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

wirelessdude01 · 17-02-2021 06:04PM

Wonder has our Canadian friend upgraded his algorithm!!

khalessi · 17-02-2021 06:04PM

is_that_so wrote: »

The ECDC consider a lot of things and really don't give out information casually. I've no opinion on this but NPHET takes their lead from them. And it was 12C today!

and that statement also says But if the situation remains of higher concern, as it is now, then keeping schools open should be re-assessed."

THe ECDC also say every person in classroom to be tested if positive case and thats been ignored

just wonering if that is from the Dec 2020 report? “This report does not consider the epidemiology of COVID-19 in relation to new variants of SARS-CoV-2

drunkmonkey · 17-02-2021 06:07PM

Just on the windows open thing, surely kids sitting near the window are more at risk as the Covid is traveling in their direction?

hotmail.com · 17-02-2021 06:08PM

khalessi wrote: »

Not sure why the brackets, something you are trying to tell us?

My post speaks for itself.

is_that_so · 17-02-2021 06:08PM

khalessi wrote: »

and that statement also says But if the situation remains of higher concern, as it is now, then keeping schools open should be re-assessed."

THe ECDC also say every person in classroom to be tested if positive case and thats been ignored

just wonering if that is from the Dec 2020 report? “This report does not consider the epidemiology of COVID-19 in relation to new variants of SARS-CoV-2

The interview was from today I believe.

downthemiddle · 17-02-2021 06:11PM

hotmail.com wrote: »

My post speaks for itself.

It most certainly does!!

C__MC · 17-02-2021 06:12PM

Third years are finished up in February
We will do well to keep them engaged until June

am_zarathustra · 17-02-2021 06:16PM

Without the algorithm being published in advance or the weighting being clear, unless the kids I teach have the OG ratified and in the bag I'll be telling them to sit the exams. I'd a couple stung by seemingly random downgrades the last time, I'll be damned if I tell them to risk that this time

copeyhagen · 17-02-2021 06:17PM

drunkmonkey wrote: »

Just on the windows open thing, surely kids sitting near the window are more at risk as the Covid is traveling in their direction?

is that a joke?!

Locotastic · 17-02-2021 06:19PM

combat14 wrote: »

Traffic levels continue to rise despite warnings against unnecessary travel

https://m.independent.ie/news/traffic-levels-continue-to-rise-despite-warnings-against-unnecessary-travel-40102861.html

dont know what the big deal is the whole country will be opened up in about a weeks time when all the schools go back...

Out on the road just after 6am every morning, I can tell you that the country is very much open as it is.

wirelessdude01 · 17-02-2021 06:26PM

Locotastic wrote: »

Out on the road just after 6am every morning, I can tell you that the country is very much open as it is.

Out for a walk. As the news about both state exams is being heard in houses you can pretty much see the doors being opened and kids and teenagerw being told to go out. Greens that have been empty all week are teaming with activity.

TTLF · 17-02-2021 07:20PM

This is how I'm seeing the LC being played out as of right now.

Let me explain

Written Exams
So essentially right,
You have the choice of PG or the written exam in each subject. Your grade will be either your PG, or if you sit the exam, it'll be the best of the 2 grades.

If you choose not to sit the exam, you're going to get the PG result only, which is a riskier idea.

But if you choose to sit the exam, you will get the best of the two, which means you have a better "safety net" in your results between the two.

At the end of the day, you won't be told which result was which.

For example, Say you chose to do PG and sit 2-3 subjects, whilst the people around you are sitting all subjects and getting the best of the 2 grades, they'll do better overall with the bigger safety net.

There's this anxiety/pressure I feel to still sit the real exam so you get the "bigger safety net" :rolleyes:

This also in the article makes me a little confused, obviously they don't have all the details now, but what WILL happen?

Orals and Practical's
"Non-exam assessments such as orals and practical's will also go ahead this year, but with certain aspects not running due to public health requirements. "

While that's all well and good, how would this work? "Certain aspects not running" sounds to me like a few things could occur

1. The art project in school is cancelled
2. Parts of the German Oral (the project discussion etc) could be cancelled
3. The DCG or Metal work projects could be cancelled(?)
4. Geography Field study is cancelled
5. Irish oral continues as normal probably
6. Spanish and French continue as normal? (I'm not sure if they have the same project stuff etc as German)~
7. Music practical could be recorded and sent off or something, that's a tough one.

I'm not sure who would be able to assess me in the practical/oral things though since people here were saying how they haven't even been contacted to be asked to do it.

Hopefully this is sorted out, although whilst it's not the worst system, it does make me feel extremely pressured to sit all my exams regardless to get a better chance to get into college, which students actively didn't really want. :rolleyes::pac:

am_zarathustra · 17-02-2021 07:30PM

TTLF wrote: »

Hopefully this is sorted out, although whilst it's not the worst system, it does make me feel extremely pressured to sit all my exams regardless to get a better change to get into college, which students actively didn't really want. :rolleyes::pac:

Sitting exams that are externally marked should be the gold standard so I'd hope most students would take the exams. Any system that made the exams less attractive not a barrier to getting into college would be a poor choice.

Engineering projects etc will probably go ahead, they are a massive part of the exam. Geog may be an option, so the exam is worth 100% or exam and project is 100%. You can't disadvantage kids who did the project earlier this year. This is relatively straightforward.

Without knowing how the PG are standardised no teacher can really advise you not to sit an exam......unless it's your 7th subject.....maybe ditch that one ( ;

TTLF · 17-02-2021 07:49PM

am_zarathustra wrote: »

Sitting exams that are externally marked should be the gold standard so I'd hope most students would take the exams. Any system that made the exams less attractive not a barrier to getting into college would be a poor choice.

Engineering projects etc will probably go ahead, they are a massive part of the exam. Geog may be an option, so the exam is worth 100% or exam and project is 100%. You can't disadvantage kids who did the project earlier this year. This is relatively straightforward.

Without knowing how the PG are standardised no teacher can really advise you not to sit an exam......unless it's your 7th subject.....maybe ditch that one ( ;

Yeah I'm considering just sitting 6 and ditching one, or something along those lines. I just don't know WHICH one that is, because I'm failing a HL subject, but I do OL maths, so the obvious choice would be "ditch maths" but I think I could get an O2 in that, whilst German I will struggle to get higher than a H6/5...

Geography is also tough but It's also unfair for the people who CANNOT do it at this point, (i.e me and other schools I know) since it's a field trip. It would be unfair if someone chose to sit the exam and their 20% was factored in, whilst someone who was unable to do it has the entire exam making up their grade. This is why I think it's better off to cancel it, because I feel only a minority of schools really got that field study done before the March lockdown.

The good thing about this decision, is that it completely eradicates the poor "It's up to the exam on the day" decision we've had up until LC 2019. Now I can sit the exam, and if I got a H4, but my PG was a H2, I'll get the H2. I do like that.

My only issue, is that I would've liked to focus on the exam subjects I really do struggle in (Irish, German etc) and get them up without having to uphold much more in the exams I average a H1-2 in, (geog etc) but now since I want that safety net, I need to sit both regardless so the same standard has to be put up for both and I can't deviate more time to another subject.

Also, apparently Orals are cancelled if you choose to do a PG in the language.

Read the statement here
https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/e882f-minister-foley-confirms-leaving-certificate-2021-written-coursework-oral-and-practical-performance-examinations-will-be-held-and-a-corresponding-process-of-grades-accredited-by-state-examinations-commission-will-be-available-to-students/

Locotastic · 17-02-2021 08:01PM

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

Out for a walk. As the news about both state exams is being heard in houses you can pretty much see the doors being opened and kids and teenagerw being told to go out. Greens that have been empty all week are teaming with activity.

Keep people locked down for too long and they start to slip back into normal living.

That and the fact that weather is improving and it's mid term break, lots of people out and about.

Kids and teenagers should be outside enjoying themselves, there's nothing to say they shouldn't be.

BonsaiKitten · 17-02-2021 08:13PM

Am I right in thinking that last year, when predicted grades were announced there was a blanket ban on students/parents contacting teachers? Will be a different story this time around, I assume lessons are continuing. That has to change the classroom dynamic hugely from here on out.

skippy1977 · 17-02-2021 08:29PM

BonsaiKitten wrote: »

Am I right in thinking that last year, when predicted grades were announced there was a blanket ban on students/parents contacting teachers? Will be a different story this time around, I assume lessons are continuing. That has to change the classroom dynamic hugely from here on out.

I've gotten two emails from students since 6 telling me what extra questions they were doing. Not asking any questions about them. Just letting me know they had tried them today. Now they are two great lads but expect an awful lot of this.

jrosen · 17-02-2021 08:35PM

Young lad only delighted here and honestly I’m just happy a decision has been made.
No JC and TY next year it’s gonna be hard keeping him focused and engaged.

am_zarathustra · 17-02-2021 08:48PM

jrosen wrote: »

Young lad only delighted here and honestly I’m just happy a decision has been made.
No JC and TY next year it’s gonna be hard keeping him focused and engaged.

I'd assume the school will run a baby JC. I know we will. It's good practice and gives a sense of accomplishment. I'm sitting here planning a very nice practical for HE trying to work out the feasibily of grading them on making a picnic for the whole year as a celebration in May. I think most JC students will keep tipping away knowing the teachers will be heading them. Most kids at that age are actually very reasonable at the back of all the hormones and occasional temper tantrums

BonsaiKitten · 17-02-2021 08:56PM

skippy1977 wrote: »

I've gotten two emails from students since 6 telling me what extra questions they were doing. Not asking any questions about them. Just letting me know they had tried them today. Now they are two great lads but expect an awful lot of this.

Long couple of months ahead of you guys I'd say! Parents and students constantly in your ear.

drunkmonkey · 17-02-2021 09:02PM

copeyhagen wrote: »

is that a joke?!

No the times reported the windows have to be open and the heating on. I'm just questioning the logic, the air is going to be blowing by some more than others.

jusvi2001 · 17-02-2021 09:36PM

Legal advice obtained by the charities has also found the closure of schools, even with the provision of remote education, is unconstitutional.

https://www.rte.ie/news/2021/0217/1197680-schools-constitution/

penny piper · 17-02-2021 09:41PM

jusvi2001 wrote: »

Legal advice obtained by the charities has also found the closure of schools, even with the provision of remote education, is unconstitutional.

https://www.rte.ie/news/2021/0217/1197680-schools-constitution/

It wouldn't be much good in having a school open if you had no teachers to teach in it....global pandemic......

greenbicycle · 17-02-2021 09:44PM

jusvi2001 wrote: »

Legal advice obtained by the charities has also found the closure of schools, even with the provision of remote education, is unconstitutional.

https://www.rte.ie/news/2021/0217/1197680-schools-constitution/

I have held off responding to posts here for weeks, but this is ridiculous.

Do they not get it is a global pandemic? A literal life and death situation for some.

I get how hard it is for children and parents and everyone, but why is education for a year or so more important than life itself. I know numbers and statistics will be spouted at me but even if it saves just one life....

This is just selfish. As was the mother on the news saying she didn't care how they did it but that schools have to open now. All I heard was "I don't care about other people and whether they die as long as I get what I want"

I have no interest in debating this with the fighters on this thread really but wanted to put my view out there nonetheless.

Loafing Oaf · 17-02-2021 09:47PM

greenbicycle wrote: »

This is just selfish. As was the mother on the news saying she didn't care how they did it but that schools have to open now. All I heard was "I don't care about other people and whether they die as long as I get what I want"

What I heard was

firefish · 17-02-2021 09:54PM

greenbicycle wrote: »

I have held off responding to posts here for weeks, but this is ridiculous.

Do they not get it is a global pandemic? A literal life and death situation for some.

I get how hard it is for children and parents and everyone, but why is education for a year or so more important than life itself. I know numbers and statistics will be spouted at me but even if it saves just one life....

.

You want education closed even if it saves just one life? So in other words you mean you want education shut permanently because infectious disease (eg flu) causes 100s of deaths each year and there’s no doubt that some of that is spread in school (in fact, I understand flu is more risky for children’s health than COVID). What nonsense.

khalessi · 17-02-2021 09:56PM

firefish wrote: »

You want education closed even if it saves just one life? So in other words you mean you want education shut permanently because infectious disease (eg flu) causes 100s of deaths each year and there’s no doubt that some of that is spread in school (in fact, I understand flu is more risky for children’s health than COVID). What nonsense.

You should tell the 6 year old in Crumlin fighting for his life that flu is more dangerous

firefish · 17-02-2021 09:57PM

I am actually really glad that the Children’s Omsbudsman and these charities are beginning to speak out in the interests of children as it’s a perspective that has been sadly lacking (from this thread and the debate generally). No unions for children, particularly those who will be worst affected by this ie the disadvantaged.

firefish · 17-02-2021 09:58PM

khalessi wrote: »

You should tell the 6 year old in Crumlin fighting for his life that flu is more dangerous

Are you saying that it is not? And if so can you back that with any statistics or studies?

jimmytwotimes 2013 · 17-02-2021 10:02PM

The caveat that the LC will take place subject to health advice won't be lost on some students who might consider they could end up studying for nothing.

All of my LC class were all in favour of PGs before midterm. Obv unique to my experience and not to be taken as representative of others

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