I Am the Executive Director of a Large Senior Living Community in Raleigh. We Have Not Had One Case of COVID-19 Since the Pandemic Started

2020/09/17 3:31:08 PM AST Allison O'Shea 3600 Yorkshire Dr Durham

I am the Executive Director of a large Senior Living community in Raleigh. We have not had one case of COVID-19 since the pandemic started. We wear masks and follow all guidelines throughout the day. These guidelines have not cost us extra money. I am also the mother of a 4th grader and 2nd grader at Hillandale Elementary School. We have been so pleased with the efforts our school as put into online learning but it is not working for our family. We are fortunate enough to be able send our children to a "remote learning camp" that has also had not a single exposure or concern regarding COVID in over a month. There is no reason that our children can not return to in person learning if the family desires it. There are ways to protect everyone that do not cost a lot of money. It is education for the teachers about how to manage. The building I operate has over 300 people in it at one during the day and we have managed through education and wearing masks to avoid the virus thus far. I am also a believer in looking at the numbers. In Durham county our numbers support the opening of schools for those that choose to go back to in person. I hope the teachers and staff can see that they can be safe in a school and I would be more than happy to help with education and setting up our school to ensure everyone feels safe and secure during this time. Please allow families like ours to make the choice to send our kids back to school...my son is falling behind and it breaks my heart everyday to see him feel like a failure. Thank you. Allison O'Shea

2020/09/17 4:19:15 PM AST Melissa Lee 5111 SOURWOOD RD DURHAM please allow kids to go back. I have two with IEPs, one of which also takes speech, and one who has a break down due to frustration once a week, complete with tears and all. Many many kids need school. They need the assistance that the school can provide. They need the reassurance that the school can provide. The need the professional support that the school provides. Please allow at least the elementary school kids to go back.

2020/09/17 4:27:27 PM AST I wish to remain anonymous n/a Durham, NC 27707

There is an excessive amount of Work being assignment to my child. They have almost no free time or time to relax. And why are the teachers giving out Homework on top of all the class work with out giving any specified time to complete the class work during class time. It doesn’t make sense being the current situation where all the work being done is at home. Also, 1 hour for a zoom class is kinda long for anyone.

2020/09/17 6:34:30 PM AST Katherine Kizzie 562 Darby Glen Lane Durham, NC 27713

As both an elementary educator and parent within DPS, the situation has been stressful at the best of times. I miss my students -- building relationships and community can be difficult to impossible virtually. My kids at home are struggling. They both love school so much -- especially the social bits. Neither want to log in most days, both struggle in the afternoons after doing their best to engage in the mornings. I feel like I never leave work, my hours have actually doubled on a good day. Some people believe we are trying our best and commend us, while others tear us down and want a share of our paychecks for their home school duties. I desperately want to get back in the building BUT I also desperately want there to be a safe and secure plan in place for how you are going to keep my colleagues and I safe on a daily basis. We want to teach our students, we want to reach them all where they are at, but we also want to feel like our health and safety are top priority to our district administration. You will not be able to keep 100% of the people happy 100% of the time. But please do your best to keep us as educators healthy and able to continue to serve our students to the best of our abilities.

2020/09/18 7:52:11 AM AST Danika Peterson 308 E Alton Durham, NC, 27707

My daughter is a kindergarten student and is really missing the needed social aspects at this developmental age. I would really like us to move to a Plan B or Plan A option.

2020/09/18 8:27:58 AM AST Ian Peterson 308 E Alton St Durham

It appears there are many schools that have successfully navigated re-opening to in-person schooling using adequate safety protocols that have prevented the spread of the virus. DPS should follow in this trend and provide an example that neighboring public schools can follow. Our home has two working adults and our oldest child just started kindergarten. While she is able to navigate the technology as well as can be expected for a 5-yr-old, a lack of social interaction/development, in-person attention to her learning, and frequent disruptive technology failures plague her education right now. The teachers are doing all they can in these circumstances, but my kindergartner is unknowingly experiencing a massive disservice to her education and development. Our challenge as two working adults pales in comparison to some of our neighbors. Two single mothers nearby are attempting to keep their children on task and do their jobs at the same time. One of these mothers is a teacher herself and has to navigate teaching from home while her son listens to his lessons in the background. The other is a mother to 5 school-age children. Being a working single mother of 5 is challenging enough without the added hardship of managing her children's daily education. There is no doubt that her children are falling behind as a result of the lack of in-person schooling. Please help the people of Durham by opening schools to in-person learning.

2020/09/18 5:19:02 PM AST Sarah Cohen 2203 Chase St Durham, NC 27707

I am the parent of 2 elementary students at Morehead Montessori and 1 middle school student at Lakewood Montessori. Overall, my children are engaged every day with their teachers, their work, and their peers. They have appropriate levels of asynchronous work assigned to them and their teachers have communicated well about expectations and are available to help them when they have questions. It is not perfect - Canvas is difficult to use when teachers have received so little training, Canvas has some big flaws especially for younger elementary grades, and as a working parent, monitoring Remote Learning is a big challenge. But given that we are experiencing a global pandemic, Remote Learning by DPS is meeting my children's educational needs well. I am very concerned that a shift before the semester ends back to a hybrid system of district-wide virtual learning (ie Ignite) + in-person learning will be upsetting (teacher and classmate shifts), chaotic and distruptive for families like ours that are just now finding a rhythm that works with Remote Learning. It will feel like starting the year over again. Unless you have a very solid plan that can be communicated clearly, executed seamlessly and will continue student learning with minimal disruption (which frankly seems impossible), I think Remote Learning should continue until January (at least).

2020/09/18 5:52:24 PM AST Julie Spearman 5210 Grandhaven Dr Durham, NC 27713

I would like to have schools reopen for elementary students. I think that we can be safe with masks and appropriate cleaning practices. My children are missing the socialization that comes with school and they are having to learn in 3 days a week online what they would learn in 5 days at school. Please please please allow kids to return in person!!

2020/09/19 12:19:06 PM AST Tamara Vanie 2710 East geer street Durham, NC, 27704

Good Evening Board Members,

Gov. Cooper ‘s decision to allow public schools to open will affect DPS significantly should we reopen based upon Plan A standards it would overtly expose our teachers and children to the potential of contracting Covid-19. We are a district that has a system that educates predominantly black and brown children in which racism affects us greatly making it a public health issue. Based on the standards of health should we follow better funded school systems and open we would suffer the most significant loss of life as a result. My solution would be to work harder at accessing the current learning environment and it’s barriers and try to improve it enough it could be maintained until the spring.

2020/09/20 4:45:34 PM AST Carolyn Allen 6312 Whitt Rd Durham NC 27712

I am the magnet coordinator at Sandy Ridge Visual and Performing Arts Elementary School and the parent of 4 DPS magnet students. I am writing to you today to request that you consider implementing a one-time exemption to policies 4131.1 (Assignment to Program Magnet Schools) and 4133.1 (Assignment to Calendar Magnet Schools), both of which state, “A student who withdraws loses eligibility for continued enrollment.” During these unprecedented times, families are faced with many extremely difficult decisions regarding education. In spite of the myriad of ways that DPS teachers, support staff, administration, and leadership are continuing to support students and families educationally, emotionally, and physically, remote instruction has just not been sustainable for some families, causing them to look outside of DPS for educational alternatives. For families enrolled in magnet schools, this decision comes at a much greater price than for those enrolled in base schools. If conditions in Durham improve to the point that we are able to bring students back into our buildings before the end of the 2020- 2021 academic year, these students can re-enroll in their base school, but not their magnet school. I am asking you to consider implementing a one-time exemption for these students to allow them reclaim their magnet seats at any point prior to the end of the 3rd quarter (March 26, 2021). Current deadlines and policies do not allow magnet schools to fill vacancies mid-year anyway, and this exemption would be a great benefit to magnet school students, families, and to Durham Public Schools.

Thank you!

2020/09/20 10:47:22 PM AST Kelly McGee 1522 Goodwin road Durham, because 27712

The risk for educators and students is still to high for us to return to in person learning. A lot has been asked if teacher’s already and returning to school would require even more sacrifice. We would be unable to see our families over risk of exposing them and be cut off from any small safe activities we have partaken in for our own sanity and mental health. Once again we are being asked to risk our own lives and the lives of the ones we love.

2020/09/20 11:01:59 PM AST Linda Seligman 607 Elin Ct. Hillsborough, NC 27278

As imperfect as remote learning is, I think we need to continue on this path until our numbers of Covid cases in our geographic area has stabilized in and are significantly reduced, before we engage in the risky venture of opening our public schools to face to face instruction. The school will reflect our community in cases. Children in 4th and 5th grade classes who are the physical size of 10 year olds can carry the disease. Many of us are at risk ourselves and/or live with others who are at risk. Who wants to die or cause someone else to die - to carry out a Plan A or Plan B? Kids will go to college and grow up to be successful in life despite this interruption in smooth education and daily activities. In the meantime, we need to be risk-averse.

2020/09/20 11:13:43 PM AST Melissa Rygalski 1016 Carroll St Durham, NC 27707

I believe it is imperative, first, to ensure the safety of our students, their families, AND educators. What kind of reasonable, rational adult would advocate putting our children and teachers (and, in essence, the entire larger community) at risk by reopening schools during such a dangerous time? With no mandates in place for required masks, social distancing of AT LEAST 6 feet, and the bevy of other necessary steps and protocols to *minimize* (not wholly prevent) infection transmission? Remote learning may be frustrating and imperfect, but in the middle of a deadly pandemic, it's the only sane and safe option. The high price we will all pay with spikes of infection and deaths from Covid-19 because remote learning is inconvenient is absolutely unacceptable. And of course will ultimately, after numbers rise again, result in schools closing again causing further disruption and chaos. We should continue with remote learning until it is genuinely SAFE to return to school.

2020/09/21 6:16:16 AM AST Jeffrey Symes 4327 Highgate Dr Durham, NC 27713

As a teacher in the district and a parent to a kindergartner in the district, my willingness to return in person for any grade level is centered around having universal testing (not forehead temperature scans but actual, rapid Covid testing) 2-3 times a week for all, effective ventilation and mandatory mask wearing for all.

2020/09/21 6:24:06 AM AST Catriona Moore 4201 Forest Edge TRL Durham, NC 27705

I am concerned about ventilation in classrooms, and especially in staff bathroom facilities. This is a major factor in return to school planning.

2020/09/21 6:32:17 AM AST Lara O'Neil-Dunne 2325 Cheek Road Durham, NC, 27705

I am writing to urge the school board to please keep the safety of educators, students, and families in mind when making their decision regarding the return to in-person classes.

I teach first grade, and really miss being in the classroom with my students. I wish I could help relieve the burden of childcare their families are facing. But I also know that this is temporary, while the effects of COVID often are not. Even if a choice to stay home is given to families, teachers do have that choice. By placing us in in-person, indoor school, you are placing us in the conditions most likely to spread COVID — prolonged indoor time. COVID is disproportionately affecting black and Hispanic children, immunocompromised people, and older people. Healthy adults have died from COVID, too.

2020/09/21 7:32:25 AM AST Kelly McGee 1522 Goodwin road Durham, because 27712

2020/09/21 9:31:59 AM AST Aide Olmos 2707 ellen st Durham

For my daughter who is a bit shy to speak, this way of learning has frustrated her a lot, at the end of each class she tries to focus on what she has to do, and she loses motivation, not knowing her classmates, makes you feel like you can't ask anyone when in doubt. I know that in the midst of this difficult situation for everyone, the most important thing is health, I want to know if they are offering any kind of tutoring for those who need it.

2020/09/21 9:43:59 AM AST Ariel Austin 1018 Clarendon Street Durham, NC 27705

Board members, thank you for hearing us out. Governor Cooper's decision to allow elementary schools to re-open in October is alarming to me. As an EC resource teacher at an elementary school, I would love to be back in school with my students and return to in-person teaching. Teaching remotely is challenging, and exhausting. However, I think our student's and staff's safety and health is a much higher priority. I teach in an old building that has had air/heating and ventilation issues of its own for years. It is unrealistic to now expect us to be in that same building filled with people in the midst of a pandemic. With the number of staff we have, I don't see how we can be expected to maintain 6-feet distance, follow all safety protocols, and provide our students with the education they deserve. All teachers want to be back, but we want to do it when it is safe.

2020/09/21 9:49:37 AM AST Anne Klar 4922 Highgate Dr Durham, NC 27713

I understand that Governor Cooper made the decision that he felt was best for the whole state but I ask that the Board of Education for Durham County make a different decision, one that is best for our community. The district should stay virtual at least through the end of this calendar year, if not through the end of this school year. The kids and teachers have just settled into this routine and it would be detrimental to change things at this point. Additionally, the safety of our kids and our teachers and staff is of the upmost importance, and there is simply not enough funding to return to the school building safely at this time.

2020/09/21 10:06:44 AM AST Jacqueline 5 Christopher Ct Durham, NC 27704

I do not think it is safe for elementary students to return to school right now. I heard the doctors say that they better understand the virus now, however, the total deaths in North Carolina are still rising. How can we expect elementary student to wear masks all day without them pulling it off or even loosing them. My grandson has a problem just wearing a mask in the grocery store. I don't think it is safe for them to return.

2020/09/21 12:36:32 PM AST Paige Holt 511 Ann Road Hillsborough, NC 27278

It is imperative that we keep our students and school staff, and their families, safe. That means we need to stay online until our numbers go down significantly and/or we have a safe vaccine. It is too soon to return in person. When we do come back in person, I think we should bring the elementary and OCS students back first, spread out between all of our DPS campuses and then build from there.

2020/09/21 12:58:51 PM AST Jennie Copeland 808 Carroll St. Durham

To Members of the Board, thank you for looking out for the health & safety of Durham families. If you choose to open schools, please allow all families to have an online option (without losing current magnet status.)

2020/09/21 1:41:46 PM AST Nicholas Edge 1001 white pine dr Durham, nc, 27705

I feel strongly that with a lot of EC kids not being able to socially distance, not having the Ability to socially distance, needing hand over hand and close physical contact while at school that it would be dangerous to bring them back for the students, their families, teachers/IAs and their families. I think this will cause spikes in corona cases within one of our most vulnerable population

2020/09/21 3:33:19 PM AST Amaria Webb 407 Timpson Ave. Durham, Nc 27703

Letting younger students go to school? Lets be REAL.. children will be children.. they will play with masks.. it'll be harder for them to social distance. They are CHILDREN.. please don't put their little lives in danger. Let COVID-19 play out.. protect our youth or consider different things to ensure the safety of our youth, please.

2020/09/21 4:45:24 PM AST Inessa Fannin 4110 HULON DR DURHAM

I am a parent of two DPS students and a Kindergarten instructional assistant. I feel strongly that, while remote learning is hard, we are not ready to return to school, neither from a public health perspective nor from a logistics perspective. Teachers are working so hard at remote learning, and to send them back to school, in a rush, just as they are hitting their stride is cruel and unusual. Remote learning is not perfect, but in person school is also very hard for kindergarteners, even at the best of times. Trying to transition back now, over a few weeks, with little lead time for preparation, will drop those kids into classes with stressed and overwhelmed teachers, teachers that really can't take much more. Please respect the mental and physical health of our students and staff, and continue remote learning.

2020/09/21 5:49:14 PM AST Lori Foraker 126 Captains CT Durham

I believe I am in the minority but as a parent of 2 current (DSA) and 2 former DPS students (RHS) I would like to reach out to the Board on the matter because my 8th grade son is struggling with online school and I am very concerned he is falling behind. With a Durham county rate of positivity of under 4% this issue should at least be on the agenda, in my opinion. Since I believe the majority of DPS parents will probably want an online option for their children, those of us that have children that need in person instruction should have the option. As a Duke University employee who goes into work several times a week and interacts with patients, technicians and Doctors, I believe it can be done safely because wearing masks and social distancing is extremely effective in curbing the spread and frankly I believe there will be less children choosing this option so an automatic reduction in number of students present.

I also have a 10th grader and she is managing online fine. I point this out to say, I am not against an online option or virtual school in general. What I am trying to convey is that for students that already struggle with keeping up with their work under the best of circumstances, not getting in person instruction can be devastating and long lasting. At least when my son is in person at school, the time he is in class with his teacher and peers, he is absorbing and learning something. He is not absorbing and learning much online – we are already so far behind on assignments despite my husband and I doing our best to stay on top of him. My husband works from home and I am working from home part of the time, and despite this we cannot keep him on track. I can’t imagine younger students or students whose parents have to go into work and can’t spend their day focusing on their children’s education.

I filled out the DPS survey where I said much the same thing. I have been overall a big fan of DPS, especially Riverside HS where my son and daughter graduated from the Engineering program in 2017 and 2019. As a 4 time parent of your district, I implore you to consider an in person learning environment for kids like my 8th grade son. Durham County in general has done such a good job keeping our covid percent positive cases down, let’s take advantage of this and get the kids back to in person learning that need it.

Thank you for your time.

2020/09/21 6:39:53 PM AST yetta williams 100 laurel springs drive Durham

Please allow online classes to resume for quarter 2 based on Durham Covid cases state wide numbers are still growing as well.

2020/09/21 7:04:37 PM AST Mrs Johnson 508 Uzzle st Durham Nc

Please allow students and teachers to continue to work from home until we have a vaccination and can take it. Students that are 4 yr olds, according to Division of Child Development, cannot be made to wear a mask because they are under the age of 5. I am concerned that I will make My Mother, a retired teacher who taught here in durham sick or anything worse than being sick if you know what I mean, because I am her care giver after leaving work.

Respectfully Yours!

2020/09/21 9:22:06 PM AST James Finnegan 916 Berkeley St Durham, NC 27705

DPS made the right decision to go with Plan C. Since there is still a pandemic, please continue to put the health and safety of students, families and educators first by continuing with remote learning. The most disruptive thing that could happen to our students' education would be to prolong the pandemic by spreading the virus through in-person schooling.

Thanks, James Finnegan social studies teacher Hillside High School

2020/09/21 9:30:07 PM AST Bianca Williams 64 Angels Cir Durham, NC 27703

I am not ready to send my students to school because COVID combined with the flu is the perfect formula for a hyper bug/sickness.

2020/09/21 9:37:04 PM AST Jay Hunter 2109 Otis St Durham, NC 27707

I am not a fan of sending my kindergarten student to school. He does not have a concept of personal space yet and has keeping on the mask to just go to the store. He is 1 child, I cannot imagine a classroom full of students his age attempting to social distance. They are very social at that age and though he is missing his peers I want everyone to be able to be safe in their learning environments.

2020/09/22 8:53:40 AM AST Brianna Shanholtzer 547 Ryder Lake Drive Sanford, NC

I urge the board to think about the health and safety of our teachers, staff, students, and DPS families. Especially with the upcoming holiday breaks. Individual’s are more likely to be around groups of people. Everyone returning immediately after those breaks would be a health disaster waiting to happen. We need to remain remote learning until at least the end of the 2nd quarter.

2020/09/22 10:04:27 AM AST Marsha Harrell 516 Mountain Ridge Road Rougemont NC 27572

I am a teacher with Durham Public Schools. As much as I miss teaching in person, it is not safe for us to return at this time. Our 63 year old school has several HVAC units that are well past their life expectancy. They cannot filter out this virus and our windows do not open, so we have no fresh air ventilation. Many teachers and staff are high risk and some of us will die if we are not protected.

2020/09/22 10:28:57 AM AST Lauren Foster 21 Willow Bridge Dr. Durham, NC 27707

It remains unsafe for teachers, children, and other adults to return to an in-person setting. Our covid numbers have not significantly improved from either March or August, when the call was made to stay virtual. With the impending flu season, it is even more unsafe than when the original calls were made. We do not have the materials to keep teachers, students, or other human beings safe from this pandemic in an in-person setting.

2020/09/22 11:27:05 AM AST Amanda Abrams 1404 Oakland Ave Durham

My husband and I would like to see DPS enact Plan B because we'd like to send our son back to school, where he will learn more than he's currently learning at home, and be emotionally supported in the way he needs. We're willing to speak out and advocate for more funding if that's what it takes to keep people safe in school. We hugely support teachers and the great work they're doing during this time, and we understand how poorly they've been treated by the Legislature over the past 8 years or so. But we also believe that they are semi-essential workers and they need to do their job.

2020/09/22 11:27:41 AM AST Gina-Marie Dmeza 1410 Bungalow Ave Durham

I have heard the board, the state health experts and our govenor talk a lot about how children have a better outcome when they contract caronavirus. I wonder why no one is talking about the adults, and teachers in the buildings? What happens when they contract the virus. We are seeing teachers around the country getting sick and dying. The idea that we would even consider packing classrooms to full capacity with no social distancing is mind boggling. We can't open movie theaters and bars in our state because it is not safe. If that is the case then how can we possibly pack 30 kids and adults into classrooms together? Gina-Marie D'Meza DPS parent and teacher

2020/09/22 11:32:10 AM AST Dayanara Mejía 1202 Maroon Dr Durham, NC, 27713

As a Junior at Middle College High School, I am learning very poorly. I am more focus in turning in my assignments before 11:59 pm. This year is the most important year for me, it’s the year I have to take the SAT and the ACT. I am learning nothing remotely. It’s frustrating and difficult knowing that the most important year of High School is going to waste. I have been taught one way of learning my entire education career, and switching it up on the most important year is absolutely unfair and upsetting. I am an A/B student. Currently, I am preforming poorly in my my classes due to not understanding the concept of the class. This is not only taking an impact on GPA but also on my mental health. Sitting at a computer for hours is straining physically and emotionally. My classmate is dropping out of Middle College and going back to his base school due to failure of understanding. It’s extremely frustrating knowing that these classes are going to be on my transcript. Whenever I have a question, I email my professor. I have to wait around 24 hours for a response, and by then I’ve already moved on to my next assignment. At this point, I cry out of frustration every time I open my computer. I am doing what I can with what I am given. I am not the only one feeling like this, but I am willing to be a voice for my fellow classmates. So please on behave of my classmates and I, I ask that we return to school.

2020/09/22 11:58:28 AM AST Patricia Christie 201 Brandermill Drive Durham NC 27713

As evident by the fact that this school board meeting is conducted via zoom, it is not yet safe for our children and their teachers to return to the classroom next quarter. While virtual school is not ideal, it’s much better than worrying about the health of our children. Please consider continuing virtual school at least through the second quarter of the school year.

2020/09/22 12:38:32 PM AST Beau Borek Durham Durham, NC

The idea that anyone is considering sending children and teachers back into school is absurd. Nothing is different from April or August. Putting students and teachers into this situation is dangerous and will lead to illness and death. As an employee Zooming with children daily, I have seen many students removing mask, picking their noses, open mouth coughing and sneezing into the open. The idea that students can control themselves or teachers can control the students is a complete fantasy. Any safety protocols, mandatory or not, will be broken and it will cause an outbreak, leading to another shut down of schools and going remote. Let's avoid the risk and stay fully remote until we can ensure students, staff, and families are safe.

2020/09/22 3:55:01 PM AST Jonathan Plesser 209 Old Fox Trail Durham

As a teacher, I have absolutely no interest in rushing back to campus and dying of COVID. We have enough data to suggest that even in areas with falling rates of infection schools can become hotspots for the spread of the virus. Why on earth would we risk the lives of children, educators, and the loved ones those children go home to? Hybrid approaches in other parts of the country have left teachers overworked with too little support, and schools are hemorrhaging career educators who cannot take the demands of that model. We haven't had time to plan, we cannot ensure safety, the transition will be miserable. Stay with plan C.

2020/09/22 4:00:22 PM AST Emily Swartzlander 2307 Englewood Ave Durham, NC 27705

My hope is that if students go back in person there is some staggering of students (plan B) rather than all back, all the time.

2020/09/22 4:02:16 PM AST Maggie Radack 130 Forest Oaks Dr DURHAM

I strongly urge DPS to stay 100% virtual (Plan C). We just had to close Northern HS this past week for two days due to COVID cases, and we have incredibly limited staff going into the building every day. There is no perfect option and educators and students and families are struggling with virtual learning - but there is a safe option, and educators and students and families are not dying due to virtual learning. Also, research has been released showing that children of color have the highest death rates from COVID cases - we cannot in good conscience place our students of color at higher risk of dying by going back to school in-person.

2020/09/22 4:38:31 PM AST Jessica Tanner 515 N Second St Mebane, NC 27302

I am a music teach at EK Powe Elementary School where I have taught since 2006. As a parent of a second grader and a teacher I’m absolutely torn between doing what is safest, doing what is best for students’ mental health, and do what is best for students’ learning. I am absolutely terrified of going back face-to-face. As an elementary school specialist, I would be one of the people with the highest risks of exposure in the district. If the plan stands, students on plan B would still receive face-to-face instruction with specialists going to their home rooms. We now know that the virus is airborne and can remain in the air for hours. Singing and athletic breathing is especially dangerous because it causes more viral particles to be aerosolized. So, I’d be going into rooms where students would sit all day, creating airborne viral particles, be exposed for 45 minutes- well past the 15 minute limit for contact tracing, and then travel to 5 other classes where I would then be exposed again and again. If just one elementary specialist gets Covid, the entire school might get exposed within one week. I strongly encourage the board to do what is safest first. “I’d rather have my child 6 months behind than 6 feet under.” If you choose to move ahead with Plan B, please make some limits on the number of face-to-face contacts each teacher should be allowed in a week. This will not only help reduce the risk of spreading Covid from class to class, but it also mitigates the risk any one teacher is forced to take. For example, non-classroom teachers who teach large numbers of students could teach virtually from their rooms, teach just one grade or one class from a grade for a week and then rotate. Also, all teachers should be educated about the dangers of athletic breathing and singing indoors and that 6 feet is not adequate social distancing for this type of breathing.

2020/09/22 5:57:58 PM AST Joe Stapleton 808 Louise Cir Durham NC 27705

I am a teacher at Jordan high school and a member of DAE. I can’t stand online learning and wish so bad we could be in person. BUT I know it’s not safe. We must stick with plan C. I have a 4.5-month old at home and cannot risk getting COVID-19.

2020/09/22 6:03:04 PM AST Jill Blalock 305 Get A Way Lane Bahama

I want to thank the board for all of their hard work, especially during this difficult time. I know that the board is being bombarded with differing opinions on school reopening and I thank them for their thoughtful consideration to all sides presented.

I am writing again as a parent of two elementary school students and a veteran educator of 20 years- 13 of which have been with DPS. As a working parent, I understand the difficulty of working at home while students are attending school. I am teaching from home and also trying to help my children navigate their own learning- which oftentimes leads to longer hours than any of us would put in during a normal school year. However, none of us have ever experienced schooling through a pandemic and we are all doing the best that we can.

This week another tough decision falls on the board as you have to decide when and if to reopen schools in October. I have watched the previous board meetings and listened to the Duke doctors and what I have taken away from every meeting is that there needs to be a plan in place in order for schools to reopen safely and everyone needs to be aware of and understand the plan. I fear that 3 weeks is not enough time to get a plan in place to keep everyone safe. While our key metrics have slightly improved since late July, our funding has not changed. We are still working within the same parameters with age and size of buildings that we were in July.

Teachers have had to flip instruction with very little notice two times this year already and I think that they are doing an amazing job for the time that they have been given to do this. DPS is now getting everything into place by providing hotspots and chromebooks to all students that need it. They are providing daily lunches to many of the apartment complexes that need it the most. To change instruction and delivery again in 3 weeks would put students and teachers on another learning curve when we are just getting a handle on the virtual instruction.

I understand the disadvantages to virtual instruction, but I have also seen positives in my instruction. I am an ESL teacher and I have really enjoyed getting to know more about my students and teach them where they are most comfortable- in their own home. Students who are normally shy during in person class are finding their voice and sharing virtually. They are safe and happy in their homes.

I am asking the board to delay in person instruction for the safety of our staff and students and until we have a solid plan in place. Returning in October during flu season makes me extremely nervous and some parts of the plan need to include: What happens to classes when teachers are out sick? What happens when parents send their students to school while they are sick? Where are we going to find substitutes for the classrooms? Will instruction be any more effective (or as effective) with teachers that are fearful of getting sick? Will instruction be as effective when classes are split and not taught by a teacher certified in that area (having to be monitored by other adults to maintain social distancing)? How can we keep teachers and students safe while they are eating lunch in the classroom? Will teachers have any planning time? Who monitors students that are riding the bus to make sure they are not sick? What about classrooms that don't have bathrooms- who monitors children leaving to use the bathroom? If the classrooms do have bathrooms, who is cleaning after each use? What happens when the particulates hit the air and the kids are eating snack and lunch in the room?

I am sure that there are many other questions to consider to make a safe plan for re-entry. Please provide us the time to make this plan so that we can keep safety first and delay reopening schools until this plan has been made and is understood by staff and our community. Thank you for your time and consideration!

Sincerely, Jill Blalock

2020/09/22 6:52:11 PM AST Anonymous Ventura Dr. Durham, NC 27712

As a parent and a DPS employee, I strongly urge you to not cave to the very vocal albeit misguided call to reopen schools. We continue to have no real plan, no funding to carry out re- entry, and many examples of failed attempts at returning to schools across the country. Further more, the data seems to indicate that we are on the cusp of another surge of the virus. No parent, teacher, or administrator will say that our current path is easy. We have had many obstacles to overcome to get to where we are with online learning, including minimal training for Canvas, hold-ups to technology access, unrealistic processes for accessing online tools, and no real guidance for expectations. In other words, we were building the plan while flying it. The teachers of both my children have continue to be amazing under difficult circumstances and deserve nothing but the highest praise for the quality instruction they provide. Shifting gears to in-person instruction with the almost guaranteed outcome of returning to online instruction shortly after is unconscionable. I urge you to put the lives of students and staff at the forefront of your decision by staying the course until real improvements with the virus provide a clear, safe, and reasonably economic path to return.

2020/09/22 7:30:03 PM AST Jessica Simo 7503 Montibillo Pkwy Durham, NC. 27713

Dear Dr. Mubenga & Members of the School Board: Thank you for your leadership of our school system during this unprecedented time. My DPS family has been listening to and appreciates your thoughtful dialogue over the past several Board meetings regarding school reopening and safety considerations. I am writing to request that you consider allowing elementary school age children to return to the classroom, in keeping with Governor Cooper’s recent announcement. This guidance is informed by our state’s public health experts and appears to have been echoed by the panel of local experts who spoke at the September 10th DPS Work Session. There is compelling global scientific evidence that would suggest we can safely resume classes for most of our younger children. In addition, the experiences of families shared in previous public comment periods make it evident that many of our younger students, and EC students in particular, are suffering under this virtual model of educational instruction. I appreciate the concerns some of our teachers have about returning to the classroom. I sincerely hope that our classroom educators have been included in reopening discussions so that we can achieve the buy-in necessary to make this happen. There seems to be some discord in our local media between educators and parents right now that is counterproductive to the goal we should all share: creating an optimal and safe learning environment for our children. If there are lingering safety concerns that our teachers, administrators and families have that need to be addressed, let’s have community dialogue about that and hold ourselves accountable for a timeframe to address those concerns in a methodical, evidence-based way. Thank you again for all that you do.

2020/09/22 8:03:40 PM AST Mercedes Montoya 2108 Dartmouth Dr Durham NC 27705 i prefer that the childrens return to school until next year, due to the influenza and Covic pandemic together. This situation is danger since there is no science approved vaccine. In addition, childrens, teachers, custodians and us as a parents deserve to be safe as more that we can.

2020/09/22 8:05:49 PM AST Patricia Karim Obregon Lozano 900 Milton Rd 27712

En caso de que los niños regresaran a la escuela como harían para mantener la distancia tomando en cuenta los niños que hay por salón ?/están tomando en cuenta la opinión o necesidades de los maestros ?/nosotros como padres estamos dispuestos a seguir trabajando con nuestros hijos desde casa y seguir aprendiendo juntos y agradecidos con ustedes por brindarnos ayuda y orientación cada que se necesita trabajando juntos saldremos de esto gracias por su tiempo

In case children return to school. How DPS would keep the distance taking into account the number of children per classroom? Are they taking into account teachers' opinions or needs? We as parents are willing to continue working with our children from home and continue learning together. In addition, we are grateful for your help and guidance on everyone's' needs. By working together, we will overcome this difficult time, thank you for your time.

2020/09/22 8:26:33 PM AST Laura McPherson 2618 Camellia Dr. Apt. G Durham, NC 27705

I think we need to stick to Plan C for now. Based on my experience as a teacher in Durham Public Schools, students have been able to get their devices and are online engaging in virtual instruction. Teachers have been working really hard to make this platform work and I think switching students right now would throw them off yet again. We've already had at least three Covid scares that I know of just from having staff there or learning pods, and I think if we go to Plan B now this is just going to get worse. Also, it would be a shame to undo the progress we have made in this area by putting students and teachers back in the building too soon. The major concerns from when we originally went to Plan C (aging and inadequate HVAC systems, lack of subs, inadequate staffing to reduce class size as necessary for social distancing) have not been addressed, so I don't see moving to Plan B as a good plan at this time. Also, when we do move to Plan B we will need some lead time because many of us have classes that are still in boxes and it's possible we will be moving to different buildings.

I do, however, feel like we could look at some tweaks to Plan B (such as considering bringing back K-2 or special needs students in self contained classes) that might be beneficial to students.

2020/09/22 9:22:00 PM AST Ed McLenaghan 1212 Sedgefield St Durham, NC 27705

If possible, please try to minimize the number of children who will have to change teachers if their parents choose to continue remote education even if the schools open for in-person classes.

2020/09/22 10:14:24 PM AST Simone Fine 5 Meadowbrook Drive Durham, 27712

I do not believe we should send teachers, students, and staff back to school in person (plan a or b) until a covid vaccine is widely available to folks throughout the Durham community. A school does not exist in a vaccum, it is a microcosm of society. As a whole, people are still dying every day of Covid 19. Sending us back at all is immoral, until some semblance of safety is guaranteed.

2020/09/22 10:41:39 PM AST Isabelle S (please keep name anonymous) 610 W Morgan St Apt 106 Durham

Dear Respected Board Members,

I am an elementary AU Teacher in Durham Public Schools. Before you vote on whether or not to continue virtually learning in Plan C, I urge you to consider these questions. I admit that many of these questions are specific to our EC students, however, I feel it is imperative that EC, not only be included, but be at the center of this conversation tonight, and all times, moving forward. How can I and my IAs socially distance while changing a student's diaper or while toilet training students? (PS: We ran out of gloves in March, after placing an order in February, and still have not received a new box.) How do I stay 6 feet away while feeding students? (Some students may require 1:1 support to eat their meals - breakfast, lunch, and snack.) What happens when students refuse to wear masks? (I have heard that EC students will not be required to wear masks if we return.) How do I teach students who require 1:1 support with all academic activities, while remaining 6 feet away? What if their IEPs include accommodations such as proximity to teacher and hand over hand support? How can I stay 6 feet away when students require full hand over hand support to write and participate in fine motor activities? (Writing/fine motor is a big part of the school day!) What happens when students do not understand the concept of social distancing and are constantly coming near you and trying to hug you? What happens when they pull down your mask? (This has already happened while dropping off materials for students.) What am I going to do when I need to hold a student’s hand while walking in the hall? What happens when a student falls down and needs help getting up? What happens when my sister/roommate is unknowingly exposed at her school and I go to work and pass it on to all of my students? Will my school inform all families about the exposure? How many of us will have to quarantine? Who is going to pay for all of the sanitation supplies for my classroom? (Typically, parents and I donate Clorox wipes to our class, but with the national shortage on wipes, who will be providing these? I will no longer be able to pay for school supplies for my class and even if I could, they are unavailable. Also, we usually use at least one bin of wipes per week, but with the current situation, we will probably go through multiple boxes a week.) What happens when a student gets sick at school and their parents aren't able to pick them up? Where do they go? (We only have a nurse 2.5 days a week at school so it is likely that the nurse's office will be unavailable.) How can students socially distance on a bus when many students sit 2-3 kids per row because the buses are already overcrowded as it is and there is no money to get additional buses? Last year, I had a student who required assistance getting on and off the bus and getting strapped into their carseat. There were even occasions when we had to ride the bus while sitting next to them for behavior support. What happens when a student elopes from the classroom or the building? How do I socially distance if students require hand over hand support to wash hands? How do I socially distance if students require hand over hand support to blow their noses? What happens when your classroom only has 3 large tables and no desks, making it impossible to sit students 6 feet apart? What happens when the nurse is out and we only have access to an oral thermometer but students refuse to put the thermometer in their mouth? If a student goes home with a temperature, will they be required to stay home for 14 days? What happens when I don’t feel safe going to work? I have heard rumors that we will be fired if we speak out about feeling unsafe or want to take leave. What happens when I am forced to go in person to work, out of fears that I will be fired, and so that I do not burden my colleagues, but I have students who want to remain virtual? Will I be responsible for teaching them as well as my students in person? Does Ignite Academy have EC teachers that would be able to teach my students and provide them with the appropriate instruction? Lastly, WHO is going to pay for all of the measures and protocols we will have to have in place in order for this to be safe? FYI, I pay between $300-$600 a year for my own school supplies. If you find yourself unable to answer a few, or all of these questions, then I know how you feel. I have been grappling with these for 6 months, and the only conclusion that I’ve come to is that in person schooling is not a safe option right now. It will continue to be unsafe until we no longer see new cases every day. Finally, let's be clear, I want nothing more than to go back to school next month and be with my students in person, but we know that this is NOT safe for anyone. I would like to add that it would be much easier to go back to school in person, so I am by no means choosing the easy path. Since school started on Aug. 17th, I have been working 14 hours days in order to meet all of the demands of virtual learning. I have yet to receive a DPS or school training on how to teach EC students virtually, or how to teach any elementary students virtually for that matter. Just last week, I was given access to sample EC virtual lessons. While I am very grateful that the district provided us with these materials and sample lessons, I expected this support at the beginning of August, not half way through the first quarter. Also, I would like to mention that EC teachers have been providing instruction to students 7 hours a day, 5 days a week, since day 1. Even though our general education colleagues are only teaching 3 full days and 1 half day (Mon/Tues/Thurs & Fri), EC has not been given any additional planning time. Lastly, my students deserve to be able to participate in Wellness Wednesday. Because they receive services each day of the week, I have been told that Wellness Wednesday is not an option for us. Considering that the school board is very concerned with equity, I hope that you will assess this issue and create a solution that is equitable for all students. Not only do you have a duty to keep our students safe, but you have a duty to ensure that all students are being treated fairly and given access to what they need in order to make virtual learning as successful as possible. Forcing my students and me to make the unsafe and dangerous decision to go back to in person school, could result in death. Last week, I attended a zoom meeting with DPS colleagues. I heard IAs, teachers, therapists, and facilitators all speak on their fears and anxiety of having to go back to in person school this fall. There was one story that I haven’t been able to get out of my mind. I want to share it with you all in hopes that you recognize the gravity of your decision tonight. One of my colleagues shared, while in tears, that she has been having nightmares, every night, about going to student’s funerals after they have died from COVID-19. We know based on the data from other school districts that have opened, and from the last 7 months of dealing with this virus, that it would only be a matter of time before a teacher and/or student dies. The thought of going back to school this fall, when NC had over 900 hospitalizations today, (9/21) is terrifying. I'm scared for myself, my kids, and their families. I did not sign up to be a sacrificial lamb and neither did my students. We as educators and School Board Members, have a duty to protect our most vulnerable population. Voting to remain in Plan C is doing exactly that.

Sincerely,

A teacher who cares deeply about the wellbeing of her students, their families and my colleagues.

2020/09/23 8:11:24 AM AST Patricia Karim Obregon Lozano 900 Milton Rd 27712

2020/09/23 9:33:47 AM AST Duane Ressler unlisted Durham, NC

First, I'd like to say that since you are considering reopening schools for in person education, you should be holding an in-person board meeting that is open to the public. If the board is unwilling to meet in person with the public on this issue, it's very clear that you are not comfortable with the risks involved with that level of exposure. How can you legitimately consider opening schools to put students and staff at risk when you are not willing to take on that risk yourselves?

Second, Dr. Akinboyo's expertise is in pediatric infectious disease but we all know that the primary risk of death from reopening schools is your most experienced staff members and the parents and grandparents who are caregivers to the students. You need to demand data on that transmission risk in order to make this decision.

Third, how will you be supplying appropriate PPE (N95 or P100 masks) to students and staff, given the challenges with maintaining appropriate social distancing when we know transmission occurs well beyond 6 feet?

Fourth, you already have an incident of exposure to COVID-19 at Hillside High School despite your significant precautions and you are only dealing with staff at this time. Do you honestly think that you can expect to do a better job of screening students than you are doing with staff members?

Finally, Dr. Akinboyo referred to the issues at the collegiate level and specifically placed some blame on the students for the issues at NCSU and UNC. But it's clear, based on data from other universities like Duke and UNCG, that preparation by the universities is a major factor. What detailed information has the board examined on these issues regarding plans that worked and plans that didn't? Durham County has a much higher occurrence of COVID 19 in the community than most parts of the state, in fact we have one of the highest per capita infection rates in the state. Looking at data from rural NC counties will not provide an accurate picture of the challenges facing DPS.

2020/09/23 9:49:02 AM AST Chelsea Earles 1709 Glendale Ave. Durham, NC 27701

We cannot send students and school employees back into school buildings until we have seen virus levels drop and we have funded all the health and safety measures we need. This includes increased staffing for teaching smaller classes, driving smaller busloads, surveying and taking temperatures of all students and employees, quarantining and caring for people who become symptomatic, initiating protocols when someone gets sick, cleaning all parts of buildings regularly, etc; also greatly increased PPE for students and school employees, desks and dividers for classrooms, extra classrooms, air purifiers for all spaces, and properly functioning HVAC systems (which we need anyway); supplies for the increased cleaning and air purification, extras supplies so that students won't be sharing... I pray that we will begin to see adequate funding of our schools in the years to come but until then we are sending students and employees into harm's way if we open the schools. We would be especially endangering the lives of people over 55 and anyone who has a pre-existing condition, though we have seen this virus claim the lives of otherwise healthy children and adults too. We should address the needs that are not yet being met by online learning, and the needs of our families during this pandemic, not rush back into unsafe schools during flu season as though that will solve our problems. We can't go back to the old normal, we need to address our existing problems and plan for the future.

2020/09/23 10:07:03 AM AST Erin Gallagher 2318 Englewood Avenue Durham

I urge the DPS Board to prioritize our neediest students as you consider how to safely reopen for in-person learning. Remote learning is hard for many families, but I am concerned that there are students who are being completely left behind by virtual school. EC and ESL students who cannot receive effective virtual services and children who do not have a safe, supportive place for remote learning should have the option to be first in line if the Board decides it is safe for students and staff to return to our school buildings.

2020/09/23 10:24:07 AM AST Dayanara Mejía 1202 Maroon Dr Durham, NC, 27713

2020/09/23 10:41:59 AM AST Claudia Dearborn dr Durham NC 27704

Plan B

2020/09/23 10:47:51 AM AST Alexis Rose 511 Cleveland Street Durham, NC 27702

We are not ready to open on Plan B for the second quarter of school. The threat of COVID has not lessened since this summer, and now we face the added threat of a difficult flu season. It will be only be acceptable to go back in person when there is a vaccination or when DPS has the funding to provide protection for teachers and students as well as the funding for mental health resources to fully support school communities when students, teachers, and family members get sick and die.

From a teacher's perspective, we also need to consider the effectiveness of instruction. The first several weeks of school were spent getting students online and figuring out the most effective ways to teach in the virtual world. We have now reached a place where effective teaching and learning is happening. To move to Plan B would be to lose several more weeks of instruction as we attempt to figure out how to be effective while social distancing and sanitizing in person.

2020/09/23 11:04:30 AM AST Amanda Castizo 1405 Manteó st Apt A Durham NC 27701

Creo con el plan B que sea decisión de cada padre o madre de enviar o no a la escuela a sus hijos porque cada familia tienen diferentes necesidades .

I believe Plan B should be the decision of each parent to send their children to school or not, because each family has different needs.

2020/09/23 11:21:58 AM AST Camila bojoy huaxi 628 E carver DURHAM

No megusta la reapertura total ay mucho peligro todavía me los quedo en mi casa por seguridad de mis hijos

I do not like the total re-opening of schools, there still a lot of danger. I still keep my children at home for their safety.

2020/09/23 11:22:22 AM AST Marisol Domínguez 2800 Croasdaile dr durham nc 27705

Plan c for school

2020/09/23 11:22:45 AM AST Krystal Moore 3903 Bivins rd Hillsborough nc 27278

Please remember that Covid is not over and reinfection occurs. Nz and other have had to go back to full quarantine. If the district cannot offer PPE to Educators and Students, more nursing staff, and an assurance of safety protocol we should not return to the classroom where we can be infected. Mastery is 70% of you can't keep the bulk of students safe and refuse to adopt rules regarding mask safety and distancing then we have no reason to be in close proximity in classrooms.

Lives are not dice to be gambled with.

2020/09/23 11:29:41 AM AST Durham People's Alliance Education Action Team P.O. Box 2935 Durham, NC 27715.

Dear DPS Board of Education, Governor Cooper has recently announced that local school boards can allow NC elementary schools to implement plan A at full capacity with only masks required. The People’s Alliance Education Action Team would like to stand in solidarity with Durham county educators and strongly oppose a full return to plan A. While we are encouraged by the decline in the positive-test-rate in Durham County, we ask the board to consider a cautious reopening plan that is equitable and fair to ALL students and educators. The Education Action Team believes Durham County numbers remain low because students have remained in remote learning environments. We feel that plan C should continue for the second quarter in order to maintain class cohesion and ensure adequate time for a safe and consensus-based transition. However, we also recognize that distance learning is not optimal, and affects families in different ways according to their needs and circumstances. Thus we ask the BOE to consider the following in preparing a cautious Plan B. Suggested points: 1. The guiding principle of any reopening plans should be the safety of students, teachers and staff. 2. Standards for reopening should be based on scientific research . Benchmarks for reopening should be made explicit to all stakeholders, and plans should be in place for a return to plan C if benchmarks are exceeded while plan B is in effect. 3. DPS should provide weekly reports on COVID positive cases either via DPS websites or through NCHHS reporting systems. Schools impacted by COVID should provide easily accessible information about the number of students/staff affected, as well as the DPS response for each case and/or cluster of cases. We understand that due to HIPPA laws information on specific classrooms may not be shared, but we ask DPS to be as transparent as possible within the confines of privacy laws. 4. PPE must be provided by DPS and should always be available. There needs to be an independent process to take complaints and reports about lack of PPE. 5. Any return to school should be on a volunteer basis for both teachers and students/families. Teachers should have the option to continue teaching remotely if they feel it is not yet safe for them to teach in-person. Teachers should not have to share private health information about themselves or their families to justify their decision. 6. Teachers should not be asked to teach both online and in person. 7. We strongly urge a phased return , with a priority of students with highest need for in-person instruction. As stated above, we feel a full implementation of plan B for Quarter 2 would be premature. However, options for school-based learning pods should be explored and considered for K-1 learners, students with moderate to severe learning disabilities, and students whose families report significant challenges with the logistics of online learning. These intermediate steps could pave the way for a full implementation of Plan B in January if conditions continue to improve, as we hope they do. In closing, we recognize the challenge and uncertainty of the fall. We are thankful for the hard work that the district and its teachers have put in to bring us forward from where we were during the fourth quarter of last year. We believe in the importance of the physical and mental well-being of all students, educators and staff. Thus, we ask that any executed plan should minimize the disruption to instruction, and allow flexibility during transition. Durham People’s Alliance Education Action Team

2020/09/23 11:50:47 AM AST Tal Matalon 208 N. Driver St Durham NC 27703

Good evening, board members, and thank you for you commitment and leadership. I am writing today to ask that DPS remains on plan C at least through quarter 2 of the school year. As a DPS teacher, I worry that rushing to go back in person would have detrimental consequences on out communities. Many of the issues discussed in July and August still haven't been addressed: there aren't enough nurses, social workers, and school psychologists to serve at each building. The HVAC systems are still not updated to accommodate hospital-grade filters that will prevent mass infections in buildings. It is unclear what happens when a student is showing symptoms during the school day and isn't picked up, what happens when staff and students need to quarantine because of possible or confirmed exposure over and over throughout the coming months, whether there are enough substitute teachers to work throughout the district, whether substitute teachers will be working in multiple buildings - There are countless questions that need a clear answer before it can be considered safe and reasonable to go back in person. Remote teaching is hard, and not nearly as rewarding as meeting students in person and seeing their excitement to learn. Students share with us the stresses and difficulties of remote learning. We all know it is far from what we want school to be. However, what we will be able to have if we go back in person now is not what we miss having. Going back in person now will require enormous amounts of time spent policing distancing and hygiene, coordinating passing periods and bathroom breaks, trying to find ways to navigate the use of shared materials, classroom and school libraries, paper assignments, group work, brain breaks, and more. Above all that, living, working, and trying to learn every day through the stress of what we might be exposed to, what we might be bringing home to our families, experiencing and treating anxiety every time someone in the room coughs or sneezes, is a tremendous mental strain. This is not the school we miss or want to be in, and it isn't an environment where learning can happen.

2020/09/23 12:21:40 PM AST Robyn Fehrman Norton Street Durham, NC 27701

I encourage the district to move towards a hybrid approach that allows for some level of in- person learning. Remote learning has been an immense challenge for our family - even with the many privileges we have. I hope that district leadership will transparently share an evidence-based roadmap for how we move toward in-person instruction. What have we learned from other districts, private schools, and /or charter schools that have offered in- person instruction ? What would it take to apply that learning to DPS? Remaining in an indefinite virtual mode is simply unsustainable.

2020/09/23 2:11:16 PM AST Amy R Cleckler 809 North St Durham NC 27701

In terms of safety for all employees and students, it is best for our entire community if students continue to learn remotely. dPS should continue to partner with the city of Durham in doing everything possible to slow the spread of the coronavirus. In-person learning would increase transmission of the virus, especially affecting those most at risk.

2020/09/23 2:42:19 PM AST S. Weaver Costin court Durham, NC 27713

1. Can you please provide an update on Site C school on Scott King Road? We were told construction would start in March/May 2020 and open in August 2022. That is appearing to be unlikely. When will construction start? Lots of other construction in the area is proceeding. 2. As a board please force each individual school to inform parents of the covid policies. We need specifics of will parents be informed if a child or teacher tests positive in the classroom? Will that class be shut down and quarantined for 10 days? What specific actions will be done to reduce covid, such as social distancing in the classroom, and will classrooms be professionally cleaned? 3. For the parents who opt to stay virtual instead of returning will we keep our current teacher or be reassigned to a ignite/virtual online teacher? How many students will that online teacher have, 20, 30, or 40 plus?

2020/09/23 2:57:29 PM AST Ruth Siebers 5507 Loyal Ave Durham, NC 27713

I know there are many factors that must be considered in the decision for how DPS will operate in the second quarter of this year. Here is my perspective, for what it is worth. I work for DPS, as an OT. I serve 3 schools, 12 classrooms and 30+ students. While remote learning has had its challenges, for the most part I see success, learning, gained skills, smiles, team work and making the best of the difficult situation we are in. I would love to go back. I miss my students and co-educators so much. However, this can only happen when it is safe and equitable for ALL of us. That is not the situation right now. Some students have had more challenges with remote learning, but if we go back now, what will it look like, and how will that impact the students and their learning and mental health. Will I wear full PPE? Is that scary, reasonable or practical when working with students with different learning needs? How will we maintain a safe distance with children who needs hands on assistance and help with self care skills? Is this fair to ask us as educators? We give as much as we can, is it reasonable to risk our safety, health, mental stability and lives to perform the “job” we love? Or will we have to make a choice to pick one or the other? I hope I don’t have to be faced with that tough choice. Please consider all aspects of returning to school. It will still not be school as we knew it.

2020/09/23 3:02:37 PM AST Dayanara Mejía 1202 Maroon Dr Durham, NC, 27713

2020/09/23 3:19:54 PM AST Courtney Hexter 5004 Kettle Creek Way Durham, NC 27705

Wellness Wednesdays & Flexible Fridays as well as whole weekends have become catch up days. My children, who are in all 3 levels of DPS, have never spent so much time sitting & on screens in their lives. Some of what is being assigned has to be adjusted. The screen time for our children has been at an all time, unhealthy high since the 2nd week of school. Orientation week was a more acceptable amount of screen time. The students in my household are doing close to everything on screens. When they’re not in a zoom, they’re doing online assignments. Today I said, enough! Today & almost every Wellness Wednesday & Flexible Friday I have checked on my children to see what the wellness activities are only to hear them say they’re catching up on missing work. When I look at my children’s Canvas or SeeSaw or Google Classrooms I see assignment after assignment after assignment. It is too much.

When we parents wish to unplug or set boundaries for our children & our family it results in excessive work build up. Some teachers are even suggesting to parents that if a family is going away for a few days that the students should still be logging in, etc. especially if where you’re going has WiFi. This is not the intention of going away!

Older students working on school projects together are calling, texting, emailing, etc. at all hours of the day or night, 7 days a week to Zoom or FaceTime. It’s not healthy. We have to allow there to be time off of screens & away from school. These children need to be able to unplug & do their hobbies or whatever it is they need to to do recharge. Our children need to know we value this for them so much that we adults must do what we can to let them know how to do it. We cannot make it harder for them to learn such a valuable lesson. In many ways, we adults have had to learn to set boundaries around the 24/7 of work technology & try to have some work/life balance.

Now more than ever, it is beyond important for our children, the students of DPS to see our examples as those they wish to model. I’m sure the children of our DPS teachers would like their parents not to be on their screens for work as much as they likely have been since March. Just because we have devices 1-1 now & 24/7 technology does not mean we have to use it for everything, all the time.

Going virtual was & still is a huge undertaking that no one has done quite this way before. But, DPS did in fact have an online academy ready to roll out that was based in sound research around virtual learning from home. Some of that had to do with screen time. I believe it is time to tweak what we are doing to be more in line with that research because we are on the verge of a great deal of burnt out DPS students & families who are looking for other options.

2020/09/23 3:37:26 PM AST Nehemiah Arrington 2135 Bogarde St. Apt A1 27705

No matter how much we want to reopen schools that just is not safe right now. The numbers have not been high in our schools because we have not been in school. Flu season is upon us and it would just be too dangerous to have students in schools exposed to both. It is not smart and it is not safe. It is not fair for our teachers or students to be pressured into that choice of returning to schools. Teachers and students have died from Covid-19 by returning to school. We need to wait until we are completely ready and it is completely safe. Please consider our kids and PLEASE consider our TEACHERS!

2020/09/23 3:49:19 PM AST Lisa Cheek 190 Falcon Lane Rougemont, NC 27572

As a DPS teacher, I do not think we should rush back into the classroom. We are all just getting into the groove of online learning. The district has spent so much money on devices to just try it for a short time and then throw in the towel. We have no idea what repercussions we are going to face if we rush back into the classroom. I think we should wait and let another large district go first and see what their results are. Starting to return to the classroom after Christmas sounds like the safer plan to me.

2020/09/23 4:01:55 PM AST Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous

What consideration has been put into compensating special education teachers for an increased workload. EC teachers are required to complete more face to face time with students and have less planning time than other staff members, but are compensated equally. Other counties have an additional percentage in their pay structure to compensate EC teachers for their already heavy workload, but DPS has not. There is now a glaring difference in the workload of these educators and other educators, but there continues to be no added support or compensation. The position was already difficult to recruit and retain, virtual learning is going to make it nearly impossible if there is not equality or compensation for these teachers.

2020/09/23 4:02:02 PM AST Jennifer Neal 7752 Sandra Lane Raleigh, NC 27615

It is my hope that you take the findings of the surveys sent out to parents and staff into consideration. It was clear that the majority of parents and staff are not in favor for returning to the classroom the second nine weeks. Our schools lack the absolute basic infrastructure needs required to help keep us safe. Our schools will be like a petri dish when we return without the adequate hvac filtration systems in place, and windows that open. Please take care of those basic needs prior to exposing us to this deadly virus. When we do go back, social distancing, masks, smaller class sizes, and alternate learning days, along with proper deep cleaning and sanitization will truly benefit us all. Please don’t put us all at risk just because it is “tough”. It is tough on all of us. Worrying about our health and safety each day will take a serious toll on us all if we are to go back without being adequately supported and having our needs met.

2020/09/23 4:31:49 PM AST Noelle Dixon 11720 Coppergate Drive Raleigh, NC 27614

I'm not the type of person to speak out like this; however, being a teacher in DPS, who is healthy, I feel very anxious, stressed, and nervous to be back in the school building during the pandemic. Life as we knew it before COVID is never going to be again. Now is the time, as a society, to rethink how we are able to educate our students by providing them an elite 21st Century education. Elementary school-aged children learn online successfully in other booming economies (i.e. China).

I've read countless news stories of COVID entering the school building even with precautions and safety measures taken. People dying from it, and students as young as elementary school- age contracting it and passing it to their family members. Every decision I make within my class, I have my students in mind. Parents have reached out to my team and I thanking us for being organized, structured, and student centered. Our online lessons we've been teaching live and our small groups we've started pulling have been working as well. We need to think not only about our health and safety of our students, staff, and community members, we also need to think about how we are able to use this pandemic to accelerate other forms of education (i.e. online instruction). We need to remain online, fine-tune, and master the art of teaching and learning online.

2020/09/23 4:39:04 PM AST Dorothy A Carr 17 Hearthwood Circle Durham

While I fully agree that virtual learning is the best option for quarter 2, I am concerned about our current schedule. We all know that zoom fatigue is a real thing and that we are spending too much time on our computers. Except for our 45 minute lunch break, teachers and students are in zoom classes/meetings from 8:00 to 3:00 pm (or later) all day. While there is supposed to be a 15 minute break between each meeting, teachers usually spend this time checking the 30 emails/canvas notifications that came in, conferencing with students, and/or updating the lesson for the next class. Students spend this "break" finishing up assignments, figuring out how to properly submit things to canvas, or conferencing with teachers. There is hardly enough time to even step away from the computer, especially when the expectation is that everyone log in 5 minutes early to the next zoom meeting.

Overall, Mon, Tues, Thurs, and Fri, during the normal school day, Teachers do not have enough time to plan, adapt lessons to properly fit canvas, communicate with parents, differentiate instruction, or grade assignments. Students do not have enough time to complete their individual, differentiated assignments. Wellness Wednesdays were designed to give everyone a break, and let them get caught up. But when students have required clubs, teachers have required meetings, and everyone is expected to complete all the things they didn't during the other days, there is no real time for SEL. Both students and teachers are resorting to working longer days (11-12 hours), spending time on the weekends, and skipping out on valuable personal/family time to make it all work. Our current schedule is unstainable, and unhealthy for all.

2020/09/23 4:43:09 PM AST Amber Tovar 5810 Thistlerock Lane Durham

Good evening. I am concerned about the potential for schools to transition to in-person instruction too soon. Please commit to continuing online classes and delay moving into the buildings until sufficient funds have been provided by the state and federal government to ensure everyone's safety. Schools need to hire additional staff to ensure our safety, such as a full-time nurse and extra custodians for each building. As difficult as online instruction has been for everyone, we must continue to prioritize the safety of our staff and students.

2020/09/23 5:02:05 PM AST KaTonya Gary 112 Rosebud Lane Durham, NC 27704

I would like to express my concern about Wellness Wednesday in DPS. For my high schooler he has not experienced what DPS has presented Wellness Wednesday to be. It was told to parents that this would be a whole day for students to have some "down time" and to explore and participate in activities that would meet their social-emotional needs. However, this has not taken place in every school across the district. My son is assigned asynchronous current content based work from each teacher every Wednesday. I feel that just because there's no live meeting, that doesn't equate to "wellness". I have heard from other parents with children in middle and/or high school and they are experiencing the same thing while elementary parents that I have talked to, their children have experienced Wellness Wednesday the way it is supposed to be. The lack of consistency with this very important aspect of the school week is very concerning and our middle and high school students should be given the same opportunity of experiencing Wellness Wednesday the way it was presented. I hope that district leadership looks closer at how some schools are choosing not to implement a very vital aspect of the school week and ensures consistency across the district.

2020/09/23 5:04:06 PM AST Anonymous Teacher 511 Cleveland St Durham, NC 27704

School board members, your teachers are working incredibly hard and are very, very tired. So many promises that were made by district leadership going into remote learning have been broken and signals have been so mixed. Our district leadership tells us they want rigorous instruction, but don't want us to overwhelm the kids with too much work. They want us to meet all standards and be prepared for state tests, but make sure the students have time for wellness activities. Make sure our zoom sessions are accessible for students struggling with device issues, but also keep them secure. Record zoom sessions for student who miss them, but also don't because of student privacy. Demand that all students turn cameras on to ensure engagement, but also don't out of respect for student discomfort. We are expected to make parents happy who want less screen time as well as those who think we students don't have enough. Our leaders say they appreciate us yet their unreasonable expectations and unsustainable workload says they do not. We need clear priorities from our elected school board and we need accountable leadership to communicate those priorities effectively and distribute resources accordingly for remote learning to be effective.

2020/09/23 5:05:09 PM AST Jennifer Neal 7752 Sandra Lane Raleigh, NC 27615

2020/09/23 5:11:24 PM AST Tamara Carson 511, Molesworth Dr 27560

If DPS decides to return back to school physically, are all DPS schools ready and up to code? Also, has there been a survey sent out to parents about transportation? Do they feel comfortable putting their child on the bus? How does transportation effect an elementary school with over 600 students?

2020/09/23 5:19:58 PM AST Michael Bruno 2009 Sunset Avenue Durham

The rights of students with disabilities to a free and appropriate public education do not change during a pandemic. The Department of Education has issued no waivers or exceptions to schools’ obligations to these students. ‘Doing the best you can’ is not the legal standard. The School Board and Superintendent need to start with the assumption that IEP services have to be delivered, then develop safety protocols from there. Withholding services is not a safety protocol.

2020/09/23 5:21:48 PM AST Barbara Cherry 505 Wheeling Circle Durham, NC, 27713

This message is within the 3 minute time limit, I timed it. Please start reading here *No one likes change, and virtual learning is a big change and a challenge but sometimes you have to make adjustments for the safety and well-being of everyone involved. Being in a position to make a decision of this magnitude means your choice needs to be based on what is the safest course of action for everyone even if it’s not the popular option. How would we keep children and staff safe when new research suggests that COVID can be spread through airborne transmission and can spread more than 6 feet? You can’t have class outside in the winter! Who will pay for masks and PPE for students and staff every day? Also, cold and flu season presents a significant problem. COVID is not the flu, it is a DEADLY virus, and even if children 0-12 do not get as ill as teenagers or adults, they are carriers of the virus; over 549,000 children have tested positive for COVID-19 since the onset of the pandemic; only 11 states are keeping record of child infection rates. Children go home to their families and communities. This situation can easily become a domino effect that could be catastrophic. Durham County is in the top five for highest COVID cases in the state! Counties that have fewer cases have made the informed decision to stay home until January and then re-evaluate. Fatalities for COVID have doubled over the last four months. Half of the states in the nation are seeing record high cases. We don’t want a New York situation to develop. Even one life lost that could have been prevented is a price too high to pay. Politics should have no say here; it’s not about state officials trying to get elected or re-elected. It’s about safety!

2020/09/23 6:19:28 PM AST Keith Beyer 2009 Sunset Ave Durham NC 27705

Durham Public Schools has apparently made no progress in finding ways to provide meaningful support to EC students. Six weeks ago, I proposed a simple solution, which was to allow the delivery of in-person IEP services in the established Learning Center setting, which are operating under accepted Covid safety guidelines. When I contacted Assistant Superintendent Hardy about progress toward this option, she responded to me that it was only a change in the presentation of my son’s developmental disabilities that would make it possible for him to be admitted to the Learning Centers. Maybe the Learning Centers aren’t the right setting for these services; if not, DPS needs to devise an alternative option immediately. DPS has created and then ignored a community-wide crisis for some of the most vulnerable students and families, and is entering its second month of noncompliance with federal laws and its ethical obligations. It is the responsibility of DPS, not families, to provide a free and appropriate public education.

2020/09/23 6:41:09 PM AST Heather Formo 5321 Ephesus Church Rd Durham

I am making this comment for two reasons. First, I am a third grade teacher. I miss seeing my "kids", both present and past, in person. I miss being able to give them high-fives or hugs at the end of the day. I miss being in the classroom with them. I know that they learn better in the classroom. Teaching remotely has been a challenge for me and I know that learning remotely has been a challenge for my students. We have come a long way but I know that there is still a long way to go. Second, I am a daughter whose mother has metastatic breast cancer. While I am not her primary caregiver, I do go visit my parents several weekends a month to help them out around the house and spend time with them. I want to be able to do that for as long as I can since I don't know how much time I will have left with my mom. I want to be in the classroom with my kids but only if it is safe to do so. If we return to the classroom, and proper safety measures are not in place, I won't be able to visit her. I can't risk putting her health in any more danger than it already is. While teaching remotely is not ideal, I have been able to enjoy many weekends with my mom and dad. I'm scared that if we return to school, those enjoyable weekends will be over for the foreseeable future. That is not ok with me. As I am writing this, I have tears streaming down my face. I feel like I am torn between a job that I love and being to visit my mom. This is very hard for me. My questions to you are: 1. When we do return to school, what safety measures are going to be put in place to ensure that my "kids" and I stay as healthy as possible? Will we be given PPE? 2. Would it be possible for me to continue to teach remotely from home if the decision is made to return to school? I am not a primary caregiver to my mom, but I should still be able to go visit her and not worry about taking COVID, or anything else, home to her.

2020/09/23 7:08:49 PM AST Ariana Garcia Aquino N/A Durham, NC, 27704

I honestly miss in-person learning and being able to interact with teachers and classmates. It was much easier to complete assignments because teachers could explain the material without lagging due to bad internet connections. After school hours, homework needs to be complete on the computer; it requires even more time in front of a computer. Overall, the work is not any more difficult than it was in school, it’s just the internet issues and extra screen time makes it harder to focus.

2020/09/23 7:14:20 PM AST Chelsea Bartel 3 Elderberry Ct. Durham, NC 27703

Thank you DPS Board and all educators who have been working harder than ever this year. We see you and we appreciate you.

Unfortunately, our family has made the difficult decision to leave DPS in order to homeschool. Virtual school did not work for our children, and our hopes for flexibility in the duration of screen time, schedule, or expectations were dashed. It is difficult to hear DPS talk about the importance of mental health, flexibility, and grace in the midst of a pandemic. It is difficult to hear because we do not see tangible actions or policies supporting student mental health, flexibility, or grace for families where parents must still work full time and the young children cannot (and should not) be expected to manage many hours of virtual school independently. It seems that strict pacing, accountability measures, and an adhearance to testing policies designed for in-person school take precedence over any talk of being "all in this together."

We are hopeful that we may be able to return to DPS in the future, and hope that the incredible educators in DPS can be given the trust and autonomy they deserve to be creative and flexible with all students during these difficult times.

Thank you, Dr. Chelsea Bartel

2020/09/23 7:48:05 PM AST Elizabeth Jones 907 Onslow St. Durham, NC 27705

First, I would like to thank the teachers and staff who are working so hard to make virtual learning the best that it can be for DPS students, and the school board for making challenging decisions to keep our community safe.

First, I am concerned with Governor Cooper's decision to allow districts to move to Plan A for younger students, and do not feel that it is safe for DPS to do so at this time. Too many of our teachers and students are in high-risk categories for this to be safe. First, teachers must feel safe to be able to do their jobs effectively. Additionally, we must keep our students safe. According to the Washington Post, over 75 percent of children and teens who have died from COVID-19 were Black, Hispanic, or American Indian. Given the demographic make-up of DPS, these numbers are especially concerning.

However, I am also deeply concerned about our district's exceptional students, who cannot be well served virtually, and the disproportionate learning loss that Black and Hispanic students will likely experience due to virtual learning. Whatever plan the district creates to reopen schools must prioritize students who are at highest-risk of learning loss due to virtual learning. This should probably look like allowing certain groups of students (i.e. those with IEPS, English Language Learners, children of essential workers who cannot afford childcare) to attend school in person first.

Virtual learning has not been easy for my family by any means, but we are doing okay. Families like mine can and must stay home longer to allow students who really need to be in school to do so safely.

2020/09/23 8:29:35 PM AST Krystal Williams Fayetteville Rd Durham N.C. 27707

To DPS Board Members and Dr. Mubenga. I am a single parent of an autistic child that attends DPS. I want to commend the hard work and dedication of teachers and staff for stepping up to the challenges that this remote learning and pandemic has brought. Remote learning has definitely brought some challenges for my child. Everyday I have seen him struggle but we find a way to get through it. Despite the challenges of remote learning, I do not think that it is safe for students and staff to return to any form of in person instruction especially with the approach of cold and flu season among us. We do not know exactly how to determine whether someone has a cold, flu or Covid because those symptoms are similar. I think that would bring an additional level of paranoia to everyone. Therefore in person learning and instruction will not be effective. I do not think in person instruction is worth the life and health of students, and staff. Right here in Durham, we have already lost a student to COVID. That is one life too many. Across the state and country, there have been educators lives lost. Unless you can guarantee that no one in our school district will catch or die from COViD if schools open for in- person instruction, then we need to continue with remote learning.

2020/09/23 8:29:52 PM AST Keith Beyer 2009 Sunset Ave Durham NC 27705

2020/09/23 9:22:07 PM AST Ashley Zanter 8149 Kennebec Dr Chapel Hill NC 27517

I would like to acknowledge and thank all the staff and teachers who have been working hard to make online learning a meaningful experience for our children. I know there have been so many hard decisions and challenges, but you all have done an amazing job. I am hopeful when you feel it is safe families can have the option to go back to school for in person instruction. I think it is especially important for our youngest learners.

2020/09/23 9:48:32 PM AST Elaine Busillo 5049 McKittrick Lane Durham, NC 27712

Why are middle & high schoolers being given homework after spending 6-7 hours each day on the computer? Too much screen time & not enough time during school hours for independent work time. They are getting burnt out. Why aren’t teachers emailing concerned parents back even after 3-4 emails have been sent? Is it necessary to copy the principal every time we send an email? I feel like we are giving the teachers a lot of grace & being very patient (especially in the first few weeks). I do not feel like some of them are doing the same for the students. Canvas has been very confusing & some kids haven’t mastered it yet. There are too many different sites to check everyday for these kids. And how can we stop counting these kids absent who do show up everyday & try?

2020/09/23 9:54:22 PM AST Jake Stanley 1932 Crowell St Durham, NC 27707

DPS should not open in person, as that would put students, families and school workers at risk. We can not have one death or serious illness from COVID with longterm health effects on our conscience. Instead: Focus on improving online education and responding to the needs of families and teachers to do the best possible job. Thank you.

2020/09/23 10:23:57 PM AST Jake Stanley 1932 Crowell St Durham, NC 27707

2020/09/23 10:34:03 PM AST Courtney Bailey Ivy Meadow Ln. Durham, NC 27707

As a teacher, educating virtually has been difficult. In a lot of ways, I find myself having to reinvent the wheel daily to keep up with the needs of my students while spending what feels like astronomical amounts of time learning new technologies and troubleshooting old ones that in theory should just work. And since I'm a parent...I'm doing this while managing my own child's virtual schedule and workload. Despite the laboriousness of virtual teaching, it is something that I will gladly, and prayerfully get to, continue for the time being. As much as I would love to see my students face to face, it still does not feel safe to do that just yet. I am personally nervous about the probability of an uptick in cases as the weather turns cold and we enter into flu season. Even though I have confidence that the district administration will not put us back into buildings without safety precautions based on current scientific information, there are still too many holes in the science to be able to move back in the building with assurance. The current situation is not the easiest, but it is the safest. If our first jobs as educator is to ensure our students' safety then maintaining plan C is our best option.

2020/09/24 12:13:27 AM AST Keith Beyer 2009 Sunset Ave Durham NC 27705

2020/09/24 12:36:54 AM AST Allison C Swaim 2502 Shenandoah Ave B Durham

1. Robocalls do not reach all families. Robocalls do not reach most families. Robocalls are not enough. Most families never saw the survey.

We need a text-message-based communication platform (in addition to robocalls, social media, website, and emails) that we can use to send out concise, clear info in text message format and include bitly/short links. The robocall info should be condensed into short, clear blurbs before sending. Similar to robocalls, we should be able to select the range to be district-wide, school- based, grade-level based, etc. ALL messages should be in both English and Spanish.

There should be a very simple way for anyone (family members, students, staff) to opt in to this messaging platform if they somehow didn't get added when they enrolled their kid in school, for example. So many numbers on Powerschool are not correct and it is extremely tedious to get info updated.

We have needed a text-messaging communication platform for years and now it is even more crucial. Please look into this and make it happen.

Please consult working class parents/families, parents who speak languages other than English, and staff members whose fulltime job is communicating with parents and families - the Multilingual Resource Center staff members. And please make sure their input is not a checkbox but instead truly informs the way DPS adapts and improves communcation between school and families.

2. FULLY FUND THE MULTILINGUAL RESOURCE CENTER. There are not enough staff to meet the communication and bare minimum language access needs of DPS families. We are a long ways from language justice, but we need to be working towards that, and language access is a nonnegotiable. We need to do better.

3. Thank you for doing the right thing by starting the school year with Plan C. Please do the right thing by continuing with Plan C. It's the only safe option in this moment. Virtual learning is a real challenge for all of us - teachers, parents, and students, and some students more than others. But we've been figuring some things out and adapting and learning.

I teach history to all ESL students this semester. Many of my students have low tech literacy - or they did at the start of the semester. It has been a slow and frustrating process, but students are really learning a lot of new tech skills (hard skills that are very valuable and important for now and their futures), and teaching each other a lot as well. Our class is completely different than it would be in person, but we're figuring it out together and having a pretty good time most days.

Virtual school is not ideal but it is preferable to putting the lives and health of students, staff members, students' family members and our broader community at risk.

2020/09/24 1:38:17 AM AST amanda sublett 3009 Quincemoor Rd 27712

The emotional well being of our students is important. Many classes on the high school level are impossible to learn virtually. Dissections, building projects of engineering, science experiments, robot challenges, and many other class activities are being robbed from high school students who need these experiences before college. This school year is a handicapping year for these students. What are we doing to these kids? As people have gone back to work, I have not heard of other professions being given a vote as to whether or not they will work. No one asked nurses if they were willing to work. No one had the employees at Harris Teeter vote about if they would continue to work a register. My trash continued to be picked up from my curb without a discussion. The gentleman taking my order at McDonald's was not offered a virtual choice. Other professional employees who come in contact with me and my family on a regular basis were not asked to vote about should they work or not. Their options were 1- return to work or 2- no longer be employed.

2020/09/24 7:15:10 AM AST Keith Beyer 2009 Sunset Ave Durham NC 27705

2020/09/24 7:40:08 AM AST Piper King 2901 Gretmar Dr 27705

Durham Public Schools should not return to in person learning this quarter or the remainder of the school year. This puts children, families, staff, and teachers at risk of death. We must take lessons from other districts who have tried to open up across the country. We have the ability to chose to protect the community the school system claims to serve. Continue online learning or risk losing students and their families and teachers and staff. On another note, there are improvements that need to be made to online learning to make it accessible for all students and families. Teachers and families need to be consulted in making decisions about how online learning happens. Many families are unable, with the hotspots provided by schools, to access zoom so many students are unable to attend their classes. Students are unable to be on zoom for the alloyed 5-6 hours they are expected to be on. We need to adjust what is happening, not throw it out the window in favor of putting lives as risk. These changes are possible and learning remains possible. Going in person is not.

2020/09/24 8:15:53 AM AST Annmarie Rosas 1107 homecoming way Durham nc 27703

If education is a privilege then is paying school taxes an option? Get kids back to school

2020/09/24 8:57:48 AM AST Anonymous 511 Cleveland St Durham, NC 27702

I am a classroom teacher for DPS. DPS cannot open for in person learning yet. We do not have the funds or the amount of people needed to do this safely. DPS is not the same as other districts around us. If we open in person with the funds we have now, and lack of planning (because we still don't know what our schedule is or what we are suppose to be doing or what our expectations are for online learning and it is week 6), families, faculty, staff, AND the entire community of Durham county will be harmed. With that said, something HAS to change with online learning. The expectations/confusing expectations being put on teachers is beyond unacceptable. You are losing teachers, and you will lose more if you do not change something. NO ONE can zoom from 8-2 (teachers have meetings everyday after that time so we are on zoom for 8+ hours a day and are generally working 12+ hour days). It is not good for ANYONE. The argument that families need to work so kids need to be occupied is flawed. Families are not able to work during that time because they have 100000 apps they are being required to sign on to, families are being forced to have cameras on, and the expectations being put on 5 year olds make it impossible for families to work. 8-2 on zoom DOES NOT WORK. You have to listen to the teachers. I know that is a new concept for many of you, but you have to right now. We will walk out. We will quit. These families deserve way better than what you are giving them. We are the experts. NONE OF YOU HAVE TAUGHT VIRTUALLY IN A PUBLIC SCHOOL BEFORE. Students are not learning as a whole group due to tech issues and the long day. Everyday, EVERYDAY, I struggle to hear my students. They get booted out of zoom multiple times a day due to the hotspots and computers being unreliable. I spend most of my day working on tech issues. Students cannot learn when all I'm doing is that and explaining how to get on to the 500 apps they have to get on. Students are not learning this way and families are overwhelmed with assignments, grading, and testing. We cannot expect students to attend zoom or complete assignments, or complete testing when their hotspots don't work, thus we should not be testing or having ANY grades right now. How can I assess someone when their hotspot can't get them to the assignment? or to my zoom? We should be doing mostly asynchronous learning with small groups with students. This will offer families to be able to help them WHEN THEY AREN'T WORKING, and they will be able to learn in small groups because we will actually be able to differentiate.

2020/09/24 9:07:02 AM AST Jillian Sanchez Valley Springs Rd Durham, NC 27712

I have seen the parent survey results published by DPS regarding reopening plans. While it seems at the surface like most survey participants favor continued virtual learning , keep in mind that there are many families who are struggling with the current model of learning. There are many experiencing very real financial, emotional, and academic struggles who will not be able to continue under the current model. Please consider some form of re-opening for those students while still offering a virtual option to those who request it.

2020/09/24 10:40:39 AM AST Rebecca S Durham Durham

To the school board, as a DPS parent and very loyal public school supporter-I am asking you to consider reentry if the medical experts deem it safe to do so. My son, who learned English at age 5, is struggling with the format of remote learning. He is retaining nothing, and will likely repeat his grade. We have worked so hard to get him caught up to his peers, and I feel that that work is all being reversed. I care very much about the safety of kids and teachers. Remote school will be around regardless. Please consider so many elementary families are struggling with the format of all day remote school. I ask that you start to plan to phase reopening- whether that happens this year or in the spring. Please start the plan now. Listen to Wake Co school board and their plan.

Many many families have already left DPS this year in favor of homeschool because remote school is not sustainable for many working families. I ask that PPE is provided and teachers feel safe with social distancing. I think our Plan B was one of the smartest and best working plans in the state. It would keep the most people safe and spread out. Let the families who are having success, stay in remote school. Please give those of us struggling an option for in person-if not by this year, then definitely by Jan 2021. Thank you for all you do.

2020/09/24 11:07:16 AM AST Amada Tlaczani Hernández 4203 Thames ave apt A Durham N.C. 27704

Que se queden los niños en casa ahora que se viene el frío es mayor el riesgo de contagio

Let the kids stay home now that the weather is getting colder is a higher risk of contagious illnesses.

2020/09/24 11:08:23 AM AST Stephanie Heflin 2712 Montcastle Ct Durham, NC, 27705

Students are working hard online at this time. If there is a change from remote-only, please make it definitive and applicable for all DPS public schools, to avoid the "should I or shouldn't I?" decision that parents were going through before the "All remote" decision was made for the first quarter.

2020/09/24 11:09:13 AM AST Alejandra Estala 1103 N Buchanan Blvd #A Durham nc

Yo estoy de acuerdo en el plan C Todavía aún ahí riesgo de contagio. Más ahora que están empezando los fríos.

I support plan C. There is still risk of contagion. More now that the weather is getting colder.

2020/09/24 11:10:33 AM AST Nubia peralta 706 colfax st apto B Durham NC 27701

Me gustaría continuar con el plan que tenemos tengo dos niños en la escuela una niña con síndrome de down problemas de asma corazón y no estaría dispuesta a arriesgar su vida ellos no guardarían la distancia porfavor continuemos cómo estamos por ahora gracias

I would like to continue with the plan that we have. I have two kids at school; a girl with Down syndrome, which has asthma and hearth problems and I am not willing to risk their life. They would not keep their distance with others; please let us continue how we are for now, thank you.

2020/09/24 11:11:02 AM AST Juana Garcia 719 Belvin ave Durham

Mi familia quiere que mis hijos sigan con el plan C es por cuidar su salud que para nosotros es lo más importante y si me gustaría que las clases fueran más cortas y así puedan tener oportunidad en práctica la escritura. De antemano muchas gracias por su atención

My family wants my children to continue with plan C, it is to take care of their health, which for us is the most important thing, and I would like the classes to be shorter, so they can have an opportunity to practice writing. In advance, thank you very much for your attention.

2020/09/24 11:13:40 AM AST Anonymous - Durham

I am a teacher for DPS and I do not think it is safe to go back to school in person. Research has shown that the virus disproportionately impacts the black and brown communities. I am very concerned that the district is not prepared to reopen in person, and that doing so would put our families and staff members in unnecessary danger. Virtual learning is not without its challenges, but the health and safety of the communities we serve must come first. In other states that have reopened schools in person, there are very concerning reports from teachers that describe hazardous conditions. I worry that reopening before we are ready for the sake of educational concerns, will lead to an even larger educational disparity than we are seeing already. Teachers have worked TIRELESSLY these past 7-8 weeks to make virtual learning successful, and I personally have found that we are making gains! Please consider the emotional, physical and mental impact of reopening schools in person. Is the district truly financially prepared to keep all of us safe?

2020/09/24 11:16:02 AM AST Chrissie Koroivui 9 Nadeau Ct Durham NC 27704

I would like to request that if a magnet student unenrolls during the pandemic, that they not lose their magnet spot if they re-enroll later in the same school year or the following year. Thank you.

2020/09/24 11:34:05 AM AST Thuy-Ai Nguyen 523 Tall Oaks Dr Durham, NC 27713

I hope DPS chooses to go their original Plan B route for families, where they have a virtual/remote only option as well as an in-person option with social distancing/reduced class sizes that meets every weekday since returning to a normal overcrowded classroom size will not be in the best interest of anybody. DPS also needs to give teachers the option to teach remotely if they have known underlying health conditions that make them extremely Covid-19 sensitive. For the safety of teachers & students, especially those in zip codes 27703/4 (or whichever the Durham County health dept tracked as containing the most positive cases) we should do routine weekly pooled testing of each classroom. More resources need to be diverted to these schools to ensure that it can remain a safe place for teachers & students. For instance, I don’t think DPS can open all elementary schools & all grades at once. They will need to do it with one grade at a time & tweak their protocols as they go along to get things running smoothly. It will have to be a slow re-entry so that everyone feels safe & accustomed to new school protocols. School will never look like it did in pre-Covid times for the foreseeable future. Everyone will have to make sacrifices in order for schools to re-open.

2020/09/24 11:39:40 AM AST Demi Pengelly 615 Grist Mill Ln Durham, NC 27712

Our children are currently attending a Learning Center which not only is emotionally and mentally straining on us, but financially as well. We are paying $270 per week and do not feel that they are receiving the care and support that they need and deserve. My 5 year old is overwhelmed and upset that he cannot be at a "real school" and we do not feel that he is absorbing any of this information as it is all new to him. He also does not understand that school is not just Zoom, there are other components. But as myself and my husband are working, we are not there to help him navigate this. That is not only hard on us, but equally as hard on both my children. I personally feel extremely disconnected from what is going on inside the Learning Center, as there is not open communication. All I hear from my children is the lack of social distancing and other children misbehaving. This does not make me feel secure that my children are being cared for! But what other options do we have?

I implore you to think about what is best for our children, for all children. Socialization and rapport building are the blocks that these children (are future leaders) need to grow on. Being isolated and withdrawn from everyone is not only mentally taxing but emotionally unhealthy. As a licensed clinical social worker, I am more aware of this and express my utmost concerns! Please send our children back to school!

2020/09/24 11:39:42 AM AST Jake Stanley 1932 Crowell St Durham, NC 27707

2020/09/24 11:48:46 AM AST Rachel Wellersdick 4100 Five Oaks Dr. #56 Durham

I don't think it's safe for the kids to return to the school building yet. I don't think the schools have received proper funding to be able to open safely.

2020/09/24 11:49:41 AM AST Sara Stewart 920 W. Trinity Ave. Durham, NC 27701

I work in an Elementary Autism classroom, and really hope the board decides to stay on Plan C as I believe it is the best choice for my students, coworkers, and community. While I desperately miss teaching my students in-person, it would be a grave mistake to return to unsafe work environments. Some of my students require full physical assistance eating and toileting, others have aversions to types of clothing and wearing masks, others have difficulty covering their sneezes and coughs, etc. If we return in-person this semester, it's not a matter of "if" someone in my class or school gets sick, but "when." We are not prepared to return safely and must prioritize the safety and well-being of our public school employees and the communities we serve by choosing Plan C.

2020/09/24 11:50:37 AM AST Vanessa Safie 413 Crestview Dr Durham NC 27712

Please continue with remote only options. All the progress we've made regarding the virus could very easily be undone. The science shows that in person school contributes to community spread.

2020/09/24 11:52:50 AM AST Victoria Gonzalez 601 wildwood dr Durham NC 27712

PLEASE LISTEN TO OUR PLEAS!!!!! I have 4 children in DPS, 2 have IEPs and the other 2 were above grade level this pst spring before they changed to remote. Their teachers are trying their best but it just is not enough. My kids that have IEPs are NOT receiving their services properly. Doing remote learning has impacted ALL of my children negatively and I beg you please atleast give the option of having the CHOICE of in person class, even if it’s just 2 or 3 days a week. THAT will do so so much good instead of what it is now. YOUR TEACHERS AND TIRED AND STRESSED - YOUR STUDENTS ARE SUFFERING EMOTIONALLY, PHYSICALLY, and ACADEMICALLY!!!!!! Please just consider and listen to us!!!!!!!

2020/09/24 11:54:44 AM AST Bethany Chappel 907 N Buchanan Blvd. Durham, NC, 27701

In considering the decision to re-open, I'm asking the board to center the kids with the greatest needs. The board has heard pleas from parents, especially parents of EC kids, that Zoom school has been a disaster. I've sat with my child (pre-k) on Zoom and I can see that other kids are chatting, participating, doing their work. My child can't. He lasts about 5-10 minutes before melting down. To decide tonight in favor of more virtual school is to say that we're fine with some kids getting one type of education, and kids like mine with delays, disabilities, and other challenges receiving little or none at all. It's to say that we never expected much from these kids anyway. I have nothing but respect for teachers and staff and am loathe to put even one of them at risk. But we have learned so much from schools that have opened, and from additional scientific evidence over the past 9 weeks. We know that surface transmission is unusual, and that outdoor transmission is almost nonexistent. We also know that masking works, and in places that have opened with masks, infections rarely spread. I believe the board can re-open the schools safely for the kids with the greatest need for in-person instruction. Even half days, a couple days a week, outdoors, would be better than what's happening right now. We can protect teachers & staff while being more creative and willing to truly center the needs of kids not served by Zoom learning.

2020/09/24 12:07:12 PM AST Anonymous Anonymous Durham, NC 27712

Durham families deserve a choice when it comes to the education their children receive. As a parent of an EC student, the regression that I have seen in the last several weeks is highly concerning. Service delivery such as speech, OT and EC were never meant to be delivered online and it is such a disservice to the most vulnerable children within Durham Public Schools. Please consider allowing schools to reopen under Plan B or at least reintegrate our EC children back into in person educational settings. DPS has lost so many families this year due to private, charter and homeschool enrollment, please don’t allow the continuation of online schooling to further increase the achievement gap.

As a DPS educator, please provide additional oversight for DPS administrators, as some are abusing their power and are at risk of losing amazing educators. DPS cannot lose their top educators due to power seeking administrators.

2020/09/24 12:09:31 PM AST Maricruz Romero Conde 2810 Maple Ridge Dr Durham

Me gustaría que continuaramos con plan C

I would like to continue with Plan C

2020/09/24 12:20:23 PM AST Mitza Lopez 17 manson pl Durham nc 27703

Plan C

2020/09/24 12:22:40 PM AST Maria Martinez 1817 Hillcrest dr Durham

A mi me gustaria plan c

I would like Plan C.

2020/09/24 12:24:10 PM AST Rann Bar-On 208 N Driver St Durham, NC 27703

Dear Chairman Lee and Members of the Board,

I am writing to urge the Board to take the return to in-person instruction as slow as possible. While I am glad to see COVID-19 rates dropping in our state and our city, that is at least in part due to our careful diligence in keeping teachers, staff, and students away from our schools. Recent research shows that while children are less likely to have severe cases of COVID, they are likely able to spread the virus extensively. It is therefore quite likely that if we allow a return to school, the outbreak in Durham will once again worsen.

It is of course important to provide alternative means of education and safety for the many in our community who do not easily have access to safe spaces to study, or for whom the physical presence of an adult is necessary for learning. The answer to that is not, however, to reopen schools. School buildings have no had HVAC upgrades. There are still nowhere near enough school nurses or social workers. These and more must be addressed before we return to schools. We cannot put the lives of our community at greater risk.

I urge the Board to commit to staying in Plan C at least until January. Regardless, I urge the Board to allow any teacher who wishes to continue to teach from home to do so.

Sincerely, Rann Bar-On

2020/09/24 12:27:49 PM AST Joan Karchmer 311 S La Salle Durham NC 27705

Last year, I saw the following in my daughter's 2nd grade classroom that make me very concerned about any plan to return to in person teaching: basic cleaning and school supplies were gifted by families and not supplied by the district; ventilation was poor as could be seen by flecks of insulation (or something I could not identify) coming through the vents and coating the desks and floor; and the teacher was already consumed with tedious tasks, including cleaning, as needed to support her early learners. I believe school could be safe for in person learning but these very fundamental things, at minimum, must be changed in order to keep everyone safe. Do we have the resources and the will to make this work for our kids and our teachers? Will you still expect teachers to come to class sick in order to avoid having to hire a substitute? What will be the protocol for the inevitable contaminations that will occur in a class filled with 7 year olds? What role will teachers play in literally policing public health and are they trained for that and is that how we want them to spend their time? If we cannot or will not commit the resources and time to a year of learning in a safe environment, then we need to do the safe, healthy, respectful thing and keep folks out of school. No one wants this outcome but what we do want is for the decision makers to do what's right based on what they actually know and the resources they actually have. Please do not gamble with my daughter's life. She is a devoted teacher and is just starting her career. Please think about the long-term.

2020/09/24 12:42:04 PM AST Anonymous Pelham RD Durham, NC. 27713

The way I see it there are two problems in front of us. The COVID pandemic and remote learning. Remote learning is a response to the pandemic, but a poorly implemented remote learning does not mean that we can risk in-person school during the pandemic. Remote learning must be made better in order to meet the needs of the children. it is not.

When school is in-person, elementary school lasts from 7:45 am to 2:15 pm, roughly 6.5 hours. I know there is not an hour lunch, let's round to 6. The current work schedule is about 2.75 hours. We need to find ways to engage with students with the materials they need to at least meet standards. Is this the amount of total education time while in-person?

Why are there teacher workdays when Wednesday and Friday are asynchronous? Why is connect optional? Why have we not found any way to socialize the children? Why are materials being shared on a DPS Chromebook that cannot be viewed with a DPS Chromebook?

If we cannot bring up the quality of remote learning I fear this experiment will not end well. If this is the best that can be done I hope you are ready to re-instate in-person learning and face the risks and consequences involved.

2020/09/24 1:08:56 PM AST Ana C Velasquez 1104 Sandlewood Dr Durham

Please extend the opening if the schools till 2021 Chatham county has made an executive order, already. For the best interest of our children's education and smooth transition

2020/09/24 1:10:34 PM AST Paige Ellis 3907 Hillgrand Dr Durham

Have any thoughts been brought about on how to do a stagger schedule of a few days a week? I know my child with learning disabilities has really suffered and needs that "in person" contact with learning but, we want all to be safe.

2020/09/24 1:11:45 PM AST magdalena lopez 702 Chance rd Durham nc 27703 Durham nc 27703

Mi opinión es que me gustaría que se quedara el plan C cómo estamos pienso que aún todavía no están preparadas las escuelas para mantener la distancia entre los niños sería difícil tengo dos niños especiales y para ellos se les dificultaría el que no tocar otras cosas o guardar la distancia ?

My opinion is that I would like to keep plan C. I think the schools are not yet, prepared to keep the distance between children, it would be difficult. I have two children with disabilities, and it would be very difficult for them not to touch other things, or keep their distance.

2020/09/24 1:15:08 PM AST Natalie Spring 801 Cleveland St Durham NC 27701

I have a kindergartner at George Watts. I am deeply impressed with the dedication and hard work of our teachers moving their curriculum online with little extra pay or prep time. I have friends with children at other DPS schools, I understand that Watts has less synchronous screen time than any other DPS school. My child is having a hard time staying engaged, I cannot imagine what we would do if we had 4-6 hours of required synchronous instruction each day for someone so young. I want there to be less synchronous screen time for all students. I want DPS to remain online only for at least the rest of the semester so that teachers have time to prepare for that work not pivot, again, to a different method of instruction. I want the classroom and teacher relationships to stay stable for the remainder of the semester so that teachers, students, and families are not relearning platforms, schedules, or tools. Finally, the only reason that the numbers in Durham are going down is because the two largest employers (Duke + Durham) are still largely remote and our children are all at home. If DPS opens up, you will see numbers increase as children and adults are interacting. I am worried for our teachers, our custodians, and professional staff who are in these buildings. Even without students, we had to close Hillside because of a positive test for someone working in the building. The school buildings would be routinely closed if they are re-opened for in-person in-building school. Keep us online only, keep the buildings minimally used, and lower the expectations for synchronous learning hours. We're in a pandemic and most families are barely holding it together as it is.

2020/09/24 1:25:53 PM AST Lorraine Sease 205 Watts St Durham NC 27701

I fully support the option of a return to school in person for our elementary age students. I believe there are many students who will suffer more from staying home than the benefit of reduced risk of infection. I would like to see the option of returning to school in person for people who want and need this. There should be a simultaneous option of continuing with on line schooling only if preferred. There should be plenty of best practices now from some of the private schools doing blended home/on line or full in person schooling. We must figure out how to do this as soon as possible.

2020/09/24 1:28:12 PM AST Julie Kent 28 Arrowwood Ct Durham, NC 27712

I am a parent of 3 DPS students. I urge you to keep school virtual at least through quarter 2. Cold and flu season will make symptom reporting extremely complicated. Family gatherings and parties around the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays will take place regardless of recommendations regarding such gatherings. Quarter 2 ends in mid-January, which is a couple of weeks after the holiday break. Waiting until at least that time to bring students back would hopefully help to ensure that we don’t have anyone bringing COVID into the buildings from potential exposures over the holidays. While virtual learning isn’t what any of us would have chosen, it is the safest option right now. I greatly appreciate everything that our educators are doing to make this work!

2020/09/24 1:38:38 PM AST Catherine Admay Duke East Campus, Basset House (we live on campus) Durham

Please *continue* with the online education to which DPS committed for 9 weeks. As a serious component of that policy decision, please reach out in distinctive ways to students and families for whom online education is not working/not sufficient. In other words, let's find concrete ways actually to overcome the problems of online education for our most vulnerable students without abandoning our current online learning model. I see how online education at our school (George Watts Elementary) is improving with every week. A big thank you to our teachers for building out a worthwhile educational program and bringing a learning mindset to it throughout.

2020/09/24 1:53:15 PM AST Karina Aldana 200 Lynn forest drive Durham NC 27713

Me gustaría seguir el plan C pero com más actividades sin tener a los niños tanto tiempo viendo la computadora y que los maestros sean más activos com más creatividad porque bien se escucha que hasta ellos tienen sueño a la hora de compartir la clase y pienso que deberían ser más creativos al dar su clase

I would like to follow plan C, but with more activities without having the children watching the computer for so long, and for teachers to be more active using more creativity because you can hear that even they are sleepy when it comes to sharing instruction and I think they should be more creative with their class.

2020/09/24 2:08:10 PM AST Andrea Smith 8621 Millers Bend Bahama, NC 27503

I hope this meeting helps the board decide to allow our children to go back to school. While DPS has done an outstanding job coordinating virtual learning, our children still lack certain necessities to have the best educational experience possible. Despite the negativity of some, in- person is of vital importance.

2020/09/24 2:14:57 PM AST Rebecca Kuhns 612 Wellingham Drive Durham NC

Greetings, Thank you for reading my comment. I apologize if I submitted this in the wrong place earlier. I am writing to publicly urge the Board to strongly consider a temporary alteration of the magnet assignment policy due to the devastating impact of COVID-19 on families and students. The difficulties inherent in virtual learning (and the understandable confusion until the very last minute in August, as to what the various virtual learning schedules at various schools would be) have caused many families to withdraw their students this fall to pursue the more predictable and flexible schedule that homeschooling offers. While some DPS principals were able to offer flexibility to families, other principals made it clear that students were expected to participate in a full virtual school day, which is not possible for all two-parent working families to assist, particularly for the youngest grades. I ask the Board to consider allowing students who successfully completed the 2019-2020 school year at a magnet, but have since withdrawn from their school-- to be able to rejoin their former magnet school in a special enrollment period when/if students return to in-person school this school year. Alternately, at a minimum I would ask that these students please be given priority consideration in the 21-22 magnet school lottery. All of our students have lost so much due to this pandemic. Please consider not forcing students to lose their sense of community with their former magnet school, if virtual learning via DPS did not work for their family. Thank you.

2020/09/24 2:31:53 PM AST Lourdes Carabajal 810 N Duke St Durham NC

La segunda ola del virus está en camino, vean países como España y Alemania ellos están lidiando con la segunda y este país tiene mayor índice de infección y mortalidad que ellos, seamos sabios por el bien de todos.

The second wave of the virus is on its way, see countries like Spain and Germany they are dealing with the second wave and this country has a higher rate of infection and mortality than them, let us be wise for the good of all.

2020/09/24 2:48:23 PM AST Allison Jaillet 2901 Bertland Ave Durham

Dear Board Members,

I’m not taking care of myself. I’m putting in 12 hour days minimum. I can’t catch up with emails. I had 5 hours of zoom meetings yesterday. A parent tried to chew us out. I started sobbing because I know I’m not getting everything done while in a staff meeting because I couldn’t keep up with what we were supposed to be filling out during the meeting. I’m still not sleeping well because we don’t know if, when, or how they are sending us back. All while North Carolina is still at about 1000 cases a day. Food is just another annoyance right now. I’m snacking on anything that provides short term energy to survive because I don’t have the time or energy to actually have a healthy meal. I’m yelling and angry at my spouse because otherwise I’m going to break. It is my only outlet. There are so many unknowns, so many unrealistic expectations and so much anger being misdirected at us teachers.

Things the district can do to help:

1. Stop telling me how I need to teach.

2. Stop making me attend useless meetings.

3. Make decisions and deal with the consequences. Are cameras on or off? Can students fail if they don’t turn in work like in regular school?

4. Tell students and parents that grades count. Otherwise you’re telling everyone we don’t matter and this is all just a waste of time and effort.

5. If you want us to recover, leave wellness Wednesday alone. Right now it’s the worst day of the week.

6. Get us off constant zoom meetings and let us actually teach so we can work with students when we see them and not just talk at them.

7. Trust that my Masters degree in Secondary Science Education and ten years of teaching means I know how to teach.

8. Let us say no to parents. No. We don’t need a meeting. Your child just needs to turn their work in. Save meetings for things that actually matter.

9. Our virtual school day shouldn’t be crammed into a regular school. See #6. Maybe a student watches the class at 7pm when adults are home. We need to offer flexibility.

10. Stop assuming we aren’t working. We are.

11. Set realistic communication standards for parents and students. Stop expecting instant responses. We aren’t social media.

12. Expect students to succeed. They are walking in with this view that they can’t learn. They can. Let us do our job.

13. Canvas was an unnecessary addition and made everything 1,000 times more complicated. And if you want us to use it probably you should have properly trained and paid us to learn this application. We are currently learning from other teachers who also don’t have training.

As teachers we are at our wits end. We have unrealistic expectations being set for us by the district, by the state, by parents and by students. We are concerned about our physical and mental well being. Please stop treating us as if we are unfit and replaceable. More and more of my colleagues are leaving this profession and choosing other careers. What happens then? What happens when there are not enough teachers for our students? Who will teach and care about them when the great teachers are gone because we cannot survive with what we have right now.

Thank You,

Allison Jaillet

10 year Science Teacher

2020/09/24 2:59:56 PM AST Lindsey Bickers Bock 205 Albemarle Street Durham, NC 27701

As a parent of two DPS students (2nd and 4th graders at George Watts) and a health educator with Durham County Public Health (though I do not speak for them), I encourage the Board of Education to acknowledge the following as it considers plans for instruction after the first 9 weeks this evening: - School is fundamental to children's wellbeing and development. - DPS teachers are making amazing efforts to engage students virtually, and yet, managing remote learning, work responsibilities, and family care is unsustainable for many families. - Remote learning further challenges communities that are already disadvantaged and marginalized, resulting in significant equity concerns. - As experts shared at the last Board work session, the COVID pandemic will continue to affect the school system throughout the current school year and into the 2021-22 year.

Just as the health department is tasked with making plans for mass vaccination, the Board of Education and Durham Public Schools must make a commitment to mapping out a realistic plan to return to in-person instruction. The state has provided detailed information for families, school leaders and local health departments through the StrongSchools NC toolkit, and as you observed at your last work session, we have a plethora of local experts available to provide guidance.

Outlining appropriate reopening procedures will challenge DPS in all areas of its strategic plan - increasing academic achievement; providing a safe school environment that supports the whole child; retaining outstanding educators and staff; strengthening school, family and community engagement; and ensuring fiscal and operational responsibility. This is not an easy task. However, for the overall wellbeing of our community, we must commit to working through the possibilities. We are DPS. We cannot yield the entire school year for all students in September. Even if we extend remote learning, we must start planning now to meet these challenges and return to school.

2020/09/24 3:05:15 PM AST Winema L. Jackson I would prefer for my address not to be read aloud during public comments. Durham

Although, I would love to work in person with my students and I would love for my students to be able to interact with each other in person, I do not believe it is safe enough for us to do so at this time. I want to make sure that students, parents, families, members of the community, and staff are as safe as possible during this pandemic. I believe social distancing is our safest option. Therefore, I request that we remain in Plan C until either a viable vaccine is accessible to the public or there is a 1% rate of infection of COVID 19. Thank you.

2020/09/24 3:19:08 PM AST Sally Grant 1022 W. Markham Ave,. Durham, NC 27701

I believe that my children, their teachers, and I are just getting the hang of online school (which took about 2 months instead of a couple of weeks--but thanks for making the first couple of weeks about figuring things out!) I understand that I am in an exceedingly privileged position of being a "Stay-at-Home-Mom" and having a spouse who can do his "white collar" job remotely from home, and that not all families in Durham are so lucky! However, Canvas, Seesaw, and Clever are working for my particular family thus far. I feel it is still too soon in this pandemic to run the risk of reopening schools!

2020/09/24 3:22:24 PM AST Jennifer Hemmerlein 6007 Newhall Rd. Durham, NC 27713

I have a kindergartener and a 4th grader at Pearsontown. The teachers, staff and administrators are doing a wonderful job of trying to make virtual learning feel as much like "normal" school as possible, but this model isn't sustainable. My kindergartener is struggling to stay engaged, not because the teacher isn't trying, but because he's not built to learn through zoom. I do not support sending the children back into the building until the metrics say it's safe. I do not want our teachers, bus drivers, food service workers, administrators and custodians to be at risk. I hope there's a way to reevaluate how children can keep learning virtually, while helping the youngest of the group be better engaged.

2020/09/24 3:23:31 PM AST Jen Holcomb 1409 Norton St 27701

While remote learning has been a challenge, I think that trying to reverse course in the middle of the semester is going to lead to a great deal of confusion. In addition, COVID-19 continues to circulate in the community; despite initial reports to the contrary, it is spread in such a way that sending my daughter back to school in a building that cannot be adequately ventilated in the fall and winter months is an impossibility, especially considering that colds and the flu will be circulating as well. My husband and I both have conditions that make respiratory illnesses especially dangerous, so we would have to find an alternative to in-person learning, and we have no idea what that would look like. Regardless, it would be extremely disruptive to my child, who needs as much consistency in her life as possible right now. Please keep the schools closed for the health of our children, families, teachers, and support staff. I would like to add that DPS, and E.K. Powe in particular, has done a wonderful job in spite of all of the challenges this year.

2020/09/24 3:30:47 PM AST Vikki Vilcek Longwood Drive Durham, 27713

How often is the right path the easiest path? Sometimes luck is thrown our way, but chances are that more often than not, the best solution is incredibly challenging to take on. Our kids need the district to stop kicking the can down the road and instead take on the significant challenge of bringing students back to classrooms, safely. What's more, now is an ideal time to make sweeping changes to what may actually be antiquated ideas about “school”. This would give us an opportunity to conscientiously address everyone’s safety, provide support, and secure resources. I see creative solutions happening in surprising places where people are focused and intent on doing the right thing—whether it be for patients, clients, or strangers. Our schools should be no different. They should be a model! Instead, some of our kids are developing an aversion to school. I fear they will lose their lust for learning. To combat these side effects, we need to be flexible and we need to be willing to adapt. We need to be brave. Even before COVID, every day I got in my car to drive anywhere, I was taking a risk. Now, every day a nurse interacts with patients, they take a risk. Every day the grocery store cashier clocks in, they take a risk. If we continue to draw an invisible line in the sand about when and only when it’s “safe” for everyone to be back at school, we continue to lose the opportunity to set our children on a path for holistic learning and ultimately toward healing.

2020/09/24 3:31:43 PM AST ebonye brim-kinte 5507 jessip street morrissville

"I am a teacher in a 2nd grade classroom and I in no way, shape, or form feel comfortable or safe going back to school. None of my top concerns have been addressed. There is still poor ventilation and air flow. There is still less than lukewarm water to help kill germs. Clorox wipes and cleaners and Lysol air sprays are still not readily available. We are still short staffed. Families frequently send their students to school with fevers, runny noses, and flu symptoms. Should we cross our fingers that this year will be any different? Will there be consequences or repercussions for families that consistently endanger the health of other students and staff? What will be the procedure if students/staff are asked to quarantine? Will the students be given links to a new teacher’s online class, further disrupting routines and consistency? Just this week, Hillside High School had a possible Covid positive and the building was shut down. Are we going to shut down entire buildings for EVERY possible Covid positive if elementary schools go to Plan B or C OR 6-12 go to Plan B? If so, I imagine having more “quarantined/no school days” than in school days.

Parents have been told over and over that they will get to choose what is best for their families, but what options do teachers have other than "applying to teach virtually" or quitting? Parents have been told that their choice will be granted; why is that not the same for staff? There have been no clear answers regarding who will be “accepted” or “be allowed” to teach virtually. How long will the decision take? Will the virtual teachers have new supervisors and have to adjust to curriculum changes that different schools have if they are “sent” to virtually teach students from a different school?

We have been teaching virtually for 6 weeks now. We have learned lots of things together and we are being successful and making progress towards our curriculum goals. It took time to build classroom routines, community, and to get kids working toward goals. If we go back to school in October, our momentum will be lost and students will have to be divided up and separated from their online peers and teachers. It will take more time to adjust and feel safe and comfortable. Lots of instruction time will be lost. We do not have extra instruction time to lose because our pacing is already planned as if we are teaching 5 days per week, yet we are only teaching 4 days a week.

If some are not wearing masks now, how can we even consider going into a building at possibly full capacity? The recommendations have not been changed. Wearing, Waiting, and Washing are the 3 W’s that will keep the highest amount of people safe. If we go back, there will be no waiting. There is not enough space in our classrooms to “wait” or even “sit” 6 feet apart. It will be hard to “wash” because some classrooms do not have bathrooms OR sinks and thus to “wash,” some classes or students will have to troop down the halls to do so. As I mentioned above, despite expectations, many staff and community members are not wearing OR properly wearing masks. If this is not being enforced currently, how can we expect it to be enforced when 50% or more of students and 50% or more of staff are in the building daily? I am concerned, scared, and I do not feel protected at all. We have all worked hard to make virtual learning work. It is working, these kids are working. Is it hard? Yes, it is. But is it the safest thing to do? By far. We need to stay virtual until it is safe to return to the building.

2020/09/24 3:32:03 PM AST Amber Moser 7217 Aquinas Ave Raleigh, NC 27617

My son goes to Spring Valley Elementary. Doing school virtually is hard on myself and my son. But it is what needs to continue until our teachers, staff, and greater community have the resources and safety measures in place to resume safe in-person instruction. Doing a hybrid model will cause greater strain on our teachers, who are already working extra hard to teach remotely. Doing a hybrid model will increase risk for community spread. Doing a hybrid model will create a disjointed learning experience for students, worse than keeping them remote. I work in community health and I am exposed to COVID through my work. There is no way I would feel safe sending my 8 year old son into a school for in-person learning. I am a trained health care professional. I wear multiple layers of PPE and have a don/doff system for decontamination when I have exposure. I would not expect a teacher to be able to perform the work that I do when I am exposed. It is unreasonable to put that additional expectation on already overextended teachers.

I would like to see if limited services could be resumed in-person for children who need special services. We should put our money and effort to special services, not the general school population. Services like OT/ST or EC services should be prioritized for in-person only, if we consider any school reopening right now.

2020/09/24 3:32:23 PM AST stephen mullaney 2101 west knox st durham

If we allow students to come face to face and an educator, student or family member contracts and dies from Covid, which one of you is going to knock on the door of the house, apartment or hotel room where the family lives and tell them you made a mistake. You know, that would be put on a teacher. And, a teacher would do it even though they did not make the decision that caused the death. Why? Because teachers take responsibility for what happens in their classrooms, in the school and in the community. That's what teachers do. What would you do?

We are not ready for face to face instruction at this time. DPS has done a fantastic job getting technology and help in navigating technology into students homes. We are just starting to navigate instruction in a way that can be powerful and effective.

When school let out in March there were 40 people a day testing positive for Covid. We are trending between 1000-2500 a day now. Does DPS want to be a player in a social (emotional and health) experiment that is going on nationwide?

2020/09/24 3:32:25 PM AST Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous

Virtual learning is something I didn’t expect, all I saw was an extra spring break, not a social shutdown. The first thing I realized with online learning was I could not for the life of me pay attention, classes that I was flying in all of a sudden became extremely difficult, and classes that I was already struggling in became almost impossible. It is difficult for teachers to manage other platforms while also managing the zoom classroom. For example, if a student is having internet issues and is kicked out of the virtual classroom and a teacher is not monitoring their Remind account, then a student could miss an entire class session. Virtual learning is extremely stressful and is extremely hurtful to my learning but I would much rather do virtual learning than put any of my family at risk while this virus is still present.

2020/09/24 3:35:07 PM AST Syairah Mcknight 137 oakmont ave Durham, Nc 27713

My virtual learning experience has been very interesting. Though this is a new experience for all students and staff across North Carolina I feel as though DPS has handled the 2020-2021 school year exceptionally. My personal experience has run quite alright even though I truly miss hanging out with my peers and interacting in the classroom. This sort of isolation from fellow classmates for me personally is very stressful and makes me want to give up because all of my motivation for academics seem to be buried under worries of the future. I understand the need for remote learning in DPS because I myself live with people with compromised immune system so I’m not to keen on going back just yet. Even though this has been my personal struggle with remote learning I feel as though other students may feel this way.

2020/09/24 3:38:46 PM AST Elizabeth Teka 1203 Bluewater Way Durham N.C. 27703

Virtual school has become difficult, as strict 11:59pm deadlines aren’t being inclusive of those with jobs and familial obligations. Some come back from work to find out they have an essay or large assignment due the same night. While teachers are already burdened and need to stay organized, I believe it’s reasonable to be flexible with students to ensure they’re absorbing information. Additionally, things should be done to ensure students are well emotionally, especially Black students. Having to work despite these tolls on our emotional health is harmful, and we need to ensure time, energy and space is allotted to ensure that DPS is not only making sure students are academically preforming well, but are emotionally well too. Also, we need to ensure that folks who go by different names than what is stated on their legal certificates are respected, and that there are actions being taken to ensure that. Thank you for valuing student input, and please continue this.

2020/09/24 3:42:04 PM AST Ayanna Bailey 2031 Buffalo Way 27704

I think that virtual learning is something we can never perfect. There’s always issues with connectivity, access to things we otherwise would have access to, and more. I feel as thought it might be a little bit easier if teachers were to make videos and then post them on canvas, google classroom, class dojo or whatever else for some of the days of the week. Also on wellness Wednesdays I don’t really like the idea of having to show proof of what we are doing. It adds on to the stress of what I have to do. Otherwise I’m doing the best I can. Not happy or mad about the situation.

2020/09/24 4:09:26 PM AST Syairah Mcknight 137 oakmont ave Durham, Nc 27713

2020/09/24 4:19:07 PM AST Darby Schenkel 11 Garden Hills Court Durham

Thank you to the Board for your continued thoughtful consideration of how best to manage the education and safety of our students, teachers, families and community. I am a parent of two public school students and a teacher with DPS for 20 years now. As you wrestle with the decision of how to proceed with school after the first nine weeks, I feel it is in everyone's best interest to stay virtual. I do not feel that our district and schools are adequately prepared to have all safety measures and plans in place if we were to return sooner. I have appreciated the ability for staff, students, and parents to share their thoughts and feelings on this matter with the district and I encourage you to continue involving the community to help you think through all aspects and considerations that should be contemplated. Please be willing to invest ample time and due diligence to this weighty decision and avoid the potential consequences of moving too quickly towards reopening schools. Thank you.

2020/09/24 4:20:03 PM AST Jaclyn Turnwald 1119 Cabin Creek Rd. Durham, NC, 27712

Good Evening Durham School Board, I am writing tonight to say I appreciate the time you are taking to make a measured, thoughtful decision about what plan DPS will implement after the first 9 weeks of instruction. Currently, I am teaching virtually from home, and on many days I work 15-17 hours a day to keep three courses running effectively. Though I would like nothing more than to be in the physical classroom with my students, at present, these are the reasons I continue to support Plan C, with some potential exceptions:

-Presently there is no Covid vaccine available. That means a small number of infections can become a significant resurgence quickly. -Most school buildings/districts are unable to financially/logistically support all the CDC's recommended guidelines to make in person school safe for significant numbers of students and staff. In addition, it appears that CDC guidance may be compromised in a manner that is trying to minimize real concerns about the virus being airborne. -We've not suddenly gotten more funding to repair HVAC systems, supply PPE, or open schools safely (which was part of the initial reasoning for opening on Plan C) -Covid is disproportionately impacting Black and Brown communities. DPS is nearly 80% Black and Brown students. It is irresponsible (at best) to bring vulnerable communities back into crowded, poorly ventilated spaces when we don't have a vaccine. Thus, my hope is that any attempt to return our most vulnerable populations back to the building for needed services is VERY CAREFULLY balanced with the safety measures needed to protect those same populations. -Cold and flu season. It may be mild if we're still staying home. However, it will likely compromise people's immune systems if we go back and cause chaos when we can't tell if someone has a cold or Covid. -We've seen what happened at numerous Universities when they attempted reopening for in person instruction with young adults. -In order to return to in person instruction there needs to be a clear safety plan in place for all who will be in buildings. Staff members with health accommodations were asked to submit documentation for those concerns. If we are to return to in person instruction, there should be a clear accommodation plan in place for any employee who requests it. To date, it is my understanding, such a plan has not been addressed for employees requesting accommodations. -Continuity and trauma informed communication are essential. As people navigate the trauma of this pandemic it is vital that we provide as much stability as possible. Changing the plan without all the necessary components in place and without the new plan being clearly communicated, well in advance to allow for processing time, will only result in further trauma to our community.

I hope that these factors will be considered in your decision making process and I thank you for the challenging work that you are taking on.

Best, Jackie Turnwald

2020/09/24 4:22:54 PM AST Anonymous N/a N/a

My virtual learning experience has been going well so far. I don't feel like I'm falling behind in any of my classes and my teachers have been very helpful during this time period. My only concerns for the way this semester and year is going is how the class material is going to be covered. My teachers have expressed how they are going to have to condense certain lessons when they already had short time to teach us. I know that you have been doing the best you can with the pandemic going on and I really appreciate it.

2020/09/24 4:23:02 PM AST Callie Markus 5207 Revere Rd Durham NC 27713

Let's take the time to get the re-entry to school right. As a parent who has sat beside her child on a breathing tube, due to a respiratory virus-I don't want that for any of you or my students. We need time to plan and purchase resources that will make school the experience that we all know and love. If we rush into getting back into the classroom before making sure these resources are in place we will be right back where we are now, but missing the time we could have put towards fine tuning online learning. Common colds and viruses will begin to spread as soon as schools open, this happens every non-covid year. Will teachers need to be prepared to be virtual and in person teachers at the same time? I challenge you to think about the quality of the student's education in that situation. There is no question that online learning is not ideal and "normal classroom environments" are better, but at this point in time-the normal classroom environment is not possible.

2020/09/24 4:34:49 PM AST Sarah White 504 Harrier Ct Durham, NC 27713

I worry that the school board will make a decision to send the kids back to school in four weeks and that they kids who are going to suffer are the black and brown children as well as the elementary staff which tends to have a higher concentration of black and brown staff members. We already know this virus has a disproportionate affect on these communities and I feel like bringing them back now and “hoping for the best” will further exacerbate the issues and potentially lead to more spread in these communities.

2020/09/24 4:50:35 PM AST Amber Huston 116 Plano Drive Durham, NC 27703

My daughter is a 7th grader at DSA has been doing online schooling for six weeks now. It is causing harm to her physical, mental, and emotional health. The biggest issue we have is that she is being forced to sit in front of a screen for 22 hours of live zoom classes a week. With the additional time required to complete her assignments online, she is essentially in front of her screen for 6-7 hours every single day. She suffers from headaches and is unable to concentrate. She does not eat lunch because she does not have enough time in between her live zoom sessions. Her anxiety and depression has increased and despite the best efforts of her teachers, she is continuing to struggle with learning. I have met with my school's principal and have been told these zoom requirements are a direct mandate from the school district. My request for the board is that you do away with the elective requirements, make them optional. For students who struggle to learn in this online platform, give them an exemption from the afternoon elective requirements. This would allow students the opportunity to go outside, get some sunshine, and recover from the long, intense morning of daily zoom classes from their core subjects. I do not know how much longer we continue like this, but I know that if something doesn't change soon, we will have to withdraw our daughter from DPS because it is causing her more harm than good. Please, I am begging you, please help us. Please change these online requirements and focus on just the core subjects during this pandemic. Go back to the original online schedule that was given to us with Ignite. Thank you for your time in considering my request.

2020/09/24 4:53:59 PM AST Anonymous Anonymous Durham, NC 27705

The amount of Zoom instruction middle schoolers have is too much; my child has nearly 22 live hours per week at DSA, with homework and asynchronous work on top of that. Please realize that remote is never going to be the same as in-person and focus on the most important things students must learn. Who cares about PE in a pandemic? They need free time to play outside. 30 minutes is not adequate for lunch when virtual schooling. My child ends up with 20 minutes most days by the time she moves rooms for eating and schooling, and deals with a teacher that keeps her late before lunch and a prompt teacher after lunch. 30 minutes does not allow time for having to move rooms for eating and sibling needs. No student should not have to go to school hungry. As a family, we are all stressed and miserable.

2020/09/24 4:58:41 PM AST jenna hyland 1814 Hillcrest Drive Durham, NC 27705

As a parent, I hear opinions and directives from a range of stakeholders: federal and state government, the district, school administration, my neighborhood association, the PTA, other parents, etc. But there is a critical gap... TEACHERS. I desperately want to hear from Durham's teachers. What is their level of comfort in returning to in-person services? What measures do they need in place to feel safe? What resources do they deem essential? Of course it is a diverse group with many varying opinions, I assume. But there is no way for me to know, since their voices are conspicuously absent from the public decision-making process. This reflects a critical failure on the part of the School Board and District, whether intentional or not. Please put concerted effort into soliciting and sharing teacher feedback in a way that allows them to speak freely without fear of retribution. If this exists and I have missed it, then your charge is to focus on disseminating more effectively and amplifying their voices.