Really? I would not be happy. Our private is supposed to announce today or tomorrow. But their fyi note that they would let us know this week included a picture of a room being cleaned so I'm thinking they are planning on having kids in the building!
K-4th will have the option to be in the school buildings, but all instruction will be online. So kids will be tied to Zoom. Deeply disappointed in the faculty/administration.
The majority of independents have said they will open including plenty of city schools like Brearley, CSH, St. David's, Town, Marymount, etc. Dalton has a large population in a pretty crappy facility which inhibits them. But they should have at least prioritized opening the lower grades and spreading them out, and then maybe doing hybrid for older kids. Considering all of the CDC, AAP guidance and the declining rates in NYC, plus the resources that private schools have and the tuition that they charge, there is absolutely no excuse not to do your best to open.
Oh I agree. And then the financial aid kids will be far far behind when they go back to school. This is a complete and absolute failure by Dalton which prides itself on providing superior and progressive education to a diverse group of families. Now they will be sitting kids in front of screens while the hedge funders are in pods in the Hamptons. It will be the ultimate haves vs. have nots over there.
Are any other dalton parents considering leaving the school? We are. I don't want to be too short-sighted, but I think the administration has shown its true colors here.
I am not a dalton school mom. But if I were I would leave. I would be gracious and say I might come back when they offer classes in person again, but I really needed to leave for the mental and socio emotional development of my child.
Unfortunately, in-person learning at any school can only last until the first in-person student or teacher comes down with a cough or cold. Which given that Fall is cold and ragweed allergy season will be pretty soon. Then the whole in-person operation will have to shut down pending COVID testing of that/those individuals. And test results are taking 6-14 days. By which time, the results will be moot. And during the wait, others will not have remained strictly quarantined, so more will have been exposed, so even if that initial test was negative, the close down break will restart the whole cycle of cough/ testing/close- down awaiting test results/ long wait rendering results useless, etc..
And don’t forget that if a parent or fellow household member of a student has symptoms that require testing, that would be an additional event that would require shut down of in-person learning while that child and any child or teacher or staff member that child has been in contact with during in-person sessions are all tested. But again, test results take so long, meaningless by time of receipt, so yet another long break, restarting vicious cycle.
I disagree. I think these schools are being smart. The odds that all schools will be forced to close are high; they're better off planning now for all-remote instead of scrambling. I wish public schools would do the same.
They all are planning for remote learning while also trying their best for in person. A school like Dalton has endless resources. The fact that they could not pull this together when MOST independent schools are doing it and when SUMMER CAMPS are currently operating truly speaks to gross incompetence at that school.
Disagree. You don't have to shut down the whole school, just particular pods. As far as testing goes, my own workplace hired a private lab to do testing, which guarantees quick results. Dalton could have done something similar. Instead, they would rather our young children sit in front of a screen for five hours a day in the name of "equity". In this scenario, rather than aiding in their development, schooling is affirmatively inflicting harm. And at young ages, school is more about the give and take of socialization and group learning rather than getting through the curriculum. Dalton, it turns out, is a pressure cooker that cares nothing about the whole child. Just about getting through the material on zoom.
My experience with 3 dcs is that there are enough routine Fall colds coughs sniffles low fevers tummy aches to guarantee every pod will be dealing with this within a few weeks of school opening.
So it gets worse. Apparently they really only want us in school if we “need“ to be there, eg bad wireless etc. And that’s because mysterious dalton “staff“ are in charge of the kids watching ipad screens wit hi headphones on. Wow. Just wow. For those of you applying for new spots in the fall, look elsewhere. I wish we could go back in time and choose another school.
Agreed. Sad that the administration is using equity as an excuse so teachers don't have to come back and do their job. Babby will have a hard time getting anyone to go to D next year.
I heard Spence was also only virtual
Did they say why? They can't figure out spacing? They can't get enough teachers to agree to come in? What?
Is that finalized?
Really? I would not be happy. Our private is supposed to announce today or tomorrow. But their fyi note that they would let us know this week included a picture of a room being cleaned so I'm thinking they are planning on having kids in the building!
K-4th will have the option to be in the school buildings, but all instruction will be online. So kids will be tied to Zoom. Deeply disappointed in the faculty/administration.
which school is this????
So who's watching the kids? That sounds like a truly stupid compromise. Which school?
I'm pretty sure she is talking about Dalton, per the title of this thread.
Yikes. I would expect more for $54k.
I heard allen stevenson is virtual. I would be so angry.
+1. Wish we could get a tuition refund.
Doe anybody think that any of the independents will open now???
The majority of independents have said they will open including plenty of city schools like Brearley, CSH, St. David's, Town, Marymount, etc. Dalton has a large population in a pretty crappy facility which inhibits them. But they should have at least prioritized opening the lower grades and spreading them out, and then maybe doing hybrid for older kids. Considering all of the CDC, AAP guidance and the declining rates in NYC, plus the resources that private schools have and the tuition that they charge, there is absolutely no excuse not to do your best to open.
LOL there are some people who are just desperate for private schools to stay closed so they can feel better about their public school choice.
Schadenfreude
Unfortunately they are prioritizing teachers over students.
All the wealthy families will hire private tutors.
Oh I agree. And then the financial aid kids will be far far behind when they go back to school. This is a complete and absolute failure by Dalton which prides itself on providing superior and progressive education to a diverse group of families. Now they will be sitting kids in front of screens while the hedge funders are in pods in the Hamptons. It will be the ultimate haves vs. have nots over there.
+1000
black at dalton insta will join the Brearley and Spence and Chapin instas that show the disparate treatment.
Packer Collegiate is doing full-time in person for K - 6, every other week in-person for 7 - 12.
this is a great plan. Lucky PC students and families!
Allen-Stevenson also 100% remote. Only two independent schools in NYC. Terrible.
Are any other dalton parents considering leaving the school? We are. I don't want to be too short-sighted, but I think the administration has shown its true colors here.
yes
Yes.
I am not a dalton school mom. But if I were I would leave. I would be gracious and say I might come back when they offer classes in person again, but I really needed to leave for the mental and socio emotional development of my child.
+1 Worst case scenario, you do public elementary and apply for private spots in 6th.
Unfortunately, in-person learning at any school can only last until the first in-person student or teacher comes down with a cough or cold. Which given that Fall is cold and ragweed allergy season will be pretty soon. Then the whole in-person operation will have to shut down pending COVID testing of that/those individuals. And test results are taking 6-14 days. By which time, the results will be moot. And during the wait, others will not have remained strictly quarantined, so more will have been exposed, so even if that initial test was negative, the close down break will restart the whole cycle of cough/ testing/close- down awaiting test results/ long wait rendering results useless, etc..
This. the whole discussion will be moot within two weeks of school starting.
And don’t forget that if a parent or fellow household member of a student has symptoms that require testing, that would be an additional event that would require shut down of in-person learning while that child and any child or teacher or staff member that child has been in contact with during in-person sessions are all tested. But again, test results take so long, meaningless by time of receipt, so yet another long break, restarting vicious cycle.
Why? Spike in area?? Just your spidey sense?
I disagree. I think these schools are being smart. The odds that all schools will be forced to close are high; they're better off planning now for all-remote instead of scrambling. I wish public schools would do the same.
Totally agree, see above long comment for reasoning.
They all are planning for remote learning while also trying their best for in person. A school like Dalton has endless resources. The fact that they could not pull this together when MOST independent schools are doing it and when SUMMER CAMPS are currently operating truly speaks to gross incompetence at that school.
Yes! Summer camps have been able to figure it out.
So choose remote option at your school! Don't punish the rest of us
Disagree. You don't have to shut down the whole school, just particular pods. As far as testing goes, my own workplace hired a private lab to do testing, which guarantees quick results. Dalton could have done something similar. Instead, they would rather our young children sit in front of a screen for five hours a day in the name of "equity". In this scenario, rather than aiding in their development, schooling is affirmatively inflicting harm. And at young ages, school is more about the give and take of socialization and group learning rather than getting through the curriculum. Dalton, it turns out, is a pressure cooker that cares nothing about the whole child. Just about getting through the material on zoom.
ITA. The other schools that are going in person are saying they will shut down a pod and have remote learning for a pod if someone gets sick.
Yes! Only certain pods should shut down. That's the whole point of pods!
My experience with 3 dcs is that there are enough routine Fall colds coughs sniffles low fevers tummy aches to guarantee every pod will be dealing with this within a few weeks of school opening.
So it gets worse. Apparently they really only want us in school if we “need“ to be there, eg bad wireless etc. And that’s because mysterious dalton “staff“ are in charge of the kids watching ipad screens wit hi headphones on. Wow. Just wow. For those of you applying for new spots in the fall, look elsewhere. I wish we could go back in time and choose another school.
Agreed. Sad that the administration is using equity as an excuse so teachers don't have to come back and do their job. Babby will have a hard time getting anyone to go to D next year.
We are applying for K and removed Dalton off our list. It seems like they just mailed it in.
LOL "Go forth unafraid" in front of your computer.