How will schools be able to go back in September? (Continued)

https://twitter.com/RTEOne/status/1293251642234679296?s=20

https://amp.independent.ie/irish-news/i-can-guarantee-were-going-to-see-covid-19-clusters-in-schools-tanaiste-39442662.html

"It's almost inevitable that if schools open that there will be clusters in some schools, does that mean that that school did something wrong or the principal is somehow negligent? Probably not."

That's sealed it in our house, the small fella is staying home from school for the first month anyway.

My daughters secondary school sent an e-mail today outlining the new rules etc.

They will provide visors for all children or they can wear there own masks as cant keep 2m apart.
Must stay in there classes for lunch except senior students can leave the school, (which isnt easy for 7 hours a day in the one room).
No access to the dining area.
Lockers only for 6th years.
Books must be kept under there desks.
Single desks and chairs for everyone.
Students will need to sanitize there chairs and tables every few hours.
Also hands need to be sanitized every few hours.
All students will be in for the usual school hours from Monday the 7th of September all arriving at the same time and finishing at the same time.
No after school activities, except sports.

abacus120 wrote: »

My daughters secondary school sent an e-mail today outlining the new rules etc.

They will provide visors for all children or they can wear there own masks as cant keep 2m apart.
Must stay in there classes for lunch except senior students can leave the school, (which isnt easy for 7 hours a day in the one room).
No access to the dining area.
Lockers only for 6th years.
Books must be kept under there desks.
Single desks and chairs for everyone.
Students will need to sanitize there chairs and tables every few hours.
Also hands need to be sanitized every few hours.
All students will be in for the usual school hours from Monday the 7th of September all arriving at the same time and finishing at the same time.
No after school activities, except sports.

They will surely move rooms for options and possibly maths/Irish/science?

Getting worried now. I have a child in the high risk category so I'm petrified that the child will get it. Doesn't help when the mother insists of sending the child back on day 1, while I'm off the "wait and see" approach to sending the child back to school. What can I do? No constructive talking with the mother unfortunately.

Just got sent photos of classrooms set out using dept guidelines.

Children are not a metre from each other, some nearly have backs touching each other.

Absolute farce!!

ginoginelli wrote: »

Great. While visors are being found to be ineffective and barred in other countries, we are using them instead of masks here.

I know,was surprised at that,my daughter is happy to wear a mask so im happy with that.

Lyle wrote: »

https://twitter.com/RTEOne/status/1293251642234679296?s=20

https://amp.independent.ie/irish-news/i-can-guarantee-were-going-to-see-covid-19-clusters-in-schools-tanaiste-39442662.html



That's sealed it in our house, the small fella is staying home from school for the first month anyway.

Surely it didn't take Leo to say this for you to make that decision?

It's blatantly obvious that infections and clusters are going to occur in schools. It's a building with 500-1000 people in it, all interacting, going home to different houses, social distancing practically abandoned, hygiene terrible to begin with.

You don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure this out. And I'm not being smart here at all.

Edit: Perhaps your talking about primary. I think primary will be largely unscathed bar a few outbreaks tbh. Secondary is going to be the real issue.

khalessi wrote: »

Just got sent photos of classrooms set out using dept guidelines.

Children are not a metre from each other, some nearly have backs touching each other.

Absolute farce!!

Who decided the layout? Teacher, management, Covid aide?

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

Who decided the layout? Teacher, management, Covid aide?

Combination of all of those

I know the plans are a farce but seeing the reality is something else altogether

Redordeadqwwer wrote: »

Surely it didn't take Leo to say this for you to make that decision?

It's blatantly obvious that infections and clusters are going to occur in schools. It's a building with 500-1000 people in it, all interacting, going home to different houses, social distancing practically abandoned, hygiene terrible to begin with.

You don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure this out. And I'm not being smart here at all.

Edit: Perhaps your talking about primary. I think primary will be largely unscathed bar a few outbreaks tbh. Secondary is going to be the real issue.

He's primary, yeah. We were already leaning fairly heavily towards keeping him home because I'm out of work and my OH is a teacher so she's been prepping work and I'll do it with him. We figured since the guidelines that we would wait and see what happened with a few variables so as not to be rash. We were waiting for what happens in Scotland, or to hear the specifics of his school's plan or any changes to the Department plan. We found out yesterday the school plan is due to be finalised two days before he'd be going back, and the Department don't look like they're going to change anything at primary level if Leo's statement rings true around government, they just don't care. We really wanted him to go in but he's gonna have to make do with me for a teacher again. God love him.

abacus120 wrote: »

My daughters secondary school sent an e-mail today outlining the new rules etc.

They will provide visors for all children or they can wear there own masks as cant keep 2m apart.
Must stay in there classes for lunch except senior students can leave the school, (which isnt easy for 7 hours a day in the one room).
No access to the dining area.
Lockers only for 6th years.
Books must be kept under there desks.
Single desks and chairs for everyone.
Students will need to sanitize there chairs and tables every few hours.
Also hands need to be sanitized every few hours.
All students will be in for the usual school hours from Monday the 7th of September all arriving at the same time and finishing at the same time.
No after school activities, except sports.

That sounds horrible and really badly thought out.

I woukd question the schools on a number of issues there if I was a parent.

Why are they using visors which have been proven to be useless?

How will the studnets be supervised during breaks, and between classes? (Will there be an adult in the room at all times?)

What about the students mental health? I would crack up stuck in a room all day like that. Can they not arrange to move classes and sanitise their desks in between so that students get to stretch their legs and take a break.

abacus120 wrote: »

I hate the thought of the kids in one room for the whole day, no fresh air,stuffy air. My daughter can go out for lunch so will be encouraging that. But the younger years must stay put for the whole day.8.30-3.20

I wonder about this practically. I'd often bring the kids, PP school, out for a walk mid class, especially a double. We also do 3 3 hour classes so older classes would often get a sneaky take away coffee and biscuit if the work was going well. Small things that break the monotony and reward the kids for hard work. I wonder will I be allowed a spontaneous walk, if the are SD?

Unfortunately coffee as a reward for my senior kids is obviously out the window.....they were even beginning to appreciate the good stuff

brendanwalsh wrote:

If you are a high risk person on immunosuppressants (teacher or student), what’s the guidance ?

This is a serious concern of mine, this could be a disaster

khalessi wrote: »

Just got sent photos of classrooms set out using dept guidelines.

Children are not a metre from each other, some nearly have backs touching each other.

Absolute farce!!

We got the same, kids sitting at double desks together

Will be 30 students in the same class

By not arranging a proper plan, the Dept has made it almost inevitable that schools are going to close again soon

Why couldn't they do reduced numbers, would keep schools open for longer. Granted, work would probably progress at a slower pace but that's better than clusters and more closures