Today, Dr. Martin (our District 5 rep), Dr. Robinson (Southeast area superintendent), and WCPSS held a virtual meeting to discuss with parents, teachers, staff, and community members about their concerns with reopening schools in the fall.
Dr. Robinson began the meeting by reviewing the results from the Wake County survey conducted last month. In general, parents and teachers want children back in the building. More information is provided in the slideshow below.
Here are some of the topics discussed today. No decisions were made during this discussion. The county wants feedback from all of us (parents, teachers, staff, and community) to inform their decisions about how to equitably and safely open schools next fall. Martin will share this feedback with the school board at their work session later today.
Thoughts about Reopening Schools
Wide range of feedback. First, what does fully reopen look like? We haven't gotten that guidance yet. It seems like Wake County will have to do what the state decides. Lots of consideration of a blended model. Can't necessarily do live streaming because of privacy issues for K-12 students.
Maybe use a track model for schools. Students attend for 5 weeks and then have 2 weeks off.
Biggest Concerns about Reopening
What type of communication would be the most valuable to maximize the use of communication? Need to get people the communication they want when they need it.
Dr. Robinson began the meeting by reviewing the results from the Wake County survey conducted last month. In general, parents and teachers want children back in the building. More information is provided in the slideshow below.
Here are some of the topics discussed today. No decisions were made during this discussion. The county wants feedback from all of us (parents, teachers, staff, and community) to inform their decisions about how to equitably and safely open schools next fall. Martin will share this feedback with the school board at their work session later today.
Thoughts about Reopening Schools
Wide range of feedback. First, what does fully reopen look like? We haven't gotten that guidance yet. It seems like Wake County will have to do what the state decides. Lots of consideration of a blended model. Can't necessarily do live streaming because of privacy issues for K-12 students.
Maybe use a track model for schools. Students attend for 5 weeks and then have 2 weeks off.
Biggest Concerns about Reopening
- equity -- want to make sure that everyone has access to materials and resources, ability to succeed
- safety -- hygiene, social distancing
- accountability for doing the work
- staff safety -- often these teachers have young children at home or are immune compromised, or take care of people who are immune compromised
- how do you do classes like shop? classes with hands on elements
- engagement
- have some classes online that can be taken at home but hands on classes held in person
- going to school every other day model
- found that remote learning takes MORE staff members rather than less. For example, for this meeting, there are 3 people monitoring chat, speaking, answering questions.
What type of communication would be the most valuable to maximize the use of communication? Need to get people the communication they want when they need it.
- Consistency -- hear from some staff members frequently but other teachers you don't hear from. Is there a model of requirements for teachers? Teachers are using different formats, websites, etc. As a parent, I am having to check so many different places.
- Many high school teachers were able to push communications to the students but parents weren't able to stay informed. Could use PowerSchool to share grades.
- Elementary school parents found they had to check various platforms.
- WCPSS has way too many platforms for communications.
- Communication is a two way street. Contact Dr. Martin at [email protected].