To prepare DC for the fact that schools may not open?

[collageofphotos]

It's now looking like full school re-opening is in doubt, unfortunately - I'm so torn about whether to be open with my DC (10 and 8) about this fact or just keep talking as though it's definitely all back to normal in September.

I'm leaning towards the latter, but wondered what others are planning to do? For context, one of my DC is desperate to get back to school, the other is absolutely dreading it, which makes things complicated...

It feels like it will be a huge shock to suddenly have to announce on eg Sept 1st (as last-minute announcements seem to be this government's specialty ) that it won't be happening after all, but on the other hand I don't want them to be worried for a whole month before we know what's actually happening...

[OldLace]

@Letseatgrandma

I would imagine they’ll open. I also imagine many will close again throughout the Autumn term.

What a shame the government have put their fingers in their ears with schools and just want them open without any consideration about doing in a way that will actually keep them open. There are going to be a lot of pissed off parents whose children get last minute notification of class/year group/school closures. Let’s hope they blame the government and not the schools when it happens.

I’d just tell your children that hopefully they’ll be going back, but there’s no crystal ball.

I agree with this entirely, @Letseatgrandma

I think the Govt will hang Schools out to dry (and children of course who will lose more education) in a way that encourages parents to blame schools not them

[SueEllenMishke]

@FrippEnos

RubyWow

I really feel for teachers and their concerns, I do, but can they fuck off with the sneering at parents who were struggling with home schooling?

Just FYI. The majority of parents couldn't be fucked with home schooling.

Many parents didn't have the time to home school.
I cried nearly everyday about the fact I struggled to homeschool and hold down a full time stressful job. I feel horrendously guilty.

[TheEmojiFormerlyKnownAsPrince]

Scotland has really low cases though

[CraftyGin]

@Piggywaspushed

I see...

That would still require cover so still a staffing issue.

But better the teacher to deliver an almost proper lesson from home, than leaving 2 weeks of cover for a supply teacher.

[LucyLastik]

@TheEmojiFormerlyKnownAsPrince

‘Don’t want to get Covid, stay inside’

I take it you are including teaching staff in this?

I reckon the response will be along the lines of sack the lazy teachers who cba to turn up to work 🙄

[Iamnotthe1]

The changing impact of illness in schools will also need to be understood. We've already been told that staff and students can only be in if they are well, whether it's Covid-related or not.

There won't be the push for children who "feel unwell" to come in anyway. Staff will need to know that the usual illnesses, that they typically work through, will now mean they have to stay home. We'll have to actively work to stop the spread of the usual autumn-term bugs.

[RubyWow]

Just FYI. The majority of parents couldn't be fucked with home schooling

Just FYI a significant minority (and I’m frankly being generous there) of teachers were not the hardworking angels the media would have us believe but were obstructive and lazy from March onwards on full pay. While their colleagues who gave a shit were left to carry the can. If we believe a proportion of parents are lazy shits then why doesn’t it follow that a proportion of teachers are also lazy shits, so let’s stop making decisions on the basis of the lazy shit proportion of the population and make plans for those who do care and did struggle and are concerned for their children’s future.

[Piggywaspushed]

I think that works if there is one or two members of staff off. More and that starts to become very very hard to cover, and expensive if supply us external. Staff absence is what leads to school closures.

You obviously work in a school with good IT facilities and cash flow. Private iirc? We simply do not have the facilities to do some of what you suggest, even if it is sensible.

[Iamnotthe1]

@CraftyGin

But better the teacher to deliver an almost proper lesson from home, than leaving 2 weeks of cover for a supply teacher.

Unfortunately, this shows the misunderstanding that some parents have about how learning takes place with the classroom. My initial input to the pupils is not what propels their understanding forward: it's the individualised feedback and guided group work live within the lesson that is most effective. That's impossible unless the teacher is physically in the classroom and mixing with the children in close proximity.

[CountessFrog]

Can’t believe really that people don’t understand that certain sectors of our lives are critical, basic services.

Schools, hospitals being two of them. So important that we pay for them in taxes and NI.

I am desperately sorry for those people who may find themselves jobless if school opening means that other sectors have to close, however the choice is about what we provide for our society, not whether an individual loses or benefits.

Bringing up ‘childless’ people staggers me. Schools don’t exist for the benefit of parents. They exist to educate, skill and socialise the next generation. Childless or not, you will rely on today’s children at some point when you require a doctor or a dentist or a nurse. Or pretty much anything.

Schools will have to open. Like hospitals. You can’t just fail to educate children for years and months so that people in certain industries keep their jobs.

[FrippEnos]

RubyWow

You started this with the "sneering" comment.

As for the media putting forward that teachers were all hardworking. Well that is just rewriting history.

but the point is that if you don't want a 'nasty' comment back, don't make one in the first place.

[Goingprivate2020]

Schools will open and stay open. Other things will he sacrificed if necessary. Teachers won’t/shouldn’t get ill anymore than everyone else so should be business as usual.

[FrippEnos]

SueEllenMishke

But you tried to do the homeschooling and that is what counts.

[RubyWow]

This is a mature argument, but no I didn’t - my response was in reply to what I saw as a nasty comment. Scroll back up if you want. Or don’t, it’s no skin off my nose.

But belittling and dismissing the concerns of parents doesn’t seem like a winning strategy on the part of certain teachers. Far better to work together with parents on how plans can be put in place to keep staff and pupils safe.

[Iamnotthe1]

@FrippEnos

RubyWow

You started this with the "sneering" comment.

As for the media putting forward that teachers were all hardworking. Well that is just rewriting history.

but the point is that if you don't want a 'nasty' comment back, don't make one in the first place.

That's very true. The right-wing media have devoted many column inches to denigrading the profession over the last few months. The articles are still there for everyone to see.

[Quarantimespringclean]

At the moment there is nothing certain about any area of life for the next few months if not longer. I would absolutely be preparing your children for that not in a doomsday way but just very matter of factly ‘these are the plans at the moment but we’ll just have to wait and see’.

[SueEllenMishke]

@FrippEnos

SueEllenMishke

But you tried to do the homeschooling and that is what counts.

Thank you.

[Iamnotthe1]

@Goingprivate2020

Schools will open and stay open. Other things will he sacrificed if necessary. Teachers won’t/shouldn’t get ill anymore than everyone else so should be business as usual.

Except for the fact that, in the last four weeks, there have been more outbreaks in educational settings than anywhere else other than care homes.

[FrippEnos]

RubyWow

It would be better to work together, but then that would require both sides to respect each other.

Far better to work together with parents on how plans can be put in place to keep staff and pupils safe.

So how are teaches to do this when some parents are not listening?

[IceCreamAndCandyfloss]

@Goingprivate2020

Schools will open and stay open. Other things will he sacrificed if necessary. Teachers won’t/shouldn’t get ill anymore than everyone else so should be business as usual.

Yes, no reason to think that full classes, no SD, no PPE and many parents not following guidelines will mean staff are as protected as those working in other places with strict measures

Or the fact that with few children and staff the cases were higher than care homes in July.

[LegoMaus]

Schools will open and stay open. Other things will he sacrificed if necessary
I disagree. I think the government will prioritise the economy and money making enterprises like pubs. Not schools.

[BernardsarenotalwaysSaints]

I'm not mentioning it either (my dc are y6, y5, y3, y1 & 3yo). It's hard to say what's going to happen at the minute so I can't see the point in worrying them with it as we're in England & there's still another month to go.

[CraftyGin]

@Piggywaspushed

I think that works if there is one or two members of staff off. More and that starts to become very very hard to cover, and expensive if supply us external. Staff absence is what leads to school closures.

You obviously work in a school with good IT facilities and cash flow. Private iirc? We simply do not have the facilities to do some of what you suggest, even if it is sensible.

Yes, it is an independent school, but I would say that we are flush with cash. No salary rise this year, for example.

We upgraded ICT to deal with the lockdown, so that we could deliver our normal timetable in real time. A parent very generously donated towards the webcams. Our students all have chrome books, so no sharing with siblings/parents at home.

We are doing what we need to survive. Our fee income depends on providing a full curriculum.

We actually anticipate some growth with our new facilities, as school-refusers will be able to join out school. I think we already have 3 or 4 signed up for September.

[CraftyGin]

[quote Iamnotthe1]@CraftyGin

But better the teacher to deliver an almost proper lesson from home, than leaving 2 weeks of cover for a supply teacher.

Unfortunately, this shows the misunderstanding that some parents have about how learning takes place with the classroom. My initial input to the pupils is not what propels their understanding forward: it's the individualised feedback and guided group work live within the lesson that is most effective. That's impossible unless the teacher is physically in the classroom and mixing with the children in close proximity.[/quote]
We did fine in June in this regard. Google meet/docs/classroom facilitates personalised education.

[Piggywaspushed]

Teachers may not get ill more than any one else ( I am unconvinced) but just a few more sick teachers ( or any school staff) than usual has a huge impact on a schools ability to operate.