State allows some schools to open in a 'limited' capacity

[TexasTowelie]

CASPER — Wyoming’s top educator suggested schools may only open to “special populations” for the duration of this school year and that any openings wouldn’t come until after May 15, just a few weeks before districts will wrap up their spring semesters.

“Schools are to continue implementing their adaptive learning plans that are good through the end of the school years,” state Superintendent Jillian Balow said at a Thursday news conference, referring to the plans districts drew up to continue to educate their students through closures. “If schools and local health officers deem it appropriate to bring back special population in safe ways, according to the guidance from health officers, they may do that until there’s further news.”

Physical school buildings have been closed for a month now as part of Wyoming’s efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus, though districts have been educating students largely through the internet in recent weeks.

The order keeping schools closed technically expires April 30, but Gov. Mark Gordon said Thursday that state health officer Dr. Alexia Harrist would begin releasing new, modified orders imminently that would extend until May 15.

Read more: https://www.laramieboomerang.com/laramie/state-allows-some-schools-to-open-in-a-limited-capacity/article_86ec7a76-b89c-580a-9d38-9a60c68e909a.html

[jimfields33]

1. I know the state is doing well and probably best in country

But I think they should wait until August or September just do to being out so long. Going back for a month seems silly.

[TexasTowelie]

2. It is ridiculous.

I can't believe that there are parents that are willing to risk the lives of their children in a a virus incubator like a public school.

[gejohnston]

4. Based on the current information we have,

Children are not at risk, although they can carry. The kid might have cold like symptoms, but it would be Uncle Joe with emphysema and high blood pressure, and great grandma would be most at risk.

There was a time when telelearning was limited to rural Australia. I think more kids and parents will take advantage of online school (Florida has had one state wide for at least a decade.) and use the physical building mostly for sports practice and proctoring tests.
Just think of the money school districts will save on diesel fuel alone.

[TexasTowelie]

5. I've read stories in the news about children dying (I think the youngest was 5 years old),

so I wouldn't say that the children are not at risk.

As far as the quality of learning is concerned, I'm going to rely on what my buddy who is a fourth grade teacher told me. He said that the children that were good students are doing pretty well since they are not hampered by the other students who held the back. The students that were not as intelligent or that have parents who are indifferent to learning are falling further behind compared to if they were in the classroom.

I think that there is probably some impact on the social development of the students also. Participating in activities such as athletics, band, and plays provides the opportunity to learn about teamwork and mutual respect. I don't believe that the trade-off of missing those activities is worth saving money in other areas such as transportation costs or maintaining the brick-and-mortar facilities.

When I think back to when I was young, while I was in first grade my teacher was able to identify that I was having vision problems being nearsighted. I don't believe that teachers can make those determinations as easily on a video link. Other problems such as noticing that a child is being abused are also more likely to be missed. For those reasons, I see returning to the classroom as a necessity. There isn't much point to get back to the classroom for the few weeks remaining in this academic year, but I hope that traditional instruction will return in the fall.

[gejohnston]

6. My point wasn't about age,

but underlying conditions. If you have an autoimmune disease, for example, you are screwed at any age. Might have had serious lung damage from second hand smoke. Just that the vast majority in the world are elderly people with other health issues.

I don't think I said that more telelearning was a good idea, just that I can picture bean counters thinking of it.

[keithbvadu2]

3. Who/what are "special populations"?

Who/what are “special populations”?

Doesn't seem to be defined.