School closings

[geekette]

I assume he meant this school year and not calendar year.

oops, yes, sorry. I don't have kids, have never had to think School Year.

 

[bluehende]

This YEAR. I am trying to wrap my head around that. wow...

If you have more details, please post. States are handling things in different ways.

He was on CNN and said that. It was no pronouncement just his opinion. He said it in a context of that was what he had told education officials to prepare for.

 

[heathpack]

I was talking to a friend yesterday. She has asthma and every time she gets a respiratory infection, she is sick way longer than most people are. She’s going through a divorce and lives alone right now, so I worry sometimes about her. I was telling her she really needs to take this coronavirus thing seriously, work from home if she can. She has that kind of job, works doing paperwork type stuff in a small law firm. For some reason the firm is reluctant to just tell people to work from home right now, they’re getting ready for an important Trial which I bet doesn’t even happen on account of being unable to find enough jurors.

Anyway, she can’t afford to take much time off without pay. I suggested she could maybe mitigate that somewhat by offering to look after a school age child of a friend. Maybe 1 or 2 kids which would probably be fairly low risk for her. She actually likes this idea, and is thinking of contacting a friend who is a LA County Sheriff with a 10ish year old daughter. Our schools are shut down and Mom will be needed at work.

It occurs to me that this might be a solution- everyone whose hours are cut, who works in the gig economy without sick leave, who can’t work from home and loses hours- maybe those folks consider offering to watch an out of school kid or two for a little bit of extra cash. Win win situation perhaps.

 

[bluehende]

I assume he meant this school year and not calendar year.


Harry

He said this year which I assume meant school year. It was not an official pronouncement and the commentator interviewing him did not follow up.

 

[controller1]

All Louisiana public and Catholic schools are closed until April 13. Public events of 250+ people are prohibited including church.

 

[1st Class]

Kids need school to eat?

Some do, yes. In our community, there are a lot of rural poor and some right in town who need a helping hand. Our school district began a much needed program of sending home a backpack every Friday with a week's supply of food to those who qualify. When I was still working we had families who occasionally couldn't pay for their children's lunches, so I and other staff members would pick up the tab. Children can't learn if they are hungry. Hunger causes behavioral issues so if their focus is on food instead of learning ...

 

[jackio]

They are keeping nyc schools open. I just don’t know anymore. I understand they are keeping them open for kids to eat but what do they do when it’s summer break? I just don’t get it

My district feeds breakfast and lunch to anyone under the age of 18 during the summer, regardless of income. This is through a grant program.
The only downside is that the students have to get there on their own.

 

[jackio]

Kids need school to eat?

Unfortunately some kids do.

 

[Rolltydr]

oops, yes, sorry. I don't have kids, have never had to think School Year.

That’s still the longest timeframe I’ve seen. There’s about 8 weeks of school remaining here in Alabama until the end of May. I think the northern states usually go into June.

I will say this, Governor DeWine was one of the first leaders to start taking this very seriously. He gathered the experts around him and listened to what they told him. He has made decisions based on those factual assessments and he has made them quickly. I have a newfound respect for his leadership.

And before anyone jumps on this as a political statement, it isn’t meant to be. I am not saying anything about anyone else. I am complimenting one person for his actions. That’s all.


Harry

 

[Ianneyan]

In San Diego, CA, we are closed at least until 4/6.

 

[Ianneyan]

Unfortunately some kids do.

Next week, local elementaries are offering sack breakfasts and lunches for pickup at the local schools. It’s meant for those who receive free and reduced lunch, but anyone with kids can really get something if they need it.

 

[Rolltydr]

Just an observation: isn’t it strange in this age of having all kinds of information at our fingertips, there are still some that don’t know there are a lot of poor people, including children, in this, the richest country on earth?


Harry

 

[needvaca]

I thought students were going to school to be taught & learn math,engish , science and history. Things really have change in the last sixty (60) years.

NYC- their parent(s) working $15/hour jobs with no sick time/benefits have to go to work next week and thereafter to avoid being fired.
where do you propose their children go when schools are closed? what's the solution here?

 

[jackio]

Our county executive just ordered all schools closed for 2 weeks. That brings us to spring break, so 3 weeks in total.
There is a 180-day rule in NY - all students have to attend a minimum of 180 days. The governor has said he would waive the mandate this year.

 

[bbodb1]

NYC- their parent(s) working $15/hour jobs with no sick time/benefits have to go to work next week and thereafter to avoid being fired.
where do you propose their children go when schools are closed? what's the solution here?

The solution here is to close the schools because that will have the most positive health effect on the largest numbers of people.
There will be issues and problems that flow from that decision though and the scenario you mention will need to be dealt with. I hope any company that fires someone because they cannot report to work due to childcare issues is named prominently in the press. I suspect many people would remember that come time to make their next purchases that might involve that company.

The other thought that comes to mind is what do you do when snow or ice cancels schools?

 

[MULTIZ321]

How long should schools close during coronavirus
pandemic? Here's exactly what the CDC says.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2020/03/15/how-long-should-schools-close-during-coronavirus-pandemic-heres-exactly-what-cdc-says/

Richard

 

[Glynda]

Charleston County Schools closed until March 31 but I suspect that will be extended. College of Charleston is on Spring Break and going to online classes when break is over. The majority of public events have been canceled or postponed. But our streets are still crowded with tourists.

 

[bbodb1]

Just announced all Arkansas schools shut down starting Monday through Friday. Then spring break week occurs so we now have two weeks off to let this virus slow down and hopefully abate.
Not sure what pushed Governor Hutchinson to change direction on this but good that he did.

 

[stmartinfan]

Minnesota has now decided to close schools at least for the next two weeks, with instructions for schools to set up at home learning programs. But they are also directing schools to provide extended day in school care for any children of medical workers, EMTs, firefighters, police, etc...people who need to continue working and may not have child care. They also expect schools to continue paying hourly workers like paras, food service workers and bus drivers and to creatively use them for other services that need to be done, like packing and delivering meals for kids who otherwise depend on school for some of their nutrition or transportation for kids whose parents might not be able to get them to school while working. Since kids aren't primary in the transmission of the disease, I though that was a good way to help with some of the big issues caused by school closures.

 

[slip]

Just heard they are closing the Achilles in Hawaii now until 03-30 but that could change.

 

[SteelerGal]

Our SD is offering pick up for breakfast and lunch. Also they are looking to open one school for daycare. I am hoping daycare will be an option so I can send 2 of 5 since Hubs is law enforcement and all preschools are closed as well.
I am also lucky my children’s therapy is private. However many parents are not.

School unfortunately is a home for a # of children. As others have indicated, many schools are providing breakfast, lunch and dinner for children. Some schools have clothing banks as well as allowing children to wash their clothes on campus. Not every family has benefitted from our strong economy. Then let us not forget those families dealing w/ addiction.

Hopefully this crisis will encourage Fed and State governments to provide a stronger safety net for our vulnerable families.

 

[louisianab]

Michigan schools closed through 4/6, my district is offering grab and go breakfast and lunch for all children.

 

[MULTIZ321]

Students at Maryland School Told to Quarantine After Teachers Test Positive for Coronavirus


https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/...achers-test-positive-for-coronavirus/2242281/


Richard

 

[CanuckTravlr]

Just an observation: isn’t it strange in this age of having all kinds of information at our fingertips, there are still some that don’t know there are a lot of poor people, including children, in this, the richest country on earth?
Harry

To be fair, the initial question was raised by a Canadian, so he may not be aware of the issues of poverty in the USA, particularly in many inner city school districts. It points out some of the many differences in our two countries. It is not that we don't have poor people here and we do have breakfast programs in some schools. But our education system, minimum wage, labour laws and social support structures have many differences from what is common in the USA.

I could always turn the comment around and state that isn't it strange in this age of having all kinds of information at our fingertips, there are still some that don't know that such a phenomenon is rare, and therefore sometimes surprising, in most other western, developed nations? Just sayin'.

 

[mdurette]

Massachusetts Governor announced yesterday all schools to close for 3 weeks.
My DD elementary school's spring break is this week and next, so they are lucky 2 of the three weeks are accounted for.