How do you feel about sending your kids back to school?

twinkletoes · 23-08-2020 6:29pm #1

Hi there,
If this post is in wrong place apologies. but just wondering how people are feeling about this? My husband and I are very nervvous tbh, we've one primary age, one secondary..both on school buses too...how is it going to honestly be prevented when everything going spreads in schools? Its the elderly relatives i worry about..

eviltwin · 23-08-2020 6:31pm

I’ve one in primary and he’s not going back right away. I have two people at home with chronic health issues, one will probably be in serious trouble if he gets Covid so I’m taking a wait and see approach.

twinkletoes · 23-08-2020 6:34pm

eviltwin wrote: »

I’ve one in primary and he’s not going back right away. I have two people at home with chronic health issues, one will probably be in serious trouble if he gets Covid so I’m taking a wait and see approach.

Sounds like a wise approach, our primary child is back Wednesday and cant wait, but we're having doubts now....

screamer · 23-08-2020 6:37pm

Absolutely conflicted and tormented. She is high risk herself and we’ve had numerous hospital visits when younger all respiratory related. If I had my way she’d not set foot back at school, and I’ve strongly considered home schooling. But, she has begged to go back, she needs to see her friends and have some routine in her life.
If I send her back, she could be fine, she could catch coronavirus and be very sick or she could even die from it. What a choice to give parents.

twinkletoes · 23-08-2020 6:42pm

screamer wrote: »

Absolutely conflicted and tormented. She is high risk herself and we’ve had numerous hospital visits when younger all respiratory related. If I had my way she’d not set foot back at school, and I’ve strongly considered home schooling. But, she has begged to go back, she needs to see her friends and have some routine in her life.
If I send her back, she could be fine, she could catch coronavirus and be very sick or she could even die from it. What a choice to give parents.

Thats really tough,sorry for you. Its crazy I think the speed theyve done this, it shouldve been delayed enough to even get the buses sorted even..I mean whats the rush when peoples lives are at risk?.Could they back out yet?

nw1dqsv7amx026 · 23-08-2020 6:59pm

Delighted to have my kids going back to school. They need an education and some sort of normality. Disappointed that they will be forced to wear masks all day. I think they should be allowed take the mask off during the classes.
Hope the schools don't close when there are covid cases in the school.

twinkletoes · 23-08-2020 7:03pm

Frank Old Skin wrote: »

Delighted to have my kids going back to school. They need an education and some sort of normality. Disappointed that they will be forced to wear masks all day. I think they should be allowed take the mask off during the classes.
Hope the schools don't close when there are covid cases in the school.

Yeah totally know where youre coming from, felt the same only now thinking seriously about if it gets into schools and brought home to the vulnerable and vulnerable kids in schools...it is a reality and hope and pray it doesnt end badly.

nw1dqsv7amx026 · 23-08-2020 7:14pm

twinkletoes wrote: »

Yeah totally know where youre coming from, felt the same only now thinking seriously about if it gets into schools and brought home to the vulnerable and vulnerable kids in schools...it is a reality and hope and pray it doesnt end badly.

Honestly this is why I've had a problem with the lockdown, except in that it gave the hospitals time to get ready, as I don't think it can be stopped.
I have no doubt that coronavirus will take off once the kids go back to school. I think it would have been better for this to happen during the summer when people are healthier and we don't have the regular flu.
Hopefully, when cases take off again, they close the pubs and not the schools.

ThewhiteJesus · 23-08-2020 7:20pm

twinkletoes wrote: »

Sounds like a wise approach, our primary child is back Wednesday and cant wait, but we're having doubts now....

I’ve two in secondary and honestly I’m happy, they need to go back. In relation to not sending them back, is that not against the law ?

nw1dqsv7amx026 · 23-08-2020 7:23pm

ThewhiteJesus wrote: »

I’ve two in secondary and honestly I’m happy, they need to go back. In relation to not sending them back, is that not against the law ?

Probably but I can't see any enforcement.
Our school will be live streaming to kids in the school hall and the fear is that many kids will take the classes at home as opposed to the school hall.

meeeeh · 23-08-2020 7:50pm

Two in primary and they are going back. MIL has dinner with us every evening and she is in late seventies so I will keep an eye on the sniffles and stuff but I'm not overly worried. It's a country school too.

mirrorwall14 · 23-08-2020 7:56pm

Mine is going back. I’m going to be teaching in a secondary school anyways so he will be no more high risk than me. However we will almost certainly not see either sets of grandparents this side of the summer unless things go particularly well. Both are very high risk and we would never forgive ourselves. Technically I’m high risk too but will be masked and hoping for the best

byhookorbycrook · 23-08-2020 8:00pm

Primary children won’t be socially distanced and because classrooms are so small , one suspected case will mean the other 29 have to be sent hone .

It’s shocking that the department has made no provision for children who are high risk .

Minier81 · 23-08-2020 8:07pm

byhookorbycrook wrote: »

It’s shocking that the department has made no provision for children who are high risk .

I believe they had made provision for the "very high risk" category but not for the "high risk" category. The "high risk" category is 25% of the population.....they are to take extra care whereas the very high risk are the cocooners.

RoryMac · 23-08-2020 8:08pm

My 2 are in secondary school with the youngest going into first year. They'll be going back, the lockdown has been a massive disruption to their education and they need to get back to a settled routine.

Worried that all of the restrictions with mask wearing in school and less open break times might have a negative impact on the youngest one settling in the new school and making friends.

Will definitely be more careful once they go back about visiting grandparents etc

byhookorbycrook · 23-08-2020 8:10pm

Minier81 wrote: »

I believe they had made provision for the "very high risk" category but not for the "high risk" category. The "high risk" category is 25% of the population.....they are to take extra care whereas the very high risk are the cocooners.

No, they haven’t . There’s a vague mention of a “ non mainstream teacher “ liaising with a special ed. and the classroom teacher , but no extra resources for this .

Keisha07 · 23-08-2020 8:14pm

My youngest is starting secondary we are very anxious, of course about the chances of becoming ill but more so about how the social distancing and mask wearing etc will impact setting in and making friends.

March2323 · 23-08-2020 8:22pm

Think some rural schools with small numbers will have an advantage here. They will be able to socially distance and virus not as prevalent in areas of low population density. However, towns and cities with large school numbers are facing a lot of challenges. Its a risk and it's well fudged over by the government. New creative names for classes and groups, bit of plastic signage and handwashing will not take away from the overcrowded classrooms. I see a local secondary while doing their best are encouraging students to go home at lunchtime or avail of their outdoor eating areas. No thought given to how cold, wet and windy it can be in the middle of winter! Mask wearing while definitely safer will be challenging for some students. Mask wearing inhibits communication and students who are sitting in isolation for long periods certainly will not be improving their wellbeing. The new school environment will be a sad place for all.Blended learning should be offered to those who want it, split classes and it would allow those who attend school to go there safely. No guarantees for anyone but some schools are extremely overcrowded and teachers and school management cannot make space where it simply doesn't exist. I feel sorry for first years in particular and for those students who genuinely find it hard to sit in the same place for hours on end.

kali.mist · 23-08-2020 8:22pm

I have a 9-year-old in school in the North. He has a slight heart problem and Asthma. He is going in for two hours tomorrow. If I can help it, he won't be going in again until the schools are eventually closed due to the unavoidable disaster that is about to unfold. His mum (divorced) does not want him going in at all.
I have a 15-year-old heading back on Friday here in the South to a school with about 1000 pupils, 30+ per class. He is going in for a couple of hours. He won't be going back in....etc.
I don't think folks realise what this virus does to the body even if it does not kill. "Kids need to be in School". Kids need to be safe and not physically damaged for the rest of their lives. A missed couple of months of education hardly compares.

SteM · 23-08-2020 8:25pm

Our young lad is going into 3rd class. We had a zoom call with the principal, vice principal and parents of the 2nd to 6th class kids during the week and I'm happy enough with the way the call went to let him go back. It'll be a different experience for him but he needs to go back.

This is it · 23-08-2020 8:26pm

I'm unsure as to what to do but son's mother is diabetic and has decided to keep him home, for her safety as much as anything. I understand the need for education and socialising but we'll just have to do our best at home for now.

pwurple · 23-08-2020 8:28pm

Feeling good! The children are excited about seeing their friends again. The school is well prepared and sent out details and plans. I went in today and helped paint all the lines for the parent drop off areas.

Delighted the learning is starting back up, and I hope this gap hasn't damaged too many children's education.

micks_address · 23-08-2020 8:29pm

Lucky ours are within walking distance so no buses. Unless the HSE telling lies it does seem that kids just don't pass on the virus. Of course time will tell. Roll on the vaccine asap. They really looking forward to going back.

pc7 · 23-08-2020 8:30pm

They did a few summer camps over the summer and didn’t pick up a sniffle so hoping that’s a good sign. Back in creche last week and so far so good. One will be in creche one going to senior infants. They have gotten very good at washing hands, using sanitizer, sneeze etiquette etc. will change and bath them as soon as home. Have told my folks no more hugs or kisses

for now. Just have to try it, they need school and mixing with kids.

kali.mist · 23-08-2020 8:30pm

This is it wrote: »

I'm unsure as to what to do but son's mother is diabetic and has decided to keep him home, for her safety as much as anything. I understand the need for education and socialising but we'll just have to do our best at home for now.

I think you are doing the right thing.

twinkletoes · 23-08-2020 8:32pm

kali.mist wrote: »

I have a 9-year-old in school in the North. He has a slight heart problem and Asthma. He is going in for two hours tomorrow. If I can help it, he won't be going in again until the schools are eventually closed due to the unavoidable disaster that is about to unfold. His mum (divorced) does not want him going in at all.
I have a 15-year-old heading back on Friday here in the South to a school with about 1000 pupils, 30+ per class. He is going in for a couple of hours. He won't be going back in....etc.
I don't think folks realise what this virus does to the body even if it does not kill. "Kids need to be in School". Kids need to be safe and not physically damaged for the rest of their lives. A missed couple of months of education hardly compares.

Totally agree

SteM · 23-08-2020 8:33pm

byhookorbycrook wrote: »

Primary children won’t be socially distanced and because classrooms are so small , one suspected case will mean the other 29 have to be sent hone .

That's not what we were told regarding suspected cases.

SteM · 23-08-2020 8:35pm

kali.mist wrote: »

I have a 9-year-old in school in the North. He has a slight heart problem and Asthma. He is going in for two hours tomorrow. If I can help it, he won't be going in again until the schools are eventually closed due to the unavoidable disaster that is about to unfold. His mum (divorced) does not want him going in at all.
I have a 15-year-old heading back on Friday here in the South to a school with about 1000 pupils, 30+ per class. He is going in for a couple of hours. He won't be going back in....etc.
I don't think folks realise what this virus does to the body even if it does not kill. "Kids need to be in School". Kids need to be safe and not physically damaged for the rest of their lives. A missed couple of months of education hardly compares.

But why even bother sending your 15 yo in at all if you feel so strongly about it?

Ludo · 23-08-2020 8:35pm

Twin boys heading into first year in secondary school. They need to get back into a routine etc so glad it is happening. Unlike the above comments, I am not too bothered about the friends thing etc. It is such a big change anyway going into secondary, that being restricted to class group, masks etc will possibly lessen the transition as it will be a possible bonding experience and force them to get to know their new classmates rather than seek out their old friends at lunchtime.

lawrencesummers · 23-08-2020 8:37pm

Grand.

kali.mist · 23-08-2020 8:39pm

SteM wrote: »

But why even bother sending your 15 yo in at all if you feel so strongly about it?

Yeah, I know. A contradiction in terms of course. The children live with me, but I am fighting for custody. Its optics. Not happy about it at all. He is a smart kid and totally aware of what is happening. He will be wearing a N95 charcoal filtered mask and will have spray etc. Its a couple of hours and I reckon there will be many missing. Its a bit of a gamble, but I don't know what else to do really

Captain Flaps · 23-08-2020 8:40pm

Frank Old Skin wrote: »

Delighted to have my kids going back to school. They need an education and some sort of normality. Disappointed that they will be forced to wear masks all day. I think they should be allowed take the mask off during the classes.
Hope the schools don't close when there are covid cases in the school.

Jesus.

RoryMac · 23-08-2020 8:42pm

kali.mist wrote: »

I don't think folks realise what this virus does to the body even if it does not kill. "Kids need to be in School". Kids need to be safe and not physically damaged for the rest of their lives. A missed couple of months of education hardly compares.

The longer term effects of the virus seem to be very much an exception rather than the norm for sufferers at present. It's still very early in the life cycle of the virus so the long term effects may become more of an issue or equally become less of an issue.

It will be a long time before this is fully understood, do you plan to keep your kids out of school until there is a vaccine?

byhookorbycrook · 23-08-2020 8:44pm

SteM wrote: »

That's not what we were told regarding suspected cases.

Because the “ guidelines “ don’t believe that in aerosol transmission , despite the huge body of research that says otherwise .
The pods idea is a ploy to convince parents schools will be “ safe ,” in reality , it’s exactly the same way schools have run for decades - having table groups .
Considering how head lice and tummy bugs spread through a class , Covid is going to be rampant.

kali.mist · 23-08-2020 8:45pm

RoryMac wrote: »

The longer term effects of the virus seem to be very much an exception rather than the norm for sufferers at present. It's still very early in the life cycle of the virus so the long term effects may become more of an issue or equally become less of an issue.

It will be a long time before this is fully understood, do you plan to keep your kids out of school until there is a vaccine?

If the schools are not shut in the next two months and things seem to be safe, then he goes back. I am not willing to engage in an "experiment". Thats selfish of course, but as you can see there are many that are glad to see the kids going back to school for one reason or another so...

s1ippy · 23-08-2020 8:48pm

Minier81 wrote: »

I believe they had made provision for the "very high risk" category but not for the "high risk" category. The "high risk" category is 25% of the population.....they are to take extra care whereas the very high risk are the cocooners.

They haven't made provision for any distance learning to take place.

Fuascailteoir · 23-08-2020 8:51pm

micks_address wrote: »

Lucky ours are within walking distance so no buses. Unless the HSE telling lies it does seem that kids just don't pass on the virus. Of course time will tell. Roll on the vaccine asap. They really looking forward to going back.

Did the HSE say that? Children are less likely to pass it on but they most definitely can. In fact they carry a higher viral load under the age of five but this doesn't necessarily translate into passing on a higher load

kali.mist · 23-08-2020 8:51pm

byhookorbycrook wrote: »

Because the “ guidelines “ don’t believe that in aerosol transmission , despite the huge body of research that says otherwise .
The pods idea is a ploy to convince parents schools will be “ safe ,” in reality , it’s exactly the same way schools have run for decades - having table groups .
Considering how head lice and tummy bugs spread through a class , Covid is going to be rampant.

here you go https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZSKoNGTR6Q

Gerry Hatrick · 23-08-2020 8:51pm

Leaving our three at home for the first 2 weeks to see how it goes.

jrosen · 23-08-2020 8:55pm

Feeling grand about them going back. Our schools have done as much as they can with the space available to them. Kids are happy to be going back. No anxiety around school or the virus which makes me happy.

SteM · 23-08-2020 8:59pm

byhookorbycrook wrote: »

Because the “ guidelines “ don’t believe that in aerosol transmission , despite the huge body of research that says otherwise .
The pods idea is a ploy to convince parents schools will be “ safe ,” in reality , it’s exactly the same way schools have run for decades - having table groups .
Considering how head lice and tummy bugs spread through a class , Covid is going to be rampant.

I'm always wary of someone that speaks with such certainty about something that hasn't happened yet tbh. We'll have to wait and see.

tscul32 · 23-08-2020 9:01pm

We're lucky with our particular situations. Have one going into 3rd class in a big school, 6 classes per year. But only 21 in his class and he's in a prefab so realistically may never need to set foot in the main school building. I drop and collect him so no bus. My other two are 1st and 3rd year but theirs is a new school and this year's intake will bring the numbers up to 120, 5 classes in all, 24 is the biggest and the prefab (temporary accommodation) rooms are a decent size. They'll walk or cycle to and from school. And they have lunch outside every day unless it's pouring. They're also putting a big emphasis on wellbeing, especially for the new 1st years. I just hope he can settle in ok with knowing noone else and little opportunity to make new friends. My third year has about 20 in his class but with higher/ordinary splits and options most classes will have around 10-12 students.
If the secondary school had 1000 students I wouldn't be as ok with it.

nw1dqsv7amx026 · 23-08-2020 9:10pm

kali.mist wrote: »

I have a 9-year-old in school in the North. He has a slight heart problem and Asthma. He is going in for two hours tomorrow. If I can help it, he won't be going in again until the schools are eventually closed due to the unavoidable disaster that is about to unfold. His mum (divorced) does not want him going in at all.
I have a 15-year-old heading back on Friday here in the South to a school with about 1000 pupils, 30+ per class. He is going in for a couple of hours. He won't be going back in....etc.
I don't think folks realise what this virus does to the body even if it does not kill. "Kids need to be in School". Kids need to be safe and not physically damaged for the rest of their lives. A missed couple of months of education hardly compares.

It's not a couple of months. They've been out since March.

You do what's best for your family. My kids need an education.

byhookorbycrook · 23-08-2020 9:11pm

SteM wrote: »

I'm always wary of someone that speaks with such certainty about something that hasn't happened yet tbh. We'll have to wait and see.

By then , it will be too late . Look at the likes of the Berlin school re-opening .

I’m not a prophet of doom, but someone who sees the reality .

nw1dqsv7amx026 · 23-08-2020 9:12pm

Gerry Hatrick wrote: »

Leaving our three at home for the first 2 weeks to see how it goes.

You won't see the consequences in two weeks. More like a month.

kali.mist · 23-08-2020 9:13pm

Frank Old Skin wrote: »

It's not a couple of months. They've been out since March.

You do what's best for your family. My kids need an education.

Obviously

yasmina · 23-08-2020 9:13pm

I've one going into 2nd year and another into 6th class.
One day I'm glad they are going back, the next I'm worried.
They would be more than happy to never go back to school.
We live in a rural area so I think there is much less chance of the virus getting into our schools, but I think if it does get into a school, there is no doubt it will spread like wildfire.
My eldest should be getting the school bus but I'm not letting him. I'm lucky to be able to drive him myself.

I wish we could use this time to really shake up the education system and make it fit for purpose.
But I suppose the DoE have enough to be thinking about right now so that's not going to happen.

nw1dqsv7amx026 · 23-08-2020 9:16pm

byhookorbycrook wrote: »

By then , it will be too late . Look at the likes of the Berlin school re-opening .

I’m not a prophet of doom, but someone who sees the reality .

If you don't send them back to school now, when will you?

It will of course spread more but the kids will be fine.

They won't be fine if they are denied an education.

meeeeh · 23-08-2020 9:17pm

byhookorbycrook wrote: »

By then , it will be too late . Look at the likes of the Berlin school re-opening .

I’m not a prophet of doom, but someone who sees the reality .

You mean the 5% of schools in Berlin?

i_surge · 23-08-2020 9:19pm

SteM wrote: »

That's not what we were told regarding suspected cases.

What were you told?

nw1dqsv7amx026 · 23-08-2020 9:20pm

kali.mist wrote: »

Obviously

Honestly, I've no problem if you and others like you keep your kids out of school.
Means my kids won't have to watch their teacher on zoom.

But I think you're wrong and doing your kids a disservice.

How do you feel about sending your kids back to school?

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