How will schools be able to go back in September?

History Queen · 23-07-2020 09:56AM

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Lower risk of spread not no spread. If we are not on an elimination path wie have to open up on a risk basis and schools are lower risks. Do we believe there will be no measures in schools? Passing the local Primary schools every evening there are always a couple of cars and a van outside. Maybe works are underway. Maybe proactive schools are taking their own initiative while the unions wait to be told what to do so they can demand a covid allowance

Why are you so obsessed with making the unions the problem?

is_that_so · 23-07-2020 09:57AM

combat14 wrote: »

just seen today that a second building site in Dublin has at least one case of covid 19. workplace has been shut down for deep clean.

reports today that schools wont be automatically shut down if there are covid cases amongst staff and students...

why is there one set of safety rules for building sites and Tds in their 50,000 euro a day 2000 seater convention centre and different rules for the safety of students and teachers? it doesn't make sense?

if it is not safe for TDs to return to the Dail why should schools reopen? looks like distance blended learning is the way to go for now ....

That according to reports is temporary and it's called managing the disease. We have to live with it and find a way to address very small outbreaks without closing it all down. This will need to apply to schools. Opting to shut down a school of 500 for a few cases is a failure of planning.

Lillyfae · 23-07-2020 09:57AM

Deleted User wrote: »

Passing the local Primary schools every evening there are always a couple of cars and a van outside. Maybe works are underway. Maybe proactive schools are taking their own initiative while the unions wait to be told what to do so they can demand a covid allowance

They definitely are, a teacher here a few days ago outlined the measures that their school are taking and some were not happy about the school making preparations because it was "unfair" if other schools were waiting to be told what to do.

ldy4mxonucwsq6 · 23-07-2020 09:59AM

Lillyfae wrote: »

They definitely are, a teacher here a few days ago outlined the measures that their school are taking and some were not happy about the school making preparations because it was "unfair" if other schools were waiting to be told what to do.

Our local schools are the same, loads of activity since last week so at least some of them seem to be taking the initiative.

Think that poster said they worked in a special needs school, they certainly seemed to be doing a lot which is great to hear, gives a bit of hope anyway.

History Queen · 23-07-2020 10:01AM

Zahir Bitter Cellist wrote: »

Our local schools are the same, loads of activity since last week so at least some of them seem to be taking the initiative.

Most schools (that I know of) are doing contingency planning of some sort but nothing largescale can be finalised until Department issue guidelines as most things cost money and the Dept hold the pursestrings.

23-07-2020 10:01AM

combat14 wrote: »

just seen today that a second building site in Dublin has at least one case of covid 19. workplace has been shut down for deep clean.

reports today that schools wont be automatically shut down if there are covid cases amongst staff and students...

why is there one set of safety rules for building sites and Tds in their 50,000 euro a day 2000 seater convention centre and different rules for the safety of students and teachers? it doesn't make sense?

if it is not safe for TDs to return to the Dail why should schools reopen? looks like distance blended learning is the way to go for now ....

If the building site closed down because of one case, they either took a business decision to do so, or were not able to provide adequate information on close contacts.

Boggles · 23-07-2020 10:01AM

Deleted User wrote: »

Lower risk of spread not no spread. If we are not on an elimination path wie have to open up on a risk basis and schools are lower risks. Do we believe there will be no measures in schools? Passing the local Primary schools every evening there are always a couple of cars and a van outside. Maybe works are underway. Maybe proactive schools are taking their own initiative while the unions wait to be told what to do so they can demand a covid allowance

Or maybe not?

Am I doing this right?

Maintenance of schools is not uncommon during summer.

23-07-2020 10:04AM

History Queen wrote: »

Why are you so obsessed with making the unions the problem?

Because the unions appear to be focused on finding problems not solutions

ldy4mxonucwsq6 · 23-07-2020 10:05AM

Boggles wrote: »

Or maybe not?

Am I doing this right?

Maintenance of schools is not uncommon during summer.

Or maybe they are.

It would really come down to the approach that the BOM and principal takes.

Some are good leaders and know that the preparations need to be done regardless so rather than scrambling in a month's time they are actually facing reality.

lulublue22 · 23-07-2020 10:05AM

Lillyfae wrote: »

They definitely are, a teacher here a few days ago outlined the measures that their school are taking and some were not happy about the school making preparations because it was "unfair" if other schools were waiting to be told what to do.

Just to counter balance this we put in a series of measures at the end of June start of July in anticipation of re opening in Sep. We based measures on July provision and HSE guidelines. One way ingress and egress , classes allocated different entrance / exits staggered breaks signs and floor markings etc. We were not the only school in the area to do so. Is there a chance that it will all be for nothing possibly but we did our best to alleviate / mitigate risk and to ensure as easy a reopening for the children in Sep as possible. I would hazard a guess that there are schools / principals and BOM up and down the country that have done the same.

History Queen · 23-07-2020 10:09AM

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Because the unions appear to be focused on finding problems not solutions

Highlighting possible problems before schools open is surely prudent rather than sit on their hands and allow disaster to play out? Would u prefer they pretended all was fine when it clearly isn't?

They sent in submissions for how to reopen schools. The INTO document in particular was quite comprehensive.

khalessi · 23-07-2020 10:11AM

Boggles wrote: »

Or maybe not?

Am I doing this right?

Maintenance of schools is not uncommon during summer.

Summer works scheme happens every summer

Hopefully there will be more going on than the usual repairs

mcsean2163 · 23-07-2020 10:11AM

mirrorwall14 wrote: »

I agree on some of that. But the afterschool ratio for creche is 1:12. Which is completely mental to me considering they are coming from schools with 1 teacher and 30 kids

I agree on your following paragraphs. But would it not need to take longer than 3-4 days? Even if Covid had been passed on they may not be symptomatic yet?

I'm just wondering where the high density schools are located. We're in Dublin and I believe of the three local schools ours has the highest classroom size, 24. There's also two other teachers that work occasionally with our child's class.

Is it possible the high density classes are located in the countryside. Maybe they are located in places with a lower incidence of covid19?

Would be good to know where the a risk schools are located as maybe a plan could be drawn up then including sharing if resources.

Boggles · 23-07-2020 10:12AM

Zahir Bitter Cellist wrote: »

Or maybe they are.

Or maybe it's routine maintenance that can only take place when the school is empty.

You know the sort of common maintenance that goes on every single summer.

23-07-2020 10:15AM

History Queen wrote: »

Highlighting possible problems before schools open is surely prudent rather than sit on their hands and allow disaster to play out? Would u prefer they pretended all was fine when it clearly isn't?

They sent in submissions for how to reopen schools. The INTO document in particular was quite comprehensive.

ASTI and TUI?

History Queen · 23-07-2020 10:19AM

[Deleted User] wrote: »

ASTI and TUI?

Are you asking me what they did/are doing? I highlighted some of this (what I'm aware of anyway,) a couple of posts back. I'm not sure why you are so insistant that unions are a problem here. As it stands the only thing preventing the smoothest possible reopening of schools (in the context of Covid) is clarity from the Department of Education.

wirelessdude01 · 23-07-2020 10:20AM

mcsean2163 wrote: »

I'm just wondering where the high density schools are located. We're in Dublin and I believe of the three local schools ours has the highest classroom size, 24. There's also two other teachers that work occasionally with our child's class.

Is it possible the high density classes are located in the countryside. Maybe they are located in places with a lower incidence of covid19?

Would be good to know where the a risk schools are located as maybe a plan could be drawn up then including sharing if resources.

A DEIS school?

wirelessdude01 · 23-07-2020 10:22AM

[Deleted User] wrote: »

ASTI and TUI?

You'd have to assume they did the same but it was at the height of the LC mess that the unions were asked for submissions.

Unions aren't the purse string holders here so.not quite sure why you have such a hard on for the. Direct your ire towards the department.

ldy4mxonucwsq6 · 23-07-2020 10:39AM

Boggles wrote: »

Or maybe it's routine maintenance that can only take place when the school is empty.

You know the sort of common maintenance that goes on every single summer.

Yeah you're probably right, imagine schools taking the initiative and planning all on their own :eek:

Silly me, I probably overestimated things in my hope to have them ready in 5 weeks time.

History Queen · 23-07-2020 10:41AM

Zahir Bitter Cellist wrote: »

Yeah you're probably right, imagine schools taking the initiative and planning all on their own :eek:

Silly me, I probably overestimated things in my hope to have them ready in 5 weeks time.

As explained numerous times already there's only so much planning they can do, staff provision/funding/education policy etc all comes from the Dept. Schools aren't autonomous so with the best will in the world there is only so far initiative and planning will get them.

wirelessdude01 · 23-07-2020 10:45AM

You'd swear schools are sitting on piles of money that they can be installing this and that under criteria that they are just making up or they are trying to fashion from the information vaccum.

Money is a scarce resource in the vast majority of schools and has to be used wisely.

There is only so much that can be done before the actual guidelines are released.

School summer works is an annual thing. School caretaker taking time to do jobs during the summer that can't safely happen during the school year is also the norm.

Boggles · 23-07-2020 10:45AM

Zahir Bitter Cellist wrote: »

Yeah you're probably right, imagine schools taking the initiative and planning all on their own :eek:

Silly me, I probably overestimated things in my hope to have them ready in 5 weeks time.

Indeed.

But again, public health advice comes from public health officials. This information is given to the Department of Education, it is their job to formulate a plan to reopen schools in accordance with public health advice.

No principal or BOM are in communication directly with NPHET.

What exactly is confusing you at this stage? it has been stated 100s of times.

At this stage it's evident you don't really give a píss about schools or kids, you are just using the thread to have a constant whinge and moan at teachers.

Must be jealousy, or maybe something else?

Either way, it's boring, change the record.

23-07-2020 10:50AM

Boggles wrote: »

Indeed.

But again, public health advice comes from public health officials. This information is given to the Department of Education, it is their job to formulate a plan to reopen schools in accordance with public health advice.

No principal or BOM are in communication directly with NPHET.

What exactly is confusing you at this stage? it has been stated 100s of times.

At this stage it's evident you don't really give a píss about schools or kids, you are just using the thread to have a constant whinge and moan at teachers.

Must be jealousy, or maybe something else?

Either way, it's boring, change the record.

If schools dont go back, the staff will need to switch to covid payments. That's the one thing that's certain

Blondini · 23-07-2020 10:50AM

Zahir Bitter Cellist wrote: »

Yeah you're probably right..

Silly me...

At last!

First step is to acknowledge ones completely comical lack of knowledge on the education system.

For example, I know nothing about your profession ( taxidermy?) so would not have the guilelessness to pontificate on the subject.

Good for you. Good for you.

Boggles · 23-07-2020 10:51AM

Deleted User wrote: »

If schools dont go back, the staff will need to switch to covid payments. That's the one thing that's certain

The schools are going back.

What form that takes should have been decided on months ago.

Right now it is still hopes and aspirations.

History Queen · 23-07-2020 10:51AM

[Deleted User] wrote: »

If schools dont go back, the staff will need to switch to covid payments. That's the one thing that's certain

Baring things getting much much worse I think most people expect schools to be back, just not as normal. Staff will be working so I don't know know why you think they would be on covid payments unless laid off?

wirelessdude01 · 23-07-2020 10:52AM

[Deleted User] wrote: »

If schools dont go back, the staff will need to switch to covid payments. That's the one thing that's certain

Why? We'll just switch back to online/blended. Call it it what you want.

My neighbor works in the CS, they've been told they won't be back in the office until April '21 at the earliest. Should they also be put on the Covid payment?

Blondini · 23-07-2020 10:53AM

Deleted User wrote: »

If schools dont go back, the staff will need to switch to covid payments. That's the one thing that's certain

For certain? Insider knowledge? Tell us more!

23-07-2020 10:54AM

Decent podcast by NYT about how a variety of countries are approaching this problem

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nytimes.com/2020/07/22/podcasts/the-daily/school-reopenings-coronavirus.amp.html

Moragle · 23-07-2020 10:56AM

Lillyfae wrote: »

Agree RE unions having a responsibility to represent their members, but can I ask if you're running a private pharmacy or if you're working out of a hospital? If private, as your own employer and a business owner, why would the government supply your PPE?

Because community pharmacy provides services such as prescriptions and vaccine provision under a hse contract

How will schools be able to go back in September?

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