Spanish Eyes wrote: » Need to look at the experience of countries who actually opened up their schools many weeks ago, and the implications of that. We are weeks behind them. I wonder if DOE has done any analysis on the infection rates arising in European countries who have opened up their schools? I dunno, just musing here.
[Deleted User] wrote: » I am sorry, they should be told to suck it up or make themselves unavailable for work and accept the financial consequences. Nurses and Doctors got on with it, and the education of kids is the next frontline in this, for two reasons - the kids themselves, and to allow parents back to work.
Zahir Bitter Cellist wrote: » Yes I wonder myself if they've actually taken any notice of the benefit we have at looking at countries that have already opened. Are our schools going to be the longest closed in Europe bar Italy?
MickeyLeari wrote: » The WHO are talking this evening about a vaccination not being available until early next year and the need to be careful returning kids to school. https://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/covid-19-don-t-expect-first-vaccinations-until-early-2021-who-s-ryan-says-1.4311045?mode=amp Maybe the answer is to wait until the new Year for schools to reopen. What is 4 more months in the greater scheme of things?
Purple Mountain wrote: » I'm really angry today. The Government and all the debate currently about Green Lists, Red Lists, inward travel, outward travel. The education of our children is 10 times more important than whether we get a sun holiday this year. I wish they'd just put a Do Not Travel order in place for now and focus all their attention on getting the schools sorted. It feels like education is way down the list of priorities at the moment. Mark my words, the schools won't be back in September
Purple Mountain wrote: I'm really angry today. The Government and all the debate currently about Green Lists, Red Lists, inward travel, outward travel. The education of our children is 10 times more important than whether we get a sun holiday this year. I wish they'd just put a Do Not Travel order in place for now and focus all their attention on getting the schools sorted. It feels like education is way down the list of priorities at the moment. Mark my words, the schools won't be back in September
lulublue22 wrote: » It would be interesting to know at what level the WHO considers community transmission under control. In Ireland at the moment community transmission a/c for 32% of cases, 2% is travel and 66% is close contact. In relation to a vaccine a spokesperson for the oxford vaccine said best case scenario would be Christmas but that general public roll out would not begin till the middle of the year. ( vulnerable groups would obviously be prioritised) So realistically if the vaccine was not ready till the new year it would be a number of months till the vaccine is widely available.
BonsaiKitten wrote: » ... the first day of teacher self-certified sick leave does not entitle a school to a sub? Typically you'd handle this by splitting a class up into groups and sending them to different classrooms with work packs. Can't do that next year presumably...so what do you do with them? Put the SET teacher in to cover the class and deprive kids with additional needs of their support? Do you put the principal in (which a teaching principal can't do)? Do you send them home?
History Queen wrote: » I've looked at some of the schools open in Europe. None are open fully/normally/without some sort of extra measures (none that I saw but open to correction). Those that were lax about measures or removed them seem go have had spikes (eg. Israel, although not in Europe has similar classroom profile to Ireland). I read it in a newspaper article, I'll link there if I can find it. I think we'll be open with additional measures as most of Europe seem to have done. Not sure if students will be full time in school. But I'm only speculating. Edit: link to article that gives idea of measures taken by some countrieshttps://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/is-it-safe-to-reopen-schools-other-european-countries-are-finding-out-1.4253645
mcsean2163 wrote: » Child in summer camp today. Indoors. About 30 odd children, no masks on children. Most people don't care that much anymore in reality. However, for both parents and teachers the lack of clarity and a plan is awful. I hope there is some guidance soon as I can understand the concerns of teachers and especially teachers that do not feel in control. Will they be expected to return with no PPE etc.? At least when the plan is known both teachers and parents can prepare. Looking forward to some guidance.,..
MickeyLeari wrote: » Maybe the answer is to wait until the new Year for schools to reopen. What is 4 more months in the greater scheme of things?
Zahir Bitter Cellist wrote: » And just write off basically a year of school? People are at breaking point, children want to go back and working parents will find it increasingly difficult to continue to be flexible. Dole queues grow, countries debt grows, mental health issues in adults and kids are already increasing at a startling rate, children are left behind education wise and god love anyone with a child who has additional needs, they have had no support. Throw another 4 months onto that and things will just start to disintegrate faster and it reduces the possibility of ever returning to normal for some folk. And when the new year comes and goes and things are still the same, sure we can add on another 6 months and see how that goes. No, it's not right that our schools remained closed for almost 6 months and they certainly can't remain closed until next year. We need to do what we can to get on with things while doing our best to minimise transmission, that applies to everything in life right now not just schools.
timmy_mallet wrote: » What does additional measures actually mean? There hasnt been a single suggested solution to the physical distancing problem, created by the public health advice...
wrangler wrote: » I pointed out similar problems and was accused of being a troll, I was told it was only ''working class hero sob stories!'' I fear the problem here is Public Servants ''pulling up the ladder''
ChelseaRentBoy wrote: » I'm in no doubt the schools won't be opening in September and early next year will be very optimistic. If schools are back open in March I'd see that as a huge victory.
History Queen wrote: » Why wouldn't we open in some capacity? I admit I can see it being very different but cannot see any reasoning for not opening at all.
ChelseaRentBoy wrote: » Two words. Teachers unions.
History Queen wrote: » Why would the unions not want schools open?
Dickie10 wrote: » Where will these extra teachers be got for secondary schools if some school split classes for SD? Its near impossible for schools in commuter belt and Dublin to get teachers at ordinary time, will SNAs be quick trained and brought in the supervise classes? are there many if any teachers out there that cant find work during normal school year? i know contracts are tough to get but work seems plentiful. Its just the casualisation of the teaching profession thats the downside.
ChelseaRentBoy wrote: » No union is going to let their members be put in harms way. If you know anything about the teaching unions you'll know this.
