Zahir Bitter Cellist wrote: » The poster I replied to implied that the surge was caused by the schools abandoning mask wearing and that we would see the same here if kids didn't wear them. I was pointing out, in the case that they mentioned, it was actually due to teachers infecting students across multiple classes. I don't think there was any one factor involved but it probably wasn't just due to the fact that masks weren't being worn. Masks can actually cause more trouble if they aren't used correctly, I think weighing it up their benefits would be questionable in a school setting.
[Deleted User] wrote: » We have proof that masks don’t work. We flattened the curve and kept it flat for a couple of months without masks. Nobody was wearing them in supermarkets or anywhere and we weren’t all catching Covid. In fact, since more started wearing masks, the numbers have began increasing. Very possibly due to incorrect mask usage and constant fidgeting at your face while wearing it. I know a lot of people that hate wearing the mask so much that they just won’t go to places were masks are required. The stats in Ireland show that kids won’t die of Covid anyways. Waste of time making their lives miserable with masks.
PhilOssophy wrote: » Point might have been made already but if everybody is wearing masks and hand sanitisers etc are properly installed, rooms ventilated etc I don't see how this can spread in the class room. If there is a confirmed case, the whole school gets tested. That could surely be done easily enough? I'm not buying the "its not safe" argument any more. If students don't want to go back there should be an online option, if teachers don't want to go back they can be substituted and there is a Covid payment available to them like everybody else.
Benimar wrote: » Minister Norma Foley 'It is not envisaged that masks will be worn' I don't think its unreasonable for teachers to be concerned that students won't be keeping social distance, nor wearing masks. If it was me, I'd be concerned!
xhomelezz wrote: » The problem is amount of the kids in the classroom. If you put too many of them in, none of the measures will work at the end. None of the measures is bulletproof, so you have to apply about all of them together, yet social distancing is all forgotten.
PhilOssophy wrote: » Then use the school halls, use the local GAA club, halve the classes, get substitute/retired teachers to help out. It can be done!
iamwhoiam wrote: » One of the problems now is the lack of strong leadership . In the beginning and up till very lately we sat down at 6 and watched the News . We hung on the R rate , the figures and the calm but authoritative voice of Tony We waited to hear what Leo and Simon had to say , we listen and we agreed . We did as told , we stayed in , we scrubbed our hand if we so much as walked around the block . We had trust in them , we were led by them and we stayed within our guidelines Now many are not listening , grown tired of the News and the R and the figures We are not shocked into being careful , we are not stunned with deaths and ICU figures Therin lies the problem , if the community was careful and spread contained the schools could open more safely Then if Covid is not in the community the schools will be far safer We have no real , strong , insistent leadership telling us that message and ensuring we get that message If we want the schools open the community has to be far more intolerant of any breaches of the guidelines .
PhilOssophy wrote: » Point might have been made already but if everybody is wearing masks and hand sanitisers etc are properly installed, rooms ventilated etc I don't see how this can spread in the class room.Agreed, if all of that was implemented that would be great, but a lot of classrooms are not ventilated properly some windows don't open properly due to H&S and that is before you mention prefabs. If there is a confirmed case, the whole school gets tested. That could surely be done easily enough? I'm not buying the "its not safe" argument any more.I read an article during the week in The Independent where it was called for that testing for schools and teachers should be prioritised when schools reopen to ensure quick turn and minimal time out and minimal disruption to teaching, but it has not been implemented yet. It would be a great idea. If students don't want to go back there should be an online option, if teachers don't want to go back they can be substituted and there is a Covid payment available to them like everybody else.
PhilOssophy wrote: » They should be. Fully agree. Makes no sense. Another thought, what happened in the likes of Denmark where schools are back ages? I didn't hear anything about them all closing? Surely there are learnings from what they did?
Smacruairi wrote: » Has already been discussed 50 pages back. You often have 6 schools all looking to use the same parish halls or gaa clubs. They are very reluctant to rent out to schools for insurance reasons, and the cost is huge. The govt won't pay for renting, it comes from school funding,which is already stretched tight. Retired teachers are in the high risk category, not a hope they are coming back. But also if you are splitting classes, who is paying them? The govt has said it will fund one extra teacher per school.in a post primary with 24 classes that is just hilarious levels of non funding. Also where do you send those 24 classes? What happens to the kids who voluntarily opt out. You said you wanted a remote option. Who provides it? The teacher who has already spent 9-5 in the class with the ones who showed up? There are always simple populist solutions thrown out. Teachers have thrown out our own nuanced solutions which have been totally ignored such as reduction in class sizes and contact time, developing online centralised platforms, diff curricula etc. The fact that the plan is "everyone back to normal" should indicate to you that the DES needdd to do more. Think this is the 5th time I've had to hand hold someone through critical thinking.
khalessi wrote: » some kids even had classes in football stadiums and graveyards.
PhilOssophy wrote: » No need for the patronising teacher attitude..... If the first point you make is insurance and renting, that would seem a very easy thing to overcome. If there is a will there is a way, hotels have meeting rooms etc which aren't being used at the moment? Its easy to point to problems if you want to. Maybe the remote option is provided by some teachers who are afraid to go back to the classroom? A proper online portal - fully agree, but not the hour or two which many provided from Feb this year....
Alrigghtythen wrote: » Is that a primary or a secondary school the teacher have class contact in from 9-5? A secondary school teacher has 22 teaching contact hours a week, less if they have exam years. 22/5 is 4 and a quarter hours contact time a day
alroley wrote: » No.
am_zarathustra wrote: » There are no teachers, substitute or otherwise, there will be less in October when a raft of them retire. This has been repeatedly pointed out. Retired teachers won't come back and PMEs are already subbing full time in urban areas. Again, no extra teachers. There are also not enough school halls to go around. I haven't a clue what this is about. Exam year teachers getting less time? Literally made up. A lot of teachers teach over the time too, I haven't taught to my allocated time in many years.
Alrigghtythen wrote: » Yeshttps://www.tui.ie/benefits-and-services/new-to-teaching.1678.html#:~:text=A%20CID%20is%20a%20permanent,16%20hours%20in%20year%203. What are the maximum class contact hours for a teacher? A full-time teacher has a weekly maximum class contact time of 21 hours 20 minutes if he/she has any involvement in Junior Cycle. If he/she has no involvement in Junior Cycle, a maximum class contact time of 22 hours applies. As a result of a TUI Directive, any teacher appointed to an Assistant Principal 1 position and who has any involvement in Junior Cycle has a maximum class contact of 17 hours and 20 minutes. If he/she has no involvement in Junior Cycle, a maximum class contact time of 18 hours applies.
am_zarathustra wrote: » Again you are just showing you haven't a clue. This is for the new Junior Cycle reform and it is to account for the time spent in SLARS and subject meetings etc. There is more to it than that but you can look it up if your that interested. It is sweet f all to do with if you are teaching a class sitting a state exam.
Alrigghtythen wrote: » Made up by the tui? Lol
