For school staff

[OpheliasCrayon]

I just wanted to write a quick note to everyone - it's been discussed widely over the half term and I wanted to wish everyone well since we're all going back tomorrow.

I'm sure that this is going to be a hard half term for us all, and I'm sure that however we are all having a load of mixed feelings about going back to school in yet another national lockdown...

I want to say good luck everyone and I hope for as many good times as we can get between now and Christmas.

Don't forget be kind to yourselves, plenty of tea and cake and whatever self care things are important to each of you!

Teaching threads always do become a bit of a bun fight on here, but at the root of it all, we are all just doing what we do best which is teaching and caring for the children we have in our classes.

I am ECV but I've chosen not to shield and I'm happy with my choice and I feel ok in school, but I do have multiple chronic illnesses (which cause me enough stress at work when without a pandemic!!), so even though I'm not overly worried I do genuinely feel for and understand those of you who are. I think we all know it's extremely difficult in a school setting and so, please look after yourself If you are vulnerable - don't be afraid to speak up to SMT if you think something is wrong. Maybe nothing will / can be changed but I think we should all remember that we do have a right to say if things don't feel right for us.

to everyone!!!!

[OpheliasCrayon]

Oh PS I'm not in any way a moderator of forums and obviously free speech exists but I would like to request if possible kind and positive replies only on this thread.

I just thought I wanted to put a bit of positivity out there before we return in the morning. X

[IheartJKR]

I’m not a teacher but I really have felt that the poor teachers have been riding a shit storm during this pandemic.

My 16year olds mental health was greatly impacted by 6 months at home and not seeing anyone. I am hugely grateful to all the teachers who are turning up everyday and supporting our children and young people.

Thank you all very much , your contribution is greatly appreciated

[YouAreMySunshine123]

Also extremely grateful here. Teachers you are so important. Our kids need you. Society needs you. Thank you

[ohthegoats]

I want to say good luck everyone

Unfortunately that's all we've got!

[OpheliasCrayon]

@ohthegoats

I want to say good luck everyone

Unfortunately that's all we've got!

Well...yeh.... I mean pretty much that is all we've got yes.

And glitter.... If you're in primary or SEN it's the half term for glitter a plenty.

[Ickabog]

And glitter.... If you're in primary or SEN it's the half term for glitter a plenty.

Shudders 😨😨 A school in a pandemic is bad enough without adding glitter to it.

It's going to be a very odd half term.

[AlexaShutUp]

Not a teacher, but a parent and a school governor. Thank you so much to all teachers and school staff for everything that you're doing to teach our kids and keep things as safe as possible in difficult circumstances. Thank you for the risks that you are taking and I'm sorry that the government has not taken more steps to protect you all. for those of you who are vulnerable and/or scared of what might happen - I really feel for you.

[motherrunner]

Well I’m isolating to Saturday as one of my pupils tested positive at the start of half term so that’s one more week I’m ‘protected’!

Tough half term anyway with Learning Walks scheduled, mock exams and 3 parents evenings. I’m secondary so no glitter here, I will just channel an inner sparkle instead.

[Youtubeaddicts]

@OpheliasCrayon

I've seen your posts on here quite a lot and I just wanted to say bless you and thank you.

These are crazy difficult times. We are all just worried for our futures one way or another.

But what you do as teachers is so very worthwhile. I really don't want to patronise but you really do make the world of difference to children's lives.

[Bookworm23]

Thank you for the lovely message. I'm a primary teacher and we've been lucky so far to be able to carry on pretty normally. Feeling nervous about what this half term might bring but keeping the normality going for my class will be my priority. Who knows what Christmas will look like this year but I hope my class will have had another half term of face-to-face learning so there will that to celebrate! Good luck to all school staff out there- we can do this!! X

[mrswhiplington]

Please don't add glitter to it. I'm a cleaner in a school and it's a bugger to hoover up.

[nancypineapple]

I want to add my thanks to our teachers who have helped our children during this time. Xxx

[OpheliasCrayon]

@Ickabog

And glitter.... If you're in primary or SEN it's the half term for glitter a plenty.

Shudders 😨😨 A school in a pandemic is bad enough without adding glitter to it.

It's going to be a very odd half term.

To be fair I think the glitter / no glitter in classrooms divide is bigger than the "should schools actually stay open" debates on MN

I personally love a bit of glitter but I know it invokes feelings of loathing and and dread in many!

[OpheliasCrayon]

@mrswhiplington

Please don't add glitter to it. I'm a cleaner in a school and it's a bugger to hoover up.

Oh fair enough - I think you have a big enough job on your hands at the moment with pandemic related cleaning... I'll go easy on the glitter this year!

[Ickabog]

To be fair I think the glitter / no glitter in classrooms divide is bigger than the "should schools actually stay open" debates on MN

Yes it's a very contentious issue. Although a debate about it would make a welcome change from the schools open / closed arguments.

[OpheliasCrayon]

@Ickabog

To be fair I think the glitter / no glitter in classrooms divide is bigger than the "should schools actually stay open" debates on MN

Yes it's a very contentious issue. Although a debate about it would make a welcome change from the schools open / closed arguments.

I'd say I'm willing to start a thread but to be honest I think the vitriol that I would receive from the anti-glitterati would be more than I can deal with on the Sunday before a new half term

[mrswhiplington]

Thanks OpheliasCrayon. It's hard enough hoovering up all the food from lunchtime now that they are all eating in their classrooms. Not to mention the pencil shavings etc. Heaven help us when the glitter comes out!

[BadgerBadgerMushroom]

Such a nice thing to do on a Sunday morning. Thank you 😊

[SpookyNoise]

I’m currently ill with corona virus. I’ve sent my cover work in for tomorrow. I feel so guilty about missing school, and about my classes not having me, and for colleagues who have to cover me...but I’m really ill and I caught this at school.

[Moonshine86]

I am starting a new job tomorrow in a new school. Secondary. I am anxious to say the least! But looking forward to doing my job that I love so much.

[Veryverycalmnow]

Thank you for this thread xx

[PotteringAlong]

I’m a secondary teacher. I’m not sure my SLT will go for glitter in my classroom...

Maybe it’s just what year 11 need for a bit of a lift?!

[MrsTumbletap]

I'm really nervous about going back, I wish in secondary the children had to wear masks. I would feel so much more comfortable.

It's now too cold and rainy to have the windows open, so it's 34 students in a small classroom with the radiators on, the germs spreading with students coughing and sneezing all day, getting really close to me and barely washing their hands.

I'm scared I'm going to bring this virus back to my family. I am so cautious at the weekends, I don't get close to people, but I have no choice at work and we are not allowed PPE.

[OpheliasCrayon]

@SpookyNoise

I’m currently ill with corona virus. I’ve sent my cover work in for tomorrow. I feel so guilty about missing school, and about my classes not having me, and for colleagues who have to cover me...but I’m really ill and I caught this at school.

Ohhh I hope you get better soon!!! And don't feel guilty. I know we all do when we're off, but you're not well, you need to be off, you've set the work for your class now rest up and do not feel bad for this at all.

[stayingaliveisawayoflife]

I'm primary but have always hated glitter. I do do sequins instead! It feels very strange going back to the unknown. We will still have windows open and just wrap up as warm as possible. I did buy some new thermals for this year.

We also have zoom parents evenings coming up which I am dreading as I am
not convinced the tech will stand up to all of us doing it at the same time!