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

timmy_mallet · 20-08-2020 10:22PM

irishblessing wrote: »

Why don't you check out the blog in this link if you're interested. There is LOADS of information online about blended learning for early learners.

https://aftvoices.org/blended-learning-in-a-first-grade-classroom-8bd1ca6ee87

Am I missing something there? All of the blended learning took place inside the classroom with her supervision, right?

scrubs33 · 20-08-2020 10:39PM

Just having a look through Twitter and it seems there are two very clear narratives emerging around opening. The first is the image portrayed by schools/principals of everyone pulling together, spotless classrooms and a ‘nothing is too much trouble, great team here’ vibe. On the other hand there are teachers pointing out the realities of what will happen in a few days time. I know they have to present the best image possible but if I was in the department I’d be inclined to think all is good, school management is getting on with it, nothing to see here. Maybe I’ve missed it and apologies if I have but has any school leader come out and said ‘My staff and I are at our wits end and we need more help or time to get things right’

Queried · 20-08-2020 10:40PM

khalessi wrote: »

NOt saying there wasnt I just know my school was having difficulty sourcing them

In my experiences working in a lot of primary schools I've never seen single person desks but it's all we had when I was in secondary school! That was quite some time ago though :pac: They're ideal in the current climate, the main reason we can't implement distancing in our school is down to the tables.

wirelessdude01 · 20-08-2020 10:43PM

scrubs33 wrote: »

Just having a look through Twitter and it seems there are two very clear narratives emerging around opening. The first is the image portrayed by schools/principals of everyone pulling together, spotless classrooms and a ‘nothing is too much trouble, great team here’ vibe. On the other hand there are teachers pointing out the realities of what will happen in a few days time. I know they have to present the best image possible but if I was in the department I’d be inclined to think all is good, school management is getting on with it, nothing to see here. Maybe I’ve missed it and apologies if I have but has any school leader come out and said ‘My staff and I are at our wits end and we need more help or time to get things right’

Plenty of primary principals telling the truth of what is/will be happening.

Murple · 20-08-2020 10:47PM

downthemiddle wrote: »

I was wondering why this thread exploded today, then I saw it was a teacher who admitted to doing nothing complaining about teachers doing nothing. Mad stuff Ted.
Back in the real world the issue of school transport has finally dawned on the powers that be. Wait until they read the rest of the thread and realise that the light at the end of the tunnel is a runaway train.

But only school transport for secondary students. Primary pupils school transport will still operate at 100% capacity.

khalessi · 20-08-2020 10:48PM

Just wondering in schools there has to be a minimum temperature under Health and Safety Legislation for workplaces and classrooms, I think it was 13 or 16 degrees by 10am. With the classrooms needing good ventilation for most of the day, what happens if this drops?

BonsaiKitten · 20-08-2020 10:48PM

scrubs33 wrote: »

Just having a look through Twitter and it seems there are two very clear narratives emerging around opening. The first is the image portrayed by schools/principals of everyone pulling together, spotless classrooms and a ‘nothing is too much trouble, great team here’ vibe. On the other hand there are teachers pointing out the realities of what will happen in a few days time. I know they have to present the best image possible but if I was in the department I’d be inclined to think all is good, school management is getting on with it, nothing to see here. Maybe I’ve missed it and apologies if I have but has any school leader come out and said ‘My staff and I are at our wits end and we need more help or time to get things right’

I can't be the only teacher sending emails to the Department, union (who I have entirely given up on and am considering not renewing my membership), TDs, Minister of Ed...they know alright. I don't think they care.

combat14 · 20-08-2020 10:49PM

what's happening to school buses, will govt pay for extra cost of running buses

will class opening be staggered to accommodate changes to bus times ..

Dept scraps plans to run secondary school buses at full capacity

https://www.rte.ie/news/2020/0820/1160338-schools-reopen-bus-transport/

Ray Donovan · 20-08-2020 10:49PM

scrubs33 wrote: »

Just having a look through Twitter and it seems there are two very clear narratives emerging around opening. The first is the image portrayed by schools/principals of everyone pulling together, spotless classrooms and a ‘nothing is too much trouble, great team here’ vibe. On the other hand there are teachers pointing out the realities of what will happen in a few days time. I know they have to present the best image possible but if I was in the department I’d be inclined to think all is good, school management is getting on with it, nothing to see here. Maybe I’ve missed it and apologies if I have but has any school leader come out and said ‘My staff and I are at our wits end and we need more help or time to get things right’

Simple really - Principals and their schools cant be seen to be struggling. Its all about portraying a positive image, best foot forward, keeping up with the Jones' etc.

However principals dont usually teach!!!

Queried · 20-08-2020 10:54PM

BonsaiKitten wrote: »

I can't be the only teacher sending emails to the Department, union (who I have entirely given up on and am considering not renewing my membership), TDs, Minister of Ed...they know alright. I don't think they care.

I sent an email to reopeningschools@education.gov.ie yesterday detailing the issues surrounding health and safety I'm concerned with in my school. The principal has been very proactive and has done everything possible but in a school where the classrooms are very small, toilets are shared with multiple classes and a large number of teachers share a staffroom, I am concerned about safety. Some schools are better equipped than others to implement social distancing etc, I am aware of that, but I am concerned about what we are walking into next week in my school. Anyway, this was the response just in case anyone was curious.

The Government decision on 18th August , following the receipt of advice from NPHET was made for, amongst other reasons, to support the reopening of schools as scheduled at the end of August.

As outlined by Government the decision was made to ‘…..to protect the vulnerable in our communities, enable schools to re-open and support the resumption of health services.

Strong communication and a shared collaborative approach is key to protecting against the spread of COVID-19 in schools, and looking after the health, safety and wellbeing of staff and students. Adherence to the Return to Work Protocol will only be achieved if everyone has a shared responsibility in implementing the measures contained within the Protocol in their place of work.

Regards

Schools reopening Division

wirelessdude01 · 20-08-2020 11:03PM

khalessi wrote: »

Just wondering in schools there has to be a minimum temperature under Health and Safety Legislation for workplaces and classrooms, I think it was 13 or 16 degrees by 10am. With the classrooms needing good ventilation for most of the day, what happens if this drops?

Pretty sure it is 16 degrees.

I hate a room being too warm anyway so generally turn off the radiators about an hour after I get into school and love having windows open.

Gerry Hatrick · 20-08-2020 11:05PM

combat14 wrote: »

what's happening to school buses, will govt pay for extra cost of running buses

will class opening be staggered to accommodate changes to bus times ..

Dept scraps plans to run secondary school buses at full capacity

You can't just put on extra school buses. The drivers need Garda clearance which takes around two weeks to obtain

marilynrr · 20-08-2020 11:11PM

Does the new rule for school buses apply to private buses?

My child goes on a private bus and they've only just managed to source a bigger bus. I doubt they have an extra driver either!!

freak scence · 20-08-2020 11:14PM

https://www.axios.com/covid-19-children-community-spread-study-75e7787f-cea6-4a23-87c9-90683e1b5192.html?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=organic&utm_content=1100

downthemiddle · 20-08-2020 11:17PM

Queried wrote: »

I sent an email to reopeningschools@education.gov.ie yesterday detailing the issues surrounding health and safety I'm concerned with in my school. The principal has been very proactive and has done everything possible but in a school where the classrooms are very small, toilets are shared with multiple classes and a large number of teachers share a staffroom, I am concerned about safety. Some schools are better equipped than others to implement social distancing etc, I am aware of that, but I am concerned about what we are walking into next week in my school. Anyway, this was the response just in case anyone was curious.

The Government decision on 18th August , following the receipt of advice from NPHET was made for, amongst other reasons, to support the reopening of schools as scheduled at the end of August.

As outlined by Government the decision was made to ‘…..to protect the vulnerable in our communities, enable schools to re-open and support the resumption of health services.

Strong communication and a shared collaborative approach is key to protecting against the spread of COVID-19 in schools, and looking after the health, safety and wellbeing of staff and students. Adherence to the Return to Work Protocol will only be achieved if everyone has a shared responsibility in implementing the measures contained within the Protocol in their place of work.

Regards

Schools reopening Division

Summary

Dear Teacher,
PFO.
Regards

Sunday Sunday · 20-08-2020 11:21PM

downthemiddle wrote: »

Summary

Dear Teacher,
PFO.
Regards

Auto response moat :pac::pac:

Sammy2012 · 20-08-2020 11:22PM

Okay just home from my staff meeting. Plan is okay to be fair to my principal but I'm so sad that school will be like this. Dont let the children near me, taped off boxes so they won't come near me, monitoring their clothes and themselves for cleanliness. But the worst past is as we are currently tight for space is the isolation room is outside. Imagine a poor sick child having to sit outside if they are unwell. So unfair.

No school bags allowed, lunch to be put in a plastic bag in a plastic envelope, no books home, online homework ( not sure how this will work). I miss my old workplace.

iamwhoiam · 20-08-2020 11:27PM

Sammy2012 wrote: »

Okay just home from my staff meeting. Plan is okay to be fair to my principal but I'm so sad that school will be like this. Dont let the children near me, taped off boxes so they won't come near me, monitoring their clothes and themselves for cleanliness. But the worst past is as we are currently tight for space is the isolation room is outside. Imagine a poor sick child having to sit outside if they are unwell. So unfair.

No school bags allowed, lunch to be put in a plastic bag in a plastic envelope, no books home, online homework ( not sure how this will work). I miss my old workplace.

When you say the isolation room is outside do you mean outdoors ?

Sammy2012 · 20-08-2020 11:27PM

Also can anyone tell me if you send someone home with a temp (suspected case??) How long do they have to stay out for? As in if the child is back in the morning with no temp is that okay??? And if parents refuse the facial recognition temp taking measures can they not be allowed into school??? As this is being proposed!!

And

glack · 20-08-2020 11:27PM

Sammy2012 wrote: »

Okay just home from my staff meeting. Plan is okay to be fair to my principal but I'm so sad that school will be like this. Dont let the children near me, taped off boxes so they won't come near me, monitoring their clothes and themselves for cleanliness. But the worst past is as we are currently tight for space is the isolation room is outside. Imagine a poor sick child having to sit outside if they are unwell. So unfair.

No school bags allowed, lunch to be put in a plastic bag in a plastic envelope, no books home, online homework ( not sure how this will work). I miss my old workplace.

Isolation room outside is horrific. Primary or secondary? Sure there is a learning support room, office etc that could be vacated when needed?

Sammy2012 · 20-08-2020 11:29PM

glack wrote: »

Isolation room outside is horrific. Primary or secondary? Sure there is a learning support room, office etc that could be vacated when needed?

Primary! Id be disgused if my child had to go there.

iamwhoiam · 20-08-2020 11:30PM

Sammy2012 wrote: »

Primary! Id be disgused if my child had to go there.

That is horrendous . Could the staff not object to that . ?

wirelessdude01 · 20-08-2020 11:30PM

Sammy2012 wrote: »

Primary! Id be disgused if my child had to go there.

Is it just a bench outside?

Sammy2012 · 20-08-2020 11:31PM

iamwhoiam wrote: »

That is horrendous . Could the staff not object to that . ?

I thought she was joking first. The kids have to line up in the morning to do temp check before they will be allowed in and if abyone with temp will be made wait outside for 10 mins before checking again....

glack · 20-08-2020 11:31PM

Sammy2012 wrote: »

Primary! Id be disgused if my child had to go there.

Its awful. Imagine a 4 year old? How sad. I would have to email the principal my concerns on this. I get they are under pressure but that is not a workable option.

irishproduce · 20-08-2020 11:32PM

Lots of ridicule and pointing out why schools can't open here..
Can a kind poster point me to a post on this forum that exhaustively outlines the correct and safe way to reopen the schools.
I'm genuinely interested to read what the ideal scenarios are.

Sammy2012 · 20-08-2020 11:32PM

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

Is it just a bench outside?

its some area that had a door out to it that in all my years teaching in the school have never been opened. Just leads to outside.

iamwhoiam · 20-08-2020 11:32PM

Sammy2012 wrote: »

I thought she was joking first. The kids have to line up in the morning to do temp check before they will be allowed in and if abyone with temp will be made wait outside for 10 mins before checking again....

Dear God , Is she mad ? Imagine a sick child left outside shivering with the cold .

wirelessdude01 · 20-08-2020 11:33PM

Sammy2012 wrote: »

I thought she was joking first. The kids have to line up in the morning to do temp check before they will be allowed in and if abyone with temp will be made wait outside for 10 mins before checking again....

That is not legally enforceable. Have the parents been informed of it yet?

Sunday Sunday · 20-08-2020 11:33PM

Sammy2012 wrote: »

Okay just home from my staff meeting. Plan is okay to be fair to my principal but I'm so sad that school will be like this. Dont let the children near me, taped off boxes so they won't come near me, monitoring their clothes and themselves for cleanliness. But the worst past is as we are currently tight for space is the isolation room is outside. Imagine a poor sick child having to sit outside if they are unwell. So unfair.

No school bags allowed, lunch to be put in a plastic bag in a plastic envelope, no books home, online homework ( not sure how this will work). I miss my old workplace.

Seems extreme around books, bags, lunches and the uniform stuff given that most transmission is through person to person inhalation.

The chance of transmission through
inanimate objects is very small.

Sooner they relax this nonsense the better and let teachers get back to doing their real jobs rather than being hygiene monitors.

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

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