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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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boggerman1

khalessi wrote: »

Love this attitude. That unionsteachers looking to ensure safety of their workforce will be solved by money, despite fact youre wrong.

Thank you for your enlightening post, it was thoroughly enjoying.

It is interesting you dont think the same of nurses or any other job that asks for health and safety.

We all know the teacher unions will look for more money.bet though once the school yr is up and going a lot of teachers won’t have any problems giving grinds.life has to get back to normal and what happens if the miracle vaccine is never got.stay hidden away forever and destroy the futures of generations of children.

khalessi

boggerman1 wrote: »

We all know the teacher unions will look for more money.bet though once the school yr is up and going a lot of teachers won’t have any problems giving grinds.life has to get back to normal and what happens if the miracle vaccine is never got.stay hidden away forever and destroy the futures of generations of children.

Stop trolling if you have nothing useful to say just go away.
Thank you for your input.

brookers

boggerman1 wrote: »

We all know the teacher unions will look for more money.bet though once the school yr is up and going a lot of teachers won’t have any problems giving grinds.life has to get back to normal and what happens if the miracle vaccine is never got.stay hidden away forever and destroy the futures of generations of children.

You know what though, my kids really relaxed when off, they are in a very bright class and feel really anxious going into school, particularly over maths etc, they really enjoyed the time off and I dont see any of their friends suffering. I dont think their futures are being destroyed. If anything i feel great things will happen in their lifetime, this is just a few months in a long life hopefully. BTW I missed loads of school in primary, did no homework as my mother was too busy and my father was out all day. It is not a teachers fault if working parents have no place to put their children when working or that unfortunately there are parents out there who dont give a flying hoot about their kids and their welfare.

ldy4mxonucwsq6

Van.Bosch wrote: »

My read of that is up to and including second class there is no restrictions and all students can go back full time from September. Am I reading it right?

Yes looks that way, although there is emphasis on keeping the class 'group' together where practicable across all ages so maybe the pod approach for younger kids anyway.

There's a lot to take in from what's been published, it will definitely be a challenge for schools.

I have no idea what it will mean practically, will there be school for half the class for half of the week, maybe 2 days of school per week?

In that case I may throw in the towel on my day job and become a childminder or home school teacher

at least there would be a demand for it.

Six months of juggling shifts by September is enough for me and I'd say even the most flexible employer has their limit. Most are back working already and certainly will be by September.

It is interim guidelines so again subject to change but there's lots in it right down to the type of soap and hand sanitiser/cleaning materials to use.

[Deleted User]

I know of a teacher with 34 in the class next September. Said that on a normal year that they would struggle to fit that many into the classroom.
They recently fitted out the classroom for social distancing to see what it could hold.
At 2m they could have 10 in the class
At 1m that rose to 16

I'm sure that their class is not unique to this situation of overcrowded classes.

Don't know how they will manage come September

Hubertj

Read some of the statements from teachers unions this evening. Very disappointing they have taken such an adversarial position although not surprised based on the track record of some of them. Guidance has been issued based on public health advise and somewhat unqualified union representative doubts it. I hope teachers are smart enough to see this for what it is.

khalessi

Hubertj wrote: »

Read some of the statements from teachers unions this evening. Very disappointing they have taken such an adversarial position although not surprised based on the track record of some of them. Guidance has been issued based on public health advise and somewhat unqualified union representative doubts it. I hope teachers are smart enough to see this for what it is.

It is unions job to look after the health and safety of their workers. Are you sying they are wrong? Hold off union ire for the moment

BonsaiKitten

TheTorment wrote: »

I know of a teacher with 34 in the class next September. Said that on a normal year that they would struggle to fit that many into the classroom.
They recently fitted out the classroom for social distancing to see what it could hold.
At 2m they could have 10 in the class
At 1m that rose to 16

I'm sure that their class is not unique to this situation of overcrowded classes.

Don't know how they will manage come September

Yes, that's a very common situation unfortunately. And that is before you start to factor in things like kids being able to see the board from where they sit or the teacher being able to keep 2m distance!

wirelessdude01

BonsaiKitten wrote: »

Yes, that's a very common situation unfortunately. And that is before you start to factor in things like kids being able to see the board from where they sit or the teacher being able to keep 2m distance!

Or the various mammy's saying that their Johnny can't sit in the same group at Michael or Timmy or having to take family politics into account.

ldy4mxonucwsq6

Hubertj wrote: »

Read some of the statements from teachers unions this evening. Very disappointing they have taken such an adversarial position although not surprised based on the track record of some of them. Guidance has been issued based on public health advise and somewhat unqualified union representative doubts it. I hope teachers are smart enough to see this for what it is.

The guidelines are extremely detailed and appear to be in line with what we've seen so far in terms of precautions. Will be interesting to see what the union demands but they'd do well to read the public appetite for such moves.

As it stands teachers will already be back to work after the final phase of lifting restrictions.

Plenty of people have been working throughout and certainly the wheels of the economy have well and truly started to turn again.

Minority of people now not back to work at this stage, did we see union outcry and strikes in any other sector throughout the lockdown here? Nope can't say that we did, they should listen to their members but should also remember that every single person in the country has had to make adjustments.

khalessi

Zahir Bitter Cellist wrote: »

The guidelines are extremely detailed and appear to be in line with what we've seen so far in terms of precautions. Will be interesting to see what the union demands but they'd do well to read the public appetite for such moves.

As it stands teachers will already be back to work after the final phase of lifting restrictions.

Plenty of people have been working throughout and certainly the wheels of the economy have well and truly started to turn again.

Minority of people now not back to work at this stage, did we see union outcry and strikes in any other sector throughout the lockdown here? Nope can't say that we did, they should listen to their members but should also remember that every single person in the country has had to make adjustments.

No you didnt because ppe and health and safety procedures were followed, in areas that worked through without having to be asked for it but many here and in public are like, oooh teachers moaning.

Like every other wkorforce they, are entitled to follow health and safety protocols, as you well know.

ldy4mxonucwsq6

khalessi wrote: »

No you didnt because ppe and health and safety procedures were followed, in areas that worked through without having to be asked for it but many here and in public are like, oooh teachers moaning.

Like every other wkorforce they, are entitled to follow health and safety protocols, as you well know.

Unions are moaning (any teachers I know want to get back to work ASAP and actually dread the thought of striking) but as usual its to be expected that the unions will take an oppositional stance instead of recognising the situation for what it is and working with the health guidelines.

They need to consider their position carefully though. With everyone well accustomed to home schooling currently, maybe the government will decide that teachers striking is not such a bad idea. It might help recoup some of the cost of the pandemic payments and the damage to the profession will be done.

The HorsesMouth

What is it with this country and putting a list of rules as long as your arm in place regardless of how it might actually work? Just to tick a box! All schools are back in France with no requirement for social distancing..why can't we do the same?
And just as a btw I am a primary school teacher.

Hubertj

khalessi wrote: »

It is unions job to look after the health and safety of their workers. Are you sying they are wrong? Hold off union ire for the moment

What qualifications does some teacher have to question and doubt guidance provided by public health officials? None because he is a teacher, not a doctor, not a scientist but a teacher.

khalessi

Hubertj wrote: »

What qualifications does some teacher have to question and doubt guidance provided by public health officials? None because he is a teacher, not a doctor, not a scientist but a teacher.

He???

Hubertj

khalessi wrote: »

He???

Kieran Christie?

byhookorbycrook

https://abc7ny.com/teacher-deaths-doe-department-of-education-schools/6173896/

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/ons-figures-reveal-65-covid-related-deaths-in-education/

But yeah, the unions shouldn’t be looking to keep their members alive&#55357;&#56900;&#55357;&#56900;

khalessi

I would rather them say, teachers just wear masks and everyone back to school in September

wirelessdude01

khalessi wrote: »

I would rather them say, teachers just wear masks and everyone back to school in September

I would be pretty sure that quite a few boards will issue 'rules' to their teachers not allowing the use of PPE in their school. This will be under the guise of not causing anxiousness to the children.

ldy4mxonucwsq6

Hubertj wrote: »

Kieran Christie?

He's looking for a 'phased' return to school in September. 6 months is apparently not phased enough!

Realistically what is the benefit of a phased return come September if all the guidelines are there with 2 months for them to be digested and preparations made?

There's still talk of blended learning in September with a day here and there in school for kids. To be honest, teachers would be as well to just strike rather than stumble along with the 'blended learning' approach that's been taken for the last few months and I think the government will allow it to happen.

khalessi

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

I would be pretty sure that quite a few boards will issue 'rules' to their teachers not allowing the use of PPE in their school. This will be under the guise of not causing anxiousness to the children.

Possibly but there are friendly masks you can get. I got some nice ones and I put surgical masks inside them so they are safe and non threatening.

or clear masks like this
https://www.theclearmask.com/product

wirelessdude01

khalessi wrote: »

Possibly but there are friendly masks you can get. I got some nice ones and I put surgical masks inside them so they are safe and non threatening.

or clear masks like this
https://www.theclearmask.com/product

Just wait and see it happening. Friendly or funny won't be enough to get around it.

khalessi

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

Just wait and see it happening. Friendly or funny won't be enough to get around it.

COuld be. I know my bom dont mind and we have been told already we can wear them if we wish. Also there was info issued last week saying some teachers will have to wear them.

It changes so quickly that no point worrying about it yet.

BonsaiKitten

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

I would be pretty sure that quite a few boards will issue 'rules' to their teachers not allowing the use of PPE in their school. This will be under the guise of not causing anxiousness to the children.

Oh 100%. Plenty of controlling principals out there who will try to ban staff from wearing masks.

byhookorbycrook

Masks shouldn’t be an issue for children- they should see their parents wearing them in the meantime, after all.

I really, really want to get back to being in the same room as my students , but I will be wearing a mask and a visor .

It would be a very foolish principal/ BOM that would direct staff , be they teachers , SNAs / ancillary staff not to wear a mask .

ldy4mxonucwsq6

byhookorbycrook wrote: »

Masks shouldn’t be an issue for children- they should see their parents wearing them in the meantime, after all.

I really, really want to get back to being in the same room as my students , but I will be wearing a mask and a visor .

It would be a very foolish principal/ BOM that would direct staff , be they teachers , SNAs / ancillary staff not to wear a mask .

Children won't be wearing masks (unless their parents choose to put them on them). Teachers should wear whatever they like and not wait to be told.

wirelessdude01

Zahir Bitter Cellist wrote: »

Children won't be wearing masks (unless their parents choose to put them on them). Teachers should wear whatever they like and not wait to be told.

We may not have a choice in the matter depending on the BoM and/or principal.

thegreengoblin

The HorsesMouth wrote: »

What is it with this country and putting a list of rules as long as your arm in place regardless of how it might actually work? Just to tick a box! All schools are back in France with no requirement for social distancing..why can't we do the same?
And just as a btw I am a primary school teacher.

Assuming things hold steady with the virus, it would be a national scandal if all children are not fully back in school by September. I see people on here talking about how the break has been good for their children, they're not as anxious, they've learned other skills, etc. That's fine up to a point. But kids need to be in school, end of story.

Higgins5473

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

We may not have a choice in the matter depending on the BoM and/or principal.

Don't be ridiculous. A principal and BOM have absolutely no authority over such decisions. Unless a directive comes from the DES through the CMO this is not enforceable no matter what your opinion is on facemasks and how effective they are.

Just as an aside, a principal is a príomhoide, a principal teacher, still a teacher. Nothing more and they are too often under qualified and inept for a position of responsibility like this which is a flaw in the system. A BOM generally consists of lay people who have zero authority on anything other than appointing staff, authorising policy and expenses, so if your principal or BOM make decisions like these be very aware that you have a every right in challenging this.

the corpo

I'm dying for the kids to go back in September, but getting fed up everytime any kind of plan, regardless of how workable/unworkable it might be, is dismissed by the naysayers claiming "sure, all the kids are mixing again on the greens/playgrounds etc., just go back as normal".

They're not all mixing on the green. A good amount are, but plenty more are not. Marley park playground, for one example, would normally be heaving with kids at the moment, and especially as so many families haven't gone away on holidays. But it's just not. There are plenty of kids, sure, but there are plenty more parents keeping their kids home. Same with my estate. I see maybe a group of between 6 and 10 kids hanging out together, but there are a ton more kids living here, who aren't mixing and ignoring social distancing.

Playgrounds etc. are also outdoor environments, we know categorically that indoor congregation is massively more risky, so it's not an argument that really has merit.

We also have much smaller, and not fit for purpose classrooms (our school has neither hot or cold running water in the classrooms) and far larger class sizes than other European countries, so you also just can't lob that argument in either. A similar model of return is just subject to different circumstances, and the solution has to reflect that.

We need to get them back, but it won't be normal. We need *constructive* ideas for how to do it.

Anyway, rant over, what I want to know, with this new idea, is what's the difference between a second class and third class child. My son and his peers will be starting 3rd class this September, and I'm not seeing an explanation as to why the 1m needs to be implemented for them but not for younger. Is it just because they think the younger kids wouldn't have a hope of following it? Or is there a scientific reason? 8 and 9 year olds have a higher change of carrying the virus etc?