Why has return to School has been much better than people thought it would be ?

[worzelsnurzel123]

Prior to the return to school, there was a feeling in the media and on here that it would be awful for the children, sparse classrooms, social distancing and bubbles would all affect the children negatively? Now it seems as though the reverse has happened. Children are reported to be coming out of school beaming, having loved their time to reconnect with peers. Aibu to think that this is only because of the amazing effort put in by those heads of schools and teachers who are doing their best, and not because it was a case of “ see there was nothing to worry about after all”. The worry in my view wasn’t so much about the children but about teachers being exposed to the virus by children. Aibu to think that some parents feel that now the kids are back and happy there’s an element of “ and they all lived happily ever after” at play here. This isn’t over and I’m not one of the doom sayers. I’m desperate for this thing to be over but I can’t help but feel some parents are being a little over optimistic after the first day? ( I’m not a teacher by the way.

Some schools haven't even opened yet.

In the schools that are opened, people the most bored and neglected at home are likely to have been the fist sent back in, so school is an improvement for them.

Some children didn't have a great day at all, no friend, not their regular teacher.

Children who only went for childcare and a day playing had a great day.

Children who went back for education didn't get any.

The novelty has already worn off for a few kids who were much more upset today: yesterday was an adventure, today the reality is setting in.

Not all children are happy to go to school at the best of time, let's not pretend that they are all suddenly over the moon to be forced back in a routine.

It's because the head teachers, teachers, TAs, premises staff, admin staff, governors and everybody else in a school have never stopped working and trying their level best (with ever changing guidance from central and local govt) yo provide a safe, welcoming environment for our children.
They have all been under immense pressure and please don't forget that most schools have never closed with those involved not having breaks even bank holidays!

Because an agenda was being heavily pushed on here and in the media that going back to school was going to be some kind of hellish experience - to try to terrify people into keeping their kids locked up at home a bit longer. It was never going to be as terrifying as that - because (and often despite the efforts of some more vocal ones on the internet) teachers genuinely do want kids to have a pleasurable time at school and to engage with education. One school head has been a bit over the top with the black and yellow hazard tape and menacing signs but that's about it.

@Hadenoughfornow
The teachers have also not been forced back. Only if they were happy to go back.
Do you know that for a fact? Many teachers and support staff with conditions which make them more vulnerable are being forced back by many schools. The picture for staff isn't as rosy as you're portraying.

DS is Y6, only about 30% of his year went back.
His school has been open to key workers' children throughout, but there are a lot of them, and the classrooms and corridors are small, so I think many have made the decision to keep them home.

I thought it would be awful after watching a youtube video made by a local private primary school, someone posted it on facebook - they had children in classrooms facing the wall, one way corridors, 2m warning signs everywhere, chalked out the playground, kids had to social distance inside and outside they were not allowed to play with each other only solitary games. I thought it looked horrendous - but they clearly know their market because all the parents who responded seemed delighted.

And Y10 and Y12 we're supposed to go back on Monday, but we're postponed two weeks, so presumably it isn't actually safe for them to go back.

In the schools that are opened, people the most bored and neglected at home are likely to have been the fist sent back in, so school is an improvement for them.

WOW. For my child's school, its the opposite. The kids not back in school are probably the ones who would benefit most.

My kids are most definitely not neglected.

They are learning in school but its the same work that is provided for home learning.

At home we have ensured that it is completed EVERY SINGLE WEEK and we will continue to do so for him on the days he's not at school and also for my eldest not yet back.

What will be interesting will be HOW things will be organised when ALL the children are back.

The current system is not sustainable in the slightest, no one is going to magic classrooms and teachers, so the schools who have implemented "bubbles" and smaller groups physically cannot keep it up.

September will be a lot more normal.. because there's no choice. If you take on all the year group and pretty much all the children, you have to put them somewhere! They might have staggered playtime and lunchtime, but they need a classroom. And something better than a kind but completely untrained diner lady.

Scaremongering isn't it and people listening to what others say . If my social media is anything to go by the ones who were most vocal were the ones saying not sending child back . The ones who decided to send dc back didn't pass comment so much .
Hopefully people will realise this and in future make a informed decision based on facts and if any concerns raise those concerns with the relevant people not on social media .

Because the teachers have worked bloody hard and the uptake has been low

Lady it was specifically mentioned in writing.

So if they are being pressured to return it does contradict what we were specifically told. I don't think the head would do that though. She's very very good.

Children have been glad to get out of their houses and see others.

I am a teacher (closed today for the weekly clean). It is fine, but it’s absolutely not ideal. I am normally very cuddly and approachable but found myself consciously staying back.

Our provision was all about free flow and movement but they are now sitting at a desk, which I’ve fought SMT about for years now.

No children cried, they were all fine, but it isn’t the environment that children need.

Still haven't been told when my Year 12s go back. Anyone been told how they arrange secondary schools - have any gone back yet?

My nephew was excited to go yesterday, but cried and didn't want to go today. He's never cried before pre school before. It's not all rosy for every child.

I think part of the reason the children are so happy to be back is that a less crowded environment with a better child teacher ratio is much
better for them.

Yup. At a time when things have been so awful, I am quite willing to take this benefit for my son. He will fly with 2 teachers and about 10 kids in his bubble. I'm just hoping the school or his bubble doesn't need to shut if things change.

In the schools that are opened, people the most bored and neglected at home are likely to have been the fist sent back in, so school is an improvement for them.

Wow. That's some pass-agg shit right there, which you might want to back up, because the data actually shows that it's disproportionately lower-income and disadvantaged children who are being kept off.

Because the media like to make a drama where there is one.

Because hysterical people like to make a drama out of everything.

Because children mainly wanted to return and are positive.

Because parents that are working really needed their children to return because they cannot work and home educate/look after children

Because MN's can be full of hysterical, hand wringing people who love a drama.

none not one!

Not all schools are even either!

Not all schoolrooms have separate desks, not all schools are full time. Some kids only go for a few hours, some for a couple of days a week.
Some schools have a lot of outdoor space where the children have spent all day, others have none and the kids have been sat in their classroom all day.

No one can say if it went well or not, it's so individual at this stage.

My nephew was excited to go yesterday, but cried and didn't want to go today. He's never cried before pre school before. It's not all rosy for every child.

At preschool age he likely just needs to settle back in after being off for so long. Most children cry when they start preschool and the long time off will be like starting again. It doesn't mean he isn't happy there.

@ProsperTheBear you should be nominated for parent of the year clearly. You're obviously doing a better job than lots of other people.

Maybe because most children are more flexible and adaptable than people give them credit for?
There's been a lot posted on social media about how traumatic lockdown is for children but, when you scratch the surface, quite often its really adults projecting their own feelings onto their children because lockdown is terrible and stressful for them.

I am in Wales. I really wish they were opening the schools here.