In a unanimous decision on Wednesday, July 29th, the Frederick County Board of Education decided to postpone the in person opening of Frederick County Public Schools in favor of a full virtual start to the 2020 – 2021 school year.
Prior to the official decision, parents, teachers and even members of the school board had voiced their concerns across social media like Facebook and Twitter. In a Facebook post from Brad Young, current FCPS School Board President, apprehension was noted ahead of Wednesday’s vote, “FCPS nor any other Maryland County are properly prepared to have students back into our aging buildings.”
With counties all around FCPS set to start the year virtually in the midst of the current Coronavirus outbreak, the final decision on Wednesday was widely predicted and met with both criticism and applause from the local community. As students make their way “back to school” in a new way this year, working parents, including our county teachers, will be faced with unique concerns and issues that will impact our entire community in various ways. We
This month’s Chamber member of the month, the Frederick County Teachers Association, shared some insight about the upcoming school year and how families can support teachers and students this year as they embark on a new learning adventure during these unprecedented times.
Frederick County Teacher’s Association Looks to the 2020-2021 School Year
What does FCTA do for local teachers?
FCTA represents the teachers, school counselors, reading specialists, teacher specialists, social workers, speech and language pathologists, school therapists and athletic directors of Frederick County Public Schools. We are the local teacher affiliate of the Maryland State Education Association and the National Education Association. As professional educators, the members of FCTA constantly work to promote and encourage educational success for all students. To that end, these are the goals of the Frederick County Teachers Association:
- Providing our members and their students a working environment that is safe and conducive to quality instruction
- Promoting the highest level of professional practice in the classroom while identifying and eliminating barriers to effective teaching and learning
- Securing for our members a salary and benefits package worthy of their professional dedication as educators
- Pursuing at the local, state and national levels, educational policies which establish and maintain programs and services supporting quality public education
- Instilling a belief that quality learning is dependent upon educators who are respected and acknowledged as professionals by the community
- Increasing public appreciation for teaching as a career choice.
- In striving to achieve these goals, FCTA establishes and maintains collaborative relationships to build a community committed to the educators and students of Frederick County.
What does FCTA wish parents and community members knew about the teacher’s association?
FCTA works to make sure that Frederick County has highly qualified educators that have the resources necessary to meet the needs of all students. Strong schools benefit our county by strengthening property values, providing businesses with a well-trained workforce and providing a social center for the community.
The work FCTA does on behalf of teachers directly impacts students every day. A teacher’s work environment is the student’s learning environment. When we work to ensure that teachers have the necessary resources (including time), we are working to make sure that students are the most prepared and teachers are equipped to meet their individual needs. When FCTA is advocating for teachers, we are also advocating for our students!
We also share a common bond with parents of wanting the best community. Many of our members also live in Frederick County. We are equally invested in Frederick County as other residents and employees. Teachers want to do all they can to ensure the success of their students, but they also want parents to remember that teachers and their families are affected by this pandemic too. Many are parents of school age children dealing with the same struggles as the parents of their students.  This situation we find ourselves in is not one any of us created; we need to work together to get through it!
What are the primary concerns for teachers for the upcoming school year?
The number one concern is for the health and safety of our members, students and colleagues. We want to be in person with our students, but right now there are too many unanswered health and safety questions in working with the reality of such large groups of students. Even at 50% some of our schools would have over 1,000 students and staff in the building at one time. Secondly and closely connected, are concerns regarding insufficient resources. In order for school buildings to be safe for staff, FCPS needs the resources to ensure all the proper safety protocols. FCPS also needs adequate resources to make the virtual environment the most equitable it can be for all students. All of this is a struggle when FCPS is funded at the second lowest per pupil rate in Maryland (we are 23/24 jurisdictions).
How can families make the most of the upcoming school year, particularly now that we know it will begin virtually?
Stay Connected with your school and teachers. The one thing we can predict for sure is that this will be a school year like no other. Communication is going to be key. Families should make sure that they are registered for Find Out First so they get the most up to date communications from FCPS. FCPS is going to be offering different opportunities for families to help them understand the technology tools and how to connect to other resources that are going to be used this fall. Communicate with your child’s teacher. One thing that will continue this year is the need for teachers and families to work together for the success of our children.
Tips for setting up your virtual learning space:
- Set up a space for learning.
- A small desk or an area to spread out and work on a flat surface, in a well lit space is ideal.
- Think about spaces that are near an outlet to charge their device and have a place close by to store supplies ready to go for learning.
- If possible, make sure your child is in a separate room from other siblings who might be on with another teacher (it is very distracting to hear more than one teacher).
- Spend your normal “back to school shopping” time and turn it into a time to set them up with their own learning space. This will make them feel prepared and ready for school.
How can the community best support FCTA and local teachers?
Advocate for the resources our schools need both locally and at the State Level. FCPS is next to last in the state in per pupil funding – we are 23 our 24 jurisdictions.
Learn more about FCTA here.
Frederick Chamber Insights is a news outlet of the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce. For more information about membership, programs and initiatives, please visit our website.