Melissa Milligan
COVID has uprooted our lives in unimaginable ways. One of which is our dilemma of back to school. It feels as if this “pot” has been bubbling and brewing over the last five months and has now hit a boiling point. From slow start back to school plans to going all virtual, the goal of all parents is to do the best thing for their child. What is good for your child may not be good for my child and vice versa. Neither side is wrong, or right than the other. As this takes shape though the two sides are clashing. Caught in the middle, the Greenville County School Leadership team and our Governor.
McMaster announces SAFE Grants Education Program to help students whose families are financially impacted by COVID-19
Governor McMaster seemed to sweeten the pot for some families struggling with school decisions, offering the introduction of SAFE Grants. These grants offer the first 2500 families (within the 300% poverty level in SC) the option to put their children into private schools. With high tuition costs hindering some families from being able to utilize this option typically. For some these grants have been seen as a positive movement toward school choice and are welcomed. For others, including teachers this isn’t going over too well. Families that have shouldered this choice in years past, paying tuition while still having to pay taxes that support public schools, also seem appreciative of this new avenue to school choice.
There are only 5,000 of these grants available though. As it has been disclosed, at the moment unless things change, the initial 2500 spots will be “first come first serve” while a lottery will be held for the last 2500 spots. With private schools operating differently from the public-school system, many of these programs will open with full 5 days, face to face instruction in the coming weeks. This is a win-win for many families needing this option for their children who were not so successful with elearning and are not necessarily a good fit for signing up for a year of virtual learning, due to job demands on parents or other obstacles preventing them from being able to utilize virtual schooling. But again, this is a win-win on a limited scale as there are only 5,000 of these available.
It is a wonderful second option for parents needing an in-person option. It isn’t the first choice of parents though, which would be to keep their children in their assigned (or special permission), Greenville County school. In “their school” they are already established and a part of a school community that they know. It is another uprooting and re-establishing of themselves in a new school, with new teachers, new routines, and new expectations from what they are accustomed to—some will undoubtedly thrive others will need time to transition. Yes, kids are resilient, but they need stability and routine. In a time of so many changes and uncertainties, it is just another thing they shouldn’t have to deal with. A sense of normalcy done safely is what our children need.
Palmetto State Teachers Association responds to McMaster’s SAFE Grants Education Program to help private school students in SC
Others have been vocal on Facebook about McMaster’s latest offering, mostly in opposition, with many schoolteachers among them. As pleasant a surprise they are for some, for others, it has somewhat stirred the “pot”. Some (teachers) have stated that they believe this latest move is a slap in the face to educators and is seen as a devaluing of their contributions. They are frustrated with the fact that they believe this is money that could be better utilized in the public-school arena, not the private sector.
Their frustrations are also linked to the standards of continuing ed, experience, and teaching requirements (certifications, etc.) that public-school teachers must meet that private schools are not necessarily subject to requiring of their staff. These are all valid concerns and points. The job of a teacher is one of the most hard-working, committed, and way underpaid (and often underappreciated) jobs out there. There are countless hours beyond the typical school day that teachers put in, frequent professional development seminars, classes, and workshops to attend or complete (not during school days most of the time either). There are festivals, sports, special events, tutoring, mentoring, and special projects outside of their specific class duties and preparations. There is morning care, after school care, conferences, and field trips to be planned and executed. There are papers to grade (again not during the school day or just one planning period) it comes home with you.
Don’t even get me started on the supplies and special things you want for your class children–that all comes out of pocket, because the funding isn’t there, the process to request it is full of red tape or doesn’t qualify for purchase or reimbursement. Then there are class parties, the snacks for your preschool and kindergarten classes, not to mention incentive rewards and special pizza days for your older students too.
A lot of out of pocket expenses we never hear of from our teachers, because this is their calling, their livelihood and they can’t see themselves doing anything else…until this year. Yes, they signed up for this job, but these are extraordinary times for this profession. Now imagine all of this and then turning off that responsibility and investment because you are a parent yourself. Do you think teachers get paid enough? They make the big bucks for everything they do, right? Wrong…and their jobs just got harder by 10-fold.
Now they not only are scrambling to learn and navigate new formats to help everyone they will be responsible for, but now their children are also in limbo because mommy or daddy has to teach both virtually, in-person, and at home with their children too. They still have to worry about exposure and bringing it home as well. Anyone else ready to join the teaching field about now? So yes, they are fully justified in being upset with recent events, but so is everyone else on each side of this multifaceted nightmare. I know these things and feel all of this deeply because I was a teacher for 19 years and have been a parent now going on 11 years. Every child that entered my classroom to this day is still my child. It is truly a calling and not just a career.
Here’s a Breakdown of Greenville County Schools New Plan For the Fall
What is the next step for parents in Greenville County?
Parents have 6 days to opt into virtual learning—and so many more days to get through 2020 still with so many unknowns. So, for the next few months, I will take time to address questions, concerns, and updates that pop up along this journey, with Greenville County School’s spokesman, Tim Waller. I was able to catch up with Mr. Waller this afternoon for a quick chat and was able to learn a little more about the upcoming school year.
What do we know today?
- We know that the program outline on 7/21 found here, is the most solid plan (pending approval by South Carolina Department of Education), meaning it is not likely to change unless the department of education does not approve the plan. This was a change to the previously released plan that made days a little erratic between schedules. This plan streamlines the days for each color group. This should be it, but with so many outliers with COVID change is the only constant in any scenario nowadays. Mr. Waller summed it up perfectly when he said, “Flexibility is the best descriptor for this plan.” While the days might be flexible some things, we know that won’t change he confirmed, will be the disinfecting procedures, the improved ventilation systems allowing for fresh air flow, social distancing when possible, and the commitment to wellness checks of visitors, students, and staff. Children in grades 2 and up will have to wear masks provided by parents, for use when in close contact situations. These areas might be at the office, in hallways, or in close situations such as entering and exiting the school. While in the classroom, Mr. Waller explained that desks will be spaced 6 ft apart and masks will not have to be worn.
- The decision to call the 0,1, 2, or 5-day in-person week will not be last minute and quick changing decisions. It will follow the trend in infection rate as set forth by DHEC and the medical services director. As numbers we have observed over recent weeks remain high that gives us a picture of the trend in calling the plan of action for what will be most likely weeks at a time. The numbers are not up and down sharply, so though there is flexibility in the schedule it isn’t so much erratic changes day-to-day. Decisions are being made based on informed scientific and medical opinions from professionals having frequent conversations to make the best possible decisions in safety. Unfortunately, this is looking like a lot of eLearning in the coming weeks if numbers remain so high.
- For more up to date and open conversations surrounding these choices and more, the School System is hosting Facebook live conversations the next two days (typically around 2 pm) and has previously recorded sessions posted that are available to be watched at your convenience. You can find the link here.
Tuesday’s presentation with Associate Superintendent for Academics Jeff McCoy and an interview with Assistant Superintendent for Special Education Traci Hogan
Related Family and Kids Articles
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Greenville County Schools Offer Updates via Facebook Live
Greenville County Schools Start Date Moved to August 24th
Four Perspectives on Today’s Return to School Rally
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