Free school meals & closures

[Stronger76]

I know there's a separate topic. But please please consider that for far too many children in 21st century Britain, their free school dinner is the only proper meal they eat.

I have direct experience of this, from both sides. If schools are forced to close (either by the government or due to having no staff) then many thousands of children will go hungry. Others will also lose their safe haven, place to be themselves instead of a carer, escape from domestic abuse.

If you can, drop something off at your local food bank or shelter. Ring your council for places to donate. Be supportive of your schools - there is so much more going on inside those walls than exam grades.

DS1s school have closed for years 7 and 8 but they can go in at lunchtime for a hot meal if they need to.

DS2s school are open to year 11s with other year groups alternating days in. I don't know what provision they have made

I've had to get a food bank referral myself this week. But will be donating food/money/time as soon as I can as a way of paying it forward.

I'm so relieved BoJo has announced that vulnerable kids will be looked after by schools. So so many kids need this check-in, and to be checked on pastorally at school. Teachers will still be producing work for students, and most will, I guess, be on a rota to go in to school to support the children who are still attending. What a strange world we are living in at the moment.

Stronger76

As long as those teachers at school providing are also classed as essential workers and can send their own dc in too.