AIBU to think school closures ignore parents' work commitments?

School isn’t childcare. If they feel they can’t safely stay open then that’s an end to it.

You will have to take leave.

It’s ridiculous.

I was talking to the deputy head of my kids acho this morning and she agrees. Relax uniform, provide more breaks and allow kids to fill water bottles as and when.

I spent 20 years working in the fire service, I’ve worked in 40 degree heat. We didn’t shut up shop because it got hot.

how many of those kids will be going to hot countries on holiday?

AIBU to think that the school doesn’t take much account of parents’ need to work? Primary school have just announced they won’t be opening for the rest of the week, but it’s OK because they’ll be sending us online work for us to do with the children, and whilst they are sorry they have had to cancel sports day we shouldn’t be too upset because they’ve have rescheduled it for a couple of weeks time. Like, I totally get they have to put the safety of the children first and if it’s too hot it’s too hot, but what do they think I’m
doing when the kids are at school, preparing beautiful dinners, ensuring the craft box is topped up, pining wistfully for the moment they come home? FFS, my job obviously comes second to my children and of course I’ll cancel planned surgeries and clinics where I need to. It’s not the emergency that bothers me, it’s the blasé way in which it’s communicated as though it’s a
minor inconvenience, not a major major f’ing headache with serious second and third order effects.

phew, that’s better. Now to go and get the little darlings…

While their parents are working from home? Who is going to take them?

I think they should at least ensure keyworker parents are not impacted as that has wider consequences overall and we need to keep the country running!

I can see it's difficult for schools/staff/children particularly in buildings which have not been designed for the hotter climate and I assume lack of funds for additional fans / misters / reflective blinds.

The govt response that children are best off in school where they're learning or whatever is bonkers, as younger children in particular are going to struggle to concentrate.

My sons school haven't announced any measures so far, in Northern England.

Where are you getting the 50s? My DDs school hadca sick bay and nurse and that was in the 2000s

And maybe it should exist

They're not literally locked in. They can leave to go somewhere shady or cool like a library or shopping centre.

But im not sure 4 peopleb n a small 1 bed flat with windows that only open an inch are much better off tbh

There was a sick bay and a school nurse.
That doesn't exist anymore.

We don't have to compare everything to the 1950's do we?

What do you suppose happened if kids were ill and no parent at home or no home phone? Its only the last generation everyone has had mobile phones you know

Everyone's jobs are important to the running of our country, not just the blessed key worker ones..

School windows often only open 1 inch and 1 bed flats are often bigger than most classrooms with significantly less people in!

But im not sure 4 peopleb n a small 1 bed flat with windows that only open an inch are much better off tbh

Houses are nothing like schools . You have 30 plus humans crammed in rooms that are far too small with windows that can’t open properly sometimes with 1 or 2 whole walls that are windowed in often metal or horrifically badly designed buildings. I’ve been in school all day, it’s nothing like being in a house with 4 people. Not even close.

That's quite a big presumption, but yes - someone with caring responsibilities for the child always needs to be contactable - what if they are suddenly desperately unwell? You'd want to know asap surely?

I am a widowed single parent funnily enough - my employer knew I had childcare responsibilities, and as a manager myself, I also gave huge flexibility to all my staff with children, men and women. I made it one of my priorities to ensure my team could all manage their work/life balance as well as possible.

The employers of both parents should be understanding of parental responsibilities and both parents should share emergency cover equally.

I'm not sure how you've crowbarred domestic abuse into this.

Employers need to be much more proactive in how they are part of a good employee work/life balance.

The sole and total care of a child 9-3pm, Mon-Fri, is not the duty of any school.

Homes don't have 32 teenagers packed into small rooms with no blinds and non opening windows usually.

I‘m in Germany, where it’s been hitting up to 36 degrees.

Our primary schools have a policy for closing early if temperatures top a certain number. This happens every year, and whether through organising the day differently or cancelling the final lesson, school closes at 12:20 rather than 13:10, with children who can’t go home relaxing in a classroom for the final hour. The standard hour of homework isn’t given.

However, we‘re also better set up for impromptu closures (barely a week goes by without an impromptu later start). My 9yr old got himself to school for the later 08:30 start this morning and has been doing this adhoc since age 7. it’s also quite normal for kids to spend an hour or so home alone after school at DS‘ age. A lot of raising kids here is encouraging independence.

If there is no childcare..... Sorry wrong word.. education.. how does the average family pay their bills, as lets be honest two parents have to work in most areas of employment now just to pay bills. School is education but it also acts as childcare allowing parents to work and contribute to society!

I don't think there's many homes that have air con 😂. It's hot at school... oh wait.. it's hot at home too. How are people coping in hospitals and care homes? Not much choice there. If some parents don't work, they lose their pay, they may also lose their job.

You know nothing that happened in the pandemic was as a result of anything a teacher said, right? Plus we were trying to save your child’s life. Believe me, teaching in person is a fuck ton easier than online…