I think we should acknowledge some problems. Distance learning did not work for some children, some parents have dire child care needs and in the present climate, schools are too dangerous for in-person learning. These seem like unsolvable problems, diametrically opposed issues with no solutions but the truth is there are solutions if we are willing to be creative.
So I asked why can't schools go to distance learning an provide some limited child care and why can't they?
Say every school opened themselves up to say fifty or so children, those that are easily distracted or in danger of falling through the cracks, those with parents who desperately need to go to work. School systems could identify children they were most concerned about and invite them in and then open it up to the community for the rest of the very limited slots.
These kids would not be going to school, let's make that clear, but while there they would be expected to log in and do their school work.
We could have groups of five or six monitored by a paraprofessional or administrator. With these ultra-small groups, we could assure distance learning and ease of movement plans, we could keep them all safe. This won't happen in schools were hundreds or thousands of people are congregating and breathing the same air. We shouldn't pretend it will even with masks and plexiglass shields.
Then while there these children are there they could log into their classes, be taken care of, and be fed.
No solution is going to be perfect, but I think if we are willing to be creative and flexible, we could and should be doing a lot better.
This is just one idea and I have to say I am not sure how sold on it I am and I wrote it. That being said if we are going to get through this we can't be reckless and rush back to school, we have to be creative and smart about it.
So I asked why can't schools go to distance learning an provide some limited child care and why can't they?
Say every school opened themselves up to say fifty or so children, those that are easily distracted or in danger of falling through the cracks, those with parents who desperately need to go to work. School systems could identify children they were most concerned about and invite them in and then open it up to the community for the rest of the very limited slots.
These kids would not be going to school, let's make that clear, but while there they would be expected to log in and do their school work.
We could have groups of five or six monitored by a paraprofessional or administrator. With these ultra-small groups, we could assure distance learning and ease of movement plans, we could keep them all safe. This won't happen in schools were hundreds or thousands of people are congregating and breathing the same air. We shouldn't pretend it will even with masks and plexiglass shields.
Then while there these children are there they could log into their classes, be taken care of, and be fed.
No solution is going to be perfect, but I think if we are willing to be creative and flexible, we could and should be doing a lot better.
This is just one idea and I have to say I am not sure how sold on it I am and I wrote it. That being said if we are going to get through this we can't be reckless and rush back to school, we have to be creative and smart about it.
Public libraries are still not open full time. Of the 20+ branches only 4 are open very limited hours for the public. Marinate on that! But we're ready to send our kids back to school full time because of what...the economy? Tell me how any of this makes sense.
ReplyDeleteHave you been to a school as an adult? Have you tutored children? I am a former speech pathologist who worked exclusively with children. You say "fifty or so children" to go to the school to do their online work. Should we pick Susie to attend who is homeless and cannot always get enough food so she cannot concentrate or Tommy who has ADHD and needs a 1 on 1 paraprofessional at all times in order to stay on topic? Have you seen the numbers of kids in need? And the number who have both working parents or a single parent who must work? Fifty does not cut it- not nearly. And the one on one help that many children need would make it really scary for the paraprofessional who is not going to be able to require the child to wear a mask because the child can barely keep their shoes on or sit in their seat. Please listen to those "in the trenches" on this. Ask teachers for their ideas. Support those ideas.
ReplyDeleteSigh, I have been in the classroom for 20 years, and have you not noticed piece after piece i have written about how returning to school is both reckless and dangerous? This entire blog is filled with the ideas of teachers. We need to get the public on our side, and we have to have creative solutions. Hoping is no longer a viable strategy.
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