No on teachers going back 1 message
Webs Mon, Nov 9, 2020 at 7:00 PM To: [email protected]
Superintendent Jara and Board Members,
This meeting is not taking place in person therefore you recognize the risk to your own health. Sending teachers back December 1 is unconscionable. The pandemic is escalating once again. Sending anyone back at this time is, to put it politely, reckless. Board members, I encourage you to vote no on this plan. Continue distance learning and continue to allow teachers to telecommute. Thank you.
Stephanie Weber Constituent District G
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 1 of 99 Concerns about hybrid model/recommendation to end telecommuting 1 message
Krystle Gallegos [Booker ES] Mon, Nov 9, 2020 at 7:03 PM To: "Linda Cavazos [School Trustee]"
Members of the Board,
I am a 2nd grade teacher here in CCSD and I have a few concerns about the upcoming decision of the Hybrid Plan. I am also extremely concerned about the email I just received that says the district is recommending the end of telecommuting beginning December 1st!
Positive cases of Covid-19 have increased tremendously in the last couple of weeks and are rising every day. We have already had a positive case in our building two weeks ago with less than 50% of staff in the building. I know of many other schools who have also had positive cases over the last few weeks. If positive cases are already a problem, when not all of the staff or any students are even in the building, it will be only a matter of time before there are multiple positive cases in school buildings. The off and on quarantining that will inevitably be happening, will cause more strain and stress on parents, students, and teachers.
Many students are excelling at distance learning. Teachers are finally finding their rhythm and excelling with distance learning. I feel as if more thought and planning should be put into strengthening distance learning, especially for those students who are struggling, rather than rushing to make a decision on students returning to school buildings. It is inevitable that teachers, parents, and students will have to go back and forth between distance learning and face-to-face instruction depending on the number of positive cases that arise in the school building. So providing high quality distance education should be the focus right now.
I am also extremely concerned about the recommendation that telecommuting end on December 1st, especially if students are not even in the building. If the unfortunate decision is made to transition to a hybrid model, it will take me just a few days to ready my classroom. I should not have to go into the building and put myself at risk when there are no students there as well. As I stated before, we have already had 1 confirmed positive case in our building with less than half the staff there.
I am working far more and harder than I ever have in my teaching career, from home. I have school age children that I have to monitor, because they are not in a school building. I was very grateful that I was given the choice to work from home during distance learning.
I have spent my own money to set up my home classroom to be the best distance education teacher I can be. In my home classroom I am providing more effective instruction than I ever could in the school building, because of the money I have invested in my technology at home. I do not have the technology ot setup at school that I have at home now. I am working many hours past my contract time to provide the best education I can to my students during this time. Being in the school building to conduct distance learning will be far less effective for me at this time.
I am very upset at the thought that I would be forced to come back into the building without students when I can do my job far more effectively at home at this point in the year.
There have now been many school districts that have opened in a hybrid model and are now transitioning back into distance learning because of the rise in positive Covid-19 cases. If we were to move into a hybrid plan at this time, when the rise of covid-19 is at its highest count, there is a high probability that we would have to move back to distance learning. The inconsistency and stress this would cause once again is extremely concerning.
Please take our concerns into consideration when making decisions about teachers being told to come into the building when students are not even there, as well as the hybrid plan. This hybrid plan is going to cause more stress and work for teachers, parents, and students when there is so much worry and stress with Covid-19 positive cases on the rise. It does not make sense to try and put this plan into action at this time in the year. The increase in positive cases is the highest it has been and schools have not even opened yet.
I know you have a huge decision to make and we truly appreciate you taking our concerns into consideration, as a teacher and as a parent.
Thank you for your time,
Krystle Gallegos 2nd Grade Teacher Kermit R. Booker Sr. Innovative E.S. November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 2 of 99 Do not reopen schools 1 message amanda aurand Mon, Nov 9, 2020 at 7:14 PM To: [email protected]
Good evening, My name is Amanda Aurand and I currently teach at Eldorado High School and serve as a Physical Education and Health Department Chair. I am emailing because I received a letter from the office of our Superintendent stating his hopes and dreams about returning to school soon. I would like to say that I'm am appalled that a letter like this would go out PRIOR to a board meeting where they are to "discuss and present" a hybrid plan in the very near future. This board has an obligation to their employees to ensure that we return safely and let's be VERY HONEST, CCSD even with their best efforts is not able to do this even remotely close. I would like to go back to school because teaching online is tough and it's been a transition to say the least but at least I know that it's safe, for myself and my students. You need to take a really hard look at this decision and realize how many people that you would be putting at risk, unintentionally of course, but at risk nonetheless. High school is a different battlefield and if 1 kid gets through a period without their symptoms getting noticed, they alone would come into contact with at least 60 kids. It doesn't matter what efforts go into stopping or mitigate it, kids find ways to get places even if we try to stop them. Believing that kids will wear face masks properly, wash their hands and/desks properly, and relying on parents to not send their child to school is NOT REAL.
I would like to believe that my employer(s) cares more about my health and the longterm effects of what this could do to me and my loved ones more than appeasing the community and parents that are not in the situation. I hope that the letter sent out was an accident because I do not want to believe the propaganda that is coming from our leader/person in charge is sending DAYS BEFORE AN ACTUAL VOTE, that could cause my colleagues and myself to worry or figure out what steps we would need to take if this "hybrid plan" does happen. I would hope that you would not send teachers into a building with students while MANY STATES AND DISTRICTS are closing down again due to this second wave and the SNHD has said they do not recommend returning to school.
I would like to note, I understand why parents want their children back into school but socialization is not what a school is for, the reason our numbers continue to rise is because of the lack of face masks and people gathering while throwing caution to the wind. School is for education and I can say with 100000% certainty that the students I teach are being educated and they are not lacking in that aspect. I also do not believe they are actually lacking socialization, they are ALWAYS on their phones chatting away (being next to each other but not socializing with the person next to them).
You have a large decision on your hands and I hope that you consider the amount of danger you could be putting thousands of employees and more than 100,000 kids in (not to mention their families and the community at large). If you'd like to keep this city open, reopening school's will not help that with a 13% transmission rate, which is what Las Vegas is at currently.
Do not be reckless with my life or the lives of my colleagues, Amanda Aurand November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 3 of 99 Hybrid Model 1 message
Kelly Wentz [Chaparral HS] Mon, Nov 9, 2020 at 7:16 PM To: [email protected]
Hello, Thank you for taking the time to read this. I am a teacher at CCSD and would like you all to consider that teaching face to face posses risks to teachers and their families as well as our students and their families. As leaders in our education family, if you all cannot meet in person face to face then what chance do we all have in the confidence that this plan will work. Please think of this hypocrisy and how it is seen by people who are looking at you to make the right decision. You already are winning with 0 deaths. No need to gamble on this success. -Kelly
-- Kelly Wentz Art Teacher Chaparral High School
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 4 of 99 Re: Message from Clark County School District Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jesus F. Jara 1 message
'Scott M.' via BoardMtgComments
Elementary school children should not be forced to wear a mask, that is child abuse. Have a conscience and don’t force them to wear a mask for 6 + hours a day.
Thank You Scott Medeiros
On Nov 9, 2020, at 6:52 PM, Clark County School District Communications
Message from Clark County School District Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jesus F. Jara
As we continue to monitor the COVID-19 health data, the Clark County School District (CCSD) must proactively develop a plan to transition to the hybrid instructional model, while maintaining all health and safety protocols.
On Thursday, November 12, the CCSD Board of School Trustees will be presented with a plan and a recommendation for its consideration and possible action to transition to the hybrid instructional model, with an option for parents to keep their children in full-time distance education. It is important that all parents/guardians complete the parent questionnaire sent by schools to assist in planning should the District transition to the hybrid instructional model.
The health and safety of our students and staff continue to be the District’s top priority. The Southern Nevada Health District has reviewed the Plan to Transition to the Hybrid Instructional Model and continues to support its implementation. The proposed transitional plan in its entirety can be accessed here.
I encourage you to watch the Regular Board of School Trustees meeting on November 12. The meeting will be livestreamed and can be viewed by visiting ccsd.net.
You are receiving this email because of your relationship with CLARK COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT. If you wish to stop receiving email updates sent through the Blackboard service, please unsubscribe. CLARK COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT | , , | 702-799-4433
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 5 of 99 December 1 in person 1 message
Olivia Norman Mon, Nov 9, 2020 at 7:21 PM To: [email protected]
Dear Trustees and Superintendent Jara, I am writing to urge you to vote no to teachers going back in person before students. Myself and countless other teachers have spend hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars out of pocket to ensure we have top technology in our homes for distance learning. During meetings, it is continuously the teachers on campus with problems including screens freezing, Meets kicking them out, and internet issues. The technology I have secured for my home is far superior to that in my classroom.
Additionally, as many CCSD teachers do, I have 2 school aged kids of my own at home. Would they be allowed to attend their virtual classes from our rooms or must I leave them at home alone? 2 1/2 weeks is not adequate time for us to plan for them, especially during a quarantine.
Sincerely, A highly technological teacher, married to another highly qualified, technologically advanced teacher, Olivia Norman
-- Olivia Norman 4 Grade Glen Taylor Elementary
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 6 of 99 Please DO NOT open the schools Please 1 message
Roxanne Lex [Chaparral HS] Mon, Nov 9, 2020 at 7:22 PM To: BoardMtgComments
The numbers continue to climb, everyday. Everyday I am seeing the adorable faces of children from fiends in other school districts who have tested positive for COVID because their school districts forced them to go back face to face. I hear from fellow teachers who are terrified in quarantine because they have been exposed, and they await test results for themselves and their own families to see if any of their high risk loved ones will have to battle this awful virus.
You have a choice to make. I understand distance learning is hard, is not perfect, but it is safe. Do not for a moment think you will be helping these students’ and teachers’ emotional well being by opening the schools or by forcing us to work needlessly in building. You will cause so much more stress and anxiety as we march towards the inevitability of going back to distance education when we are forced to close due to high exposures. How many lives will we lose in the march?
You have a choice to make. I literally beg of you on behalf of myself, my children, my elderly mother, my pregnant sister, please please please DO NOT open the schools. -- Roxanne Lex M.A.Ed Chaparral High School Art Department
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 7 of 99 5.02 Public Comment for agenda item 1 message
Katie Bodily [Cox, David ES] Mon, Nov 9, 2020 at 7:28 PM Bcc: [email protected]
Dear Board of Trustees and Superintendent Jara.
I want to express my concern about returning to school even with a hybrid model. I can't speak for all teachers, but my class and I have bonded and formed relationships. My students are in a routine that is working well. They are logging in daily, participating in class activities, learning, and progressing. If we return to in person learning, there’s no guarantee that I would continue to teach my current students. This will cause yet another learning disruption for them. How is that helpful and beneficial for their mental health and their learning progress? I feel that upsetting the consistency that we have built since August would do more harm than good. There's a big difference between what I want and what I feel needs to be done. Do I want to go back? Yes! But not at the expense of the health and safety of my family, my students, their families, our school community, and myself. I am considered a high -risk teacher. I would prefer to continue to teach virtually because of my risk. Has it been easy? No, but if my students have shown me anything in the past few months it is that we are resilient. Together we can get through this unprecedented time. I teach because I love my students. Thank you for your consideration Katie Bodily
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 8 of 99 Objection to reopening 1 message
Veronica Miller [Clark HS] Mon, Nov 9, 2020 at 7:30 PM To: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
Good Evening Trustees and Superintendent Jara,
I am a parent and teacher in the school district, and I have been for the past 8 years. I love teaching and I love my students, but I do not feel safe going back to in person learning of any sort. I have suffered from chronic asthma since childhood and each year I battle severe upper respiratory infections that keep me bedridden and in some situations have required breathing treatments. I also have a one year old daughter who I am terrified will have permanent complications if she is exposed to or ends up with the virus. Covid 19 has taken the lives of both my Aunt and Uncle in the past three months, so I know by experience this is not a virus that should be underestimated.
Hospitalizations have only increased in the valley and putting us back into the classroom will make the spread even worse, not to mention it will risk the lives of the teachers as well as students.
As someone at risk I have taken every precaution possible to maintain my own health and keep my family safe. I refrain from leaving the house unless it is absolutely necessary to avoid going into enclosed spaces etc. Returning to the school in any form before there is a widely distributed vaccine is only asking for the virus to worsen further than it already has, and to risk the lives of so many including myself.
I have seen myself the way children are behaving walking down the street. They do not social distance, then do not wear masks, and there is no way that you can ensure my safety in any classroom settings. Expecting them to follow these rules in the classroom is ignorant when their parents do not care to enforce or take the precautions seriously themselves. Are you really willing to risk the lives of your employees? To risk the lives of your students? To risk the lives of the parents and grandparents of your students? Would you go into one of these classrooms and teach?
If there are options, other than the in person and hybrid model, they should be utilized. As a teacher we were not given adequate time in the summer to prepare for distance learning, having us switch to a new model in the middle of the school year will create even more complications, and inadequacies in our students' learning.
I am begging you to vote against any in person or hybrid learning models.
- A very concerned mother, parent, and teacher.
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 9 of 99 Board Meeting 11/12 1 message
Laura Dianiska [Canarelli MS] Mon, Nov 9, 2020 at 7:31 PM To: [email protected]
I would like my comments read in full at the board meeting please.
With Covid cases on the rise, how can the Board even consider opening up? Even in hybrid? The Board isn’t even meeting in person, so why should we be forced back into schools?
The message sent on November 9 from Superintendent Jara states multiple times his concern for students' mental health and wellbeing. As educators, we are undoubtedly all concerned with the mental health of our students. What was not discussed in detail was the mental wellbeing of teachers and staff. School staff and teachers have families, they may have elderly parents they are caring for, they may have small children that they cannot obtain childcare for, and they have lives that are of value.
You know what’s really going to take a toll on students’ mental health? When they learn that one of their teachers or classmates has passed away due to Covid because we opened up.
What will the district do when an entire class has to quarantine because one student comes to school sick? What if they’re asymptomatic? What if the parents are anti-mask and willingly sending their child to school with complete disregard for the safety of others? Will teachers be expected to use their own accrued sick days for the two-week quarantine? We should not have to use up our days if we are being forced back into schools against our wishes, as the message states that our current telecommuting option is being rescinded on December 1.
I understand that distance learning has been hard on everyone. I myself experienced multiple breakdowns over teaching online, and the struggles of not being able to see my students in person.
But parents and the Board have to understand: If we go back, it is not business-as-usual. The “socialization” aspect that parents say their children are missing is absolutely impossible. Group work is out. Talking to friends at lunch is out.
I learned last week that a former student of mine passed away due to Covid complications. He was 15. Do not ever say to me that children are less vulnerable. Do not open schools and send that message to his family.
As difficult as distance learning has been, one sick student or teacher is already too many. Do not open schools up. At all. -- Laura M. Dianiska Orchestra Director Fine Arts Department Chair Canarelli Middle School
“The future of our nation depends on providing our children with a complete education that includes music.” - Gerald Ford
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 10 of 99 No Hybrid. 1 message
Angeline Richards Mon, Nov 9, 2020 at 7:46 PM To: [email protected]
Good evening,
As you consider this proposal on a zoom meeting, I’m sure, consider this: We have more cases of Covid now than in March.
If schools go hybrid and one case occurs...we will just be wasting our time and exposing our kids and families to a deadly disease, and fully going back to online School like they did back East when those schools tried, got Covid cases, and shut down.
We will be no different.
Hold off until semester, or at least to see if we can get a vaccine. This isn’t about the “emotional well being” of our students. This is about the economy. Do not push the emotional buttons of parents and teachers.
This is a once in a century pandemic, and stupid decisions have already lead us to over a million cases of COVID -19 and 240,000 DEAD AMERICANS.
Do NOT send kids and teachers back. It is a stupid proposal. Do not do this to our families and teachers.
Thank you,
Ani Richards Henderson
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 11 of 99 Returning to the classroom 1 message
'Aleta Vitkus' via BoardMtgComments
To whom it concerns:
I am absolutely confused and dumbfounded as to why now is the time to return to the classroom. You are clearly not thinking of staff or student safety but listening to the cries of parents who want their free babysitting service back. If the board is meeting virtually to discuss this, then it clearly isn't safe to throw the entire staff and school population back.
We are in the middle of a nationwide COVID-19 surge. Nevada is over 13% for infection when the Governor insisted we must be below 10%. I do not know what health office or data you are monitoring but right now is not the time to go back. Should we go back at some point? Absolutely. WHEN IT IS SAFE. I realize that other people are back to work, however their situation is different. You are not trapped in a space with no windows or space for 6+ hours a day. Most schools in this district don't even have windows or working ventilation systems! How on earth is this what's best for students and staff? Nurses, doctors, etc all have PPE to protect them. Are you going to provide us with hazard pay? Protective gear? How are you going to help your teachers not get sick?
Returning on December 1st is the absolute worst decision. Right after all the students have been traveling with their parents and in large gatherings ignoring the COVID guidelines is asking for trouble. Most universities aren't even staying open because of that and yet you want to force us back?
I have had at least 5-6 kids who are sick or showing COVID symptoms while they're supposed to be home. That will be ten times worse in the classroom. Before COVID, kids were sent to school sick everyday. Parents will not respect that now.
You are proving to me that my health, mental well-being, and safety means nothing to you. Look at the real numbers. Vote no.
Aleta Vitkus
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 12 of 99 Concerns about Returning 1 message
Sarah Bako Mon, Nov 9, 2020 at 7:51 PM To: [email protected]
Every teacher wants to be in the classroom with their kids. We want to be interacting with them, learning about them, showing them manipulatives, finding their strengths and having them use them to help others, but we also want to be safe and do what’s best for the kids.
At the beginning of the year, we had to learn a whole new way to do things with online teaching. It has been a struggle, but the students and teachers have finally got a Rythm down. Not only is it irresponsible to bring the students back because the numbers are rising, but I feel it will do more harm to the students. Students will not be getting the complete social interaction they are expecting. There will be no group work. They will be 6 feet apart from each other. Wearing masks. We won’t be able to do small groups. Distance learning is the best option for our students at this time.
Bringing some of the students back and allowing others to stay online, splits our classes. Some students will get to stay with their teacher while others will have to get a new teacher. They don’t know which way it will go and they can’t choose. If one student in the classroom gets it, the entire class has to quarantine causing another setback.
There are so many moving parts in bringing the students back, we should only be doing it when the numbers are lower and there is less risk. Going back is going to be detrimental to the students’ learning.
Thank you for your time. Sarah Bako
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 13 of 99 School Reopening Consideration 1 message
Kristina Huddleston Mon, Nov 9, 2020 at 7:53 PM To: [email protected]
Dear CCSD School Board Members,
I am flabbergasted that we are this conversation right now. According to NVhealthresponse.nv.gov, Nevada and in particular Clark County, is classified as a "red zone" for community transmission. Per this site, cases of Covid have "significantly increased" in not just Nevada, but throughout the nation. Per the Nevada Health District website, Covid cases are climbing in every age bracket and yet we are having a conversation about grouping together children, exposing our teachers and staff, and consequently exposing every family member of a person will attend school (staff and students). The SNHD reports in the last 7 days Nevada has increased it's positivity rate by 5,392 cases, an increase of approximately 13%. According to our Governor, we are a far cry from staying under the 10% positivity rate increase needed to maintain the integrity of our healthcare system, and yet we are discussing opening our schools. 8newnow.com reported in the last week, Clark County has added 3 cases of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) for a total of 14 MIS-C cases for Clark County, and yet we are considering opening the schools. Health scientists warn that these escalating Covid numbers are just the beginning for the country. They warn that increased hospitalizations often follow increased positivity rates, and that if we don't make changes to help mitigate the spread of this virus, our hospital systems in many states (take a look at Utah now) may not be able to effectively treat the influx of the ill. I get why so many parents are pushing for reopening. Our children are struggling. I am not just a parent, but I am also a child mental health therapist, so I see firsthand how our children (and their guardians) are struggling with the increased pressure on the family system brought on by in-home learning. Even in my own family, our arguments over my son's online schooling is almost daily, and yet I consider myself fortunate to live in a county that values my family's health over political pressures. I urge everyone to remember that online schooling is not forever. With the return of the sun in the spring, and the hope of a vaccine next year, we will be able to SAFELY reopen, without fear of making a decision that only adds to the dramatically increasing positivity rate. I know that the board must be under tremendous pressure to reopen. I understand that you are a politically appointed body, but we are going the wrong way as a county, state and country to consider this action. I urge you to continue to protect the health and safety of our children and our community by voting no to CCSD reopening. -- Kristina Huddleston, LMFT
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 14 of 99 Returning to school 1 message
Sandy Buk [Foothill HS] Mon, Nov 9, 2020 at 8:04 PM To: BoardMtgComments
Good Evening, My name is Sandy Buk, English teacher at Foothill High School. Although I am sure many have already done so, I wanted to weigh in on the return to school. I will admit, I am one of the teachers that are uneasy about returning to face to face instruction. I check the Covid numbers daily. To return to school, even if it is just staff in December seems a risk too great for CCSD to push. To propose students return in January- right after the holidays where people will travel and gather in groups- also seems too much a risk to take. We need our COVID-19 cases to be far lower than they are before we think of implementing these moves back into face-to-face learning. Having a plan is a good move, but pushing that plan too soon will be detrimental to the overall goal - getting and keeping students in school.
I understand the urgency. I worry constantly about my students and their emotional and mental well being. Many are struggling with isolation and time management. We must think about their well being through this time; however, pushing to return sooner than we are prepared for will only disrupt the routine that has been developed. We've finally gotten into a groove with distance learning. Now we will uproot it, and be back and forth with quarantines when outbreaks happen for who knows how long and how often. How soon before we become overwhelmed with COVID-19 cases and are forced back into virtual learning full time? We all want to be back, but the truth is we are not ready.
It doesn't make sense to force staff back in the buildings without students. I say force because I would not willingly go back to the building by choice. I work from home efficiently and truth be told my internet connection is much better at my house than at the school. Employees at many businesses including the colleges and Universities in Nevada are trusted to work from home; why are we not given the same trust?
I know the board has a difficult decision to make on reopening schools. I beg you to please not rush this return to school. We need to go back in person, but we need to do it when it is right and with the number of cases we have, this isn't the right time.
Thank you for your time and consideration, Sandy Buk
-- Sandy Buk English Teacher Foothill High School
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 15 of 99 Reopening Plan 1 message
Cassie Simons [Adcock ES] Mon, Nov 9, 2020 at 8:04 PM To: BoardMtgComments
Dear Trustees, I am writing to you to ask you to support the reopening plan that will be presented on Thursday. I know there will be opposition, but I wanted you to know that there are teachers that support reopening. I believe we need to get our students back into the classroom. I am excited about the plan and would like it to be supported to get our students back into the building. Thank you for your time!
-- Cassie Simons Kindergarten OK Adcock ES
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 16 of 99 Open comments on covid and race 1 message
Stella K Mon, Nov 9, 2020 at 8:06 PM To: "[email protected]"
To whom it may concern: I am a parent of a child of ccsd. She is biracial and has been trying to cope with all that is going on in the world like many other children in our valley. She is so excited to transition back to school to get some kind of normal. However I see a new set of challenges and threats as she heads back to school. A new board member, Katie Williams, who bullies people on the internet. A woman who spreads hate, misinformation and who doesn’t believe in covid or science. Teachers being exposed for sharing nazi symbology and others lecturing middle schoolers about humans she deems “illegals” and don’t belong here. Where are the safe guards? How can I and other parents feel safe sending our kids to school and believing that all children in your care will feel safe and accepted? I hope that the board and Jara will acknowledge these issues and find solutions for them. We are counting on you and will hold you accountable.
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 17 of 99 Teachers return to classroom 1 message
Laura Bell [Southeast CTA] Mon, Nov 9, 2020 at 8:09 PM To: "[email protected]"
It is incredibly disappointing to see that superintendent Jara and other higher ups in CCSD do not trust their own teachers.
As a 16 year teacher, this year I have never worked as hard in my life to make distance learning work and make connections with my students. To see that there may be a proposal to send teachers back into buildings before students return, IN THE MIDST OF A PANDEMIC, is completely unacceptable. Some teachers have a better internet set up at their homes compared to their own classrooms; truly, what difference does it make where a teacher teaches, as long as they meet their goals? Many other professions have not batted an eyelid while asking their employees to work from home during this time; why are educators subjected to vilification for doing so?
I implore the district and most Superintendent Jara to stand UP for teachers for once and not give into public pressure. Explain to the public WHY schools must stay closed at this time for the safety of all.
Thank you. -- Laura Bell English Teacher English Dept. Liaison C-564 Southeast Career Technical Academy
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 18 of 99 SERIOUS CONCERNS 1 message
Tia Taymar [Miley Achievement Center] Mon, Nov 9, 2020 at 8:19 PM To: [email protected], 0012-EngageCCSD
Previously the Board of Trustees and Dr. Jara stated we would only go back when it was safe to do so. Tonight, at 6:38 pm, we received an email from Dr. Jara saying that it has been proposed that we return on December 1, 2020. Today, we had over 1800 positive cases and a 14 day trend of a 13% positivity rate. This is HIGHER than when Dr. Jara first deemed it unsafe to return. Last week alone, I had three students infected.
Within the past 10 minutes, I have multiple staff members text me and call me devastated, scared, and angry. Staff that are at severe risk. Staff that have had heart surgeries, diabetes, asthma, etc.
I am the AP at Miley Achievement Center. As you know, we are a special school for students with severe emotional disturbances and mental health issues. 100% of our students have an IEP and we service children ages 6-22. I have so many concerns, and I have expressed them in numerous letters. Right now I am reaching out to you, not only as an educator, but as a mother.
I have worked for the district for 16 years. I have two Master's degrees in education. I have given my heart and soul to my job because of my love for children. I believe that education can change the world.
With that being said, I feel like we are rushing to put people back into buildings when it is unsafe. As the Assistant Principal, I want to protect my staff and students. Because of the nature of my school, my staff will be exposed to dangerous situations that no one seems to be considering. In a recent meeting, we asked staff about their concerns. Below are just a few of the many: 1. How're we supposed to handle fights, stay safe and minimize the chance of poten ally contrac ng covid? 2. Our popula on of students will refuse to wear masks and be allowed to do so due to their disability. It heightens the risk of transmission for high risk adults with underlying condi ons to be safe. What are we supposed to do? 3. What happens to other classes when no interven on staff are available? 4. How do we handle restraints of students who not only become very violent, but o en bite, spit and scratch increasing the chance of exposure? 5. How will we maintain social distancing and s ll conduct search? 6. How will relaxa on rooms be sani zed between students throughout the day? 7. What procedures will be in place to protect staff not assigned to a specific loca on whose typical du es usually require close contact w/ many individuals (interven on staff, specialists, counselors, social workers, crisi team, etc.)? 8. We never have subs now, how will we handle an even larger sub shortage? 9. We already have one student that feels responsible for her father's Covid death. How do we handle this when it happens to more?
I am also a mother and I have a young child at home with Reactive Airway Disease. He has to take daily steroids and medication. He has a team of amazing specialists. I am also at higher risk. I will have to take FMLA and/or a LOA if we return. We were told that we could ask for ADA accommodations (which I qualify for) but that it is up to the building administration to approve it. My principal can not and will not grant approval for me to work remotely because at my school, all hands are needed on deck. I am devastated. I have cried many times at the thought that I may have to walk away from the career that I have built. I may literally have to choose my career to ensure the safety and life of my son. Then on the flip side, what will I do for work? What insurance will I have to allow my son to continue to have his medical team? These things keep me up at night. Some of you are parents. Please put yourself in my shoes.
I am not perfect, but my record shows I am a valuable member of the CCSD community. There are other amazing people that may be forced to leave due to their health as well. The email says there may be some ADA accommodations, but last time, that was left to building principals. I can tell you there is no way my principal will be able to approve accommodations for many of my staff or I.
I am begging you to please consider us. Our rates are higher now more than ever. I have already had a few students infected by this virus. One had to go to the hospital. We have seen that over 61,000 children have been diagnosed and the numbers are going up. We have not even seen what the holidays will bring.
I can not stand by and not say something when the lives of my colleagues, staff and children are literally on the line.
Thank you for your time, Tia Taymar Assistant Principal Miley Achievement Center November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 19 of 99 November 12th, 2020 Meeting Letter 1 message
'pupet27' via BoardMtgComments
If you cannot meet in person yourself, you should not expect the employees to report to their buildings either.
CDC guidelines do not recommend reopening a school until COVID numbers drop to 5% and that percentile is maintained for 14 days. Test positivity continues to rise. Cumulative test positivity is 13.00%, and the average daily test positivity rate is 25.81%. On November 6th, 2020 1,824 new cases were reported to the South Nevada Health District (SNHD). There is no way we should be returning to campuses with these numbers. Staff needs to continue to be given the choice to work from campus or home. Please don’t kill the teachers and staff. We cannot replace human lives lost.
This is what social distancing in school will look like. Masks must be worn at all times... - That equates to 6+ hours with a mask while trying to teach and learn. - 3-6 foot social distancing. - 10 students... require 30-60 foot line. - No direct social interactions - No hugs, no hanging out with your friends. - No lunch break in the cafeteria - You eat in your room... (not sure how that will work with teachers duty free lunch, unless the district is buying out every teachers contracted lunch) - No recess. - Scheduled brain breaks will be provided. - All student’s will be required to remain in seat. - classrooms are usually too small to allow out of seat movement with CDC guidelines - No one leaves the room all day, except to use the restroom, which then will need to be sanitized after every use. - This may require at least one staff employee to monitor and clean restrooms after each use.
I think distance education at home is best... As kids are allowed to move freely at home... and can relax even take a break and rest during independent learning.
Sitting at a desk for 6+ hours with a mask in the same room all day.. does not sound like much fun for the students or the staff. Most importantly…EVERYONE is SAFE... with distance learning.
No matter how we try, we cannot control student and staff behavior choices and we cannot control this virus. EVERYONE will be at risk when we reopen the schools.
Sabrina Bellis Teacher and Parent November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 20 of 99 Returning to School? 1 message
Carla Hughey [Schofield MS] Mon, Nov 9, 2020 at 8:20 PM To: BoardMtgComments
Dear Board Members,
My name is Carla Hughey and I have been teaching at Schofield Middle School for 16 years now, the amount of time I have been living in Las Vegas. It has been my complete joy and pleasure to be at this school for this amount of time and I consider it my home. Despite whatever hardships or trials I have experienced in my life...loss of my little brother to cancer, a divorce, change in administration three times...nothing could stop me from coming to work and giving my all. But a worldwide pandemic such as Covid-19, where my life and family's health and physical well-being is on the line...and you are asking that we return to work to prepare to bring our students back and put their health and well-being on the line as well? That is absurd and I cannot believe you have the audacity to ask that of educated, faithful, loyal, underpaid servants such as us who are on the front lines, whether it be virtually or not. I work harder and longer teaching from home than I do when we are teaching at school. I don't put my work down before 8:30/9:00 p.m. as a teacher or my school's ELL SSA every week night now that we are working from home and that was not the case when we were teaching at school. But that sacrifice is worth it to me because I am keeping my family safe and healthy. Now you are saying that you are even CONSIDERING having teachers return back to work to "prepare" for students to return to school while still teaching virtually, but how are you going to make sure we stay safe and healthy? Do you think we will be able to make students stay at home when they are experiencing Covid-19 symptoms or even have Covid-19 but are asymptomatic and are still sitting in my classroom? Do you really think administrators will really be able to check all students' temperatures every single day? Do you think middle school students are really going to wash their hands more efficiently when we allow them to use the restrooms that can't possibly be cleaned every single time they have been used? And what about testing? If we have to go back to the school buildings, all employees and students should be required to be tested at least weekly and you should have that available at our schools. It shouldn't be an inconvenience to us just because you want to send us back to work during a pandemic. What are you going to do to make sure your teachers are safe? We are the reasons you have students to teach in the first place. If I get sick, are you going to make dinner for my family? Are you going to help my daughter with her homework and make sure my family is taken care of as I do? Will you take my spot and come teach my class for me? No you won't. Why am I so easily replaceable to you? Why are any of us so replaceable to you? I get it, virtual learning is difficult for our students and their parents. But it's requiring parents to be parents and step it up which is what they are supposed to be doing anyways. I have the same amount of students that have D's and F's that I would if we were in my physical classroom. You want to send us back to the classroom in our school buildings right now...as our Covid cases are getting higher and are projected to increase even more as our temperatures fall for the winter? How much sense does that make? Come on...let's use some common sense, wisdom, grace, and the facts that are all around us. Even you understand the gravity of the situation if the board meetings you hold are virtual and not in person. Yes our education is important, but what good is an education if we are all dead or close to it?????
-- Carla R. Hughey ELL / English / ELL Student Success Advocate Schofield Middle School
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 21 of 99 comments for public record 1 message
Cheryl Marie Kramer [Von Tobel MS] Mon, Nov 9, 2020 at 8:22 PM To: BoardMtgComments
As an educator, I strive to always provide the best possible instruction. Students and teachers have learned and navigated distance learning. Please don't bring more uncertainty into their lives by returning in person. This creates an entirely new learning curve for hybrid. When teaching virtual, lessons are 100% designed to be completed virtually, with formative assessment and engagement built in. A hybrid model will further stretch teachers and I fear the quality of instruction will be compromised in an effort to do two things at once.
The hybrid plan requires re-rostering of students meaning students will be uprooted again, lose their teacher and start with a new one. Teachers may have to change rooms and/or grade levels. Additionally, in middle school, schedules have been designed for 4 classes each semester with no teacher prep. This creates complications concerning credits for students and a logistical nightmare in that teachers have no prep period--this would negatively impact school functions when subs are needed.
My school is over 60 years old and my classroom has no windows or outside door. Classrooms have no ventilation. Rotating through the same non-ventilated room with one person infected even with masks means lots of people will be infected over the course of a 6 hour day.
Overall, it is not fair to students to yank them around back and forth in person, virtual, quarantine, etc. Please give teachers and students a chance to focus on great instruction and declare we're not going back until the virus is slowed and then everyone can relax and settle into this new normal. Frankly, I am appalled that there is even consideration of going in person when our cases and positivity rate does nothing but climb.
-- Cheryl Kramer, M.Ed. Math 7 & AVID 7 Von Tobel Middle School
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 22 of 99 Reopening of Schools plan 1 message
Maria Padilla [Leavitt MS] Mon, Nov 9, 2020 at 8:24 PM To: BoardMtgComments
Hello,
I am a CCSD Employee and a parent of two CCSD children. I have a son who is a Senior this year and an 8th grader. I am going to be selfish for a moment, we all want to go back to school and work because we miss our coworkers and my kids miss their friends. BUT in a real world, how can this happen when our COVID numbers keep rising every day...how can we keep them safe and keep us employees safe from students coming in from other households. This is what worries me as a parent and an employee.
As a parent, my children's health is more important than sitting in a classroom with other children not knowing who they have been around. I have completed the survey and have selected to keep my two children home for the remainder of the school year. As much as they miss their friends and teachers, they told me they DO NOT FEEL SAFE going back. As neither do I.
As an employee, my health is more important than sitting in a classroom with other children not knowing who they have been around. I do not feel safe going back and as an employee we should continue to have the right to work from home.
As an employee, I am an Instructional Assistant, I work in a Resource room and I am sometimes pulled to fill in in a self contained class or an autism room. I am not comfortable doing that going forward. Why should I expose myself to more students. This is a big concern for me as an employee. This is why I want to stay online for the remainder of the year.
Thank you for your time.
Maria Padilla Instructional Assistant Leavitt Middle School
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 23 of 99 Hybrid teaching 1 message
Jeremiah Owens [Woodbury MS] Mon, Nov 9, 2020 at 8:32 PM To: BoardMtgComments
I teach at a middle school here. In August, my cousin died from Covid. A week ago, I was terrified of losing my father to Covid, but thankfully he's slowly pulling through. I say this to spotlight the fear that many of us feel with going to a hybrid model.
Students and teachers are beyond stressed because of the pandemic, because of the job losses associated with it, and because this district has demanded unrealistic and ridiculous expectations from both teachers and students. A return to the classroom as Covid cases skyrocket will only add to that stress. Teachers are already talking about quitting or retiring early because of it. You have a chance to show that you actually care about our wellbeing by not only sticking with distance education, but lessening the burden that has been placed on us so that we can actually be here emotionally for our students. This a global health crisis, and we are not statistics to be thought of as numbers on a piece of paper.
If the board votes to go hybrid, then I say the board should not only meet in person from now on,but should spend a few hours every day in our schools.
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 24 of 99 Reopening of School Plans 1 message
Maria Padilla [Leavitt MS] Mon, Nov 9, 2020 at 8:32 PM To: BoardMtgComments
I am a CCSD Employee and a parent of two CCSD children. I have a son who is a Senior this year and an 8th grader. I am going to be selfish for a moment, we all want to go back to school and work because we miss our coworkers and my kids miss their friends. BUT in a real world, how can this happen when our COVID numbers keep rising every day...how can we keep them safe and keep us employees safe from students coming in from other households. This is what worries me as a parent and an employee.
As a parent, my children's health is more important than sitting in a classroom with other children not knowing who they have been around. I have completed the survey and have selected to keep my two children home for the remainder of the school year. As much as they miss their friends and teachers, they told me they DO NOT FEEL SAFE going back. As neither do I.
As an employee, my health is more important than sitting in a classroom with other children not knowing who they have been around. I do not feel safe going back and as an employee we should continue to have the right to work from home.
As an employee, I am an Instructional Assistant, I work in a Resource room and I am sometimes pulled to fill in in a self contained class or an autism room. I am not comfortable doing that going forward. Why should I expose myself to more students. This is a big concern for me as an employee. This is why I want to stay online for the remainder of the year.
Thank you for your time.
Maria Padilla Instructional Assistant Leavitt Middle School
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 25 of 99 Hybrid transition 1 message
Jennifer Seitz Mon, Nov 9, 2020 at 8:35 PM To: [email protected] Dear Trustees, As a parent and a teacher, I demand that the CCSD plan MUST include a comprehensive testing, contact tracing system, required PPE, and social distancing. I expect that you have our school community’s safety at the top of your list. Without a testing or tracing system, we will be lab rats, waiting for it to get to us. I’m not interested in participating in that experiment. I am currently working from the building, but I implore you to protect teachers choice to work remotely. When cases rise, I will have to stay away from the building to protect my mother whose is at greater risk. I know that there is no easy solution and I appreciate your efforts immensely. I had hoped that things would have gotten better in our community...but the transmission has increased. Please continue to protect our school community during this pandemic. The decisions that you make will determine the health and safety of thousands. Please reject the plan if it doesn’t have testing, contact tracing and the option for teachers to work remotely.
Stay healthy, Jennifer Seitz CCSD parent/CCSD teacher
-- Jennifer Seitz Art Teacher, Mornings@Miller Bob Miller Middle School
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 26 of 99 Comments regarding return to hybrid learning 1 message
Thad Kramer [Von Tobel MS] Mon, Nov 9, 2020 at 8:52 PM To: [email protected]
I teach middle school and understand the importance mental health is for our young people. However, I have questions. What about being in person is going to lower suicide rates? If we return, students won't be able to mingle or socialize with friends and likely will have increased worries about the safety of peers, loved ones, teachers. I have multiple students who have lost loved ones due to COVID-19. Going in person will very likely raise cases - what does that do for mental health? Is there data on why more students are suicidal? The fact that we're in a global pandemic, jobs have been lost, relationships have been strained, racism is front and center right now, etc. are affecting mental health for everyone and going to a hybrid model does nothing to address those broader societal issues. What steps can be taken to improve mental health services during remote learning? A 'wellness check' is not enough. Teachers should be trained on trauma-informed teaching. Counselors should be trained to give proactive lessons and resources to students. What can be done in person that can't be done remotely? What demographic of students are committing suicide? How does that demographic line up with the population most affected by high covid rates? I teach in zip code 89115, a red zone for COVID. Based on the information at the last board meeting, 70% of cases in Southern Nevada are Hispanic. How does this align with those committing suicide? There is a disproportionate number of latino/black people contracting Covid-19. Returning in person disproportionately affects this population. Based on this information and these questions, I believe that in-person learning should wait and that we should continue with virtual learning. Furthermore, what is the point of going to all of this trouble for me to only teach two classes in the morning? The amount of work involved does not seem to equal the claimed pay-off.
Thank you!
Thad Kramer 7th Grade Science Room 104 Ed Von Tobel Middle School
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 27 of 99 Nov 12 Board Meeting / Public Comment 1 message
Karen Rzendzian [Rancho HS] Mon, Nov 9, 2020 at 8:54 PM To: [email protected]
Please consider the following three matters when discussing the possible transition to in person learning: 1. The "Mom Code" is a group of parents who are encouraging other parents to NOT have their sick children tested for Covid, in order that their children may attend school (and schools remain open). There are numerous news stories about this on the web. Here is one example (Fact Checked) from Healthline.com (but there are many others) Parents NOT testing their Kids for Covidhttps://www.healthline.com/health-news/parents-are-encouraging-others-not-to-test-kids-in- school-for-covid-19 2. Educators should have the choice to continue working remotely for numerous reasons. One being that BEFORE the Pandemic parents frequently sent their students to school sick - this can be evidenced by the school health office log. I, personally, am very concerned about parents who do not understand the "bigger picture" when they previously (pre Pandemic) sent their sick students to school and how that selfish choice exposes other teachers and students to illness causing virus and germs - now, in a Pandemic, this type of thinking and behavior would be life-altering or even deadly to other innocent teachers, students or family members. I am terrified!* 3. Covid testing of all staff, teachers, students and bus drivers should be mandatory (if/before considering implementation of a return to school in person model) . Period. *To expand on this point (#2 above), prior to the Pandemic (approx February 2019 Flu Season) I literally had a student vomit in my class trash can and sent her immediately to the health office. Thirty minutes later, the student was sent back to my class! She was visibly ill. I immediately called the health office (and my supervisor!). The health office told me that it was their "policy" to return a student back to class if they did not vomit for 30 minutes in the health office. I am sorry, but this was an "insane" policy before the Pandemic and I can't imagine sending innocent teachers and students back into a situation like THAT during the height of a Pandemic.
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 28 of 99 Telecommute 1 message
Jason Brown Mon, Nov 9, 2020 at 8:57 PM To: [email protected]
I just read the part about ending telecommuting for teachers. I am completely baffled by this. In any given school year we are given a day or two to get classrooms ready, why would we need a month. My school site just had one teacher infect enough other people that the entire front office has to quarantine for two weeks. I just met a fellow kindergarten parent at my son's school. He said oh we can shake hands I don't believe in any of that. Today when I went to the school's website I saw he is a second grade teacher there. We cannot get people to take it seriously at all and for no reason since we will be doing the same job we need to be put at further risk. We have pregnant people and cancer survivors who all say they will use their hundred sick days and then go out on FMLA. So they will work at home, but they will not die for no reason. If everyone is so jealous of teachers working from home let them go into crippling debt in college and take one of the hundreds of open positions for very little pay. So the plan right now would be step one have teachers be put at risk during a surge for no reason. Step two the teachers die. Step three ? Teachers go out on strike? Schools close due to lack of staff? CCSD goes bankrupt with lawsuits as classes are not being given? So every quarantine all parents will be given no notice that their children will be learning from home for two weeks. None of this makes any sense. All of you need to go to a proffessional and get your executive functioning checked. This decision is going to follow you for the rest of your life. Your lack of compassion and poor decision making skills will be brought up at every future or current job you have. I look forward to your decision and my possible campaigning and financial donations to your future opponents.
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 29 of 99 Re: Message from Clark County School District Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jesus F. Jara 1 message
Dina Rothkoff [Gehring ES] Mon, Nov 9, 2020 at 8:57 PM To: BoardMtgComments
Please consider what I am saying.
On Mon, Nov 9, 2020 at 8:56 PM Dina Rothkoff [Gehring ES]
On Mon, Nov 9, 2020 at 6:53 PM Clark County School District Communications
Message from Clark County School District Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jesus F. Jara
As we continue to monitor the COVID-19 health data, the Clark County School District (CCSD) must proactively develop a plan to transition to the hybrid instructional model, while maintaining all health and safety protocols.
On Thursday, November 12, the CCSD Board of School Trustees will be presented with a plan and a recommendation for its consideration and possible action to transition to the hybrid instructional model, with an option for parents to keep their children in full-time distance education. It is important that all parents/guardians complete the parent questionnaire sent by schools to assist in planning should the District transition to the hybrid instructional model.
The health and safety of our students and staff continue to be the District’s top priority. The Southern Nevada Health District has reviewed the Plan to Transition to the Hybrid Instructional Model and continues to support its implementation. The proposed transitional plan in its entirety can be accessed here.
I encourage you to watch the Regular Board of School Trustees meeting on November 12. The meeting will be livestreamed and can be viewed by visiting ccsd.net.
You are receiving this email because of your relationship with CLARK COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT. If you wish to stop receiving email updates sent through the Blackboard service, please unsubscribe. CLARK COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT | , , | 702-799-4433 -- Dina Rothkoff 3rd grade Gehring ES -- Dina Rothkoff 3rd grade Gehring ES
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 30 of 99 Safety 1st 1 message chieko49 via BoardMtgComments
Hello, We have two grand kids in elementary grades. We are very impressed with the outstanding instruction they receive under difficult situations that we could only imagine. Your board will conclude that safety is the only factor. Thanks , Robert Buckley
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 31 of 99 Plan to Transition to the Hybrid Instructional Model 1 message
'Jany Ortiz' via BoardMtgComments
Trustees,
I am very disappointed that the Board is even considering returning to school with Covid statistics so high and trending in the wrong direction. Some students and teachers will die if we return to school in any capacity. I cannot understand how that can even be a consideration.
Human life is the most valuable thing there is.
You were elected to do what is best for students, families, and teachers. Please vote against any reopening plan and save lives.
Jany Ortiz First Grade Teacher CCSD
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 32 of 99 Proposed Reopening 1 message
Scott Smith [Diskin ES] Mon, Nov 9, 2020 at 9:09 PM To: [email protected]
1.) So I have yet to understand how our Board of Trustees and Superintendent for CCSD have an expectation of us returning to the classroom with children maintaining the COVID-19 protocols, when the Board of Trustees and Superintendent for CCSD themselves are NOT having public forum meetings with a 50% capacity of the meeting room??? 2.) My classroom cannot hold the capacity of 11 students with six feet (6') of radius spacing. 3.) The ventilation in my building works poorly at best and my door only opens to an outside area or the common pod near the restrooms (high traffic). 4.) Is CCSD going to provide us with PPE, disinfectant and other necessary tools? We don't even get the tools to stock our classrooms. 5.) If we test positive or a student tests positive and we are put on 14 day isolation protocols, what is the plan for that? I haven't tested positive to this point due to my diligence. I am not using my sick days when thrust into a position our leaders will not put themselves into, under these circumstances.
These are a few of my many questions for CCSD, the Board of Trustees and CCEA.
I love what I do, teaching fulfills me as a person. I want to see my class, fellow teachers and my school community. But I, also, see the data not supporting this move. If we go back and spike even a 10% among teachers testing positive, we don not have the staffing or substitutes to cover those numbers.
-- Scott A. Smith -4th Grade (Math) Pat Diskin ES
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 33 of 99 Comment on the proposed hybrid plan and timeline 1 message
Lucas Partridge Mon, Nov 9, 2020 at 9:13 PM To: [email protected]
Trustees and Superintendent Jara,
As an experienced professional school counselor and the head of the Social Services Team of counselors and social workers at our east side middle school, I have serious concerns regarding this hybrid transi on plan, and especially the absurd meline which has been proposed. Student mental health has been ba ed around as a reason why students need to return to school full me. Those pushing for a return to buildings with this reasoning fail to understand the implica ons on student mental health of returning physically to buildings, but not returning to any sense of normalcy. They will not be allowed to socialize with their friends, they will not be allowed to hug or shake hands, and they will constantly be berated when their face masks slip below their noses. I feel that the buzz words “mental health” have been usurped by those pushing their an -science agenda with no real exper se in the ma er and no regard for the physical safety of our students. Have any counselors or social workers been asked to weigh in on any of these plans? I can tell you that the trauma of having a classmate or teacher pass away or the knowledge that a student may have carried a preventable disease home to a family member is far more severe than the impact of having to learn from home for an addi onal five months. Many of my students are thriving during distance learning, and my team of mental health experts is working to assist those students who are not, just as we always have. Again and again I have asked what sorts of mental health supports would be provided by having students in this socially distanced hybrid plan that are not being provided currently. My team conducts home visits, wellness checks, and coordinates referrals to community mental health partners every week during distance learning. We will in fact have less me to do all of this work under this hybrid plan, because much of our me will be spent enforcing distance protocols and providing building support (this will inevitably include being forced to cover classes when teachers get sick and we are le with no subs tutes). In addi on, secondary school counselors will now essen ally be forced to recreate en re master schedules from scratch, again taking valuable me that should be devoted to serving students. This en re 205 page document includes one paragraph addressing school counselors and social workers, which boils down to the same work being done, s ll mostly virtually since our offices are not large enough to distance with students. I am proud to consider myself an expert in adolescent mental health and I feel that if that is truly one of the big goals of this plan, it has missed the mark.
-- Lucas Partridge
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 34 of 99 Keep us safe!! 1 message
'Dina Rothkoff' via BoardMtgComments Mon, Nov 9, 2020 at 9:15
Trustees: You are all meeting virtually for the board meetings because you all know it is unsafe to be in the same room together. Morally and ethically this is unjust to have teachers be in the building with kids who have been G-d knows where. Some of us, myself included have been staying safe for 9 months and now I am supposed to willingly and knowingly expose myself to getting exposed??? Please justify this. Respectfully, Dina
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November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 35 of 99 Submitted for Public Comment for the November 12th, 2020 School Board Meeting 1 message
Keith Thomsen Mon, Nov 9, 2020 at 9:18 PM To: "[email protected]"
Submitted for Public Comment for the November 12th, 2020 School Board Meeting
My name is Keith Thomsen, M.Ed and I have been a dedicated Clark County Educator for the past eight years, a five time Heart of Education nominee, a member of my school’s Canvas Transition Team, and Student Council advisor. I wholeheartedly disagree with returning to Hybrid learning. Nevada has seen a seventeen percent rise in Coronavirus Cases in the past seven days, which saw an almost equal increase the week before that. We are currently sitting at approximately sixty one deaths for every one hundred thousand citizens in Nevada, last year we had 320,000 students enrolled in Clark County 15,000 teachers, 3,000 support
staff, and 1,300 administrators. This total, and our current rate of death, means that you may very well be looking at 207 deaths or more across your district.
Two Hundred and Seven dead. This is a number I hope you know because by sending us back to work without protections, with a plan half assembled, and limited safety precautions in place you will be responsible for each and every
one of these deaths. Further, this is assuming that the rate of deaths per 100,000 does not increase with the flood of infections your plan will see.
Will students still be happy to return to school if their favorite teacher becomes ill and dies while gasping for air? Will students feel more connected to their peers when they can’t sit with them and share their joys and concerns? Or will
we see even more students and teachers break from the psychological pressure this will bring? The plan you put forth isn’t thought out well enough. You talk about returning by grade level, but what about an
elective teacher that has every grade level each period? You talk about distancing desks and limiting the number of students in a room, but what about rooms too small to accommodate this? You expect teachers to design and implement
hybrid learning experiences while simultaneously asking them to manage online learning, too. How can we do this? Are there enough substitutes to cover entire grade levels worth of teachers who must quarantine when an inevitable outbreak occurs? I have asthma, diabetes, am a cancer survivor, and I have high blood pressure. I fear for my life and the life of my family if I return to school, so I will not support returning to my classroom until a realistic plan is put forth or a viable vaccine is widely available. My final question is are you prepared to face an even steeper shortage of qualified educators when they exit this field to pursue careers that do not ask them to sacrifice themselves for no reason? You don’t just serve the parents of this community, you serve all stakeholders in Clark County, teachers included. Please do the right thing.
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 36 of 99 Just saying no... 1 message
Mindy Arteta [Lawrence JHS] Mon, Nov 9, 2020 at 9:25 PM To: [email protected]
No to hybrid No to returning to a classroom which I do NOT know for sure has been deep cleaned No to compromising MY health and safety
-- Mindy Arteta Special Education Teacher Math 7/8 APP Clifford J. Lawrence Jr. High School
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 37 of 99 November 12 5.02 - Plan to Transition to Hybrid Model - Austin Ryan 1 message [email protected] Mon, Nov 9, 2020 at 9:25 PM To: "[email protected]"
Clark County Board and Superintendent Jara,
Thank you for the opportunity to send in our thoughts about all Board matters, but particularly this one as it effects all students, parents, faculty and staff. As a parent of a sophomore at Las Vegas Academy of the Arts, I want to strongly encourage the Board to move swiftly back to a hybrid, or even full-time, model of school attendance. The reasons are as follows:
1. In addition to being a parent, I am also a pastor. As I have communicated with many students of varying ages in the past few months, I have seen a visible change in almost every single student's demeanor. Some have had to seek counseling while others suffer silently away from their friends and virtually any social interaction. We were not created to live this way. I understand the health risks as we all do, but I am now firmly in the conviction that active mental health issues need to finally trump physical health risks.
2. I have seen my own student and others in their dialogue with friends discuss how they have given up on actual learning in favor of simply turning in assignments by 11:59pm. The teachers are working hard, but they were not trained for this kind of education. Another 18 weeks of learning will effectively put many children a full year behind in learning.
3. I trust you, the Board of CCSD to figure out a way to keep the students safe. You have now had close to 9 months to work through all contingencies. The time for planning has passed. It's time to put the plans into action and let the students return. Risks will be there, but they are manageable with hard work and discipline. It's time. Let's do this.
Blessings. Austin Ryan Director, Worship Catalyst
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 38 of 99 Hybrid reopening plan 1 message
'Michelle Hensley' via BoardMtgComments
Board of Trustees and Superintendent Jara,
I am an educator and parent here in Clark County School District. I am extremely concerned with the potential reopening plan. We as educators are working tirelessly during this pandemic to ensure that our students continue to learn despite these challenging circumstances. Reopening schools is a difficult decision, and has to be carefully thought out because people’s lives are at stake. I urge you to only support a plan that includes:
1. educators having the CHOICE to continue working remotely
2. the district implementing a robust mandatory safety program which includes required testing, contact tracing, proper PPE, and adequate social distancing
3. no return to in-person instruction until the infection rate is on the decline and stays that way (you know-the way you originally said).
I am appalled that the district is recommending re-opening with a hybrid model when COVID cases are increasing daily and Clark County has seen a trend of increased cases over the past several weeks. Superintendent Jara says this hybrid plan is for the mental well-being of the students. As a parent, I call BS. My 7 year old, 2nd grader, surely is going stir crazy and could use some socialization. However, I recognize as a parent that sending him to school 2 days per week where he has to stay 6 feet from everyone else, keep a mask on, eat his lunch in the classroom, have all activity restricted, not be able to chat with his friends, not be able to leave his desk, go to the bathroom on a schedule- nothing about that will improve his mental health. It would be like putting him in prison.
I have been looking over the plan and notice that you have teachers standing in the hallway, between 2 classes to cover each other's lunches. How are we supposed to safely monitor students in 2 classrooms from the hall? Also, that would change the current lunch/recess time from 1/2 hour to 1 hour for each student. On top of this lost 1/2 hour, I challenge you to figure out the lost instruction time for 1 class of students to go to the bathroom. Our school building is new-so we likely have better circumstances than most schools in the district. By better-I mean there are approximately 16 intermediate classrooms sharing 1 set of restrooms, while primary has 18 classrooms sharing 1 set of restrooms. How long do you think 1 class bathroom break will take?
I could go on, but I hope you get my point. Please stop saying the health and well-being of students and staff is the district's utmost priority. Trying to send us back into school buildings in the middle of a pandemic, when infection rates are increasing daily tells us that our health and the health of our families has no value to you. Stop caving to parents who are complaining that they have to actually parent their children. Trust me, I would give almost anything to send my hyperactive little dumpling to his teacher and have him and his education be her problem for 7 hours a day, but I wouldn't give anything. Getting him out of my hair and my house is not worth his life. It's not worth risking my life, or that of my family.
Please make the right decision today. Show the staff and students of the Clark County School District that the board actually does value our health and well-being. Vote no.
Thank you for your time and attention,
Michelle Hensley Concerned Parent and Teacher Henderson, NV
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 39 of 99 Return to School 1 message
Ramona Stanley [Dr. Beth Howe Center] Mon, Nov 9, 2020 at 9:52 PM To: [email protected]
Dear CCSD School Board Members, My name is Ramona Stanley. I found my calling to be a school nurse early in my career. I have been a registered nurse for 27 years. I knew as a new grad that I wanted to work somehow in a public health capacity and was thrilled when I obtained a posi on as a school nurse in 1995. I am honored to work in a posi on where I work with excep onal teachers, support staff, administrators and related services staff. School Nurses serve many roles and I feel that we bridge the gap between family and school by promp ng health. We all know that healthy kids learn be er. As a nurse, I feel that it is important for the board to see the perspec ve from this school nurse. I know that this is long. However, I am concerned that there is a lack of informa on for parents, educators and the public regarding what a return to school will look like. When a student complains of one symptoms that may be associated with COVID (fever, cough, loss of taste or smell, diarrhea, redness/fa gue, shortness of breath, nausea/vomi ng, body aches, headaches, conges on/runny nose, difficulty breathing, chills, sore throat), they will have to be observed and separated from other students in a designated isola on room on campus. The student will need to be picked up. Nurses do not diagnose condi ons. A physician will need to determine if the symptoms are related to COVID or another acute or chronic condi on. Contact tracing will occur and classes may have to go back to distance learning, giving parents no no ce to offer their employers. Let me unpack some of the informa on in the last paragraph: Symptoms of COVID- On a daily basis, many students may come to the health office complaining or one or more of the symptoms that may be associated with COVID. Their a endance will immediately be affected as they will not be able to stay at school and may require a stay at home between 10 to 14 days. For our very young children, this places parents in a stressful employment posi on of staying home or fran cally finding last minute daycare for their children while the student is back to distance educa on. Parents will also be required to obtain documenta on from their physician who will have to be comfortable wri ng that the symptoms the student exhibits are not related to COVID. I an cipate parent and physician irrita on that they are being required to get documenta on for a chronic health condi on (think Allergies or Asthma) that they may have not seen a physician for an extended period of me due to home management or only occasional flare ups. When there is an exposure- Contact Tracing occurs once a student enters the health office with a symptom from the COVID list. This is performed in addi on to the many other mandated du es performed by a school nurse. It is important to note that school nurses are not on campus daily. We are assigned to several schools. Staffing ra os for each nurse per school can be very high, especially those that work in secondary se ngs. Medically fragile students on our campus are of a par cular concern in regards to maintaining their health and safety while at school. It is difficult to imagine how health procedures (diabe c management, Gastrostomy tube feedings, tracheostomy care, etc.) and medica on administra on will be completed in a safe manner and loca on. Isola on Room – The FASAs are essen al employees in our health offices. They see many students each day. Pay is low and workload can be overwhelming. Those with chronic health condi ons will be at addi onal risk due to possible exposures. When the FASA is not available, the health office depends on designated individuals to back up the health office. It is not always easy to find staff willing to fill the gap especially since most do not have formal CPR AED or First Aid. Now, these individuals may be asked to stay in the isola on room with students that may or may not have been exposed to COVID. I do not an cipate many people volunteering to assist the health office. The isola on room requires many things- a restroom close by, desk, printer, phone, and ability to social distance. It will be very difficult to locate a room on campus to fulfill this requirement. I am very concerned for our teachers. Those with chronic health condi ons (like our medically fragile students) will be in small classrooms that make social distancing difficult and will have prolonged exposure to students that may be sick. Their health and safety is important. Many secondary teachers that I speak with wonder how they will manage the workload. I have many more concerns and could go on and on, but will close. I hope you find this helpful. A er wri ng all of this, if you took the me to read this, thank you. It is impera ve that the public is aware of how a return to campus, November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 40 of 99 even a hybrid model, will look for our students, staff and families. The COVID numbers are on the rise again and the district doesn’t have the staff and resources to open the 5th largest school district. I can imagine the pressure placed on the school district to open, but let’s not forget that our size creates obstacles that other smaller districts may not face. The health and safety of our students is paramount. Bo om line……I am a healthcare professional and I do not support a return to campus learning at this me.
Sincerely, Ramona Stanley RN, BSN, MEd, NBCSN
-- Ramona Stanley RN, BSN, MEd, NBCSN AED Nurse Liaison Health Services
Assigned School Locations: AED Nurse Liaison- M/T/W/F Veterans Tribute CTA- Thursdays Nevada Learning Academy Morris Sunset East HS
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 41 of 99 It is still too risky... 1 message
Virginia Rohlman [Hummel ES] Mon, Nov 9, 2020 at 10:14 PM Bcc: [email protected]
Dear Board Member,
I am an elementary school teacher, my husband is an elementary school teacher as well, and we have two elementary school aged children within CCSD. We are all very concerned with the numbers being so high and continuing to rise with the coronavirus/COVID19 and having to return shortly.
I recently heard that Pfizer has a vaccine that is 90% effective and it will be most likely coming out in Dec. Why mess with the good rhythm we currently have? Why not wait until after the holidays and hopefully people get the vaccine to give us a safe option to return. The safest option would be to wait until the vaccine has been out for the rest of the school year. This would be, in hopes, that it would be an adequate time for most people to see the safety of it. This would in turn, be more possible for people to decide to get the vaccine before the start of the 2021-2022 school year.
Honestly, the pages of new rules with this hybrid system are just going to over complicate things. We all finally got used to this current distant learning system we have. Changing it is just going to cause many teachers, staff, parents, and children unnecessary stress, exposure, and frustration.
We either need to go back 100% or do online 100%, in between, is too much and we are all still getting exposed anyways by going in with the hybrid system. 100% online is me and my family's vote. We voted for this because our school has had three staff members get it. One of those three staff members are currently in the hospital and has been there for the last week. Please vote NO on returning.
It is not safe to return for anyone. Sending us back, when you know it is unsafe to do so, shows your lack of care for us all. Please show that you continue to care for the safety of everyone involved with CCSD by continuing distant learning from the safety of our homes. Is it perfect? No, but we are safe.
--
With appreciation,
Virginia Rohlman
Virginia Rohlman 1st Grade Teacher John R. Hummel Elementary School
"Teachers who love to teach, teach children to love to learn." - Robert John Meehan
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 42 of 99 Thursday, November 12, 2020 Meeting 1 message
Crystal Phelps [Scherkenbach ES] Mon, Nov 9, 2020 at 10:27 PM To: BoardMtgComments
To whom it may concern,
I have many concerns about coming back in a hybrid position and concerns about the school year as a whole.
I feel it will be MORE detrimental to students' mental health if they are forced to be 6 feet away from each other (or whatever number you come up with), have to wear a mask all day, made to sit in the same classroom, and possibly even have to switch teachers due to going hybrid/stay online. Teachers have completely reinvented learning this school year and we (as a district) have spent so much money on distance education, why such a push for hybrid/in-person learning when the board isn't meeting in person and our positivity rates are so high? As a teacher and a parent I have true concerns. What if I contract Covid-19 from a student/colleague/parent? Am I to extinguish all my sick days that I've been saving up? What if something happens to me? Who will take care of my two children that I raise on my own?
Also, WHY are we acting like this is a normal school year when it is NOT normal whatsoever and we're still testing students incessantly? LET US TEACH, enough with the testing and requirements of a typical school year when we are not in a typical school year - even if we go hybrid it will not be close to normal. Let us teach. We are college-educated professionals, some with multiple degrees, we are capable of doing what is best for our students.
Crystal E. Phelps, M.Ed. First Grade Teacher Scherkenbach Elementary
"Words are our most inexhaustible source of magic, capable of both inflicting injury and remedying it." - Dumbledore -
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 43 of 99 Vote NO to returning to school. 1 message
Ginna Rohlman Mon, Nov 9, 2020 at 10:36 PM Bcc: [email protected]
Dear Board Member,
We have two elementary school aged children within CCSD. We are all very concerned with the numbers being so high and continuing to rise with the coronavirus/COVID19 and having to return shortly.
I recently heard that Pfizer has a vaccine that is 90% effective and it will be most likely coming out in Dec. Why mess with the good rhythm we currently have? Why not wait until after the holidays and hopefully people get the vaccine to give us a safe option to return. The safest option would be to wait until the vaccine has been out for the rest of the school year. This would be, in hopes, that it would be an adequate time for most people to see the safety of it. This would in turn, be more possible for people to decide to get the vaccine before the start of the 2021-2022 school year.
Honestly, the pages of new rules with this hybrid system are just going to over complicate things. We all finally got used to this current distant learning system we have. Changing it is just going to cause many teachers, staff, parents, and children unnecessary stress, exposure, and frustration.
We either need to go back 100% or do online 100%, in between, is too much and we are all still getting exposed anyways by going in with the hybrid system. 100% online is me and my family's vote. We voted for this because our school has had three staff members get it. One of those three staff members are currently in the hospital and has been there for the last week. Please vote NO on returning.
It is not safe to return for anyone. Sending us back, when you know it is unsafe to do so, shows your lack of care for us all. Please show that you continue to care for the safety of everyone involved with CCSD by continuing distant learning from the safety of our homes. Is it perfect? No, but we are safe.
-- Sincerely,
Virginia Rohlman, MBA.
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 44 of 99 Against reopening schools 1 message
Katherine Mon, Nov 9, 2020 at 11:01 PM Reply-To: Katherine To: [email protected]
Cases are peaking in Nevada, cases are peaking nationally, and it's not safe to return to schools.
I would not feel safe in my classroom, even with just staff on campus. I've been in my current classroom for 16 of my 19 years in the district, and I've had 16 years of air conditioning and heating problems. I do not trust the district to finally get it fixed before next month.
I haven't been to a restaurant, had take out, seen any of my friends, I only shop curbside, and the only reason I've been in Target since May is to get a flu shot. My 71 year old mother lives with me, and I do this to protect her. I don't want to put my health, and therefore her health, at risk due to a premature school opening.
I work hard--at home--to make virtual learning work. Many of my students have expressed their fears about the virus to me. My colleagues don't feel comfortable returning to work.
I am an educator here in Clark County School District and I am extremely concerned with the potential reopening plan. We as educators are working tirelessly during this pandemic to ensure that our students continue to learn despite these challenging circumstances. Reopening schools is a difficult decision, and has to be carefully thought out because people’s lives are at stake. I urge you to only support a plan that includes …
1. educators having the CHOICE to continue working remotely
2. and the district implementing a robust mandatory safety program which includes required testing, contact tracing, proper PPE, and adequate social distancing.
Katherine Caron-Greig
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 45 of 99 No to Hybrid Reopening Plan 1 message
Mehak Hussain Mon, Nov 9, 2020 at 11:17 PM To: [email protected]
Hello,
Schools should not be reopened. The cold and flu season is upon us. COVID cases in Nevada are at all time high levels. Although some students are facing emotional and psychological trauma due to the lack of social interaction, imagine how much more trauma will be inflicted upon them when schools reopen but have to close again because someone got sick and spread the sickness among a class. Or imagine the trauma when students start losing classmates, teachers, family members, and more. Flu and cold symptoms are indistinguishable from COVID symptoms. A lot of kids will have runny noses or fever due to the flu. How can we tell whether that student has the flu or COVID? Right now students are getting used to the new norm of distance learning. They are adjusting and coping. How will they cope once the schools close down again? What will we tell them? This plan of Hybrid learning is not sustainable at its slightest and should be reconsidered. Teachers and students both should be given the choice whether they want to teach remotely or in person. Hybrid learning will cause more stress to the teachers and students. We cannot expect students to not interact with each other. We cannot force them to wear masks 7 hours a day. We cannot make them sit in their classrooms instead of eating in the lunch room with their friends. Students will still not be able to do those things in this hybrid model.
You will be responsible for any student or teacher that dies from COVID if the school reopens. Think how much money you will lose when parents and teachers will sue you for jeopardizing their health and the health of children. This matter needs to be taken seriously.
Regards, A concerned person M.H.
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 46 of 99 2,000+ new cases and you're considering going back? 1 message
Ryan Rohlman [Hill ES] Mon, Nov 9, 2020 at 11:29 PM To: "Deanna Wright [School Trustee]"
Going back is reckless in general, but the hybrid system is unbelievably apauling. My spouse and I are both teachers with two children who are in elementary school. With the proposed hybrid system, this will result in one of us leaving our position due to our lack of childcare. Furthermore, these actions are putting more teachers and students at risk. There is no logic behind these decisions or proposals. Also, the carelessness involved causes the public, staff, and students to lose trust with CCSD.
November 7, 2020 showed the highest number of cases in one day. 2,068 new cases were reported on that day. Since October 30th, there have been six days with over 1,000 new cases per day. Moreover, schools in southern Nevada that have opened back up have seen unjustified increases in the number of cases at these schools. Many have gone back to online learning in the interest of their staff and families. Deciding to go back to school in any form other than online is careless and will result in increased cases, lost jobs, struggling families, and dissatisfied community members.
My students have acclimated well to online school and many families feel it is the best and safest option. Making the change to a hybrid system will complicate our current system unnecessarily. I urge you to make the right choice and protect families, staff, and our community.
Ryan Rohlman
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 47 of 99 Reopening of schools 1 message
Amber Padilla [Dr. Beth Howe Center] Mon, Nov 9, 2020 at 11:46 PM To: "[email protected]"
Hi board of trustees, I am a school nurse with CCSD. I currently oversee over 2600 students when the school nurse to student ratio is supposed to be 750 to 1. I truly love my job and I plan on making this my career but sending students and staff back to work right now isn’t safe. We’re supposed to have one fasa at each school and some school don’t even have that. We now have to have another staff member that will cover the “sick” room where kids with even one symptom will go to wait for their parents to pick them up. That staff member will more then likely have to stay in that room all day because our symptoms list is so non specific that even a student with a runny nose or headache has to go home and stay there for at least 10 days unless they test negative or get a doctors release. Now mind you when that student who has a runny nose is in the sick room they will be next to other sick students who maybe does have covid and now their exposed and will have to quarantine for 14 days no matter what. So please really think about this, if you guys can’t meet in person then how is it safe to send us all back to school? Thank you for your time, Amber -- Amber Padilla RN School Nurse Tracheostomy liaison Basic Academy of International Studies
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 48 of 99 Reopening Schools 1 message
Lori Cohen [Dr. Beth Howe Center] Mon, Nov 9, 2020 at 11:57 PM To: [email protected]
CCSD Board Members, It appears that the door has been opened for commentary on returning to the classroom. I hope you will take a few minutes to hear my input. I have been a school nurse with CCSD for 10 years. Almost all of my 25 years prior to CCSD was in the pediatric emergency department as a nurse, charge nurse, nurse educator and manager, I am comfortable working with children who are very ill and may be carrying very contagious diseases. However, the school Health Office is not a pediatric emergency department. The number of new Covid 19 cases in our community and the nation is continuing to grow rapidly. The scientists state we are going to see higher numbers of hospitalizations and deaths this winter. That is very scary to everyone including us nurses. We simply do not have any kind of control on the spread in the community and opening up further is not going to help us get control of it. We need a plan to proactively prevent new cases. I read an article that proposed the entire national populace be supplied with enough rapid tests to check each morning before they head out to jobs or school. If they are negative, off they go. If they are positive they seek a more sensitive test. (It is my understanding that the rapid tests are more likely to give a false positive than a false negative.) It would give a point of reference for tracking and preventing spread and new cases.
I do also believe that many of our students may be losing ground related to their education and that parents want them back in school to stop this. But what makes us believe that going back to school will fix that? Many of our students and parents are anxious due to the virus itself, or sick family members, or the loss of family or friends, or parents out of work as well as the unease in our nation for political reasons. Returning to school will not change that. And school will not be the same as they left it. Their entire school day will be in one room (elementary). They will be taught there, eat there and even receive specials in that classroom. They will be required to wear a mask for 6 to 7 hours without taking it off. If they are having any Covid type symptom they will need to go home, and quickly. (Many of our parents are very difficult to reach during the day. Or it takes them 2 to 3 hours to respond to take their child home.) And any possible exposure will require 10 days of quarantine. If our teachers or staff are exposed they will need to quarantine for that same amount of time. And substitutes are very hard to find. Even before the pandemic site administrators resorted to dividing up students into other teacher's rooms very frequently. Do we have a plan for that? Do our parents know and understand these plans and requirements? Do they understand the expectations of students and parents?
The plans for the function of the Health Office, nurse, FASA and back ups look good on paper. As I understand it we are to have only well kids in our actual HO and site administrators are to create a "sick room" for possible infectious illnesses. Many of our schools were very crowded prior to the pandemic. There is precious little space to create a seperate room, close to the school exit, with running water, a computer and a bathroom. We nurses are experts at making things work. But even if we find a room, how do we staff it? If the FASA staffs one room we would need a back up in the other. And the backups are very resistant to this idea. They are afraid of becoming ill. And that takes them away from their responsibilities in the front office. So what about the nurse? We do try to work the HO to help cover lunches or when out FASA is out etc. But nurses split their time between 2 schools and have responsibility to educate staff and parents. And to participate in evaluating and providing services to Special Education students. And we provide medical procedures to our students with chronic health problems. As I understand it we will also be performing contract tracing for our students. That is a very time consuming process. We are the perfect professionals to do it and we are anxious to pick it up but that further decreases the time we can assist in the HO.
And last, there are issues with communications up and down the many different professionals in the schools. My site administrators were surprised to learn of the plan to create "sick rooms" from me. Also I understand there are plans to put special filters in some rooms. Again my site administrators learned that from me. And I had very little information about these filters to give administrators. My supervisor also did not know the specifics of these filters to better inform the site administrators.. Are they hepa filters or something else? Are they evidence based? How do they work?
This is wordy and I apologize for that but I am passionate about my job and want to see our students soar. But the timing and the plans should be further enhanced to make sure we are making our schools and our students safer and ready to learn. And that staff, including myself are able to stay safe and healthy along with our students.
Thank you so much for your time.
Lori Cohen, RN School Nurse McMillan ES/ Tarr ES/
Health Services Department
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 49 of 99 NO HYBRID- US SURPASSES 100,000 cases per DAY! 1 message
Angeline Richards Tue, Nov 10, 2020 at 6:21 AM To: [email protected]
Hello,
With all due respect, Jara’s hybrid plan is stupidity. The US is now surpassing 100,000 Covid cases per day. There are 240,000+ Dead Americans.
Our neighbor Utah is in a state of emergency.
Even with smaller classes...we will Just have to shut down again because someone will get Covid. It will be a waste of time and money only to shut up a few parents.
Stop this stupidity. Keep kids/teachers safe.
NO HYBRID. IT IS A STUPID MOVE!
Sincerely,
Ani Richards Henderson
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 50 of 99 Public Comment 1 message
Katie Smith [Tarkanian MS] Tue, Nov 10, 2020 at 6:34 AM To: [email protected]
I want to start with a question. Do you find it acceptable that you meet virtually to vote on whether or not schools open? On the campus I work on we would have 1100+ people on campus but the board doesn't seem to be able to meet in person with 10-20 people including presenters.
I wrote this as I read the 205 page reopening plan that I believe you have seen but will be voting on on Thursday.
I have a few questions that I did not see addressed in the plan and that I would like taken into consideration and addressed by the board on Thursday.
Before I get to my questions I would like to note that cases are rising and there are higher cases now than when we closed schools back in March and with flu season coming there are massive concerns.
Questions: 1) Will the district be providing hand sanitizer to all classrooms?
2) Will teachers be receiving masks and PPE provided by the district? Nurses and grocery store workers were protected by their companies I feel it is only fair our employer does the same.
3) Will students be receiving health checks upon arriving on campus?
4) How will sick students be handled?
5) If a student does not want to wear a cloth mask is a face shield acceptable? How will that be determined? Will a medical note be provided? What will be done with students refusing to wear masks? Do masks have to be solid cloth or can it have holes in it as I have seen some people wearing?
6) I teach two students who are deaf and hard of hearing. I am expected to take off my mask in my room of 16-18 students so they can see my mouth and expose myself?
7) Will the TIES be ready to go before we are required to report back on December 1st.
8) Will parents be informed they need to provide first aid kits for their students? My current first aid kids consists of bandaids. Since we cannot share supplies how will students have access to kleenex?
9) There is the possibility that teachers will be required to administer medicine. Can we stop adding things to teacher's plates?
10) on page 28 it states a staff member who has been exposed to bodily fluids of a non-covid patient will need to use a face shield and disposable mask. Who will be providing these to the teachers in the case that we have to deal with a bloody nose? vomit?
11) It states that if we are symptomatic we are given 10 days of leave. The recommended quarantine time is 14 days, why are we not given 14 days of sick days if we are symptomatic and cannot work?
12) If a teacher becomes infected from a student will the district be paying for all of their testing?
13) How will the ventilation of portables be handled?
14) Why isn't there enhanced cleaning taking place daily in classrooms where students will share desks?
15) with the allotment of 14 students in my room will schedules need to be adjusted adding additional work for our counselors to redo the schedules AGAIN?
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 51 of 99 16) In a middle school setting how will we maintain 6ft separation during transition? are students expected to self monitor that?
17) will I be notified if my room's air filter was replaced? it is concerning that you delivered a number of air filters that have been replaced and not all of them.
18) If HVAC units won't be cleaned until March 2021 why are you requiring students and staff to be back in those buildings?
19) Will the recommended air quality technology be installed before students and staff are required to be in buildings?
20) On page 71 it states that teachers will be responsible for instructing all students. Does this mean virtual and face to face at the same time? on top of health checks and wellness checks?
21) will teachers be required to input grades into canvas for face to face students? will face to face and virtual students have separate gradebooks?
22) On page 74 it outlines the responsibilities of teachers. Based on the description here is what we are responsible for so for Middle School it will look like this: Keep in mind that Middle School is already on an accelerated curriculum. Monday & Tuesday: Teach cohort A face to face, Teach Cohort B asynchronously, Teach Cohort C synchronous and asynchronous, and hold office hours. Wednesday: Professional learning for teachers but also taking attendance for each class period. What will that look like? Thursday Friday: Teach cohort B face to face, Teach Cohort A asynchronously, Teach Cohort C synchronous and asynchronous, and hold office hours.
23) Teachers are still being held to the NEPF and expected to hold socratic seminars, debates, and role playing while staying socially distant? Can you please provide an example of what that will look like?
24) Has the district resolved a way to legally record classes?
25) Will SPED teachers be required to rewrite all of the IEP's that they just rewrote and delivered on 10/2?
26) If a child enters a certain cohort will they be able to change later?
27) What happens if a school cannot obtain a sub for when a teacher is out?
28) Will teachers be required to take in person attendance, virtual attendance, and asynchronous attendance daily?
29) For student arrival, will there be designated staff at each entry point checking the health of the students?
30) Will students be able to congregate before school like normal or will they be assigned arrival and dismissal times?
31) Who will be monitoring students during secondary passing to assure social distancing? What will be the protocols if social distancing is not followed during these times?
32) Breakfast: It says students will be eating in classrooms. Are teachers expected to be in rooms, while students are eating with their masks off? Will breakfast time fall into the teacher contract day?
33) Will students be required to bring a device every day to participate in face to face class since computer labs cannot be utilized?
35) What if there is no breakfast or lunch cart at the entry point of a student who needs breakfast or lunch?
36) On Page 142 you state that some schools do not have the wifi capacity to have teachers stream their lessons and have the students on campus use devices. How will synchronous and asynchronous learning take place if the SCHOOL'S infrastructure cannot handle it?
37) For athletics, will the district be providing the tests required of coaches and players?
38) If contactless temperature readings are required for athletics are they also not required for students to attend school? Where will the temperatures be logged?
39) Substitutes typically rotate between schools. Is there a concern with a sub potentially coming into contact with multiple schools in one week? November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 52 of 99 40) How should teachers proceed if they are the caretaker or live with someone who has a pre-existing condition?
41) After December 2020, how do you plan to handle emergency paid sick leave if a teacher has COVID since it expires in December but students come back in January?
42) Who will be responsible for cleaning restrooms, wiping down faucets, toilets etc in between uses?
After speaking with teachers in other districts here are some questions I have about how their district is managing in person school even though they currently have 6 kids who are covid positive and many more quarantining.
43) Will teachers be provided with amplifiers so that they can teach through their masks?
44) Will there be plastic shields on the desks as a divider between teachers and students?
45) Will students be required to have a temperature check?
--
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 53 of 99 11/12 meeting 1 message
Aimee Fuller Tue, Nov 10, 2020 at 6:40 AM To: "[email protected]"
“Additionally, the plan includes a recommendation to end telecommuting work for CCSD employees and a date to return to work locations on Tuesday, December 1, 2020, to prepare for the tentative transition to the hybrid instructional model. This is important so staff prepares to welcome our students in our school buildings.”
This portion of the proposed plan is deeply concerning to me. 1) What are the proposed steps of preparation? 2) What portion of this preparation takes three weeks to complete while I am still teaching during the majority of my contract hours? 3) Why am I given seven hours and eleven minutes to prepare to welcome students into the building each fall but somehow it now takes three weeks? 4) How many days will classes be cancelled for teachers to prepare their classrooms? 5) When will you be returning to the building to prepare to welcome teachers back? 6) H ow much time have you, as an individual, spent investigating the effectiveness of hybrid education for students? What were your findings? 7) How much time have you, as an individual, spent investigating the effects on the mental health of educators involved in hybrid education for students? What were your findings? 8) How much time have you, as an individual, spent investigating the infection rates of staff and students of hybrid education? What were your findings? Finally, I implore you to not be pressured into making a hasty decision. Pushing teachers into empty buildings serves no purpose. It will increase teacher stress levels. It will likely have no impact on productivity.
I am truly looking forward to hearing back from each of you regarding these issues. Thank you for your service.
Aimee Fuller
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 54 of 99 A Concerned Educator 1 message
Angela Hicks [Thiriot ES] Tue, Nov 10, 2020 at 6:43 AM To: "[email protected]"
My name is Angela Hicks and I am a 4th grade teacher at a Title 1 school. As a teacher who cares about her own health and the health of others, I believe that now is not the time to think about reopening our schools. I am so disappointed in our school district’s leaders and legislatures who care more about profit and the economy over actual lives. We are still living in a pandemic and with more cases on the rise daily in Clark County, we should not be risking the lives of our students and teachers. As a 4th grade teacher of 36 students, I have finally been able to get my students into a routine with distance learning and they are rock stars! With that being said, reopening our schools or implementing a "hybrid plan" will only add more stress/workload to our teachers and negatively impact our students! Since we began the school year, I have not had a weekend off due to lesson planning and preparing content to teach my virtual lessons. I am giving up my arm and my leg to be the best teacher I can possibly be. Right now, teachers are effective as they can be with distance learning and we are able to do so while keeping students safe! My students participate in virtual dance parties and other fun virtual group activities! If we were to reopen the schools to hybrid learning, students will not be receiving the same engagement or social/emotional development that they need in order to be happy and healthy learners. I am disappointed in the lack of empathy and care from the school district at a time where you should be supporting the very backbone that makes education possible right now. Please reconsider reopening our schools until there is enough adequate funding to implement measures that will make our schools a safe environment for students and all staff! --
Angela Hicks, Teacher Joseph Thiriot Elementary School
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 55 of 99 Agenda Item 5.02 1 message
Aimee Fuller Tue, Nov 10, 2020 at 6:48 AM To: "[email protected]"
Agenda Item 5.02 Specifically teachers returning to buildings December 1 and Hybrid Model. 1) What are the proposed steps of preparation? 2) What portion of this preparation takes three weeks to complete while I am still teaching during the majority of my contract hours? 3) Why am I given seven hours and eleven minutes to prepare to welcome students into the building each fall but somehow it now takes three weeks? 4) How many days will classes be cancelled for teachers to prepare their classrooms? 5) When will you be returning to the building to prepare to welcome teachers back? 6) H ow much time have you, as an individual, spent investigating the effectiveness of hybrid education for students? What were your findings? 7) How much time have you, as an individual, spent investigating the effects on the mental health of educators involved in hybrid education for students? What were your findings? 8) How much time have you, as an individual, spent investigating the infection rates of staff and students of hybrid education? What were your findings? Finally, I implore you to not be pressured into making a hasty decision. Pushing teachers into empty buildings serves no purpose. It will increase teacher stress levels. It will likely have no impact on productivity.
Aimee Fuller
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 56 of 99 Thursday vote 1 message
Leslie Davis Tue, Nov 10, 2020 at 6:57 AM To: [email protected]
Good morning- I’m writing about the back to school hybrid plan being voted on Thursday. I’m in favor (in favor of 5 days a week honestly) but in favor of any amount of return to school. I have a 1st and 5th grader in CCSD. Their mental well being is not boding well. Especially my 5th grader. It’s been 8 months they haven’t been in school. They left one day with no idea they would not return. They’re mourning the last year and mourning what school was. I’m trying to wrap my head around the fact that kids can attend community centers, daycares, rec centers etc, in a small room, all day for hours (mine 7-8hrs a day) with staff and that be ok. (Mine have done this since July). It’s exactly the same as what school would be like. A small room, kids in it, masks on, sanitation measures in place, staff around, hours a day positive cases will happen...... it won’t mean shut it down. They can play at the park on playground equipment with masks on as well, around other kids. Every work place is open. Casinos have positive cases all the time. I work in one. Our office just had 4 cases (there are 85 of us) and we don’t shut down. We live with it. We have been since July. Guess what?? It isn’t running ramped in our office because 4 ppl got it. Everything is open and moving on and living with this virus. Why aren’t schools? Why are teachers so much more important than anyone else? They are essential and should be forced to be back to school. All school staff should be. It’s absurd that they feel so entitled that they shouldn’t have to go. This makes absolutely no sense and I’m having a hard time justifying it to my kids. I have no way to defend this nonsense. How do I explain they can be at the rec, while it’s exactly like a school setting, but they can’t go to school? I’m seriously contemplating a home school curriculum because let’s face it, while my kids school teachers and staff are amazing and over the top, I 100% see they are so far behind in their studies. I now know of parents who have pulled their kids from CCSD. 1 put their child in a private school and the other 3 are doing homeschool. They are all so happy with their choices. I don’t want to have to do this, but if things don’t change, my children’s well being has to come first. I will enroll them in a private school. Not sure if you’re aware, majority of staff and parents are on social media saying your vote and questioning is formality. They’re saying you have zero intent on reopening schools. That your minds are made up and you’re trying to appease people by pretending to care and want to open. I certainly hope that isn’t the case and hope I am not being naive in hoping that isn’t the case. Please consider this: kids are somewhere all day around other kids, in school like environments. Being in school would not be that different. School is ESSENTIAL. Children are suffering and you extending the closure is prolonging their suffering. Mentally they are not as resilient as everyone thinks. It’s been too long. They can only be so resilient for so long. REOPEN SCHOOLS.
Thank you, Leslie Davis
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 57 of 99 Question on reopening 1 message
Danielle Cadena Tue, Nov 10, 2020 at 7:12 AM To: [email protected]
Why did the district wait until after the parent survey had closed to release the details on the plan? The district forced parents to make uninformed choices about their student's lives.
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 58 of 99 CCSD Hybrid Plan 1 message fypOL9 gH Tue, Nov 10, 2020 at 7:16 AM To: "[email protected]"
Good Morning,
Is going back to school mandatory for all students? As a parent, I don’t want to risk my children getting sick- could I keep them doing distance learning even if a hybrid plan is approved?
Thank you, Kaia KS
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 59 of 99 Questions About Reopening 1 message
Angela Hicks [Thiriot ES] Tue, Nov 10, 2020 at 7:26 AM To: "[email protected]"
Questions: 1) Will the district be providing hand sanitizer to all classrooms?
2) Will teachers be receiving masks and PPE provided by the district?
3) Will students be receiving health checks upon arriving on campus?
4) How will sick students be handled?
5) If a student does not want to wear a cloth mask is a face shield acceptable? How will that be determined? Will a medical note be provided? What will be done with students refusing to wear masks? Do masks have to be solid cloth or can it have holes in it as I have seen some people wearing?
6) I teach two students who are deaf and hard of hearing. I am expected to take off my mask in my room of 16-18 students so they can see my mouth and expose myself?
7) Will the TIES be ready to go before we are required to report back on December 1st.
8) Will parents be informed they need to provide first aid kits for their students? My current first aid kids consists of bandaids. Since we cannot share supplies how will students have access to kleenex?
9) There is the possibility that teachers will be required to administer medicine. Can we stop adding things to teacher's plates?
10) on page 28 it states a staff member who has been exposed to bodily fluids of a non-covid patient will need to use a face shield and disposable mask. Who will be providing these to the teachers in the case that we have to deal with a bloody nose? vomit?
11) It states that if we are symptomatic we are given 10 days of leave. The recommended quarantine time is 14 days, why are we not given 14 days of sick days if we are symptomatic and cannot work?
12) If a teacher becomes infected from a student will the district be paying for all of their testing?
13) How will the ventilation of portables be handled?
14) Why isn't there enhanced cleaning taking place daily in classrooms where students will share desks?
15) with the allotment of 14 students in my room will schedules need to be adjusted adding additional work for our counselors to redo the schedules AGAIN?
16) In a middle school setting how will we maintain 6ft separation during transition? are students expected to self monitor that?
17) will I be notified if my room's air filter was replaced? it is concerning that you delivered a number of air filters that have been replaced and not all of them.
18) If HVAC units won't be cleaned until March 2021 why are you requiring students and staff to be back in those buildings?
19) Will the recommended air quality technology be installed before students and staff are required to be in buildings?
20) On page 71 it states that teachers will be responsible for instructing all students. Does this mean virtual and face to face at the same time? on top of health checks and wellness checks?
21) will teachers be required to input grades into canvas for face to face students? will face to face and virtual students have separate gradebooks?
22) On page 74 it outlines the responsibilities of teachers. Based on the description here is what we are responsible for so for Middle School it will look like this: Keep in mind that Middle School is already on an accelerated curriculum.
23) Teachers are still being held to the NEPF and expected to hold socratic seminars, debates, and role playing while staying socially distant? Can you please provide an example of what that will look like? Monday & Tuesday: Teach cohort A face to face, Teach Cohort B asynchronously, Teach Cohort C synchronous and asynchronous, and hold office hours. Wednesday: Professional learning for teachers but also taking attendance for each class period. What will that look like? Thursday Friday: Teach cohort B face to face, Teach Cohort A asynchronously, Teach Cohort C synchronous and asynchronous, and hold office hours.
24) Has the district resolved a way to legally record classes?
25) Will SPED teachers be required to rewrite all of the IEP's that they just rewrote and delivered on 10/2?
26) If a child enters a certain cohort will they be able to change later?
27) What happens if a school cannot obtain a sub for when a teacher is out?
28) Will teachers be required to take in person attendance, virtual attendance, and asynchronous attendance daily?
29) For student arrival, will there be designated staff at each entry point checking the health of the students?
30) Will students be able to congregate before school like normal or will they be assigned arrival and dismissal times?
31) Who will be monitoring students during secondary passing to assure social distancing? What will be the protocols if social distancing is not followed during these times?
32) Breakfast: It says students will be eating in classrooms. Are teachers expected to be in rooms, while students are eating with their masks off? Will breakfast time fall into the teacher contract day?
33) Will students be required to bring a device every day to participate in face to face class since computer labs cannot be utilized?
35) What if there is no breakfast or lunch cart at the entry point of a student who needs breakfast or lunch?
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 60 of 99 36) On Page 142 you state that some schools do not have the wifi capacity to have teachers stream their lessons and have the students on campus use devices. How will synchronous and asynchronous learning take place if the SCHOOL'S infrastructure cannot handle it?
37) For athletics, will the district be providing the tests required of coaches and players?
38) If contactless temperature readings are required for athletics are they also not required for students to attend school? Where will the temperatures be logged?
39) Substitutes typically rotate between schools. Is there a concern with a sub potentially coming into contact with multiple schools in one week?
40) How should teachers proceed if they are the caretaker or live with someone who has a pre-existing condition?
41) After December 2020, how do you plan to handle emergency paid sick leave if a teacher has COVID since it expires in December but students come back in January? --
Angela Hicks, Teacher Joseph Thiriot Elementary School
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 61 of 99 Reopening Schools Questions 1 message
Marilee Owens [Goldfarb ES] Tue, Nov 10, 2020 at 7:48 AM To: BoardMtgComments
Good morning,
Below are a few questions that I would like to consider before making your vote on Thursday. I am extremely concerned about the health and safety of all students and staff.
1. If a student in my class has tested positive for Covid, what are the procedures? Does everyone in the class get tested? Is the class quarantined at home? 2. If I were to test positive for Covid, what would happen to my class? There are not enough substitutes for the district. How will my class be covered? 3. There is not enough space in my classroom to separate desks 6’ apart. How am I supposed to keep my students safe? 4. I am departmentalized with another teacher. Do the students switch classrooms like normal? Should the teachers switch classrooms? How can we limit the exposure of all students? 5. How are specials expected to be scheduled? Will all students in attendance go to the specials classroom? Will those rooms be sanitized between each group? Or will Specialists go to the classrooms of each class? Some specialists have multiple classes at the same time. This will also expose them to 6x the amount of students than any other teacher. Will they continue to be done via google meet in their own classrooms? Is the teacher expected to supervise them? If so, when is our prep? 6. Where will students be expected to eat lunch? If they are in the cafeteria, how can we ensure that all surfaces are sanitized between each group? If they are eating in the classroom, is the teacher expected to supervise them? When do we get our duty free lunch? 7. I understand that students will not be allowed to have any shared materials. Will teachers be responsible for purchasing extra materials for all students? Will the district provide a stipend to allow teachers to purchase materials for their classroom? I personally do not have the money to ensure that my students all have access to their own personal materials. 8. Will we be provided with PPE by the district? It is imperative that students and teachers have access to masks, gloves, and cleaning materials. Are teachers responsible for purchasing and providing these? Or will the district provide them for all schools for the remainder of the school year? 9. The air system in my room is mediocre at best. My room opens up to our pod and not outside. Are filtration systems going to be installed? What are the plans to mitigate the spread through airborne particles? 10. How are teachers expected to teach both online and in person simultaneously? Will there be additional technology provided to teachers? Will we receive any additional professional development on how to be effective while juggling so many moving parts?
Unless there is a detailed plan for EVERY question above, we are not ready to reopen. The district has had since March to create a plan to ensure the safety of all students and staff. There is no longer time to say “we will have to discuss that” or “we will talk about it when it happens”. That is unacceptable. I expect the November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 62 of 99 district to create a plan that is thorough and detailed for all schools. It should not be up to each individual administration and teacher to create a plan for themselves. It is time for the district to stand up and be the leader for this district that we deserve. It is absolutely unacceptable that each school is expected to create its own plan. This will lead to discrepancies between the schools and there will be no uniform procedures. By doing this, you are risking the lives of students and staff. Though I love being a teacher, and I would do practically anything for my students, I will not risk my life and the life of my family due to the lack of leadership in the district.
Marilee Owens Goldfarb ES
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 63 of 99 Public Comment - Mark Pemberton 1 message
Mark Pemberton Tue, Nov 10, 2020 at 8:01 AM To: [email protected]
To the Board of School Trustees,
My name is Mark Pemberton and I am currently a Primary Resource Teacher in CCSD.
I do not believe we should transition back to in-person learning at this time or in the near future. While the educational gains students would make are important when considering this situation, the possibility of losing the life of a child, a teacher, or family members outweighs these benefits.
I believe that a more appropriate change would be to look at the upcoming school years and adjusting the school calendar to make up for the lost time due to the closures and distanced learning. Having a shorter summer break across the next three years would help address the losses in educational development our students are facing.
Please consider this moving forward.
Best,
Mark Pemberton
--
Mark Pemberton he/him/his Second Year Corps Member, Teach For America (TFA) School Organizing Fellow, Leadership for Educational Equity (LEE) University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of Early Childhood, Multilingual, and Special Education
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 64 of 99 Transitioning Back 1 message
Kevin Chamorro [Williams, Tom ES] Tue, Nov 10, 2020 at 8:02 AM To: [email protected]
President Brooks, Dr. Jara, and Members of the Board,
I'm writing to you as a concerned licensed staff member at Tom Williams ES. As you know, our population is heavily exposed to covid-19. I have great fear of my health and the health and well being of our students if we are required to come back to school.
It's not just a safety issue, it's also a logistical concern, scheduling, transportation, etc,. If students are to come back, hybrid or not, they will more than likely be split into different classes. So, if they started the year with one teacher, they will finish the year with another. Our grouping of kids, the routines and procedures, and the instructional scope and sequence will be compromised.
Don't get me wrong, I would love to have students come back to school. There's nothing more that I want than to go back to normal life. But, honestly, is it safe? Do we want to gamble with students' and staff' health? I know I don't want my loving family to get covid-19 after so many months of being safe.
Please don't put me in the position that will compromise the health and safety of the people I love the most. I don't know what I would do if I infect (unknowingly) a member of my family. It would KILL ME!
This is not an exaggeration. I know a staff member of The Family Learning Program sponsored by The Public Education Foundation that was exposed to covid, unknowingly infected her mother, and now the mother is dead.
Please keep fighting for our well-being and encourage others to do the same.
Thank you for everything you do.
-Dr. Kevin M. Chamorro
--
Happy Learning
Kevin M. Chamorro, Ed.D. Learning Strategist Family Engagement Strategist Tom Williams Elementary School
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 65 of 99 Return to Site 1 message
Esther G Moffett [ELLD] Tue, Nov 10, 2020 at 8:07 AM To: [email protected]
I believe the decision to reopen schools will not be safe at this me since the current Covid-19 numbers have been spiking, which seems to be the start of a possible second wave. Of course, as a parent myself, I am able to understand the plight of other parents who need to work to provide for their families and our students need to socialize and con nue their educa on, yet at what expense? I believe that safety should be our primary concern. The importance of safety for the health of our children, our professionals, and the extended family, who return to at the end of the day. Should the concerns of educators, who know firsthand, the challenges of opening schools during a pandemic be ignored or placed to the sideline? Unfortunately, some people might think teachers are just trying to make their jobs easier. However, choosing to go back to school remotely is just the opposite. The “classroom” is the No. 1 tool for teachers to do their job. Teaching remotely is so much more challenging and me-consuming. They are willing to establish “best prac ces” remotely during a pandemic. They are willing to do whatever it takes to keep children safe while at the same me con nuing to provide them with an educa on. We all have to make changes during this pandemic. We need to work together to be a part of the solu on. Pa ence is a virtue. Time spent following the current guidelines of keeping everyone safe (washing hands, masks, social distancing) will be me well spent in the long run. Let’s con nue to prac ce science and trust the experts in their fields. Teachers want what you want … a safe environment for children to learn and grow! Yet again, if children return, staff return, especially during the winter flu season, at what cost? Thank you for considering this ma er that so dras cally involves everyone’s well-being.
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 66 of 99 Hybrid model 1 message
Dayna Merritt [Clark HS] Tue, Nov 10, 2020 at 8:08 AM To: [email protected]
Good morning, I am writing to just give my 2 cents on the proposed hybrid model proposal. It is absolutely ridiculous to have any student come back to school buildings at this time. Teachers, parents, all staff have just now somewhat settled into this online environment, and now you want to change it. School should continue to stay online the rest of this school year PERIOD. I know there are students that are having a difficult time right now, but everybody has to make the most of the situation. My own life is difficult as my husband has been out of work since March. Additionally, why would you propose teachers going back on December 1st? What, to stress us out more? Right before the holidays? Seriously reconsider this proposal. It has already been difficult since March. Students, teachers, parents will not gain anything from this...in fact it will increase more mental angst. Please do not vote yes for this proposal. Let us just finish this year online. Thank you for your time Dayna Merritt
-- Dayna Merritt 12th Grade Counselor-Class of 2021 Clark High School
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 67 of 99 Returning to work in the building 1 message
Denni Forehand [Human Resources] Tue, Nov 10, 2020 at 8:09 AM To: BoardMtgComments
I would just like to express my opinion that this is not the time to return to buildings with COVID on the rise. I will follow whatever I am instructed to do but wanted to express my opinion. I am working from home and appreciate that due to being older, overweight and having asthma. As a grandmother and parent of teachers I truly understand how hard it is on parents and students at this time but how many lives are worth this hardship.
-- Thank you, Denni Forehand, Personnel Analyst Human Resources Division Clark County School District Substitute Services
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November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 68 of 99 Back to school plan 1 message
Nikki Schwerin [Lawrence JHS] Tue, Nov 10, 2020 at 8:14 AM To: [email protected], "Jesus Jara [Superintendent]"
Dear Superintendent Jara and board members,
I humbly ask that if you move forward with this plan, that you do not do so before Christmas. I will be traveling to see my family at Christmas and don't want risk exposure to myself before then, thus taking it home to my elderly parents, and immunocompromised sister. Please don't ruin Christmas.
Sincerely yours,
Nikki Schwerin
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 69 of 99 Concerns about hybrid model 2 messages
Anna Zlotecka [Givens ES] Sat, Nov 7, 2020 at 2:09 PM To: BoardMtgComments
I am a 1st grade teacher in the district and I am writing about my concerns about the possibility of moving to a hybrid model. I am very concerned about the upcoming vote. I am currently 7 months pregnant and worried about going back to school in the middle of the pandemic and Nevada's growing numbers.
I have friends and family members who are teachers in other states using the hybrid model which has proven to be a disaster. Teachers are asked to do impossible- teach in person and online simultaneously. Teachers are stressed, overworked, and ready to give up their careers. In addition, some are getting Covid and end up with serious health issues.
Students are even more stressed with their crazy schedules and lack of consistency and routines because of teachers coming and going and lack of subs. Students are testing positive as well, and then that information is often not shared with teachers and classmates. I already know of several cases of Covid in families at my school. What happens when a class is exposed? Would we all be notified? Would the whole class then have to return home for two weeks to quarantine, disrupting the learning of the entire class? Is the teacher then expected to load up everything to take home and set up an at home classroom, to teach from home those two weeks on top of everything else that is taking away from life in general? My colleagues and I and every teacher I know and have heard from in this district are already working nights and weekends and feeling on the brink. We are exhausted. We sacrifice our family time to do our best. Fortunately, we are getting into a groove with our students doing online distance learning. The students have consistency and routines with their teacher, not a sub. We are all safe and not spreading Covid to each other. I am very concerned as well about the survey sent to parents. How are parents supposed to make a decision for their child if they do not even know what the hybrid model would actually be like? I would assume their child would be stuck sitting in the same spot with a mask on for six hours except for lunch. Most classrooms in this district are very small with zero windows for ventilation. I have taught here for 9 years and have never had windows that opened. My current classroom is small and not suitable for social distancing. What would recess look like? How would students go to specials? What would those schedules look like? I read students may end up with a different teacher. How is that best practice for SO many students, especially the very young students who have just become comfortable and feeling safe with their current teacher? Not to mention the additional chaos that would ensue with grades and gradebooks in order for that to happen. The thought of it makes me feel like running away. I know I am not alone. This district cannot afford to lose good teachers to this virus or because of being so overworked and stressed from it they choose another career. SO much money has already been spent on distance education, I feel strongly that moving to a hybrid model would be worse than fully online distance education and that until we can return fully in person, November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 70 of 99 remaining completely online is what is best for our students, families, and teachers. Sincerely, Anna Zlotecka
-- Anna Zlotecka 1st grade Givens ES
Anna Zlotecka [Givens ES] Tue, Nov 10, 2020 at 8:15 AM To: BoardMtgComments
I am a 1st grade teacher in the district and I am writing about my concerns about the possibility of moving to a hybrid model. I am very concerned about the upcoming vote. I am currently 7 months pregnant and worried about going back to school in the middle of the pandemic and Nevada's growing numbers.
I have friends and family members who are teachers in other states using the hybrid model which has proven to be a disaster. Teachers are asked to do impossible- teach in person and online simultaneously. Teachers are stressed, overworked, and ready to give up their careers. In addition, some are getting Covid and end up with serious health issues.
Students are even more stressed with their crazy schedules and lack of consistency and routines because of teachers coming and going and lack of subs. Students are testing positive as well, and then that information is often not shared with teachers and classmates. I already know of several cases of Covid in families at my school. What happens when a class is exposed? Would we all be notified? Would the whole class then have to return home for two weeks to quarantine, disrupting the learning of the entire class? Is the teacher then expected to load up everything to take home and set up an at home classroom, to teach from home those two weeks on top of everything else that is taking away from life in general? My colleagues and I and every teacher I know and have heard from in this district are already working nights and weekends and feeling on the brink. We are exhausted. We sacrifice our family time to do our best. Fortunately, we are getting into a groove with our students doing online distance learning. The students have consistency and routines with their teacher, not a sub. We are all safe and not spreading Covid to each other. I am very concerned as well about the survey sent to parents. How are parents supposed to make a decision for their child if they do not even know what the hybrid model would actually be like? I would assume their child would be stuck sitting in the same spot with a mask on for six hours except for lunch. Most classrooms in this district are very small with zero windows for ventilation. I have taught here for 9 years and have never had windows that opened. My current classroom is small and not suitable for social distancing. What would recess look like? How would students go to specials? What would those schedules look like? I read students may end up with a different teacher. How is that best practice for SO many students, especially the very young students who have just become comfortable and feeling safe with their current teacher? Not to mention the additional chaos that would ensue with grades and gradebooks in order for that to happen. The thought of it makes me feel like running away. I know I am not alone.
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 71 of 99 This district cannot afford to lose good teachers to this virus or because of being so overworked and stressed from it they choose another career. SO much money has already been spent on distance education, I feel strongly that moving to a hybrid model would be worse than fully online distance education and that until we can return fully in person, remaining completely online is what is best for our students, families, and teachers. Sincerely, Anna Zlotecka
-- Anna Zlotecka 1st grade Givens ES
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 72 of 99 Returning to the classrooms 1 message
Janice Kemple [Human Resources] Tue, Nov 10, 2020 at 8:43 AM To: [email protected]
Hello, I am writing in protest of returning to schools before the vaccine is ready. It seems that the numbers are just rising and we are still at home! Two of my nieghbors are sick with COVID and I fear returning in the midst of flu season could be devasting! I am NOT in favor of returning too soon. Why would this be considered right now??? Janice Kemple Personnel Assistant Substitute Services Department Human Resources Unit Clark County School District
"Whether you think you can or can't ~ you are right."
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November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 73 of 99 A Teacher's Concern About Hybrid Learning Model 1 message
Kari Kelly [Lawrence JHS] Tue, Nov 10, 2020 at 8:47 AM To: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
Hello,
I just wanted to send a quick email. I know that there are a lot of concerns out there, and you have a lot to consider in reference to the hybrid program and how students, parents, and teachers fit into the program.
I wish to strongly urge you to consider options for teachers in addition to the parents and students.
My sweet niece, Camille, lives here in Vegas, and I am often over at her house this year, while my sister carries her third child. Camille has Cystic Fibrosis and any contact with this sickness will drastically change her life for the worse. In case you have never heard of Cystic Fibrosis, it is a genetic disease where mucus builds up in all of the carrier's organs, eventually killing the patient (in addition to many other issues). While there are medical advancements being made, there is currently no cure for Cystic Fibrosis.
If we were to have no options for teachers in this hybrid model, I am worried that I will not be able to return, as I would have to isolate for 2 weeks each time I needed to see her, which is just not possible.
I urge you to give teachers the opportunities that are being given to parents and students. We need options. We have concerns for our health, and the health of our loved ones. -- Kari Kelly Seventh Grade ELA Lawrence Middle School
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 74 of 99 Returning to School 1 message
'Carmen Hirciag' via BoardMtgComments
To Whom It May Concern,
I would like to express my opinion regarding children returning to school. Parents should be allowed to determine whether their child(ren) return to school for in-class instruction or remain virtual. Only parents (with very few exceptions) know what is best for their own child(ren), not any Board of Trustees.
I believe kids should return to school full time. They need to socialize with other kids and play outside, not be stuck inside staring at a computer all day. Kids need to be exposed to germs from others to strengthen their immune systems. We will need to learn to live with COVID they way we live with the flu virus. The Coronavirus mortality rates have substantially declined as the virus has mutated and weakened, and treatments have improved. For individuals with health conditions that put their lives at risk, they should have the option to continue with virtual learning. It would be a travesty to put us all in the same basket. We would raise a generation of sickly people because their immune systems have not been properly strengthened. I don't understand why we can pay to take our kids to churches and community centers where they can gather for virtual learning, but aren't able to take them to school. Has COVID been eradicated in churches and community centers, but still remains in public schools in Clark County?
Furthermore, children are not getting a proper education with parents attempting to play the role of teachers. I am not an educator. With a kindergartner and first grader doing virtual learning while I attempt to work from home, you can only imagine how well it's going. It's not working, it's a complete disaster! I find myself having to choose between earning a living and educating my children. Some schools have allowed students to return full time and they are doing fine. I am considering moving my children to a charter or private school if their school doesn't allow for in- class instruction full time by January.
Thank you,
Carmen Hirciag
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 75 of 99 Returning to School 1 message
Merideth Hadersbeck Tue, Nov 10, 2020 at 8:58 AM To: "[email protected]"
I have 2 High School Students at Liberty HS. They are DYING to go back to school. They are sick of being isolated from teachers and other students. For hybrid learning, PLEASE ensure that student schedules remain as close to what they had during virtual learning as possible! PLEASE ensure consistency for students in terms of teachers and classes. The fewer changes, the better!
Sincerely,
Merideth Hadersbeck
8th Grade English Teacher Speech & Debate Teacher National Junior Honor Society Advisor Pinecrest Academy of Nevada, St. Rose
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 76 of 99 11/12/2020 school board meeting hybrid plan 1 message
Marilene Ross Tue, Nov 10, 2020 at 8:59 AM To: "[email protected]"
I have 5 students attending CCSD schools. My students are normally AB honor roll students. All five of my children are negatively effected by online learning and it is a struggle every day for them to attend online. All of my students have D's and F's and are struggling. We check their missing assignments and grades weekly and have removed extra electronics and all video games. Our family's mental health is a huge problem. We are all hugely affected and want to have the choice to stay learning online or in person.
One of my third graders has several anxiety episodes during online learning that don't normally occur during in person learning. She does not enjoy attending school any more and tries to get out of it. Her teacher is amazing and has reached out to us multiple times to try and help her. The school counselor has reached out to us to try and help. But she needs to be in person with her teacher. The online learning at home is overwhelming for her.
My two middle school students are online all day long and have amazing teachers who go out of their way to help us. But they are not learning well enough and overwhelmed with all the added responsibility.
Please give families the option and let parents make a choice of returning to in person or continuing online learning.
Marilene Ross
students at Morrow ES, Hinman ES and Brown JHS
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 77 of 99 Hybrid Instruction 1 message
Kayla Willey [ELLD] Tue, Nov 10, 2020 at 9:00 AM To: [email protected]
Hello,
I personally do not feel comfortable just yet with going to the hybrid model for instruction. Many are still contacting covid- 19. I do not believe it will be safe to go back to any form of in person instruction until there is a vaccine available. If we go to a hybrid model students and staff will be more likely to get sick and then will have to quarantine for the 14 days. Therefore, there would not be any point in having hybrid instruction if student and staff attendance is limited due to quarantine and then be forced to go back to virtual learning. We cannot take for granted that students (especially the younger ones) will follow social distancing and cleanliness procedures. Ultimately, hybrid instruction at this time poses inevitable risks to both students and staff. If we do go back to in person instruction I think it is best to wait until after the predicted second wave of covid-19 and a vaccine is being administered.
Respectfully,
-- Kayla Willey Title I Literacy and Language Intervention Specialist
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 78 of 99 November 7th was over 2000 positive COVID-19 cases in one day 1 message
Joyce Johnson [Thomas ES] Tue, Nov 10, 2020 at 9:01 AM Bcc: [email protected]
Looking at the case numbers, it would be highly careless of the district to think that this is a good time to bring students back in person. We have higher case numbers then we have ever had. If we didn't feel it was safe to bring students back at the beginning of the school year, when case numbers were in the 500-900 a day. Why would now be a good time when November 7th was over 2000 cases in one day? Mental health is important, but physical health is just as important, if not more important. We should be putting more effort into helping the mental health aspect in the current situation, rather than thinking that an unsafe high exposure, unstable routine of some days in school, some days out of school and the always impending threat of having the class need to quarantine at a moments notice and transition back to distance learning as the best option. This all seems like it would be more stress and cause turmoil in the students lives.
Is now really the best time to transition to in person learning?
Joyce Johnson
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 79 of 99 proposed hybrid reopening plan 1 message
Rachel Santos [Dr. Beth Howe Center] Tue, Nov 10, 2020 at 9:04 AM To: BoardMtgComments
To the CCSD School Board of Trustees:
The decision to reopen CCSD school campuses is one that needs to be carefully weighed with all the perspectives taken into account. I have been a school nurse for the past 7 years and an RN for over 15 years. The school nurses that are employed within CCSD are very intelligent, educated, and caring individuals. Our nursing supervisors and chief nurse are also dedicated to keeping all CCSD staff, students, families, and the community at large safe and healthy during this pandemic. The current recommendations from the SNHD and the proposed reopening plan has many stipulations that schools will be required to follow to keep students safe on campus. They are necessary but I do not know if the board is aware of all the details or if parents of the students we serve are aware either. Every school will be required to have a separate sick room to keep students exhibiting any symptom of COVID away from the health office until they are picked up by a parent. This room will have to be staffed by someone wearing full PPE, must have a computer, and have access to a bathroom. Many site administrators are uncertain as how to meet this room and staffing requirement. The proposed reopening plan glosses over these requirements without providing concrete direction. There are no answers provided how to meet this staffing requirement and what will happen if this is not able to be met. There has not been direction about how or where to acquire the necessary PPE for the schools. The First Aid Safety Assistants (FASA) to many would be the logical person to staff this sick room, however, they need to be in the health office to take care of the daily medications, diabetic students, and first aid needs of students. Some FASAs have underlying health conditions that working in the sick room would put them at an increased risk of being exposed to COVID. Other school staff members are not going to want to work in the sick room either for their own safety as well. School nurses depend on our FASAs to take care of the students in the health office and report any imminent health needs to us on a daily basis. Yet we are always short on FASAs in the school district and they are poorly paid. School nurses have a wide variety of responsibilities that make up our role in the schools. We oversee the health office, maintain daily medications taken by students, train FASAs, delegate care to unlicensed personnel, provide diabetic care, provide GT care and feedings, review health information and notify/educate teachers on their students’ health conditions, monitor immunization compliance, participate in 504s, participate in suicide protocols, coordinate mass hearing/vision screenings, complete individual hearing/vision screenings, follow up on hearing/vision/medical/dental referrals, refer students/families for outside medical services, collaborate with counselors and social workers regarding student needs, answer countless emails/questions regarding medical concerns of students and staff, complete physical assessments on special education students, complete present levels in IEPs, attend MDT/IEP/504 meetings, and educate students on healthy habits. All those tasks are completed at the minimum 2 schools we are assigned to so double all of those items listed above. With the pandemic we will be required to complete all of those already assigned tasks in addition to ensuring we have an adequately staffed and prepared sick room for COVID suspicion and contact tracing for close contact and reportedly positive COVID students. The reopening plan talks about contact tracing but does not relay how involved and time consuming that process is. I do not feel that we as school nurses and the schools as a whole in CCSD are going to be able to open safely for students at this time. November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 80 of 99 At this time the SNHD recommends that when a student exhibits any one symptom of COVID that they are to be picked up from school and quarantined at home for a minimum of 10 days. I do not believe that parents in our district are aware of these conditions. This has the potential to impact families abilities to go to work and provide for them. The reopening plan does not even mention this process or the quarantine guidelines at all. Parents and families need to be made aware of this reality. The symptoms of COVID are also so vast they include coughing, runny nose, congestion, shortness of breath, diarrhea, vomiting, fever, headache, sore throat, stomachache, chills and others. To require a student to be sent home with only one of these symptoms that are also common with other viruses as well as the common cold will be subjecting large numbers of students to be sent home and quarantined every week. These recommendations are going to frustrate staff, parents, and students alike. The distance learning model taking place right now is not ideal. Students are missing out on key social and academic components by not being with their peers and teachers in person. However, the potential for exposure at school for staff and students, even with social distancing guidelines is a larger risk. The ability of our schools to provide a safe and healthy environment on campus right now due to the size of our student populations and configuration of the school buildings while providing proper academic instruction to our students does not seem reasonable or feasible to me at this time. We are in unprecedented times with this pandemic. I never thought I would experience something like this in my lifetime. I encourage the school board to really think through the reopening plan, considering all the possible ramifications, and make a decision truly putting our students and staff first and not caving to outside pressure and influence.
Thank you for your time and consideration, Rachel Santos RN
-- Thank you,
Rachel Santos, RN School Nurse
Herron ES Monday/Thursday
Scott ES Tuesday/Wednesday
Friday-Scott&Herron/Screenings
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 81 of 99 Covid-19 1 message
[STUDENT] Tue, Nov 10, 2020 at 9:08 AM To: [email protected]
To whom it may concern,
Hello. I am a sophomore at Clark High School, I am opposed to the plan of returning to school. I am concerned that going into a hybrid method will be very unorganized and will create confusion between students and teacher's. Also students and teachers exposure rates will increase drastically and the cases in Nevada are rising. Going to school will just contribute to this rise.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 82 of 99 Do NOT support the hybrid plan 1 message
Rikke Ranck [Silverado HS] Tue, Nov 10, 2020 at 9:33 AM To: [email protected]
Good morning,
I would like to express my deepest concern for the hybrid plan being presented. I feel that it is not right to consider reopening school with thousands of students in them if the board is not willing to meet in person with socially distanced public attendance. If you can't meet with approximately 10 people why would you consider it to be safe to return and expose teachers and students to the thousands that attend each school. Even with the best precautions it will not be safe or healthy and there is no good way to actively clean and prevent exposure.
The plan being presented is ridiculous and doesn't have a schedule that can easily be followed. When I, as a teacher, reviewed the schedule my school would be following I didn't understand it and felt confused. I can guarantee this will cause absolute chaos and mayhem. Students will never know where they are supposed to be or when they are supposed to be there. It will also reduce our time together. Currently I see my students 2x a week and can interact with them frequently even if that interaction is just through Google Meet. With this schedule I will only see each student approximately once every 3 weeks. This will NOT help students be successful.
Please do not support this hybrid plan. It is not going to help anyone be more successful than we are currently and will create a whole series of new problems and struggles.
Thank you for your time.
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 83 of 99 Concerns about Hybrid Classes and Teachers Reporting On Site 1 message
Kristine Tilley [Thomas ES] Tue, Nov 10, 2020 at 10:03 AM To: [email protected]
Good Afternoon,
As the upcoming Board Meeting approaches to decide on what the rest of the school year will look like, I ask you to consider the following situations that have happened to me this school year:
1. I started the school year working hybrid at school a few days a week and teachers kept walking into my classroom without masks. I could not prevent them from doing this and did not want to seem unprofessional by reminding them of the rules that my principal had set for all of the teachers. The principal said something to the whole staff about teachers not following procedures and then they were mad at me because they thought I was going to the administration complain about what they were doing. This is why I decided to switch to telecommuting full time for work. I could not control the situation that was happening at school and felt unsafe there since not everyone was following the protocols and procedures.
2. The custodians are not taking this COVID situation seriously enough to make sure that the rooms are thoroughly cleaned even when the students are not present. An example of this: I went to the school about a month ago after contract hours to print some documents in my classroom. I walked into my classroom, the lights were out and I found the custodian sleeping on my couch that is in my classroom. He did not have on a mask either He started telling me in Spanish that he takes his breaks on the couch in my classroom since he noticed that I work from home and am not there much. This was VERY disturbing to me that he was sleeping in my room and I can tell that he is not even spending much time thoroughly cleaning it.
3. Teachers at my school are saying that they do not have daycare and cannot afford daycare if teachers are required to go back to work in person. I do not have children, but do not want children to be running into my classroom without masks since their parents will be teaching during the school day with their children at work. My classroom adjoins with two other classrooms and I could foresee this becoming a problem, unless the school provides a supervised daycare room for all of the teacher's children.
4. As you can see in the news, COVID cases are spreading rapidly over the past week. I do not want to put myself at risk by exposing myself to 45 + students each week. Even if they are only coming 2 days a week, the exposure will still be there. Do you really want to deal with the lawsuits when teachers start getting COVID because procedures are not being followed by everyone on campus, including the students? Do you really have the planning and logistics thought out well enough to actually ENFORCE the protocols and procedures that will need to be followed by all STAFF and STUDENTS? What happens when people do not respect and follow the protocols? I know people who have caught the virus over the past month from going to work in person, and being exposed when it was unnecessary. I know some people in their late 20's and 30's who have been hospitalized because of catching this virus in Las Vegas. 1,276 new COVID-19 cases were reported on 11/8 by the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services and 1,824 new cases were reported on November 7th. How can you reopen the schools for hybrid classes when the cases are spiking so rapidly? Instead of bringing the infection rate down to 5%, it will likely spread to 20%. I do not want to put my life at risk when the classes can be taught online until the virus is under control.
Please take these concerns into consideration before you cast your votes on Thursday.
Sincerely,
Kristine Tilley
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 84 of 99 CCSD COVID-19 Return Plan 1 message
Jeremy Fisher Tue, Nov 10, 2020 at 10:25 AM To: [email protected]
Please find the attached letter that is in response to the phone call I received last evening.
Regards, Dr. Fisher
Jeremy Fisher, DAT, MPA, LAT, ATC, PES Doctor of Athletic Training
CCSD COVID-19 Return Plan Concerns(8).pdf 41K
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 85 of 99 TO: Public Comment- CCSD Board of Trustees FROM: Dr. Jeremy Fisher DATE: 11/10/2020 RE: CCSD Reopening to Hybrid Plan- May use for Public Use
First, let me introduce myself. I am Jeremy Fisher, I have a doctorate through the College of Public Health from Temple University. I have previously sent emails to board members and Superintendent Jara, all of which have fallen on deaf ears. I own a Sports Medicine Consulting firm that has performed COVID-19 consults to produce live sporting events during the pandemic, and we have consulted with many colleges providing free best practices which were rooted in the scientific literature prior to the CDC coming out with any restriction. Additionally, I am a certified contact tracer through Johns Hopkins University. This being said, the idea of reopening schools in the timeframe you are suggesting is not only irresponsible but it is reckless. Nationally, we are seeing schools that returned to full in-person learning and hybrid models are moving to full online instruction beginning with Thanksgiving week through January, 18, 2021, and some have pushed return dates to in-person return to February 1, 2021. Why, because this is rooted in science. By examining data on a national level we have witnessed large spikes in positive cases approximately 3-weeks after holidays. When suggesting to bring back staff to campusand resume services to students in the most need, I find this to be commendable and something that should have been done in September, not December 1, 2020. When bringing people onto campus on this date, anyone who contracted the virus on Thanksgiving has a 50% chance of developing symptoms 5-days later, the date you are proposing staff and select students to return. As I write this letter and do the math the idea you are proposing becomes more ludacris. The school district will not fully know the impact of Thanksgiving on the COVID-19 pandemic until between the 3 and 4 week mark, December 17- December 24, 2020. For those that need a refresher we will have individuals observing and gathering for Hannakah from December 10-18, Christmas on December 25, and Kwanzaa on December 26. From there a week later we will see gatherings for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Which again will send a ripple projection for 3-4- weeks out. Furthermore, the plan of Monday-Tuesday and then Thursday-Friday cohorts is again not rooted in the science, the best approach is really an A and B week, giving you the weekend as your 2-day buffer for symptom development. What are you going to do when a student shows up on the wrong day? They show up with symptoms? They show up but are supposed to be in quarantine? Who is tracking and contact tracing your school? What about staff that travel out of Clark County, automatic 14-day quarantine? You currently have schools that allow employees to freely walk your buildings without masks on while others, if you are in your room alone teaching and are not wearing one you are written up, where is the consistency in your policies? Have you watched any of the school's morning announcements with maskless staff on camera in close proximity?
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 86 of 99 Back to the science, in the month of July, 84% of those testing positive for the virus claim they wore their mask 90% of the time or more, with 88% of this group claiming they wore their mask religiously. Furthermore, in contact tracing, the question is, who have you had contact with for 15-minutes collectively or more throughout the day and were within 6 feet of you during this time. There is no mention of masks. Additionally, cited in the literature that the SARS-CoV-2 particle can become airborne in arid climates, rendering a mask useless in terms of contraction, masks are still a good practice in terms of transmission. Winter in Las Vegas is as arid as it gets. Further follow-up questions, what is your plan when a student contracts this and dies? A staff member? Is the $50,000 state worker benefit going to suffice the gross negligence? According to my legal team the answer is no. Is the school district prepared to pay out suits that will be larger than the insurance policy, since that only covers low levels of negligence? It is my understanding that you are working closely with the Southern Nevada Health District. Are they going to have the capability to contact trace the large amount of influx in cases? In closing, I do agree that the cure cannot be worse than the virus. I understand that rates of suicide and overdose pose a public health threat. These students need contact and the best place for them is to be on campus. However, in the time-frame you are suggesting does not have the students and staff's best interest in-mind. It appears to be a rush to meet an arbitrary guideline. Set a long range projection and date for responsible return of February 1, 2021. Allow staff who want to return to campus and start servicing in-need, allow them to return in mid-January as a pilot program. And see how it goes. Your current format does not allow for observation and the 3-4- week impact of the changes playing out. Everyone wants to talk about science, and yet they still do not follow it.
Sincerely, concerned spouse and parent,
Jeremy Fisher, DAT, MPA, LAT, ATC, PES
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 87 of 99 Nov 10, 2020
Dear Board Members:
I am writing to you as a retired high school math teacher and a current substitute with Clark County Schools. I believe that you need to hear from all different points of view on when and how to reopen schools. Rushing to do this by Dec. 1, 2020 is a mistake. Do you know what most teachers did during Nevada Day and the Election Day, fine tuned their lessons for the rest of this semester. With this in mind, most teachers also saw and heard about the rising numbers of Covid-19 cases in Nevada and the whole US. Why do you want to risk your teachers and students lives over going back to a classroom for 3 weeks?
Please rethink this plan. Many students are receiving a quality virtual education because teachers have worked really hard to give their best under very stressful circumstances. Yes, being in a classroom is a better learning environment but at what cost? There is no doubt that in most educator minds, a person to person atmosphere is more productive for our students. And mental health is taking its toll on everyone involved: parents, teachers and students. The plan needs to be well thought out and time is necessary for buildings to be modified (HVAC), protocols in place so they can be adhered to, and of course, curriculum needs to be examined and modified for a continuous flow from virtual learning. All of these items need time to be addressed in a calm, calculated manner.
I am very concerned the reopening of schools earlier is economically driven instead of what is best for students. I sincerely hope that when they are able to return that all facets of a safe environment are considered and administered with care.
Jacqueline Robison
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 88 of 99 Nov 12, 2020 1 message
Jacqueline Robison [Substitutes] Tue, Nov 10, 2020 at 10:41 AM To: BoardMtgComments
Nov 10, 2020
Dear Board Members:
I am writing to you as a retired high school math teacher and a current substitute with Clark County Schools. I believe that you need to hear from all different points of view on when and how to reopen schools. Rushing to do this by Dec. 1, 2020 is a mistake. Do you know what most teachers did during Nevada Day and the Election Day, fine tuned their lessons for the rest of this semester. With this in mind, most teachers also saw and heard about the rising numbers of Covid-19 cases in Nevada and the whole US. Why do you want to risk your teachers and students lives over going back to a classroom for 3 weeks?
Please rethink this plan. Many students are receiving a quality virtual education because teachers have worked really hard to give their best under very stressful circumstances. Yes, being in a classroom is a better learning environment but at what cost? There is no doubt that in most educator minds, a face to face atmosphere is more productive for our students. And mental health is taking its toll on everyone involved: parents, teachers and students. The plan needs to be well thought out and time is necessary for buildings to be modified (HVAC), protocols in place so they can be adhered to, and of course, curriculum needs to be examined and modified for a continuous flow from virtual learning. All of these items need time to be addressed in a calm, calculated manner.
I am very concerned the reopening of schools earlier is economically driven instead of what is best for students. I sincerely hope that when they are able to return that all facets of a safe environment are considered and administered with care.
Jacqueline Robison
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 89 of 99 Comment for 5.02 Transition to Hybrid Instruction 1 message
A.C. Tue, Nov 10, 2020 at 10:49 AM To: [email protected]
Teachers should be allowed to continue to telecommute and we shouldn't even be talking about opening up the schools until COVID numbers are in a decline. Numbers are at an all time high and you are asking teachers to risk their lives and be exposed to COVID and open up the schools, shame on CCSD for even thinking this.
Andrew Campbell
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 90 of 99 Comment for 5.02 Transition to Hybrid Instruction 1 message
Amanda Van Patten [Smith MS] Tue, Nov 10, 2020 at 10:55 AM To: BoardMtgComments
School Board Members, COVID numbers are at an all time high and we should not even be considering sending teachers back into the building or sending kids back until COVID numbers are below 5% like originally stated.
Teachers should not be forced back in the building until we are back to school 5 days a week. Teachers who are working from home have better internet and a better setup than in the classroom. Allow teachers to continue to telecommute.
A hybrid plan should not be passed until numbers are at 5% or below.
Thank you, Amanda Van Patten
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 91 of 99 Concerns with Reopening Schools 1 message
Jacquelyn Guzman [Rancho HS] Tue, Nov 10, 2020 at 10:59 AM To: [email protected]
Dear Board Members of CCSD-
As you know, it has been proposed that educators return to work on 12/2/2020.
I am strongly opposed to this proposal and wanted to give you various reasons why.
Firstly, schools were pretty disgusting before the pandemic and with resources forever and always dwindling, I cannot possibly see how that will be bettered all of a sudden. The bathrooms and locker rooms ran out of toilet paper, paper towels, and soap before mid-day.
Secondly, as selfish as it may seem, teachers are already overworked and underpaid. Now, you are asking us to do the following: Be a nurse: take temperatures, monitor health status of students Be a lunchroom attendant: Kids have to eat in our rooms? When do we get lunch? When do we get a break? Then we have to clean up after them and have crumbs and the like on our floors? There are ALREADY rodent and bug infestations in schools. Be a custodian: sanitize, disinfect, and clean constantly. Be a social health worker: check on the mental stability of students.
It seems absurd to ask us to do so much more without a stark increase in pay, especially if we are being asked to do the work of at least five people.
Thirdly, COVID-19 cases are not decreasing. When the cases were at 9.5% you said no, we were not to come back and now cases are at 12% and rising. It's not smart. My school is right in a hot zone as well. I would not want to return knowing a whole bunch of people are infected.
Fourthly, I do not see schools affording PPE for all professionals and students. I feel that students should be temperature checked, go through a sanitation mist, and wash their hands before they even walk into the building (ie. look to schools in Japan and China). However, what about those people who are asymptomatic? They are silent transmitters and they alone could infect so many people without even knowing. Who will run these stands? How many more custodians will you hire per school or per capita of students?
Fifthly- I understand that we want to care about the mental health of students. But also, we are not their parents. We are their teachers. I understand there is a social responsibility as a teacher, but I have my own child I need to take care of. What happens if I catch COVID-19 and die? Who will be his mother? Another teacher? That is unfair to ask teachers to put other people's kids before their own. And what about our mental health? Do you think it is healthy to constantly be scared of catching a virus? I don't think that being constantly preoccupied about catching COVD-19 would be good for our mental health and may even get in the way of teaching and doing an effective job.
Sixthly- my school has at least 4000 people enrolled. At a 50/50 rate, that is 2000 almost adults/adults. Do you REALLY think that high school kids won't hug, won't congregate, and will properly social distance throughout the whole day? That is not how high school works. Not to mention, our classrooms are hardly big enough. I would probably be able to safely fit 10-15 students in my room at a time. I currently have one class of 40 people. Also, I would just do a random check of Instagram and see any high school students that are public- you can easily see they are NOT socially distancing, NOT caring about the pandemic, and NOT being socially responsible. Remember their frontal lobes have not fully developed as of yet.
Thank you for taking the time to read my concerns before the meeting on Thursday.
Jacquelyn
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 92 of 99 An urge for distance learning 1 message
Heidi Winder [Mackey ES] Tue, Nov 10, 2020 at 11:01 AM To: [email protected]
This is my comment as a third grade teacher at Jo Mackey Magnet Elementary School.
My husband has a breathing machine that he needs to use several times a day. I have been working from home in order to protect him from the epidemic as best I can. I beg that distance learning and telecommuting stay in place so that I can stay in this profession and keep my best friend alive.
My school has been successful in implementing many distance teaching strategies, and it is okay for many of our students. Not the best, but good enough for now.
I am confident that the pros for distance learning outweigh the cons at this time. Students are still learning, and they are staying safe. So are employees.
Please consider my comment when making decisions together tomorrow.
-- Heidi Winder - Buscador Seeker 3rd Grade Jo Mackey iLead Academy for the Digital Sciences
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 93 of 99 5.02: Plan to Transition to the Hybrid Instructional Model 1 message
Christine LaMothe Tue, Nov 10, 2020 at 11:06 AM To: [email protected]
Good afternoon, Board. My name is Christine LaMothe, and I am the wife of a CCSD educator who is at high risk of serious complications and death if he contracts COVID-19.
Please vote no on the plan to transition to hybrid learning, and please ask the person who thought that this was a good idea if they have lost their freaking minds.
Why would we transition from distance to hybrid learning in the midst of the worst spike in infections (we had OVER 2,000 INFECTIONS IN NEVADA on 11/7/20!) since the pandemic began? In what universe does that make sense?
A vaccine is in the way but not here yet. Why would we do this before we have a vaccine?
Social distancing, masks, and reduced classroom sizes are better than the lack thereof, but they still don't take enough of a bite out of the risk when everyone is in small rooms together with recirculated air for over 20 minutes at a time. Moreover, each teacher and each additional child in a classroom brings with them the risk of spread to and from their household.
Finally, kids and their families will not be significantly impacted for the better by a switch to hybrid learning where they are in school on some days and not others. They will, however, be significantly impacted for the worse if they start losing family and friends to this virus.
Switching from distance to hybrid learning at this stage of the pandemic is a profoundly terrible idea that will cause needless sickness and death if it is implemented. Every board member with a conscience needs to vote no.
--Christine LaMothe
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 94 of 99 RE: Agenda Item 5.2 1 message
Jessica Cimino [Knudson MS] Tue, Nov 10, 2020 at 11:07 AM To: [email protected]
Dear School Board Trustees,
After reading the middle school hybrid transition plan I am writing to ask you to not vote no to returning to school.
Our schools have not been retro-fitted with Hepa filters, desk shields will not be provided for all staff and students, custodial staff is too small to accommodate cleaning plans and classroom turn around times between classes safely.
Bus riding times are not accurate, many students are on busses longer than an hour. There is no plan to mitigate students with symptoms who get on the bus or to even take their temperatures before they get on the bus.
The kind of work students can do at home is by far less limited than what students will be allowed to do from their desks in class. Currently, students are able to use their own restrooms, move about their space to learn, dance, sing, play instruments, conduct science experiments and more. Students returning to the classroom would be limited to sitting in their chairs for 2 hours per class and is so restrictive that the quality of education that students are receiving at home is by far better at this point then what they will experience at school.
Many school districts, and universities around the country are closing for the flu season. Opening at the height of flue season doesn’t make any sense.
Please vote to keep us all safe by allowing students and staff to continue virtual school until there is a vaccine for all.
Respectfully,
Jessica Cimino CCSD School Teacher
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 95 of 99 AGENDA ITEM: 5.02 Plan to Transition to the Hybrid Instructional Model 1 message
Mackenzie Baack Tue, Nov 10, 2020 at 11:12 AM To: [email protected]
Dear Board Members,
It is not the time to be sending students back to school. It is not the time to be considering it either. On November 7th, 2020, the state had over two thousand new COVID-19 cases, the highest number of new cases ever. The state's positivity rate is over thirteen percent, and the district's positivity rate is almost twelve percent. It is not safe to return to school. Many students do not want to return to school, and the positivity rate is almost ten percent higher than the maximum five percent allowed to return to school.
People are antsy; they want to get out of the house and return to normal, but now is not the time to give in. It is not safe, and it is not the time. Please do not continue to discuss the possibility of returning to school until our positivity rate is below five percent, and it is safe. Do not give in to these uneducated demands.
Thank you, Mackenzie Baack
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 96 of 99 Comment for 5.02 Transition to Hybrid Instruction 1 message
Casey Van Patten Tue, Nov 10, 2020 at 11:12 AM To: [email protected]
Teachers should continue telecommuting. Do not put the teachers' lives at risk by forcing them back in the building. COVID-19 numbers are at an all time high, why is this discussion even taking place? School should not even be reopened until we can go back full time. Lives can't be replaced. I understand that online learning is not ideal, but we are making it work. I am simply shocked CCSD is putting teachers' lives at risk and asking them to report to the building. There have already been COVID cases in CCSD schools, this will be even higher if you ask teachers to come in. Until numbers are low, we need to stay safe and stay home.
Thank you, Casey Sims
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 97 of 99 Concerns from a Teacher on Reopening schools! 1 message
Michele Bryk [Las Vegas HS] Tue, Nov 10, 2020 at 12:04 PM To: BoardMtgComments
Hello and I hope this email finds you well.
I teach high school PE and I have serious concerns about going back to school with hybrid model. We need to make decisions based on logic and data. The data says that more people are getting sick NOW then there were when we went in full quarantine in March. It's not safe yet. Let's wait a couple more months and see what the data says then.
As a teacher I keep thinking about what school will be like during hybrid.
The hybrid model doesn't solve the problem of students' social and emotional needs. There will be little interaction between students and teachers, communication will be difficult with masks, students won't get to see friends, collaborative projects can't happen, etc.
One thing we know for sure in the uncertain times is that putting a bunch of kids and adults in a building together ensures that more people will get sick.
Thank you for your time
Michele Bryk Las Vegas High School Physical Education Girls Golf Coach
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 98 of 99 Hybrid School plan 1 message
Mikey zero Tue, Nov 10, 2020 at 12:14 PM To: [email protected]
The biggest issue is "socialization" and "mental health" say those who want to force our schools to reopen. So the plan is to treat the children like prisoners in jail. March in small groups in single file lines. No socialization. No playing. Might as well force them to wear orange jumpsuits while you are at the planning stage, because "why not?" To return to regular or hybrid schools without a vaccine and the majority of citizens vaccinated will not only result in giving the casino owners (who don't supply health care to their low paid workers)a free ride to infect more citizens and more children but most importantly: Make a Profit on harming children and teachers. The latest information coming out of the CDC demonstrates that 1 out of 5 covid patients will have mental health problems within 6 months of the infection. All across the USA school system after school system is shutting down because parents are sending their sick, and infected children to school anyway, in many cases fully aware the child has tested positive to Covid 19. This can't be political, it's got to be the safety and well being of the children and staff as a primary reason for any decision during the time when our medical health experts expect the next several months to be a medical health disaster. We will not be returning our children to CCSD schools during this pandemic, and especially not during the fastest uptick in cases since April. Do the right thing. Protect our community.
November 12, 2020 Reference 2.01(B) Page 99 of 99