Patronii in person, anti Dementors visit the zoo

[ISaySteadyOn]

Never started a long running thread before but I figure even lurkers should take a turn. Hope the title ok.

The young people at those protests are highly unlikely to die of coronavirus and they know it. At the beginning of this pandemic I was worried we'd raised a generation of young compliant rule-followers so it's heartening to see them out on the streets. Good for them. I hope the students stick up for themselves come September and demand a discount on their fees/rent. The rest of the country is getting bailed out right now, I don't see why they should be any different.

@Waleshasgonecompletelycrazy maybe a FB group then?

I've just seen the Scottish Government has put out a press release saying LGBT history will be taught in schools from next year. I'm not against this but it just seems a bit detached from reality when kids, particularly LGBt kids, are struggling.

I think the thing about the school threads that winds me up is if anyone suggests that schools being part time long term is unsustainable, detrimental to children and completely disproportionate to the current risk they are accused of wanting teachers to die and told they are batshit. Usually by the same 5 posters. I don't mind part time schooling being planned as a back up for if the situation gets worse again and fully accept local temporary school closures might be on the cards but by September (since I've lost faith it'll be sooner) full time education should be the plan and everyone (government, councils, teachers, parents, councils) should be trying their utmost to make it happen. Other children will suffer. Not to mention job losses that will occur will lead economic hardship and ultimately less money to spend on healthcare, education etc.

My ds will be back in now as keyworker but his ability to mix with other children shouldn't be dependent on what job his parents do. Also come September you can bet private schools will move hell and high water to get kids in which could widen the educational gap here (although some posters on other threads seem to think this is alright as things can never be equal).

@RubberDinghyRapids

Gosh. When did everyone out there start thinking in binary? Have actual adults stopped being able to weigh up risk in terms of severity and probability?

No mask = death for us all.
Beaches = death for us all.
Protest = death for us all.

If it goes on at that rate then we'll be wiped out as a country by October.

This is the thing that frustrates me. We seem to live in a world where something is either "safe" or "unsafe" without the realisation that there are multiple points in between. It drives me up the wall.

I'm a uni lecturer and we have seen some student suicides since lockdown so I'm very happy to go back and teach full lecture halls. Our students need to get on with their lives, uni is far too remote as it is nowadays, they need community. I feel like opening my arms wide in front of my class of 500 and shout "go on, infect me!" On the first day to get it over and done with. But sadly it's looking like we will be mostly online and doing face to face sessions repeatedly with tiny groups so we can justify charging those who want to for their rent on campus.

Otherwise children will suffer that should say

@BarkandCheese

Bodies in the streets Ice rinks being used as temporary morgues VE Day spike

All things the dementors predicted which haven’t happened, and there are probably lots more I’ve forgotten. They can predict schools not going back until 2021 all they like but it doesn’t mean it’s going to actually happen.

Thanks for this, it helped me see a bit clearer. These threads have been my absolute saviour. A safe space to vent frustration at the situation without being called a murderer. Somewhere to come for reassurance, to have normal, rational conversation with some inspiring and amazing people. Thank you so so much. And @TrustTheGeneGenie I think you are amazing and if someone doesn't like you, that's their loss they're a bunch of fucking fun sponges anyway.

@BogRollBOGOF the change to cover supervisors is what springs to my mind with the schools stuff. Teaching unions had a golden opportunity for when parents were getting it - realising how hard going the “school” element of life with a kid who just wants to be on mine craft was - goodwill and respect for the profession. They have pissed all that away talking about shit like spraying kids with disinfectant!

Not only that but pushing that kids can be kept at home and all teachers need to do is bang out some worksheets online - well in a 2 form primary that would only take one teacher a year group or even less... bang goes those jobs. And when we get back into school - well one teacher can plan and we can just have a cover supervisor sit and enforce it - because that worked ok in the pandemic didn’t it?

I’m old and cynical but that is what I see happening (as an ex very good supply) with some of the less scrupulous academies (who do you think is behind Oak Academy guys) and budget strapped schools. (The virus has basically wiped out my school’s budget surplus safety net now - loss of generated income)

Morning! Does anyone else think The Scottish Gov is doing poorly? All my friends think Nicola is doing an amazing job - it's maddening.
@Trustthegenegenie - keep posting people need to see a voice of reason!
@NothingIsWrong - so sorry to hear you are feeling dreadful. The whole not being able to focus thing is awful too and I had this early on. I felt (trying!) not to drink wine everyday helps and going for a run. The latter really does help with mental health - the trouble is getting motivated to go out there. But it's so important and has been a real help x

@Willitneverend - that would work for keeping dementors away! I’d happily join a Celtic thread but as we’ve moved in different directions I’m not sure it’d be helpful. I can completely understand why you’d want a Scotland only thread as you’re back first and blended learning seems more certain. We’ve been told to expect similar in September though, so I definitely share your concerns. I hope England will lead the way and we won’t want to entrench disadvantage further , but our priority seems to be discussing how awful it is over the border, condemning our neighbours and getting Twitter likes for The Welsh Government. Cymru am byth!

domina The future of teaching is a worry. It is strange though parents are shouting out that they can't manage to home school effectively and that children need to be in school with teachers having proper lessons, but that is twisted into hating teachers and wanting them to die.

Even a thread that is acknowledging their expertise and role is leapt on as wanting them all to die. Never seen dentists doing this.

Don't leave celtic friends. I think its useful to know whats happening being proposed in other nations.

Also we are stronger if we stick together.

@bakewelltarts don’t worry. Now I’ve found you all I’m staying. Honestly this thread helped save me from a very dark place.

That article sums up exactly how I feel @Dowser thanks for posting it.

Good morning all. This thread www.mumsnet.com/Talk/coronavirus/3931348-Those-concerned-about-ongoing-lack-of-education-in-Spetember-and-onwards
Is great, a good antidote to the threads where everyone thinks it’s perfectly okay to keep children off school forever. I feel like there’s some serious momentum starting to gather around the issue of children and schools.

I’ve just seen a great letter to MP re education on another thread. I’m going to write to mine. Apparently there is a report coming (I think radio said report) on how to rebuild the economy and if education isn’t a key part of that I don’t know what is.

Hmm I just googled education and economic development and look what was the first hit from Barclays talking about the investment opportunities in an ‘industry ripe for disruption.’ Call me cynical but while I’m not a Luddite I’m also not convinced Barclays have the best interests of our children foremost in mind.

www.investmentbank.barclays.com/our-insights/education-technology-out-with-the-old-school.html?cid=paidsearch-textads_google_google_themes_ed_tech_uk_ed_tech_bmm_595377224152&gclsrc=aw.ds&

‘With mobile apps, consumer-facing EdTech companies have created an alternative distribution channel that bypasses the traditional educational system. Advanced technologies are also beginning to emerge, including video-based artificial intelligence to evaluate learner comprehension; voice-based AI platforms interfacing directly with learners; and the use of robotics in classrooms to assist with science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).’

@dkl55 it's weird how everyone seems to think that! Care home deaths worse than England, schools a total shambles for which the SG seems to have abdicated responsibility, apart from introducing the Newspeak: "blended learning". I think she just talks a good fight and sounds dead Scottish and people like it. I also wonder if we have a puritanical streak as a nation which welcomes the notion of suffering for a perceived greater good?

Anyway, whatever it is it's really annoying!

I really want a proper plan for my child to get back to school full time. As a pp said, yes, make plans school closures just in case but plan full time.

@NothingIsWrong 💐 I go through phases of feeling awful too, understand, hope better day.

I have a year ten and year eight
I'm in Wales
Year ten child newly diagnosed with ADHD which we have been battling for for years
Have emailed the SENCO several times in lockdown
And the head of year
One half hearted response
His GCSE's are fucked
I want to cry
He was diagnosed the week before lockdown
Trying to get him support will take another year
By which point despite years of trying it will be too late

Just to add I do think there’s always space to look at how education can be improved and especially the current patchy and unequal offering, but I don’t think this work should be lead by investment bankers looking to turn a profit.

*led

For those who think DCs in private education are getting a better deal than those in state schools, from my perspective that's not so clear. DS 14 attends one of the biggest private schools in Edinburgh - courtesy of my parents. The at home teaching provision has been fairly mixed and each teacher does their own thing, so difficult for DS to understand what he is meant to be doing. I emailed the school over a week ago and have had no response. I've just learnt that a lot of the teachers were furloughed even though some of them were happy to teach either in the school or from home.

Meanwhile my friends DD at a secondary school with a not great reputation have issued the parents with a comprehensive list of the teaching objectives and assignments for each subject this term.

I'm so worried about the next academic year as this idiocy of blended learning seems to mean simply ignoring those DCs not in key years, fine except they will move into key years. Some DCs are coping marvellously at home, I'm struggling to get DS up and doing a modicum of work. Again clearly because I'm a shit and deficient parent or maybe because I'm not a teacher and am doing my demanding job at home as well.

The number of people who are saying "just build more classrooms" is infuriating me. 20 years in the construction industry, with a significant proportion in the schools sector gives me the experience to say that this is not a quick solution. Even with temporary buildings. Which there aren't enough of in the country anyway.

Not much more than markses, @Dowser
intu.co.uk/metrocentre/news/covid-19

At the arnison centre, we have markses, wilko, superdrug, boots, Halfords and sainsburys, as well as macdonalds and, I think, KFC.

I have just shown my true colours on the local FB page, the fencing around the play area has been pulled down, much angry posting, I just said that the parks should be open.

I think I maybe a lone voice. They hate the play area anyway so relish in it being locked up.