students and parents of the importance of these measures prior to 3/22. ]]> 2021-02-25 12:12:33 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1240607778 we are going to be trading one set of mental health issues for another with the change happening so quickly https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1240650298 2021-02-25 12:26:09 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1240650298 this will cause first semester and second semester to have different # of days https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1240653603 2021-02-25 12:27:12 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1240653603 The biggest risk of transmission is during lunch when masks are removed and there is less overall supervision based on student:adult ratio. A lot of schools around the country that are successfully doing in-person learning are eliminating in school lunches and providing to-go meals so that students can complete classroom learning earlier and have lunch block last. Only athletes would be allowed to remain in the building and eat before games/practices. https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1240725579 2021-02-25 12:49:06 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1240725579 How will contact tracing be handled with the large number of potential 'exposures' a student or teacher has during the day. Currently, we rely on the student to identify close contacts and this can sometimes be unreliable in identifying all possible close contacts. https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1240739006 2021-02-25 12:53:09 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1240739006 Looking forward to being closer to normal! https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1240779203 2021-02-25 13:04:26 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1240779203 Masks https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1240783611 Will there be stricter guidelines about the types of masks students are allowed to wear? Buffs, bandanas, and masks with filters do not provide the same level of protection. Before fully reopening, there is an opportunity to establish clear, specific mask requirements for all students.]]> 2021-02-25 13:05:33 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1240783611 Wednesdays https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1240804105 Being given "permission" to use Wednesdays' thirty-minute periods for a check-in rather than instruction would be helpful.]]> 2021-02-25 13:10:45 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1240804105 Lunch https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1240808428 Has there been consideration to shortening the day to allow teachers to have prep time at the end of the day and dismiss students early with a bag lunch to get them out of the building and alleviate the lunch issue?]]> 2021-02-25 13:11:46 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1240808428 Virtual Vikings https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1240818779 Managing Virtual Vikings with larger numbers of students physically in the classroom is going to be a significant challenge. Are we going to be supplied with better technology (multi-directional speakers as an example) to make it easier for these students to engage with their in-person classmates?]]> 2021-02-25 13:14:06 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1240818779 Quality Masks https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1240828271 Students who enter the building with poor quality masks should be stopped as they enter and given appropriate PPE for their own safety and the safety of the school community, especially now that we will not be social distancing in the classroom. Checking masks as students walk in and giving them proper ones would clearly establish the expectation for proper masks, remove the burden from teachers to evaluate masks, and keep everyone safer.]]> 2021-02-25 13:16:23 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1240828271 Wednesday Concern https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1240877429 If we go with the 8-block Wednesday, assignments really couldn't be due that day, or students would have 8 assignments due on the same day, which would be overwhelming for them in an already overwhelming year. How would the expectations around Wednesdays for teachers and students be clearly established to avoid this type of situation?]]> 2021-02-25 13:27:16 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1240877429 Contact Tracing https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1240979031 I am concerned about the accuracy of our Contact Tracing - especially since it will be some time before we are all vaccinated. It appears as though there is little effort to identify all (or even most or some) people that have been exposed to an infected individual. ]]> 2021-02-25 13:48:27 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1240979031 Wednesdays https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1241002977 I love the idea of having a check-in day midweek with students. A lot of students aren't utilizing my online office hours, and they should be, so this is a guaranteed check-in. ]]> 2021-02-25 13:52:58 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1241002977 Behavioral Issues https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1241009276 Is there a plan in place to address the many behavioral issues that will probably occur? Some negative behavior was reduced at the beginning of this year since "partners in crime" were in different Cohorts. Now they will be coming together.]]> 2021-02-25 13:54:07 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1241009276 Not elementary school jeanninebarber https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1241141995 We've got this lovely slow rollout for elementary, which is inherently cohorted. Then the high school which is much larger and inherently not cohorted is being rushed back? Why? Can we get vaccinated first? Why the sudden rush??]]> 2021-02-25 14:17:49 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1241141995 Cleaning jeanninebarber https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1241158301 School is already not being cleaned as well as it should (or as well as we were told it would be) -- what is the plan for all in?]]> 2021-02-25 14:20:36 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1241158301 In order for someone to be completely vaccinated, the CDC states that a person must be 2 weeks post their second shot. This means that all staff who are 'in process' of getting vaccinated can still be quarantined for close contact exposure until after April break. Has this been taken into account? https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1241230627 Is there a critical mass of quarantined staff/students that will revert us back to remote?]]> 2021-02-25 14:32:37 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1241230627 Wednesdays https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1241769359 As many have said, time on Wednesdays is invaluable to our mental health. 

My first choice, by far, is to have Wednesdays stay remote through the end of the year. But it sounds like the parents and the board are uninterested in creating this balance.

If we are being told to be at school for the whole day, another suggestion is to structure Wednesdays as whole Advisory day. Students could stay put in their advisory room, but have time for advisory activities, club meetings as scheduled by teachers, appointments with teachers (perhaps scheduled the way counselors do their appointments), and study hall. It would eliminate the need for everyone to move around every 30 minutes, give students and teachers work time, and each group would have two teachers monitoring them.

It could also be split into four blocks of Advisory, Study Hall, Clubs, and SEL/Conferences/etc. That way we could have work time and contact time, but not have to prep another day of classes.]]> 2021-02-25 16:06:51 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1241769359 Outside https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1241827818 Can we have tarps or blankets and more radios, along with designated areas to go outside so that we can take whole classes outside for extended periods of time to work as the weather gets nicer?]]> 2021-02-25 16:16:20 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1241827818 Ditto https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1241867442 I want to echo many of the things here. 
How is it safe to have 20+ adult-sized people in a room where social distancing is not possible? Are we going to make it clear to parents that we will no longer be social distancing and that masks are not required at lunch, where they will also not be able to distance?

Is the Board going to meet all in person with no social distancing?

Where is the concern for teacher and staff mental health?

Why can't we wait at least until our vaccines have taken effect?

How is taking away the flex time on Wednesdays going to negatively affect teachers and students?]]> 2021-02-25 16:22:28 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1241867442 Offices https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1241885870 Are teachers and students going to be allowed in offices again (main office, etc) or will those restrictions still be in effect?]]> 2021-02-25 16:25:51 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1241885870 Security https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1241890175 Will the security staff wear their masks properly and appropriately at all times?]]> 2021-02-25 16:26:37 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1241890175 Mask Enforcement https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1241970402 I have seen very relaxed enforcement of appropriate mask wearing in Staff. Who/how do we make sure everyone is wearing them appropriately - covering both NOSE and MOUTH at all times when in a room with others?.   ]]> 2021-02-25 16:40:57 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1241970402 Space https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1242706442 It's frustrating that we spent the first half of the year scrambling for PE space due to study halls and now we have to read that gyms are used for lunch. I'm guessing the rationale is that the weather will be nice and we go outside, but what about the cold or rainy days? We would have 3 classes in one space that could be up to 100 people. I just predict a lot of anxiety.]]> 2021-02-25 18:54:00 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1242706442 As many have mentioned, keeping the option of allowing students to continue to be virtual Vikings is no different than the current hybrid model from a planning perspective for teachers - which we all now know requires extra time to plan, grade and administer. If we eliminate Wednesday as a planning day, then eliminating the virtual Viking option should also be considered. https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1243005269 2021-02-25 19:53:27 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1243005269 HS Seniors https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1243034868 I am happy that the HS Seniors have the potential of ending their school year with some semblance of normalcy - perhaps an outdoor Senior Picnic/Bonfire/Beach Dance or even a prom. ]]> 2021-02-25 19:59:41 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1243034868 My wife is an at risk person that does not qualify for the vaccine yet. Even though I will be getting the vaccine soon, my wife will not - I don't want to bring the virus home to her. Will the district allow teachers to switch to remote now if they have at risk family members at home ? https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1243054990 2021-02-25 20:04:21 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1243054990 Close Contact? https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1243088810 I have had several students in my room this year test positive for covid.  I know because the students themselves tell me so when they email me to let me know they're going to be out and about workload while they're sick or recovering.  In none of these cases (I know of at least 5 who have told me, including one student just today) was I ever called and told that I am a close contact, even though these children have been in my small room for up to 85 minutes.  I'm assuming it's because we are, of course, masked and socially distant.  (That's with 12 in the small room.)

Now, I'm imagining 24 in the small room for 85 minutes.  We will all be masked, but that's now our only defense.  We will no longer be socially distanced.  If one of those kids ends up positive, am I still not considered a close contact?

I have people at home I am worried about.  Parents in their late sixties, a child with a lung issue.  I wish we could get our 2 shots in us before we have 24 adult-sized people in these small enclosed spaces, all of us talking and using our breath for 85 minutes together.  

Feels like the mental health of parents and students are the only consideration. Teachers - deal with it. ]]> 2021-02-25 20:12:44 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1243088810 When will the BOE begin meeting in person? https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1244010618 2021-02-26 03:25:31 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1244010618 there is no equity in the size of rooms and numbers of bodies that will be in those rooms at the HS. Also there are a number of spaces that had been used for zooming or additional room for students that have been converted to offices while we don't have enough room in some academic spaces. https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1244016887 2021-02-26 03:30:03 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1244016887 Could we rent tents and set lunch up out on the football field? https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1244869398 2021-02-26 12:09:05 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1244869398 Talking to students kellynelson7_1 https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1245693352 When/should we be talking to students about this? Do we need to wait until the letter goes out to parents first or can we talk to students now? A lot of students already know about it but what can we say to them/what should we not say to them?]]> 2021-02-26 15:42:46 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1245693352 Student Opinions timothydowd2_1 https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1245865456 I think it would be good to survey students on reopening plans and get their voices at the table. Many are having feelings as complex and strong as the faculty, and this needs to be respected. In addition, kids are on the ground with us, and they might have effective suggestions on ways to remain as safe as possible that we'd miss if we don't ask]]> 2021-02-26 16:18:51 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1245865456 https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1246531504 I just want to share that while we all may have (very real and valid) fears and concerns, I appreciate working in a school where the administration is compassionate and listens. They might not have control over everything, but it is clear they care and probably share the same fears we do. They're in the mud with us, as are paras, aids, counselors, secretaries, custodians. Everyone is scared and exhausted. I'm grateful to be in the mud with this particular crew. I hope we can get through this safely. I appreciate everyone's relentless hard work.]]> 2021-02-26 18:35:39 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1246531504 Covid Fatigue https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1260468143 There have been more students attempting to skip class and wandering through the school. They are tired of masks and social distancing - I get it. But they obviously aren't going to be honest about where they've been and who they have exposed. How is that Contact Tracing going to take place?]]> 2021-03-02 19:54:29 UTC https://padlet.com/amydrowne1_1/77dvn81woelo/wish/1260468143