Another virtual school year?

With the Delta Variant running rampant, 11 and under being the most vulnerable, Virtual should be an option. They have absolutely zero control and zero knowledge about this thing and it’s insane to expect people to volunteer their children in exchange for “normalcy” 

I think we should all prepare for that, but if the administration starts talking about it now imagine the outcry.  Remember how many here in town wanted to fire all of the teachers last year?  

Agreed, and yes I remember all too well, but honestly it needs to be done. Sigh

There is just no way the administration can avoid heaping amounts of abuse from my fellow liberals in this town on this issue.  But as for now, I  think they have to follow state guidelines.

personally, i would have loved doing virtual school....but many kids are really having a hard time with it.  last I heard it may be about January before younger kids are getting shots...and we have to hope they work against what ever variant is around at that point.

it may be a viable option to have a 'regional virtual school run by the county if most families want in person.  that would make it more feasible to group kids from multiple towns together to form virtual classes.

That's impossibly difficult to do in two weeks.  Tall_Mocha is correct about virtual being an option, but even that takes planning, and radically changes how the in person teaching would be done as well.

delayed start to virtual is better than no virtual.  counties have an educational services commission that primarily run special ed programs and coordinate transportation.  they could add virtual school to their programs.  there may already be teachers that are not working this year because of covid that would return for virtual and between the county and individual districts they can offer full time positions to fully certified people on sub lists.   for middle/high school, they may be able to pay extra for the in person teachers to use their prep period to do a virtual class (and then the teachers can prep after school)

It's just not going to happen that way.  There are way too many different stakeholders involved who would all have to bend over backwards, suspend rules, rearrange class schedules, agree to increased budgets, and agree to higher taxes.  I guess you don't have a student in the district.  Just changing a class schedule takes a good bit of work, and everyone involved with that is trying to do what they see as right.

Like it or not, the State of NJ is starting the school year in person.  What happens after that is anyone's guess.

jmitw said:

delayed start to virtual is better than no virtual.  counties have an educational services commission that primarily run special ed programs and coordinate transportation.  they could add virtual school to their programs.  there may already be teachers that are not working this year because of covid that would return for virtual and between the county and individual districts they can offer full time positions to fully certified people on sub lists.   for middle/high school, they may be able to pay extra for the in person teachers to use their prep period to do a virtual class (and then the teachers can prep after school)

 Agreed

I feel we as parents should have the choice. Hybrid was nice for those who wanted their children to attend in person and virtual worked for those who preferred virtual. They’re so gung ho for in person, and when it doesn’t work (because it’s not going to) Then we will be forced into virtual anyway. These are our children, they don’t belong to the state so for murphy to make such a demand that has zero to do with him is out of control. It’s looking like homeschooling for me. 

I can see us ending up virtual again.  It will burn out more teachers, and please remember not to crucify the district when it happens.  But the argument that we as parents should make these decisions is the exact same argument that is being used to prevent school mask mandates throughout the country, and drag this out more.  There is no, and will never be, a consensus in our community about this.  It's just going to be difficult.

I'd be happy for the teachers to jump the booster line just to increase by some degree everyone's sense of safety.  I thought they should have been prioritized the first time around. 

bub said:

I'd be happy for the teachers to jump the booster line just to increase by some degree everyone's sense of safety.  I thought they should have been prioritized the first time around. 

 I agree on both points. It was plain dumb teachers weren't in an earlier group first time around, and they need to be in the first group if boosters are needed.

Are SOMSD teachers obligated to be vaccinated to teach in person? I still haven't heard a good enough reason for not getting the shot. Feel free to enlighten me here.

Tall_Mocha said:

I feel we as parents should have the choice. Hybrid was nice for those who wanted their children to attend in person and virtual worked for those who preferred virtual. They’re so gung ho for in person, and when it doesn’t work (because it’s not going to) Then we will be forced into virtual anyway. These are our children, they don’t belong to the state so for murphy to make such a demand that has zero to do with him is out of control. It’s looking like homeschooling for me. 

Hybrid sucked for the kids that attended in-person.  The teacher had to focus on the kids that were online, so the in-person kids just sat on their computer in the classroom and watched.

bub said:

I'd be happy for the teachers to jump the booster line just to increase by some degree everyone's sense of safety.  I thought they should have been prioritized the first time around. 

 I'm not aware of a shortage of vaccine at this point, so is there even a "line"?  I thought it was just guidance that said "not until 8 months unless immunocompromised."

No shortage and people seem to be easily getting 3d shots without proof from what I've heard.

Joe D phone call yesterday said to wait at least 8 months after the second shot to get the third.  All this could change quickly as infection rates and hospitalizations fluctuate.

yahooyahoo said:

Hybrid sucked for the kids that attended in-person.  The teacher had to focus on the kids that were online, so the in-person kids just sat on their computer in the classroom and watched.

 One correction - the kids in the room had Chromebooks and were logged in to the lesson as well.

jimmurphy said:

yahooyahoo said:

Hybrid sucked for the kids that attended in-person.  The teacher had to focus on the kids that were online, so the in-person kids just sat on their computer in the classroom and watched.

 One correction - the kids in the room had Chromebooks and were logged in to the lesson as well.

That's what I said.  "...so the in-person kids just sat on their computer in the classroom...."

yahooyahoo said:

That's what I said.  "...so the in-person kids just sat on their computer in the classroom...."

You’re right. I guess I was focused on your comment that the teacher had to focus on the kids who were online, as if the in-person kids were being ignored somehow.

They were all online. Made absolutely no sense to me. Just keep everyone home if that’s what the scenario is.

yahooyahoo said:

Hybrid sucked for the kids that attended in-person.  The teacher had to focus on the kids that were online, so the in-person kids just sat on their computer in the classroom and watched.

 The kids in school also had their chromebooks, and I believe they’ll need them this year too.