Covid in Schools

TheValeyard

Since we're all back, maybe it's time for a thread about dealing with Covid in schools as it's now beginning to become a reality.

Coming to a school near you!

Be interesting to hear about schools responses to outbreaks, procedures put in place, what works and does not work and the Dept response.

mtoutlemonde

TheValeyard wrote: »

Since we're all back, maybe it's time for a thread about dealing with Covid in schools as it's now beginning to become a reality.

Coming to a school near you!

Be interesting to hear about schools responses to outbreaks, procedures put in place, what works and does not work and the Dept response.

Nothing to see here Schools are safer than your homes.

mariamangan

We've already seen a few classes (I think in Dublin) being sent home to quarantine for 2 weeks after 1 person in that class tested positive.

I can see this happening on and off all winter and through the rest of the school year.

I wonder how they will manage with some students at home and some in school. Will there be online classes for those at home?

Where (in secondary school) you have students from various classes attending optional subjects together, will some attend online and some in person?

It's going to be very difficult to organise if that is how it has to be.

Perhaps we would be better off going directly for classes online.
Of course some students don't have the facilities at home for this....but perhaps internet access and hardware could be provided. IT might be better than the flip flopping.

It's very tough I suppose to organise. However, if this virus is as terrible as they say and schools are the first place that colds and flus usually develop, why are we in such a hurry to send them all back to school?

RealJohn

We have a teacher recovering, which has resulted in their kids being off, and the principal self isolating until Monday, and at least two students self isolating (that I’m aware of).
We also had a student today who came in late because they had a parent waiting on a test, and thought they shouldn’t come in, only to be told they should go in (though that could be that the parent got the result back).

Aside from the teacher, the rest is just stuff I worked out from VSWare, because we’re being told nothing.

highly1111

RealJohn wrote: »

We have a teacher recovering, which has resulted in their kids being off, and the principal self isolating until Monday, and at least two students self isolating (that I’m aware of).
We also had a student today who came in late because they had a parent waiting on a test, and thought they shouldn’t come in, only to be told they should go in (though that could be that the parent got the result back).

Aside from the teacher, the rest is just stuff I worked out from VSWare, because we’re being told nothing.

We were told that we wouldn't be told of any cases in our school due to patient confidentiality and that they didn't want people to be blamed for bringing it in or to be accused of not being careful / unhygienic.

khalessi

highly1111 wrote: »

We were told that we wouldn't be told of any cases in our school due to patient confidentiality and that they didn't want people to be blamed for bringing it in or to be accused of not being careful / unhygienic.

Totally mental should be treated like headlice. A letter to parents stating there has been a case of covid19 in the school/your childs classroom etc

highly1111

khalessi wrote: »

Totally mental should be treated like headlice. A letter to parents stating there has been a case of covid19 in the school/your childs classroom etc

Apologies - maybe I worded it wrong - we would be told there was a case but not who - like headlice! Me bad - I can see how I was interpreted!

khalessi

We're the same but I told my colleagues that if I get it I will text them as it makes sense to.

Treppen

Anyone actually using the App?

I was wondering why all secondary schools weren't asking kids and teachers to use the app 'wherever possible'. There was a big huuhaa about it when it came out but as soon as schools came back it's a case of 'don't mention the app'.

Although if a case did occur in a school the heat map from the app would probably suggest that the whole school would need to close.

From what I can gather the intention is to isolate and manage within the immediate vicinity of the person who contracted it, but to keep the rest of the school open.

TheValeyard

Treppen wrote: »

Anyone actually using the App?

I was wondering why all secondary schools weren't asking kids and teachers to use the app 'wherever possible'. There was a big huuhaa about it when it came out but as soon as schools came back it's a case of 'don't mention the app'.

Although if a case did occur in a school the heat map from the app would probably suggest that the whole school would need to close.

From what I can gather the intention is to isolate and manage within the immediate vicinity of the person who contracted it, but to keep the rest of the school open.

Yeah, and nearly all the students downloaded it. Could be a handy tool to use.

Treppen

TheValeyard wrote: »

Yeah, and nearly all the students downloaded it. Could be a handy tool to use.

I would strongly encourage every teacher to stress to students how important it is to have the app on every day.

juneg

I think its all about ventilation. New research seems increasingly to point to covid being airborne. Going to be challenging when the weather cools

spurious

juneg wrote: »

I think its all about ventilation. New research seems increasingly to point to covid being airborne. Going to be challenging when the weather cools

There was some early research on some case studies would back this up. I will see can i find the article.
Edit** Here we go https://english.elpais.com/spanish_news/2020-06-17/an-analysis-of-three-covid-19-outbreaks-how-they-happened-and-how-they-can-be-avoided.html
It's quite long, but very interesting,.

shesty

Yes here.Yesterday, primary, not my child's class.
Positive test, class sent home.
Principal issued a HSE letter to all parents yesterday evening (although we did already know).Tests carried out on the rest of the class yesterday afternoon.
Business as normal if your child wasn't identified as a close contact by the HSE.
Happy that the school are doing all they can and the classes aren't mixing at all at any stage during the day.We cannot ask more than that from them.

(Note: I am not a staff member, I am a parent)

jrosen

My sons primary school seems to be running well. They are pushing the kids and parents to set up emails, google classroom and already using it as a tool to communicate. My guess is laying the ground work for remote learning. Im happy to see that.

Classes not mixing with any other class. Son gets the bus so he isn't really hanging around in the morning or after school.

Secondary only been back one day. They seemed to have zoned the school building so all my sons classes are in the one zone. Im assuming a zone might be a corridor. They only leave their zone for science/home ec/PE. Definitely reduces their movement.

Time will tell.

heldel00

juneg wrote: »

I think its all about ventilation. New research seems increasingly to point to covid being airborne. Going to be challenging when the weather cools

Was asked by my principal to close my door today. Eh...nope!

khalessi

I was freezing today, windows open and doors, extremely breezy, but worth it.

TheValeyard

khalessi wrote: »

I was freezing today, windows open and doors, extremely breezy, but worth it.

We were told to bring hats, gloves and a good jacket for when the weather changes.

mirrorwall14

khalessi wrote: »

I was freezing today, windows open and doors, extremely breezy, but worth it.

Teaching in the mask I was roasting despite them lol

JJayoo

Outbreaks will happen so hopefully they have plans in place to avoid any widescale closures.

My county, Sligo, has had very few cases in the last two weeks so hopefully we can avoid bringing it into the schools.

wirelessdude01

juneg wrote: »

I think its all about ventilation. New research seems increasingly to point to covid being airborne. Going to be challenging when the weather cools

I'm primary and already the children are giving out about the draft from having all the windows and the door open. In my head I'm like ye better get used to wearing coats for the winter.

wirelessdude01

mirrorwall14 wrote: »

Teaching in the mask I was roasting despite them lol

That moment when you retreat far enough away from the kids that you remove the mask and stick your head out the window for some fresh air. Ahh pure bliss, tis the simple things in life.

gaiscioch

I think with this one-way system we're going to have the fittest teachers and students since the invention of the car. Throw in mindfulness theories about enjoying the journey and we've sorted out mental health issues too....

Although, hands up who's cheating in that free class when everybody else is in class and nobody's looking...

wirelessdude01

gaiscioch wrote: »

I think with this one-way system we're going to have the fittest teachers and students since the invention of the car. Throw in mindfulness theories about enjoying the journey and we've sorted out mental health issues too....

Although, hands up who's cheating in that free class when everybody else is in class and nobody's looking...

I'm beside one of two entrances that my class use but we still have to walk the long way round to get to it!,

Wanderer78

wirelessdude01 wrote:

I'm primary and already the children are giving out about the draft from having all the windows and the door open. In my head I'm like ye better get used to wearing coats for the winter.

Must be a horrible environment for everyone, I'm temperature sensitive myself, find it hard to function when too hot or cold

Treppen

Treppen wrote: »

I would strongly encourage every teacher to stress to students how important it is to have the app on every day.

A friend got an alert that she was in contact with C19.
Turned out to be a neighbour and their phones were within 2m for 15 minutes through the dividing wall.

kippy

SouthWesterly wrote: »

A friend got an alert that she was in contact with C19.
Turned out to be a neighbour and their phones were within 2m for 15 minutes through the dividing wall.

Better safe than sorry.

Moody_mona

gaiscioch wrote: »

I think with this one-way system we're going to have the fittest teachers and students since the invention of the car. Throw in mindfulness theories about enjoying the journey and we've sorted out mental health issues too....
Although, hands up who's cheating in that free class when everybody else is in class and nobody's looking...

Staff members exempt in our place

Treppen

gaiscioch wrote: »

I think with this one-way system we're going to have the fittest teachers and students since the invention of the car. Throw in mindfulness theories about enjoying the journey and we've sorted out mental health issues too....

Although, hands up who's cheating in that free class when everybody else is in class and nobody's looking...

If I get spotted i just start walking backwards

Wanderer78

gaiscioch wrote: »

I think with this one-way system we're going to have the fittest teachers and students since the invention of the car. Throw in mindfulness theories about enjoying the journey and we've sorted out mental health issues too....

Although, hands up who's cheating in that free class when everybody else is in class and nobody's looking...

sadly, mental health issues probably wont be solved that easily, but there will be a lot of learning from this experience

SligoBrewer

Moody_mona wrote: »

Staff members exempt in our place

Think staff should be adhering to it too.

Moody_mona

SligoBrewer wrote: »

Think staff should be adhering to it too.

I don't know what I think to be honest!

Rationale is to get us to unsupervised groups as quickly as possible.

r93kaey5p2izun

SligoBrewer wrote: »

Think staff should be adhering to it too.

I think it's beyond unacceptable to expect students to wear masks but have teachers exempt. I would actively oppose such a policy.

Moody_mona

Camryn Gigantic Toothpaste wrote: »

I think it's beyond unacceptable to expect students to wear masks but have teachers exempt. I would actively oppose such a policy.

Just to clarify, the post I quoted was referring to a one way system. Our staff are not exempt from wearing masks, I never claimed that this was a suitable or acceptable policy.

I will edit my post to include the entire quoted post as this has obviously caused confusion.

r93kaey5p2izun

Moody_mona wrote: »

Just to clarify, the post I quoted was referring to a one way system. Our staff are not exempt from wearing masks, I never claimed that this was a suitable or acceptable policy.

I will edit my post to include the entire quoted post as this has obviously caused confusion.

Ah, ok. I can absolutely see the merit in a different system for teachers for movement around the building alright.

TheValeyard

Anyone think those messages about school infections are pretty accurate?

From what I've seen so far on a couple of compiled lists, they are not far off the mark.

kippy

TheValeyard wrote: »

Anyone think those messages about school infections are pretty accurate?

From what I've seen so far on a couple of compiled lists, they are not far off the mark.

It's as obvious as the nose on one's head that there will be cases in schools. What we need to keep an eye on and I am sure the powers that be are, is the transmission of the disease within the school environment.

sidcon

The latest schools

babybuilder

Hi
I have a child in first year in a local post primary school. From the information provided by the school a lot of work went into preparing the school for the return. Students and teachers wear masks, desks in classrooms are 1m apart. There is a one way system and sanitizing posts outside every classroom. As class periods are doubles or trebles the students care allowed regular breaks outside to remove the masks. Break times are also staggered. However the school canteen is open at break times and the children are seated together cheek by jowl in a small area well within 1 m with no face masks as they are eating. The other year groups are allowed up the town for their lunch. I'm concerned about this as I assumed that the children would be eating their lunches in class where the 1 m distance could be maintained. In the school emails there hasn't been much mention of ventilation in classrooms and in some classes my child has mentioned that the windows were closed. I've a background in microbiology and I'm concerned about the lack of consistency in applying social distancing rules in the school during lunch time. Advice would be greatly appreciated.

doc_17

Send Norma Foley an email asking for her plans for canteens. The. Take it from there. You. Can blame schools for the fact there’s no spacing. They’ve done what they can by the sounds of it by staggering breaks etc. Children might be getting their only hot meal of the day at school.


Separately, I don’t think staff need to or should follow a one-way system. Rules at school are for students, not for us. Having to follow a one-way system could lead to all sorts of problems for teachers, for example, if I need to get 20 metres back quickly to deal with an issue but have to walk 200 metres instead.

gaiscioch

In the event of a teacher having a much smaller room - under 30sqm - than the recommended 49sqm room do people think the teacher has a right to refuse to move classes peripatetically within the school for the duration of the Covid guidelines? (there is no larger room permanently available) What is happening in other schools? Are principals just avoiding conflict and letting the teachers stay in their rooms?

mirrorwall14

gaiscioch wrote: »

In the event of a teacher having a much smaller room - under 30sqm - than the recommended 49sqm room do people think the teacher has a right to refuse to move classes peripatetically within the school for the duration of the Covid guidelines? (there is no larger room permanently available) What is happening in other schools? Are principals just avoiding conflict and letting the teachers stay in their rooms?

Our class sizes have been adjusted to fit the max per room with 1m social distancing for staff and students be that more or less than 24. It barely gives you room to move at the board. Essentially you stand in one spot right in front of the whiteboard to teach. Even at that second and third years don’t fit in the rooms and there is an overflow room in use for both

shesty

To follow up on my earlier post.....none of the class that were sent home in my child's school last week tested positive.They must stay out for 14 days from last contact anyway.Tests were done the afternoon/evening of being sent home, results received in under 48 hours (at a weekend).
The school is on that confirmed cases list.Will schools be removed as classes return I wonder.....otherwise the data doesn't mean much.

TheValeyard

shesty wrote: »

To follow up on my earlier post.....none of the class that were sent home in my child's school last week tested positive.They must stay out for 14 days from last contact anyway.Tests were done the afternoon/evening of being sent home, results received in under 48 hours (at a weekend).
The school is on that confirmed cases list.Will schools be removed as classes return I wonder.....otherwise the data doesn't mean much.

Data would need to indicate situation resolved or ongoing for it to be useful. Otherwise it might just frighten people.

Treppen

shesty wrote: »

To follow up on my earlier post.....none of the class that were sent home in my child's school last week tested positive.They must stay out for 14 days from last contact anyway.Tests were done the afternoon/evening of being sent home, results received in under 48 hours (at a weekend).
The school is on that confirmed cases list.Will schools be removed as classes return I wonder.....otherwise the data doesn't mean much.

Tests aren't 100%

r93kaey5p2izun

I thought close contacts were to be tested twice at days 0 and 7?

babybuilder

doc_17 wrote: »

Send Norma Foley an email asking for her plans for canteens. The. Take it from there. You. Can blame schools for the fact there’s no spacing. They’ve done what they can by the sounds of it by staggering breaks etc. Children might be getting their only hot meal of the day at school.


Separately, I don’t think staff need to or should follow a one-way system. Rules at school are for students, not for us. Having to follow a one-way system could lead to all sorts of problems for teachers, for example, if I need to get 20 metres back quickly to deal with an issue but have to walk 200 metres instead.

Thanks.

The point I am trying to make is that infection control is meant to be a priority but cramming lots of students tightly in a canteen undoes all of this. Students are kept in their classes as per guidelines then unleashed and mix with whoever in close. Not very scientific and counter intuitive. Not blaming teachers but.

shesty

Camryn Gigantic Toothpaste wrote: »

I thought close contacts were to be tested twice at days 0 and 7?

Not in these cases it would appear....they have no mention of another test.

shesty

Treppen wrote: »

Tests aren't 100%

No test is 100%.They still have to stay home for the period required, and watch for symptoms anyway.

What else can they use as a metric, if not that?If the child is healthy, the test is negative, they complete the isolation period - that is 3 boxes ticked essentially.On a practical level, you can't ask anymore.Life has to go on.

All hell going to break loose once the pubs open on 21st. I thought they were keeping them closed to offer some window of protection for the kids but even the increasing cases in schools has not deterred them. People need their pint, publicans need their money and to hell with the kids. What a criminal decision.

km79

http://twitter.com/amongey/status/1303424546683473925

http://twitter.com/amongey/status/1303424548445057024

Dept demanding Principals mobile numbers so that they can be contacted in evenings and weekends

If they had one iota of what was happening on the ground they would know they could probably ring the school and they would be there working anyway