How will schools be able to go back in September?

ldy4mxonucwsq6

Windorah wrote: »

I would love to know how you have such vast experience with such a wide cohort of professionals across the country???

As I stated that has been MY experience (and that of many others apparently from other posts I've seen).

I can see what three separate educational institutes have been doing and out of three only one is doing work (and I am very grateful for their efforts).

That's been my experience.

History Queen

Jizique wrote: »

Was it not the students who decided that it was unsafe and forced that on the govt? Is there any point those students even thinking about college?
The schools need to open in September - they are currently reopening across Europe.

Wellif the government are deciding wholescale policy based on student opinions rather than professional advice we are in a much more serious situation than I first feared.

No disrespect to students but they should not be deciding national education policy no more than I should decide national road safety policy. Expertise should be deferred to in these matters.

ldy4mxonucwsq6

jrosen wrote: »

Screening productivity is relatively easy and there are lots of industries that do it.

We are weeks into this now and while plenty of other industries have adapted, it seems the experience of some families is that their particular schools have not.

Our secondary school sent out a survey to all parents about education during the closures looking for feedback and asking about the level of work etc and satisfaction rates.

That school is great usually but have to say they really have made huge efforts for parents and students during all this.

Just a good example of how well things can work when the will and leadership is there.

jrosen

Zahir Bitter Cellist wrote: »

Our secondary school sent out a survey to all parents about education during the closures looking for feedback and asking about the level of work etc and satisfaction rates.

That school is great usually but have to say they really have made huge efforts for parents and students during all this.

Just a good example of how well things can work when the will and leadership is there.

Yes we have had the same. Initially things were slow but they have really made the effort. As you say it is an example of how things can work out where there is will and leadership.

fawlty682

We can learn from other countries as we will probably be last in Europe to open schools. Dublin school principal on news earlier talking about social distancing. Crazy. It will be totally impractical in schools. Discussion in Ireland seems to forget about testing which is the most important issue. If we can test 10,000 +people per day, a lot of people will be have been tested by September. Also, we have really done nothing but lockdown. Mask wearing, temperature checking and widespread sanitizing of transport and external areas have not started here yet really.

khalessi

Zahir Bitter Cellist wrote: »

Our secondary school sent out a survey to all parents about education during the closures looking for feedback and asking about the level of work etc and satisfaction rates.

That school is great usually but have to say they really have made huge efforts for parents and students during all this.

Just a good example of how well things can work when the will and leadership is there.

My school has sent out two surveys and independently the for the senior students we have sent out weekly surveys re the workload etc. This is a primary school You could damn unlucky because speaking to friends working in other school they are doing the same as me.

Re Herr Kuhn's ridiculous comparisons to nursing pay. I was earning more as a nurse before taking night duty into account and I didnt have to bring work home but that is part of this job so be it. I love this job I just hate that there are so many naysayers who basically would not be able to manage this job if they were doing it and that is based on working in the private and public sector.

It is like people are just waiting for an excuse to have a dig at teachers all the time. There have been a number of threads since March which get taken off topic by negative people with an agenda. They post about a job they have little knowledge of and give out that teachers complain if they explain.

There is a difference between rational conversation and constructive ciriticism and the teacher bashing that goes on here and other threads, which is a pity as the original topics get lost in the mix.

Damian F

I think schools should never have been completely closed in the first place, Even Varadkar admits now that covid was very possibly here since mid December, which means schools were operating just fine for 3 months with covid in the country.

Damian F

Back in late summer 2009, you had people calling for the schools not to reopen in September because of swine flu.

morebabies

Lots of valid practical concerns raised here by primary school principals re: school hygiene, teachers being off sick, pregnant teachers who will not want to put themselves at risk, etc.

https://www.rte.ie/amp/1137832/

History Queen

While we would all like certainty I really hope they don't rush headlong in to a rushed decision regarding opening schools like they did with the LC.

Contingency plans and school safety audits as well as broad guidance for principals and teachers to use, to risk assess their own individual classrooms/buildings would be a great start.

Lillyfae

Look, there are risks attached to the children going back to school, too many, and at this point it can't happen. But the teachers going back to school should be a priority. It shouldn't be a question of some doing 12 hour days and some doing sfa because of GDPR or no broadband, or no guidance. Everyone should be doing their work equally, no excuses. That's all I'm saying.

Coneygree

Lillyfae wrote: »

Look, there are risks attached to the children going back to school, too many, and at this point it can't happen. But the teachers going back to school should be a priority. It shouldn't be a question of some doing 12 hour days and some doing sfa because of GDPR or no broadband, or no guidance. Everyone should be doing their work equally, no excuses. That's all I'm saying.

Is that not the case for every job though, some people are doing loads, some are doing the bare minimum or sweet nothing.

iamwhoiam

Coneygree wrote: »

Is that not the case for every job though, some people are doing loads, some are doing the bare minimum or sweet nothing.

It doesnt make it right even if they are

Lillyfae

Coneygree wrote: »

Is that not the case for every job though, some people are doing loads, some are doing the bare minimum or sweet nothing.

No it's not. In the private sector people will be let go if that's the case. Of course there's a bit of slacking, but people won't get away with much.

Coneygree

Lillyfae wrote: »

No it's not. In the private sector people will be let go if that's the case. Of course there's a bit of slacking, but people won't get away with much.

And any decent principal/BOM won't let their teaching staff get away with much either.

jimmytwotimes 2013

Lillyfae wrote: »

No it's not. In the private sector people will be let go if that's the case. Of course there's a bit of slacking, but people won't get away with much.

That's not true. There are plenty in private sector who are rubbish at their jobs too. 12 years ago the entire country had to bail out the private sector, those in property speculation, banking etc

History Queen

Lillyfae wrote: »

Look, there are risks attached to the children going back to school, too many, and at this point it can't happen. But the teachers going back to school should be a priority. It shouldn't be a question of some doing 12 hour days and some doing sfa because of GDPR or no broadband, or no guidance. Everyone should be doing their work equally, no excuses. That's all I'm saying.

This was the case initially when schools closed. My school actively encouraged us to come in and use school facilities/resources while adhering to social distancing etc. if we needed to. We already got an email saying it is envisaged that the same opportunities will be given to us from May 18th. I personally won't avail as I have no one to mind my son as my husband is working and while my internet access at home is slow, it is usable.

As regards GDPR we have to comply with it. It's not something you can opt in or out of. I'm not really sure what you mean by people using it to avoid work?

I don't think there's any problem with people seeking guidance either. We are dealing with minors (mostly, some 6th years are of age). There are much more safety measures needed and training when interacting with minors. So looking for guidance and erring on the side of caution is prudent both from a self preservation and child safety POV in my opinion.

That being said, you find safe ways of doing things. Anyone using either concern as a way of avoiding work is lazy, pure and simple.

Lillyfae

History Queen wrote: »

This was the case initially when schools closed. My school actively encouraged us to come in and use school facilities/resources while adhering to social distancing etc. if we needed to. We already got an email saying it is envisaged that the same opportunities will be given to us from May 18th. I personally won't avail as I have no one to mind my son as my husband is working and while my internet access at home is slow, it is usable.

As regards GDPR we have to comply with it. It's not something you can opt in or out of. I'm not really sure what you mean by people using it to avoid work?

I don't think there's any problem with people seeking guidance either. We are dealing with minors (mostly, some 6th years are of age). There are much more safety measures needed and training when interacting with minors. So looking for guidance and erring on the side of caution is prudent both from a self preservation and child safety POV in my opinion.

That being said, you find safe ways of doing things. Anyone using either concern as a way of avoiding work is lazy, pure and simple.

Good points most of it, but as for the bit in bold, what? Why is this only your priority??

Lillyfae

Coneygree wrote: »

And any decent principal/BOM won't let their teaching staff get away with much either.

Right :rolleyes:

Lillyfae

jimmytwotimes 2013 wrote: »

That's not true. There are plenty in private sector who are rubbish at their jobs too. 12 years ago the entire country had to bail out the private sector, those in property speculation, banking etc

True that, but that's not what I'm referring to. I'm referring to teachers not engaging with their students, no concern, no contact, nothing. That's not just being rubbish at your job, that's just not doing it at all. Those people would be sacked, teachers won't be, nothing whatsoever will (or can) be done, bar a bit of a finger wagging.

History Queen

Lillyfae wrote: »

Good points most of it, but as for the bit in bold, what? Why is this only your priority??

What do you mean my only priority? My son is two. I can't leave him alone. His father also works but cannot work from home so it makes sense for me to work from home in a less than ideal but workable situation (my slow internet) than have my husband take unpaid leave so I can use better resources and facilities at school. The students aren't impacted.

I was just pointing out that some people will still work at home in less than ideal situations rather than use school facilities because other factors are at play, such as, in my case the lack of childcare. I don't understand what the issue is with me saying that?

Lillyfae

History Queen wrote: »

What do you mean my only priority? My son is two. I can't leave him alone. His father also works but cannot work from home so it makes sense for me to work from home in a less than ideal but workable situation (my slow internet) than have my husband take unpaid leave so I can use better resources and facilities at school. The students aren't impacted.

I was just pointing out that some people will still work at home in less than ideal situations rather than use school facilities because other factors are at play, such as, in my case the lack of childcare. I don't understand what the issue is with me saying that?

Apologies, completely my misunderstanding. I took from it that he was also at home but it was somehow only your job to do the minding :pac:

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

Lillyfae wrote: »

No it's not. In the private sector people will be let go if that's the case. Of course there's a bit of slacking, but people won't get away with much.

If the work and resources are available to them, yes.

Coneygree

Lillyfae wrote: »

Right :rolleyes:

Go ahead and send a letter/message/phone call to the BOM if you find that a teacher is not doing enough for your child.

History Queen

Lillyfae wrote: »

Apologies, completely my misunderstanding. I took from it that he was also at home but it was somehow only your job to do the minding :pac:

Ohhhh! That'd be a whole different issue! Now I understand your reaction! Apology accepted :-)

Lillyfae

Coneygree wrote: »

Go ahead and send a letter/message/phone call to the BOM if you find that a teacher is not doing enough for your child.

Luckily I don't have that problem as I live elsewhere. I have a toddler and the daycare workers called to the door no less than 4 times to drop off little projects and wave through the window at the kids. They, and all primary school teachers, were at work and caring for/ teaching the children of front line staff since the very beginning of all of this. When it was announced that daycares and primary schools were opening again this week, they spent the time cleaning, planning which children would be coming in on which days, marking areas on the floors with masking tape to denote safe distancing for adults etc etc etc. Couldn't have done enough, and there was no need for the big, bad, BoM to breathe down their necks about it.

jimmytwotimes 2013

Lillyfae wrote: »

True that, but that's not what I'm referring to. I'm referring to teachers not engaging with their students, no concern, no contact, nothing. That's not just being rubbish at your job, that's just not doing it at all. Those people would be sacked, teachers won't be, nothing whatsoever will (or can) be done, bar a bit of a finger wagging.

If you know of a teacher not doing their job there is an official complaints procedure through The Teaching Council, try that.

Coneygree

Lillyfae wrote: »

Luckily I don't have that problem as I live elsewhere. I have a toddler and the daycare workers called to the door no less than 4 times to drop off little projects and wave through the window at the kids. They, and all primary school teachers, were at work and caring for/ teaching the children of front line staff since the very beginning of all of this. When it was announced that daycares and primary schools were opening again this week, they spent the time cleaning, planning which children would be coming in on which days, marking areas on the floors with masking tape to denote safe distancing for adults etc etc etc. Couldn't have done enough, and there was no need for the big, bad, BoM to breather down their necks about it.

Great to hear. I'm not sure why you're concerned about teachers and schools working or not working so if your crew are being taken care of.

downthemiddle

Lillyfae wrote: »

Luckily I don't have that problem as I live elsewhere. I have a toddler and the daycare workers called to the door no less than 4 times to drop off little projects and wave through the window at the kids. They, and all primary school teachers, were at work and caring for/ teaching the children of front line staff since the very beginning of all of this. When it was announced that daycares and primary schools were opening again this week, they spent the time cleaning, planning which children would be coming in on which days, marking areas on the floors with masking tape to denote safe distancing for adults etc etc etc. Couldn't have done enough, and there was no need for the big, bad, BoM to breathe down their necks about it.

To clarify, you have been pontificating about teachers in a country that you do not live in. Therefore anything you have posted has, at best, been anecdotal.
Perhaps you should concern yourself with issues that are currently impacting directly on you. I know my priorities are local. I may observe decisions being made elsewhere to see what lessons can be learnt but I tend to take “stories” emanating from elsewhere with a large pinch of salt.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

Lillyfae wrote: »

Look, there are risks attached to the children going back to school, too many, and at this point it can't happen. But the teachers going back to school should be a priority. It shouldn't be a question of some doing 12 hour days and some doing sfa because of GDPR or no broadband, or no guidance. Everyone should be doing their work equally, no excuses. That's all I'm saying.

Hang on - why should teachers going back.be a priority if it's not safe for the kids to go back? You've already said it's unfair to fire sometime if you haven't provided them the resources to do the job.