How will schools be able to go back in September?

Deeec · 23-07-2020 03:47PM

emmaro wrote: »

Sorry but the number of posts on various social media/actual people I know in other professions bragging about how they've outsmarted the tracker or whatever on their laptop to make it seem like they're still working by automatically moving the mouse etc. is staggering.

But people act like it was only teachers slacking. I can only speak for myself and my colleagues, but we worked much longer hours than when we were not working from home.

I worked in the private sector for years before becoming a secondary school teacher. I prefer teaching and it provides me with much more job satisfaction, but these last few months have made me want to go back to my previous job. I worked much longer than I normally would as I had to plan, create, edit videos for my two subjects and seven different class groups. I was doing Zoom classes during normal school hours, so creating the resources was done usually between 5-11pm. My friends from my old job were doing the exact same thing as in the office, just from home. Nothing changed.

I am so tired of people saying I shouldn't be paid for working from home. No one says this about other professions when all professions have people who are slackers.

We are also crucified for wanting a safe work environment like everyone else is getting (protection screens etc.)

I applaud the amount of work and effort you put in. You obviously are an excellent teacher. I only wish I received the same effort from my childrens school. I didnt suggest that you shouldnt be paid for working from home - you absolutely should. Teachers who work should get paid - teachers who dont work should be on €350. I do support the idea however that those teachers who do not not work ( home or otherwise ) should have their pay reduced to €350.

ldy4mxonucwsq6 · 23-07-2020 03:51PM

Multipass wrote: »

What ruins it are the students (and parents) crying unfair, because they supposedly have no access to the internet, the reality being that their kids couldn’t be bothered.

And they’re the same people who will kill online learning for everyone. You shouldn’t have to hold back the education of the willing because of that kind of carry on. Personal responsibility should come into it (I’m talking about teenagers here, not primary)

So it's the fault of teenagers and their parents? They ruined online learning?

Anyone who's not bothered wouldn't have been bothered even if they were sitting in the classroom.

The exact same thing could also be said about the teachers who thought the occasional email counted as doing their job.

The difference being teachers are adults being paid to do a job whereas teenage slackers will always be teenage slackers until they hopefully mature.

Contrary to what another poster said, kids don't always do what they are told. That includes engaging online with school.

khalessi · 23-07-2020 03:54PM

Zahir Bitter Cellist wrote: »

om.

The exact same thing could also be said about the teachers who thought the occasional email counted as doing their job.

As unsatisfactory as you found that email, the teacher still performed their job so would not be considered for covid payment.

Who is going to say they didn't do their job?

ldy4mxonucwsq6 · 23-07-2020 04:02PM

khalessi wrote: »

As unsatisfactory as you found that email, the teacher still performed their job so would not be considered for covid payment.

Who is going to say they didn't do their job?

It will be a completely different story by the time schools open back up. Teachers aren't going to be 'working' from home indefinitely.

Do you really consider one email a week performing your job? That's embarrassing.

If only online learning had been a success, then maybe it would be considered seriously as a longer term solution.

Do you think parents and students have no recourse if a teacher isn't doing what they are being paid to do?

wirelessdude01 · 23-07-2020 04:12PM

Zahir Bitter Cellist wrote: »

Contrary to what another poster said, kids don't always do what they are told. That includes engaging online with school.

Generally when in the school building kids generally do as they are ask to. My comment was in relation to SD in school.

You love twisting stuff to suit whatever rubbish you are spewing.

Doesn't it get boring?

khalessi · 23-07-2020 04:13PM

Zahir Bitter Cellist wrote: »

It will be a completely different story by the time schools open back up. Teachers aren't going to be 'working' from home indefinitely.

Do you really consider one email a week performing your job? That's embarrassing.

If only online learning had been a success, then maybe it would be considered seriously as a longer term solution.

Do you think parents and students have no recourse if a teacher isn't doing what they are being paid to do?

As you know I was doing 10 hour days minimum, similar to many who post on here. But the point being that teacher will have paperwork to back up the email, which issued was for the weeks planning. I received them from my children's teachers.

Online learning may not have been a success for you but it was was for many other parents who posted on here to say so, so stop declaring it a failure you seem to assume what you say is the only way.

There have been many on here who have called you out on your pontificating for its lack of knowledge and it is amazing that despite being supplied with infromation many times you still continue to rant and rave at teachers although in a somewhat eloquent fashion. One could almost assume that there is a very large chip on your shoulder regarding the teaching profession.

For that school, the teacher did what they were paid to do, issue work in a pandemic and continue to maintain an online presence. If nothing was handed out that would be different but a once a week email indicating work for the week is still work. Whether you were pleased or not the work was issued and how you interacted with it was up to you.

wirelessdude01 · 23-07-2020 04:14PM

Zahir Bitter Cellist wrote: »

Anyone who's not bothered wouldn't have been bothered even if they were sitting in the classroom.

In my experience that isn't true. I was very surprised at some of the parents in my class who told kids not to bother with the school work.

Newbie20 · 23-07-2020 04:26PM

Do you work yourself Fringegirl?

Multipass · 23-07-2020 04:32PM

Zahir Bitter Cellist wrote: »

So it's the fault of teenagers and their parents? They ruined online learning?

Anyone who's not bothered wouldn't have been bothered even if they were sitting in the classroom.

The exact same thing could also be said about the teachers who thought the occasional email counted as doing their job.

The difference being teachers are adults being paid to do a job whereas teenage slackers will always be teenage slackers until they hopefully mature.

Contrary to what another poster said, kids don't always do what they are told. That includes engaging online with school.

The difference being that in a classroom they can’t stop everyone else from progressing, well in theory, depending on the schools discipline policy. Ireland has a unique attitude to the senior years, treating them like babies, and trying to mollycoddle them through the leaving cert. They’d get the shock of their lives in most other countries where they would be assumed to adult enough to work for their own benefit, or else they can leave. It does them no favours.

jlm29 · 23-07-2020 04:38PM

Multipass wrote: »

I agree, some teachers did work hard and kept in touch with their students. And at the same time some students worked really hard and engaged with everything they could. What ruins it are the students (and parents) crying unfair, because they supposedly have no access to the internet, the reality being that their kids couldn’t be bothered. And they’re the same people who will kill online learning for everyone. You shouldn’t have to hold back the education of the willing because of that kind of carry on. Personal responsibility should come into it (I’m talking about teenagers here, not primary)

Some families genuinely do have rubbish internet. They have multiple children, limited devices, and quite possibly one or two adults working from home. Sometimes the line between valid reason and excuse is very fine

mirrorwall14 · 23-07-2020 04:42PM

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

In my experience that isn't true. I was very surprised at some of the parents in my class who told kids not to bother with the school work.

I’d have to agree but I’m aware in many cases it was simply that the parents were completely and utterly swamped themselves. I include my own kids in that, I was sinking in work for school and I ended up emailing my sons teacher and saying thank you so much for the work and the videos and the padlets etc but that I simply couldn’t do it and I would catch up when things were quieter. Which I did. But others simply haven’t been able to

lulublue22 · 23-07-2020 04:58PM

jlm29 wrote: »

Some families genuinely do have rubbish internet. They have multiple children, limited devices, and quite possibly one or two adults working from home. Sometimes the line between valid reason and excuse is very fine

Most definitely - online teaching is not without it’s limitations and teachers too fell into that bracket of wfh with multiple children, limited devices etc

lulublue22 · 23-07-2020 05:02PM

mirrorwall14 wrote: »

I’d have to agree but I’m aware in many cases it was simply that the parents were completely and utterly swamped themselves. I include my own kids in that, I was sinking in work for school and I ended up emailing my sons teacher and saying thank you so much for the work and the videos and the padlets etc but that I simply couldn’t do it and I would catch up when things were quieter. Which I did. But others simply haven’t been able to

I’m with you on that I found it tough going trying to teach online with creating resources correcting work etc and trying to keep two older children engaged. If I’m honest I’d say I was one if those parents that schools were quite surprised at ðŸ˜ but what can you do there are only so many hours in the day.

average_runner · 23-07-2020 05:05PM

Multipass wrote: »

I agree, some teachers did work hard and kept in touch with their students. And at the same time some students worked really hard and engaged with everything they could. What ruins it are the students (and parents) crying unfair, because they supposedly have no access to the internet, the reality being that their kids couldn’t be bothered. And they’re the same people who will kill online learning for everyone. You shouldn’t have to hold back the education of the willing because of that kind of carry on. Personal responsibility should come into it (I’m talking about teenagers here, not primary)

I think you have a blinkered view.

If you have 2 parents working from home it becomes very difficult with young children to add home school on top of that.

Also if parents are on video calls with, add 2 more children to their calls, most broadband won't handle that, even with virgin in Dublin.

So on line learning is a no go for kids under 10. How we get to the schools, that's up to the schools and the government to solve, not the parents

iamwhoiam · 23-07-2020 05:07PM

Very unfair to judge any parents who struggled through this very difficult few months . My own granddaughter is only in senior infants and I had to advice the parents by June not to stress over their inability to always get the work done
They both worked at home with two children and at times were under horrendous pressure .I could only help via Skype to do reading and some Maths and ease the pressure . Also bought CDs and books to read along with and fair play to Julia Donaldson she was a real godsend some days !!

Many parents and puplis struggled for many different reasons and no one should be judged in my opinion .
Equally teachers struggled with IT issues , broadband issue and small children at home . Lets try and see that this was a stressful time for everyone and look forward to better times ahead

wirelessdude01 · 23-07-2020 05:12PM

mirrorwall14 wrote: »

I’d have to agree but I’m aware in many cases it was simply that the parents were completely and utterly swamped themselves. I include my own kids in that, I was sinking in work for school and I ended up emailing my sons teacher and saying thank you so much for the work and the videos and the padlets etc but that I simply couldn’t do it and I would catch up when things were quieter. Which I did. But others simply haven’t been able to

Ohh I totally agree. I very much made things optional and zero pressure on either the kids or parents. Point I'm making is that some parents who I know full well had the time, had the internet, had the resources and equipment made the choice not to bother. Some of these parents would be the very same ones to complain if moving too fast/slow with the curriculum, if their child's learning was being impeded due to for example discipline or other issues impacting on tuition time. Just made for an interesting observation.

mirrorwall14 · 23-07-2020 05:48PM

lulublue22 wrote: »

Most definitely - online teaching is not without it’s limitations and teachers too fell into that bracket of wfh with multiple children, limited devices etc

I have a colleague who used to have to drive to my house to upload her videos. Her internet just wouldn’t upload. 4hrs for under ten mins of footage. And then it often glitched out. So strap two kids in and park outside and hope they stay calm enough to get the uploads done before losing it at being stopped in the car

downthemiddle · 23-07-2020 06:03PM

Deleted User wrote: »

Inevitable, key difference

So in your opinion deaths are inevitable if schools reopen in September. Do you think this is an acceptable price to pay?

downthemiddle · 23-07-2020 06:05PM

Zahir Bitter Cellist wrote: »

We are discussing September.

If the schools remain closed (which they won't) and teachers can't work from home (online learning at this stage should only reserved for local school closures in the event of cases) then yes teachers will find themselves eligible to apply for Covid payment.

If it is not going to happen why do you keep bringing the subject up? Unless you have a certain agenda why are you so obsessive about something that you say won't happen?

iamwhoiam · 23-07-2020 06:16PM

Watching the news and huge money being thrown at business . Not a single word about any money for schools . It is so frustrating .

khalessi · 23-07-2020 06:17PM

iamwhoiam wrote: »

Watching the news and huge money being thrown at business . Not a single word about any money for schools . It is so frustrating .

Was thinking the same, such a lot of talking and no mention of schools

ldy4mxonucwsq6 · 23-07-2020 07:39PM

khalessi wrote: »

Was thinking the same, such a lot of talking and no mention of schools

Announcement is coming tomorrow.

Oh and the uniform rumour is BS, uniforms will be required as per the norm.

Provided the virus rates remain as they are now then green light for schools to reopen end of August. Blended learning is not on the table as an option (except for local closures, which will be rare due to class bubbles).

Schools will not close unless there's a significant cluster.

downthemiddle · 23-07-2020 07:43PM

khalessi wrote: »

Was thinking the same, such a lot of talking and no mention of schools

Double post

khalessi · 23-07-2020 07:44PM

Zahir Bitter Cellist wrote: »

Announcement is coming tomorrow.

Oh and the uniform rumour is BS, uniforms will be required as per the norm.

I never said anything about uniforms but sure thanks for the info.

downthemiddle · 23-07-2020 07:44PM

khalessi wrote: »

Was thinking the same, such a lot of talking and no mention of schools

https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/1491b-additional-capital-funding-for-all-schools/
75 million for schools.

khalessi · 23-07-2020 07:45PM

downthemiddle wrote: »

75 million for schools.

Doesn't seem a lot considering what has to be done but hey ho, we are good at making silk from a pigs ear.

ldy4mxonucwsq6 · 23-07-2020 07:46PM

khalessi wrote: »

I never said anything about uniforms but sure thanks for the info.

Others had asked here including myself, just clarifying for anyone who's interested in the practical things as parents.

mirrorwall14 · 23-07-2020 07:46PM

Zahir Bitter Cellist wrote: »

Announcement is coming tomorrow.

Oh and the uniform rumour is BS, uniforms will be required as per the norm.

Provided the virus rates remain as they are now then green light for schools to reopen end of August. Blended learning is not on the table as an option (except for local closures, which will be rare due to class bubbles).

Schools will not close unless there's a significant cluster.

Source? Open fully without any social distancing??

Boggles · 23-07-2020 07:53PM

mirrorwall14 wrote: »

Source? Open fully without any social distancing??

I've no idea where or what this announcement is unless Leo was talking shít in the "Dáil" today.

"It is essential, provided that the virus stays suppressed, that schools open and that parents have that assurance," he said.

"And that children get back to education and get back to their social and educational development, which is so crucial."

However, Mr Varadkar warned that it will not be business as usual.

He urged people "bear with" the Government over the next couple of days or weeks while a plan for reopening schools is put in place.

Mr Varadkar also said he had "every confidence" that teachers will rise to the challenge and make sure schools are open at the beginning of the new school year.

Boggles · 23-07-2020 07:57PM

khalessi wrote: »

Doesn't seem a lot considering what has to be done but hey ho, we are good at making silk from a pigs ear.

Roughly 9 grand per primary school.

How will schools be able to go back in September?

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