How will schools be able to go back in September? (Continued)

Lillyfae

khalessi wrote: »

So true which is why teachers here asked parents to ask their schools, email Norma with questions if concerned, or read the document and make their own mind up.

Teachers have also been on the radio, social media, tv calling this out and people like yourself at one stage were critical of us for speaking out.

That’s not an effective way of doing things though. Individual schools would be bombarded whether they have issues or not. Not to mention that the anonymity here leads to rumour, speculation and downright lies at times. You need to unite with your colleagues and deliver a clear message, through your representative bodies, if what you’re saying is indeed representative of your colleagues issues.

What I said is that I was hearing radio segments where teachers were happy with the guidelines and happy to get back to some kind of normality. That doesn’t flag any issues to me.

khalessi

irishblessing wrote: »

Agree with your whole post, and well said in this last paragraph. I hope we can pull together too.

The reality I feel is so horrible. First of all for those medically at risk and no remote learning back up plan. And then for the rest of us who will certainly be facing illness/quarantine needs either by the teacher, other students, or in our family homes and no plan b. No blended learning option, half in/out which would reduce class sizes.

And to avoid it all you'd want to be wealthy to be able to independently afford a minder and tutor. The reality is really hitting home. Teachers deserve so much better too, what an education this thread and time has been.

I do hope you know that every teacher on here will be welcoming children and delighted to see them and doing their best to make them comfortable in their new look environment.

Our concerns will not be passed on the children, they will get 110% when they return and I cant wait to see them and to hear all their news.

My own kids teachers emailed a lovely email and were looking for digital photos of what they have been upto for last 6 months so that they can make up a montage on the whiteboard to welcome them back. A nice touch I thought.

irishblessing

It occurs to me that opening the schools in this stubborn fashion, "one way or another," is not in our children's best interests, health and safety aside. A better plan was needed to ensure longevity because I don't believe our children's mental health is going to be supported when the schools bump along for 2 weeks and then have to close again and it's taken from them. Meanwhile a mad, disorganised scramble once again for remote learning? I mean, just what. the. actual. F.

How the clowns running this country even sleep soundly at night I'll never know.

irishblessing

khalessi wrote: »

My own kids teachers emailed a lovely email and were looking for digital photos of what they have been upto for last 6 months so that they can make up a montage on the whiteboard to welcome them back. A nice touch I thought.

Ah that's really lovely

Sunday Sunday

lulublue22 wrote: »

It will be notified to the HSE and will be dealt with by them in terms of contract tracing and or follow up . Due to confidentiality issues I can’t see the principal issuing statements re cases in schools.

Will it not be similar to what we see currently with the likes of head lice, hand foot and mouth or measles?

As in you'll get a notification "there's been a confirmed case of covid in your child's class/school, here's what you need to watch out for etc etc"

Actually I wonder will headlice be as rampant as usual or will we see a decrease.

markodaly

History Queen wrote: »

Strike action is not a measure of whether someone cares about an issue or not.

You really believe that do you?

One just has to look at the honest truth. Look at the complaints on the teacher forums here, many many threads and posts giving out about pay, near nothing about the lack of infrastructure, profesional IT facilities etc..

So yes, strike action IS a measure on the priorities of the teaching Unions.

The general public don't care about education. If they did it would be a headline issue and hotky debated during election campaigns. It isn't a high priority issue at elections and the subsequent government don't see the need to prioritise it either as it doesn'ttranslate to votes.

It may not be up there with Health, Housing the economy and jobs but people do care about education. It is unfair to tell them that they dont.

Teachers aren't project managers but we are educators.

Correct, teachers teach, so the rest of it really shouldnt concern teachers. It is up to the schools, BoM, the health authorities and the Dept of Education to sort it out. Not teachers.

Teachers are trying to have it both ways, they dont want to provide solutions as they admit, they are no clue in project mangement, H&S or logisitics, yet they want to put their oar in everytime. Too many cooks.

wirelessdude01

markodaly wrote: »

You really believe that do you?

One just has to look at the honest truth. Look at the complaints on the teacher forums here, many many threads and posts giving out about pay, near nothing about the lack of infrastructure, profesional IT facilities etc..

So yes, strike action IS a measure on the priorities of the teaching Unions.




It may not be up there with Health, Housing the economy and jobs but people do care about education. It is unfair to tell them that they dont.




Correct, teachers teach, so the rest of it really shouldnt concern teachers. It is up to the schools, BoM, the health authorities and the Dept of Education to sort it out. Not teachers.

Teachers are trying to have it both ways, they dont want to provide solutions as they admit, they are no clue in project mangement, H&S or logisitics, yet they want to put their oar in everytime. Too many cooks.

Good man Marko, do you need another mouth to talk out of seeing as you already talk out of both sides of the one you have!

wirelessdude01

Sunday Sunday wrote: »

Will it not be similar to what we see currently with the likes of head lice, hand foot and mouth or measles?

As in you'll get a notification "there's been a confirmed case of covid in your child's class/school, here's what you need to watch out for etc etc"

Actually I wonder will headlice be as rampant as usual or will we see a decrease.

School has to inform the local health services team and they take over. Any communication has to be done by them.

That's my understanding of it anyway. Open to correction.

markodaly

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

I'm the same. My teaching is going to have to change, for the worst I might add. I have to do so though for my loved ones and my own safety. No one else really cares so I will look after myself.

Government(safely distancing themselves in the convention.centre), department(hiding behind their precious plan). None of them give a damn if a few teachers or SNAs die. Collateral damage to them with their view that you have to break a few eggs to make an omelette. Disposable is what we are.

In fairness, and I mean this nicely, I think teachers need to get over themsleves a bit.

There are lots of people out there still working in not ideal situations to keep the country going. From the person in food processing plants, putting food on the table, from the nurse or the GP looking after the sick, from the people in aged care faciltieis, who NEVER stopped working, to the Gardai and other front lines staff. Childcare educators are still looking after kids!

Teachers are not special and educating our kids is a corner stone of your soceity. If teachers dont want to do it, then go off and retire and let others do it.

amacca

markodaly wrote: »

Teachers are trying to have it both ways, they dont want to provide solutions as they admit, they are no clue in project mangement, H&S or logisitics, yet they want to put their oar in everytime. Too many cooks.

:rolleyes:
LOL......how can they provide solutions when the have almost no control on the situation, they are going in to do the work despite the shambolic plan...out of curiosity what solutions do you propose they should provide?...they have been almost completely sidelined by govt actions over the years.......if giving their opinion over decisions that affect their working environment = putting their oar in just what do you ant them to do...stay completely silent and be good little teaching robots

the govt side are getting their way here and yet posters like you still think this is somehow teachers fault

........you are not just buttering your bread on both sides youve dispensed with the bread at this point and its all butter melting through your fingers...youre entertaining ill give you that

Blondini

markodaly wrote: »

You really believe that do you?

One just has to look at the honest truth. Look at the complaints on the teacher forums here, many many threads and posts giving out about pay

Can we have a few links there lad?
I can't find many,many such threads and posts?

Have you been on those substantial meals again my dear?

i_surge

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

Unless they fall into the extremely narrow 'very high risk' category then you can expect ZERO support. All staff and students in the 'high risk' category are expected to attend as per normal.

And you are cool with that?

i_surge

Thierry12 wrote: »

They have no clue, just like me

Its gonna go 2 ways

We open up schools with 1 million students and thousands are not sick, its passed

If its not passed tens of thousands are gonna be sick and many are going to die

It will be interesting few weeks thats for sure

Isn't it great to have human lab rats.

Blondini

markodaly wrote: »

Teachers are not special and educating our kids is a corner stone of your soceity.

We are special, and I think you might be a bit special yourself to be fair.

Also, look at the elite intellectuals who thank your posts to gauge your credibility kiddo.

wirelessdude01

i_surge wrote: »

And you are cool with that?

What I think or feel has nothing to do with it. Just stating what our esteemed leaders have put in place. I've made my feelings known about it. If others do the same then maybe just maybe something might happen. If people remain silent then nothing will happen. It's why we want parents to voice their thoughts on this nonsense. They really are the only ones who will be listened to. Teachers won't be and never will be.

i_surge

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

If people remain silent then nothing will happen.

Ok

khalessi

markodaly wrote: »

In fairness, and I mean this nicely, I think teachers need to get over themsleves a bit.

There are lots of people out there still working in not ideal situations to keep the country going. From the person in food processing plants, putting food on the table, from the nurse or the GP looking after the sick, from the people in aged care faciltieis, who NEVER stopped working, to the Gardai and other front lines staff. Childcare educators are still looking after kids!

Teachers are not special and educating our kids is a corner stone of your soceity. If teachers dont want to do it, then go off and retire and let others do it.

This is the typical stuff that teachers get when they voice concerns. Thank youb for your input, it is illuminating.

ShaShaBear

Sunday Sunday wrote: »

Will it not be similar to what we see currently with the likes of head lice, hand foot and mouth or measles?

As in you'll get a notification "there's been a confirmed case of covid in your child's class/school, here's what you need to watch out for etc etc"

Actually I wonder will headlice be as rampant as usual or will we see a decrease.

I don't think it will work quite that well in some schools. For example, my eldest is in a shared class (half of the senior infants and 1st class) and my youngest is also sharing (junior infants and half of the senior infants). If, for example, either of my children were to test positive, they would literally have to shut half the school down. There's not enough space to socially distance the groups effectively and because my daughters literally share a bedroom, one of them getting sick puts all three class groups in direct contact with the virus.

markodaly

bettyoleary wrote: »

This situation is completely heartbreaking. For the older teachers that cant afford to just resign, for the teachers with family members with underlying conditions. For parents with kids that are at risk due to medical conditions. And, now people are turning on each other. As human beings we have to take care of each other. Stop with the selfishness. Kids can learn online, home schooling is a very viable option. We can at least see that just bringing kids back half time to reduce the numbers and allow distancing is the way to go until a vaccine or even for ever if no vaccine.

Why are we allowing terrified teachers to even happen. Its outrageous.

No, No, No, No.


Has any teacher here actually bothered to look at the recent studies and data coming out of other coutnries where kids fell behind due to the lockdown?

https://www.brookings.edu/blog/brown-center-chalkboard/2020/05/27/the-impact-of-covid-19-on-student-achievement-and-what-it-may-mean-for-educators/





It shows that disadvantaged students regress HUGELY even with online learning.
So, no online learning is NOT a solution.

That is why schools HAVE to re-open, they just have to. All the moaning, cribbing, 'poor us' attitude and the 'everyone is out to get us' moan is just that.

The public expect that teachers go back and do their job, a job they are well paid for, given the circumstances we are all in.
We all know it aint perfect, but one has to make the best of it.

smellyoldboot

Sunday Sunday wrote: »

Will it not be similar to what we see currently with the likes of head lice, hand foot and mouth or measles?

As in you'll get a notification "there's been a confirmed case of covid in your child's class/school, here's what you need to watch out for etc etc"

Actually I wonder will headlice be as rampant as usual or will we see a decrease.

Well this is the thing, things like headlice, stomach bugs etc have never been able to be controlled in a school environment, they rip through the places in no time. But pretty much the same set up but we'll call the class a "bubble" now and the same 4-6 seats stuck together a "pod" and that will prevent CoVid spread.

Elliejo

markodaly wrote: »

No, No, No, No.


Has any teacher here actually bothered to look at the recent studies and data coming out of other coutnries where kids fell behind due to the lockdown?

https://www.brookings.edu/blog/brown-center-chalkboard/2020/05/27/the-impact-of-covid-19-on-student-achievement-and-what-it-may-mean-for-educators/





It shows that disadvantaged students regress HUGELY even with online learning.
So, no online learning is NOT a solution.

That is why schools HAVE to re-open, they just have to. All the moaning, cribbing, 'poor us' attitutude and the 'everyone is out to get us' moan is just that.

The public expect that teachers go back and do their job, a job they are well paid for, given the circumstances we are all in.
We all know it aint perfect, but one has to make the best of it.

Which bit of schools are reopening in the next few days do you not understand?

Blondini

Elliejo wrote: »

Which bit of schools are reopening in the next few days do you not understand?

Don't worry, it's just some people can type faster than they can think.

markodaly

irishblessing wrote: »

I have just seen a video from today's protest in Dublin. Absolutely crazy stuff. Looks like thousands, tightly packed together, children there too and out of the whole panning of the crowd I saw one mask. One. But my kids GAA game was cancelled Friday because it wasn't safe for 30 to play on a large field.

I don't get this government. They could have taken lessons from say Israel and done a phased opening with blended remote learning to facilitate smaller class sizes, in the event of staff and student sickness, those that need to shield, and in the event of shut down. WTF do they think they're doing. They're not fit to run a scouts club let alone this country. The lack of common sense & innovation is striking. And also if I may get this off my chest- I am sick to my back teeth of people saying kids need to go back to school... we can't close them... can't lockdown forever. FFS there's a huge in-between area full of solutions from that belief and a full re-opening.

Eh, the Protest had nothing to do with the government by the way. You swear as if they organise the thing.

markodaly

Scoondal wrote: »

I will highlight to the school, social media and local politicians where public health guidelines are being breached at the school.

So, your idea of 'creating mayhem' is posting on Facebook.

amacca

Blondini wrote: »

Don't worry, it's just some people can type faster than they can think.

:D:D:D

Murple

mirrorwall14 wrote: »

That’s one of the first photos of primary school I’ve seen that reflects the reality of the distance they had on those diagrams between students. This is literally no different to a normal junior infants classroom

It’s close alright but you’d need to add in another 6 children maybe and you’re closer to many ordinary junior infant classes.

lulublue22

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

School has to inform the local health services team and they take over. Any communication has to be done by them.

That's my understanding of it anyway. Open to correction.

That was our understanding as well. I presume it’s to prevent unilateral action:rolleyes: on behalf of the school.

Tokyo

Blondini wrote: »

We are special, and I think you might be a bit special yourself to be fair.

Also, look at the elite intellectuals who thank your posts to gauge your credibility kiddo.

Mod: @Blondini - quit it with the smartarsed replies. Final warning.

khalessi

markodaly wrote: »

No, No, No, No.
Has any teacher here actually bothered to look at the recent studies and data coming out of other coutnries where kids fell behind due to the lockdown

It shows that disadvantaged students regress HUGELY even with online learning.
So, no online learning is NOT a solution.
That is why schools HAVE to re-open, they just have to. All the moaning, cribbing, 'poor us' attitutude and the 'everyone is out to get us' moan is just that.
The public expect that teachers go back and do their job, a job they are well paid for, given the circumstances we are all in.
We all know it aint perfect, but one has to make the best of it.

Thank you for your concern, the public also expect us to keep their children safe and voicing concerns and highlighting an inadequate plan is not moaning.

It may interest you to know that there are not enough substitute teachers to cover potential absences depsite what the government say. My school has 60+ teachers and is one of 16 schools of similar sizes that were grouped together, so that 4 substitute teachers could cover potential absences. So that is 4 teachers covering absences of a minimum of 700 teachers. Good luck with that

Since this is not enough the government has sanctioned that the Learning Support or Special Education teachers can cover absences if no sub can be found as the classes cannot be split. So these children will be in school and still on the backfoot as their withdrawal with be suspended to cover absences. Highly unfair that yet again the government punish the most needy in our schools.

This has been highlighted a number of times by teachers, principals, parents, and ignored. They do not care.

Elliejo

markodaly wrote: »

So, your idea of 'creating mayhem' is posting on Facebook.

Quote: Scoondal
I will highlight to the school, social media and local politicians where public health guidelines are being breached at the school.

If you weren't so keen to post rapidly, you might have read the entire comment by Scoondal.
But, although Facebook wasn't specifically mentioned, that's what you got out of it. You ignored the mention of the school and local politicians.