If you're in a "RED ZONE" are you considering keeping your dc off school?

[SnBLurker]

Hi,

Just that really. Our area is likely going to be in the high 30's, possibly 40 on Monday/Tuesday and I'm not sure what to do.

What are your thoughts?

My daughter says our house is cooler. Some of the classrooms at school haven’t even got a fan or blinds. We’ve got fans in every room, blinds closed, access to a decent sized paddling pool, freezer full of ice lollies, drinks whenever we want, can wear cooler clothes than uniform. Will definitely be cooler home for us and many kids I should think.

My son has ASD and heat is one of his triggers so I’ll be keeping him home Monday and Tuesday. He struggles at school in normal conditions and I won’t set him up to fail.

Our school is 2 mins away and air conditioned - unlike our home! I see no reason to keep them off for that reason

My DD is currently home anyway so she won't be in. I'm also a childminder and have had several of my parents inform me that they won't be sending their kids into school and have asked if I can have them as they know that I will keep them cool and comfortable.

Ours is as usual, but don’t forget their sun cream. It’s a a small old village school next to wheat fields so will be hotter & stuffier than usual. I am home mon/tues so seriously thinking of calling in sick and having them home. We have a pool, lots of fluids and can keep cool in our house. Dc2 suffers in the heat more than others so feel it would be safer. I have offered our pool to all we know on Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday to cool down so that’s my only problem calling in sick.

@DyingForACuppa , I agree. Having lived in much hotter countries In always bemused by the ‘strip off’ mentality - the sun beating down on your skin! Loose and covered up - pref. light cotton - is so much more comfortable.
I’ve picked Gdcs up from school several times lately - 3 pm and stinking hot - so many parents in shorts and shoestring tops - hardly anyone with a hat - while many complaining of the heat!

DS's bonkers secondary is still insisting they'll carry on with their sports day on Tuesday no matter what, but they were kind enough to let them leave the blazers at home for the remainder of the term 🤷

No it is air conditioned (state school) it will be more comfortable for them there than at home

I'm in a pickle, OH and I have both had covid very recently so our absence level isn't great. But my child takes a medication which reduces their ability to sweat, so they're at increased risk. I'd rather the school closed and the decision was taken out of my hands!

Our school have made plans, as I think many will. No uniform, tshirts and shorts allowed. Water bottle, sun lotion and sun hat must be brought into school, although, there will be little movement outside. Anything that generates heat, will be kept off and limited activity. They'll be regularly drinks sessions. It's just getting them there and back, so they won't be any worse off in school.

I expect my twos primary’s will be sensible with unicorns etc. My secondary have finally said no ties or blazers but he travels an hour on the bus each way and it’s often delayed in the afternoon so we shall see on the day and after checking the bus companies Twitter too.

My thoughts are please read and contribute to all the other threads already on the subject 😉

Yes my youngest seems to be the only child doing Pe in light weight long sleeves and leggings rather than tiny shorts and T-shirts.

I’m tempted, home = air con (only in kids’ bedroom), paddling pool, endless ice lollies. School have changed the menu to only cold food, they can wear sandals if they want, I sent DS in with a frozen water bottle today. I dunno. It’s OK here today (27), im so bad at knowing how much difference a degree makes. 36 on Monday and 33 (and a storm! Hopefully!) on Tuesday apparently. First I’ve heard of 40! That’s scary!

Ours sent a letter explaining they'd done the H&S required and the school will be open. In the hot, hot weather they've been allowed to wear PE kit.
He's 13, he'll be fine.

I'm waiting to see what school says the plans are.

It is a HOT building that's for sure.

So far we've just had a "ties aren't needed" text.

I was hoping maybe for non-uniform so they can be in cotton and sandals. (Feet out helps me so much)

Also think I'm going to send DC in with cooling towels and fans.

Red warning here, mine won't be going in.

I genuinely don't understand all the hype and drama. It probably won't even get that hot.

Just send them in. Safer inside a school building - surely!?

Surely they'll end up with barely anyone in, being that stupid? With it being secondary, the need for childcare while parents work isn't going to be a factor for the majority of them.

Are you all not going to work then??? Can’t see many employers being impressed with staff phoning in saying they aren’t working as they have voluntarily taken their kids out of school for the day - both would be unauthorised absence. If it isn’t triggering schools needing to close due to risk assessments then children are going to school, just like any other day

I'm keeping mine home. We walk 30 minutes each way (with a toddler) so I'd rather miss a couple of days than risk illness

We have family help.

No, but I’m expecting they’re going to close anyway!

I do wonder, especially in the south east of England.

That's ridiculous! I would be keeping my child home from school that day for sure.

Our (primary) school have just said they are closing at 1pm mon/tues so the choice is out of my hands. Will definitely send them in in the mornings though but will probably drive instead of our usual 25 min walk in.