Schools closed until February? (part 3)

Crocodile Booze · 07-01-2021 01:28PM

Follow_ur_lead wrote: »

I spent long enough in school not being allowed to have my own opinion. Doesn't change I suppose.

Really??

When did you go to school? The 1930s? Give over.

Bananaleaf · 07-01-2021 01:29PM

Follow_ur_lead wrote: »

I spent long enough in school not being allowed to have my own opinion. Doesn't change I suppose.

And there you have it folks

Stateofyou · 07-01-2021 01:30PM

Follow_ur_lead wrote: »

Either can teachers though judging by what went on last year.

At the start of a never before seen pandemic in this lifetime, no idea how long it was to last, with no platforms in place or training having happened? You can and should give some grace. I'm sure you've been given that at some point in your own life, as everyone deserves.

And lots of teachers did teach online from home; some were better equipped than others to do this, some schools are more ahead with using apps and with principles more talented and forward thinking than others.

We're now in the 2nd lockdown during the school term and schools were directed to have an online platform ready to go in the event of shutdown, with teachers and students trained. It's very different now. But I'm sure you knew that, you just wanted to have a dig anyway didn't you.

Icyseanfitz · 07-01-2021 01:30PM

scouserstation wrote: »

But why would you be going into small overcrowded classrooms when there is so much space that can be utilised now, schools operating at a greatly reduced capacity surely there is scope to carry out classes in a safer environment?

Because the other 5 years also need to be thought

...Ghost... · 07-01-2021 01:30PM

scouserstation wrote: »

But why would you be going into small overcrowded classrooms when there is so much space that can be utilised now, schools operating at a greatly reduced capacity surely there is scope to carry out classes in a safer environment?

Unless you mean to break down walls to make classes bigger, then i'm not sure how the bigger spaces are available. And then to break down walls, you need to ensure that's safe so the roof doesn't get the students before the virus does.

Or perhaps you propose making class numbers smaller? Where would all the extra teachers come from if the others are busy teaching years 1-5?

The Wordress · 07-01-2021 01:30PM

I contacted the INTO with my concerns around the SEN classes reopening.

They want emails with our concerns so please send your emails as soon as you can.

Strength in numbers and all that.

Don't want to put email address here, it's on their site.

Bananaleaf · 07-01-2021 01:31PM

scouserstation wrote: »

But why would you be going into small overcrowded classrooms when there is so much space that can be utilised now, schools operating at a greatly reduced capacity surely there is scope to carry out classes in a safer environment?

As in, knock out some of the walls in between rooms? I genuinely don't understand your point.

Bananaleaf · 07-01-2021 01:34PM

...Ghost... wrote: »

Unless you mean to break down walls to make classes bigger, then i'm not sure how the bigger spaces are available. And then to break down walls, you need to ensure that's safe so the roof doesn't get the students before the virus does.

Or perhaps you propose making class numbers smaller? Where would all the extra teachers come from if the others are busy teaching years 1-5?

Breaking :pac: news

Thousand of department-issued sledgehammers to be delivered to schools around the country

jimmytwotimes 2013 · 07-01-2021 01:34PM

Follow_ur_lead wrote: »

Either can teachers though judging by what went on last year.

Brilliant.

Send on results from your comprehensive survey into school experience during the last lockdown.

rob316 · 07-01-2021 01:35PM

The Wordress wrote: »

I contacted the INTO with my concerns around the SEN classes reopening.

They want emails with our concerns so please send your emails as soon as you can.

Strength in numbers and all that.

Don't want to put email address here, it's on their site.

Why?

Special needs kids need these classes, they are vital to their routine and progression. 6 months without school saw a big regression in my son.

jimmytwotimes 2013 · 07-01-2021 01:36PM

rob316 wrote: »

Why?

I hope you're sitting down but.....

Stateofyou · 07-01-2021 01:40PM

rob316 wrote: »

Why?

Special needs kids need these classes, they are vital to their routine and progression. 6 months without school saw a big regression in my son.

SN's teachers need their health and their lives. And their families need them too.

In the years looking back god willing I will never forget living through the selfishness of others during this time.

The Wordress · 07-01-2021 01:41PM

rob316 wrote: »

Why?

Special needs kids need these classes, they are vital to their routine and progression. 6 months without school saw a big regression in my son.

I can still have concerns about going into a small classroom with 2 other adults and 6 children with the numbers being the highest they have ever been and the latest strain being more contagious. Also, Covid hospital admissions are at the highest ever level.

Also, 95% of my colleagues and pupil population are safe at home but it's apparently safe enough for us to saunder in everyday.

All I want is for this decision to be reviewed in the short term.

I had no issue going back to school when numbers were way down.

am_zarathustra · 07-01-2021 01:46PM

Almost 10% of cases confirmed in since the start of this pandemic were confirmed yesterday with no contacts being tested. We were still **** down in May with a few hundred cases a day, this is the Department avoiding making logistical changes to the LC to make their lives easier and to push the pressure onto schools..............again.

The Department didn't make schools safe for the first 3/4 months of the school year, principals, teachers, caretakers, cleaners, students and parents did. None of them were fully briefed or consulted on this. It's unbelievably disrespectful. I hope the teachers that Norma taught with for years will make that known to her. Actions speak far louder than words.

Endintheclowns · 07-01-2021 01:47PM

Iv'e just watched an hour long documentary on the effects of long covid on several people in the US. Two of the subjects are in their 20's and it's completely ruined their life. It seems to be a complete toss up gamble if you catch this as to the level of damage your body will endure. Opening schools next Monday is complete madness and i honestly can see why so many teachers are nervous. I have absolutely no agenda here either way as my daughter is well past school going age and im not employed by the department of education for the record.

Icyseanfitz · 07-01-2021 01:48PM

I still can't wrap my head around the logic or thinking behind having the majority of pp staff back in on Monday, its scary negligent

rob316 · 07-01-2021 01:48PM

Stateofyou wrote: »

SN's teachers need their health and their lives. And their families need them too.

In the years looking back god willing I will never forget living through the selfishness of others during this time.

Are your lives worth anymore than the front-line healthcare workers? Your environment you are been asked to work in has far less risk than those. I respect teachers but you are an essential public service just like healthcare, emergency services and police.

khalessi · 07-01-2021 01:49PM

Just leave this here, extract of letter to Stephen Donnelly from CMO

https://twitter.com/PQuinn1980/status/1347160150516273152

the kelt · 07-01-2021 01:58PM

So apparently the dail have just confirmed they will only sit 2 days a week, one of the reasons being that they aren’t sure in regards to the impact of this new variant of the disease etc

But schools, be grand sure, work away.

I mean surely even the teacher haters must be asking questions here in fairness

Icyseanfitz · 07-01-2021 02:01PM

rob316 wrote: »

Are your lives worth anymore than the front-line healthcare workers? Your environment you are been asked to work in has far less risk than those. I respect teachers but you are an essential public service just like healthcare, emergency services and police.

Do you actually believe, right now in our current climate, schools are as important as hospitals or emergency services

E36Ross · 07-01-2021 02:02PM

the kelt wrote: »

So apparently the dail have just confirmed they will only sit 2 days a week, one of the reasons being that they aren’t sure in regards to the impact of this new variant of the disease etc

But schools, be grand sure, work away.

I mean surely even the teacher haters must be asking questions here in fairness

Why can't they sit the Dail in schools?

And I'll volunteer to collect them in a bus, because apparently thats safe!

John O.Groats · 07-01-2021 02:05PM

Schools may reopen for LC classes on Monday but realistically how many students will turn up? Fairly safe to say that not all of them will anyway.

Icyseanfitz · 07-01-2021 02:05PM

E36Ross wrote: »

Why can't they sit the Dail in schools?

And I'll volunteer to collect them in a bus, because apparently thats safe!

No need, if we just transfer the dail to be under the department of education, they will receive Norma's blessings, and a short prayer of, "schools are safe, praise be unto Norma"

jimmytwotimes 2013 · 07-01-2021 02:06PM

Wife back to wfh since yesterday. Getting a good reminder here of the last lockdown minding 2 kids under age of 8.

Getting thro the day with nobody injured is a victory. We'll have to do schoolwork from their primary school from next Monday.

3 trips to school, leaving my wife working from home and minding the kids at the same time from next week as well.

Prerecorded stuff, done at night, will be manageable but, jesus, doing live lessons with 2 kids running around the place. An argument for our zoom meeting on Friday with a principal who has no kids.

Good God

Endintheclowns · 07-01-2021 02:08PM

rob316 wrote: »

Are your lives worth anymore than the front-line healthcare workers? Your environment you are been asked to work in has far less risk than those. I respect teachers but you are an essential public service just like healthcare, emergency services and police.

Point out where any Gardaí, doctors, nurses etc.. are being placed in a room with circa 25 other people from different households for 6 hrs with just a piece of cloth over their mouth and nose to protect them.

With present rate of transmission its almost a guarantee one of the students from the 25 will be carrying the virus.

combat14 · 07-01-2021 02:10PM

i rang my DP this morning and he struggled having a five minute conversation on the phone with his two kids in the background .. going to be fun for parents who have to try and teach like that, let alone come in to teach almost adults i mean leaving certs in school

Endintheclowns · 07-01-2021 02:10PM

E36Ross wrote: »

Why can't they sit the Dail in schools?

And I'll volunteer to collect them in a bus, because apparently thats safe!

You'd be lucky to have a bus, most are collected in minibuses which are basically Ford transits with windows.

Stateofyou · 07-01-2021 02:15PM

rob316 wrote: »

Are your lives worth anymore than the front-line healthcare workers? Your environment you are been asked to work in has far less risk than those. I respect teachers but you are an essential public service just like healthcare, emergency services and police.

I'm a parent, as I already said here numerous times.
As for healthcare workers they signed up for it and are trained to handle infectious diseases. They have proper PPE including masks that actually filter out and protect from viruses.
Teachers are being asked to be in a room with up to or more than 30 other students now 3 times a week with unprecedented spread - one of the worst in the world in fact - with a virulent strain far more infectious and that seems to affect the age group there more, whilst wearing simple cotton face masks yet untested against this strain.

Essential public service like health care workers, emergency services and gardai cannot work from home.

I think you know all this, you just couldn't give two f-cks because it isn't YOU facing any of it.

wirelessdude01 · 07-01-2021 02:16PM

scouserstation wrote: »

But why would you be going into small overcrowded classrooms when there is so much space that can be utilised now, schools operating at a greatly reduced capacity surely there is scope to carry out classes in a safer environment?

You really don't get it do you.

Neyite · 07-01-2021 02:17PM

We just got a text saying that online teaching (primary) school will resume on Monday. Honestly it's a relief, my lad is the kind that will work diligently for the teacher and not do a tap for me and I'm interested in seeing how it will go. I really hope it's a success all round. The teachers and staff of our school put together their online contingency teaching plan during late July and August when they were supposed to be off dossing. The principal was on site all but a handful of days during the entire summer as were many of the teachers preparing both the school and their online strategy.

I read recently a first person account of someone who was a child during the Bosnian war and who's education was interrupted due to the conflict for several years. As an adult he's now highly qualified. But it made me think that ok, this is crap for everyone involved - whether you are mildly inconvenienced or facing the impossible but if we and our families stay healthy, it's hopefully temporary and education can happen at any age.

Many of us just want the safety to stay home during the current frightening numbers - our kids are just like us, wanting their normal lives back but equally, being very nervous of catching this bloody disease. Students are innocent vectors of this plague and by continuing to send them to mingle they carry it back home to the more vulnerable. I've a cousin who, despite their best efforts, brought home covid to their elderly and vulnerable relatives. Both ended up in hospital, one nearly died. It's too soon to tell what long-term damage was done. But my cousin - the guilt will never leave her. But she's a grown woman who can logically see that it wasn't her fault. I doubt my 8yo would ever get over it if he brought covid home to his asthmatic dad. So he's staying home. He might not get much of an education during this pandemic but my priority is health first, education second.

Schools closed until February? (part 3)

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