Schools closed until March/April? (part 4) **Mod warning in OP 22/01**

Sammy2012

How long will it take schools to source these masks that are needed for teachers? Like they will hardly be available in 3 days? So where do I buy one? Will bill the school for it..

highland212

Looking at the INTO's response and I'm not seeing any extra protective measures for staff. My main concern is the classification of a close contact in the classroom. I hope this is addressed before schools reopen on Monday.

It also seems that if you're child is in a multi-grade setting that has 1st/2nd in the mix (such as a 2nd/3rd/4th mix), the entire class is back on Monday.

khalessi

penny piper wrote: »

It was reported on virgin one this evening ....shortly after michael martin spoke..it could ofcourse have been a mistake by reporter...idk

Sammy2012 wrote: »

How long will it take schools to source these masks that are needed for teachers? Like they will hardly be available in 3 days? So where do I buy one? Will bill the school for it..

Dfificult to get

wirelessdude01

Sammy2012 wrote: »

How long will it take schools to source these masks that are needed for teachers? Like they will hardly be available in 3 days? So where do I buy one? Will bill the school for it..

If you are in a mainstream class you actually aren't entitled.to the masks. They are only mandated to be given to staff giving intimate care.

khalessi

highland212 wrote: »

Looking at the INTO's response and I'm not seeing any extra protective measures for staff. My main concern is the classification of a close contact in the classroom. I hope this is addressed before schools reopen on Monday.

It also seems that if you're child is in a multi-grade setting that has 1st/2nd in the mix (such as a 2nd/3rd/4th mix), the entire class is back on Monday.

Yup no change and so close contacct as is, since schools are safe and Norma is a good minister

Sammy2012

khalessi wrote: »

Dfificult to get

Any ideas where to look khalessi?

Sammy2012

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

If you are in a mainstream class you actually aren't entitled.to the masks. They are only mandated to be given to staff giving intimate care.

That's just crazy.

khalessi

Sammy2012 wrote: »

Any ideas where to look khalessi?

I saw some on Amazon another friend said they looked at Boots


https://eiremed.ie/product/respirator-face-mask/

greenbicycle

Which masks are we talking about? Fp22?

Locotastic

Warbeastrior wrote: »

Its my losing the run of themselves to say that the fact children aren't in a school setting will affect them for years to come?

You won't know unless you've experienced it, some are experiencing it.

It's not just school but its part of normal life and routine that's been disrupted.

https://m.independent.ie/irish-news/news/mental-health-tsunami-as-children-struggle-with-lockdowns-40031590.html

It will be after the restrictions that most of the true picture will present itself and the casualties of Covid aren't just those who are infected.

screamer

Don't see the 15th happening for primary 3rd to 6th, it's being touted as the date for return, I very much doubt it......

lulublue22

screamer wrote: »

Don't see the 15th happening for primary 3rd to 6th, it's being touted as the date for return, I very much doubt it......

Tbf I think it’s too early to call. As is special schools / classes are back and by Mon ji to 2nd will be back. Lets see how it goes before saying it’s not going to happen.

downthemiddle

Further to the Government decision and the Taoiseach’s address this evening, I am pleased to advise that the next phase of school reopening will commence from 1st March 2021. This is in line with the public health advice received by the Government from NPHET.
Intensive engagement and input from education partners representing parents, students, unions, management bodies and principal networks on the plans for reopening of schools has also been ongoing.
It is recognised by all of the partners that remote teaching and learning is difficult for all and the return of all children at the earliest opportunity remains a high priority for Government in line with public health advice.
The framework (attached) is an interim arrangement to outline the arrangements for the safe reopeninig of schools.
Under the framework the following return to in-school provision on 1 March 2021 has been agreed:
 Special schools to return to full time attendance on-site for all pupils.
 Special classes to continue full time.
 Primary Classes for – Junior Infants, Senior Infants, First and Second class
including early start pre-school classes will reopen fully from Monday 1 March
2021.
In order to support schools to plan and prepare for this phase of reopening I want to bring a
number of things to your attention as follows:
1. Appendix 1 Framework document
2. Appendix 2 - Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) guidance on the reopening
of schools
3. Appendix 3 -Summary of additions to COVID-19 Response Plan required by ‘Work
Safely Protocol. A link to the word version of the COVID-19 Response Plan for the safe and sustainable operation of Primary and Special Schools can be found here.
4. Circulars on temporary changes to the parental leave scheme and unpaid leave and other temporary arrangements for Teachers and Special Needs Assistants in recognised primary schools – these circulars will follow under separate cover.
Special education needs children in 3rd to 6th classes:
In recognition that not all children with special education needs will be back in school in this phase from 1 March, primary schools are asked to prioritise deployment of their SET resources to facilitate the engagement of those pupils with SEN who are in 3rd-6th classes.
…..
2
This will necessitate further collaboration between the SETs and class teachers to establish current priority learning needs among those pupils.
 Teachers should utilise the guidance provided by the Department on remote
teaching and learning to support this work.
 Where schools have a shared SET the timetable of prioritisation of support for children in 3rd to 6th class should occur following consultation between principals in the cluster.
Additional arrangements for children with SEN in 3rd to 6th class in respect of the supplementary programme:
 The Department is anxious to further support those children with SEN in 3rd to 6th class who are unable to return to in-school teaching and learning until March 15th.

 The supplementary programme for these senior primary school pupils will be
extended by a further two weeks to allow these students access in-person support at a time when the public health advice does not support the full reopening of all schools.
There is a wide range of materials available for schools to support the communication with parents and students and re-inforce public health messaging. These include video messages from public health doctors on the safety of schools, posters and digital animations and videos.
These can be uploaded to school channels such as Aladdin connect or seesaw as well as social media channels. Further material is being added to this list and further updates will issue in the coming days as new material is added. All materials will be available here and on the Department’s twitter feed @Education_Ire
The Department is very appreciative of the ongoing efforts of the school community working to limit the risk of the spread of COVID-19 in schools and ensuring that the infection control measures put in place in line with the school COVID-19 response plans are effective in making schools safe for children and staff. Discussions are ongoing about the further reopening of schools at the earliest opportunity in line with public health advice.

wirelessdude01

screamer wrote: »

Don't see the 15th happening for primary 3rd to 6th, it's being touted as the date for return, I very much doubt it......

Mrs and myself both think it will end up being pushed to the 22nd.

Theboinkmaster

combat14 wrote: »

looks like we will be locked down all summer now

No we won’t - we will have a great summer.

MarshmallowPop

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

The person that said that was incorrect.

Sorry, that was me.

I was actually given the wrong information by Medmark! Also, when I rang the INTO on Friday to log a query about this matter, they said that 'everything was up in the air' at the minute.

Thankfully it was clarified by INTO today and yes indeed, pregnant women are classed as high risk and can work remotely until March 15th and hopefully it'll be extended beyond that.

khalessi

greenbicycle wrote: »

Which masks are we talking about? Fp22?

If you can get FFP3 medical masks that would be good

Marty Bird

SusanC10 wrote: »

They usually publish NPHET's letters after the announcements so we should be able to see it soon enough. I would be interested in how NPHET phrased things.

I think after what happened at the end of year that they would be too scared to overrule them again but who knows.

Piehead

Suicidal decision. Schools should be closed until vaccinations are completed. September opening makes sense.

Deeec

MarshmallowPop wrote: »

Sorry, that was me.

I was actually given the wrong information by Medmark! Also, when I rang the INTO on Friday to log a query about this matter, they said that 'everything was up in the air' at the minute.

Thankfully it was clarified by INTO today and yes indeed, pregnant women are classed as high risk and can work remotely until March 15th and hopefully it'll be extended beyond that.

I think thats fair re pregnant teachers that they can work remotely.

I dont know if anyone can answer this question - My daughters ( Snr infants ) teacher is pregnant so Im assuming she wont be back in the school premises next week. What does this mean for her class - Do they stay at home and homeschooling continues?

It's the FFP2 masks that I bought.

These are the masks made compulsory in Germany and Austria in public places and public transport.

I bought them on Amazon.de

30 individually wrapped for €29 delivered.

these are the masks I will be wearing in my classroom (5th/6th class) on our return

khalessi

Deeec wrote: »

I think thats fair re pregnant teachers that they can work remotely.

I dont know if anyone can answer this question - My daughters ( Snr infants ) teacher is pregnant so Im assuming she wont be back in the school premises next week. What does this mean for her class - Do they stay at home and homeschooling continues?

THey will probably get SET to cover or have to get a sub

wirelessdude01

Deeec wrote: »

I think thats fair re pregnant teachers that they can work remotely.

I dont know if anyone can answer this question - My daughters ( Snr infants ) teacher is pregnant so Im assuming she wont be back in the school premises next week. What does this mean for her class - Do they stay at home and homeschooling continues?

A sub is employed.

How far along is she? I know of plenty pregnant teachers who intend on going back so maybe your daughter's teacher might be one of them.

Sammy2012

khalessi wrote: »

THey will probably get SET to cover or have to get a sub

Just curious also as to how the teacher continues to work remotely if their class is back? Would they then take on the SET role for the older children?

Deeec

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

A sub is employed.

How far along is she? I know of plenty pregnant teachers who intend on going back so maybe your daughter's teacher might be one of them.

I think she is due in May. Its a small class and in a country area so possibley she would feel comfortable going back.

wirelessdude01

Deeec wrote: »

I think she is due in May

As it stand the stance for pregnant teachers will end on March 15th. From information I'm privy to the DES had intended on ending this next Monday but under pressure from the unions ext need it to the 15th.

Let's see if it gets extended further into the future.

lulublue22

Deeec wrote: »

I think thats fair re pregnant teachers that they can work remotely.

I dont know if anyone can answer this question - My daughters ( Snr infants ) teacher is pregnant so Im assuming she wont be back in the school premises next week. What does this mean for her class - Do they stay at home and homeschooling continues?

School will be entitled to a sub to cover class and pregnant teacher will move to providing on line support for other class , children who can’t attend etc.

MarshmallowPop

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

As it stand the stance for pregnant teachers will end on March 15th. From information I'm privy to the DES had intended on ending this next Monday but under pressure from the unions ext need it to the 15th.

Let's see if it gets extended further into the future.

So I wasn't wrong then

mdwexford

Why would you send back the bloody youngest kids first. The ones who touch everything and rub their faces every two seconds.

Obviously it should be secondary school kids who have a bit of sense going back first to test the waters. 6th years and 3rd years who have exams to study for.

This is basic stuff, how stupid are the people making these decisions.

How does it make sense to have hundreds of kids in a school in a few weeks time but they won’t allow businesses to open who might have four masked adults on the premises at a time.

Had my absolute fill of it at this stage, bunch of clueless muppets making a balls of things for the last year.

Van.Bosch

mdwexford wrote: »

Why would you send back the bloody youngest kids first. The ones who touch everything and rub their faces every two seconds.

Obviously it should be secondary school kids who have a bit of sense going back first to test the waters. 6th years and 3rd years who have exams to study for.

This is basic stuff, how stupid are the people making these decisions.

How does it make sense to have hundreds of kids in a school in a few weeks time but they won’t allow businesses to open who might have four masked adults on the premises at a time.

Had my absolute fill of it at this stage, bunch of clueless muppets making a balls of things for the last year.

Younger kids aren’t doing as well as 14 or 15 year olds at remote learning, they need it more.