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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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Boggles

Moragle wrote: »

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

Ye don't provide that service for free though, do ye?

lulublue22

[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

Covid payments are for those who have been let go due to covid 19. If teaching staff are put on Covid payments then there will be no teaching at all. Despite what certain posters on here would like you to believe once parents are actually truly in that situation you will see the proverbial ****e hit the fan. Make no mistake about that .

Moragle

Boggles wrote: »

Ye don't provide that service for free though, do ye?

Do GPs who were provided with ppe for free even though they were for the vast vast majority of patients only doing phone consultations? Anyway this is totally off topic, I asked a question about what the teaching unions were doing and was just using my own union as an example

ldy4mxonucwsq6

lulublue22 wrote: »

Covid payments are for those who have been let go due to covid 19.

Not exclusively, they are also amongst other things for people who weren't allowed to go to work because their workplace was/is closed etc do you really think over a million people were actually let go from their jobs?

Some teachers have proven that they can't work from home in any meaningful way so if their workplace is closed then maybe they should be on covid payment.

The teachers who didn't do a tap have probably ruined any chance of online learning even being entertained.

Icyseanfitz

I wonder what they will do with us SNAs in post primary, I imagine as usual we will be an afterthought. But our normal day to day work will be extremely hard to do if we can't work in proximity to our students.

Boggles

Moragle wrote: »

Do GPs who were provided with ppe for free even though they were for the vast vast majority of patients only doing phone consultations? Anyway this is totally off topic, I asked a question about what the teaching unions were doing and was just using my own union as an example

Big difference between handing out a prescription and having to physically examine someone.

But yes, ye should certainly get PPE during flu season.

Maybe buy it at cost yourselves since ye supply it and charge it back to the department.

Either way pharmacies are not schools.

wirelessdude01

Zahir Bitter Cellist wrote: »

Not exclusively, they are also amongst other things for people who weren't allowed to go to work because their workplace was/is closed etc do you really think over a million people were actually let go from their jobs?

Some teachers have proven that they can't work from home in any meaningful way so if their workplace is closed then maybe they should be on covid payment.

The teachers who didn't do a tap have probably ruined any chance of online learning even being entertained.

Tell us how you determine this? Is it determined by a public vote on the parents WhatsApp group?

[Deleted User]

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

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?

Online wont work for under 10's.

ldy4mxonucwsq6

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

Tell us how you determine this? Is it determined by a public vote on the parents WhatsApp group?

You think parents don't or shouldn't have a voice?

I'm not to blame for some members of the teaching profession letting the side down.

wirelessdude01

Zahir Bitter Cellist wrote: »

You think parents don't or shouldn't have a voice?

I'm not to blame for some members of the teaching profession letting the side down.

In determining whether a teacher gets the bullet, hell NO.

Lillyfae

Moragle wrote: »

Do GPs who were provided with ppe for free even though they were for the vast vast majority of patients only doing phone consultations? Anyway this is totally off topic, I asked a question about what the teaching unions were doing and was just using my own union as an example

GP would have been the first point of contact for many Covid-19 infected patients.

lulublue22

Good job I kept meticulous records of all work covered including learning objectives resources used and learning outcomes which was forwarded weekly to the BOM. That along with copies of all work children submitted - corrected and dated and a record of every parental communication and a list of all cp hours completed and staff meetings should guarantee that I’ll be ok to continue on with online learning. Whew !
It’s amazing the amount of people who believe that teaching consists if only face to face time with students.

wirelessdude01

lulublue22 wrote: »

Good job I kept meticulous records of all work covered including learning objectives resources used and learning outcomes which was forwarded weekly to the BOM. That along with copies of all work children submitted - corrected and dated and a record of every parental communication and a list of all cp hours completed and staff meetings should guarantee that I’ll be ok to continue on with online learning. Whew !
It’s amazing the amount of people who believe that teaching consists if only face to face time with students.

We also had to submit a record of interaction or lack thereof for each student/parent. My principal had a chuckle at some who didn't really engage as a few of them would be very vocal on some things.

mirrorwall14

Picked up the next size of school trousers for my man this morning in Tesco then put them back down. The rumours of change of clothes every day putting paid to uniforms made me pause. I’ll wait

ldy4mxonucwsq6

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

In determining whether a teacher gets the bullet, hell NO.

Bless your imagination.

Who said anything about teachers being fired because I certainly didn't?

Parents will have a voice in determining whether online learning is going to be a viable contingency.

Covid payment doesn't equal losing your job, it just means that due to covid you can't attend your workplace have no option to work from home.

Parents voices will be very clear on the online learning alternative.

mirrorwall14

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

We also had to submit a record of interaction or lack thereof for each student/parent. My principal had a chuckle at some who didn't really engage as a few of them would be the very vocal on some things.

We had to year book students on a continuous basis for students not engaging. Work records remain on google classroom and corrections plus records of all attempted contact made with students

lulublue22

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

We also had to submit a record of interaction or lack thereof for each student/parent. My principal had a chuckle at some who didn't really engage as a few of them would be very vocal on some things.

We had to log all parental interaction as well. TBH I’ve no qualms I can stand over everything I did. BOM got a weekly report in our school from every teacher think it was a great decision to do so. There isn’t an inspector or parent in the country that could question our response to online teaching and learning.

ldy4mxonucwsq6

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

We also had to submit a record of interaction or lack thereof for each student/parent. My principal had a chuckle at some who didn't really engage as a few of them would be very vocal on some things.

Oh dear, the parents will be getting a bad summer report :rolleyes: maybe their wages might be docked at their annual review for not performing to standard

wirelessdude01

Zahir Bitter Cellist wrote: »

Bless your imagination.

Who said anything about teachers being fired because I certainly didn't?

Parents will have a voice in determining whether online learning is going to be a viable contingency.

Covid payment doesn't equal losing your job, it just means that due to covid you can't attend your workplace have no option to work from home.

Parents voices will be very clear on the online learning alternative.

No they won't, same as the teachers voice won't have much if any weight either. Circumstances will dictate what happens.

For what it's worth I hated the whole not being in the building with my class thing but I just had to get on with it. Given a choice I'd be back but guess what? I don't and won't have a choice or say in the matter. I'll get told. Same as parents I guess except parents have the choice whether to engage if it is online.

Icantthinkof1

For the teachers on here; what would you like to see happen in your school in order to ensure a safe (as reasonably possible) return to work in September?

wirelessdude01

Zahir Bitter Cellist wrote: »

Oh dear, the parents will be getting a bad summer report :rolleyes: maybe their wages might be docked at their annual review for not performing to standard

Ohh so edgy.

lulublue22

mirrorwall14 wrote: »

Picked up the next size of school trousers for my man this morning in Tesco then put them back down. The rumours of change of clothes every day putting paid to uniforms made me pause. I’ll wait

As a parent that daily change of clothes idea has my head wrecked. There will be 3 of us changing daily. For parents I reckon uncrested tracksuits picked up cheaply in Dunnes should do. Couple of pairs easy to wash and dry. Less stress on parents as possible. For myself I’m thinking of easy wash leggings and a warm top for next year.

wirelessdude01

How has the whole no uniform thing become gospel?

lulublue22

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

How has the whole no uniform thing become gospel?

I think it was mentioned and now has grown legs.

Murple

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.

You are likely in an area served by DEIS schools if you are in Dublin and surrounded by schools where the largest clsss size in any of them is 24. The additional teachers that are in your child's class from time to time are likely SET who are probably in the room for an hour a day or less and with other classes, groups or working 1:1 the rest of the day. DEIS schools have a higher quota of SET as well.
One fifth of children are in classes of 30 or more. 6 classes have more than 40 pupils including 2 in Galway and one in Donegal with 42 pupils.
The school with the highest average class size is in Glasnevin in Dublin with 31.9 pupils across 8 classrooms.
25% of pupils in Dun Laoghaire Rathdown area are in classes of 30+.
In Wicklow- 20.3%. Kildare- 19.1%. Westmeath- 23.5%.
Note these are percentages for classes above 30 pupils. It doesn't include those with 29 or 28 pupils.
I work in a city suburb- definitely not rural. Any of the schools within a 5 minute drive has classes of 28-32 with the exception of a DEIS school which has 20-24 per class and a COI school which has split classes with each teacher teaching 2 class levels so roughly 24-26 per classroom.

wirelessdude01

lulublue22 wrote: »

I think it was mentioned and now has grown legs.

By whom? Haven't seen it mentioned anywhere except on here. None of my teacher friends have heard it. Asked in our staff WhatsApp and principal hadn't heard about it either.

grind gremlin

Icantthinkof1 wrote: »

For the teachers on here; what would you like to see happen in your school in order to ensure a safe (as reasonably possible) return to work in September?

I would like a Perspex screen for my desk.
I would like assurances that testing will be provided promptly if there is a suspected case.
I would like hot water for my class to wash their hands. I would like disposable wipes for them to dry their hands and a safe place that it can be disposed of.
I would like additional cleaning staff / hours as I cannot supervise a class and check / clean toilets.

Honestly I do not think that it is safe to open classrooms fully in September. I think the safest and most logical option is for a 50/50 attendance plan with half the students in at a time.... either alternate weeks or split weeks.
This would serve 2 functions. We are much more likely to be successful in our attempts at social distancing if our class sizes are reduced. We have classes in our school with 32 students. Smaller groups can complete work at a faster pace with more individual attention. Gaps in learning that have emerged can be closed more quickly. This would hopefully be a temporary measure but the chances are that cases will vastly increase as we approach the winter months.....
I worry for the quality of teaching in September if we are constantly trying to stop 30 kids from physically interacting with each other and sharing items and resources.
New topics can be covered on the days children attend, these can be revisited at home on the home learning days. So many children in the country have little to no internet so online learning is a non runner in that instance. This could negate that issue.
These are only a few suggestions and are only relevant to my own classroom experience....

Lillyfae

https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/grants-supports-and-incentives-whats-in-the-july-stimulus-plan-1012081.html

Seems funding can be applied for under an existing scheme:

All schools will be allowed to apply for funding under the minor works scheme, which will allow work to be done to improve bathroom facilities and alter classrooms to improve hygiene and social distancing.

lulublue22

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

By whom? Haven't seen it mentioned anywhere except on here. None of my teacher friends have heard it. Asked in our staff WhatsApp and principal hadn't heard about it either.

Don’t know to be honest.

lulublue22

Lillyfae wrote: »

https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/grants-supports-and-incentives-whats-in-the-july-stimulus-plan-1012081.html

Seems funding can be applied for under an existing scheme:

I’m a bit on the fence- good news that funding available. Questions - will schools have to jump through the usual hoops to apply. How long before it’s processed and will the 3 tender rule be wavered ? Also some amount of work in a relatively short period of time.