MCPS Students See Wake up Call in BLM Protests, Atlanta Shootings
By Dermott Foley
From the Black Lives Matter protests to the Atlanta spa shootings, the past year has brought forth a racial reckoning that is leading to greater action against bias and discrimination in the United States at all sorts of institutions including schools.
By Dermott Foley
From the Black Lives Matter protests to the Atlanta spa shootings, the past year has brought forth a racial reckoning that is leading to greater action against bias and discrimination in the United States at all sorts of institutions including schools.
Student Perspectives on Returning to In-Person School*
By Adelaide Keller Most of us are probably aware that last week some sixth grade students at Eastern returned to in-person learning for the first time in more than a year. I interviewed four different sixth graders on returning to in-person school and their thoughts about it. |
'First day' of school at Eastern for 6th graders full of joy, anxiety
By Dermott Foley It was a mad scramble to get everything ready after so many months lazing around at home. Digging through drawers to find pants that are not flannel PJs. Charging up the trusty Chromebook. Trying to decide whether bringing old-fashioned pen and paper was worth the weight. |
Advice from Eastern Teachers on How to Manage the Blank Screen of Zoom Misery
By Tyler Foley Our teacher tells us cheerfully that they have set aside 20 minutes for us to work on some questions together in small groups, and I’ve been thrown into a random breakout room. As I glance at my monitor, a feeling of dread settles in. The whole screen is black, and all my classmates have their cameras off and mics off. |
Principal Johnson: Eastern Air Filters Upgraded for In-Person School
By Dermott Foley Eastern Middle School, built in 1951 and renovated in 1976, is one of the oldest buildings in Montgomery County Public Schools. What does that mean for the air quality during a pandemic where the virus is mostly transmitted through our breathing? |
How In-Person Teaching Might Work at Eastern and Other MCPS Middle Schools (as of 2/09/2021)
By Dermott Foley MCPS school buildings are almost ready to welcome students again, after almost a year of sitting empty. Social distancing signs have been put up, high-grade air filters have been installed and desks have been sanitized. But before students are able to return, school administrators must solve another puzzle: What is the best way for teachers to teach during a pandemic when some students are in person and some are virtual? |
Going Back To School or Staying At Home?
By Tammy Lee As many variations of COVID-19 vaccines are starting to be produced and the number of cases is decreasing across the United States, going back to school in person is now being discussed during Board of Education meetings. But the big question students, parents, and teachers now ask is if we really will go back to school, or will the date of in-person return just keep being pushed back? As it already has been, many times. |
MCPS Announces Grading, Course Load Changes
By Dermott Foley Montgomery County Public Schools officials are seeking to relieve academic pressure on students amid the pandemic, with changes to the grading system and required course load. Shortly after the end of the 1st quarter, the school system revealed that more MCPS students are failing math and English during remote learning than before to the pandemic. |
Q&A with Principal Johnson: What Should Students Expect When We Return To In-Person School?
By Dermott Foley Eastern Principal Matt Johnson and other staff have been busy transforming the school in preparation for students to return in person. There are now one-way hallways, hand washing stations, and socially distant “Please Stand Here” signs placed in strategic locations. Different groups of students, depending on how they get to school—be it by bus, car or walking—would be assigned different entrances for arrival. Dismissals would be staggered. |