2021/2022 School Year

jadetinker85 said:I’ve cut back on the transcription work to the bare minimum. It’s mostly just talking and getting plenty of practice, and that’s really all there is to it.

That's exactly how I handle it too.

Larry Walker24 said:Department Secretary Fuchs held a press conference and confirmed that restrictions are finally loosening up.

"Based on everything we learned last year, plus what the research is showing us, we’re relaxing the rules. Kids in grades 1 through 5, who haven't really been mixing or moving around much anyway, will be allowed to mingle during the next period. We're also going to allow students to mix during elective classes and tutoring sessions—stuff that was stuck behind a screen online last year. We feel like we can dial it back now."

"For the older kids, they'll be able to switch classrooms again and use specialized labs like physics, chemistry, and computer science rooms. On top of that, school sports are getting a green light; teams can be made up of students from different grades. However, the gyms are still staying closed for just casual recreational play."

"We're also bringing back in-person parent-teacher conferences. Both parents and teachers have been begging for this."

"Vocational training can happen right in the classrooms again. We're reopening those internships at local companies because, honestly, you can't have vocational education without that hands-on experience."

"Masks are still required for anyone in fifth grade and up if they can't maintain that six-foot distance. And look, if one student gets sick, we aren't shutting down the entire class anymore. Only the few students sitting directly to their left and right will need to isolate," Fuchs said.

He also mentioned they aren't exactly thrilled with the vaccination rates among school staff, which is hovering around 50 percent. He announced that any unvaccinated teachers or professors will be forced to wear masks while they teach.

"The story about firing people who won't get vaccinated just doesn't fly, especially when half of them haven't taken the shot. I mean, where would we even find 20,000 replacements for them?"

When asked if teachers who aren't vaccinated or haven't had the virus will be forced to take regular tests, Fuchs said it wasn't that simple to pull off.

"Technically, they should be testing twice a week, but that's easier said than done. It would be a whole lot better if they just got vaccinated."

I would love to see what kind of evidence they could actually produce to back up such a fraudulent theory.

coastalorca43 said:I would love to see what kind of evidence they could actually produce to back up such a fraudulent theory.

Nobody’s going to show up here because everyone on both sides of the aisle is just going to claim they're exempt—either because their administrative immunity is still active or because they’re hiding behind their masks. 😬
If you ask me, AI needs to be phased out. We should just be telling people that if a child or a parent tests positive at home, they need to follow up with testing, monitor their temperature and symptoms, and otherwise just carry on with their lives normally.
Whether you've already been vaccinated or you've already fought through the virus, there really isn't much to be afraid of anymore—and honestly, there shouldn't be. For those who decided against the shot, they probably feel even less anxious about the whole situation. 🤷

ABC 1; 09.03

Anything new? A special on the education system

We’re looking at yet another school year filled with nothing but uncertainty. For instance, those epidemic measures they roll out right at the start? They might be totally useless by the end of the year. If a new wave of the pandemic hits, how is teaching even going to work? And what about the students and teachers in areas hit hard by earthquakes—how ready are they really? How much have stress and those weird school conditions messed with everyone actually learning the material? We're digging for answers to all of this in a special "Anything New" episode focused on education as the new school year kicks off. Joining the Secretary of Education, Radovan Fuchs, will be a whole lineup of teachers, professors, principals, psychologists, and students.

Larry Walker24 said:ABC 1; 09.03

Anything new? A special on the education system

We’re looking at yet another school year filled with nothing but uncertainty. For instance, those epidemic measures they roll out right at the start? They might be totally useless by the end of the year. If a new wave of the pandemic hits, how is teaching even going to work? And what about the students and teachers in areas hit hard by earthquakes—how ready are they really? How much have stress and those weird school conditions messed with everyone actually learning the material? We're digging for answers to all of this in a special "Anything New" episode focused on education as the new school year kicks off. Joining the Secretary of Education, Radovan Fuchs, will be a whole lineup of teachers, professors, principals, psychologists, and students.

And once again, we'll have 500 guests on screen, and every single one of them will manage to say exactly one sentence before the segment ends. 🤦🤦🤦

jadetinker85 said:Fair enough... a teaching assistant. You’re working with students who actually need the help, which is a different ballgame.

That's not just some kid looking for a quick clarification or a little extra practice.
In my subject, nobody needed tutoring just to scrape by with a passing grade, though I have heard of a few people aiming for an A.

I wasn't just talking about the one student on an individualized education program and my role as their assistant—I meant several other kids in the class too! Some of them actually felt way more comfortable coming to me for help than they did approaching the actual teachers. Because of that, even the group work felt a bit clunky during the online sessions. Honestly, I think everything just flowed much more naturally when we were all physically back in the school building.

I'm hoping they'll recommend moving to Model C today; if anyone is feeling particularly ambitious, they can always try mixing the class groups.

jadetinker85 said:I'm hoping they'll recommend moving to Model C today; if anyone is feeling particularly ambitious, they can always try mixing the class groups.

I mean, what would even be the argument or justification for doing things online at this stage?

mellowskipper said:I mean, what would even be the argument or justification for doing things online at this stage?

Well, there's already a recommendation to keep the grade levels separate. DP and dot are mixed groups anyway.

jadetinker85 said:Well, there's already a recommendation to keep the grade levels separate. DP and dot are mixed groups anyway.

They’re reopening bars and restaurants, indoor concerts are starting back up, and they're even hinting at potentially lifting restrictions altogether. And yet, we’re still stuck doing everything online?! I mean, seriously—who is actually being logical here?

mellowskipper said:I mean, what would even be the argument or justification for doing things online at this stage?

They didn't even cover the whole alphabet there. 🥳

Right now, you've got the Delta variant spreading among kids, combined with some pretty irresponsible adults who seem to think being vaccinated makes them invincible. They’re hitting up concerts and restaurants, potentially exposing their unvaccinated children in the process.
It’s funny how they can only spread it when schools are open; it’s almost as if kids are only safe when they're stuck at home. 🥳

mellowskipper said:They’re reopening bars and restaurants, indoor concerts are starting back up, and they're even hinting at potentially lifting restrictions altogether. And yet, we’re still stuck doing everything online?! I mean, seriously—who is actually being logical here?

Yeah, it’s an interesting move. They're announcing this just as the peak of the epidemic is predicted for late September and early October.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.ind...33.aspx?espv=1

The situation is actually worse than it was this time last year if you look at the hospitalization numbers.

Seems like they decided to walk a razor-thin line right next to the crowd protesting any kind of restrictions.

At the same time, you look at Israel, where they've said vaccination won't stop the third wave and more measures are needed... but over here, dealing with people who are hard to reason with is such a headache that it's easier to just fold your arms and grab some popcorn.

jadetinker85 said:Yeah, it’s an interesting move. They're announcing this just as the peak of the epidemic is predicted for late September and early October.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.ind...33.aspx?espv=1

The situation is actually worse than it was this time last year if you look at the hospitalization numbers.

Seems like they decided to walk a razor-thin line right next to the crowd protesting any kind of restrictions.

At the same time, you look at Israel, where they've said vaccination won't stop the third wave and more measures are needed... but over here, dealing with people who are hard to reason with is such a headache that it's easier to just fold your arms and grab some popcorn.

They don't need to pick a fight with anyone. The question remains: are these measures epidemiological or purely political?

jadetinker85 said:Yeah, it’s an interesting move. They're announcing this just as the peak of the epidemic is predicted for late September and early October.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.ind...33.aspx?espv=1

The situation is actually worse than it was this time last year if you look at the hospitalization numbers.

Seems like they decided to walk a razor-thin line right next to the crowd protesting any kind of restrictions.

At the same time, you look at Israel, where they've said vaccination won't stop the third wave and more measures are needed... but over here, dealing with people who are hard to reason with is such a headache that it's easier to just fold your arms and grab some popcorn.

And you guys still don't get that none of these measures actually affect how the virus spreads...

mellowskipper said:They don't need to pick a fight with anyone. The question remains: are these measures epidemiological or purely political?

It depends on whether they're being brought to us by epidemiologists or politicians.

jadetinker85 said:It depends on whether they're being brought to us by epidemiologists or politicians.

The issue here is that in our neck of the woods, one doesn't necessarily rule out the other...

mellowskipper said:The issue here is that in our neck of the woods, one doesn't necessarily rule out the other...

Nowhere, really. But look at what’s going down in France, Canada, and Austria—parents are pulling their kids out of school because of mandatory vaccination laws. Compare that to the vibe here, and my impression is that people have just decided to sit back and eat popcorn. 🍿
And then they give us those nice little warnings that the peak of the epidemic will hit in a month, just so they can say "we didn't know."

What does this epidemic even have to do with school kids, besides in certain societies that have completely lost their minds? The virus can't do anything to children, and those who might be harmed by it already have the option to get vaccinated (teachers and family members). Vaccinating children is nothing short of a crime. There’s zero reason left to maintain any measures, except for people with brainwashed heads or those profiting tangibly from all of this—so-called "pandemic marketing." Everyone is going to come into contact with the virus sooner or later; there's just no way to prevent that with some arbitrary measures.

jadetinker85 said:Nowhere, really. But look at what’s going down in France, Canada, and Austria—parents are pulling their kids out of school because of mandatory vaccination laws. Compare that to the vibe here, and my impression is that people have just decided to sit back and eat popcorn. 🍿
And then they give us those nice little warnings that the peak of the epidemic will hit in a month, just so they can say "we didn't know."

Something like that, just washing hands.

I mean, damn, whoever wanted to get vaccinated did it. The older folks are holding up relatively well since they mostly got the shot. Now the big question is whether we need to keep slowing down the pandemic through measures all year long—which might mean three more small waves—or if we should just let everything unravel in a few months.

The President is just looking at the piggy bank and the US economy for 2023. He’s gotta WinCoronavirus© before then, and hopefully before the next major crisis hits.
Instead of following official rules, we're probably going to see schools and businesses shutting down on their own initiative, simply because there won't be anyone left to work when we all get sick at once.

The funniest part is going to be that loud minority shouting right now about how the vaccine is garbage, only to spend next month attacking the system because it didn't do enough to stop or soften the blow. I bet you anything. 😵

boldotter2 said:Something like that, just washing hands.

I mean, damn, whoever wanted to get vaccinated did it. The older folks are holding up relatively well since they mostly got the shot. Now the big question is whether we need to keep slowing down the pandemic through measures all year long—which might mean three more small waves—or if we should just let everything unravel in a few months.

The President is just looking at the piggy bank and the US economy for 2023. He’s gotta WinCoronavirus© before then, and hopefully before the next major crisis hits.
Instead of following official rules, we're probably going to see schools and businesses shutting down on their own initiative, simply because there won't be anyone left to work when we all get sick at once.

The funniest part is going to be that loud minority shouting right now about how the vaccine is garbage, only to spend next month attacking the system because it didn't do enough to stop or soften the blow. I bet you anything. 😵

Personally, I think having three smaller waves would be the better way to go.🤔