wirelessdude01 wrote: » We are frustrated with various issues in all our schools but reading that statement their is no one clear issue that they are balloting over. No appetite in primary schools anyway if they are looking for commonality across all the levels.
Smacruairi wrote: » Depends on if all the unions go on together... But they won't because the lectures and principals will want to be seen to be good little workers by the DES. So it'll be asti on their own.. Again.
Hubertj wrote: » What I don’t understand is this - I listened on radio and saw on tv the marvel is work done by teachers across the country to get schools ready and welcome students back. It was brilliant to see and hear. Then you see the union officials that represent them. It does teachers a disservice. Surely a younger more pragmatic leadership is required?
Bananaleaf wrote: » Hi everyone How are we all getting on in school? How is the social distancing going? How is staff morale? I never thought we'd still be open to be honest, but here we are! I had a really tough day today so I feel like saying that it's all going to sh1t in our place but if I'm honest I'd have to say that the majority are still doing their best. It's getting harder to contain the bold ones, but that's to be expected I guess. The rooms are in awful condition since becoming base rooms. I walked into what used to be my room today and the tables are drawn on, the wooden strips that go along the sides of the desks have been torn off, the radiators are all written on. I know I shouldn't care, but Morale pretty low in our place. I feel bad for management. Apparently the number one piece of feedback coming from the Covid inspections is that there isn't appropriate social distancing being done in schools at break and lunch times. Tell us something we don't know :rolleyes: Honestly, if I didn't have my dog to come home to, I'd be on the news by now!!!! :pac: Sorry for being such a Ranty McRanterson. 10 days til the Toy Show, 35 days til the sweet, sweet holidays
km79 wrote: » I really really hope the Dept acknowledge all the work that has been done to get and keep schools open and tell schools to close for Xmas on Friday 18th instead of having to go back the following week for two pointless days where attendance and morale will be low I think staff and students need it Doubt it will happen though
km79 wrote: » Oh look there she is It’s not our intention to extend school Christmas break’ – Norma Foleyhttps://www.independent.ie/irish-news/education/its-not-our-intention-to-extend-school-christmas-break-norma-foley-39758549.html
Bananaleaf wrote: » I find it astounding that she has come out with this. Two school days is what we are talking about. When you consider the amount of school days taken from 'the poor children' when entire schools were closed down to facilitate day-long CPD sessions for the junior cycle. You know the ones, where all you got out of the day was a massive pain in your hole. Also, just wondering, what are the additional resources that we got to help promote wellbeing in the classroom? I will ask the wellbeing team in my school tomorrow, but curious if anyone knows what she's on about here
Bananaleaf wrote: » Also, just wondering, what are the additional resources that we got to help promote wellbeing in the classroom? I will ask the wellbeing team in my school tomorrow, but curious if anyone knows what she's on about here
wirelessdude01 wrote: » Probably a few videos from the PDST.
khalessi wrote: » Where are the extra protection measures that were promised during midterm. Has anything changed since before midterm?
byhookorbycrook wrote: » Bar the DES inspectors (and why not HSE/HSA ones) telling schools off, there have been no changes whatsoever. Oh, I lie, schools must now provide "distance learning" to children who are self isolating. Dust off those spare teachers you keep in the store room to provide this, everyone.
km79 wrote: » If schools open as planned until dec 22nd And a child becomes ill on 23/24th Principals will be contacting tracing Xmas day ? Families will all fall ill GPS under pressure The unions have gone at this all wrong It’s makes huge sense in terms of suppressing the virus over Xmas Even going “remote “learning for the two days ........
clunked wrote: » It was embarrassing as a teacher to hear the TUI rep on the radio this morning.
Bananaleaf wrote: » It was. However, while it makes no difference to me going in those extra two days (I'm managing ok), I am seeing colleagues at their absolute wits end, stressed to the max, who could really benefit from those two days and who will probably end up in a position where they will have to take them, and more. Senior students are losing it. They are so stressed out and exhausted. Junior students have discovered just how anonymous they really are with the masks and that, coupled with the fact that cabin fever is also (understandably) getting to them now, is making lunchtime supervisions feel like the most humiliating experience of the week - I am so so glad that I didn't sign up for extra. It's all well and good some teachers texting in to Newstalk this morning saying how the TUI doesn't represent their view and they're delighted to be back in the classroom, but there are colleagues of mine with elderly parents who haven't seen them in a long long time and between the upset of that, the worry around Christmas and the absolute pressure-cooker situation they are going into every day, they are broken. Fair enough if some folk think they are 'jokers' and 'wasters', but anyone who feels that way, please take a moment to consider that some teachers are very very close to breakdown. In a world where we are so sensitive to all these lives that apparently matter, I wish the Ciara Kelly brigade could see some of what I am seeing on a daily basis. Not everyone is at breaking point and no, the needs of a few probably don't warrant us all getting an extra two days off (what use is an extra two days anyway? You could still be asymptomatic going home to family I ) but all media platforms have a huge amount to answer for when they facilitate teacher bashing to this level. The phrase is a parody of itself at this stage but for God's sake, teachers are people too.
km79 wrote: » The most sensible solution is to agree that teaching and learning on those days takes place remotely if people are going to get so bent out of shape at closing a day and a half early
km79 wrote: » As it stands there will be principals all over the country contact tracing with the HSE on Xmas day
km79 wrote: » In terms of symptoms and contact tracing though it would be 4 days not 2 That’s a huge difference leading into holidays As it stands there will be principals all over the country contact tracing with the HSE on Xmas day
khalessi wrote: » Were any TUI teachers asked about this or did the TUI just go off on a whim?
