How will schools be able to go back in September?

Lillyfae · 13-05-2020 03:50PM

iamwhoiam wrote: »

Delighted to hear Leo being proactive and willing to take research on board to help him make decisions .
It has lifted my spirits today that he acknowledges the children’s needs and also the needs of grandparents to interact and be with their grandchildren .
I was having a bit of a wobbly day but that made me feel better

It’s not easy. We took our little one to Nana on Sunday because daycare opened on Monday. They had the absolute best time together, and you will too very soon I hope xxx

khalessi · 13-05-2020 03:52PM

kandr10 wrote: »

That’s the problem really. I know in our school the budget barely covers basic cleaning never mind sanitising. There’s times I’d be hard pressed to get the cleaners to empty my bin and sweep the floor never mind wiping a desk down.

I wouldn’t mind the small groups. I guess it would essentially mean a day a week at school for most kids to give everyone a turn.

Social distancing kids would be hard no doubt and they’d need tonnes of reminders about sharing stuff etc but doable with the right guidelines. Only thing is the guidelines just wouldn’t be able to provide a one size fits all. All schools are so different in terms of resources, facilities, structure etc.
I would be hoping that these specific guidelines are issued, either at dept level or by the boards individually before sept. The sort of things you mentioned are what would make me feel safe sending my child in. (I’m about to go on mat leave so it won’t really affect my teaching in the short term).

In our school we have cleaners but not enough for size of school so teachers buy their own disinfectant to clean desks and surfaces etc but that was precovid and soap for handwashing. I can only imagine how much more expensive it would be now and not taking into account 90% of what you see in a classroom has been bought by or made by the teacher already.

History Queen · 13-05-2020 03:52PM

Just thinking re stricter illness protocols. Assuming something like the list of symptoms thevSEC were talking about that mean you have to stay home until symptoms pass, how will schools be staffed? And education provision could be very patchy for some students if they themselves had to stay home.

If there is a big change like this there'll be a lot of teachers out on half pay and no pay given the way sick leave has gone. I couldn't tell you how many times a year myself or colleagues are in school with colds/flu like symptoms etc. as you couldn't justify taking a sick day every time a teacher caught that type of illness in a school setting. This year I would have been out for all of Sept and most of October if I had to remain at home with cough/runny nose type symptoms.

There'll be a serious increase in theteacher shortage problem if we need more teachers to allow for social distancing and more substitutes for short term sick leave.

iamwhoiam · 13-05-2020 03:54PM

Lillyfae wrote: »

It’s not easy. We took our little one to Nana on Sunday because daycare opened on Monday. They had the absolute best time together, and you will too very soon I hope xxx

Thank you ! I have minded the eldest since she was 6 months four days a week . She is 6 now and I miss her so much . I am lucky they live close by and we chat in the garden . I read to her on Whatsapp and cannot wait for us to snuggle up with a book and a cuddle .

wirelessdude01 · 13-05-2020 03:54PM

Zahir Bitter Cellist wrote: »

I'd say this will be the extent of what will be manageable in a lot of big school. Extra hand sanitising stations and more regular cleaning schedules, new stringent policies around ill students and staff.

I think the masks and social distancing won't be a major element here.

The thing for most schools is where will they get the money for all this additional deep cleaning that will be required?

Also I think you'll find that masks will be a requirement for attending school as this has been floated as becoming a requirement for entering shops and using public transport in the past few days.

BonsaiKitten · 13-05-2020 03:56PM

munsterlegend wrote: »

No I have not. Are they for public viewing ?

This is what I read: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-educational-and-childcare-settings-to-prepare-for-wider-opening-from-1-june-2020/actions-for-education-and-childcare-settings-to-prepare-for-wider-opening-from-1-june-2020

There is an FAQ somewhere as well. I warn you, it's not the most readable material ðŸ˜‚

I teach in Ireland thankfully. I would have no problem going back to teaching in school (I'd be delighted, much nicer than teaching at home) but I want to know what I should be doing first - I need clear guidance from the department. I think a lot of teachers feel the same.

Edit: and for Khalessi too, apologies. Just saw your post.

jrosen · 13-05-2020 03:58PM

Kids could bring their own hand towels or even face cloths daily in a zip lock bag.

munsterlegend · 13-05-2020 03:59PM

BonsaiKitten wrote: »

This is what I read: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-educational-and-childcare-settings-to-prepare-for-wider-opening-from-1-june-2020/actions-for-education-and-childcare-settings-to-prepare-for-wider-opening-from-1-june-2020

There is an FAQ somewhere as well. I warn you, it's not the most readable material ðŸ˜‚

I teach in Ireland thankfully. I would have no problem going back to teaching in school (I'd be delighted, much nicer than teaching at home) but I want to know what I should be doing first - I need clear guidance from the department. I think a lot of teachers feel the same.

Are you primary or secondary? I have enough of this home schooling so thought June might have an outside chance given today’s utterances.

khalessi · 13-05-2020 04:00PM

jrosen wrote: »

Kids could bring their own hand towels or even face cloths daily in a zip lock bag.

That is done already in my kids school. Could be a good idea if widespread.

BonsaiKitten · 13-05-2020 04:02PM

kandr10 wrote: »

That’s the problem really. I know in our school the budget barely covers basic cleaning never mind sanitising. There’s times I’d be hard pressed to get the cleaners to empty my bin and sweep the floor never mind wiping a desk down.

I wouldn’t mind the small groups. I guess it would essentially mean a day a week at school for most kids to give everyone a turn.

Social distancing kids would be hard no doubt and they’d need tonnes of reminders about sharing stuff etc but doable with the right guidelines. Only thing is the guidelines just wouldn’t be able to provide a one size fits all. All schools are so different in terms of resources, facilities, structure etc.
I would be hoping that these specific guidelines are issued, either at dept level or by the boards individually before sept. The sort of things you mentioned are what would make me feel safe sending my child in. (I’m about to go on mat leave so it won’t really affect my teaching in the short term).

This is all so true. Schools are usually scrabbling for money at the best of times. I don't know how they could fund proper deep cleaning of rooms if no extra budget is given.

Like yourself I really hope that we get given concrete advice on what we should be doing by September.

jrosen wrote: »

Im not so sure splitting classes is the way to go. It would further disrupt the education of children. They are already behind in terms of what they should be doing (this info has come from our secondary school) So unless each and every class is going to live stream their full day and rotate the kids who are in school with those who log on from home then there is no way the curriculum can be covered on time.

Would it take twice as long to cover each topic if classes are to be split? Some classes with 30 kids would need to be split in 3. Would this not require a complete change in the curriculum? As a parent I am open to the changes that are needed but if this doesnt change at the top I dont know how the kids will get through the expected workload.

I think we would have to cut back on the 'extras' and just focus on core subjects. The national curriculum is very heavily laden. Perhaps just do Irish/English/Maths in school. Something like the RTE home school hub could be continued to provide for the SESE and other subjects?

sideswipe · 13-05-2020 04:04PM

Murple wrote: »

Yes because thankfully children's attendance at school requires no adult interaction or intervention at all.
It's still astounding that so many people miss the wider implications of schools operating. 550,000 children in primary school alone. These children all need to be taught by...adults. Some of these children require the very close help of an SNA who is...an adult. All these 550,000 children are brought to school and collected from school by...adults.
If you look at the layout of most schools, even arriving at and leaving the school will be extremely challlenging to manage while maintaining social distancing among the adults never mind when in the school itself.

So what do you suggest? Keep schools closed till there is a vaccine?

Nobody is saying things should go back to normal but outside the box thinking is required. If this study is correct it means the risk of mass clusters in schools is unlikely. That has to give some reassurance, apart from that teachers may have to find ways to keep their distance and wear masks. Start and finish times may have to be staggered. Sanitising stations set up and regular deep cleans carried out. Ban parents standing around the gates chatting etc.

Yes some kids may not get the one to one SNA care they need or indeed up close attention from the teacher but it's still better that all kids having a huge chunk taken from their education until a vaccine is developed, tested, distributed and administered.

BonsaiKitten · 13-05-2020 04:05PM

munsterlegend wrote: »

Are you primary or secondary? I have enough of this home schooling so thought June might have an outside chance given today’s utterances.

Ah mate I can only imagine how sick you must be of it! I have so much sympathy for parents trying to cope at the moment.

Primary, I teach my class through Zoom and Google Classroom. They are sad and missing seeing their friends in person...for their sake and mine it would be great to go back. However I don't know what way I'd be expected to organise my room and I can't just make it up as I go along - the department need to guide teachers.

jrosen · 13-05-2020 04:05PM

BonsaiKitten wrote: »

This is all so true. Schools are usually scrabbling for money at the best of times. I don't know how they could fund proper deep cleaning of rooms if no extra budget is given.

Like yourself I really hope that we get given concrete advice on what we should be doing by September.

I think we would have to cut back on the 'extras' and just focus on core subjects. The national curriculum is very heavily laden. Perhaps just do Irish/English/Maths in school. Something like the RTE home school hub could be continued to provide for the SESE and other subjects?

That could be an option.

wirelessdude01 · 13-05-2020 04:06PM

jrosen wrote: »

Kids could bring their own hand towels or even face cloths daily in a zip lock bag.

Would be great in an ideal world but that isn't what we live in. Plus we all have those kids where the same unwashed hand towel would be in for the whole week, never changed from Monday to Friday and in some cases not changed at the weekend either.

iamwhoiam · 13-05-2020 04:07PM

jrosen wrote: »

Kids could bring their own hand towels or even face cloths daily in a zip lock bag.

Absolutely , along with hand sanitizer , a pack of tissues , a small towel .
Long before Covid my daughter popped a little hand sanitizer in the childs bag for after the toilet

BonsaiKitten · 13-05-2020 04:09PM

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

Also I think you'll find that masks will be a requirement for attending school as this has been floated as becoming a requirement for entering shops and using public transport in the past few days.

I don't think masks in school are practical tbh, perhaps they'd work at secondary but certainly not with young children. Imagine trying to keep masks on a Junior Infant class? Difficult enough to keep shoes on them at times...It's a totally different ball game to a shop or public transport.

jrosen · 13-05-2020 04:09PM

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

Would be great in an ideal world but that isn't what we live in. Plus we all have those kids where the same unwashed hand towel would be in for the whole week, never changed from Monday to Friday and in some cases not changed at the weekend either.

I think its quite a simple cost effective solution tbh. A bunch of face cloths cost next to nothing. Sending a fresh one every day or even every second day for use by each student sounds like a win win to me.

If a parent is going to neglect to clean their childs hand towel then be it on them.

khalessi · 13-05-2020 04:10PM

BonsaiKitten wrote: »

I don't think masks in school are practical tbh, perhaps they'd work at secondary but certainly not with young children. Imagine trying to keep masks on a Junior Infant class? Difficult enough to keep shoes on them at times...It's a totally different ball game to a shop or public transport.

Well as long as parents dont object to teachers wearing them.

BonsaiKitten · 13-05-2020 04:12PM

khalessi wrote: »

Well as long as parents dont object to teachers wearing them.

You know as well as I do that they will, there's always someone to grumble about something :pac:

I agree with you though, I have no issue with teachers wanting to wear masks.

o1s1n · 13-05-2020 04:15PM

jrosen wrote: »

If a parent is going to neglect to clean their childs hand towel then be it on them.

Problem with a virus though is it doesn't really work like that and we're basically all in it together.

One person doesn't follow the rules, they become the weak link in the chain and ruin it for everyone.

khalessi · 13-05-2020 04:15PM

iamwhoiam wrote: »

Absolutely , along with hand sanitizer , a pack of tissues , a small towel .
Long before Covid my daughter popped a little hand sanitizer in the childs bag for after the toilet

It is a great idea, and a lot of parents do it already, some of the kids are great while others play with the sanitiser and prefer their sleeves or desks to tissues, I used to put a small pack on each desk as I got sick of the sniffers and nose pickers and they would be untouched at end of the day.

wirelessdude01 · 13-05-2020 04:16PM

khalessi wrote: »

Well as long as parents dont object to teachers wearing them.

I plan on securing some full face guards if I can. I haven't seen my dad since late February and I don't want to be bringing anyway home to him when I do get back to the classroom.

Don't think the general Joe and Jane realise quite how much primary schools are little germ factories. Even with the best will in the world things spread in schools. I had days before Christmas this year where I had single digit attendance due to sickness.

My friends school had two classes with less than 5 in each one for over a week, with the teacher out sick in one of them.

Some sort of sanctions for parents sending sick children to school will need to be introduced this winter.

ldy4mxonucwsq6 · 13-05-2020 04:23PM

BonsaiKitten wrote: »

I don't think masks in school are practical tbh, perhaps they'd work at secondary but certainly not with young children. Imagine trying to keep masks on a Junior Infant class? Difficult enough to keep shoes on them at times...It's a totally different ball game to a shop or public transport.

Agreed, wearing one for a 30 minute bus journey is very different to expecting a youngster to wear one all day in school, won't happen.

iamwhoiam · 13-05-2020 04:26PM

khalessi wrote: »

It is a great idea, and a lot of parents do it already, some of the kids are great while others play with the sanitiser and prefer their sleeves or desks to tissues, I used to put a small pack on each desk as I got sick of the sniffers and nose pickers and they would be untouched at end of the day.

Its up to us all to teach them then .

wirelessdude01 · 13-05-2020 04:27PM

Zahir Bitter Cellist wrote: »

Agreed, wearing one for a 30 minute bus journey is very different to expecting a youngster to wear one all day in school, won't happen.

Yet have you seen the videos from China of them lining up to wash their hands in full face guards in school? Where there is a requirement there is a means to enforce it.

Clareman · 13-05-2020 04:27PM

I can't get my children to eat their lunch at school, getting them to wear a mask, that just won't happen

jrosen · 13-05-2020 04:37PM

o1s1n wrote: »

Problem with a virus though is it doesn't really work like that and we're basically all in it together.

One person doesn't follow the rules, they become the weak link in the chain and ruin it for everyone.

Well we all cant stay in doors forever more, we at some stage have to get back to life.
That child will be the only one using their towel, so if its dirty damp they are the only ones using it. If they have covid19 they have not gotten it from themselves and their dirty hand towel, they will have gotten it from someone else and likely will have already passed it on.

khalessi · 13-05-2020 04:39PM

Clareman wrote: »

I can't get my children to eat their lunch at school, getting them to wear a mask, that just won't happen

Looking at some of the kids masks, they could get into it as they have superhero, star wars and cartoon masks could become a popular item like whatever the latest fad is

jrosen · 13-05-2020 04:40PM

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

I plan on securing some full face guards if I can. I haven't seen my dad since late February and I don't want to be bringing anyway home to him when I do get back to the classroom.

Don't think the general Joe and Jane realise quite how much primary schools are little germ factories. Even with the best will in the world things spread in schools. I had days before Christmas this year where I had single digit attendance due to sickness.

My friends school had two classes with less than 5 in each one for over a week, with the teacher out sick in one of them.

Some sort of sanctions for parents sending sick children to school will need to be introduced this winter.

I wholeheartedly agree. Schools will need to have enforced policies regarding sickness.

ldy4mxonucwsq6 · 13-05-2020 04:41PM

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

Yet have you seen the videos from China of them lining up to wash their hands in full face guards in school? Where there is a requirement there is a means to enforce it.

Thankfully we aren't China.

How will schools be able to go back in September?

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