To say denying kids water is neglect

[YeahWhatevver]

www.eastlothiancourier.com/news/18649619.children-left-without-water-school-rules-confusion/

Kids back at school in Scotland. Local Authorities have left a lot of the COVID19 arrangements to individual schools.

Many pupils across the country describing how they weren't allowed to refill water bottles despite 20+ degree heat on the basis of some sort of concern over contamination. An arrangement that hasn't been communicated to parents!

Our DD7 took her usual 500ml bottle to school, drunk by midday, sat all afternoon thirsty, explicitly told by staff that no water was available and to bring 2 bottles tomorrow. She said there were a few who drank their water by break time.

Looks like its been sorted with a clarification from the LA to schools but AIBU to think that the kind of adult who thinks this is OK shouldn't be in charge of kids.

I'm actualy interested why they cant refill bottles but they can allow someone to wash up all the plates, forks and knives the children have had their mouths all over

Wearing gloves🤦‍♀️

Or by putting them in dishwashers, whilst wearing gloves?!

I survived an 80s/ 90s education with a small cup of water at lunch time and access to the fountain in the toilets at break. No bottles.
Good training to be a teacher, but not great for the kidneys

It's not a bad thing that children drink more water now, and if you are used to regular access, unexpectedly finding out that you don't have access during hot weather is no good thing. If a child is contaminated with Covid, the greatest danger is their presence, breathing in a classroom for 5 hours, not refilling a water bottle or bringing a pencil case or having wall displays or half the stupid restrictions foisted onto schools.

you know schools are trying their best just give her 2 bottles of water the teachers don't need kids pawing at handles of water dispensers , kids don't dehydrate if they have not got a water bottle dripping all day.

They obviously should have communicated it to the parents, but agree with others a child is not going to collapse because they didn't drink water for a few hours. And yes I did sit in boiling hot classrooms for 4 hours without water as a child - I'm still alive.

Just send more water tomorrow, schools have so much going on at the moment, give them a break (I'm not a teacher or work in a school).

The parents involved are stirring. No wonder some kids love a drama. It’s clear they learn it at home!

CorianderLord

@MsEllany I have a feeling that everyone was badly dehydrated back then. I drink about 3L a day...

They were also getting the belt at school, endlessly breathing in second hand smoke and getting thumped at home.

Despite the many "when I were a lad" posts the past wasn't better than the present and definitely shouldn't be used as the benchmark for acceptable standards today.

I'm in Scotland. Similar experience to PP, primary school communicated via various means over the week before kids returned explaining no refills possible so bring in extra bottles (and carton of juice as well as snack). Water and milk available at lunch. My secondary school age DD needs to drink 2L of fluid a day to help with bowel issues. She's got two massive water bottles to take in.

No need for any histrionics.

schools have dishwashers and I'm sure kitchen staff wear gloves I don't think they hand wash these days .

Why did you assume your child would have access to a communal water fountain? Surely you either checked with the school or gave extra drinks?

Leaving animals without free access to water is considered to be neglect.

Surely children should have the same protection?

You could freeze her 2nd bottle of water so its melted for after lunch soit isn't warm.

The kid has water she drank it extrappe

Despite the many "when I were a lad" posts the past wasn't better than the present

It's not a question of whether the past was better than the present, but whether present practices are axiomatic given that they weren't followed in the past and there is no suggestion that pupils were collapsing with dehydration all over the place.

Come to that, it's not even as if it is a question of the past v the present now. Plenty of people work in environments where they may not have access to drinks for two or three hours at a time, with no adverse effects.

Surely parents could take responsibility for providing water/drinks for their own child?

YABVU and somewhat hysterical.
No-one is going to perish without slugging water whilst sitting still in a classroom in Scotland for a couple of hours

Our school have said that they will be implementing this, so I've bought really big drinks bottles with flip lids, so that the spouts don't need to be touched and are protected from coughs in the area.

I also feel that 500ml for a school child is plenty.

They may want more, but want and need are different.
Buy another bottle and send them in loaded up tomorrow.

I recall in 2002 giving my ds a bottle of water to take to school in a heatwave when he was 5 and in reception. The teacher spoke to me at the end of day and said as he was a milk child he couldn't have it in case the milk got wasted. I said as I paid for it I didn't mind and would send in the water the following day. The following day he was told off and I was told all children had access to the fountains. Two fountains for 150 children! I inspected the one in the infants the following day and wipes green slime off the spout. I called the acting head who put the phone down when I asked for the second time why she thought it was reasonable.

I phoned the LA. The head apologised when she returned after a leave of absence.

Having said that I do think children should be able to manage with 500ml and a tumbler at lunch time providing they are well hydrated.

I can't say I was dehydrated at school but I have a late 20s child and the water to school started when she was in primary school so I can see why it has become normal, your school isn't neglecting your child though just send her in with extra.

@Mrsjayy I said free access. If I gave my dogs a drink of water, they drank it and the bowl was left empty for the rest of the afternoon, this would be classed as neglect. Water must always be available.

My first reaction is YADNBU, but I wonder... my dh's workplace opened up a little while ago. The water systems had not been flushed through or used at all for 4 months. Everyone was seriously scared of Legionnaire's disease and Typhoid.

Get one of those daily intake bottles for her a little girl doesn't need to drink 3l of water a day like an adult.

Then it is up to the parent to provide enough water @extrappe at the moment schools are not

A 4 - 8 year old needs circa 1.2 litres of water a day (have just looked it up). That's 5 plastic Ikea cups in 24 hours. That's easily doable before and after school, plus at break/lunch time. An extra cupful for warm weather could also easily be accommodated.