we actually pulled it off and the board is moving forward with the hybrid plan. i cant believe how many of you jumped on this to make sure we were heard. keep an eye out for more info on the new schedule but for now just celebrate because we did …
March 7, 2021
Final supporters
January 12, 2021
Dear SDoL School Board:
We are McCaskey students writing to recommend that the board reconsider hybrid learning, rather than requiring students to make the binary decision between 100% face-to-face or virtual education. There are two considerations that warrant hybrid instruction over full-time face-to-face learning: equity concerns and safety.
There are many students who feel they do not have a safe option to return to school under the full-time model. Students recognize the value of student-teacher interactions and would like to return to school in some form; however, some are not going to return due to the inability of a full student body to physically distance inside of the McCaskey buildings. They are sacrificing the quality of their education for the safety of their families. Other students feel forced to return to an unsafe school because they do not want to suffer academically and socially, or forfeit their leadership roles. A full time, face to face learning model is not the solution for a large, urban high school at this time, even though some may be advocating for it. The district should be seeking a plan that provides all students some opportunity to interact with their teachers and classmates safely.
If we return to school full-time, the virus will spread; high school students are known to transmit the disease at higher rates than younger age demographics. People will suffer. It is inevitable. Many students know someone, or have family members, who have contracted the virus, some of whom have faced lasting side effects or even death. We are concerned that a significant population of SDoL families may not have the resources to receive early and expensive treatment should they or a family member contract a severe case of COVID-19.
A soon to be published study in the journal Pediatrics (Zimmerman et. al), which has been used to argue for full-time instruction, actually suggests that a hybrid model — accompanied by networking with public health officials and other schools, and other enforced health/safety precautions — can allow for a student body like ours to more safely return to in-person learning. We urge you to offer a responsibly implemented hybrid model to accommodate more high school students safely in classrooms with their teachers.
We understand the complexity of the issue and appreciate your deliberation on our behalf. We know the health and safety of our community and equity concerns are at the forefront of your minds.
Sincerely,
McCaskey Students
Updates
January 12, 2021
the momentum behind this is honestly wild right now. seeing so many of us pushing for a safer way to learn makes me feel like the board finally has to listen to what students actually need.
Reached 100 supporters
January 12, 2021
33 Comments
It’s important for us to continue hybrid learning. There’s students and teachers who have jobs outside of school, so for they’re time being confiscated from them due to this decision of the school board making it 8 class periods per day virtual or not is not only unsafe for the people going in person, but also selfish and not very kind to those doing the virtual learning.
I agree that it is a big risk sending all of us. I am personally staying home but there’s other that feel they need to go back to school in person. There are people who live with younger siblings and older relatives that could be at risk.
I really want to return to physical school. I would learn and retain knowledge so much more effectively. I would also get work done earlier and to a higher quality. However, 5 full days in a highly populated school with tight corridors is not a good idea whatsoever
I think we should start doing hybrid just to see how it goes.. the district jumped to far to start off 5 days a week.. my thing are we gonna do 5 days a week for a couple weeks then have to come back home because of cases?? I think hybrid would be easier and safer till we know for sure we are safe to go back in the building normally
As a member of a public safety agency I believe that we (student body) deserve the right to the education we want and need . And as COVID-19 cases rise it gives a threat for us students and essential workers like me a first responder trying to protect and serve the community.
While I am full virtual, my school is doing full hybrid and some kids depend on that. They need to be partially in school to feel safer yet be able to be in contact with other people. Having in person classes also increases productivity. Going full online or full virtual isn’t an option for these people.
I believe its simply not safe i get it learning in person is needed but not in the middle of a global crisis
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we actually pulled it off and the board is moving forward with the hybrid plan. i cant believe how many of you jumped on this to make sure we were heard. keep an eye out for more info on the new schedule but for now just celebrate because we did …
March 7, 2021
Final supporters
January 12, 2021
Dear SDoL School Board:
We are McCaskey students writing to recommend that the board reconsider hybrid learning, rather than requiring students to make the binary decision between 100% face-to-face or virtual education. There are two considerations that warrant hybrid instruction over full-time face-to-face learning: equity concerns and safety.
There are many students who feel they do not have a safe option to return to school under the full-time model. Students recognize the value of student-teacher interactions and would like to return to school in some form; however, some are not going to return due to the inability of a full student body to physically distance inside of the McCaskey buildings. They are sacrificing the quality of their education for the safety of their families. Other students feel forced to return to an unsafe school because they do not want to suffer academically and socially, or forfeit their leadership roles. A full time, face to face learning model is not the solution for a large, urban high school at this time, even though some may be advocating for it. The district should be seeking a plan that provides all students some opportunity to interact with their teachers and classmates safely.
If we return to school full-time, the virus will spread; high school students are known to transmit the disease at higher rates than younger age demographics. People will suffer. It is inevitable. Many students know someone, or have family members, who have contracted the virus, some of whom have faced lasting side effects or even death. We are concerned that a significant population of SDoL families may not have the resources to receive early and expensive treatment should they or a family member contract a severe case of COVID-19.
A soon to be published study in the journal Pediatrics (Zimmerman et. al), which has been used to argue for full-time instruction, actually suggests that a hybrid model — accompanied by networking with public health officials and other schools, and other enforced health/safety precautions — can allow for a student body like ours to more safely return to in-person learning. We urge you to offer a responsibly implemented hybrid model to accommodate more high school students safely in classrooms with their teachers.
We understand the complexity of the issue and appreciate your deliberation on our behalf. We know the health and safety of our community and equity concerns are at the forefront of your minds.
Sincerely,
McCaskey Students
Updates
January 12, 2021
the momentum behind this is honestly wild right now. seeing so many of us pushing for a safer way to learn makes me feel like the board finally has to listen to what students actually need.
Reached 100 supporters
January 12, 2021
33 Comments
It's not fair to present two extreme options when there's an obvious middle ground. Neither work for the majority of students.
It’s important for us to continue hybrid learning. There’s students and teachers who have jobs outside of school, so for they’re time being confiscated from them due to this decision of the school board making it 8 class periods per day virtual or not is not only unsafe for the people going in person, but also selfish and not very kind to those doing the virtual learning.
I agree that it is a big risk sending all of us. I am personally staying home but there’s other that feel they need to go back to school in person. There are people who live with younger siblings and older relatives that could be at risk.
I really want to return to physical school. I would learn and retain knowledge so much more effectively. I would also get work done earlier and to a higher quality. However, 5 full days in a highly populated school with tight corridors is not a good idea whatsoever
I think we should start doing hybrid just to see how it goes.. the district jumped to far to start off 5 days a week.. my thing are we gonna do 5 days a week for a couple weeks then have to come back home because of cases?? I think hybrid would be easier and safer till we know for sure we are safe to go back in the building normally
As a member of a public safety agency I believe that we (student body) deserve the right to the education we want and need . And as COVID-19 cases rise it gives a threat for us students and essential workers like me a first responder trying to protect and serve the community.
While I am full virtual, my school is doing full hybrid and some kids depend on that. They need to be partially in school to feel safer yet be able to be in contact with other people. Having in person classes also increases productivity. Going full online or full virtual isn’t an option for these people.
I believe its simply not safe i get it learning in person is needed but not in the middle of a global crisis
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It's not fair to present two extreme options when there's an obvious middle ground. Neither work for the majority of students.