Maine Schools Are Open (Portland, Hope: sale, home, middle school)

[Northern Maine Land Man]

All 16 counties are now open for normal education. Students can be picked up by the bus and go to school, five days a week. It may take a few schools time to get back up to speed. There are some parents who really like remote learning because they got to see what the kids are actually taught. I expect that there may be more public attendance at school board meetings, which should be interesting.

Our district is going to continue remote learnng for a while until remote learning is turned off. Most schools will keep their expensive plexiglas in case there is a second round of covid among those not vaccinated. Eventually, there is going to be a huge yard sale of plexiglas.

[homestead123]

Great news. Hopefully other states will follow

[Maine Writer]

That's great news. I hope they're able to stay the rest of the school year and have enjoy their proms, year-end activities and graduations.

[CARas2020]

Our schools will be opening for the last quarter which is in April. My daughter is very excited about this.

Are they opening all at once? Ours is gradual meaning first the elementary kids then middle school and high school and option schools last (April 19). My daughter is a freshman.

I am sure there are many logistics considering how large the district is for us. It will be hybrid meaning two days online and two days in classroom. On Wed they have one advisory class which will be online.

[Northern Maine Land Man]

Every district is opening as thy have staff ready. We expect about 1/4 of our students to continue distance learning. Our classrooms are equipped with "owl cameras". The camera looks like an owl and when somebody speaks, the owl turns and focuses on that person. Parents who have laptops for one child at home and others in the classroom have been able to see who is talking in the classroom. Very interesting.

[BaltimoreBruiser]

Originally Posted by Northern Maine Land Man

Every district is opening as thy have staff ready. We expect about 1/4 of our students to continue distance learning. Our classrooms are equipped with "owl cameras". The camera looks like an owl and when somebody speaks, the owl turns and focuses on that person. Parents who have laptops for one child at home and others in the classroom have been able to see who is talking in the classroom. Very interesting.

That is pretty neat.

We've started opening up schools down here in MD. My daughter will remain virtual. At first I was going to send her back to the hybrid-model (2 days in-person), but when they released the details, it did not make any sense. Classes will only have like 6-8 students, all separated with plexiglass and 10+ feet, and the cafeteria will be separated as well in the same manner as the classrooms. I found no value in returning to that environment. The main motivation for me in returning my child to class is the personal interaction. Hopefully this fall will have a better environment.

[MrDee12345]

Originally Posted by Northern Maine Land Man

Every district is opening as thy have staff ready. We expect about 1/4 of our students to continue distance learning. Our classrooms are equipped with "owl cameras". The camera looks like an owl and when somebody speaks, the owl turns and focuses on that person. Parents who have laptops for one child at home and others in the classroom have been able to see who is talking in the classroom. Very interesting.

Are you being serious? That sounds downright awful and I'd hate to be a teacher in such a classroom.

[Maine Writer]

Originally Posted by MrDee12345

Are you being serious? That sounds downright awful and I'd hate to be a teacher in such a classroom.

Yes, serious. Most of our schools have been open most of the time since after Christmas break. When necessary, some kids are home. Maine teachers are dedicated and doing all they can to continue working with the kids. It's temporary.

[phoebesmom]

My granddaughter goes to school in Portland and she still goes only two days a week, with a remote day--the class is still split in two and they do not go every day to the school. So this is a little different.

[CARas2020]

Originally Posted by BaltimoreBruiser

That is pretty neat.

We've started opening up schools down here in MD. My daughter will remain virtual. At first I was going to send her back to the hybrid-model (2 days in-person), but when they released the details, it did not make any sense. Classes will only have like 6-8 students, all separated with plexiglass and 10+ feet, and the cafeteria will be separated as well in the same manner as the classrooms. I found no value in returning to that environment. The main motivation for me in returning my child to class is the personal interaction. Hopefully this fall will have a better environment.

That sound horrific. If ours schools were doing that our daughter would be staying home too. Have to stay positive and look forward to curtailing this pandemic so maybe the kids can all go back to school in the fall.