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06.09.20, 18:12 PM General Topics
90 replies
My gut feel is that NYC public schools will not be able to open in September. Just look at the hoops the private schools are jumping through to try to open. You know there is no way the DOE can pull that off. If public is remote-only, do you think that will cause private schools to stay remote-only as well? [ Reply | Watch | Flag ]
General Topics 06.09.20, 06:12 PM Flag
 

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Absolutely not. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.20, 06:17 PM Flag
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The DOE cant be remote only. There is an issue with childcare. Ultimately, parents cant work without childcare. They need to freaking go back! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.20, 06:17 PM Flag
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I hear you, but you know they won't reopen without following public health guidelines. Everything that has come out requires very small classes and other social distancing requirements. How can the DOE comply with that given how overcrowded the schools are? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.20, 06:20 PM Flag
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They are proposing a number of different options including hybrid models (remote + in person) [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.20, 06:26 PM Flag
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I cant - it is too depressing to think of no school/no normalcy in the fall [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.20, 06:34 PM Flag
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i'll totally take a hybrid (like 2 days in person, 3 at home) at this point [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.20, 06:38 PM Flag
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ME TOO! but how does that work for the teachers? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.20, 06:43 PM Flag
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np. maybe some grades come some days, other grades other days. Like K, 2, and 4 some days, 1, 3, 5 other days. Cuts down on teacher exposure to groups they are not working with. No idea how it would work with MS or HS if teacher are working with multiple grades. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.20, 07:10 PM Flag
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Who watches the teacher's kids? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.20, 07:55 PM Flag
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no idea. "camps", I guess, like they had for essential worker kids when school was closed, if they are scheduled to be remote on a day when a parent is teaching. which maybe should be open to any parent working and needing childcare. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.20, 08:02 PM Flag
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They find a way to deal just like other working parents will . It’s hard all over. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.10.20, 09:41 AM Flag
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The private schools are proposing this too, but they are also installing cameras in all classrooms and making large investments in technology to make this possible. This isn't happening in publics. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.20, 06:42 PM Flag
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exactly so how do you livestream - it is not possible... [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.20, 07:00 PM Flag
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Zoom with kids who are at home+teacher. You don't really need to see the entire room. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.20, 07:21 PM Flag
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this. there is just no way i can imagine that schools dont open. the city has started opening, and by the end of the summer will be totally open. it is just not logical/possible to have people working and no school. remember that MOST NYC parents cant afford a nanny! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.20, 07:14 PM Flag
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this is what Im hanging my hat on! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.20, 07:33 PM Flag
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yes. i just cant see any other option. i think all the moms on here and on the FB UES moms group are living on a different planet (thinking schools wont open). it just is not possible. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.20, 08:44 PM Flag
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Completely agree with this. If parents are expected to go back to work, schools will open. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.10.20, 01:00 AM Flag
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And what if many parents are allowed to WFH? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.10.20, 01:53 AM Flag
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But too many jobs can’t be done from home, especially now that things are re-opening. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.10.20, 09:42 AM Flag
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Sadly, a lot of those in-[person jobs (like retail, hospitality, etc) are probably not going to exist. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.10.20, 03:21 PM Flag
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1 word. UFT. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.20, 10:58 PM Flag
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What??? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.10.20, 12:53 AM Flag
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What??? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.10.20, 12:53 AM Flag
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The UFT teachers union will be huge driver of how this plays out. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.10.20, 12:38 PM Flag
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School does not equal childcare! They are not going to risk lives (literally) so that they can babysit your kids while you work. Get a nanny. There’s no way it’s going to be five days/week of school for kids, so get over it. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.10.20, 01:52 AM Flag
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i have a nanny. im talking about the majority of the nyc that cannot possibly afford a nanny. some 20% of nyc school kids are underfed let alone can have a nanny. this isnt about babysitting this is about actual survival for the majority of working parents in nyc. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.10.20, 10:54 AM Flag
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Oh I see. Maybe they’ll set up supervised indoor area/camps for kids, with meal distribution. But I can’t really imagine them opening up schools just to occupy kids. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.10.20, 03:20 PM Flag
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"Get a nanny"??? What world do you LIVE in? I certainly can't do it. I am barely making it paycheck to paycheck. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.10.20, 05:40 PM Flag
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i know. i dont get this attitude. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.10.20, 06:59 PM Flag
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I agree. I'm just not sure how they could open. Look at the camp/childcare guidelines which mandate 10 children per classroom. My daughter's class has 32 children. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.20, 06:21 PM Flag
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absolutely yes [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.20, 06:42 PM Flag
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I think they will go back on alternating days. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.20, 07:02 PM Flag
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The privates generally follow the publics' lead, though they might not admit it. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.20, 07:39 PM Flag
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I think they are worried about liability or bad press. They just see the possible news articles if there is an outbreak there where someone dies: "XX School decided to have its students return in person, despite the fact that NYC publics remained closed over concern that in-person school would lead to coronavirus deaths. That decision led to 50 students being infected, one of whom died...." Hard to go against the flow in this kind of situation. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.20, 07:44 PM Flag
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I think this has to be considered. Private schools aren't known for taking risk. They close for snow even when DOE does not, but they ALWAYS close if DOE closes. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.20, 11:20 PM Flag
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except in this case the privates are charging 55k for online education - they will lose people [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.20, 07:45 PM Flag
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This, especially since the parents won't be able to network. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.20, 07:48 PM Flag
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People won't pay -- already withholding payments waiting to see what happens. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.20, 08:15 PM Flag
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our private has said they will not follow the publics' lead - as long as health / state guidelines permit opening, they will do so (with necessary modifications). [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.20, 08:00 PM Flag
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But since the state is opening, isn't that following the DOE's lead? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.20, 08:06 PM Flag
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Same at ours. Ours will also have cameras in rooms to allow for remote learning for any kids who have to miss school due to an exposure or whose parents simply don't feel comfortable sending them back. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.20, 08:07 PM Flag
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Which school said this? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.20, 08:37 PM Flag
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speyer HOS said this in a zoom meeting for parents. the school has small classes (16-20) and lots of space. there will have a camera on the live class. one teacher will be interacting with live learners and one with remote learners who can't (or don't want to) be there in person. specials classrooms, cafeteria, gym, will be repurposed as learning space and specials teachers will rotate to the kids. lunch in the classroom. lots of logistics to work out, esp transportation, but they think they will be able to make it work so long as the state allows school to be open. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.10.20, 02:56 PM Flag
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One of the unmentioned benefits of private is being able to network with the other parents, and whether or not this can be done without drop offs, pickups and play dates at each others' homes remains to be seen. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.20, 07:51 PM Flag
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Perhaps it's an unmentioned benefit but it is far far (FAR) below the benefit of in person school. Which is paramount. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.20, 08:16 PM Flag
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Network? You mean for professional reasons? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.20, 08:51 PM Flag
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Obviously. And so the DCs will know The Right People. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.10.20, 03:08 AM Flag
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np: i read it more as the community network. At my dcs' privates there are 60 kids per grade and we know every single family. I feel completely comfortable calling any of them for last minute pickup drop off and vice versa. That "network" allows for more collaboration in figuring this stuff out. I have no idea if this exists int he same way in large publics. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.10.20, 01:14 PM Flag
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I can't feel good about schools staying closed when I read things like this: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/09/nyregion/coronavirus-nyc-child-abuse.html?action=click&module=Well&pgtype=Homepage§ion=New%20York. They need to find a way back, maybe not full-time right away, but just staying shut isn't an option. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.20, 08:10 PM Flag
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These responses are all over the place. I think all re-open plans really need to be in place by early August, right? That is TWO months from now! It's hard to see the DOE pulling this together in time. Alternating days and hybrid remote learning is complicated. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.20, 08:40 PM Flag
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they have been working through this for months. They have to open from an economic standpoint. NYC will be deeply hurt if they dont open. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.20, 09:20 PM Flag
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Private schools are independent schools. They plan on reopening and their intentions are independent of what public schools do. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.20, 08:41 PM Flag
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+1. Privates typically follow the DOE for snow days and such because of teacher and admin childcare. Our private has said that they are already looking at what to do with teacher and admin kids who attend public in case publics don't open or open on some sort of hybrid model. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.20, 09:28 PM Flag
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I don't think they can re-open without department of health approval of the plans- that is what our k-12 told us. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.20, 10:40 PM Flag
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Correct, but do you think they will really take the risk of re-opening when public is not? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.20, 11:20 PM Flag
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They don't share the same risks. They don't have 32 kids in a class. They don't have the same facilities. They don't have unionized teachers. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.20, 11:47 PM Flag
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It's all about population density. Compared to public schools, private schools have a much much smaller student body overall and much smaller class sizes. Unlike public schools, private schools have the means and resources to be diligent in keeping facilities sanitized and disinfected throughout the day, every day. Private school students represent less than 5% of all students in NYC. So only 5% of the entire NYC student population will be out an about while all else will do online learning. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.10.20, 02:57 AM Flag
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They can "sanitize and disinfect" all day and all night, but the virus spreads among PEOPLE. People coming together in groups, particularly indoors. One infected kid shows up and the outbreak begins, no matter how much they cleaned the desks. If the public schools remain closed for health/safety reasons, no private school wants the negative publicity that will come with this. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.10.20, 12:13 PM Flag
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Our private wants to open with about 8 kids per class. kids would stay in classroom for the majority of the day. Lunch would be brought in. All specials teachers would travel to each class. Kids would still have playground time outdoors, but only with their own small class and playground would be cleaned between each class going. Is it perfect - no. But I am willing to send my kid. I can't keep her locked up for potentially over a year. She needs to play with other kids. At 6, I think learning social skills is actually more important then reading, math, etc. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.10.20, 12:45 PM Flag
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I guess when you're paying that money, you're kind of desperate to wring some sort of value from it. Maybe the privates are willing to take the risk of the optics associated with a potential outbreak in order to deliver SOMETHING to the parents paying that tuition. I mean, nothing you said does much to mitigate the "one infected kid shows up and the outbreak begins" scenario, but they're trying. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.10.20, 02:28 PM Flag
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Listen you're really trying to self justify here, but everyone wants kids in school. It's not doable in public schools but it is doable in private schools. The public schools will not be a good place to be for the next few years. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.10.20, 03:26 PM Flag
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Completely agree. Public schools cannot and should not open. Private schools can and should reopen. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.10.20, 03:47 PM Flag
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^NP [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.10.20, 03:47 PM Flag
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YES [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.10.20, 05:44 PM Flag
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Think of schools as geographic regions. Regions of high density are more subject to risk compared to regions of low density. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.10.20, 03:50 PM Flag
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YES! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.10.20, 05:44 PM Flag
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Amen! Though 8 kids per class is TINY. We have 38 in the grade across three classes, so not sure how this would work... [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.10.20, 05:42 PM Flag
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This exactly. Plus the subways would be much less crowded if public school students don't have to commute to school. Way fewer private school kids take the subway as many use car services and/or private drivers. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.10.20, 09:34 PM Flag
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I don't know whether this will, but I think they SHOULD. It's ridiculous to leave the schools shut down for six months. There are way too many negatives -- at a certain point, I think people would rather get the virus. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.20, 10:04 PM Flag
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Ita [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.10.20, 07:48 AM Flag
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You say that until your 52 year old husband dies. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.10.20, 03:33 PM Flag
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I'm planning on sending my child to day camp out of the city this summer (we live in the city). I hope it happens! And I hope school is in person... [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.10.20, 05:47 PM Flag
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For everyone saying the schools "HAVE" to open-- where is your evidence? Doesn't the DOE need public hearings on their re-open plan? When will these hearings be scheduled? When will any plan be announced? There actually isn't much time for Sept! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.20, 11:22 PM Flag
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Oh no doe may have to work during the summer to figure it out!!! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.10.20, 09:46 AM Flag
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don;t be ridiculous, the doe works all year, even when teachers are off. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.10.20, 01:16 PM Flag
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No they do not need public hearings. Districts (NYC is a district) must submit re-opening plans to NYS by July for review. In addition to a NYC task force, there is a NYS task force, and the NYS Regents is also looking at how to do this. NYC DOE admin bureaucracy has consistently proven to be incompetent and will botch this yet again IMO and end being completely unprepared. The memo released by Carranza (today's chalkbeat) is all fluff, to set the tone for what may be coming. There needs to be a Plan A, B C and D because we do not know what Sept will look like, or if we need to switch plans if wave 2 comes hard. This talk of alternating days, staggered schedules etc. is nonsense for the vast majority of overcrowded schools in NYC. You can't have ES kids coming in every other day - that is a nightmare for families and you will end up with many not bothering to show. Staggered scheduled implies a longer school day or shorter school day for the student (again who is going to come for a 3 hour session)? Consider that more than 10% of students homeless, and a huge number are low in come , many parents cannot work from home - its just a mess. Another idea foated has been remote for MS/HS. OK so then is the DOE going to distribute the younger kids in the HS buildings to allow for social distancing, they haven't said. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.10.20, 12:45 PM Flag
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PP: Also remote learning for the vast majority of students is a joke. Access is still an issue for some families. There are some schools/teachers who have done an incredible job and I commend them, and just as many who have not. We have almost 20% of kids slated to go to summer school per the DOE (will they show in summer if they didn't show in march for whatever reasons, including those out of their control). More of the same in Sept? At this point just throw in the towel, stop wasting money and take a year off from school. The learning loss is tremendous and will get worse. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.10.20, 12:48 PM Flag
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these are all great points. we doing have kids with special needs but i can only imagine how hard it must be for those kids right now. even if they are doing remote learning what a HUGE challenge for them and their parents. and they will far so behind...its just terrible. another point someone else had raised was that so many parents are not fluent in english...how can they possibly be helping their children with the remote learning? i guess for the older kids the remote style works better, but for the young children its just a disaster. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.10.20, 03:30 PM Flag
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If NYC schools don't open it will be the only place in the state. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.10.20, 01:59 AM Flag
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The situation in NYC has been a bit different than the rest of the state, no? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.10.20, 12:13 PM Flag
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Exactly. Kids everywhere else get driven to school or can walk. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.10.20, 03:22 PM Flag
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Have suburban districts made their announcements? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.10.20, 12:59 PM Flag
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No, they won't mention any contingency plans when asked, other than the fact that they are planning for various things depending on what the guidelines are. School budgets are being voted on in NY. In our area, if schools talk about cutting field trips or travel sports funds, the budget won't pass as listed, since it assumes nothing will be cut and in-person instruction will happen F/T in the fall. Suburban schools elsewhere have made some plans- nontenured staff renewals had been made in advance, certain sports will be cut due to risks (wrestling and soccer but not yet tennis or swimming) and buses are cut from the budget because there is no way to hold teams or orchestras altogether for 1-3hour drives each way. So parents will be asked to hire cars or drive. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.10.20, 08:06 PM Flag
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Annnnnd so far, NYC has been hit harder than anywhere else in the world. So, there’s that. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.10.20, 03:32 PM Flag
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Maybe this will prompt us to rethink 32 kids in a classroom. You could find a way to spread out 24 kids in a standard sized room but not with 32. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.10.20, 03:13 PM Flag
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No you can’t. You can’t socially distance 24 kids in a standard sized classroom. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.10.20, 03:33 PM Flag
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Even the smaller classes with 16 kids can't be appropriately spaced. I understand that younger kids have a harder time with distance learning, but older kids have an easier time with compliance involving social distance, masks, hand washing. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.10.20, 07:57 PM Flag
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This would require a budget genie to make possible. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.10.20, 05:44 PM Flag
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Fine. Get rid of the school safety officers, busing for people who opted for citywide schools, the nightlife czar, tear gas for police, official vehicles for city workers assigned to Manhattan. Raise the property tax on sales over $20 million and quit offering incentives to developers. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.10.20, 06:02 PM Flag
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