Gadfly Bites 11/3/21—It’s just like “Room and Zoom”, only without the room…or the Zoom

1. The new nominal head of the Cleveland Metropolitan School district is… But you already guessed that, didn’t you? (The Land, 11/2/21)
    
2. Columbus City Schools is going to shut its doors to in-person learning a couple of days early prior to Thanksgiving break because they have caught up all the kids and don’t want to start anything new before the holiday the adults are tired. Kids are supposedly “drained” as well, but we only have the word of adults who are on the district payroll to corroborate that. In fact, the kids will have work to do over the break (presumably because you can’t actually just “call off” school randomly for no real reason): homework packets they will be required to finish over the break and bring back with them when school resumes. There’s no information here about lunch provision or any other student services during the impromptu shut down, but I’m sure that’s all under control. Aren’t you? (Columbus Dispatch, 11/2/21)
   
   

3. In probably-unrelated news, Geneva Area City Schools teachers are on the picket line this morning. They say their one and only demand is for the district to permanently end the synchronous teaching of in-class and remote students—which some have termed a “Room and Zoom” model—which has been ongoing this school year. Unironically, all Geneva students will be learning fully remotely during the strike. (WKYC-TV, Cleveland, 11/3/21)
    
4. Meanwhile, several charter schools in the Toledo area are reporting a strong boost in their enrollment this year. Is it due to the pandemic? Sure, let’s go with that. (Toledo Blade, 11/1/21)

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