Posted on 04/09/2020 8:13:19 AM PDT by Think free or die
HARRISBURG, PA — All Pennsylvania schools will remain closed for the rest of the academic year due to the coronavirus pandemic, Gov. Tom Wolf announced Thursday.
The governor said he made the decision in consultation with Secretary of Health Rachel Levine and Secretary of Education Pedro Rivera.
Schools had been closed since March 13 due to the outbreak, which has killed more than 300 Pennsylvania residents.
(Excerpt) Read more at patch.com ...
‘Our county announced yesterday that they’re considering closing trails because people aren’t sufficiently distancing’
what county is that...? and how do they determine that distancing is sufficient or not...?
Montgomery County - Philadelphia suburb. We have been the first to experience all of the Governors restrictions. I don’t know all the ways they watch us, but I think a lot of it is park ranger reports. We’ve seen quite a few rangers out when we’re walking. Then there’s cell phone data and drones . . .
when will they lay off teachers..???
you know full well they’ll all demand huge whopping raises....for doing nothing...
If you look closely...most public “servants” are paid for doing nothing (productive). Truly pathetic.
‘I’m relieved that I’m not trying to create educational experiences that replace chemistry and biology labs.’
I’m quite sure you are...
‘I also think we’ve seen the last of snow days.’
based on this past winter we’ve seen the last of snow...(wishful thinking; I’ve come to hate winter...)
The brick and mortar schools are closed, but teachers and students are working. It's being done remotely. Schools are in what's considered emergency remote learning mode. Teachers typically have online platforms for both assignments and grade reporting. This has gone on steroids to replace classroom instruction with home assignments, videos, and remote submission. There are lots of tools available, but of course nobody expects to transition suddenly, and not all teachers are adept at managing the electronics.
I'm glad to have dodged this because I was teaching lab courses, including AP and honors level. There really is no substitute for chemistry lab. There are things that can be done at home, but there is educational value in using lab glassware and other equipment that people don't have in their kitchens. I don't like to turn everything into a group project, but teamwork is important in science labs. This is difficult in the current environment. Academic integrity is another challenge. Kids cheat, and working at home makes it easier.
Excellent teachers, dedicated parents and motivated students can make this a productive educational time. That's the top tier. Many kids will goof off, some teachers will do the minimum, and some parents are overwhelmed or unable to help. That's basically true during the typical school year. I suspect the top kids will be fine, the bottom kids will lose a little ground, and the ones in the middle will be divided. The stronger ones may embrace learning and come back more confident and independent. The weaker ones will lose ground. Teachers will be doing a lot of review in September. It isn't catastrophic and it comes in the least productive quarter of the year. I just think it was a premature decision.
‘They can still graduate.’
what would really piss me off is if I were a hot shot high school baseball player, looking forward to my last year and going out with a bang, and maybe getting a look from the pros or a college, and it gets taken away like this; also, a senior who didn’t go to the junior prom (if they still have those) and was looking forward to the senior prom this year...
‘I think most are still OK’
no, not most of them...upscale places maybe, but if smaller places are giong to be required to limit spacing as has been discussed, they will go under...
I retired in the summer, so I'm not doing it for students in school. You're right though . . . hubby and I are involved with two Scout troops and the teaching carries through in a new setting!
No need to ever reopen them now that it has been determined kids are learning more by staying home all day watching cartoons. :)
You'll learn more from watching old videos of "Schoolhouse Rock" than you'll learn in school.
‘Montgomery County’
taking a wild guess: King of Prussia...?
‘We’ve seen quite a few rangers out when we’re walking.’
so the rangers are not practicing distancing...? damn, but this strong arm stuff is starting to really piss me off...
I hope not. It will be a challenge for sure. I hope enough of us can support them to get through this period. I am more optimistic about the future. I think as the case load drops off and effectiveness of treatments is demonstrated, there will be pressure on states to loosen up.
Yeah, it’s a tough break for the graduating athletes. They train hard and peak in their senior year, and then this . . .
Not KOP. We’re closer to Bucks. The rangers stay in their vehicles. They just drive around or park near where people are walking and watch. I guess they count noses and try to figure out which ones are family groups and which ones look like they arranged to meet in the park. It’s creepy. People seem to be keeping a respectful distance on trails, and the more you close, the more you crowd the remaining walkers.
‘We’re closer to Bucks’
ah, ok; nice area...
‘I guess they count noses and try to figure out which ones are family groups and which ones look like they arranged to meet in the park.’
PA seems to be getting a bit friskier than most in using the shillelagh on us; especially for ‘violating’ the stay at home order...the sooner I see this state disappearing in my rear view mirror the better...
Although schools are closed, teaching and learning should continue, the governor said. Schools are "strongly encouraged" to provide continuity of education for all students, the governor's office said in a statement.So, “closed” - but not “out."
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