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

combat14 · 19-08-2020 10:15AM

so are schools opening next week

khalessi · 19-08-2020 10:16AM

combat14 wrote: »

so are schools opening next week

By hook or by crook they will

ShaShaBear · 19-08-2020 10:16AM

irishblessing wrote: »

When is this point? Because it's not being respected now, and we're due to send the kids back in little over a weeks' time.

I wouldn't say most are "fine" with the risk, probably cautiously optimistic to holding their breath more like.

My youngest starts back next Wednesday. First correspondence we had with the school regarding new regulations was yesterday afternoon and, to be honest, a lot of it seemed like it was copied and pasted from the original school regulations and that they forgot to alter it. For example, it says that start and end times will be staggered for students. It then goes on to say that students should be dropped to the school in the same 20-minute period they were always dropped there. No change, no mention of which kids first or any staggered approach. It is a small school with a small yard, but no way will they be able to facilitate social distancing in the yard between the supposed pods they are setting up.

I'm definitely at the "holding my breath" stage. Not optimistic in the slightest. The online approach I experienced over lockdown was definitely the very best the individual teacher could do herself (and she's in her mid 20s and fresh out of education herself) but there was so much that I wasn't comfortable with - namely having to download numerous apps to receive and upload homework, some of which involved recording my child "performing" songs and poems and reading books. She vehemently refused, and the school principal called me on it and offered to "speak" to my child about it over the phone. She was 5 at the time

Not one bit excited to see them being herded back, but based on the online approach over lockdown, this is probably her best bet. I could take them both out and homeschool, but I am not prepared for that at present.

irishblessing · 19-08-2020 10:18AM

Blondini wrote: »

The tone and mood of everything has changed over the last few days.

I know most here will disagree, but I believe there WILL be some u-turn on FULL reopening.

I hope you're right. It does seem that as school plans are published and in light of gov't restrictions, people are beginning to now realise this plan stinks.

Will there be enough pressure, and in time before our kids go back is the question.

Dempo1 · 19-08-2020 10:18AM

lulublue22 wrote: »

That sniping and stirring from Leo needs to stop and stop fairly quickly. We need cohesive strong leadership not political point scoring. There should be absolutely no leaks ala yesterday and you do not publicly undermine NPHET if we are depending on people to follow guidelines.

I agree but the cynic in me things Leo has done a Bertie on Martin, stir the ship, make the initial tough decisions, apply for sainthood and then just as the going gets tough, pass the baton to FF and snipe from the benches. It's very telling both he and Heather Humphries have made some remarkable mistakes since new government formed and its quite obvious FG stirring all the uncertainty at the moment, shameful carry on.

IK09 · 19-08-2020 10:20AM

Dempo1 wrote: »

After yesterday's surreal government press conference, this is just becoming silly, looking at recent reports on the work being carried out in schools In advance of reopening is just bizzare, not a single report on any building work, just moving tables and chairs around, it's just beyond farcical and if it wasn't so serious it would be amusing.

Government have had almost 6 months to plan for this and moving tables and chairs around doesn't cut it and I've no doubt parents watching this farce must be extremely anxious.

Consider this your first report of it so. Theyve been removing and replacing all prefabs wit a new layout and design with corridor systems all around my local school.

Blondini · 19-08-2020 10:22AM

khalessi wrote: »

By hook or by crook they will

I think you're a great poster here and obviously a dedicated professional, so this is the first time I have found myself disagreeing with you!

I sense a change in atmosphere and believe FULL reopening will be reconconsidered.

lulublue22 · 19-08-2020 10:23AM

Dempo1 wrote: »

I agree but the cynic in me things Leo has done a Bertie on Martin, stir the ship, make the initial tough decisions, apply for sainthood and then just as the going gets tough, pass the baton to FF and snipe from the benches. It's very telling both he and Heather Humphries have made some remarkable mistakes since new government formed and its quite obvious FG stirring all the uncertainty at the moment, shameful carry on.

The carry re NPHET was disgraceful and wholly inappropriate at a time when CT is on the rise. Any disagreements need to be kept in house at this time. FG not covering themselves in glory at the min.

downthemiddle · 19-08-2020 10:24AM

combat14 wrote: »

so are schools opening next week

They are. The more pertinent question is when are they closing again?

ShaShaBear · 19-08-2020 10:25AM

downthemiddle wrote: »

They are. The more pertinent question is when are they closing again?

And what will happen to parents who have suffered financially to prepare their children for going back, I wonder?

Bobtheman · 19-08-2020 10:25AM

mirrorwall14 wrote: »

I wish there was some level of standardisation though. Some schools are doing max 24 with 1m social distancing and visors (mine). Others are packing them in and wearing masks. Others have Perspex for the teacher to work behind. Others have principals saying you need a medical cert to wear a mask. Some have converted PE halls. Others are awaiting prefabs that won’t arrive in time The list goes on and on

Health and safety always a joke in schools. Even mental health. A kid can say fxxx off to quite a few teachers and know he or she won't be expelled .the same kid can refuse anger management.
Badly ventilated classrooms and work areas
Only basic cleaning.
Sun pouring in the windows without any shade etc.
But Thankfully we have drive by subject inspections. Thank God for these people.

timmy_mallet · 19-08-2020 10:26AM

Blondini wrote: »

In my opinion, anyone who is completely 'comfortable' with their children going to school as things are planned, are overlooking the reality of the situation.

Comfortable with the risk, and being comfortable I don't think are the same thing.

Dempo1 · 19-08-2020 10:26AM

IK09 wrote: »

Consider this your first report of it so. Theyve been removing and replacing all prefabs wit a new layout and design with corridor systems all around my local school.

Hmmm, prefabs, really, kind of says it all really, it is 2020 I believe

irishblessing · 19-08-2020 10:27AM

ShaShaBear wrote: »

My youngest starts back next Wednesday. First correspondence we had with the school regarding new regulations was yesterday afternoon and, to be honest, a lot of it seemed like it was copied and pasted from the original school regulations and that they forgot to alter it. For example, it says that start and end times will be staggered for students. It then goes on to say that students should be dropped to the school in the same 20-minute period they were always dropped there. No change, no mention of which kids first or any staggered approach. It is a small school with a small yard, but no way will they be able to facilitate social distancing in the yard between the supposed pods they are setting up.

I'm definitely at the "holding my breath" stage. Not optimistic in the slightest. The online approach I experienced over lockdown was definitely the very best the individual teacher could do herself (and she's in her mid 20s and fresh out of education herself) but there was so much that I wasn't comfortable with - namely having to download numerous apps to receive and upload homework, some of which involved recording my child "performing" songs and poems and reading books. She vehemently refused, and the school principal called me on it and offered to "speak" to my child about it over the phone. She was 5 at the time Not one bit excited to see them being herded back, but based on the online approach over lockdown, this is probably her best bet. I could take them both out and homeschool, but I am not prepared for that at present.

Good god. Sounds like the plan was sent after a bottle of wine. That would not have me comfortable at all. Do you have a parent's association, what are they saying?

Anyone else hear from their parents association? We are new to the area last year and tbh we wouldn't even know they exist. Should they not be organising and vocal at this point? I think I've read most of the thread before finally signing up... don't remember hearing anything about them.

And the 5 year old expecting to record and participate to that level online is just ridiculous! You'd wonder if they have a relevant teaching degree at all. This highlights why we desperately need one cohesive remote learning plan developed by true professionals.

This sh*te is probably happening absolutely everywhere.

lulublue22 · 19-08-2020 10:28AM

downthemiddle wrote: »

They are. The more pertinent question is when are they closing again?

12.30 on September the 1st - just long enough for a gov photo op

I think if we get to midterm it will be an epic achievement. Over the last week my confidence in getting that far has diminished.

khalessi · 19-08-2020 10:28AM

Blondini wrote: »

I think you're a great poster here and obviously a dedicated professional, so this is the first time I have found myself disagreeing with you!

I sense a change in atmosphere and believe FULL reopening will be reconconsidered.

I really hope you are right. I dont think the Dept has properly prepared at all and will be laying the blame on the schools and teachers.

Dempo1 · 19-08-2020 10:30AM

irishblessing wrote: »

Good god. Sounds like the plan was sent after a bottle of wine. That would not have me comfortable at all. Do you have a parent's association, what are they saying?

Anyone else hear from their parents association? We are new to the area last year and tbh we wouldn't even know they exist. Should they not be organising and vocal at this point? I think I've read most of the thread before finally signing up... don't remember hearing anything about them.

And the 5 year old expecting to record and participate to that level online is just ridiculous! You'd wonder if they have a relevant teaching degree at all. This highlights why we desperately need one cohesive remote learning plan developed by true professionals.

This sh*te is probably happening absolutely everywhere.

Or a message in a bottle perhaps

Mrsmum · 19-08-2020 10:32AM

It's far more difficult for those who have to come to the podium now (Government, Dr Glynn) because just at the point of schools going back, there are spikes and big spikes all over the country. Maybe they should put schools going back off for a month to clamp down on things again ? The thing is though, it is impossible to please everyone, if you only read this thread, you would be nervous as hell but the parents I meet out and about are talking about being happy for their kids & that their kids are excited about going back and how they were becoming sort of morose and aimless having so long off and that they themselves will be able to work properly for the first time in months. I think ultimately people are selfish and your view depends on your own situation.

ShaShaBear · 19-08-2020 10:33AM

irishblessing wrote: »

Good god. Sounds like the plan was sent after a bottle of wine. That would not have me comfortable at all. Do you have a parent's association, what are they saying?

And the 5 year old expecting to record and participate to that level online is just ridiculous! You'd wonder if they have a relevant teaching degree at all. This highlights why we desperately need one cohesive remote learning plan developed by true professionals.

This sh*te is probably happening absolutely everywhere.

There is a parent's association. I've not heard dot from them since our daughter first started last September - certainly wasn't expecting to hear much now! As for the recordings, the teacher herself was 10000000% on board with me siding with my daughter. The principal definitely seemed to have more of an issue with it and I'm not sure why. She was privvy to my daughter having some moderate social issues and extreme shyness. She is much, much better now overall, but I wouldn't force her to be recorded doing literally anything for the school. I did give permission for any photographs containing her to be used on social media, but there's a big difference in the school periodically uploading a photo of my daughter in the background of a garda visiting talk to the classroom and me uploading a video of her with tears in her eyes and whispering the words to a song while looking at the floor through an app I have no experience with or confidence in :mad:

wirelessdude01 · 19-08-2020 10:34AM

gifted wrote: »

The CMO Glynn looks awful...he's aged in weeks...

Personally I think he might be struggling with the course being taken on certain things that he fundamentally disagrees with.

khalessi · 19-08-2020 10:36AM

Listening to radio and Sarah McInerney cornered Eammon Ryan on how the public hae to sd on buses but students didnt. He was at a brief loss then said it was discussed at yesterday's cabinet meeting and she pressed him for when an answer would be given and he said by next week.

This is the level we are dealing with, 6 months nearly to sort it and it only came up yesterday.

Maybe we should ask him who picked 80sqm for classroom guidelines.

Lillyfae · 19-08-2020 10:40AM

ShaShaBear wrote: »

uploading a video of her with tears in her eyes and whispering the words to a song while looking at the floor through an app I have no experience with or confidence in :mad:

That's heartbreaking. I couldn't do that to any child.

lulublue22 · 19-08-2020 10:45AM

Mrsmum wrote: »

It's far more difficult for those who have to come to the podium now (Government, Dr Glynn) because just at the point of schools going back, there are spikes and big spikes all over the country. Maybe they should put schools going back off for a month to clamp down on things again ? The thing is though, it is impossible to please everyone, if you only read this thread, you would be nervous as hell but the parents I meet out and about are talking about being happy for their kids & that their kids are excited about going back and how they were becoming sort of morose and aimless having so long off and that they themselves will be able to work properly for the first time in months. I think ultimately people are selfish and your view depends on your own situation.

I think it’s human nature to look at the world from your own perspective and to be fair the whole return to school issue is fraught with difficulties - couple that with peoples different perspectives on the likely hood of catching covid being very sick with it , financial issues re the need to work etc and the whole thing is a minefield.

amacca · 19-08-2020 10:47AM

khalessi wrote: »

Listening to radio and Sarah McInerney cornered Eammon Ryan on how the public hae to sd on buses but students didnt. He was at a brief loss then said it was discussed at yesterday's cabinet meeting and she pressed him for when an answer would be given and he said by next week.

This is the level we are dealing with, 6 months nearly to sort it and it only came up yesterday.

Maybe we should ask him who picked 80sqm for classroom guidelines.

Heard that....it was only brought to their attention by NPHET yesterday apparently ........ should have asked him how rewilding of wicklow and the release of wolves was going ....or incentivising "cleaner" diesel cars over petrol is working out....attempt to pass responsibility on to NPHET for complete lack of foresight in my brief......

These peoples priorities are getting re-elected and then getting re-elected thats what the system breeds and its perfectly understandable ..+ they get lost in endless cycles of meetings and due process etc etc..if people expect leadership, planning, management and best efforts at economic stability and even environmental progress then they need to fight for a system that incentivises those things.

Blondini · 19-08-2020 10:48AM

timmy_mallet wrote: »

Comfortable with the risk, and being comfortable I don't think are the same thing.

Replace risk with recklessness.

khalessi · 19-08-2020 10:49AM

Saw this on coronavirus thread in response thought it was an interesting view.

iguana wrote: »

But they aren't doing that. If they were it would be possible that schools would work but as it stands there will be classes of 30+ kids together in a room with one teacher and in some cases an SNA who may be moving between classrooms. It's pretty much the exact same scenario as in Israel which led to 47% of all infections at the start of their second wave. It is almost certain that the way our schools are reopening will lead to multiple clusters. That was pretty much a certainty as it was a few weeks ago when our cases were low. But now that our 7 day average is moving towards triple figures, there is absolutely no way at all to claim that what we are supposed to be doing is remotely safe and feasible.

And lets not pretend for one second that this is in our children's best interests. The vast, vast majority of children can continue to learn just fine at home. We have literally evolved to learn at a rapid rate in childhood. You'd actually have to work very hard to prevent your average child from learning in any environment. For the children with learning difficulties and at risk home lives, systems should be being put in place to help them. The main benefit to children from school is socialisation. But this stupid, stupid plan to send them to school without any real safety measures means that they are more likely to lose all of the social outlets they currently have. They have already lost a lot last night. We should be doing what we can to ensure they can keep what they do have for as long as possible. Not rushing to put them all back into the same building and risking us all being confined to our homes for months at a time through winter.

They only reason schools are going back is for childcare. If this was 35 years ago and most children had a parent at home, it wouldn't even be a consideration. We'd have school on the tv and radio and that would be the end of the discussion. It would have been so much better to have just admitted that and have worked out a childcare pod system. It would have been harder but it won't be fuçking harder than dealing with clusters in school. It won't be harder than dealing with the absolute clusterfuçk that will happen when someone catches the virus at school and gives it to granny and she's on a ventilator and the parent is crying on the phone to Joe Duffy.

facehugger99 · 19-08-2020 10:54AM

If we were waiting for some of the posters on here to be “comfortable”, we’d be a long time waiting.

There will be uproar amongst the general populace if schools don’t go back and stay back.

Ours kids futures and educations cannot keep being sacrificed to keep the permanently hysterical placated.

Sammy2012 · 19-08-2020 10:56AM

irishblessing wrote: »

Good god. Sounds like the plan was sent after a bottle of wine. That would not have me comfortable at all. Do you have a parent's association, what are they saying?

Anyone else hear from their parents association? We are new to the area last year and tbh we wouldn't even know they exist. Should they not be organising and vocal at this point? I think I've read most of the thread before finally signing up... don't remember hearing anything about them.

And the 5 year old expecting to record and participate to that level online is just ridiculous! You'd wonder if they have a relevant teaching degree at all. This highlights why we desperately need one cohesive remote learning plan developed by true professionals.

This sh*te is probably happening absolutely everywhere.

This sounds like something that would have happened in my school. Principal wanted us to harass parents who were not engaging. We refused. And as for a PA. Our school does not have one. Principal won't allow it.

Blondini · 19-08-2020 10:58AM

facehugger99 wrote: »

If we were waiting for some of the posters on here to be “comfortable”, we’d be a long time waiting.

There will be uproar amongst the general populace if schools don’t go back and stay back.

Ours kids futures and educations cannot keep being sacrificed to keep the permanently hysterical placated.

Oh would you just go back to somewhere else where people will entertain your simplicity.
FFS.

khalessi · 19-08-2020 10:59AM

facehugger99 wrote: »

If we were waiting for some of the posters on here to be “comfortable”, we’d be a long time waiting.

There will be uproar amongst the general populace if schools don’t go back and stay back.

Ours kids futures and educations cannot keep being sacrificed to keep the permanently hysterical placated.

I am hoping that this works out and if it does it will be does to the hard work of the people who made it work, the parents and teachers, not the Dept guidelines. Listening to the radio so far the gen populace are starting to question the wisdom of reopening of schools.

Posters on here are calling out inadequacies with a badly thought out plan that could affect their families. This is not just a headcold we are dealing with. They are not being hysterical. Casting a light on something or expressing concern does not imply hysteria, it is looking for how to improve it.

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

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