Anyone else work in a school and afraid to go back?
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Hi Mavericksmom, Do you have a teachers/staff bathroom you can use? You are going to get dehydrated and will need to drink. Plus you might get a UTI or kidney infection by not going to the bathroom and drinking. I think if you wear your face mask and use a disinfectant wipe and thoroughly wash your hands... no hot-air dryer you should be fine as long as you don't touch your face. I wouldn't wear gloves. It is really easy to cross contaminate if you don't take them off correctly or if you wear them outside of the classroom. When c-diff was being diagnosed frequently in nursing homes it was from staff not changing their gloves in between patients and not washing their hands. I know where my daughter teaches if one student shows any signs of Covid she is out for 14 days. Her union is having them fill out forms for possible leave, due to illness, so she can use sick time. Good luck to you!!
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DD is back in her bldg getting ready, for not sure what. Several lawsuits going on. She said the Night Forman, custodian, and the person who does laminating walked out and quit. She said her office had been deep cleaned. Big woo. Hasn’t been used since March.
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I have just finished day 2 of distance learning 2.0! I have chosen to teach from my classroom so routine wise, it’s close to what regular school was like. But other than that, every else is a huge learning experience for teachers and families. I haven’t worked so hard nor felt this terrified since my first year of teaching! I am confident that as we begin to feel comfortable with this new model it will get easier. BTW, the rules regarding health and safety procedures on campus are stringent. Some teachers decided to teach from their homes, so only about a third of the staff arethere. The campus is eerily quiet.
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Getting ready to go back next week. Safety plans are in place. No students until mid-month, and then it is only one day per half of one grade level, for orientation.
I am scared but hopeful. I know the odds are someone in the district will come down with Covid, I just hope there isn't a severe outbreak and no one is hospitalized or dies because the schools opened. The hybrid plan of half grade levels on alternating days, no students in school on Fridays, is planned to start in October. Only time will tell.
I have decided to stay away from my doctors and dentist, unless I have a medical emergency, until there is a vaccine or at least a medication that can be taken immediately after getting Covid. (like Tamaflu is for the flu virus) Going to school is a big enough risk and since I am not taking any hormone therapy, I don't feel there will be any issue to waiting. I was supposed to have another US for a suspected fat necrosis lump on my reconstructed breast, but there is a 98% chance it is not cancer and I am fine with that. I will get back to regular follow up visits next summer.
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We’re still on full time distance learning and no estimate as to when we move to the next phase. Our county health department will make those guidelines soon. I am still not loving distance teaching but there is no better alternative at this point
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DD started Monday. My grands stayed home, on line. First day, all over local news, 3 kids positive, 3 staff. But didn’t report what staff positions. Florida teachers union case against our $&#% gov had a win. State will appeal, so nothing definite there, yet
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I live in Iowa, where we had the inland hurricane 2 weeks ago. Every building in our district is ether damaged or heavily damaged, as in roofs were torn off. I don't know when the kids here will go back. Plus, our governor decreed all schools had to be 5 days.a week in person. How stupid is that? I think they''re hoping she will give a special dispensation for the damaged districts so they can all go online. Geez, 2020 just keeps getting better.
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Only a few schools have been in person and mostly elementary here in Colorado Springs. Already several have sent kids home and closed schools because of worries of COVID based on symptoms of students in the room. Even in kinder. Glad my grands are starting the year at home. We have had to "zoom" and help them already a few times already when mom and dad were not able to and Grandpa who is an engineer could help them at least with advanced math stuff.
Be safe!!!
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We will have our staff day on September 3, then classes begin September 8. I know our administration has worked hard to put safety protocols in place.
Overall, 77% of our students will be in-person and 23% will be remote. All grades/classes will have both in-person and virtual teachers. The two tracks will run parallel. If a student/family/class needs to go into quarantine, we have protocols in place.
I am a full-time special educational paraprofessional. Our special education students need the services (and routines) they receive in school.
Our success will depend on students, parents, teachers, and staff all to follow protocols.
I will wear my mask and sanitize my hands and hope that we will be able to go forward with this school year.
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What a difference a day makes, or in my case, hours.
Right before dinner I got a call from a co-worker telling me what the head of special education plans to do with the paraprofessionals and it is NOT what I signed up for! I normally give learning support to special education students in the regular education classes. I love the students and the teachers I work with. Apparently that won't be the job I am returning to. I will be learning with severely emotional and/or physically challenged students. These students were never part of our school, the placements were elsewhere, but due to budget cuts, they became part of our building, albeit in special classrooms.
If I were 20 years younger, I would embrace this challenge, but at 67, with multiple medical issues and in the middle of a pandemic, I have changed my plans because I simply can't work in that environment. A friend who works in a similar job in an elementary school tole me her principal told her he can't guarantee the students she is in charge of will not spit on her or refuse to wear a mask! She got a medical leave from her doctor so she isn't going back! Let's face it, those in the administration don't care what happens to the employee's we are simply collateral damage!
So, I am doing what I did NOT want to do. I am calling my PCP and trying to get an in person appointment. I think I have a hernia from my DIEP surgery in January 2019. I mentioned this previously on the boards. Long story short, my PS PA didn't think it was a hernia when I asked, but wasn't 100% sure. I had asked my BS and MO and a gastroenterologist at the cancer hospital, to check it and all refused saying I needed to call the PS and see him. I didn't see the point as I would be scheduled with the PA and he didn't think it was a hernia. Then in July 2020, I did call to make an appointment with my PS, but was refused an appointment and told to see my PCP first. I was afraid to go to my PCP's office due to Covid, but now it seems like it isn't worse than what my job is asking of me. So today hopefully I will get to see my PCP. Then if I do have a hernia, I will go back to work for the safety instructions and then go out on disability for surgery or whatever. If it isn't a hernia at least I will get some advice.
I am not ready to retire, but if push comes to shove, I will. I only need two weeks notice for work and I can call out sick if I have to. So stressful!
So wish me luck that at this date I can get an appointment! I literally have felt sick over this.
Supposedly the incidence is low in my area, but the head of health in my area is politically motivated to keep numbers low, by any means! Ugh!
Stay safe everyone!
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Mavericksmom, sure hope you can get an appointment soon! I don't expect my kindergarten student's to keep a mask on and some of them think spitting is cute. You just never know. I hate that I'm sitting this year out. I didn't survive cancer just to get Covid from a kid.........not worth the risk, but sure saddens me. Loved my kids and co-workers. Let us know how your appointment turns out.
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kksmom3, I saw my doctor this morning. I am finally going to know for sure if I have been dealing with a hernia or not. I am going for an US on September 14, and having blood work done as well. Unfortunately, or not, I will be back at work on Sept 2.
Sitting in the room waiting for my doctor I realized two things. First, that I REALLY need to find out if I have a hernia and if so, how to treat it. I am so annoyed that the doctors I saw wouldn't look at it and only told me I needed to see the plastic surgeon. Turns out my doctor was annoyed that no one, particularly the PA of plastics who wasn't sure if it was a hernia or not, didn't order an US to be sure! Water under the bridge now!
The second thing I realized is how much I love children and my job and how much I do want to go back to work. It doesn't sound as if I will see any students next week. I will be protected with a mask and shield and will wash my hands over and over.
I am not going to find an excuse to stay home, but I do need to know if I have a hernia. My doctor seemed to think it is a hernia.
One day at a time!
Spookiesmom, I think about your DD a lot! I am so thankful my area has a low amount of Covid cases now and no one on a respirator in my county. Only one or two were in the hospital, don't know today's #'s. I really hope they close the schools until the Covid crisis slows down. I feel so sorry for people in Florida and Georgia and areas that didn't have good leadership to keep their states from having so many cases. Wishing your DD to be free of catching the disease.
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Thank you!! Florida teachers union had another win, so the state is still fighting it. The judge says the state is overstepping their authority, bullying the schools, should be left to each district whether to open or not, depending on That county. 2 more different middle schools now have cases, and a few more staff. Not saying what staff positions are.
Hope you get the hernia issue resolved.
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Hi,
I'm in NY on Long Island. Our district goes back to school. Elementary has option to do remote or in person. Middle and High, due to large number of students, are on a hybrid schedule. Half alphabet on Mon, then they do remote on Tues and the other half go in person on Tues and do remote Monday and so on. I work in office in elementary. The classrooms have been stripped down to bare minimum and desks are 6ft apart. Children will have to wear masks (staff as well) and they will get breaks wearing them. Art, Music will be pushed into the classroom. No singing with Music for now Gym will be held outside for as long as possible. The classes will stay within their "pods". Eat in classroom together, recess together. No cafeteria, no mixing grades or classes etc. We also have an Autistic program. They require individual attention. The aides will be given full gear. PPE, (face shield, masks, gloves etc.) No outside visitors to the building. Staggered entrance into the building in the morning and staggered dismissals. We have contact tracing within the building. Anyone who enters a room has to scan a barcode to show they were in there, just in case. All in all, our district has tried to cover all bases to make parents/faculty feel safe. I don't feel 100% safe either, but I need to go back. Many of the students just don't do well remote. Especially elementary. Many parents can't be there all day while their children are remote learning.
I certainly do get it though that we are relying a lot on parents to keep their children home when they are sick. A dose of advil and shove off to school is the usual norm. I tell parents when they call and ask questions, that as a district we are doing best we can but you have to rely on your nieghbors who have children that they will do the right thing.
No perfect answer for sure. I can only imagine how the first few weeks will go. I'm enjoying my last few days before that show begins!..
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That's another thing. DD is music teacher. No singing, no instrument. Not even recorders. Younger GS started band last year in middle school. He's at home now, but no band anyway. He really enjoyed it last year.0 -
Love it!!!
Three schools here in Colorado Springs have closed already because of cases of COVID and only elementary kids are allowed in person right now!!! Glad my grands are doing the online only option for now since daughter in law is a nurse and knew better than to send them in person right now.
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Yep, it changes daily! News late yesterday that a 32 yr old man from my county, with no health issues, passed away from Covid after weeks of being hospitalized in another county. Two people, now in hospitals in my county, are on respirators. The daily averages in my county are going up, almost doubling in some areas. Not a good sign.
My first two weeks should be student-free contact, but who knows? Parents were supposed to be able to make appointments to tour school buildings next week, now pushed back a week. I was disheartened to hear they are not guided tours! So any parent in the district can make an appointment to tour the buildings unescorted? They will be after school hours with room doors locked, but seriously? It has disaster written all over it!
I will do what I can to protect myself and others, but I feel like I am going back on a wing and a prayer!
Spookiesmom, smart cat! I love it! My heart goes out to anyone working in a school, or daycare, especially those who are in high Covid areas.
Ironic that those who make all the decisions are not the ones who have to do the work in those settings! Also, very upsetting to see the leader of our country holding rally's with unmasked, and in some cases, law breaking, crowds! I wish they would make all those who attend any rally or crowded event, get stamped with a long lasting ink that puts the date and event code on their hand! When they fall in from Covid, they should be refused treatment due to supreme stupidity and defiance! None of this should happen, WEAR A MASK!.
If anyone is offended by my comments (thinking it is too political) I would say, I am sorry, but perhaps you are the one I am offended by because you don't wear a mask! I don't care what political party someone is, I care that people protect others and themselves by wearing a mask! It really isn't too much to ask of anyone! The fact that our leader doesn't advocate mask wearing for people's safety isn't political, it is reality! I want EVERYONE to be as safe as possible!
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I haven't heard or read where states didn't staunchly maintained that families need to be able to choose whether to send children back to school or continue with distance learning. If a parent decides on in school learning for their family that is a choice they made. That being said as cases drop maybe they should have put off the start of school until the end of September. I know my daughter's school was not as prepared as they should have been especially since a decision was just made on what to do. Some states are offering outside classes under tents. No one could have predicted the course of this pandemic especially since there are still a lot of unknowns. We all can't stay in our basements forever. With the 5 minute test hopefully things will positively change as we all move forward.
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I agree flashlight! Part of my reasoning to return to the building is the fact that we can't stay in our basements forever. At some point, life has get to a new normal. I feel, from what I read so far, that my district is putting all the precautions in place to keep all the students/staff as safe as possible. I still plan to get my flu shot, since Covid won't be the only virus going around.
I especially agree that with a 5 minute test, things will change for the better more quickly. As of now, employees and students are only self "screened" and not tested. I still have concerns about going back, but I will deal with them as I go, one day at a time. I have no doubt that if there is a surge of Covid in my county, they would go back to everyone working /learning from home. I really hope that doesn't happen! I do think my district will stay in the hybrid format longer than just October. The original plan is to switch from hybrid to all in school every day, in November, except for those who opted out.
I think the thing what scares me the most is that if there isn't an outbreak in our schools, (and I sincerely hope there isn't), that students and staff alike will become more complacent in their protection from Covid. It's human nature. You do something, nothing bad happens, so you feel more comfortable doing it and then slack up on whatever you did to prevent anything bad from happening to begin with.
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The head of my county’s health department just recommended that if a student is positive for Covid, the child will be sent home but everyone that student had contact with should stay in school.
I guess we can kiss contact tracing good-bye! What would be the point of doing it?
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In our district if a child gets sick, the whole class will be quarantined and go to remote. If it comes back neg then they come back if not, they all stay out.
We start back in 2 days..keeping my fingers crossed. Just dropped my son off at his college and keeping my fingers and toes crossed there also.
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I just finished day 13 of distance teaching. I am teaching from my empty classroom. My dining room had turned into a classroom in the spring and I needed to reclaim it. I will say that there is nothing sadder than a virtually empty elementary school campus when school is session but almost all are at home. The quiet is deafening
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I was told today I will be working with spec ed students helping them with their on line courses, but in the school building. This particular population, due to their IEP's, are coming in the school because their parents want them there! Ok, I am fine with that. What I am NOT fine with is the fact that it isn't mandatory for them to wear masks, and at least one student is coming from a Covid positive family, hasn't been quarantined, or tested, and also will not be required to wear a mask! Of course none of us IAs (instructional assistants) will know who the child from the positive home is. Everything is secret.
The head of the dept told us to go to HR and ask to take a leave. Unfortunately, I am high risk, for multiple reasons, but have no reason to be able to get a leave according to the requirements for leave. I can't afford to take time off without pay. My doctor told me if I wear a mask, shield and gloves, change my gloves often and wash hands often, I will be fine!!!!!
All of the young IAs will be taking leave because they have children at home who are doing on line learning. They can stay home and still get partial pay as long as their kid's schools are doing on line learning!
The rest of the students in my district won't return until October, or later, when the hybrid is supposed to start!
I don't think I will ever see my grandkids again. I have never been so afraid! Wondering why myself and others who have a slew of health issues and are in our 60's are the ones who don't qualify for any leave????? I feel literally sick!
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That is a rough situation. Would your doctor be able to say that you need to take a leave for medical reasons? I am so sorry that you’ve been put between a rock and a hard place
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I also don't have "bad enough" reasons to get a medical paid leave using my built up sick time. I'm taking an unpaid leave, but basically, it's like I resigned. I just dropped off my school's employee email today. It feels so final. I also had no closure, left on Friday, March 13........now it's over. I really feel terrible, but it's my choice. I live in a hotspot and I was afraid of getting Covid. Cancer 2 years ago was enough. I loved my job. Sad.
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Mavericksmom- I work in sped too with majority of my students coming everyday. My district is offering a variety of face covering options (mask, shield, hat with shield, plexiglass around desk) and if students are unable to utilize some kind of covering then they need a doctors note and if they have difficulty with social distancing or other measures on top of not being able to use a face covering them we need to alter our admin. This I believe would ultimately lead to students who can’t use a face covering or follow other covid safety measures to be determined as needing to go to full distance for safety/least restrictive during covid. I’m sorry your put in this spot! I hate when teachers are (or have to be?) secretive. You are part of a TEAM to support students and to do that, you need information about them to support them and keep yourself safe.
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Mavericksmom, I understand your anxiety, but saying that you have talked to your doctor about your health. You will be protecting yourself by wearing a smock, face shield, gloves, and by staying hydrated and using the bathroom. The worry is that people will become complacent and not follow the rules as they become comfortable. Watch the you tube video on how to safely to remove your gloves. If there is a sink in the room, wash your hands/wrist while you sing the happy birthday song, with warmer water frequently. Ask how many students you will have and if the desks will be 6 feet a part. My daughter is a 7th grade spec ed math teacher. Last year she had a student who had seizures and one that slept the whole class. Will their temp be monitored? If they have a cough will they stay home? How do you feel about the safety precautions your school put in place? How do they disinfect and how often? I think the children who are able to wear a mask should, but some will not be able to due to underlying conditions. Are you in a hot spot?
My grandson's 2nd day of virtual school was a disaster. The school 's internet was in and out because of so many people on it. Parents started yelling at the teacher. The teacher went to her house, but it wasn't any better. She returned to school and cried and my grandson and the other 3rd graders did too. Virtual back to school night was last night. Parents were not happy. I feel so bad for the teachers and children. Too much stress for everyone.
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Mavericksmom,
I forgot to say one thing with respect to your comment about everything being secret in terms of who has/had exposure to Covid19. I do not know if this is federal, state, or local law but in my county*, all notifications regarding reportable diseases are always anonymous, Reportable diseases, as identified by the county department of health, require schools to notify all who have been exposed to certain illnesses. The notices inform parents of the exposure, for example head lice or strep throat, and describe symptoms to look for but never identify who the person who exposed students to the illness was. I am sure that it's the same way with Covid and I hope you can understand why privacy needs to be protected with respect to medical matters. The exposure notice serves to inform and that's all that is needed
* This could fall under HIPAAbut I'm not sure.0 -
Well damn. My DD just told me her school police officer is positive. He was wearing a mask.
Agree, that’s probably HIPPA.
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