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

Stateofyou · 17-08-2020 04:56PM

teachinggal123 wrote: »

Many teachers have no training in online teaching. Many teachers have no laptop.

You can’t just “go online” and start teaching. Online/blended is an entirely different pedagogical kettle of fish.

Well the US teachers did, as have others. Surely a tutorial and learn/adapt/get comfortable as you go scenario is just fine. Laptops should absolutely be issued or subsidised. (how many teachers would you realistically say have no computer at home? Surely a very small minority these days...)

wirelessdude01 · 17-08-2020 04:57PM

byhookorbycrook wrote: »

No plan for children who are considered very high risk and can't attend school...
The list goes on.

Ohh but there is. A school had to provide for them from their existing staffing resources. In primary this means SET being pulled here, there and everywhere.

teachinggal123 · 17-08-2020 05:02PM

Stateofyou wrote: »

"the problem is confusion about platforms and the technology not the teaching content." --> why is this such a problem for us here?

I would argue (many here would disagree) that you need a platform designed for teaching (eg Blackboard) in in order to teach.

Zoom etc are not CLPs and IMHO cause problems when teaching.

iamwhoiam · 17-08-2020 05:02PM

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

Think you'll find practically every teacher on here were expecting some version of online/blended to form part of the plan when it was announced. Very much a head in the sand approach from the department.

Can I ask and am genuinely curuious . Are teachers absolutely fuming that all this was not sorted out in April , May and June
As a parent I would be furious that all this is being sorted at the last possible minute.
Blended , online , classes , and everything in between should have been sorted and in place by now .

Stateofyou · 17-08-2020 05:04PM

teachinggal123 wrote: »

I would argue (many here would disagree) that you need a platform designed for teaching (eg Blackboard) in in order to teach.

Zoom etc are not CLPs and IMHO cause problems when teaching.

Appreciate you taking my 100 questions on

Okay, but so why then has simply picking a platform designed for teaching not happened? Lack of talent to lead, f-ks to give or imagination by those in charge or what?

gnf_ireland · 17-08-2020 05:04PM

teachinggal123 wrote: »

Big picture thinking needed. Some more pain short term but a better long term outcome.

I’ve said this before ...

September - train teachers in online and blended learning. School postponed until beginning October.

October to December - classes start online/blended only.

January - re-evaluate, and hopefully full school reopening. If the sh1t is still hitting the fan, stay online for the rest of the year.

If schools rush back as planned they will be closed within a few weeks.

I am not disagreeing with the theory - but the problem is with the start date. I also said this back last April - shut the schools down then and ensure that there was sufficient focus on getting them up and running for September.

lulublue22 · 17-08-2020 05:06PM

Stateofyou wrote: »

I'll take being told to be an adult, to not sit back and think oh no what will I do, and to have the wherewithal to inform myself when no information is forthcoming is ridiculous.

Ah here, now you're telling me to ask again when you literally just said I already got my answer and you would be happy enough with that. Verbatim you said, "well then...you got your answer... seriously.." "I understand that patents want a bit of clarity but it is the deps late issue of guidelines which is the root cause of the delay."

You do know your actual words are still there, right?

I would be happy with that because it would tell me what I wanted to know . If I wasn’t happy I would ask again until I was. That is what I would do what you would do is up to you. Just because a randomer on the internet expresses an opinion that as an adult ( not be an adult - as you said the words are there in black and white) any parent who is concerned with the back to school guidelines should have the wherewithal to contact the school doesn’t make it set in stone. You are quite entitled to agree or disagree. If you want to go down the snotty condescending route thats totally up to you too.

iamwhoiam · 17-08-2020 05:08PM

gnf_ireland wrote: »

I am not disagreeing with the theory - but the problem is with the start date. I also said this back last April - shut the schools down then and ensure that there was sufficient focus on getting them up and running for September.

On 28th of March a task force should have been organised . A plan in place for every scenario , a good scenario , a bad scenario and one in between . Its absolutely scandalous that this was not called for by Government and the unions didnt lobby for it way way back in April

teachinggal123 · 17-08-2020 05:09PM

Stateofyou wrote: »

Appreciate you taking my 100 questions on

Okay, but so why then has simply picking a platform designed for teaching not happened? Lack of talent to lead, f-ks to give or imagination by those in charge or what?

It’s baffling.

I’m fuming. Both with my school and the DES.

Teachers on this thread and IRL are saying what will happen and what we need to do our jobs. No one is listening.

wirelessdude01 · 17-08-2020 05:10PM

iamwhoiam wrote: »

Can I ask and am genuinely curuious . Are teachers absolutely fuming that all this was not sorted out in April , May and June
As a parent I would be furious that all this is being sorted at the last possible minute.
Blended , online , classes , and everything in between should have been sorted and in place by now .

I'll answer by asking a question, what do you think we feel?

We are basically going back to what we had when we were kicked out of the school buildings back in mid March. Add in fancy terms for renaming what we already had(pods and bubbles), throw in some one way systems where possible and a not a lot has changed at primary level. Interaction, pair and group work will have to cease or be severely curtailed.

lulublue22 · 17-08-2020 05:11PM

iamwhoiam wrote: »

Can I ask and am genuinely curuious . Are teachers absolutely fuming that all this was not sorted out in April , May and June
As a parent I would be furious that all this is being sorted at the last possible minute.
Blended , online , classes , and everything in between should have been sorted and in place by now .

Yes because I think keeping the schools open will be very tricky. There should have been a phased reopening with a view to a full return all going well and there really needs to be an online plan ( difficult as that is for primary) in case we have no choice but to close. NCCA were talking about changes to the curriculum - still no word on that and we are back in two weeks.

ETA I think the gov went with the optics of a full return rather than the long view of opening the schools and keeping them open.

iamwhoiam · 17-08-2020 05:11PM

teachinggal123 wrote: »

It’s baffling.

I’m fuming. Both with my school and the DES.

Teachers on this thread and IRL are saying what will happen and what we need to do our jobs. No one is listening.

The unions should have mobilsed way sooner and demanded a special task force for a September re opening .

combat14 · 17-08-2020 05:12PM

I wonder will staff even get health and safety training and proper equipment before they go back..

i_surge · 17-08-2020 05:13PM

All concerned parents and teachers need to stand their ground on this now.

iamwhoiam · 17-08-2020 05:13PM

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

I'll answer by asking a question, what do you think we feel?

We are basically going back to what we had when we were kicked out of the school buildings back in mid March. Add in fancy terms for renaming what we already had(pods and bubbles), throw in some one way systems where possible and a not a lot has changed at primary level. Interaction, pair and group work will have to cease or be severely curtailed.

I cant be inspired what you feel which is why I asked . Thanks for the reply

combat14 · 17-08-2020 05:16PM

sounds like more bad news to come today:

Minister for Health warns more deaths likely to follow spike in Covid-19 cases

Nphet meeting on Monday morning to discuss further restrictions

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/minister-for-health-warns-more-deaths-likely-to-follow-spike-in-covid-19-cases-1.4331987?mode=amp

lulublue22 · 17-08-2020 05:23PM

combat14 wrote: »

sounds like more bad news to come today:

Minister for Health warns more deaths likely to follow spike in Covid-19 cases

Nphet meeting on Monday morning to discuss further restrictions

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/minister-for-health-warns-more-deaths-likely-to-follow-spike-in-covid-19-cases-1.4331987?mode=amp

One of my concerns now is that the school reopening will be curtailed with no viable plan B and schools will be scrambling last minute to get some form of online learning up and running.

khalessi · 17-08-2020 05:24PM

iamwhoiam wrote: »

Can I ask and am genuinely curuious . Are teachers absolutely fuming that all this was not sorted out in April , May and June
As a parent I would be furious that all this is being sorted at the last possible minute.
Blended , online , classes , and everything in between should have been sorted and in place by now .

Well It should have been sorted out but we were led to believe from the Dept that a great plan would be unleashed in June, so we got on with online teaching and waited. The big plan turned out to be a lot of talk about bespoke solutions etc. Then the HSE released a document then the Dept released an interim document telling us that they were working with NCCA and other bodies on the curriculum and then we got the document which is horse manure and nothing about what NCCA were doing, maybe that is a later surprise for a crokepark day.

So yup shocked letdown but not surprised and trying to make the best of a bad lot. By Friday week I will know how I feel about the whole thing but looking at the photographs of the classroom layouts in my school, not great. The school have followed the guidelines and classes are laid out according to guidlines. Some kids back to back, others less then a metre a way from each other, but I was told because we are using podsin the layout we dont need to distance. When asked what is the difference between pods and groups I was told pods have 4 kids and groups 6. So I presume that the virus will not spread because it will magically fly over groups of 4 looking for the groups of 6.

As a parent I am not looking forward to send the kids into school but they have to go as I have no minder.

lulublue22 · 17-08-2020 05:26PM

combat14 wrote: »

I wonder will staff even get health and safety training and proper equipment before they go back..

Not sure re equipment but we are due to get training from the dep which is not available yet. Our school has told us they will be in touch as soon as it’s up and running.

dundalkfc10 · 17-08-2020 05:27PM

Will we hear from any of the 3 stooges today? Martin, Leo and Ryan?

khalessi · 17-08-2020 05:29PM

dundalkfc10 wrote: »

Will we hear from any of the 3 stooges today? Martin, Leo and Ryan?

Nah maybe tomorrow, they will just let Ronan rattle off figures

dundalkfc10 · 17-08-2020 05:32PM

khalessi wrote: »

Nah maybe tomorrow, they will just let Ronan rattle off figures

How any parent will ever give their vote to any of the 3 parties every again il never know. My Sons due back next Thurs (1st day in school ever) I know everyone's saying all ok he age group is grand, I know some teachers that age group not going to teach as they will be unsafe.

The Govt dont care, prob give themselves a payrise in 2 weeks as they will call throwing kids back to school and hope for he best a masterplan.

isup · 17-08-2020 05:32PM

screamer wrote: »

Yes it will. Spoke to the crèche this morning and guidance has gone from covid symptoms 14 days out and negative covid test needed to, sure use your common sense some kids will only have a cold or sniffle. Problem is, how do crèche staff know whether they have a cold or covid...... I’ve gone to 0 faith in ability to stop the spread now and will withdraw my kids from ecce.
I don’t think school guidance will be anything different TBH.

I've let out creche know that we won't be taking up ecce this year .

Stateofyou · 17-08-2020 05:34PM

https://www.rte.ie/news/2020/0817/1159611-covid19-coronavirus-schools/

Call for Education Minister to appear before Oireachtas

Speaking on RTÉ's News at One, Labour's spokesperson on education Aodhán Ó Ríordáin said "it is not good enough" that the minister has not been available to further inform parents and students on "crucial matters".

Mr Ó Ríordáin said: "The schools are reopening in a matter of days. We need the Minister for Education to come before the Covid-19 committee to answer questions about the reopening of schools.

"Unfortunately when it comes to issues of childcare or education they seem to be way down the priority list in terms of media comment."

Meanwhile, the increase in the number of coronavirus cases has led to concerns over the planned reopening of schools in two weeks' time.

Primary and secondary schools are currently adapting their buildings, including the installation of hand sanitising facilities and measures to ensure social distancing.

The Government has said the return of children to school at the end of the month remains its primary objective.

Stateofyou · 17-08-2020 05:36PM

"Principal of Scoil Naomh Bríd in Ballyconnell, Co Cavan, Terence Reynolds explained that his school will implement staggered lunch breaks for students and staff, "where half will be on the yard and half of the staff will be in the staff room".

His school used the July provision to get used to new regimes for hand sanitising, to purchase personal protective equipment, and develop new procedures about entering and exiting school.

Cleaning contracts have been extended, he said, and new cleaning regimes are now in place.

He said "a strong line of communication" has allowed regular contact with parents in his school, who have received information and videos about how the school is preparing for the return of pupils."

screamer · 17-08-2020 05:37PM

isup wrote: »

I've let out creche know that we won't be taking up ecce this year .

And I don’t blame you at all. Our crèche is full majority of people are sending their kids back. To each their own, but given the flip flopping on guidance I’d rather keep them home and continue to work from home and take care of them than risk them catching covid. I’ve a high risk older child too

hairyslug · 17-08-2020 05:53PM

Our youngest won't be going back in the near future. While her class size is small (6, special needs class) her underlying health issues would put her in the very high risk category. Our problem is that while my son, also in a small special needs class and eldest daughter (class of 28 pupils) would not be considered high risk, there is the risk of them bringing it home to my daughter and wife (also riddled to put it nicely) yet we are told that this is not considered a risk by the back to school roadmap.

sok2005 · 17-08-2020 05:57PM

I'm extremely uncomfortable sending my children back to primary school in 2 weeks time. I don't have much confidence in the measures being taken currently to ensure further spikes in cases of coronavirus are averted.

I'm wondering if there is a way I can home school them further without worrying about getting in trouble with the Department of Education for missed days?
I have all their books ready for the upcoming year.

Is it possible to hold their place in a school also during this pandemic or will I be forced to remove them completely from the educational system if I don't want them to return right now?

iamwhoiam · 17-08-2020 05:58PM

khalessi wrote: »

Well It should have been sorted out but we were led to believe from the Dept that a great plan would be unleashed in June, so we got on with online teaching and waited. The big plan turned out to be a lot of talk about bespoke solutions etc. Then the HSE released a document then the Dept released an interim document telling us that they were working with NCCA and other bodies on the curriculum and then we got the document which is horse manure and nothing about what NCCA were doing, maybe that is a later surprise for a crokepark day.

So yup shocked letdown but not surprised and trying to make the best of a bad lot. By Friday week I will know how I feel about the whole thing but looking at the photographs of the classroom layouts in my school, not great. The school have followed the guidelines and classes are laid out according to guidlines. Some kids back to back, others less then a metre a way from each other, but I was told because we are using podsin the layout we dont need to distance. When asked what is the difference between pods and groups I was told pods have 4 kids and groups 6. So I presume that the virus will not spread because it will magically fly over groups of 4 looking for the groups of 6.

As a parent I am not looking forward to send the kids into school but they have to go as I have no minder.

Thanks for the reply . Exactly how I would feel if I was a teacher . A lot of my frustrations would be towards the Department but also towards the unions who left it far too late to muster the troops

Grandeeod · 17-08-2020 06:00PM

I rang my daughters PP school today. I've heard nothing since June 16th. I was told that they were updating their website today with the plan for opening. I also found out that the restart date has changed. No email. No letter. No text. Had I not rang, I'd still be in the dark. The website has a 31 page document for viewing now. Certainly not the best of communication.

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

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