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

Looking likely that Leaving Certs will be back on the 1st of March anyway.

I have been given the dubious task of deciding if I return to school on March 1st... So, what do I do?

If you didn't already know, (as in, if you're new here) I am a Leaving Cert 2021 Student, who unfortunately for me, has a heart-related underlying health issue since birth. I'm more at risk sadly, even though I'm healthy right now, COVID could make that an issue very easily.

But now school for my year seems to be returning, makes sense, we need desperate class time before our (possible?) leaving cert, sure it's going ahead... based on public health advice that is. So, if we're now with this new B117 variant, and the Brazil one that we got yesterday, is it still safe to enter school? I don't really have a choice do I? There's nothing in place for people who need to stay home, I just miss out on education. I'd love to see all my friends again and make the final few months of my school life "memorial." But is it safe to do? I mean I don't particularly want 80+ close contacts with the very bad transmission rates we still have. I really want a sense of normality, I really do miss school and the real routine, but I still don't think it's safe for us to go back properly... especially me anyway, my family has been very safe and kept to 0 contacts as I have stated before, but I don't want to be the cause of COVID to enter my family, I can't do that, the guilt would be horrific on me. Seems unfair I am put in this irritable position to question again, "health or education?"


Meanwhile I've kept myself cooped up inside for the last 8 weeks, I have friends across the world online, I have my PC, I can entertain myself to an extent. However this week I went to meet 1 friend because I seriously couldn't take it anymore, but don't worry, I wore a mask and I made sure to be somewhat socially distant, I need to be of course, since I'm more at risk. I actually had a lot of fun, we went skateboarding on this road near a park.... the park was the issue. I arrived around 4:30pm, and to say the park was packed is an understatement, it's like the virus didn't exist anymore. Don't get me wrong, people are entitled to their leisure time, I was doing the same, but NOBODY was wearing a mask, people sitting in groups, kids playing on the playground equipment... it was a mess, my friend and I were in shock. (This was on Wednesday with the good weather btw.)

As much as I hate to admit it, people just aren't complying as much as they used to be, especially in Dublin anyway. I go on walks to keep sane, and I'm seeing adults having full blown conversations with no masks, friends, big groups of teenagers, even my own piers in school doing the same. Sure, people are complying, but I'd say that 1/2 the people who were complying in early January certainly aren't anymore. Traffic levels are even the same levels as they were before the Pandemic. It's just not the same mindset it used to be, I'm quite a perceptive person at times, I take note in my head of who is and isn't wearing a mask for example. I can tell you now, about 20% of the people I see out walking were wearing a mask, the other 80% weren't. They aren't even giving big gaps to walk past you, only the Older people (70+) are, and I nod at the them to show I'm going to give them the space they need, yet I was walking and two idiots without masks brush past me without even giving a toss to be socially distant.

It certainly is not the same as it was before, I don't mind kids meeting other kids, as soon as they return to school that'll be the case anyway, but don't let kids meet up with like 7-8 others... it's just reckless. Same for adults, too. Although the government saying Hospitality won't open until Mid-Summer isn't news people like, and will probably cause less compliance.

I feel if this goes on for any longer, (even though we usually don't) It will start to spark riots or at least anti-social issues around the country.

That being said, I am studying away for the LC, I have decided to sit all my exams except OL maths as I won't need it anyway. Here's hoping come June, I can actually sit the silly things... and celebrate my 19th birthday with at least 2-3 friends...

Str8outtaWuhan wrote: »

I think your issue will be if they make it that LC return to normal timetable on the 1st e.g. full week in , I think the mantra from the unions is to "teach whose in front of you", I can't see many teachers teaching one class in situ and then the same class online later.

Smart decision to drop the OL maths, question is will the teachers let you use those 5 classes a week to study for another subject or will you have to play the game for the next 3 months.

From my reading on the info:
1. Only students who have opted to sit exams return on the 1st March (can’t remember the source)
2. Work until 14th May is included for predicted grades (From info tui sent).

greenbicycle wrote: »

Would be interested in hearing if number 1 was true, they don't officially make decisions till March 8th. So many unknowns

Would be good for reducing numbers in a room though. But possibly not a good decision academically particularly if data is being gathered till the 14th

It’s not true.
That was never said.
Leaving Certs ,if back Monday 1st as expected , will be expected to attend class in school. That’s why school staff are being brought back despite the obvious risks. To provide in person tuition as online is not deemed adequate.
Data for predicted grades is being gathered till the middle of May so even those choosing all PG would need to keep attending

Sunday Times reporting JI/SI back on the 1st, review after two weeks with 1st and second hopefully back on the 15h. With the Easter break that would mean the earliest return for senior side of primary would be April 12th.

The interesting thing with the review is that NPHET explicistate in the letter sent to Stephen Donnolly that is cases begin to rise again after pased reope of school starts that they have to shut all school activities down again.

Str8outtaWuhan wrote: »

AEN Students in mainstream classes , no mention. forgotten.

Not mentioned in the article.

Covid variant fears as over 5,500 fly here from virus hotspots

Over 2,000 flew from Brazil

https://m.independent.ie/world-news/coronavirus/covid-variant-fears-as-over-5500-fly-here-from-virus-hotspots-40114210.html


indo full of good news again today

jusvi2001 wrote: »

Wish our politicians would think more seriously about the school going kids. Meanwhile in UK .


https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9283321/Pupils-attend-catch-classes-summer-schools-given-hundreds-millions.html

Maybe the teaching isn't as good in the uk...hence the need for catch up lessons...
Problem here is we have too many promises from this "government"....promising vaciinations that they clearly don't have enough of....
If the government here was thinking "seriously about the school going kids"
they wouldn't be sending them back ....
Case numbers are still too high...
according to the independent today more than 5500 people entered the state from covid hotspots including 2200 in a 28 day period from Brazil.

Millem wrote: »

Can’t remember where I read it. It was the same day as TUI sent me the info.


Sure I read today apparently the school have to hire teachers for the orals/practicals which are to take place during Easter holidays.

is it not just teachers from neighbouring schools, so essentially you swap over with another school and do them?

greenbicycle wrote: »

is it not just teachers from neighbouring schools, so essentially you swap over with another school and do them?

Who knows?

greenbicycle wrote: »

is it not just teachers from neighbouring schools, so essentially you swap over with another school and do them?

The latest is teachers record their own students orals and send them to SEC for grading

“Local arrangements “ aka buck passing form the Department

km79 wrote: »

The latest is teachers record their own students orals and send them to SEC for grading

“Local arrangements “ aka buck passing form the Department

“schools are being asked to source teachers locally to administer some of the tests.
Some additional assessment components in certain subjects will not run for public health reasons – the day Practical Examinations are a case in point.
It is important to note that teachers will not be required to assess their own students for any element of the traditional Leaving Certificate option.”

The above is from TUI.