Since MCPS released their metrics for a possible reopening (https://moderatelymoco.com/mcps-updates-metrics-on-hybrid-and-in-person-schooling-groups-at-boe-meeting/), we’ve been taking a look at how those compare to other nearby school systems and state guidance.
As you can see, MCPS is a clear outlier and the most restrictive of any local or state guidance we could find. MCPS also provided no metrics for when expanded in person will be allowed and no target dates for return.
Charts courtesy of the #TogetherAgainMCPS group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1800959980043699/?ref=share
For this compilation, data was pulled from each school systems publicly available reopening plans. Links to be added later
The Teacher’s Union is not going to allow anyone back until September at the earliest. That is the reality, and contrary to what they are claiming, I believe most teachers want to be back in some form asap. Virtual learning is not working for most students, especially the younger ones.
This is why I am voting against the “Apple Ballot”. It now appears that you have to side with the students over the Teacher’s Union. The Union does not care about the students. Maybe the Union needs to be more reflective of the teachers.
@Dave Scott – The union cares more about students then the governor who is more interested in getting the economy back up and running than the safety of students, staff, and families. Most teachers do want to go back in the building, Yes, but not at a risk to their own health.
When we are in the building we have fire drills, to keep our students safe in the chance there is a fire. We have tornado drills, to keep our students safe in the chance there is a tornado. We have active shooter drills to keep our students safe in case there is a gunman in the building. And now we are looking at an actual situation where our students lives are in danger, and you want to throw them into the fire? Why? So you can go to work? So you don’t have to be a parent?
Yes, virtual learning is hard. Turns out you have to be a parent to your children and pay attention to their schooling. Its hard being a parent helping students with school while working full time. But its better than someone getting sick and dying.
More than 200,000 citizens in America have died from a Covid-19. We just had the worst day in Covid cases. Other more civilized countries are rolling back their opening and going back into shut down mode.
Stop being selfish and have some compassion for the people around you. Our students will be ok. They will learn. They will be on the same level as their peers.
Your hyperbole shows the lack of science behind your argument. The countries rolling back their reopenings and keeping their schools OPEN. Teaching in schools, with everyone masked, does not harm teachers health. “studies show no consistent relationship between in-person K-12 schooling and the spread of the coronavirus.” “Are The Risks Of Reopening Schools Exaggerated? by NPR” “it’s time to shift the discussion from the risks of opening K-12 schools to the risks of keeping them closed. As a pediatrician, I am really seeing the negative impacts of these school closures on children, Dr. Danielle Dooley, a medical director at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C., told NPR. She ticked off mental health problems, hunger, obesity due to inactivity, missing routine medical care and the risk of child abuse — on top of the loss of education. “Going to school is really vital for children. They get their meals in school, their physical activity, their health care, their education, of course.”
@ Louis
Ok, then why pay teachers when we are doing their job? I’ll take my taxes back now.
The selfish ones are the ones blocking schools from reopening for no reason and claiming “we’ll all die if we reopen”. I’m more active with my kids homework and assisting them because the shorter class hours and no real contact has made learning almost impossible. Might as well get the kids to watch educational videos on youtube.
As for safety, the schools are safer than most areas. It’s safer at school than Giant, Wegmans, or Harris Teeter. Yet we are allowed to buy food, go to resturuants…even go to stores like Barnes and Noble or Dick’s. Yes, over 200,000 people have died from the virus, but the mortality rate is extremely low, under .01% of those who contracted it. If remove high risk people it’s even less…no reason a 30 year old teacher, with no health problems can not come in a teach. Let the high risk ones be excused, and get the kids back.
Why is MoCo being held to a standard no other school in the region is?
The Union stated it will not be safe until there is a vaccine. Well, we still don’t have a vaccine for H1N1 and that’s been over 10 years. And once we have it, will they move the goal-post based on the number of people who have taken it?
The next time the teachers are negotiating their contracts and state they’re essential employees, we should remember than when they were needed the most, they did the least. Cashiers, waiters, and other less important people are back at work in more dangerous situations.
Teachers should speak out in favor of opening the schools. Tell MCPS and the Union, you are not afraid. And for those teachers that are high risk, find the appropriate accommodation, whether it’s early retirement or a paid year off.
Adding my support to reopen.
Good luck with that, they just eliminated Wednesdays for Elementary School kids…we are going backwards and MCPS acts like we should be grateful.