Second Semester 2020/21 School Year

Amanda Hughes37 said:I asked around—at my fifth grader's school, they only wear them in the hallways and during computer lab.
Two older kids work part-time as servers for a few hours, and one girl hasn't been able to clear up a cold sore above her lip for a month... I don't know if the mask is making it worse, but I doubt it's helping.

Anyway, my little one was throwing up last night—headache, sore throat, the whole bit. The pediatrician sent me out for syrup and Biorell, $50 which is quite a list (if you catch my drift)😁... she even had me check the color of his throat with my phone flashlight and told me to call back if things didn't improve in three days.
As for the fever, she said only bother with meds if it hits 101.3...
She also checked if we’d tried home remedies, hit up an Urgent Care, or tested positive for COVID.

Now he’s sitting at 102.2 and I can't help but think about Gabriel from Memphis☕

Just jumping in here because I have to say something. Honestly, I used to follow that exact same logic when I first started out, but then I realized what an absolute load of nonsense that is. With certain viruses, my kid could be sitting there at 99.5 and acting completely fine—so of course, you’re going to give them some Advil or something just to make sure they stay comfortable. But then you have those times where even at 101.3, they aren't lethargic at all; they're literally running circles around the living room! In those cases, you don't need to panic; you just keep a close eye on things to make sure the temperature doesn't keep climbing.

My pediatrician actually told me right from the very first visit that the actual numbers on the thermometer aren't nearly as important as how my little one is behaving... She said if the kid is totally wiped out at 99.5, then sure, go ahead and treat it, but if they’re still running around playing despite a fever of 101.3, just let them be... And that is exactly what I've been doing... though I suppose we might end up getting some dirty looks from the neighbors for being such lax parents

Yeah, thanks for the advice, ladies. We managed to get through the fever and survived the night... but regarding the masks—my kid was in a lower grade last year, so he didn't bother wearing one in class. Apparently, things haven't changed now that he's in 5th grade; they still make them wear them during computer lab because the seating isn't set up like a standard classroom—even though they sit shoulder-to-shoulder in a regular room anyway. He says the teachers wear them too.

It’s pretty obvious it just comes down to whoever's in charge making a joke out of it.
I'm almost glad they got played this way... or maybe I shouldn't be.🤔

Just saw it on CNN — looks like there are about 800 new infections and roughly 5,700 students out of commission over in the Midwest.

"

Amanda Hughes37 As stated by:
Well, thanks to you ladies for all the advice—now that we’ve finally managed to break through this fever and make it through the night... but regarding those masks, my boy was just a little kid last year so he didn't bother wearing one in class, though apparently, that hasn't changed even now that he's in fifth grade... they still make them wear them during computer lab because the seating isn't set up like a standard classroom, even though they sit shoulder-to-shoulder in their regular classes anyway, and he mentions that the teachers are actually wearing masks in the classroom too...

It seems, quite clearly, that it all just comes down to whoever happens to be in a mood for pulling someone's leg at any given moment...
I suppose I should feel some sense of satisfaction seeing them get mocked like this... though, on second thought, perhaps I shouldn't be so quick to celebrate such a spectacle...🤔

My kids only have to wear them during finals, though at their school, the policy shifts depending on the class size and how much breathing room there is between desks... In their case, there are only fifteen students in a massive classroom, so everyone basically has their own private island of a desk. They haven't dealt with any outbreaks or flu season spikes yet, so I’m honestly quite relieved they don't have to bother with them otherwise...

Drew Johnson2 said:"

Amanda Hughes37 As stated by:
Well, thanks to you ladies for all the advice—now that we’ve finally managed to break through this fever and make it through the night... but regarding those masks, my boy was just a little kid last year so he didn't bother wearing one in class, though apparently, that hasn't changed even now that he's in fifth grade... they still make them wear them during computer lab because the seating isn't set up like a standard classroom, even though they sit shoulder-to-shoulder in their regular classes anyway, and he mentions that the teachers are actually wearing masks in the classroom too...

It seems, quite clearly, that it all just comes down to whoever happens to be in a mood for pulling someone's leg at any given moment...
I suppose I should feel some sense of satisfaction seeing them get mocked like this... though, on second thought, perhaps I shouldn't be so quick to celebrate such a spectacle...🤔

My kids only have to wear them during finals, though at their school, the policy shifts depending on the class size and how much breathing room there is between desks... In their case, there are only fifteen students in a massive classroom, so everyone basically has their own private island of a desk. They haven't dealt with any outbreaks or flu season spikes yet, so I’m honestly quite relieved they don't have to bother with them otherwise...

We had one case of the flu because a teacher tested positive and one student caught it... back in the first semester. There are 24 kids in the class.

Drew Johnson2 said:"

Amanda Hughes37 As stated by:
Well, thanks to you ladies for all the advice—now that we’ve finally managed to break through this fever and make it through the night... but regarding those masks, my boy was just a little kid last year so he didn't bother wearing one in class, though apparently, that hasn't changed even now that he's in fifth grade... they still make them wear them during computer lab because the seating isn't set up like a standard classroom, even though they sit shoulder-to-shoulder in their regular classes anyway, and he mentions that the teachers are actually wearing masks in the classroom too...

It seems, quite clearly, that it all just comes down to whoever happens to be in a mood for pulling someone's leg at any given moment...
I suppose I should feel some sense of satisfaction seeing them get mocked like this... though, on second thought, perhaps I shouldn't be so quick to celebrate such a spectacle...🤔

My kids only have to wear them during finals, though at their school, the policy shifts depending on the class size and how much breathing room there is between desks... In their case, there are only fifteen students in a massive classroom, so everyone basically has their own private island of a desk. They haven't dealt with any outbreaks or flu season spikes yet, so I’m honestly quite relieved they don't have to bother with them otherwise...

It’s pretty similar to how things are handled here as well, where everyone has plenty of personal space and isn't required to wear masks in class, plus we haven't seen any flu outbreaks in the classrooms either...

In my younger third-grade class, there are no masks, though we did have one case of the flu recently... but that wasn't even due to the children, rather it was because of the teacher who visits once a week...

Amanda Hughes37 said:We had one case of the flu because a teacher tested positive and one student caught it... back in the first semester. There are 24 kids in the class.

With that many kids in a classroom without masks, and almost no one testing positive? It just doesn't seem possible, though school districts can be such a headache... perhaps everyone was just asymptomatic 🤔 😁

Students are sitting there alone in their desks—and honestly, being forced to wear masks isn't even the worst part, especially toward the end of the day—but now high schools are getting hit with notices about inspections because they aren't following "safety protocols" strictly enough. For instance, in Charleston, they’re switching back to remote learning, despite the fact that there isn't even a single case of COVID in the schools.
People are reaching a breaking point—both teachers and students alike—because the CDC keeps dropping these mandates without any actual justification. It’s as if they think face-to-face education is completely worthless, making it perfectly acceptable to just run wild and harass kids and the entire school system with these erratic whims. It’s unbelievable.

And they have the nerve to threaten schools with penalties, acting like these institutions are multi-billion dollar corporations—like those big pharma companies they seem to adore. They don't stop to ask how much unpaid time and personal resources people have poured into making this chaotic mess of a system actually work. Instead of making things easier for the kids, they’ve decided to opt for a little bit of terror.

Basically, schools are living under the thumb of a quasi-expert group that cares more about statistics than actual medicine, showing zero concern for human well-being or health. I actually took a moment to Google the official reasoning behind forcing certain groups back to online classes, and here's the quote: "Based on the opinion provided by the CDC, remote learning is considered an acceptable way to maintain education for certain age groups, given that a significant number of students and staff are currently in isolation or self-isolation. By transitioning to 'Model C,' we reduce daily travel via public transit, thereby decreasing overcrowding on buses." So, according to these idiots, forcing vocational students into online learning is a reasonable move? What exactly are they thinking? All to prevent potential crowds on a bus? It's pure incompetence, and these clueless people are destroying an entire generation.

Maybe some epidemiologist reading this can answer one question: Do you realize that not every school is a prep academy? Have you ever even heard of a vocational school? How on earth is online learning "appropriate" for someone training to be a chef or an auto mechanic? Don't you think these kids have suffered enough from your reckless destruction of the economy, and now you're stripping away their actual education too?

It's just a complete devaluation of education. You're disrupting children's stability and routines, harassing parents and teachers, and threatening underfunded schools—the ones barely scraping by—with fines, all just to reduce bus traffic. Is that supposed to be normal? 🤦 They are absolutely insane.

My son is currently weighing his options for a four-year vocational program, but when I look at the sheer chaos unfolding in the world right now—it seems like this madness might just persist for several more years... which leads me to wonder if I should steer him toward a traditional prep school instead. Or perhaps, quite frankly, he shouldn't bother with formal schooling at all and simply spend his time studying various arrangements on YouTube...

velvetskipper11 said:Students are sitting there alone in their desks—and honestly, being forced to wear masks isn't even the worst part, especially toward the end of the day—but now high schools are getting hit with notices about inspections because they aren't following "safety protocols" strictly enough. For instance, in Charleston, they’re switching back to remote learning, despite the fact that there isn't even a single case of COVID in the schools.
People are reaching a breaking point—both teachers and students alike—because the CDC keeps dropping these mandates without any actual justification. It’s as if they think face-to-face education is completely worthless, making it perfectly acceptable to just run wild and harass kids and the entire school system with these erratic whims. It’s unbelievable.

And they have the nerve to threaten schools with penalties, acting like these institutions are multi-billion dollar corporations—like those big pharma companies they seem to adore. They don't stop to ask how much unpaid time and personal resources people have poured into making this chaotic mess of a system actually work. Instead of making things easier for the kids, they’ve decided to opt for a little bit of terror.

Basically, schools are living under the thumb of a quasi-expert group that cares more about statistics than actual medicine, showing zero concern for human well-being or health. I actually took a moment to Google the official reasoning behind forcing certain groups back to online classes, and here's the quote: "Based on the opinion provided by the CDC, remote learning is considered an acceptable way to maintain education for certain age groups, given that a significant number of students and staff are currently in isolation or self-isolation. By transitioning to 'Model C,' we reduce daily travel via public transit, thereby decreasing overcrowding on buses." So, according to these idiots, forcing vocational students into online learning is a reasonable move? What exactly are they thinking? All to prevent potential crowds on a bus? It's pure incompetence, and these clueless people are destroying an entire generation.

Maybe some epidemiologist reading this can answer one question: Do you realize that not every school is a prep academy? Have you ever even heard of a vocational school? How on earth is online learning "appropriate" for someone training to be a chef or an auto mechanic? Don't you think these kids have suffered enough from your reckless destruction of the economy, and now you're stripping away their actual education too?

It's just a complete devaluation of education. You're disrupting children's stability and routines, harassing parents and teachers, and threatening underfunded schools—the ones barely scraping by—with fines, all just to reduce bus traffic. Is that supposed to be normal? 🤦 They are absolutely insane.

Vocational schools still have regular in-person practical training, at least down in San Diego

Quote:>

Austin Garcia says: That many kids in one classroom without masks—or even close to social distancing? Impossible. Schools are clearly the epicenter here... maybe everyone was just asymptomatic.🤔 😁>

They’ve been "Model B" from day one, but that doesn't change the fact that half the school is basically living in the building... they have 24 students crammed into one room.
I honestly have no clue. All I know is that I am at my absolute breaking point—mentally and financially.

For him, the worst part is celebrating his second birthday in a row without any friends. It’s just wrong—they show up for the party, yet they spend every single day parading through the park or riding bikes together with their significant others.

It isn’t merely a question of how much practice one gets, but rather the nature of certain specialized subjects that simply cannot be replicated through an online interface the way, say, history might be... If a course requires you to be physically present in a laboratory, where a professor can guide your hands and explain the nuances of the equipment in real-time, then an online module just falls short. A friend of mine has a son studying surveying—he’s a surveyor himself, having graduated from the exact same program—and he insists that trying to learn those specific technical skills online does absolutely nothing for your actual comprehension...

So, my whole class basically tanked yesterday, getting nothing but Cs—though honestly, in any sane era, they would’ve just failed outright—all because nobody has a clue how to solder. I mean, they were supposed to pick up those basics back in middle school shop class, but clearly, absolutely zero people learned a thing, and they didn't catch up in freshman year either.

Just a bunch of future electrical engineers who can't even measure voltage or solder a basic connection to save their lives.🙂

driftingtinker said:So, my whole class basically tanked yesterday, getting nothing but Cs—though honestly, in any sane era, they would’ve just failed outright—all because nobody has a clue how to solder. I mean, they were supposed to pick up those basics back in middle school shop class, but clearly, absolutely zero people learned a thing, and they didn't catch up in freshman year either.

Just a bunch of future electrical engineers who can't even measure voltage or solder a basic connection to save their lives.🙂

So, where does that leave us, and what is there left to even discuss?

stormymarlin12 said:Vocational schools still have regular in-person practical training, at least down in San Diego

AHA, so even with every restaurant and hotel shuttered, chefs and servers are just out there doing hands-on training? No issues with internships over the last year?
San Diego sounds like a miracle land. Honestly, I’m happy for them.

In San Diego, tradespeople don't see a dip in work, no contractors claim they won't take responsibility if someone gets sick, and plumbers just head out to jobsites with their crews like nothing happened?
Great, let's just move all the kids there then.

driftingtinker said:So, my whole class basically tanked yesterday, getting nothing but Cs—though honestly, in any sane era, they would’ve just failed outright—all because nobody has a clue how to solder. I mean, they were supposed to pick up those basics back in middle school shop class, but clearly, absolutely zero people learned a thing, and they didn't catch up in freshman year either.

Just a bunch of future electrical engineers who can't even measure voltage or solder a basic connection to save their lives.🙂

🤣 🤣
But in all seriousness, may God help us all once these kids actually enter the workforce.
I can only pray that nobody gets injured on the job. 🕺

Now, I must admit I am not entirely familiar with the standard curriculum for vocational schools elsewhere, but judging by what my own child is experiencing, this educational meltdown isn't some byproduct of the pandemic. No, it is the direct result of our leadership's utter incompetence in attempting to organize even a remotely coherent school system.
Back in the days of old-school socialism in the South, I sometimes get the feeling we were the Albert Einsteins of the world compared to them.

Initially, we’re going to see those specific generations being bypassed during the hiring process...

Morgan Peterson said:🤣 🤣
But in all seriousness, may God help us all once these kids actually enter the workforce.
I can only pray that nobody gets injured on the job. 🕺

Now, I must admit I am not entirely familiar with the standard curriculum for vocational schools elsewhere, but judging by what my own child is experiencing, this educational meltdown isn't some byproduct of the pandemic. No, it is the direct result of our leadership's utter incompetence in attempting to organize even a remotely coherent school system.
Back in the days of old-school socialism in the South, I sometimes get the feeling we were the Albert Einsteins of the world compared to them.

So, yeah, this specific school has a reputation for being good, but some things are just impossible to pull off.

Last year in the electrical engineering classes, three years in a row, an entire class failed basic instrument measurement. My wife really tried her best, sketching everything out and all, but you just... you have to see it and touch it, you know? In the end, she "accidentally" finished her exam early, and they barely scraped by with D's. 🙂

They did lab exercises by just staring at the instruments because it was impossible to disinfect them between periods.

Meanwhile, during regular lectures, they're using those exact same tools without any disinfection at all. And that's where the obvious problem starts—they forgot the theory ages ago, they have zero hands-on experience, so every single period someone is either short-circuiting something or setting something on fire. 🙂

So the professors who actually give a damn about the labs just gave up and started handing out grades whenever they felt like it.

Yet, somehow, they take math, physics, or history super seriously.

His friend is doing a three-year trade program, and he spends most of his time on internship at a local shop, regardless of what the curriculum says.

Drew Johnson2 said:Initially, we’re going to see those specific generations being bypassed during the hiring process...

By the time he hits high school, 60-70% of them will be in universities, which is basically their only shot at getting any decent knowledge.

driftingtinker said:So, my whole class basically tanked yesterday, getting nothing but Cs—though honestly, in any sane era, they would’ve just failed outright—all because nobody has a clue how to solder. I mean, they were supposed to pick up those basics back in middle school shop class, but clearly, absolutely zero people learned a thing, and they didn't catch up in freshman year either.

Just a bunch of future electrical engineers who can't even measure voltage or solder a basic connection to save their lives.🙂

I suppose you just have to set up a little workshop at home for him. Get a soldering iron, a voltmeter, an ammeter, and all those other xymetre tools... They should probably focus on actually learning how to use them rather than just pretending to do hands-on work—you know, actually connecting things and seeing how they function. And I bet they still have to cram through two entire textbooks of math on top of everything else...

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