How will schools be able to go back in September?

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/article/PIIS1473-3099(20)30287-5/fulltext#%20

Ok this could pose a problem. Study from China

The researchers, who worked with Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, studied 391 people who caught COVID-19 in Shenzhen between January 14 and February 12.

The study showed that "children were as likely to be infected as adults (infection rate 7·4% in children <10 years vs population average of 6·6%). The observed reproductive number (R) was 0·4 (95% CI 0·3–0·5), with a mean serial interval of 6·3 days (95% CI 5·2–7·6).
Interpretation
Our data on cases as well as their infected and uninfected close contacts provide key insights into the epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2. This analysis shows that isolation and contact tracing reduce the time during which cases are infectious in the community, thereby reducing the R. The overall impact of isolation and contact tracing, however, is uncertain and highly dependent on the number of asymptomatic cases. Moreover, children are at a similar risk of infection to the general population, although less likely to have severe symptoms; hence they should be considered in analyses of transmission and control.

This meant that children were as likely as adults to both catch the virus and to spread it. So it is like playing Chess with a virus, every time 2 steps forward we get knocked one step back.

munsterlegend

With regards primary school students I think people need to relax a little. They have plenty time to catch up on time lost. I have a primary school student at the early stages and I am glad to enjoy the time and be out and about rather than arguing over homework. The main focus should be on leaving cert students.

khalessi wrote: »

So let me see if I have got this correct

Scruff 101 is being sent suggested work, correcting herself and not sending back work so no response.

whereas SusanC10 is also getting work, sending it back, it is corrected and returned with a personal email.

There is something just can't put my finger on it, wonder why one person getting personl email the other isn't. Crikey it is a tough one

but anyhow might i direct you to the teacher bashing thread as this one is going off topic

There's no option to return work plus as I said before that's not what I'm highlighting here. Returning work is irrelevant to me.

I also said before that some teachers are clearly putting in the effort but others aren't unfortunately. If you find that hard to accept it's not my problem.

Also to echo my main point I think some form of interaction between teachers and pupils is needed at this point similar to that used in secondary schools. If making suggestions is teacher bashing fair enough!

Sooner the primary teachers go back to work in school the better, even if it is just on a phased basis with 6th class pupils in small groups socially distanced. Email is not working for many.

SusanC10 wrote: »

I can only go by what our own Primary School are doing. I am a Parent not a Teacher.

We get work for the week on Sunday via Email, broken down daily, plus a Menu of other work if the child has finished all the allocated work. We do it and send back by email. The Teacher corrects it and writes a personal email back. I tend to send the work twice a week.

Then our daughter watches both TG4 and RTE versions of Homeschool and with some exercise time, reading, piano practice and playtime or Art etc the day is gone.

I find both the Primary school and Secondary school our kids attend being both very communicative and responsive since the 18th March.

Ah yes the school are providing work not a daily breakdown just a suggested list on a Sunday.
No option to return work but that's not important to me whatsoever.
At this point some form of interaction between teacher and kids is what I'd love to see.
I have no doubt some teachers are putting in great effort but equally so some are not.

So let me see if I have got this correct

Scruff 101 is being sent suggested work, correcting herself and not sending back work so no response.

whereas SusanC10 is also getting work, sending it back, it is corrected and returned with a personal email.

There is something just can't put my finger on it, wonder why one person getting personl email the other isn't. Crikey it is a tough one

but anyhow might i direct you to the teacher bashing thread as this one is going off topic

SusanC10

I can only go by what our own Primary School are doing. I am a Parent not a Teacher.

We get work for the week on Sunday via Email, broken down daily, plus a Menu of other work if the child has finished all the allocated work. We do it and send back by email. The Teacher corrects it and writes a personal email back. I tend to send the work twice a week.

Then our daughter watches both TG4 and RTE versions of Homeschool and with some exercise time, reading, piano practice and playtime or Art etc the day is gone.

I find both the Primary school and Secondary school our kids attend being both very communicative and responsive since the 18th March.

Scruff101 wrote: »

I think you'll find you're an exception to the majority when it comes to primary teachers being available five days a week for the full school hours and beyond. It's just not happening, you can convince yourself otherwise but it's not in most cases.

Apparently distance learning isn't suitable for primary children I've heard that directly from friends who are primary teachers and primary principals. As a parent I think my children would enjoy and benefit from some interaction even a couple of hours a week in small groups to allow interaction with both teacher and peers.

I would 100% agree it isn't really suitable for primary school children but needs must under the current circumstances. Better than nothing. I try the best for my kids but not saying that it's all great. Big learning curve and I try something different or add a little extra each week.

Due to feedback from parents I've actually scaled back this week as it was causing stress at home and I don't want be causing that at all.

khalessi wrote: »

I think you will find he is in the majority of primary teachers, who are working. I do find when I speak to friends who are parents that when they send the work back, they get a response. A lot of parents complain that work is sent out but are not sending it back for correctiong.

I am receiveing gmail docs, word docs, pdfs, photos of work and all is being corrected. Teachers are working, parents are complaining because due to unprecedented circumstances, they are now homeschooling and they are realising not all children are easy to motivate to learn. If there is an issue use the email address the work is coming from to contact the teacher.

Well this isn't happening in our school and not in several schools I know of. Suggested work is being put up and that's it. No offer to send work back.

Plus I'm actually not talking about having work corrected I'm more than capable of doing that myself and thankfully our kids love doing their school work, corrections certainly aren't a priority here.

I'm talking about direct contact between teacher and students via zoom or whatever other platform which might be feasible, similar to what secondary schools are doing.

Scruff101 wrote: »

I think you'll find you're an exception to the majority when it comes to primary teachers being available five days a week for the full school hours and beyond. It's just not happening, you can convince yourself otherwise but it's not in most cases.

Correct. More than a few primary school pupils are doing little or nothing in terms of school work these days, for whatever reason. Lack of broadband, no device or laptop, lack of motivation, little or no communication from teacher etc.

Scruff101 wrote: »

I think you'll find you're an exception to the majority when it comes to primary teachers being available five days a week for the full school hours and beyond. It's just not happening, you can convince yourself otherwise but it's not in most cases.

Apparently distance learning isn't suitable for primary children I've heard that directly from friends who are primary teachers and primary principals. As a parent I think my children would enjoy and benefit from some interaction even a couple of hours a week in small groups to allow interaction with both teacher and peers.

I think you will find he is in the majority of primary teachers, who are working. I do find when I speak to friends who are parents that when they send the work back, they get a response. A lot of parents complain that work is sent out but are not sending it back for correctiong.

I am receiveing gmail docs, word docs, pdfs, photos of work and all is being corrected. Teachers are working, parents are complaining because due to unprecedented circumstances, they are now homeschooling and they are realising not all children are easy to motivate to learn. If there is an issue use the email address the work is coming from to contact the teacher.

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

I'm already working now and will continue to do so until the end of June when my school officially closes. My class aren't missing out on actual learning. What they are missing out on is social interaction but nothing we can do about that in the immediate future until things are better. Coming into school in small groups doesn't fix the social interaction bit as without doubt they wouldn't be in the same group as all their friends. You can be sure you would have some parents complaining about the composition of groups as they would be hearing the giving out at home.

I'll be back to physical school whenever the actual experts deem it is a safe thing to do and not because someone on the internet wanted me to satisfy them and mind their kid for them.

I think you'll find you're an exception to the majority when it comes to primary teachers being available five days a week for the full school hours and beyond. It's just not happening, you can convince yourself otherwise but it's not in most cases.

Apparently distance learning isn't suitable for primary children I've heard that directly from friends who are primary teachers and primary principals. As a parent I think my children would enjoy and benefit from some interaction even a couple of hours a week in small groups to allow interaction with both teacher and peers.

addaword wrote: »

As I said, teachers should work in August or else take 6th class in small groups in school now, socially distant etc

I'm already working now and will continue to do so until the end of June when my school officially closes. My class aren't missing out on actual learning. What they are missing out on is social interaction but nothing we can do about that in the immediate future until things are better. Coming into school in small groups doesn't fix the social interaction bit as without doubt they wouldn't be in the same group as all their friends. You can be sure you would have some parents complaining about the composition of groups as they would be hearing the giving out at home.

I'll be back to physical school whenever the actual experts deem it is a safe thing to do and not because someone on the internet wanted me to satisfy them and mind their kid for them.

Orchids wrote: »

2nd level yes, but my concern is 6th classes moving straight to secondary without completing the last 3 months of their primary school which includes preparation for moving on, not only will they not return but they won't be prepared for secondary which is a huge jump for them. I'm not suggesting they repeat the whole year but there should be contingency plan.

As I said, teachers should work in August or else take 6th class in small groups in school now, socially distant etc

addaword wrote: »

And in the meantime, as someone said on the radio yesterday, all public servants who are out of work and at home doing nothing should be entitled to the 350 a week covid payment.

I'll say again. Go ask my children and their parents if they think I'm 'out of work'? I've been logged in since 7:10am this morning. Our school would normally open to kids at 8:50am. I'm available to all my children and parents on email after the school day finishes until 8pm as I know that some parents are essential workers who can't work from home and can't be there for their children during the standard school day.

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

The public health advisors will decide what is suitable and and when it is.

And in the meantime, as someone said on the radio yesterday, all public servants who are out of work and at home doing nothing should be entitled to the 350 a week covid payment.

addaword wrote: »

Correct,.and there are some primary kids who have not heard from a teacher in over a month.

They should bring in 6th class and distance them over several classrooms and several teachers.. Least they could do.

In Switzerland now kids under 10 are allowed hug their grandparents as they say kids under 10 are not speaders.

Why not JI? JI and SI are the most important years if you ask me as it sets them up for the future years.

Per chance do you have a 6th class kid at home who is wrecking your head and you just want them minded for you?

The public health advisors will decide what is suitable and and when it is.

Scruff101 wrote: »

I know some teachers are apparently doing great work already but those teachers also should understand that alot are not. Our child's teacher uploads a work list on Sunday night and that's all for the week. I know for a fact this is similar in several other primary schools. It doesn't take 5 days to formulate a work list which is basically a continuation of the previous weeks worklist so essentially they're just changing a few page numbers, etc.

A bit of interaction with the kids at this stage would be no harm and well done to any primary teachers who are doing so.

Correct,.and there are some primary kids who have not heard from a teacher in over a month.

They should bring in 6th class and distance them over several classrooms and several teachers.. Least they could do.

In Switzerland now kids under 10 are allowed hug their grandparents as they say kids under 10 are not speaders.

Orchids

KerryConnor wrote: »

I've a child in 6th class and he ll be absolutely fine going straight into secondary. In fact he's an introvert and more relaxed getting a bit of a break in. I feel very sorry for kids who do mind missing the end of primary activities and are suffering missing their friends . But for many of them it isn't a big deal so let's not make it so.

On the other hand I'm despairing tonight about the news that cocooning is, being advised "til there's a vaccine". I don't know what else I was expecting but heart broken for my parents . We re going have to find livable solutions for them

And I have a child who may not be absolutely fine making the transition to secondary school

Orchids

Unfortunately not all children will be fine making the transition to secondary school without completing 6th class. To answer the person who asked "why only 6th classes" they're the only classes that won't ever be back in the school they've been in for 8 years with familiar teachers & friends

If schools do return with smaller class groups, a certain number in per day, I would welcome the classes being streamed so that the days when kids are home they have some sort of interaction. I'm talking about primary school here.

Even now I think it would be great if kids could be put into small groups and maybe have a zoom session with their teacher a couple of times a week - I get zooming 30 kids isn't ideal but 6/8 would work. Our kids are continuing some of their extra curricular activities on zoom and it's working really well.

I know some teachers are apparently doing great work already but those teachers also should understand that alot are not. Our child's teacher uploads a work list on Sunday night and that's all for the week. I know for a fact this is similar in several other primary schools. It doesn't take 5 days to formulate a work list which is basically a continuation of the previous weeks worklist so essentially they're just changing a few page numbers, etc.

A bit of interaction with the kids at this stage would be no harm and well done to any primary teachers who are doing so.

morebabies

What would the advice be to a family with children who have members that have underlying health issues, facing a possible return to school in September?

- homeschooling?
- special arrangements for the children to continue online schooling...? But would that be too much hassle to arrange for a minority of kids?

Also, just as an aside, my eldest is in a boys' secondary school of about 500 lads, and right before the shutdown, they had been given a talk on the coronavirus and hygiene, following which the lads were all coughing on each other in the corridors, jumping on each other, thinking the whole thing was hilarious. So it's not just junior infants that wouldn't be able to engage with any social distancing rules.

Tokyo

addaword wrote: »

what do you expect when primary teachers have mostly being sunning themselves this past month?

Mod: There's having an opinion, and there's taking the piss. This One firmly falls in the latter. Any more posts of this nature from any poster will earn a threadban, as it's clearly trolling.

KerryConnor

I've a child in 6th class and he ll be absolutely fine going straight into secondary. In fact he's an introvert and more relaxed getting a bit of a break in. I feel very sorry for kids who do mind missing the end of primary activities and are suffering missing their friends . But for many of them it isn't a big deal so let's not make it so.

On the other hand I'm despairing tonight about the news that cocooning is, being advised "til there's a vaccine". I don't know what else I was expecting but heart broken for my parents . We re going have to find livable solutions for them

Orchids wrote: »

2nd level yes, but my concern is 6th classes moving straight to secondary without completing the last 3 months of their primary school which includes preparation for moving on, not only will they not return but they won't be prepared for secondary which is a huge jump for them. I'm not suggesting they repeat the whole year but there should be contingency plan.

addaword wrote: »

To prepare them for secondary schoool, as Orchid said.

If as you say a " lot of 6th class kids switch off and are 'done' with primary by this stage ", what do you expect when primary teachers have mostly being sunning themselves this past month?

As I already said go ask my class and their parents have I been topping up my tan and they will tell you of course teacher has been because they know me and know full well that I've been getting out in the sun after we finish our school day. While you are having that chat also ask them about all the work we have been doing and see are they happy?

addaword wrote: »

To prepare them for secondary schoool, as Orchid said.

If as you say a " lot of 6th class kids switch off and are 'done' with primary by this stage ", what do you expect when primary teachers have mostly being sunning themselves this past month?

Just to let you, youve been reported for trolling

jimmytwotimes 2013

addaword wrote: »

Orchids said his / her c"oncern is 6th classes moving straight to secondary without completing the last 3 months of their primary school which includes preparation for moving on, not only will they not return but they won't be prepared for secondary which is a huge jump for them."

The point remains, should not primary school teachers not do something to help said 6th classes?

Anyway.....

Back to the bar by the pool for me. This money isn't gonna spend itself.

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

Why just 6th? .

To prepare them for secondary schoool, as Orchid said.

If as you say a " lot of 6th class kids switch off and are 'done' with primary by this stage ", what do you expect when primary teachers have mostly being sunning themselves this past month?

addaword wrote: »

Orchids said his / her c"oncern is 6th classes moving straight to secondary without completing the last 3 months of their primary school which includes preparation for moving on, not only will they not return but they won't be prepared for secondary which is a huge jump for them."

The point remains, should not primary school teachers not do something to help said 6th classes?

Why just 6th? Are the other classes not worthy enough for our expertise?

Trust me alot of 6th class kids switch off and are 'done' with primary by this stage anyway.