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Child Item

How will schools be able to go back in September?

shoppergal

Just wondering if anyone can give any insight into how schools could safely re-open in September?

Everyone I'm talking to is saying they won't be back until September but in my head I'm wondering how they'll re-open even in September? The virus will still be there with a vaccine still months away at that stage.

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screamer

I don’t think it will be feasible to send all the kids back as normal. I can see annoyed parents and scared teachers on this thread, and both reactions are entirely understandable. At best I can see a week in week off rotation of kids in a school to minimise cleaning etc. There will be a second wave those who believe otherwise are kidding themselves, and coupled with winter and ideal virus spreading conditions it has potential to be worse than the first wave.

Podge_irl

youandme13 wrote: »

That is total BS!! I know of 5 / 6 people that have had it and of 4 that died.

Also all under 50 and no underlying health conditions.

If true, you are quite possibly the most statistically unlikely person in existence in the world.

School have already reopened across lots of Europe. All schools will be open in September across Europe. Children are at almost negligible risk themselves, and all indications point to them not being a particular risk of spreading either. Things may change in the coming months, but as things stand at the moment not planning for full reopening of schools in Sep would be paranoid delusion.

If and when a second wave hits and schools need to be shut again then you do that then. Unnecessarily hamstringing education of children in anticipation of the event is not helpful educationally or epidemiologically .

combat14

2.5 months is a very long time with covid 19

we will have to wait and see what way things are like in September....

Beijing reimposes lockdown measures after new Covid-19 outbreak

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/13/beijing-china-new-covid-19-cases-linked-to-food-market

ldy4mxonucwsq6

screamer wrote: »

I don’t think it will be feasible to send all the kids back as normal. I can see annoyed parents and scared teachers on this thread, and both reactions are entirely understandable. At best I can see a week in week off rotation of kids in a school to minimise cleaning etc. There will be a second wave those who believe otherwise are kidding themselves, and coupled with winter and ideal virus spreading conditions it has potential to be worse than the first wave.

Why wouldn't it be feasible? They'll be last in the country to go back to business as usual, everyone will be well back to normal by the time schools open. Possible zero community transmission by then, no reason why they can't.

Second wave is by no means guaranteed, previous SARS pandemics dwindled out naturally no reason why this would be any different.

I do think there is something that has come out of this pandemic and that is that some people actually won't ever go back to normal after this.

Some would be happier if we locked down forever, that's their choice but most people will be too busy living their lives to care.

jazz_jazz

I am a teacher and I've been talking to a a good number of teachers (primary and secondary) since yesterday and everyone seems delighted to be going fully back in September.
Just because the unions come out saying they're not happy about it doesn't mean that it's actually coming from the teachers.
I would imagine that the majority of us are more than happy to go back to normal.

jrosen

I want school back as much as the next person. However if come September the advice for other sectors is still to social distance, still to have max people in a certain space then how can we expect teachers (or any sector for that matter) to work differently?
There needs to be a safe standard across the board.

ldy4mxonucwsq6

jazz_jazz wrote: »

I am a teacher and I've been talking to a a good number of teachers (primary and secondary) since yesterday and everyone seems delighted to be going fully back in September.
Just because the unions come out saying they're not happy about it doesn't mean that it's actually coming from the teachers.
I would imagine that the majority of us are more than happy to go back to normal.

Any of the teachers that I know are chomping at the bit to get back to normal and have been all along, probably the majority are. I don't think any one of them thought it would go on this long.

Hopefully in a few months time these last few months will just be a distant memory.

Mrsmum

jrosen wrote: »

I want school back as much as the next person. However if come September the advice for other sectors is still to social distance, still to have max people in a certain space then how can we expect teachers (or any sector for that matter) to work differently?
There needs to be a safe standard across the board.

I suppose the same way as we expect it of, for example, the Gardaí. They have to do what they have to do in many different types of crisis situations without always being able to keep social distancing rules etc.

iamwhoiam

Mrsmum wrote: »

I suppose the same way as we expect it of, for example, the Gardaí. They have to do what they have to do in many different types of crisis situations without always being able to keep social distancing rules etc.

Creche workers also will be working closely with children .

downthemiddle

In the department's own words for those who are genuinely interested

The following are the key activities that are now underway to implement the optimum model for reopening schools:

1. Overall objective - to open schools in accordance with the normal start of the new school year to the fullest extent while minimising the risks from a public health perspective. Arrangements will allow for new routines to be established and bedded in within schools.

2. Public health guidance – Detailed engagement is underway in relation to development of public health guidance for school settings. This will be provided in time to facilitate operation of summer programmes and to enable detailed planning and preparatory work for the re-opening of schools. The public health guidance will be kept under on-going review and refinement if necessary in advance of the re-opening of schools at the end of August.

3. Guidance and templates - to enable schools comply with the requirements of the national Return to Work Safely Protocol are being developed centrally in consultation with education partners. These guidance documents and templates will be published later in June and July. Draft guidance and templates will be available in time for use by schools planning to operate summer programmes.

4. Awareness raising and training – Guidance and on-line training modules, webinars etc. will be developed centrally and available for use by schools, parents and students.

5. Enhanced cleaning regime – Additional resources will be provided to schools to enable enhanced cleaning regimes to be put in place for operation of schools.

6. Good hand hygiene – The existing handwashing facilities in some schools are not designed for the enhanced level of handwashing envisaged necessary in Covid-19 environment without significantly impacting on educational class time. A drawdown framework will be established by the Department to enable schools purchase hand-sanitisers for use in the school and classroom. The procurement process for this framework is commencing immediately and it will also deal with any other potential PPE requirements. It is not envisaged that significant PPE will be required in school settings. Details on the additional funding for schools will be provided in due course.

7. Mental health and Wellbeing – There will be a strong focus on supporting mental health and wellbeing of students and staff during the initial phase of re-opening schools. Central guidance will be provided.

8. Teaching and learning and curriculum -The Department is working with the NCCA, the Inspectorate and other experts as appropriate to tailor teaching and learning appropriately to the needs of students as they reengage with school.

9. Blended learning/alternative provision - Notwithstanding our overall objective, planning for a blended learning approach (on-line/in school) will be a feature of the approach to planning to reopen schools as there may be circumstances where schools will have to have the necessary agility to respond quickly to changed circumstances at local, regional or national level. Planning is underway with the NCCA, the Inspectorate and other experts as appropriate on how best to manage and operate blended learning model.

10. Consultation and Communication – The Department will continue to engage closely with education partners and other key stakeholders on the development of guidance and supports for the re-opening of schools. A dedicated webpage will be provided to enable the sharing of information and updates in an open and transparent manner.

Mrsmum

iamwhoiam wrote: »

Creche workers also will be working closely with children .

Yes and taking the risk for rubbish wages too.

RGARDINR

If some teachers in the older category over 50s if they don't want to go back should be offered early retirement or younger with underlying health conditions can stay off for time being when September comes. As probably never be a vaccine and we will have to live with this disease. Most every jobs will be back to work. If schools don't re open come September lot of workers won't be able to return. I think most teachers do want to return to work but will more then likely be with the virus still at play and could be the case that some of the kids when they are teachers in 20 years time will be off sick with Corona virus. This will be something that probably will be around for ever and and might never be a cure/vaccine. Just something we will have to get on with and sadly live with. If people go on well kids spreading I may get it well without a vaccine/cure in a year's time 2021 will they be like well can't open the schools Corona virus still at play?

daheff

Teachers & TUI seem to making every excuse not to go back to work. If they were on the 350 Covid payments they might be more interested in going back to work.

downthemiddle

daheff wrote: »

Teachers & TUI seem to making every excuse not to go back to work. If they were on the 350 Covid payments they might be more interested in going back to work.

Please find a quote from any teacher who says they don't want to go back to work provided they are subject to the same protocols as the rest of the workforce.

JRant

I don't believe for one second anyone is going to be put at risk by opening the schools in September. Anyone that wants to wear a mask should. The department need to provide all schools with hand santizing stations for each classroom and additional funding for more frequent cleaning.

Any immunocompromised students or teachers are in the exact same position as they were before COVID. Anyone in that position will need to maintain whatever precautions they were adhering to before this.

One thing is certain, part-time education will lead to partly educated children.

Leftwaffe

daheff wrote: »

Teachers & TUI seem to making every excuse not to go back to work. If they were on the 350 Covid payments they might be more interested in going back to work.

This is a wind up. I'm praying we are back fully in September.

wirelessdude01

daheff wrote: »

Teachers & TUI seem to making every excuse not to go back to work. If they were on the 350 Covid payments they might be more interested in going back to work.

Please link anywhere where this is said?

khalessi

JRant wrote: »

I don't believe for one second anyone is going to be put at risk by opening the schools in September. Anyone that wants to wear a mask should. The department need to provide all schools with hand santizing stations for each classroom and additional funding for more frequent cleaning.

Any immunocompromised students or teachers are in the exact same position as they were before COVID. Anyone in that position will need to maintain whatever precautions they were adhering to before this.

One thing is certain, part-time education will lead to partly educated children.

Actually they are not. They are in a worse position. Illnesses such as asthma, ulercerative colitis, Lupus, Psorasis, Crohns to mention a few, were managable prior to Covid19, but depending on the drugs that the person with those illnesses are on, they are now immunocompromised and in a difficut position.

ldy4mxonucwsq6

jimmytwotimes 2013 wrote: »

If schools are the only workplace in Ireland not to observe social distancing then they'd have reason to strike.

Gardai, nurses, doctors, surgeons, hairdressers, barbers, paramedics, physiotherapists, beauticians, creche workers, people who use public transport, restaurant staff, dentists, healthcare workers, prison officers, firefighters, hospital staff, opticians, some construction roles, flight attendants, driving instructors, childminders.

Just off the top of my head there's a lot of people that won't be adhering to strict social distancing (and have been working away through the pandemic in some cases), I'm sure there's many more.

Schools will certainly not be the only exception, but they will have the benefit of being the last to return to business as usual.

khalessi

Zahir Bitter Cellist wrote: »

Gardai, nurses, doctors, surgeons, hairdressers, barbers, paramedics, physiotherapists, beauticians, creche workers, people who use public transport, restaurant staff, dentists, healthcare workers, prison officers, firefighters, hospital staff, opticians, some construction roles, flight attendants, driving instructors, childminders.

Just off the top of my head there's a lot of people that won't be adhering to strict social distancing, I'm sure there's many more.

Schools will certainly not be the only exception, but they will have the benefit of being the last to return to business as usual.

MOst of those are adhering to social distancing or having to implement the use of PPE.

jazz_jazz

I've said this on another thread but I'll say it here also.

I am a teacher and since yesterday I have spoken to a number of teachers (primary and secondary) and all of them were delighted to be returning as normal in September.

Just because the unions have come out saying that they are not happy about it does not mean that that came from the teachers.

The majority of us seem to be more than happy to be going back fully in September.

ldy4mxonucwsq6

khalessi wrote: »

MOst of those are adhering to social distancing or having to implement the use of PPE.

No most of them are not or will not be social distancing, they can't due to the requirements of their job its just not possible.

Gardai don't wear PPE either with the exception of being allowed to use spit hoods and I don't see their union making too much of a fuss really.

Teachers can wear PPE if it makes them feel better but they certainly won't be the only profession that's exempt from social distancing.

downthemiddle

Zahir Bitter Cellist wrote: »

Schools will certainly not be the only exception, but they will have the benefit of being the last to return to business as usual.

Could you explain this comment please. I didn't realise you were around for the last pandemic. Your experience could prove invaluable.

ldy4mxonucwsq6

downthemiddle wrote: »

Could you explain this comment please. I didn't realise you were around for the last pandemic. Your experience could prove invaluable.

Sorry was it not clear?

All phases in the road map will be completed and most restrictions lifted before the schools are opened back up again.

Therefore they will be the last to reopen, of course with the exception of 'large gatherings'.

downthemiddle

Zahir Bitter Cellist wrote: »

Sorry was it not clear?

All phases in the road map will be completed and most restrictions lifted before the schools are opened back up again.

Therefore they will be the last to reopen, of course with the exception of 'large gatherings'.

It was the "as usual" element that I was commenting on but you already knew that.

ldy4mxonucwsq6

downthemiddle wrote: »

It was the "as usual" element that I was commenting on but you already knew that.

It's a pretty commonly used phrase.

Business as usual: an ongoing and unchanging state of affairs despite difficulties or disturbances.

Murple

Any teacher I know dreads the thought of remote teaching and learning continuing in the new school year.
Any teacher I know would not look forward to having a different group of children each day and having to basically teach the same day of lessons 5 times or even have to teach 2 and a half days and then do the same stuff all over again for the next 2 and a half days as well as keep up with remote learning for the rest of the class.
Any teacher I know would love nothing more to just start the new school year as normal without worry or stress.
However I find it very hard to understand how social distancing will no longer be needed in schools but will be required elsewhere. I find it hard to understand how Leo Varadkar can say they will 'come up with a solution that allows all kids to return to school at the end of August, early September as originally indicated' and work on 'bespoke solutions'. It's pure sound bite nonsense.
I do think a lot of parents will have to get to grips with the idea that it won't be business as usual in schools if social distancing is still required in wider society. There will be changes even if all children are back at the same time come August/ September. We may get to days where teachers are absent and classes have to be sent home if no sub can be found. Parents will have to get used to keeping a child at home when they have colds and coughs and temperatures. Parents will also have to get used to not having any access to the school building and possibly the yard and strictly appointment only visits. I would imagine things like excursions, plays and concerts won't happen either.

Van.Bosch

jimmytwotimes 2013 wrote: »

If schools are the only workplace in Ireland not to observe social distancing then they'd have reason to strike.

Doctors, nurses, guards, fire fighters, air hostesses - hardly the only one?

wirelessdude01

Murple wrote: »

Parents will also have to get used to not having any access to the school building and possibly the yard and strictly appointment only visits. I would imagine things like excursions, plays and concerts won't happen either.

Allianz will dictate this.

khalessi

Van.Bosch wrote: »

Doctors, nurses, guards, fire fighters, air hostesses - hardly the only one?

Doctors nurses guards if they choose and firefighters have been using PPE