I’m a student (lol) starting senior year in person (well, half the day). It’s refreshing to see videos of another district starting in person. Our admin has been tirelessly planning for a safe year, and it’s hard to hear the overwhelming outcry that school is not safe. Of course it’s not safe in places like Los Angeles, California and Jacksonville, Florida. Or Georgia where there are few to no guidelines. But we are in a small county and even smaller zip code with controlled cases. Our superintendent pointed out that perhaps school, where there will be rigorous safety standards, is the safest place for students right now, who would otherwise be gathering at freewill. There’s a lot of noise in the media. A lot of it is absolutely justified, but everyone please remember that a hallway full of unmasked kids is not the same as a school that enforces rules. Trust in science. And if you have a dependable administration, trust in them. If not, advocate for your and your students’ safety. I have full faith in my superintendent, who has agreed to stay on an extra year afternoon he was set to retire just to pull us through this crisis. The plan we are going with makes sense and will hopefully greatly reduce a lot of risk (I’ll share the plan if anyone is interested-this was just really long already haha).
I'm glad you feel safe at school. It sounds like you have a good district. Do you feel like you'll still be able to enjoy your senior year? I feel like a lot of that is seeing friends and socializing and I'm sure that has to look different now...
You are such a great writer, I loved reading what you had to say. It sounds like you have administration who you can trust and who also trusts science. If you'd like to share what your school's plan is I'd like to read it and I'm sure so would others. I'll pin your comment so more people can see it!
I have a slight obsession with knowing how others are going back, so please share! Let me preface this with saying that all students had the option to do full time online learning through our district (about 20% of kids). And teachers who are high risk were encouraged to be full time online (maybe 3 total). As far as in person, students are split into two sessions by last name (A-J and K-Z). Our K-8 kids will be in school either every morning or every afternoon. All K-5 students will be focusing on only math and language arts. Students 6-8 will do math language arts in person everyday and science and social studies online. High school gets more complicated. Because of the studies that show teenagers perform exponentially better in the later hours of the day, each session will go every other morning and every other afternoon. Mondays will be all online. We are on block scheduling to begin with, so we only typically have four classes a day, but being in school half a day, there will only be two (one class change, minimize hallway time). We will have lockers because carrying backpacks introduces a different safety concern. We’ll see each teacher twice a week and complete other classes online when not in person. Masks will be worn even when social distancing is possible (per order of our amazing governor, Tom Wolf-that man does not get enough credit). We will have the same number of desks in a room so the sessions don’t have to share. We’ve always used Schoology for 4-12 and are starting Seesaw (sp?) for K-3. We’ve been a 1:1 iPad district for some years now with the exception of our littles who will get them this year. Half days will eliminate lunch and recess which is a win, plus middle of the day cleaning time and contact with online only students. There will be eight bus runs a day instead of four which I guess gives drivers full time jobs lol. It is of course a childcare living hell for parents, but as our admin reminds people that while he sympathizes, he is in the business of education, not childcare. Overall, anyone can tell out superintendent worked really hard on this. There is another district in our county that is much wealthier with a larger tax space. They’re known for mismanagement, and it is definitely shinning now. They just brought on a new superintendent and their board voted on their plan all of...last week. Nothing like down to the wire. From what I understand they hadn’t even talked about “lost learning” or “return to school” from March to July. Yikes 😬
Omg I'm in the same position, I'm starting senior year in less than a week and though I trust the administration to keep us safe, I'm worried about other students not following the new procedures. So far what happened in my school board, they're saying that all classes are going to be cut in half (15 students instead of 30) and we'll be in school for 3 hours then leave. We're staggering also between 2 cohorts some people will go three days a week then others 2 days a week, that that switches out and the following week the people who went 3 days will then go two and those who went two will go three, etc..., we also divided the year into four parts with each quadmester having 2 subjects with 145 instructional minutes. There will also be regular desk cleaning as far as I know. I still wonder and worry though because I haven't been to school yet, and I really hope it will be good and safe! Seeing you this video made me a little better about going back though!
It would be better to have them clean their spots before they sit at their desks. This way they get in the habit of sanitizing areas before they touch as we do in the real world.
@@embro2.0 understandable but they are 8th graders and should know how to clean safely. Cant keep kids in a bubble it's good for them to know how to do these things safely. It's not like she has 3rd graders. 8th graders should be able to handle it just fine!
My school literally is like hand sanitizer every 5 seconds wear mask all day but honestly it’s fine with me cause it’s so cold in class so the mask help and plus I can chew gum without them knowing
Good job! I really actually liked school starting on friday in my county in the past because it gives you the weekend to decompress and plan, for the students and the teachers. Especially in high school because your teachers tell you what supplies you need for their classes on the first day, so it gives you the time to get them. I also just realized you are in Tennessee too! That's so cool! I miss school so much, I've had to do online school for a year now anyways due to an illness, but this virus makes me miss it even more. Also having to teach myself and doing the courses without any help makes me appreciate teachers even more! Y'all do so much, not just educationally! And you seem like an amazing teacher and person, I'm happy that I found your channel!🤗❤️
Thank you so much for sharing, Izzy! I agree I hope the starting on Friday's is here to stay. I hate not being able to be physically available to assist students in their learning and overall growth, but I hope you still feel supported by your teachers. Thank you so much for your encouragement!! You're going to do great 😊
I’m a junior in high school tomorrow is my first day back I think it’s refreshing to see that teachers are trying to keep their kids safe also it’s nice seeing through the eyes of a teacher in general
Yeah!!! You made it through your first day of school. It sounds as if the students were trying to be as safe as the adults. My school started testing students this past week. We will continue through to next week. Since we have a hybrid and virtual option for parents, we test a small group of students in the morning, sanitize, eat lunch, and test a small group in the afternoon. The students are wearing their masks, keeping their distance, and being safe when they go to the restroom (they do not linger like they use to). I am very hopeful that things will continue to go well in the coming days, weeks, and months. I pray for the same things for you and your school.
Thank you for your words of encouragement!! It's reassuring to hear about other schools taking similar measures. I hope for safety for you and your school this year as well.
I’m a college student! Doing a hybrid model! Honestly, I like the online part because I can get more help! I am in class 1 day a week for 50 minutes so I can still get that social interaction because with social anxiety I really need the interaction!
I’m a college student but love watching these videos, I wish my college would reopen but sadly were online. You’re truly inspiring and brave to teach again have a blessed year
I’m not sure if you’re looking for any more quotes for your letter board, but one I love is, “do you best because your best is enough.” it’s one that I live by + I totally get that middle schoolers may twist that into “this is my best and you said that was enough” while not giving it their all, but take from it what you will (I know that one of your class expectations is to give your best, so that could tie in anyway). love your videos:) I’m not a teacher or anything - a college student rather - but your personality is just so uplifting and addicting!!
Thank you so much for this tiny glimpse into your first day during the pandemic. Our school isn't going back in person for a few more weeks, but this is really interesting to see how much you are taking on and the ways in which your experience is being adjusted during the pandemic. I really like that you have a digital class period so that you can meet everyone's needs including your own. Thanks for the insights. I hope you and your students have a good year.
Thinking about all of you! So sorry you are going through this! I can't imagine! As a retired teacher, my thoughts are with you! Stay safe and try to enjoy!😊
I want to tell my story about going back to school In my country "seniors" had to finish the school year during the pandemic Every other student was at home, more than half the teachers were also at home and being safe and there's us 17/18/19 years old going out of the house everyday to go to school IN PERSON just to finish the school year because we have an important exam at the end of the year. We went out when everyone was social distancing, we felt like soldiers during a war (this was in may) Everyone was so afraid. Literal soldiers were at school, they measured our temperatures and they gave us masks and hand sanitizer. It was really scary going back to school at that time, I think things are getting better now. I mean better than the situation back in may. We also had the exam in July. Half of the students didn't pass they were so stressed and so afraid that they couldn't even concentrate on the exam! Going back to school is a huge step and students need to know how to take care of themselves.
New subscriber 😁 I absolutely loved your vlog and the information, it's really beneficial to see how others are entering school since it allows us to learn from one another so thank you for sharing. One thing I noticed though is your vlog kept me so engaged and it was not only because of the useful information but your editing! I would LOVE to know what videos you watched to learn those mad skills! But anyways, loved the content and appreciated the skills and I wish you and everyone a great new school year ❤️
I saw you spraying the desks, but if you don't spray the chairs then doing the desks are pointless. The students use their hands to touch the chairs also. Good job, I know teaching can be stressful. :-)
Mrs. p.s. , You are amazing! I wish I had you as my teacher. You put so much much work into the students School community!i love your videos! Keep up the good work! Good luck on these hard times! P.s. I am a big fan ❤️
Thank you for sharing and glad to hear it went smooth. I’m a teacher in Canada and we’re going back to in class teacher in a week. I wanted to know how other school were doing and what their procedures are. Thanks again! Hope you stay safe and healthy !
I am going to eighth grade and math is worrying for me since this is first year algebra for me, and I’m not sure what will come of it. I’m about to find out what happens in eighth and, I guess this channel is relevant to what I might discover. So thank you for uploading and an amazing channel.
If I could give you one piece of advice it would be to take things day by day. Once you get to class you can channel that stress positively by studying and practicing. Thank you for your support and I wish you the best in Algebra!
Ms. Parker-Smith thank you, last year my math teacher who thought pre algebra was not very understanding and we couldn’t always understand what he had to say. I think with how we learned last year and all that is going on it will be an interesting transition. I will try my hardest and always try to be positive, thank you for your feedback.
nice video flowed along ,wish you the best this year it wont be easy,stay safe KT.in so.cal schools everyones un happy about something,teachers have to also be tech masters haha jeeze!!!
Just subscribed love your class and you seem so calm and serene all my math teachers were on the older side and probably dealt with so many bad students that they were over it.
dissapointment it’s going great! Three weeks in, no cases yet. Kids are so happy to be in school and back together. Lots of smiles, not much complaining or behavior issues outside of being chatty.
I definitely prefer wearing the shield only while I am teaching. I am allowed to wear just the shield only while I am teaching. We still have to wear the mask for any other time on campus.
With the numbers, instead on sticky notes, you could have typed the numbers, cut the out and eliminated them and put them either on the desk or on the backs of the chairs
to cover your eyes you could get blue light glasses - so no prescription but helpful to block out bad computer light - just a thought to help you be able to be heard better!
I love your theme, its so cute! I learned this tip recently, #GameChanger. If you don’t like the glare from everything that’s laminated on the wall, you can spray clear matte spray paint on it!!!! I tested it once but I have to go back and finish the job. It helps SO MUCH when I am filming my classroom for my RU-vid videos. People can see what I am talking about better!
Not sure if you have Betco for disinfection but if you do be careful. Our students can't be in the room when sprayed for at least 10 minutes. So I spray and leave out. I enjoyed your video!
Hi Mrs Parker-Smith, I really like the setup of your classroom and hope everything went well the first week. I completely agree that you look like you're going to surgery with your outfit, face mask, and face shield on. I absolutely like your earrings by the way. I could also tell that it was hard for you to project your voice while wearing both a face mask and face shield. It sounds like you're congested when you speak with the added protection I was wondering if it gets too humid with all that protection on your face or makes it difficult to breathe? Are you going to wear the face shield with the mask for a entire day or just the mask by itself? You have to do what is best for yourself, students, and staff if means wearing face shield with a mask then so be it.
Since the first day I haven't been wearing a face shield. It was a difficult decision to make, but it was very difficult for the students to hear me. It did get humid, but not fogged like other shields because mine has airflow at the top of the shield. Luckily, I can control the temperature in my classroom and I have been keeping it colder as it makes it more comfortable for both myself and the students. I ordered blue light glasses which will offer addition protection. I also keep my distance when I teach and spend very limited time right next to a student. I hope this helps!
Thank you for replying back and I find your comments to very helpful. I hope all goes well for you and your students. Also, I checked out a few of your outfit of the day videos and absolutely adore your outfit choices from clothes to shoes.
I’ve been slightly jealous watching these videos and feeling envious of the luxurious classrooms of other teachers. Until now. That level of face maskery won’t work where I teach. If they come to class sober and unarmed it’s a good day.
shimmercoconut I was thinking the same...the entire desk actually...how many kids touched or stuck their hands in that metal part below the top of the desk.
For students that are hard of hearing and rely on lip reading, what adjustments can be made for them? Special education isn't necessarily required when your not developmentally behind or don't have learning disabilities, just hearing difficulties. Generally curious as I am hard of hearing and heavily depend on reading peoples lips to have conversations This time is especially stressful for me, I cant imagine how these kids are handling distance learning.
I go to this school and there is one kid in my class with hard of hearing, they use these walki talki earbud things where the teacher wears a mic and the kid wears the headphone and they are connected so they hear them better. And the distance learnings get youtube videos that have subtitles, they could read them and there are instructions. We don't do many calls at all.
Im an 8th grader and I’m doing online school (like homeschool buts its online and accredited) this year on the 10th. I would be scared of going into class!
Hey I’m new to your channel! May ask what county do you teach in TN? I ask because I live in Nashville, TN and in Davidson county metro public schools are doing virtual schooling till October.
You said that the student rotate classes in pods? How is that possible if students may have variety in the courses they take. Like don’t some students have like more advanced math or English courses or take different electives?
Sparkles999 Rose are you for real? My sister is a nurse working with covid patients. She tested positive and was in the ICU for 10 days! We thought we were going to lose her.
Naomi Bailey really? I didnt know you were a doctor. My sister has no pre existing conditions. Healthy as any 33 year old. She works as a nurse in a floor full of covid positive that are on ventilators and have oxygen machines. It just so happens that she gets the same symptoms and has to be hospitalized in Intensive Care. According to you what can it be then? Please delight me with your knowledge
Dr. Henry isn't terribly popular here with teachers... has resisted us wearing masks in schools and refused the need for social distancing in schools. Apparently we could gain all the distance we need if we remove all our extra furniture. I don't have extra furniture. I have student desks. I can't go out for dinner with 7 friends on a patio, but I can spend 2.5 hours in a tiny classroom with no ventilation and 30+ 17 and 18 year olds. Never mind the other 800 people in the building. The Be Safe part of her saying doesn't apply to teachers.
