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

Theboinkmaster · 26-02-2021 04:00PM

BonsaiKitten wrote: »

Just out of curiosity. For anyone whose child is returning to school on Monday (or went back earlier), how are the logistics of that being handled? I'm thinking about bringing back books etc. The 3rd-6th class teachers will be creating our own procedures next week. We'll follow a lot of what our junior classes do of course but any advice is welcome!

Our teacher in junior infants told us just to bring back all the books on the first day.

SusanC10 · 26-02-2021 04:05PM

BonsaiKitten wrote: »

Just out of curiosity. For anyone whose child is returning to school on Monday (or went back earlier), how are the logistics of that being handled? I'm thinking about bringing back books etc. The 3rd-6th class teachers will be creating our own procedures next week. We'll follow a lot of what our junior classes do of course but any advice is welcome!

In our Primary School there was a message on the school App just saying for JI to 2nd to bring the books back with them on Monday.

BonsaiKitten · 26-02-2021 04:13PM

Ours have big individual storage boxes - it's a Covid thing, like a lot of schools around the country we bought a zillion of the things in September - which will be a bit problematic for us. Parents can't come into the building to drop them off, the children certainly can't lift them and I'm not carrying a classes worth of storage boxes up a flight of stairs. They are extremely heavy when full.

I think I'll just have to tell them to bring in the box with very little in it on the first day back so that they can be carried but if another school handled it a different way, I'd be all ears!

MarshmallowPop · 26-02-2021 04:39PM

BonsaiKitten wrote: »

Just out of curiosity. For anyone whose child is returning to school on Monday (or went back earlier), how are the logistics of that being handled? I'm thinking about bringing back books etc. The 3rd-6th class teachers will be creating our own procedures next week. We'll follow a lot of what our junior classes do of course but any advice is welcome!

We had to place the books into a labelled bag and into a box outside the school door yesterday, during a 2 hour time slot.

No home school today. My children are delighted as weather is glorious.

I thought this was a good idea as the teacher could correct books if she wanted to, could make sure all books were returned and in order and quarantined for 3 days if teacher wanted to.

None of this...Paddy doesn't have his Maths books and Johnny doesn't have his English book on Monday morning.

penny piper · 26-02-2021 04:40PM

The hse has stated today that close contact positivity is something that will really have to be watched as schools return.
Head of test/trace Niamph O'Beirne explained on the claire byrne show. She explained if you were a close contact in December around 12% of people would test positive...now that's higher 27% and even higher again if you are in the same household at 35%.this was expected due to the new transmissible variant. which accounts for 92% of cases in Ireland now.
O'Beirne stated that this includes higher levels of positivity where children are and among young age groups.

Speaking at yesterdays HSE briefing Paul Reid expressed some concern over higher levels of movement in society.
He stated that 47.5% of the new cases in the last few weeks were among the age group 19-34.
Almost 21% of cases in the last two weeks have been in the age group 0-18
He also stated that the highest number of cases recorded last week from one person was 38.

MarshmallowPop · 26-02-2021 04:45PM

I am feeling a big shift in how parents and the wider community is feeling about the return to school. I feel a lot of people think sending the Junior classes back is premature and not safe.

I have spoken to a lot of parents who think it's not safe and feel it's 2 weeks too early.

There has not been enough of a downward shift in case numbers to justify the reopening of schools.

People feel a lot more nervous than September.

Hold My Hand · 26-02-2021 05:17PM

Just back from setting classroom up for Monday’s return. Called in to the unit and the kids are all delighted to be back. My God, they’ve grown in 2 months. My major concern is regarding masks. 85% of my Junior Infant class have English as their secondary language. Since September, we were alternating between visors and masks as the children are really reliant on seeing our mouths as we teach. From what I understand, masks are preferred. Are visors not recommended so? Don’t think that this issue (of seeing teacher’s mouths) has featured in the discussion of mask wearing by teachers. Anyone in a similar boat?

firefish · 26-02-2021 05:17PM

I don’t know, there was a general air of jubilation on our class’ Parents’ WhatsApp on Tuesday when our class’ return was confirmed. Most affected parents I’ve talked to are delighted. I know I am - it will do my child a power of good to back in the classroom on Monday.

lulublue22 · 26-02-2021 05:27PM

Hold My Hand wrote: »

Just back from setting classroom up for Monday’s return. Called in to the unit and the kids are all delighted to be back. My God, they’ve grown in 2 months. My major concern is regarding masks. 85% of my Junior Infant class have English as their secondary language. Since September, we were alternating between visors and masks as the children are really reliant on seeing our mouths as we teach. From what I understand, masks are preferred. Are visors not recommended so? Don’t think that this issue (of seeing teacher’s mouths) has featured in the discussion of mask wearing by teachers. Anyone in a similar boat?

I alternate between the two - visors for language work / explanations of topics masks at all other times.

SusanC10 · 26-02-2021 05:44PM

firefish wrote: »

I don’t know, there was a general air of jubilation on our class’ Parents’ WhatsApp on Tuesday when our class’ return was confirmed. Most affected parents I’ve talked to are delighted. I know I am - it will do my child a power of good to back in the classroom on Monday.

I agree with you.
I don't know anyone expressing reservations apart from myself.
Even one friend who would have been extremely cautious and also kept all her kids home early for Christmas Holidays is delighted to be sending 2 of her 3 kids back on Monday.

jrosen · 26-02-2021 06:27PM

I’ve heard no reservations about a return, overall parents seem happy for their kids to go back.

the corpo · 26-02-2021 06:51PM

In general, anyone I've talked to is pretty nervous but still sending the kids in, just hoping for the best...

French Toast · 26-02-2021 07:05PM

I would imagine the vast majority of kids, parents and teachers are all happy to see a return to a sense of normality.

combat14 · 26-02-2021 07:22PM

almost 800 cases today .. half primary schools return monday ..what can go wrong..

wirelessdude01 · 26-02-2021 07:30PM

MarshmallowPop wrote: »

We had to place the books into a labelled bag and into a box outside the school door yesterday, during a 2 hour time slot.

No home school today. My children are delighted as weather is glorious.

I thought this was a good idea as the teacher could correct books if she wanted to, could make sure all books were returned and in order and quarantined for 3 days if teacher wanted to.

None of this...Paddy doesn't have his Maths books and Johnny doesn't have his English book on Monday morning.

I will be doing something similar on the 12th but I won't be checking anything, correcting anything or checking that they have everything back. That is up to them as they are in 6th and we teach them to be self sufficient.

Edited to say that every single piece of work we have done and has been submitted to me has been corrected and feedback given. I will not be looking at the books or copies that it was done in. Double marking isn't something I'll be doing.

khalessi · 26-02-2021 07:46PM

Hold My Hand wrote: »

Just back from setting classroom up for Monday’s return. Called in to the unit and the kids are all delighted to be back. My God, they’ve grown in 2 months. My major concern is regarding masks. 85% of my Junior Infant class have English as their secondary language. Since September, we were alternating between visors and masks as the children are really reliant on seeing our mouths as we teach. From what I understand, masks are preferred. Are visors not recommended so? Don’t think that this issue (of seeing teacher’s mouths) has featured in the discussion of mask wearing by teachers. Anyone in a similar boat?

If this is as virulent as they say I would not risk a visor at all.
They are not supposed to be used on their own and that was poined out last term. They are good for protecting your eyes.
I got masks that have a see through panel on the front. Order a few of them and alternate for phonics work and use FFP2 masks otherwise

khalessi · 26-02-2021 07:47PM

combat14 wrote: »

almost 800 cases today .. half primary schools return monday ..what can go wrong..

Well any rises in numbers will not be put down to schools

Lisha · 26-02-2021 08:00PM

4th class child is due back in 2weeks, 1st yr 12april. While I accept the kids needs to go back psychologically, I’d have preferred if they didn’t go back until after Easter. Will see how the numbers are before I fully decide.

Eoinbmw · 26-02-2021 08:02PM

MarshmallowPop wrote: »

I am feeling a big shift in how parents and the wider community is feeling about the return to school. I feel a lot of people think sending the Junior classes back is premature and not safe.

I have spoken to a lot of parents who think it's not safe and feel it's 2 weeks too early.

There has not been enough of a downward shift in case numbers to justify the reopening of schools.

People feel a lot more nervous than September.

I have found the complete opposite in our school and we are expecting 90%+ return to school on Monday!
Our 4 Special classes where 100% for the week and kids were delighted!
All books have been returned the last 2 days and parents are very positive!

Theboinkmaster · 26-02-2021 08:05PM

MarshmallowPop wrote: »

I am feeling a big shift in how parents and the wider community is feeling about the return to school. I feel a lot of people think sending the Junior classes back is premature and not safe.

I have spoken to a lot of parents who think it's not safe and feel it's 2 weeks too early.

There has not been enough of a downward shift in case numbers to justify the reopening of schools.

People feel a lot more nervous than September.

I’ve had the exact opposite in my area in south dublin - everyone thrilled to be back including teachers.

Theboinkmaster · 26-02-2021 08:11PM

combat14 wrote: »

almost 800 cases today .. half primary schools return monday ..what can go wrong..

About or less than 600 the past 5 days.

Daily cases are irrelevant if people are not getting sick or going to hospital. Hospital and ICU nos both declining rapidly.

Everything is going to be ok! No chance schools will close again.

lulublue22 · 26-02-2021 08:48PM

khalessi wrote: »

If this is as virulent as they say I would not risk a visor at all.
They are not supposed to be used on their own and that was poined out last term. They are good for protecting your eyes.
I got masks that have a see through panel on the front. Order a few of them and alternate for phonics work and use FFP2 masks otherwise

The see through panel mask does not work - the panel becomes very wet from your breath very very quickly due to the amount of talking that you do. There is no where for the moisture to go. I lasted less than 1/2 hour in mine. It was disgusting. None of the staff who tried them stuck with them.

KatW4 · 26-02-2021 08:48PM

Just finished my first week back in school. We were all fairly nervous, parents, teachers and SNA's, but also delighted! Nothing really has changed, no social distancing possible in my class, we have hand sanitizer and we wash our hands until they're falling off but our Principal has ordered us some KN95 masks for next week which is good.

Main thing is, the children were absolutely delighted to be back with their friends and teachers. We are all doing our best to keep them safe and will continue to do so.

khalessi · 26-02-2021 08:52PM

lulublue22 wrote: »

The see through panel mask does not work - the panel becomes very wet from your breath very very quickly due to the amount of talking that you do. There is no where for the moisture to go. I lasted less than 1/2 hour in mine. It was disgusting. None of the staff who tried them stuck with them.

I was the same that is why I would only wear them for phonics lesson, but visors are only supposed to be used with a mask, they protect the eyes, they do not protect you from inhaling airborne droplets

JP100 · 26-02-2021 09:28PM

Please God the wider school reopening from next week goes well. I'm much less confident about things in schools than last September. I think it's 50/50 how this plays out and things could go wrong very easily. I also think it's going to be harder for the government/HSE to manipulate and massage school numbers this time around. Outbreaks in schools are going to be much more obvious this time around and harder for the government to bury. I just really hope the wider return can go well because apart from the safety point of view, it's going to completely set us back as to what we as a society can do over the next few months if things go badly.

jimbobaloobob · 26-02-2021 09:28PM

Hold My Hand wrote: »

Don’t think that this issue (of seeing teacher’s mouths) has featured in the discussion of mask wearing by teachers. Anyone in a similar boat?

Would you consider continuing to use some IT options like seesaw and recording your mouth movements as a pre recording to use on the laptop or on the likes of seesaw for them to refer back to as needed? It could be used in conjunction with the lesson? Turtle diary is an option also

brookers · 26-02-2021 09:48PM

JP100 wrote: »

Please God the wider school reopening from next week goes well. I'm much less confident about things in schools than last September. I think it's 50/50 how this plays out and things could go wrong very easily. I also think it's going to be harder for the government/HSE to manipulate and massage school numbers this time around. Outbreaks in schools are going to be much more obvious this time around and harder for the government to bury. I just really hope the wider return can go well because apart from the safety point of view, it's going to completely set us back as to what we as a society can do over the next few months if things go badly.

Personally I don't feel as confident as September, just before the halloween break some principals were saying that there was a lot more outbreaks, that the gov were trying to bury, principals being silenced etc then the break saved them. Same thing just before Christmas and we didn't know then about the Kent variant.

Zaney · 26-02-2021 10:54PM

khalessi wrote: »

Please provide data showing the connection between AUstralian bush radio teaching and rate of suicide otherwise complete hyperbole

Been working since lunch. Catching up on posts and want to respond.

As you conveniently overlooked, I said there are a multitude of contributing factors. The only way to conclusively prove a link would be to have two identical areas, with exactly the same socio economic profile except one with in school teaching and one remote and then monitor both areas over a prolonged period of time.

But we can also look at available data and try to see patterns and likely (not definitive) links. Have a look at page 79 in this report https://www.acde.edu.au/?wpdmact=process&did=MTQuaG90bGluaw==

And I quote for convenience:

“Educational and economic outcomes for rural and remote Australians must be improved. Retention rates decline as the degree of isolation increases, and completion rates are similarly disproportionate between urban and rural students. Year twelve males in isolated settings have a completion rate of only 44 per cent, compared with a 73 per cent success rate of females undertaking year twelve in urban areas. Social indicators follow this pattern, such as significantly higher rates of suicide amongst males, and particularly males in regional Australia. Research suggests that the overall cost to Australia of one year’s early school leavers is estimated at $2.6 billion per year (Dusseldorp Skills Forum 1999). Education, then, must be seen as both an economic and a social investment. To counter social dislocation, and to succeed in the new economy, education must be accessible to all, and retention and completion rates must reach high levels across the board. Improving education in regional Australia is vital to creating a fairer and more prosperous nation.”

Zaney · 26-02-2021 11:16PM

Eoinbmw wrote: »

I have found the complete opposite in our school and we are expecting 90%+ return to school on Monday!
Our 4 Special classes where 100% for the week and kids were delighted!
All books have been returned the last 2 days and parents are very positive!

Looks like the same here. I dropped my middle daughter’s books off today and nearly every childs’ box was already filled in a class of 30 and still a few hours left to go in the drop off slot time.

My whatsapp group of Mummy friends are expressing delight and excitement.

Wombatman · 26-02-2021 11:44PM

Dr Ronan Glynn warns against play dates and school gate crowds in open letter.

To parents and guardians,

Through your hard work and willingness to buy in to public health guidance over the past two months, we have made real progress in suppressing the most recent wave of Covid-19. This progress has meant that primary and post-primary schools and the wider provision of childcare can now commence on a phased basis.

The importance of schools for the overall health and wellbeing of children cannot be overstated, and the risk of Covid-19 has been carefully weighed against the very real harm that can be caused by sustained school closures. Schools are at the heart of our communities and they play a fundamental role in the social lives and wellbeing of our children; this is particularly true for children who have special educational needs, are disadvantaged or who may have been disproportionately impacted by school closures over the last year.

Our priority is to ensure a safe return to schools for students, their families and school staff, which is why we have recommended a phased return to in-school learning.

In making this recommendation, the Nphet’s most significant concern is that it will be taken as a signal by parents and wider society that other forms of household mixing, and mobility are now acceptable.

We cannot afford for this to happen at this time. Despite the progress we have made, Covid-19 is still circulating at high levels in our communities. We must do all we can individually and collectively to ensure that the reopening of schools results in the minimum possible upward pressure on the reproduction number.

Please avoid congregating at school gates over the coming weeks. Please do not have play dates or organise after school activities which involve household mixing. And please continue to work from home unless essential. It is only through your continued buy-in to these measures that we can ensure that our children will get back to school and then stay back in school.

I know these are difficult requests. We all – adults and children alike – want to meet up with our friends and neighbours and get back to our old routines. And we will get there.

We now have three very effective vaccines with, hopefully, three more on the way. Over the coming weeks, older people, and those at high or very high risk of severe disease will be vaccinated and we will see substantial increases in supply from April onwards. And we are already seeing the very positive impact of vaccines in our nursing homes and among our healthcare workers. If we can combine this rollout with a continued suppression of the disease through March and April, we will have many more options in terms of easing of measures and should be able to provide much greater levels of certainty to people about the months ahead.

Finally, I want to take this opportunity to thank you for all you have done to keep your family and our communities safe over the last year. I also want to thank all teachers, principals and school staff who have worked so hard to ensure measures have been put in place to limit the risk of spread of Covid-19 in schools. It has been this kind of work, done quietly and by the majority, which has underpinned our national response to Covid-19 and which, ultimately, will see us through to brighter days ahead.

Kind regards

Dr. Ronan Glynn,

Deputy Chief Medical Officer,

Department of Health.

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

Comments

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