@staciemcclam Dr. Mike Robinson: How can schools practice social distancing when kids return to school?
Stacie McClam: I don’t think schools can practice social distancing. Schools are communal places. We don’t want to risk kids returning to school prematurely and increasing the number of COVID-19 cases. That’s reckless. If we still have to social distance, then it seems clear that schools should not be open. This makes me wonder if the underlying reason for reopening schools is really about kids learning or just to stimulate the economy. To risk kids' lives just to open schools sends a clear message about the value placed on life. While businesses may reopen, schools should not. I don’t think policy makers and district officials should even be thinking about kids returning to school until the number of COVID-19 cases has significantly decreased consistently.
Dr. Mike Robinson: Is schooling with social distancing even possible?
Stacie McClam: No, schooling with social distancing is not possible. I understand the concern about wanting students to return to school, however, it’s a pandemic. It hasn’t even been two months since governors with highly impacted states issued stay at home orders. Let’s at least see if the number of cases decreases during the summer to determine when to open in the fall. If we have to social distance at school, then it is safer to stay home with remote learning.
Dr. Mike Robinson: What are your thoughts relate to staggered start times; alternate weeks of attendance; remote learning until further notice?
Stacie McClam: I think remote learning until further notice is the best and safest option. Staggered start times and alternate weeks of attendance sounds like a nightmare. A classroom is still a confined space. The CDC draft guidance should have included urban teacher and parent input. Do the CDC officials realize the size of classrooms? In order to social distance in a classroom, not all the students will fit. Districts do not have money to hire more teachers to accommodate all the students. My problem with any plan as it relates to schools, even before COVID-19, is that it is not designed specifically for urban schools. Plans sound good in theory, but when applied, they are often not properly implemented and are ineffective for the population that they serve. Just because policy makers think it’s a good idea, doesn’t mean that it will work. Some policy makers may not understand the nuances and circumstances that some communities and parents face. For example, what if a working parent has multiple children with different start times and weeks of attendance?
Dr. Mike Robinson: This question is from a parent. "How do we extend our commitment to remote learning when there is no one to supervise our children at home?"
Stacie McClam: Unfortunately, this is a problem, and I don’t have an answer on how to solve it. I supposed it is up to parents to decide if they trust family members, friends, and/or neighbors to help with supervision of their children. I don’t see a way to enforce remote learning even if teachers extend commitment to it.
Dr. Mike Robinson: What are your thoughts about teachers wearing masks and other PPE?
Stacie McClam: If teachers have to wear masks and other PPE, then schools are not ready to open. Otherwise that would be putting teachers in harm’s way. The health and safety of people is most important. How can a teacher teach while wearing a mask? Also if a teacher is required to wear a mask and other PPE, then students should also be required to do the same. I can’t imagine first grade students keeping their masks on and not playing with them or tearing them up.
Dr. Mike Robinson: When schools are open, what signs would be visible that Social Distancing is working with students and teachers?
Stacie McClam: I’m not sure that there could be signs that social distancing is working especially since some people are asymptomatic.
Stacie McClam is an educator, speaker, and radio show host. She has 10 years of teaching experience. Stacie taught in Washington, D.C., Japan, Denver, C.O., Kuwait, and in Los Angeles County. As a law school graduate she hoped to work in education reform but realized that it took too long to change policy. Stacie feels that she can better serve students outside of the classroom by exposing the realities that occur inside the classroom involving mental health, childhood trauma, and teacher trauma.
Stacie McClam: I don’t think schools can practice social distancing. Schools are communal places. We don’t want to risk kids returning to school prematurely and increasing the number of COVID-19 cases. That’s reckless. If we still have to social distance, then it seems clear that schools should not be open. This makes me wonder if the underlying reason for reopening schools is really about kids learning or just to stimulate the economy. To risk kids' lives just to open schools sends a clear message about the value placed on life. While businesses may reopen, schools should not. I don’t think policy makers and district officials should even be thinking about kids returning to school until the number of COVID-19 cases has significantly decreased consistently.
Dr. Mike Robinson: Is schooling with social distancing even possible?
Stacie McClam: No, schooling with social distancing is not possible. I understand the concern about wanting students to return to school, however, it’s a pandemic. It hasn’t even been two months since governors with highly impacted states issued stay at home orders. Let’s at least see if the number of cases decreases during the summer to determine when to open in the fall. If we have to social distance at school, then it is safer to stay home with remote learning.
Dr. Mike Robinson: What are your thoughts relate to staggered start times; alternate weeks of attendance; remote learning until further notice?
Stacie McClam: I think remote learning until further notice is the best and safest option. Staggered start times and alternate weeks of attendance sounds like a nightmare. A classroom is still a confined space. The CDC draft guidance should have included urban teacher and parent input. Do the CDC officials realize the size of classrooms? In order to social distance in a classroom, not all the students will fit. Districts do not have money to hire more teachers to accommodate all the students. My problem with any plan as it relates to schools, even before COVID-19, is that it is not designed specifically for urban schools. Plans sound good in theory, but when applied, they are often not properly implemented and are ineffective for the population that they serve. Just because policy makers think it’s a good idea, doesn’t mean that it will work. Some policy makers may not understand the nuances and circumstances that some communities and parents face. For example, what if a working parent has multiple children with different start times and weeks of attendance?
Dr. Mike Robinson: This question is from a parent. "How do we extend our commitment to remote learning when there is no one to supervise our children at home?"
Stacie McClam: Unfortunately, this is a problem, and I don’t have an answer on how to solve it. I supposed it is up to parents to decide if they trust family members, friends, and/or neighbors to help with supervision of their children. I don’t see a way to enforce remote learning even if teachers extend commitment to it.
Dr. Mike Robinson: What are your thoughts about teachers wearing masks and other PPE?
Stacie McClam: If teachers have to wear masks and other PPE, then schools are not ready to open. Otherwise that would be putting teachers in harm’s way. The health and safety of people is most important. How can a teacher teach while wearing a mask? Also if a teacher is required to wear a mask and other PPE, then students should also be required to do the same. I can’t imagine first grade students keeping their masks on and not playing with them or tearing them up.
Dr. Mike Robinson: When schools are open, what signs would be visible that Social Distancing is working with students and teachers?
Stacie McClam: I’m not sure that there could be signs that social distancing is working especially since some people are asymptomatic.
Stacie McClam is an educator, speaker, and radio show host. She has 10 years of teaching experience. Stacie taught in Washington, D.C., Japan, Denver, C.O., Kuwait, and in Los Angeles County. As a law school graduate she hoped to work in education reform but realized that it took too long to change policy. Stacie feels that she can better serve students outside of the classroom by exposing the realities that occur inside the classroom involving mental health, childhood trauma, and teacher trauma.