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How will schools be able to go back in September?

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Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,447 ✭✭✭✭namloc1980


    khalessi wrote: »
    Well I can only go by my colleagues and the teachers from other schools I am in contact with and we are working. I use google classroom, put up videos to explain what I want to teach and add worksheets all planned and designed by me, which takes time. I have to watch every video to make sure it is age appropriate, which takes time

    I then am online to answer questions, correct work and discuss corrections with the students. I am supposed to be online from 9 until 230pm, I am actually online from around 8am until 7pm as the kids have to work aroud their parents who are wfh and I like to be onhand to answer questions.

    Generally most evenings I am correcting, planning work, designing worksheets, helping my own kids with their online school work and answering questions of my school kids. The planning, designing of worksheets, and correcting for class of 30 children, takes a lot of time that is unseen by people.

    Fair play to you. Not a single teacher in any of the 4 schools in my area are doing a fraction of that. Principals are hiding behind privacy, gdpr, lack of technology and a host of other excuses.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,439 ✭✭✭sideswipe


    Since Leo confirmed schools would not be returning until September we have had no contact from the school principal (primary) acknowledging the announcement, we did get a short, curt email and link on how to pay our voluntary contribution and photocopying money for next year though which was thoughtful of her!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,312 ✭✭✭paw patrol


    this a load of nonsense.
    social distancing needs to end , embrace the covid19 because to hide away from it is only prolonging the inevitable. it should be done pre september so the kids can be back in school having already been exposed to it over the summer.

    or we can hide away for the next year or 2 like a colony of lepers.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,857 ✭✭✭Lillyfae


    namloc1980 wrote: »
    Fair play to you. Not a single teacher in any of the 4 schools in my area are doing a fraction of that. Principals are hiding behind privacy, gdpr, lack of technology and a host of other excuses.

    This is my point exactly. One teacher seems to think that because she's going above and beyond that everyone is doing it and that is clearly not the case. The attitudes on here prove that.

    On a side note, I just took a quick trip to the DoE website. Interestingly, they seem to have a lot of online resources and some training available on how to use them at first glance.

    Additionally, there is a press release stipulating that schools are open for teachers to collect/ use the resources there if that is needed. I found it unbelievable that this wasn't the case, and there it was in black and white. There would be no danger whatsoever to a teacher sitting in an empty classroom all day (if necessary) as long as they are practicing good hygiene.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 2,770 ✭✭✭GT89


    vixdname wrote: »
    I think the possibility of them catching a deadly virus outweighs their missing of education at the moment.
    Yes, younger people have a lower chance of getting very sick but frankly Im not going to put either of my 2 kids into a situation
    where theres ANY chance of them getting seriously ill.
    Mine two kids are 5 and 7, if they have to repeat a year, so be it, Im not in a rush, nor will I be rushed into getting them back into school as part of a "wait and see" exercise on behalf of the governmant

    I think the chances of your children becoming very sick are lower than the chances of them getting by a car/bus/truck. Do you let your children out of your house, you do realise there's an element of risk attached to everything.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 35,659 ✭✭✭✭NIMAN


    It will be a tough start for JI this coming year, arriving at school for 1st time and they might have teachers wearing masks.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,194 ✭✭✭vixdname


    khalessi wrote: »
    Research released last week by Chinese researchers and Johns Hopkins University in the States, showing that children can get it and pass it on just as easily as adults.

    He probably didnt read that information thats been emerging about kids and infection rates, he was probably too busy being angry and thinking everything bar his opinion was madness....


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,216 ✭✭✭khalessi


    GT89 wrote: »
    I think the chances of your children becoming very sick are lower than the chances of them getting by a car/bus/truck. Do you let your children out of your house, you do realise there's an element of risk attached to everything.

    Do you realise this is a pandemic and not normal circumstances, that a child can according to research released last week catch and pass on Covid19 as easily as an adult. This is a new disease that keeps changing and adapting, med researchers are running to keep up with it. THey now know it has a number of effects on children such as the Kawasaki like illness associated with Covid19, which though rare is becoming more prevelant as doctors realise what to look out for.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,194 ✭✭✭vixdname


    GT89 wrote: »
    I think the chances of your children becoming very sick are lower than the chances of them getting by a car/bus/truck. Do you let your children out of your house, you do realise there's an element of risk attached to everything.

    You answered your own question there in the 1st sentence where you said "I Think", unless youre a Dr., Virologist, Epidemiologist or other qualified medic I'd rather not take your advice on how or when my kids will go back to school, simply because "You Think" itd be ok. Both have asthma as well so would be more "at risk" then those that dont have it.

    Yes theres a risk associated with everything but some risks have lesser negative consequence then others.

    No one, not even you, know how this will all pan out, but as said previously, my kids wont be guinea pigs in a "Wait and see" exercise.

    Lastly, as was already mentioned above, there is emerging evidence also of a secondary syndrome affecting kids resulting in huge immunity responses and it has caused concern in the UK, Italy and New York over the weekend with Governor Cuomo talking about a fatality associated with it and a sharp rise in cases.

    Most kids affected either tested positive for Covid-19 or had antibodies to show theyhad been exposed to the virus at some point in the past before developing this syndrome that resembles Atypical Kawasaki disease, Google it if you want more info.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,216 ✭✭✭khalessi


    Lillyfae wrote: »
    This is my point exactly. One teacher seems to think that because she's going above and beyond that everyone is doing it and that is clearly not the case. The attitudes on here prove that.

    On a side note, I just took a quick trip to the DoE website. Interestingly, they seem to have a lot of online resources and some training available on how to use them at first glance.

    Additionally, there is a press release stipulating that schools are open for teachers to collect/ use the resources there if that is needed. I found it unbelievable that this wasn't the case, and there it was in black and white. There would be no danger whatsoever to a teacher sitting in an empty classroom all day (if necessary) as long as they are practicing good hygiene.


    Actually I am basing on speaking to other professionals across the country. It seems that the majority whether you like or not are working. It is unfortunate you feel that your teachers are not. As I said if you require more work or interactions contact you principal, send emails to principal and teacher, contact PA and BOM.

    One parent correcting one childs work not earthshattering, try that for 30 kids work and in multiple subjects, it mounts up and apologies but I might be looking for more detail than a parent is when correcting.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 33,779 ✭✭✭✭Princess Consuela Bananahammock


    And who's going to do it with them? Their parents at 6pm when they've finished work? Is it?

    So the porblem appears to be supervision of said kids, not the actual education itself?

    Everything I don't like is either woke or fascist - possibly both - pick one.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,248 ✭✭✭✭iamwhoiam


    There is no denying that until schools are up and running the country cannot run efficiently . A huge percentage of parents work around the school time table . Now that will probably invite posts like “ its not a baby sitting service “ . But the world over parents works around the school times and so it is .
    Also in my area a large percentage of kids are picked up by grandparents or after school clubs and working parents relying on these supports
    Unless they are in place the economy won’t function properly .. . Its vital to get schools open to get the country up on its feet .

    Its not up to parents or the community to figure out how it can be done its up to the Minister , the Department NPHET , the principal the teachers , the SNAs , the cleaners etc . Each cog in the wheel is important and their input is vital

    Just as the hospitals and clinics adjusted , the advice came from above but everyone pulled together to adjust , re think , re learn, find solutions and work outside their comfort zones . Hospital staff had guidance and they adjusted almost overnight . The schools have months to find solutions and adjust and be resourceful .


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,360 ✭✭✭iwillhtfu


    khalessi wrote: »
    Actually I am basing on speaking to other professionals across the country. It seems that the majority whether you like or not are working. It is unfortunate you feel that your teachers are not. As I said if you require more work or interactions contact you principal, send emails to principal and teacher, contact PA and BOM.

    One parent correcting one childs work not earthshattering, try that for 30 kids work and in multiple subjects, it mounts up and apologies but I might be looking for more detail than a parent is when correcting.

    I live beside another one that is your polar opposite unfortunately and to add insult to injury she's had painters and pretty much all and sundry around to her house for the last several months. Regularly out for walk with people from outside her own home/family. She will be the first up in arms if the schools are reopened I can assure you.

    I appreciate the teachers that have been placed into the unknown but no more than everyone else. We all have to deal with this new norm and also have our own kids school work which depending on the size of your family is just as trying. You may have time to plan your online classes but for the parent it is trust upon us each morning and becomes a juggling act between actual work and interpreting online class work. It's also very difficult to ignore the elephant in the room that teachers will be getting their absurd holiday entitlement shortly but that's an entirely different discussion.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,165 ✭✭✭timmy_mallet


    So the porblem appears to be supervision of said kids, not the actual education itself?

    You can't tackle the school opening question in isolation. This is one part of it. Most employment will have returned fully by September. If schools are not open, many of the employed will have no choice but to not work. If there are viable solutions to education in general being conducted outside the classroom, I'm sure many would be open to it. But it cannot be done in isolation.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,165 ✭✭✭timmy_mallet


    vixdname wrote: »
    I think the possibility of them catching a deadly virus outweighs their missing of education at the moment.
    Yes, younger people have a lower chance of getting very sick but frankly Im not going to put either of my 2 kids into a situation
    where theres ANY chance of them getting seriously ill.
    Mine two kids are 5 and 7, if they have to repeat a year, so be it, Im not in a rush, nor will I be rushed into getting them back into school as part of a "wait and see" exercise on behalf of the governmant

    And would you be happy if the policy reflected the difficulty in distancing at that age, and those parents who were terrified of their kids getting covid-19 were to remove them from school while the rest got on with it?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,857 ✭✭✭Lillyfae


    khalessi wrote: »
    Actually I am basing on speaking to other professionals across the country. It seems that the majority whether you like or not are working. It is unfortunate you feel that your teachers are not. As I said if you require more work or interactions contact you principal, send emails to principal and teacher, contact PA and BOM.

    But they're not. Teachers here have openly admitted that. Teachers have the resources it seems, be that broadband available at a safe workplace if they don't have it at home or training or whatever. Tell me what would be wrong or risky about doing an online course or sitting in an empty classroom for the last 9 weeks?
    khalessi wrote: »
    One parent correcting one childs work not earthshattering, try that for 30 kids work and in multiple subjects, it mounts up and apologies but I might be looking for more detail than a parent is when correcting.

    Nobody is asking you to be available 12 hours a day for your students. That is unrealistic, and too much to ask. Just as it is unrealistic to expect a nurse who has just come in from a night shift to teach their child, or correct their homework. They're not qualified to, they have already done their job. They get to parent their child, they shouldn't have to teach aswell. 15 minutes of one to one interaction with whatever tool you have available to you adds up to seven and a half hours in total for 30 children. To schedule this weekly would go a long way towards helping and wouldn't put too much strain on anyone. Noone is going to blame any teacher if parents or children won't engage with this.
    iamwhoiam wrote: »
    Its not up to parents or the community to figure out how it can be done its up to the Minister , the Department NPHET , the principal the teachers , the SNAs , the cleaners etc . Each cog in the wheel is important and their input is vital

    Just as the hospitals and clinics adjusted , the advice came from above but everyone pulled together to adjust , re think , re learn, find solutions and work outside their comfort zones . Hospital staff had guidance and they adjusted almost overnight . The schools have months to find solutions and adjust and be resourceful .

    Exactly. And apart from cancelling the exams, nothing has changed in the mean time.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 33,779 ✭✭✭✭Princess Consuela Bananahammock


    You can't tackle the school opening question in isolation. This is one part of it. Most employment will have returned fully by September. If schools are not open, many of the employed will have no choice but to not work. If there are viable solutions to education in general being conducted outside the classroom, I'm sure many would be open to it. But it cannot be done in isolation.

    Yeah, I know but it redinifies the question and makes it a bit easier to answer. Most kids finish school long before their parents finish work anyway, so it's not like unsupervised kids is a new issue. There are other soultions, such as temporarily hiring child-minders.

    In any case, I don't think it's a problem that's not unsolveable. But I think partially reopening schools are having a few days in class / few days out is something that should be looked into, at least for secondary school kids.

    Everything I don't like is either woke or fascist - possibly both - pick one.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,216 ✭✭✭khalessi


    iamwhoiam wrote: »
    There is no denying that until schools are up and running the country cannot run efficiently . A huge percentage of parents work around the school time table . Now that will probably invite posts like “ its not a baby sitting service “ . But the world over parents works around the school times and so it is .
    Also in my area a large percentage of kids are picked up by grandparents or after school clubs and working parents relying on these supports
    Unless they are in place the economy won’t function properly .. . Its vital to get schools open to get the country up on its feet .

    Its not up to parents or the community to figure out how it can be done its up to the Minister , the Department NPHET , the principal the teachers , the SNAs , the cleaners etc . Each cog in the wheel is important and their input is vital

    Just as the hospitals and clinics adjusted , the advice came from above but everyone pulled together to adjust , re think , re learn, find solutions and work outside their comfort zones . Hospital staff had guidance and they adjusted almost overnight . The schools have months to find solutions and adjust and be resourceful .

    Having worked both as a nurse and as a teacher, it took a pandemic for the Dept of Health to get their finger out after all the damage to the health system over the years. I dont hold out the same hope for the Dept of Ed, considering their IT package of millions to schools resulted in my school getting about 5000e, that wont go too far re IT infrastructure. The hospitals are also ran by adults dealing with other mainly ill adults who in that situation are mostly compliant.

    I can't wait to see what they suggest for the reopening of schools because it will not involve teachers and I can nearly guarantee that I will be rolling my eyes at their suggestions. I am fully expecting daily deep cleaning will be left to teachers or to be sorted on a local level, which will be the usual cleaners doing what they did precovid and there will be no ppe for students or staff. I am hoping classes will be split but that could be difficult when there are 120 children at the one level and needing to be split into groups of 6 or whatever.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,165 ✭✭✭timmy_mallet


    Yeah, I know but it redinifies the question and makes it a bit easier to answer. Most kids finish school long before their parents finish work anyway, so it's not like unsupervised kids is a new issue. There are other soultions, such as temporarily hiring child-minders.

    In any case, I don't think it's a problem that's not unsolveable. But I think partially reopening schools are having a few days in class / few days out is something that should be looked into, at least for secondary school kids.

    So for secondary kids we might have a wishy washy proposal. And for primary, nothing.

    As i said, given opinions like this, and opinions like other posters on here, schools will never reopen here until a vaccine is found, or the virus 'burns itself out'.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,248 ✭✭✭✭iamwhoiam


    Also teachers are very aware that there are many disadvantaged children out there who will never be taught or supported .They will be behind in learning and thus in life later on . There are children who are reliant on schools to be aware of their situation at home and be supported and kept safe .There are children in homes where they are left to their own devises and they will not be taught by anyone .And many kids in abusive homes who find solace and comfort in a structured school day


    Parents are not teachers , they can support and can encourage but they cannot be expected to teach . Schools will have to find a way ,.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,248 ✭✭✭✭iamwhoiam


    khalessi wrote: »
    Having worked both as a nurse and as a teacher, it took a pandemic for the Dept of Health to get their finger out after all the damage to the health system over the years. I dont hold out the same hope for the Dept of Ed, considering their IT package of millions to schools resulted in my school getting about 5000e, that wont go too far re IT infrastructure. The hospitals are also ran by adults dealing with other mainly ill adults who in that situation are mostly compliant.

    I can't wait to see what they suggest for the reopening of schools because it will not involve teachers and I can nearly guarantee that I will be rolling my eyes at their suggestions. I am fully expecting daily deep cleaning will be left to teachers or to be sorted on a local level, which will be the usual cleaners doing what they did precovid and there will be no ppe for students or staff. I am hoping classes will be split but that could be difficult when there are 120 children at the one level and needing to be split into groups of 6 or whatever.

    I worked night duty all my life in a very busy paeds hospital .When we nurses needed to clean we cleaned , when we needed to adjust we adjusted , when we need to hop outside the box for a child we did just that .Sometimes we got no breaks , sometimes we stayed well past shift end and sometimes we cried in frustration at the Deptartment .Yes its often frustrating but it has to be done
    We sought solutions to obstacles and put the child first always .I genuinely hope that all school staff do the same .


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,216 ✭✭✭khalessi


    iamwhoiam wrote: »
    I worked night duty all my life in a very busy paeds hospital .When we nurses needed to clean we cleaned , when we needed to adjust we adjusted , when we need to hop outside the box for a child we did just that
    We sought solutions to obstacles and put the child first always .I genuinely hope that all school staff do the same .

    I know I did it for 20 years in a general hospital. My point being this is a pandemic you know what deep cleaning as do I and that is what I would expect daily in a school. that is not going to be . I will do it as I know what is required but most teachers do not have my background and the budget will not be there for cleaning product etc. In a school if you need it you buy it. Most teachers buy cleanin supplies to clean tables in their classrooms i never had to do that as a nurse. 90% if what is in my class or the other teacher s classe shave been bought by them.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 244 ✭✭Dublingirl80


    iwillhtfu wrote: »
    I live beside another one that is your polar opposite unfortunately and to add insult to injury she's had painters and pretty much all and sundry around to her house for the last several months. Regularly out for walk with people from outside her own home/family. She will be the first up in arms if the schools are reopened I can assure you.

    I appreciate the teachers that have been placed into the unknown but no more than everyone else. We all have to deal with this new norm and also have our own kids school work which depending on the size of your family is just as trying. You may have time to plan your online classes but for the parent it is trust upon us each morning and becomes a juggling act between actual work and interpreting online class work. It's also very difficult to ignore the elephant in the room that teachers will be getting their absurd holiday entitlement shortly but that's an entirely different discussion.

    Any reason you didn't become a teacher yourself? Option is still there, lots of online courses and you could maybe even substitute while training in one of these super safe school. environments you want everyone to work in.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 244 ✭✭Dublingirl80


    iamwhoiam wrote: »
    Also teachers are very aware that there are many disadvantaged children out there who will never be taught or supported .They will be behind in learning and thus in life later on . There are children who are reliant on schools to be aware of their situation at home and be supported and kept safe .There are children in homes where they are left to their own devises and they will not be taught by anyone .And many kids in abusive homes who find solace and comfort in a structured school day


    Parents are not teachers , they can support and can encourage but they cannot be expected to teach . Schools will have to find a way ,.

    This is true but this is a bigger problem in society which has been largely ignored.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,216 ✭✭✭khalessi


    So for secondary kids we might have a wishy washy proposal. And for primary, nothing.

    As i said, given opinions like this, and opinions like other posters on here, schools will never reopen here until a vaccine is found, or the virus 'burns itself out'.

    Timmy I have made plenty of suggestions for primary schools repoening


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,248 ✭✭✭✭iamwhoiam


    This is true but this is a bigger problem in society which has been largely ignored.

    I agree with you , and the paeds hospital see the consequences too .It absolutely need to be addressed but it isnt and it wont be .


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,216 ✭✭✭khalessi


    iamwhoiam wrote: »
    Also teachers are very aware that there are many disadvantaged children out there who will never be taught or supported .They will be behind in learning and thus in life later on . There are children who are reliant on schools to be aware of their situation at home and be supported and kept safe .There are children in homes where they are left to their own devises and they will not be taught by anyone .And many kids in abusive homes who find solace and comfort in a structured school day


    Parents are not teachers , they can support and can encourage but they cannot be expected to teach . Schools will have to find a way ,.

    Correct except in our constitution and in a pandemic as everyone as said, you step you adapt


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 33,779 ✭✭✭✭Princess Consuela Bananahammock


    So for secondary kids we might have a wishy washy proposal. And for primary, nothing.

    As i said, given opinions like this, and opinions like other posters on here, schools will never reopen here until a vaccine is found, or the virus 'burns itself out'.

    They'll reopen at some point: no matter what the question is, the answer is never "until a vaccine is found" because there's no guarantee that one WILL be found.

    But I'm still of the opinion that the question is "who's going to supervise my kids when I'm at work?" not one of education. If you gave the country a one-year state-sponsored childcare scheme with no education in it, they'd bite your hand off.

    Everything I don't like is either woke or fascist - possibly both - pick one.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,216 ✭✭✭khalessi


    Lillyfae wrote: »
    But they're not. Teachers here have openly admitted that. Teachers have the resources it seems, be that broadband available at a safe workplace if they don't have it at home or training or whatever. Tell me what would be wrong or risky about doing an online course or sitting in an empty classroom for the last 9 weeks?

    Are you talking about on boards? There are also plenty of teachers onboards who have said they are working and there are more of them.

    Nobody is asking you to be available 12 hours a day for your students.
    That is correct nobody did, I do it for the kids as they ask questions at whatever hour they can get to acess the work and I will answer itbecause I dont want them stuck.

    That is unrealistic, and too much to ask. Just as it is unrealistic to expect a nurse who has just come in from a night shift to teach their child, or correct their homework. They're not qualified to, they have already done their job. They get to parent their child, they shouldn't have to teach aswell.

    15 minutes of one to one interaction with whatever tool you have available to you adds up to seven and a half hours in total for 30 children. To schedule this weekly would go a long way towards helping and wouldn't put too much strain on anyone. Noone is going to blame any teacher if parents or children won't engage with this.

    15 minutes would not be enough to explain the work to the child. That is funny.They would use most of that telling me their news. Hence I use the tools I use as they are most effecient, along with q&a or emails exchange.

    Exactly. And apart from cancelling the exams, nothing has changed in the mean time.

    responses in blue


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 244 ✭✭Dublingirl80


    khalessi wrote: »
    I know I did it for 20 years in a general hospital. My point being this is a pandemic you know what deep cleaning as do I and that is what I would expect daily in a school. that is not going to be . I will do it as I know what is required but most teachers do not have my background and the budget will not be there for cleaning product etc. In a school if you need it you buy it. Most teachers buy cleanin supplies to clean tables in their classrooms i never had to do that as a nurse. 90% if what is in my class or the other teacher s classe shave been bought by them.

    I always think the number of other professions who think they can comment on what will and will not work in a job they've never done amazing. Can't wait to see all these people volunteering to help out in the schools when they're open so they can see how safe the environment really is. I'm not sure what will happen in September I think right now it's for the government and department to plan towards. Realistically though we have all made a lot of sacrifices already for this. Parental leave is available and could be extended and I do think hours can be flexible with both children's work and jobs possibly whichever makes sense, 2 hours of actual school work for the younger children is sufficient. I think september is too far away to even be thinking about. There is 6 weeks till the summer ans then in August we think about September. People in jobs higher up can plan how it will work.


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