Schools closed until March/April? (part 4) **Mod warning in OP 22/01**

Stateofyou wrote: »

What about teachers own families, their children's and spouses needs? Their own mental health and need for a break. How would you feel about giving up your own holidays for your employer to make up for lost productivity this year?

I specifically asked the question of a special needs teacher or sna in a high dependancy school. Regarding the break, I thought maybe ( I don't know) they were getting the break now, again through no fault of their own and some might be happy to do a week over Easter rather than next week. They also know the situation of their school children and that probably weighs heavily on their minds too. There is a difference between lesser productivity, although I doubt too many companies are happy with poor productivity at this stage in the game, and being unable to do your job at all. But maybe the staff I asked about are working away, I don't know, that's why I ask the question. As for me, I work for myself on a consultancy basis so if I work I get paid and if I don't work I don't.

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Petition aimed at INTO members.

Aim is to "demand that the INTO Central Executive Committee issues a Directive to ALL its members to continue remote learning to protect staff health/safety until such a time that a 2/3 majority of INTO members feel it is safe to return."

https://www.change.org/p/into-members-nationwide-into-give-your-members-a-directive-on-health-safety-grounds-re-covid

Mendoza wrote: »

Petition aimed at INTO members.

Aim is to "demand that the INTO Central Executive Committee issues a Directive to ALL its members to continue remote learning to protect staff health/safety until such a time that a 2/3 majority of INTO members feel it is safe to return."

https://www.change.org/p/into-members-nationwide-into-give-your-members-a-directive-on-health-safety-grounds-re-covid

As an active member of the INTO this kinda rubbish gets on my wick. There are mechanisms through which things can be achieved. Voice your concerns through your staff rep, CEC rep, join all the webinars and comment.

Akabusi wrote: »

Wouldn't it just be easier to leave them closed until the numbers have come down. If the trend continues, that would be around the middle of February. The time lost between now and then could be made up by ditching the Mid-term, taking only 1 week at Easter and extending the school year by a week. That would mean teachers stop teaching remotely at the end of this week and use this time as there holidays. It wouldn't be ideal but that is the situation we are in, health of the teachers and students, and there families has to come first.

Why? Obviously I can only comment on my own class and school but we have moved seamlessly to remote/oñline. If they want time made up then tell us to stop right now. I'll be open and say I shouldn't be expected to do both.

Ray Donovan wrote: »

Akabusi wrote: »

Wouldn't it just be easier to leave them closed until the numbers have come down. If the trend continues, that would be around the middle of February. The time lost between now and then could be made up by ditching the Mid-term, taking only 1 week at Easter and extending the school year by a week. That would mean teachers stop teaching remotely at the end of this week and use this time as there holidays. It wouldn't be ideal but that is the situation we are in, health of the teachers and students, and there families has to come first.[/quote

Hey Kids, here’s some Level 5 holidays. Enjoy. And remember if we get to L2 at Easter/Summer you have to go to school.

1 week at Easter for Holidays, still 2 months in the Summer for holidays.

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

As an active member of the INTO this kinda rubbish gets on my wick. There are mechanisms through which things can be achieved. Voice your concerns through your staff rep, CEC rep, join all the webinars and comment.

Well I'm fairly sure those motivated have emailed and contacted their CEC reps.

CEC reps have been in meetings pretty much constantly the past few days so they're not going to have time to read and evaluate their inboxes. School reps will tell you to contact rep. This was part of a webinar set up by Glor.

Anyway do what you like I'm just spreading the word. No harm to you what other people choose to do with the information.

BonsaiKitten wrote: »

It's possible to do all that and sign the petition. The 2/3 member agreement part is unworkable imo but I've no problem with people voicing their anger in as many ways as possible.

If you were on the INTO CEC would you listen to emails and comments on an official DES webinar or some online petition?

Stateofyou wrote: »

What's this, a reasonable and timelined decision including dates for review? Impossible in these parts. :rolleyes:

Norma doesn’t roll that way.... https://twitter.com/mcconnelldaniel/status/1351565670723559433?s=21

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

If you were on the INTO CEC would you listen to emails and comments on an official DES webinar or some online petition?

I have no faith in the INTO to listen to much of anything from their members. Comments on the webinar, petition, emails...I see no reason why people shouldn't hammer home their point of view via every possible channel.

BonsaiKitten wrote: »

I have no faith in the INTO to listen to much of anything from their members. Comments on the webinar, petition, emails...I see no reason why people shouldn't hammer home their point of view via every possible channel.

I initially was like that. Started going my branch meetings, made my voice known and heard. Now on branch and district committees and make sure that voices are heard.

No point cribbing like some do from the sidelines(no idea if you are a member or not). Get involved. Our CEC rep told me yesterday that they had received over 3000 emails between Friday night and Monday night. Approx 100 were in favour of what is proposed, rest were vehemently opposed. Message is being received. Pivotal moment on our unions and the pressure needs to be applied again and again.

Sammy2012 wrote: »

Why are other countries able to make workable plans? We have no idea whether schools are opening on Thursday or Monday week? Why can't they just give everyone guidance in a realistic time frame!!!! That would help everyone plan for the next few weeks! Why do we always have to lag behind other countries in this way????

Loads of countries have changed their decision when the data changes. If you know what our infection rates and hospital usage will be in 2 weeks time, then please do let the Government know. It's pointless making hard and fast plans in a changing situation.

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

I initially was like that. Started going my branch meetings, made my voice known and heard. Now on branch and district committees and make sure that voices are heard.

No point cribbing like some do from the sidelines(no idea if you are a member or not). Get involved. Our CEC rep told me yesterday that they had received over 3000 emails between Friday night and Monday night. Approx 100 were in favour of what is proposed, rest were vehemently opposed. Message is being received. Pivotal moment on our unions and the pressure needs to be applied again and again.

So if people are emailing the reps then what's the issue with the petition being run too? That's my point in all this. Fine if the INTO ignore the petition - as I expect them to do tbh - but it's causing no harm. If anything it's an additional outlet for teachers who feel powerless.

My take on it is simple. Post to VfT. Post to Twitter. Email Ministers/local TDs/heads of INTO/reps. Make phonecalls. Sign the petition. Write to the papers. Crack on it with it all - the more, the better.