Jump to content

Texas Schools Closed for Month of April


BarryLaverty

Recommended Posts

1 minute ago, BarryLaverty said:

https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/31/greg-abbott-texas-executive-order-closures/
 

Not happy about this necessary precaution, truthfully. I will be doing my job online. 

I’m just enjoying the extra time with my kids at home. Making the best of it. Did a science experiment today in the garden. Good hands on learning that isn’t always taught in schools. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think it's wise, and I have enjoyed extra time off, but I had a head of steam to finish off the year strong that is now diminished, plus I do worry about my students, many of whom were already struggling before all this happened with rough situations. Our district has given out technology and has meals available 5 days a week, but no doubt that things aren't rosy completely. 

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, BarryLaverty said:

I think it's wise, and I have enjoyed extra time off, but I had a head of steam to finish off the year strong that is now diminished, plus I do worry about my students, many of whom were already struggling before all this happened with rough situations. Our district has given out technology and has meals available 5 days a week, but no doubt that things aren't rosy completely. 

Our district didn't have enough technology to hand it, but students can pick up packets on Monday's, return it on Friday's, when they pick up their meals each day. But more and more students are getting data for their phones to complete their tasks on line. It's a pain not to see the kids, and our district doesn't let the teachers make the lessons, the so called "instructional specialists" are doing the work, and what they are giving kids is an embarrassment to all teachers who have worked in the industry. Meaning our students are not getting the education that they should be getting. And you get in trouble for doing too much on google classroom, that has not been approved. It is sad. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We made a decision that I think might be best to come up with grade level cross curricular projects to choose from, with teachers completely responsible for developing them, rather than just trying to plow ahead with subject specific lessons, like my kids are having to deal with in my hometown district. All college courses are online, as an exception. Lots of Google Classroom and hopefully less busy work, with paper packets for those without technology. Every kid is getting a weekly phone call from their home room teacher, too. We will hopefully see something good come out of all of it! 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am hoping that we go back to school in May, I can't handle being at home much longer, I have just about completed everything that was on the summer list to do. I think the kids will need that month in school, especially the seniors so that they can have some sort of a graduation, and maybe get a "prom" like evening. Plus, a grant that I work with requires me to work 6 weeks during the summer, I need to get back so that I can prepare for it. There is only so much you can do from the home when you are preparing for summer school and camps. Besides if I have to keep staying home, my wife is going to have me upgrade the closet--and there are skeletons in that closet I don't want seen. LOL. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 minutes ago, DannyZuco said:

I am hoping that we go back to school in May, I can't handle being at home much longer, I have just about completed everything that was on the summer list to do. I think the kids will need that month in school, especially the seniors so that they can have some sort of a graduation, and maybe get a "prom" like evening. Plus, a grant that I work with requires me to work 6 weeks during the summer, I need to get back so that I can prepare for it. There is only so much you can do from the home when you are preparing for summer school and camps. Besides if I have to keep staying home, my wife is going to have me upgrade the closet--and there are skeletons in that closet I don't want seen. LOL. 

Take that time to learn something new.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

12 hours ago, BarryLaverty said:

I think it's wise, and I have enjoyed extra time off, but I had a head of steam to finish off the year strong that is now diminished, plus I do worry about my students, many of whom were already struggling before all this happened with rough situations. Our district has given out technology and has meals available 5 days a week, but no doubt that things aren't rosy completely. 

I can’t fail kids for this.  It’s not the school’s stance, but I work at a low poverty school and most of these kids barely have a house... I know they don’t have internet.  Our school had a solid plan.  Teach through google classroom, but we also have hard copy pick ups on Friday evenings.  However, I won’t be failing anyone this year

Link to comment
Share on other sites

23 minutes ago, MavGrad99 said:

I can’t fail kids for this.  It’s not the school’s stance, but I work at a low poverty school and most of these kids barely have a house... I know they don’t have internet.  Our school had a solid plan.  Teach through google classroom, but we also have hard copy pick ups on Friday evenings.  However, I won’t be failing anyone this year

Agree with that completely, and my district is very similar. We have basically agreed to pull grades forward and go pass/fail for the rest of the year, if they try and complete some work. We are actually a 'one to one' campus' with all issued Chromebooks at the HS level, then trickled down, but I have heard that 30% or more don't have Internet at home. We check out hotspots to them, but those were quickly gone. 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

56 minutes ago, BarryLaverty said:

Agree with that completely, and my district is very similar. We have basically agreed to pull grades forward and go pass/fail for the rest of the year, if they try and complete some work. We are actually a 'one to one' campus' with all issued Chromebooks at the HS level, then trickled down, but I have heard that 30% or more don't have Internet at home. We check out hotspots to them, but those were quickly gone. 

Same.  A lot of us teachers pitched in enough money to purchase 35 more hotspots for our district 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 3/31/2020 at 6:12 PM, BarryLaverty said:

https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/31/greg-abbott-texas-executive-order-closures/
 

Not happy about this necessary precaution, truthfully. I will be doing my job online. 

Been using chromebook and Google Classroom for 5 years......no sweat.   Would love to be with the kids though.....

Link to comment
Share on other sites

18 hours ago, WestHardinfan1 said:

Been using chromebook and Google Classroom for 5 years......no sweat.   Would love to be with the kids though.....

This is my first year going full google classroom, but it’s so easy.  Any document I have I just upload it to my google drive, share what I want students to see in classroom and make the tests on google forms.  Easy peasy and it grades it for you!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

30 minutes ago, MavGrad99 said:

This is my first year going full google classroom, but it’s so easy.  Any document I have I just upload it to my google drive, share what I want students to see in classroom and make the tests on google forms.  Easy peasy and it grades it for you!

Must be nice working for the mothership

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...