How will schools be able to go back in September?

https://www.thestar.com/news/world/europe/2020/05/18/70-cases-of-covid-19-at-french-schools-days-after-re-opening.html

PARIS - Just one week after a third of French schoolchildren went back to school in an easing of the coronavirus lockdown, there’s been a worrying flareup of about 70 COVID-19 cases linked to schools.

So much for the notion that schools won't cause more cases

challengemaster wrote: »

https://www.thestar.com/news/world/europe/2020/05/18/70-cases-of-covid-19-at-french-schools-days-after-re-opening.html



So much for the notion that schools won't cause more cases

Posted 3 times now. The need to stoke fear is real.

France was one of the worst hit areas in Europe.

The incubation period is 2 weeks so many of those cases may have been before schools reopened.

Parts of Ireland haven’t had cases in weeks, people cannot move more than 5k except for essential trips so opening schools in those areas with proper precautions would not have a similar outcome to the ones referred to in France as our RO number is under control in the community.

Schools opening would effect cases but we are in a place of having to decide to lock down indefinitely or find a way to get back to living our lives.

The schools have no intention of bringing students back. I've to go and collect books/art/belongings of my kids this week from our primary school as they are clearing out for the end of the school year.

plodder wrote: »

Haven't been following the thread. So, would like to know why we can't do what Denmark did and appears to work?

https://www.bbc.com/news/education-52550470

If it's down to better student teacher ratios, then just let kids come to school for half days, or only every second or third day. Anything to get them back to some normality.

Yes, it has been discussed and to be honest we dont know what the Dept of Ed have decided yet but they did say they were looking at other countries including Denmark. Denmark coopted other buildings like football stadiums and museums to be used as classrooms. I dont know if the government will do that here, we will have to wait and see

Coneygree wrote: »

Bring back the prefabs!

They never went away in some instances. My classroom is a prefab. It is in the school 20 years.

CruelSummer wrote: »

I do not support social distancing at Primary level. At least we have time to buy before September, but if the numbers are good we have no justification for it and it will severely damage children's mental health, their development and their school experience - perhaps permanently.

If that’s the case and there’s no justification for social distancing generally, I’m sure most people would be relieved to see it go. However if in September we manage to be at phase 5 or beyond and it’s deemed necessary in other settings, it should also be maintained in schools.

I can understand the opinion that restrictions would affect children mentally, however they are a lot more resilient than they are being given credit for. Ultimately the government needs to take stock of these concerns and include in their guidelines/plans for reopening access to resources such as training for teachers in managing children’s concerns, Greater access to schooL psychologists for children who are finding things particularly tough. This won’t happen though as you can’t get next nor near a psychologist for basic assessments at the best of times in schools.

We need to have a set of guidelines around social distancing in schools and a roadmap of how they expect them to be eased, designed specifically for the school setting. That way parents and teachers alike can help to prepare the kids by giving them some reassurance around how long certain measures will be in place. If we were told we were starting back on half days for example for one month, it’s easier to get your head around when you have the end in sight. Just as the nationwide roadmap is giving people hope around return to some kind of normality, albeit ‘the new normal’.

A few results from tv polls recently show interesting results:
Maura and Daithi polled 18000 asking should kids return to school and 82% said no.
Claire Byrne also did a poll last night. I can’t find the precise results but around 70% said they were satisfied at the rate at which restrictions were being eased.
Personally I find it comforting that these results show people are not willing to take risks.

JDxtra wrote: »

You can't social distance children in primary schools, it's pointless and unfair. I saw a news report on ITV in recent weeks where a UK principal was out with his tape measure and he had hazard tape on the floors and desks. Utterly daft.

They seem to accept that in Denmark, which means kids are kept in groups of no more than 12 together with hourly hand-washing. And daily new cases continuing to drop there a month after the re-opening.

plodder wrote: »

They seem to accept that in Denmark, which means kids are kept in groups of no more than 12 together with hourly hand-washing. And daily new cases continuing to drop there a month after the re-opening.

This is Ireland. We couldn't figure out a way to do the leaving cert. The primary classrooms I've been to wouldn't even have enough room for 1/3 of their normal numbers if social distancing was implemented!

Then what about books/desks/handles/materials/toilets/gym equipment - sterilise them daily? What about corridors? Outside time cancelled? No fun with friends? It is totally unworkable and actually very unfair on kids.

JDxtra wrote: »

This is Ireland. We couldn't figure out a way to do the leaving cert. The primary classrooms I've been to wouldn't even have enough room for 1/3 of their normal numbers if social distancing was implemented!

Then what about books/desks/handles/materials/toilets/gym equipment - sterilise them daily? What about corridors? Outside time cancelled? No fun with friends? It is totally unworkable and actually very unfair on kids.

Objections, objections. Always, why Ireland is never the first to do anything. If we have to have a template, then just look at Denmark.

Benimar wrote: »

Have a read of Phase 5. Phase 5 is not ‘back to normal’. It’s the start of a phased return to offices, opening of enclosed shopping centres where social distancing can be maintained, opening of cinemas with social distancing etc.

August 10th isn’t some sort of magic day. Social distancing is with us for the foreseeable future and if teachers want that implemented in the classroom to protect them and our children, then that’s alright by me.

I never said it was a magic day. But what I am saying is that by September everyone will be socializing to an extent. We can go to a wedding, we can be back in work. We can eat out, travel, have birthday parties, kids will be back playing contact sport. So every child in the classroom or at least the majority will be mixing as usual outside of school. I think it makes insisting on long term social distancing in school a little pointless.

A good dollop of common sense is needed.

downthemiddle wrote: »

Can I clarify that you are urging the Department of Education to ignore the advice of Tony Holohan and NPHET?

I'm saying they should be looking into it, and challenging the advice. NPHET doesn't make the decisions ultimately. They aren't infallible.

A lot of what they say is prefaced with "there is no evidence that X Y or Z works". If it weren't for other countries prepared to try things, then it wouldn't be possible to ever get any evidence of things working.

I havent been on the thread in a few days but have spent some time catching up this morning.

Firstly to all the people who say they are hearing nothing from their child's teacher. I believe you. There is a very mixed response from primary teachers. Some schools I know of are doing lots. Online lessons, facebook live etc. Some schools are doing the bare minimum. An email once a week, not correcting work etc. I would think my school is somewhere in the middle. We gave all the books back to the kids the first week and have been sending out work via email since then. The teachers are working on seesaw and google classroom accepting work and correcting it/giving feedback etc. I try to be available everyday during school hours to chat to the kids and correct their work that they send in. I help out elderly neighbours the odd day but these days will check in a few times during the day.

However I have about 70% of my class returning work to to me. Nothing from the other 30%. Which is up to the parents. I have 2 kids of my own under 7 and the eldest does some school work but not a huge amount. They spend alot of the day playing together and to me this is as important for their development as school work.

In relation to returning to school. Most schools have 6 weeks left until holidays. Hopefully the Department will issue guidelines soon so schools can start making arrangements. I want my own kids to go back to school safely. They have been nowhere in 10 weeks now. I do believe that the virus is going to be here for a while so we need to prepare for that.

As a parent if schools dont open normally and creche have reduced numbers I'm not sure what will happen to my kids regarding childcare. My husband is currently working from home 3 days a week but I'm not sure what happens when he has to go back full time. Although I dont think this is on the cards for a while.

People here giving out about teachers need to understand the Department does their own thing. They don't consult with unions or anyone else. I'm sure if they had of asked teachers on the ground about the LC they might have come up with better than what they are currently proposing!

plodder wrote: »

I'm saying they should be looking into it, and challenging the advice. NPHET doesn't make the decisions ultimately. They aren't infallible.

A lot of what they say is prefaced with "there is no evidence that X Y or Z works". If it weren't for other countries prepared to try things, then it wouldn't be possible to ever get any evidence of things working.

Do you really think those conversations don’t take place on a daily basis?