Community Chat

[Goodie2shoes]

As some may remember I have been sitting with my grandson for virtual kindergarten since school started last year. He is doing great and has a wonderful teacher. Unfortunately today they had to shut down the entire school district for the remainder of the week due to over 600 children and over 200 teachers being effected by covid. They hope to reopen Monday.  So unfortunate for all of the students because the district does not have enough substitute teachers to keep the district open. We are going to keep my grandson motivated and working on math, reading and writing and I hope other parents will be able to do the same so that these children don't fall behind.!

[tessam]

I'm sorry to hear those alarming numbers!  Its great that you all are working with him.  My granddaughter began Kindergarten this Fall and so far there have been no serious covid issues.  I have to admit that I worry about her everyday! We live in a Ct. suburb of NYC.  Post winter break some towns had a shortage of bus drivers but it has leveled off for now. Last week, there was one case in the building.  They test every Monday with parent's permission and there is a high vac rate in our area.  Still, as we know fully boosted people are catching Covid!  While it breaks my heart that our kids are dealing with this but I am equally touched by their resiliance.  I am saddened that no one will know what their beautiful faces look like behind their masks but grateful that we are doing what we can to keep them safe.  Such a mess!  I have worn the hat of "teacher gramma" as well and applaud your committment!  Good luck.  Stay well.

[meallen616]

@Goodie2shoes,

Sad to read such a huge number. Good for you that you will be keeping up with his subjects with him.In my area the kids are 5 months behind in math and 4 months in reading since the beginning of Covid. Good Luck!

[on the bay]

@Goodie2shoes,

Even if they had substitute teachers to come in, they have to follow at least cdc guidelines to shut down entirely to clean exactly like they are required to do.

I am always glad when they monitor closely enough and actually notify parents who have had the goodness to be honest about their child or themselves having covd, and then shut down.

There are some 2 year olds and parents who probably would not survive if they got covd.

That is what worries me the most.

The kids will catch up.

When my daughter was homeschooling at the beginning of all this mess, they learned more in 3 months than they had in a year of school There is an amazing amount of what ca be learned from one on one teaching and attention. They thrive! And yes that is when some can have the advantage of being able to teach.

I know some of my kids had to work and teach and monitor video learning all at the same time-an impossible job!

Not to negate the advantages of school learning. But the most important thing is to keep them alive. I think anyway. And when opened, to keep enough protocals to keep them safe and make parents, and teachers too comply! 

[LizzieInSRQ]

Dont fret...its kindergarten. I didnt even go to kindergarten. It's nice that you take time to help your grandkid learn but I wouldn't worry so much. Their safety right now is more important. They can learn at home. There are workbooks and Sesame Street.  Its basic stuff. 

[mimomof4]

Its really disheartning to see how easily everyone just accepts Virtual school with the opinion that kids will be OK and they can catch up later. 

Kingergarten through 2nd grade is one thing but I am on Year 3 of watching High Schoolers struggle.  They don't have next year to catch up.  They don't have next year to experience the normal parts of high school. We are looking at year 3 of seeing commencement and Prom get canceled or disrupted.  I have kids who just can't learn virtually and have classes which require Hands On work (skilled trades and Band).  My son as a junior is already making up almost every class from sophmore year and if we go Virtual beyond our 1 scheduled week (which wouldn't surprise me in the least) he will be making up Junior year as well next year.  This is not an unusual case.  The program at our high school which allows kids to re-do failed classes grew considerably because kids just are not equiped for his.  

[on the bay]

@mimomof4,

I hear you. I do feel incredibly sorry for high schoolers and middle school too. A lot different story for those. They are living in a whole new world 

and something we have none of us ever had to deal with in our lifetime.

I will never forget the image of our neighborhood streets lined with the names in signs of those graduating

from high school was it 2 years ago when this all started?! I remembered thinking what it must be like for them to miss all of that senior year in person. For those of us who had a good senior year (and I know some didn't) but for those who did, it can't be replaced.

[Kalli]

It's been a long time since I've been a mom of school age children.  I can't imagine the struggle for parents who continue to be asked to fill in the gaps with regard to missing academics, especially at the HS level.  

Having said that, keeping my children alive and healthy would've been my top priority. I acknowledge we're all so tired and frustrated with this virus situation. 

Our local schools have been back since Fall, 2020.  There have been some shutdowns for middle and HS but most were limited to certain classes at certain grade levels. The elementary schools have sparingly closed for a day or two here and there. They were mostly doing contact tracing, parental notifications and sending only those who were sick or closely exposed, home.

[mom2four0418]

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@LizzieInSRQ wrote:

Dont fret...its kindergarten. I didnt even go to kindergarten. It's nice that you take time to help your grandkid learn but I wouldn't worry so much. Their safety right now is more important. They can learn at home. There are workbooks and Sesame Street.  Its basic stuff. 

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The kindergarten curriculum (at least in my state) is much more advanced now. It is an all-day program, with expectations comparable to what used to be taught in second grade.

[LizzieInSRQ]

@mimomof4 don't know about other posts but my comments about  no big deal"  were atrict.y about this kindergarten situation.

I totally agree that older kids situation is rough and sad what they have had to miss not being in person. My heart goes out to them. High School especially was probably my favorite time of life  and the escape from some bad times at home.