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

Neagra · 22-01-2021 01:11AM

History Queen wrote: »

I'm just curious as to why you don't want to interact with teachers while the school is closed?

its simply a case of not having any time
my wife is very busy during the day minding 4 children and i get home at around 6 30
i am want to interact with all my children before they go to bed.
weekends are no work zones

jimmytwotimes 2013 · 22-01-2021 01:28AM

Neagra wrote: »

its simply a case of not having any time
my wife is very busy during the day minding 4 children and i get home at around 6 30
i am want to interact with all my children before they go to bed.
weekends are no work zones

Don't see a problem with that. We're both working from home and our daughter's schoolwork didn't happen at all twice this week.

Left it off in favour of playing some games, reading her favourite book, making sure her brother wasn't gonna dive bomb down the stairs etc.

Only you know your situation and if doing homework is going to be counterproductive, don't do it

Mardyke · 22-01-2021 01:40AM

Neagra wrote: »

its simply a case of not having any time
my wife is very busy during the day minding 4 children and i get home at around 6 30
i am want to interact with all my children before they go to bed.
weekends are no work zones

That's fair enough, it's difficult.

But why not just communicate that to the teachers rather than blanking them? (if that's what you're doing)

I'd imagine half the country are not doing any homeschooling. And that's mainly the fault of the Dept of Ed as there is no consistent platform for online learning in Ireland, something that all kids are familiar with and wouldn't need much help.

Shambles. Norma and Co. are inept.

Most logical people feel sorry for the teachers.

TTLF · 22-01-2021 01:49AM

Mardyke wrote: »

That's fair enough, it's difficult.

But why not just communicate that to the teachers rather than blanking them? (if that's what you're doing)

I'd imagine half the country are not doing any homeschooling. And that's mainly the fault of the Dept of Ed as there is no consistent platform for online learning in Ireland, something that all kids are familiar with and wouldn't need much help.

Shambles. Norma and Co. are inept.

Most logical people feel sorry for the teachers.

My sister's a primary school teacher and I can confirm half the students didn't come in to pick up their work packets on Tuesday she said. (although the school is more disadvantaged) but it's certainly true that some kids aren't doing any work due to family related reasons.

KrustyUCC · 22-01-2021 01:53AM

It's certainly an issue with disadvantaged schools

My friends is a Principal who also teaches a class in his school

3/20 kids have collected their books and the vast majority won't interact online

Very tough one

wirelessdude01 · 22-01-2021 08:51AM

I have 1 kid out of a class of 29, who from my perspective, hasn't done a tap. Neither parent or the child it's self has enrolled on my Google classroom, hasn't come onto any of my live zoom stuff either. Finally after 3 emails, the mam replied and said that everything was fine and that the child was doing the work that I'm emailing out. Note, nothing is sent out over email, daily assignments are only allocated via Google classroom after the daily zoom call, so I know for a fact that nothing is being done by that child. I've done my best but they are missing out as new topics are being taught every single day.

We aren't an affluent school, single stream "ordinary" rural school but we wouldn’t have the same issues as your standard town school. In the main we have a supportive group of parents. Buy in this time is light years ahead of last time. Personally speaking, I want and expect the same standards as if we are in the physical building. That means from the child's side, work is presented properly, care and pride is taken in it, for the likes of maths, all workings have to be shown. For me however, that means an enormous amount of daily corrections as every, single piece of work submitted to me is individually assessed and relevant feedback given. I think it's only fair that the children receive this for all the effort that they are putting in. They deserve proper feedback. Definitely working 5/6hrs more per day than I would during a standard school day. No whole class feedback, everything has to be personalised due to the way things are.

Anyway, 9 more minutes and the grind starts again.

Lillyfae · 22-01-2021 09:00AM

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

I have 1 kid out of a class of 29, who from my perspective, hasn't done a tap. Neither parent or the child it's self has enrolled on my Google classroom, hasn't come onto any of my live zoom stuff either. Finally after 3 emails, the mam replied and said that everything was fine and that the child was doing the work that I'm emailing out. Note, nothing is sent out over email, daily assignments are only allocated via Google classroom after the daily zoom call, so I know for a fact that nothing is being done by that child. I've done my best but they are missing out as new topics are being taught every single day.

Have you asked them if everything is OK?

mirrorwall14 · 22-01-2021 09:02AM

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

I have 1 kid out of a class of 29, who from my perspective, hasn't done a tap. Neither parent or the child it's self has enrolled on my Google classroom, hasn't come onto any of my live zoom stuff either. Finally after 3 emails, the mam replied and said that everything was fine and that the child was doing the work that I'm emailing out. Note, nothing is sent out over email, daily assignments are only allocated via Google classroom after the daily zoom call, so I know for a fact that nothing is being done by that child. I've done my best but they are missing out as new topics are being taught every single day.

We aren't an affluent school, single stream "ordinary" rural school but we wouldn’t have the same issues as your standard town school. In the main we have a supportive group of parents. Buy in this time is light years ahead of last time. Personally speaking, I want and expect the same standards as if we are in the physical building. That means from the child's side, work is presented properly, care and pride is taken in it, for the likes of maths, all workings have to be shown. For me however, that means an enormous amount of daily corrections as every, single piece of work submitted to me is individually assessed and relevant feedback given. I think it's only fair that the children receive this for all the effort that they are putting in. They deserve proper feedback. Definitely working 5/6hrs more per day than I would during a standard school day. No whole class feedback, everything has to be personalised due to the way things are.

Anyway, 9 more minutes and the grind starts again.

Just curious what age you teach? Because as a parent (and teacher) that’s not a realistic expectation for me or my senior infant. Everything he does has to be supervised closely and like you I’m working more hours than ever. I’m doing my best to get everything done but to expect the same standards as when my child is being taught by a teacher qualified at his age group and with his peers to lead by example it would be tough going. They are doing new material and Im doing my best to keep him up with everything

At second level however I completely agree. My students are capable of keeping up, shouldn’t need constant parental supervision and work should definitely be of the same standard particularly as I’m teaching live at their request for maths specifically. The pace of the course has dropped substantially but we are progressing. The buy in is excellent and light years ahead of May.

22-01-2021 09:10AM

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

I have 1 kid out of a class of 29, who from my perspective, hasn't done a tap. Neither parent or the child it's self has enrolled on my Google classroom, hasn't come onto any of my live zoom stuff either. Finally after 3 emails, the mam replied and said that everything was fine and that the child was doing the work that I'm emailing out. Note, nothing is sent out over email, daily assignments are only allocated via Google classroom after the daily zoom call, so I know for a fact that nothing is being done by that child. I've done my best but they are missing out as new topics are being taught every single day.

We aren't an affluent school, single stream "ordinary" rural school but we wouldn’t have the same issues as your standard town school. In the main we have a supportive group of parents. Buy in this time is light years ahead of last time. Personally speaking, I want and expect the same standards as if we are in the physical building. That means from the child's side, work is presented properly, care and pride is taken in it, for the likes of maths, all workings have to be shown. For me however, that means an enormous amount of daily corrections as every, single piece of work submitted to me is individually assessed and relevant feedback given. I think it's only fair that the children receive this for all the effort that they are putting in. They deserve proper feedback. Definitely working 5/6hrs more per day than I would during a standard school day. No whole class feedback, everything has to be personalised due to the way things are.

Anyway, 9 more minutes and the grind starts again.

Some people are struggling with access to tech. Especially if there are multiple kids in the house and parent(s) working from home. A work colleague is WFH with LC, JC and 5th class kids. Even in Galway city, his broadband is struggling at times. Another had to buy a laptop specifically for homeschool. Many parents will not be able to go out and do this, and also may not want to admit that its a problem.

Of course, there are also some who just dont care

wirelessdude01 · 22-01-2021 09:20AM

mirrorwall14 wrote: »

Just curious what age you teach? Because as a parent (and teacher) that’s not a realistic expectation for me or my senior infant. Everything he does has to be supervised closely and like you I’m working more hours than ever. I’m doing my best to get everything done but to expect the same standards as when my child is being taught by a teacher qualified at his age group and with his peers to lead by example it would be tough going. They are doing new material and Im doing my best to keep him up with everything

At second level however I completely agree. My students are capable of keeping up, shouldn’t need constant parental supervision and work should definitely be of the same standard particularly as I’m teaching live at their request for maths specifically. The pace of the course has dropped substantially but we are progressing. The buy in is excellent and light years ahead of May.

I've 6th class. Excellent bunch of young people. They should need zero help with any work. Every single thing is layed out for them, explained again and again,(either live on zoom or via tutorial videos created using loom). Think about 21/22 of them upload their own work to me without parental help. Self sufficient is what I want my gang to be. Enough stress without me adding to it. Feedback from both the kids and their parents has been phenomenonal. Both groups love the structure and routine of what is in place and that screentime is minimal, same can't be said for me!!! As a reward for their hard work so far, they will only have one small piece of English work and approximately 5mins of Gaeilge to submit today. They deserve a break. Fridays in my room are traditionally the day where we do lots of non academic stuff anyway. Art, PE and the likes.

mirrorwall14 · 22-01-2021 09:21AM

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

I've 6th class. Excellent bunch of young people. They should need zero help with any work. Every single thing is layed out for them, explained again and again,(either live on zoom or via tutorial videos created using loom). Think about 21/22 of them upload their own work to me without parental help. Self sufficient is what I want my gang to be. Enough stress without me adding to it. Feedback from both the kids and their parents has been phenomenonal. Both groups love the structure and routine of what is in place and that screentime is minimal, same can't be said for me!!! As a reward for their hard work so far, they will only have one small piece of English work and approximately 5mins of Gaeilge to submit today. They deserve a break. Fridays in my room are traditionally the day where we do lots of non academic stuff anyway. Art, PE and the likes.

Ah totally fair then, theyll be well set up for secondary school too which will really stand to them finding their feet next September!

wirelessdude01 · 22-01-2021 09:24AM

Deleted User wrote: »

Some people are struggling with access to tech. Especially if there are multiple kids in the house and parent(s) working from home. A work colleague is WFH with LC, JC and 5th class kids. Even in Galway city, his broadband is struggling at times. Another had to buy a laptop specifically for homeschool. Many parents will not be able to go out and do this, and also may not want to admit that its a problem.

Of course, there are also some who just dont care

Broadband or tech isn't issue with this child. They are gaming away online with others in the class as I made some discrete enquiries and found out. Just seems that the decision has been made not to engage. Parent also never bothered to reply to calls, emails or texts from the principal. Anyway we have done our best and our job.

As as you might have noticed I did point out that I'm trying to keep screen time to a minimum as I am cognisant of tech/equipment needs at home. Zoom is 40mins per day and then loom videos that last anything from 2-15mins each. I've have some kids who type pretty much everything that they return to me but they are very much in the minority.

tigger123 · 22-01-2021 09:44AM

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

I have 1 kid out of a class of 29, who from my perspective, hasn't done a tap. Neither parent or the child it's self has enrolled on my Google classroom, hasn't come onto any of my live zoom stuff either. Finally after 3 emails, the mam replied and said that everything was fine and that the child was doing the work that I'm emailing out. Note, nothing is sent out over email, daily assignments are only allocated via Google classroom after the daily zoom call, so I know for a fact that nothing is being done by that child. I've done my best but they are missing out as new topics are being taught every single day.

We aren't an affluent school, single stream "ordinary" rural school but we wouldn’t have the same issues as your standard town school. In the main we have a supportive group of parents. Buy in this time is light years ahead of last time. Personally speaking, I want and expect the same standards as if we are in the physical building. That means from the child's side, work is presented properly, care and pride is taken in it, for the likes of maths, all workings have to be shown. For me however, that means an enormous amount of daily corrections as every, single piece of work submitted to me is individually assessed and relevant feedback given. I think it's only fair that the children receive this for all the effort that they are putting in. They deserve proper feedback. Definitely working 5/6hrs more per day than I would during a standard school day. No whole class feedback, everything has to be personalised due to the way things are.

Anyway, 9 more minutes and the grind starts again.

Fair play. You're clearly very dedicated to your role!

khalessi · 22-01-2021 09:55AM

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

Broadband or tech isn't issue with this child. They are gaming away online with others in the class as I made some discrete enquiries and found out. Just seems that the decision has been made not to engage. Parent also never bothered to reply to calls, emails or texts from the principal. Anyway we have done our best and our job.
[/QUOE]

This!
I have this with three of the kids, I have rang the parents, spoken to the children on speaker phone and emailed the parents through the school system, contacted their teachers, who have sent messages to them too. I have sent messages through google classroom but the child has ignored them all. So deputy principal contacting them today.

I honestly can't get over the gumption of a 12 year old to ignore teachers and parents and yet they are on all night x boxing sessions, at leasst the other 25 are uploading work to the best of their abilities.

Locotastic · 22-01-2021 10:00AM

For kids that won't engage, if you've reached out tried then there's not much else you can do.

Some kids just won't and add to that family circumstances might not easily adapt to homeschooling.

Everyone is dealing with all of this in their own way, all you can do is make sure the work is there and accessible for anyone who does want to engage.

My youngest gets extremely stressed looking at a large workload of assigned work, so much so that they sometimes won't even start any of it. We put no pressure on them because it's simply not worth it.

However I have told the teacher that they will cover the basics but no more than that, no fluff or filler projects are being done.

mirrorwall14 · 22-01-2021 10:11AM

Locotastic wrote: »

However I have told the teacher that they will cover the basics but no more than that, no fluff or filler projects are being done.

I’m laughing because I just went though our daily work and one of the clips is baking. To be fair she did record it for them and her own child is in the video helping but no way am I going to have time for making queen cakes today!

Maybe at the weekend

lawred2 · 22-01-2021 10:21AM

The only thing I'd say about this remote teaching... our two lads - senior infant and first class so definitely not capable of self directed learning..

The teachers are engaged with the children over Seesaw so can't accuse them of anything untoward or anything unfair like "slacking off" however it has to be said that there's not much teaching going on... there's a lot of assigning work through Seesaw but that's it. We've had to respond a few times asking for a quick video for the kids of the teacher going through the topic involved. Same as they would in the classroom.

There's little of that. Work being assigned, examined, corrected and feedback given but it's definitely up to myself and the missus to do the teaching bit at the minute.

Look it's fine for now but it's not sustainable for children this age. We both work. In my case; two jobs.

The few times we've raised a concern with the teacher; they have said not to worry and that all this stuff will be revised when they get back into class. When will that be though? Our youngest is lucky in that he's smart and will be able to pick things up in an accelerated manner but can't say that will be the case for all.

Can't wait for the day that this is all behind us.

On that note; the government are determined to have schools open so why not vaccinate the teachers as part of that?

jimmytwotimes 2013 · 22-01-2021 10:27AM

RTE news : Transmission levels 'too high for schools to reopen'

http://www.rte.ie/news/coronavirus/2021/0122/1191335-coronavirus-ireland/

No real discussion on Prime Time last night other than a 'so you think you know more than public health', 'wanna go on PUP' garbage

Stateofyou · 22-01-2021 10:35AM

Neagra wrote: »

its simply a case of not having any time
my wife is very busy during the day minding 4 children and i get home at around 6 30
i am want to interact with all my children before they go to bed.
weekends are no work zones

Are you aware of homeschool hub on RTE? That might help with getting a bit of education into the day.

km79 · 22-01-2021 10:41AM

jimmytwotimes 2013 wrote: »

RTE news : Transmission levels 'too high for schools to reopen'

http://www.rte.ie/news/coronavirus/2021/0122/1191335-coronavirus-ireland/

No real discussion on Prime Time last night other than a 'so you think you know more than public health', 'wanna go on PUP' garbage

Sure what would the HSE’s chief clinical officer know . We have resident public health experts on boards to advise us that schools are safe . And economic experts advising that public servants will be put on the PUP if we do not return post haste to these safe environments

wirelessdude01 · 22-01-2021 10:43AM

Locotastic wrote: »

For kids that won't engage, if you've reached out tried then there's not much else you can do.

Some kids just won't and add to that family circumstances might not easily adapt to homeschooling.

Everyone is dealing with all of this in their own way, all you can do is make sure the work is there and accessible for anyone who does want to engage.

My youngest gets extremely stressed looking at a large workload of assigned work, so much so that they sometimes won't even start any of it. We put no pressure on them because it's simply not worth it.

However I have told the teacher that they will cover the basics but no more than that, no fluff or filler projects are being done.

Mine drips through from 8-11. That way they don't get overwhelmed.

wirelessdude01 · 22-01-2021 10:46AM

mirrorwall14 wrote: »

I’m laughing because I just went though our daily work and one of the clips is baking. To be fair she did record it for them and her own child is in the video helping but no way am I going to have time for making queen cakes today!

Maybe at the weekend

I've my baking ready to go for next week. Post about it goes up today so that they can get the ingredients over the weekend. They have all next week to do them if they want to.

Did this baking with last years class and know a few of last years class baked them again over Christmas as they emailed me some photos of the cookies!!!

Wombatman · 22-01-2021 10:47AM

jimmytwotimes 2013 wrote: »

RTE news : Transmission levels 'too high for schools to reopen'

http://www.rte.ie/news/coronavirus/2021/0122/1191335-coronavirus-ireland/

No real discussion on Prime Time last night other than a 'so you think you know more than public health', 'wanna go on PUP' garbage

However, he said, transmission levels are currently ten times what they were in early December.

He said this needs to reduce to a much lower level "before we can add to additional risk by the mixing of crowds at school settings"

So schools are NOT safe then? Quelle surprise!

Transmission levels have fallen dramatically over the last 7 days, yet all throughout that period the Minister for Education has been spreading misinformation.

Her "schools are safe" message is about as credible as Trump's "I won by a lot".

wirelessdude01 · 22-01-2021 10:47AM

jimmytwotimes 2013 wrote: »

RTE news : Transmission levels 'too high for schools to reopen'

http://www.rte.ie/news/coronavirus/2021/0122/1191335-coronavirus-ireland/

No real discussion on Prime Time last night other than a 'so you think you know more than public health', 'wanna go on PUP' garbage

Both presenters on PT were a disgrace last night.

Stateofyou · 22-01-2021 10:51AM

I apologise for my Daily Mail article link, but saw it posted online and was taken aback.
Also saw this morning the US is now requiring all travellers to quarantine 7 days after arrival and require a negative covid test as well. When are we going to get serious here. Sick to my back teeth of this waffling here causing it to drag on and our kids be disadvantaged (not to mention all of us). :mad:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9174087/Fears-classrooms-remain-closed-Easter-holidays-unless-Covid-19-cases-fall.html

Easter holidays: Scientists warn classrooms should remain closed until Covid-19 cases falls dramatically
-Schools could remain shut until after Easter unless virus cases fall dramatically
-Education Secretary still hopes schools might return after February half-term
-But government source said it was becoming 'increasingly difficult' to see how schools could be reopened next month due to high number of Covid-19 cases

"During a round of media interviews yesterday, Mr Williamson insisted there would be no repeat of the shambolic episode at the start of this month when schools were ordered to close just one day after returning from the Christmas break.

He said schools would get at least two weeks' notice of any order to reopen – suggesting that ministers will have to decide by February 8 whether classrooms will reopen for the start of the second half of the spring term on February 22.

Although Boris Johnson has prioritised the early reopening of schools, government scientists have warned that a return to the classroom could trigger another sharp spike."

"Dr Mary Bousted, of the National Education Union, said: 'After the chaos and confusion that government incompetence over school opening and closure has created, it is good we now have an assurance from Gavin Williamson that school staff will be given two weeks' notice before reopening."

spaceHopper · 22-01-2021 11:06AM

jimmytwotimes 2013 wrote: »

RTE news : Transmission levels 'too high for schools to reopen'

http://www.rte.ie/news/coronavirus/2021/0122/1191335-coronavirus-ireland/

No real discussion on Prime Time last night other than a 'so you think you know more than public health', 'wanna go on PUP' garbage

RTE and Prime time is becoming a bad joke, they Jack Chambers on to talk about schools, no disrespect to him but he's a minister for state, a kind way of saying a junior minister and education is not in he brief. And no hard questions asked they gave the union leader a much harder time as if they are trying to blame them of the mess that happened this and last week.

TV3/VM are doing a much better job challenging the government.

Personally I'm reluctant to see SF in government I think their policies play to much to the underprivileged and they could easily wreck the economy but given the mess FF have made of this and the way FG have stood back an allowed it to happen I can't see myself voting for either party next election.

Icyseanfitz · 22-01-2021 11:14AM

Stateofyou wrote: »

I apologise for my Daily Mail article link, but saw it posted online and was taken aback.
Also saw this morning the US is now requiring all travellers to quarantine 7 days after arrival and require a negative covid test as well. When are we going to get serious here. Sick to my back teeth of this waffling here causing it to drag on and our kids be disadvantaged (not to mention all of us). :mad:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9174087/Fears-classrooms-remain-closed-Easter-holidays-unless-Covid-19-cases-fall.html

Easter holidays: Scientists warn classrooms should remain closed until Covid-19 cases falls dramatically
-Schools could remain shut until after Easter unless virus cases fall dramatically
-Education Secretary still hopes schools might return after February half-term
-But government source said it was becoming 'increasingly difficult' to see how schools could be reopened next month due to high number of Covid-19 cases

"During a round of media interviews yesterday, Mr Williamson insisted there would be no repeat of the shambolic episode at the start of this month when schools were ordered to close just one day after returning from the Christmas break.

He said schools would get at least two weeks' notice of any order to reopen – suggesting that ministers will have to decide by February 8 whether classrooms will reopen for the start of the second half of the spring term on February 22.

Although Boris Johnson has prioritised the early reopening of schools, government scientists have warned that a return to the classroom could trigger another sharp spike."

"Dr Mary Bousted, of the National Education Union, said: 'After the chaos and confusion that government incompetence over school opening and closure has created, it is good we now have an assurance from Gavin Williamson that school staff will be given two weeks' notice before reopening."

Wouldn't that be the dream here :rolleyes: we'll be told in a curricular the Friday evening before return.

The Wordress · 22-01-2021 11:16AM

https://www.google.ie/amp/s/www.rsvplive.ie/news/irish-news/hse-confirms-several-crches-been-23360581.amp

Some creches closed by HSE, due to Covid outbreaks.

The Covid situation is not good at the minute.

My County's Covid cases are still at the highest they have even been, even though there is meant to be a reduced movement of people.

Icyseanfitz · 22-01-2021 11:20AM

The Wordress wrote: »

https://www.google.ie/amp/s/www.rsvplive.ie/news/irish-news/hse-confirms-several-crches-been-23360581.amp

Some creches closed by HSE, due to Covid outbreaks.

The Covid situation is not good at the minute.

My County's Covid cases are still at the highest they have even been, even though there is meant to be a reduced movement of people.

Those poor small children and staff

jrosen · 22-01-2021 11:21AM

I have to say if I wasn’t home I know my secondary kid would be dossing. Hubby is wfh but he is working 12/14 hours per day. It’s just an insane period work wise for him. If I wasn’t here keeping track and encouraging and pottering about Keeping an eye and engaging with him he wouldn’t even do half the work.

I have some friends were both parents are working with the same demands and deadlines who’s kids are much younger and need to be sat with and helped and they are doing virtually no school work because they can’t.

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

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