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

Talisman · 21-09-2020 03:12PM

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

Totally contradicts the ECDC guidance for schools.

Where can I find that information?

I had previously downloaded a contact tracing document from ECDC website but it hasn't been updated since April. https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/covid-19-contact-tracing-public-health-management

teachinggal123 · 21-09-2020 03:14PM

Lots of rumblings and discontent in my school as well. But no consensus on what should be done.

What exactly are the teachers on this thread proposing should happen?

khalessi · 21-09-2020 03:16PM

the corpo wrote: »

There is definitely an unfortunate amount of mismanagement with the testing system. My daughter was tested last week at the Aviva, and the appointment was within hours of talking to the GP, and the results less than 23 hours later, so that was all fantastic, and the staff at the test centre were excellent.

But, there problems with the admin, when we get there she'd been registered twice for the test, they'd an extra kit and set of forms for her. Problem there is we took away a test slot from someone else who could have been seen.

A couple of days later we got a call from another test centre in Dublin (and my heart nearly stopped when they said who they were) but they were asking why my daughter hadn't turned for her test. So, somehow she was also registered there, and that's another test slot wasted, plus the resources used up tracking her down.

Point is, this was one 10 year old ending up with 3 test appointments. How often is that happening and slowing things down?

This happened with my kiddo received 3 different appointments 2 for Tuesday and one Wednesday, then a fourth message cancelling 2nd appointment on Tuesday and I cancelled appointment for Wednesday. Mad stuff

appledrop · 21-09-2020 03:16PM

Icyseanfitz wrote: »

I'm sure there is some major spin on right now to offset schools opening 2-3 weeks ago and a conveniently huge increase in cases, because we all know schools have no effect on spreading covid-19....

FFS it's clear as day, and still no one is properly reporting on it.

Yep its a disgrace. When clusters hit anyway else like Meat Factory, Golf weekend away all over news.

Yet not a word about schools who have had clusters like one in Celbridge. Its a disgrace.

Let's blame community transmission on restaurants even though we have no evidence while staring them in face is reopening of schools that could be the source all along?

appledrop · 21-09-2020 03:24PM

NPHET latest catch phrase is reduce you contacts by half.

Yea that's great if your still wfh but how the hell are teachers going to be able to reduce their contacts by half?

They can't its impossible. The whole thing is a joke at this stage.

mirrorwall14 · 21-09-2020 03:28PM

Anecdotally I heard that the school in celbridge had 16 cases before it closed. True or not who knows. I'm in the same region

21-09-2020 03:32PM

Talisman wrote: »

........

I find it unbelievable that anybody in the immediate vicinity of the student is not considered a contact based upon the fact that they were wearing a face covering because the classrooms are not large enough to have 20~30 students 1m apart.

But the principal claims they are 1m apart?

"I specifically asked if the students sitting beside the student who tested positive were possible contacts they said again that unless face coverings were not worn and the desks were moved to less than one metre then they were not considered a contact."

appledrop · 21-09-2020 03:34PM

mirrorwall14 wrote: »

Anecdotally I heard that the school in celbridge had 16 cases before it closed. True or not who knows. I'm in the same region

See this is problem none of us know because all kept hush hush but if that was meat factory all over rte news.

Why is it one rule for schools+ different one for everyone else?

History Queen · 21-09-2020 03:34PM

teachinggal123 wrote: »

Lots of rumblings and discontent in my school as well. But no consensus on what should be done.

What exactly are the teachers on this thread proposing should happen?

Transparency would be the first thing in my opinion.

On a school level at the very least there needs to be a clear explanation for why classes are not considered close contacts of cases. If people understood the risk assessment process maybe they'd feel more secure?

Lack of transparency means people feel insecure and suspicious about what else is being kept from them. It doesn't help that much of the public health advice is not being applied in schools. Makes it very hard for school staff and students to feel secure or to buy in to health messaging. Now, maybe there is merit in these seemingly contradictory messages but unless we are given that information stress and anxiety around this will prevail in school.

If I was in charge I'd like to see 2m distancing being enforced through reduced class sizes, this would mean students only attending part time. I appreciate this will not be supported amd understand why.

I would also like to see simpler rules around contact tracing/self isolating. Eg. Confirmed case in student. Principal sends automatic communication to parents of all students in class and school staff who were in contact with student to restrict movements until contacted by HSE regarding testing.

All staff should be issued with PPE

mirrorwall14 · 21-09-2020 03:40PM

appledrop wrote: »

See this is problem none of us know because all kept hush hush but if that was meat factory all over rte news.

Why is it one rule for schools+ different one for everyone else?

This is exactly what I mean. As both a parent and a student I want proper transparency. I have a child in primary school. If there is a case in his class I want to know, and completely expect/understand that he should be at home for 2 weeks in case he develops symptoms awkward as it is for the household. Sitting in a pod is still sitting in the same room

The ECDC make absolutely no reference to a mask allowing for reducing exposure risk. They say "who was in a closed environment (e.g. household, classroom, meeting room, hospital waiting room, etc.) with a COVID-19 case for more than 15 minutes;" which is exactly what I would expect. Low exposure is for under 15 minutes.

Ours seem to have interpreted it that unless you are two hours in a room wearing a mask (however imperfectly) with a case you are not a high risk. These positions are very far from each other and concern me a lot.

https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/objectives-covid-19-testing-school-settings

screamer · 21-09-2020 03:46PM

appledrop wrote: »

See this is problem none of us know because all kept hush hush but if that was meat factory all over rte news.

Why is it one rule for schools+ different one for everyone else?

Because this shambles of a government are desperate to have something that they delivered on and thus far it is the hell or high water schools would be opened. It’s very politically motivated, I doubt we’ll ever have transparency on it to be honest.

teachinggal123 · 21-09-2020 04:05PM

History Queen wrote: »

Transparency would be the first thing in my opinion.

On a school level at the very least there needs to be a clear explanation for why classes are not considered close contacts of cases. If people understood the risk assessment process maybe they'd feel more secure?

Lack of transparency means people feel insecure and suspicious about what else is being kept from them. It doesn't help that much of the public health advice is not being applied in schools. Makes it very hard for school staff and students to feel secure or to buy in to health messaging. Now, maybe there is merit in these seemingly contradictory messages but unless we are given that information stress and anxiety around this will prevail in school.

If I was in charge I'd like to see 2m distancing being enforced through reduced class sizes, this would mean students only attending part time. I appreciate this will not be supported amd understand why.

I would also like to see simpler rules around contact tracing/self isolating. Eg. Confirmed case in student. Principal sends automatic communication to parents of all students in class and school staff who were in contact with student to restrict movements until contacted by HSE regarding testing.

All staff should be issued with PPE

Most sensible post I’ve read on here in ages.

wirelessdude01 · 21-09-2020 04:49PM

mirrorwall14 wrote: »

Anecdotally I heard that the school in celbridge had 16 cases before it closed. True or not who knows. I'm in the same region

I had heard slightly higher but same ballpark.

jrosen · 21-09-2020 04:54PM

I would imagine the class is not considered a close contact because of pods. Im not saying I agree or disagree btw but I thought that was the logic behind the pod system.

I do think there needs to be more transparency. But this has always been a huge issue imo with schools

wirelessdude01 · 21-09-2020 05:00PM

jrosen wrote: »

I would imagine the class is not considered a close contact because of pods. Im not saying I agree or disagree btw but I thought that was the logic behind the pod system.

I do think there needs to be more transparency. But this has always been a huge issue imo with schools

Nothing to do with schools.

Confusion is arising because some public health teams are advising whole classes, others just the pod and in a small number of cases no one is a close contact. How in any primary school class a teacher isn't a close contact is beyond me.

Anyway 4 mainstream and 1 SET out in our school today due to gastro, Covid and sports injuries. 2 classes being covered by the other SET teachers, not a sub to be found so we have 3 'randomers' in supervising them. Know one of the randomers had dropped her CV in for SNA subbing. No idea where the other two were plucked from.

Icyseanfitz · 21-09-2020 05:07PM

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

Nothing to do with schools.

Confusion is arising because some public health teams are advising whole classes, others just the pod and in a small number of cases no one is a close contact. How in any primary school class a teacher isn't a close contact is beyond me.

Anyway 4 mainstream and 1 SET out in our school today due to gastro, Covid and sports injuries. 2 classes being covered by the other SET teachers, not a sub to be found so we have 3 'randomers' in supervising them. Know one of the randomers had dropped her CV in for SNA subbing. No idea where the other two were plucked from.

And even full time SNAs are not supposed to supervise classrooms (it happens sometimes but our contracts state we arnt meant to be asked).

Real sense of tension in the air in school today, ala March. We had 11 missing from one class, 8 missing from another i was in and huge absences in general.

The_Brood · 21-09-2020 05:10PM

Absolutely no coincidence that cases have been rising high ever since schools reopened. Yet the government says that no matter what else it closes, it will keep schools opened. And the question again is why - well the answer is obvious. Because parents in Ireland cannot stand their children, and no matter what it costs the country, they want them shipped off to schools. And the government contradicts itself every day by claiming all of these lockdowns are based on health advice when it keeps schools opened despite them being the biggest source of virus spread.

wirelessdude01 · 21-09-2020 05:25PM

Icyseanfitz wrote: »

And even full time SNAs are not supposed to supervise classrooms (it happens sometimes but our contracts state we arnt meant to be asked).

Real sense of tension in the air in school today, ala March. We had 11 missing from one class, 8 missing from another i was in and huge absences in general.

Govt don't care at this stage. Schools must be kept open. I'm sure insurance wise we probably weren't covered today.

March2323 · 21-09-2020 05:32PM

Interesting thread, I think everyone is a bit more on edge if they are linked with a school community.
I find it baffling that restaurants, cafes and pubs are being blamed for these outbreaks when there is mo real evidence. I accept there are congregations of people but to be fair all of the places I have visited as a customer I have felt relatively safe. Are they now telling us that it is unsafe to dine out? In the meantime, post primary schools in particular, while doing their best are trying to manage impossible situations. Teachers are taking their classes outside for walks etc, some classes are being taught outside, the " hedge schools " seem to be fully operational and practical while the weather is good but it wont last forever. No criticism at the teachers taking classes out at all, totally understand and it allows students some fresh air.

khalessi · 21-09-2020 05:49PM

History Queen wrote: »

Transparency would be the first thing in my opinion.

On a school level at the very least there needs to be a clear explanation for why classes are not considered close contacts of cases. If people understood the risk assessment process maybe they'd feel more secure?

Lack of transparency means people feel insecure and suspicious about what else is being kept from them. It doesn't help that much of the public health advice is not being applied in schools. Makes it very hard for school staff and students to feel secure or to buy in to health messaging. Now, maybe there is merit in these seemingly contradictory messages but unless we are given that information stress and anxiety around this will prevail in school.

If I was in charge I'd like to see 2m distancing being enforced through reduced class sizes, this would mean students only attending part time. I appreciate this will not be supported amd understand why.

I would also like to see simpler rules around contact tracing/self isolating. Eg. Confirmed case in student. Principal sends automatic communication to parents of all students in class and school staff who were in contact with student to restrict movements until contacted by HSE regarding testing.

All staff should be issued with PPE

1 million %

It is ridiculous that I have to watch FB to find out if there is a case in my school.

When there was we weren't told, came in to missing teacher and class, and I was isolated in case I was a close contact and then told SET/Resource dont count as close contact, whether that was for that one case or all cases I dont know.

BoatMad · 21-09-2020 05:51PM

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

Govt don't care at this stage. Schools must be kept open. I'm sure insurance wise we probably weren't covered today.

A local school has 150 no shows out of 700 kids !, kids , education and teachers sacrificed for Political expediency

wirelessdude01 · 21-09-2020 05:54PM

BoatMad wrote: »

A local school has 150 no shows out of 700 kids !, kids , education and teachers sacrificed for Political expediency

Guessing that has to be a school where there has been a few cases.

Smacruairi · 21-09-2020 05:56PM

Had to ask a parent to leave the school grounds today after they arrived to take pictures of the place at lunchtime. She was indignant that the students don't socially distance on their way home and in the local shopping centre after school. "what are the school doing to do about this"...

Almost hope she tweets the bloody things.

BoatMad · 21-09-2020 05:57PM

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

Guessing that has to be a school where there has been a few cases.

No reported cases

History Queen · 21-09-2020 06:01PM

BoatMad wrote: »

No reported cases

Reported publicly or the Principal hasn't been made aware of cases? I only ask as school cases aren't being officially reported publicly.

wirelessdude01 · 21-09-2020 06:03PM

Smacruairi wrote: »

Had to ask a parent to leave the school grounds today after they arrived to take pictures of the place at lunchtime. She was indignant that the students don't socially distance on their way home and in the local shopping centre on the way home. "what are the school doing to do about this"...

Almost hope she tweets the bloody things.

Schools can only attempt to control on school grounds.

Was she trying to take photos of the students at lunchtime?

Govt plan that schools will be the fall guy is being put into operation.

BoatMad · 21-09-2020 06:03PM

History Queen wrote: »

Reported publicly or the Principal hasn't been made aware of cases? I only ask as school cases aren't being officially reported publicly.

No cases ( this from a teacher there )

Smacruairi · 21-09-2020 06:05PM

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

Schools can only attempt to control on school grounds.

Was she trying to take photos of the students at lunchtime?

Govt plan that schools will be the fall guy is being put into operation.

Yeah she was taking pictures of groups together having lunch outdoors, that's why I escorted her off the premises and said we would be reporting the matter to the authorities. In her mind the disease is caused by schools and the principal personally, you couldn't make it up.

History Queen · 21-09-2020 06:05PM

BoatMad wrote: »

No cases ( this from a teacher there )

Could well be the case. Seems a strangly high level of unexplained absense though. In some schools teachers aren't being informed of cases in their own school, hopefully that is not the case here.

BoatMad · 21-09-2020 06:06PM

Smacruairi wrote: »

Yeah she was taking pictures of groups together having lunch outdoors, that's why I escorted her off the premises and said we would be reporting the matter to the authorities. In her mind the disease is caused by schools and the principal personally, you couldn't make it up.

When given I met a women who in all seriousness told be this virius was spread by big corporates and people like bill gates , you can simply be comfortable there are a lot of loolaahs out there

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

Comments