1/ I need to get this out of my system so I can get some work done today (yes it's Saturday, but what is time.

2/ Yes I'm a teacher but we never stop working, even on summer break, but you knew that because you are a cool and logical person who is reading this) and not be composing tweets in my brain as I pace around my house.

3/ oh PS this is a thread about school's "reopening" and ALL my thoughts on it and the whiplash we are experiencing in Texas of changing guidelines. BUT FIRST some CAVEATS!

4/ my views do not necessarily reflect those of my employer... or even of myself 2 weeks ago, or of myself 2 weeks from now. If you disagree that is completely fine. I am NOT a parent so please don't take anything I'm saying as parenting advice re: your kids schooling, coming…

5/ …at this from a teacher's perspective, and not only that but I'm a DANCE teacher (bruh, I know) who teaches grades 7-12 at a fine arts public charter school (no I'm not a fan of Betsy DeVos) that serves grades 3-12.

6/ I also have not followed this perfectly, so if I get some details wrong re: orders, proclamations, guidelines, or timelines... I'm sorry I guess?

7/ OK SO. Here is the TX timeline of events as best as I can remember it:
-Governor Abbott says schools have to reopen
-Abbott and TEA (TX Educ. Agency) say that schools MUST offer both an in person and online option
-TEA gives lots of suggestions about PPE and sanitizing…

8/ …schools and general health and safety protocol (I BELIEVE that SOME funding is coming for help with implementing this but it's vague) and I need to emphasize suggestions- it's a million bullet points long with sentences that start with "Schools should attempt to" and then…

9/ …lists things they know are not possible. Every time I read the suggestions I would end it in my head with "Schools should attempt to be magical"
- TEA gives MANY guidelines re: online learning.

10/ but these guidelines say things that are quite lofty in goal (but dare I say possible) but very little guidance on the HOW of implementing them. In other words, it sounds great, but could you please be more specific and practical. kthnx

-TEA eventually says "Hey ok, each district can apply to be online only at the start of the year for up to 4 weeks, then you can apply for up to 4 more weeks if needed. but we have to approve it"

-TEA also says "Hey we need a written plan for how you're going to be online (whether 100% or just for students that choose it - did I mention that there's very little guidance for how we are supposed to do both at the same time- teach in person and online?)

and it’s due by October (you know, once you are already rolling with the plan) and if we don’t like it, it will affect your funding.”

- AT THIS POINT – Parents are squirming wondering what their district/school is going to do (because even if a district makes a call, we all know that practically it will look different on each campus), teachers are also going “Umm… how exactly should I be preparing?”

and campus admin are on phone/zoom calls every five seconds and fielding emails left and right from all ends of the pandemic belief/response extremes

OH YOU SHOULD KNOW! I am in N. TX, so LOTS of really big districts & LOTS of travel between LOTS of cities, but generally various mayors & city/county officials seem to try to coordinate their responses through this process because we all know that we affect each other greatly.