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Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2020 10:52:56 GMT -5
SYRACUSE.COM New York state can reopen schools this fall, Gov. Cuomo says Albany, N.Y. — Schools throughout New York state, including Central New York, can reopen this fall, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced today. The announcement ends months of speculation about what will happen with schools. But the reopening comes with lots of restrictions and safety measures schools have to implement to try to prevent the spread of the coronavirus among students and staff. Across New York, nearly 700 school districts submitted plans to the state education department outlining how they would reopen schools - fully, all remote or hybrid plans were required. Most districts blended one, two or three days of classroom instruction with remote learning on the other days. Some of the smaller school districts have enough space to bring everybody back to the classrooms with masks and social distancing. Cuomo said he wants schools to have at least three discussion sessions with parents, likely online, to discuss their plans for reopening and answer questions. “The more dialogue the better,” he said. He also wants districts to set up at least one session just dedicated to teachers. www.syracuse.com/schools/2020/08/new-york-state-can-reopen-schools-this-fall-gov-cuomo-says.htmlHope everything works out well for all of them. This will prove interesting. |
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Post by Clipper on Aug 8, 2020 7:47:16 GMT -5
I look on schools reopening with an apprehensive eye. Just yesterday there was a news report about a girl that was suspended for posting a photo on social media of kids crammed together in a mob as they passed between classes at a high school. I support bringing kids back to school. I just don't know how it can be done safely. When the bell rings between classes it is a nature of the beast to have kids flow into the hallways in flowing mob with no social distancing at all and without a strict mandate to wear a mask the danger of spreading the virus is doubled.
I see no solution to the problem other that to possibly do what a few schools here are doing. They are allowing students to physically attend classes part of the week and to attend virtual classes at home the remaining days of the week. That is supposed to actually allow for social distancing in the classrooms by limiting the students in attendance to approximately 50% of normal and with desks spaced at an acceptable distance.
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Post by Clipper on Aug 8, 2020 8:40:23 GMT -5
I just watched an update to the school situation here. Half the kids go to school Monday and Tuesday, the school is closed on Wednesday for deep cleaning, and the other half of the students go to school on Thursday and Friday. The other school days the students have classes online. All our area students have been issued tablets on which they will receive the classes and do their homework.
I would not want to be a teacher under these stressful conditions. It is hard enough for teachers who normally teach all day to have papers to correct. Under this virtual teaching they will have to access each student's work on the computer in order to assess it and grade it.
I guess it is the only acceptable way to allow the kids to leave home and actually socialize and be among friends. It is a compromise that hopefully lessens the impact of the pandemic related isolation for the young people who are normally socially active during their school day and during after school activities.
I think I posted before that some of the area schools had begun athletic practices but due to outbreaks and positive tests of some of the players and coaches they have backed off, cancelled the fall season sports and are looking forward to a possible spring sports season in the schools. College athletic conferences here in the South have done the same thing in some cases.
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Post by clarencebunsen on Aug 8, 2020 11:12:43 GMT -5
I don't think it is reasonable for kids to play either football or basketball now. As you say the typical mob scene between classes in high school isn't safe. Mikey looked at the proposal for Sauquoit Middle School and described it as "prison."
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Post by BHU on Aug 9, 2020 19:13:52 GMT -5
I just watched an update to the school situation here. Half the kids go to school Monday and Tuesday, the school is closed on Wednesday for deep cleaning, and the other half of the students go to school on Thursday and Friday. The other school days the students have classes online. All our area students have been issued tablets on which they will receive the classes and do their homework. I would not want to be a teacher under these stressful conditions. It is hard enough for teachers who normally teach all day to have papers to correct. Under this virtual teaching they will have to access each student's work on the computer in order to assess it and grade it. I guess it is the only acceptable way to allow the kids to leave home and actually socialize and be among friends. It is a compromise that hopefully lessens the impact of the pandemic related isolation for the young people who are normally socially active during their school day and during after school activities. I think I posted before that some of the area schools had begun athletic practices but due to outbreaks and positive tests of some of the players and coaches they have backed off, cancelled the fall season sports and are looking forward to a possible spring sports season in the schools. College athletic conferences here in the South have done the same thing in some cases. A bunch of students & faculty in the school you mentioned have tested positive. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 10, 2020 16:10:50 GMT -5
Interesting story on tonight WKTV News. Apparently Cuomo has stated that the Utica School District and some others DID NOT submit their plan to open to Albany. They have to this Friday to get it in or CANNOT OPEN. Utica District said it DID submit its plan. Interesting..........
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Post by Deleted on Aug 10, 2020 16:14:18 GMT -5
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Post by Clipper on Aug 10, 2020 18:17:11 GMT -5
I would think I would have more faith in local districts to come up with a safe way to reopen without having to report to Herr Cuomo. I hope Utica goes ahead and opens with or without his blessing as long as they have a safe plan in place
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Post by clarencebunsen on Aug 10, 2020 19:03:30 GMT -5
In the course of my career, I often had to submit bids or plans which had a time deadline. It is normal practice for these submissions to be made in a manor which can be tracked and requires a signature on receipt. Issues like this should be solved in hours. Leave it to NY to screw it up.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 10, 2020 20:39:08 GMT -5
Teachers unions are now complaining about inadequate air circulation in school buildings.. Gee the schools I taught in just had windows that one would open. Never felt any air circulating. Maybe they can do what was done one year in a school with air quality issues. Hand three spider plants in each room.. I kid you not. Donovan right after it opened. LOL
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Post by Clipper on Aug 11, 2020 10:23:19 GMT -5
I remember how hot it was in summer and how cold it was in winter if you sat near the windows at Seymour School in N Utica. Those huge old single pane windows did nothing to insulate or keep out the cold or heat. Even when they used that long pole and hook to lower the top portion of the window in summer to allow the hot air to escape. Mr. Charles Lee was my seventh grade teacher and he was bald on top. I remember him wiping his sweat beaded brow constantly with his handkerchief. Hmmmm. Now it is ME that is getting bald and that seldom goes anywhere without a hanky or a sweat rag to wipe my head and neck.  |
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