Schools should close for 2 weeks after the Christmas mixing

[OverTheRainbow88]

I think that schools should remain closed for face to face teaching 2-3 weeks after the end of the period in which Boris will allow families to all mix.

I don’t want to be in a classroom with 30 different kids 5 times a day who’ve mixed inside with all different family members and friends.

I say online learning until mid Jan, if Boris will allow us all to mix at Christmas

I know Trust, fancy taking the odd break.... on their day off.... shocking!

Christmas isn't even a religious thing for most people any more, it's a cash cow.

Religious thing and cash cow are a) not mutually exclusive (presumably most Christians buy presents and Christmas food and b) not the only things that Christmas celebrations mean to people.

Could we just corral all these threads into a single Close The Schools!!!! megathread, which will still be running into 2059 if the NEU is anything to go by.

I would love to break up a week early so that we can be more confident seeing family over Christmas. If we don't, then I won't be seeing any of my relatives whether we're allowed to or not as I wouldn't risk it. I've resigned myself to a zoom Christmas and hoping that we will be able to make up for it over the Easter holidays next year though and I think that is probably the easiest path for my family.

SLT are reporting them, I expect it depends on the school. The numbers are very, very tiny. In small rural areas I would like to see them keep it hushed up!

I have agreed with lots of different viewpoints on this thread with many on both sides making valid points.

I think we can all agree though that the government’s handling of this is (and has been) dire and there probably won’t be many winners over the next few months.

@PrivateD00r

I know Trust, fancy taking the odd break.... on their day off.... shocking!

I don't care if she clocks off at 3pm on a Friday and doesnt start again until she walks through the doors Monday morning but it's a right laugh saying she gets no time off when she evidently does!

@ChloeDecker

I have agreed with lots of different viewpoints on this thread with many on both sides making valid points.

I think we can all agree though that the government’s handling of this is (and has been) dire and there probably won’t be many winners over the next few months.

Well said. Agreed.

@CurrentEvents

I agree completely. Personally, I think secondary should remain closed until February and primary schools should be on a one year group per day protocol until then. But it doesn't work in all circumstances and there would be uproar

Their would be uproar. I don’t agree that any school should be shut just because people can’t stay at home for Christmas. My DD’s are in separate schools, my eldest DD’s school has had no cases and I don’t see why they should have to close unless there are many cases. My youngest DD’s school is shut for a deep clean (opens Tuesday), she goes to a sn school and having her home for a extra 2 weeks would mean no money for me as I can’t work when I have to care for her, I won’t be able to afford to put food on the table. Think about that when your all enjoying your big family get togethers.

Good grief:

"I agree completely. Personally, I think secondary should remain closed until February and primary schools should be on a one year group per day protocol until then. But it doesn't work in all circumstances and there would be uproar"

Thankfully that will not happen. How ridiculous.

Private00r
I have zero issue with sending my kids in like that
It’s pretty much like what their school is like
I reiterate - 7- cases

"1 outdoor exercise"

Yes because we all know that walking more than once a day spreads covid.

It's a no from me.

We're not mixing at Christmas and I have an autistic son that relies on the routine and stability of school.

I know it's not up to me (or any of us) but I'm not happy about making any more sacrifices than I already have, just so families can mix at Christmas. I haven't been able to work for almost a month, no furlough for me. I'm skint and I've had enough.

I could understand single people being allowed to go and spend Xmas with relatives but do entire families have to mix? It's one year.

The government didn't care about ruining Eid for Muslims so why the big fuss about 'saving Christmas'

Kids have missed enough school this year.

We have taken the decision to not see any family over Christmas, and we won’t be venturing to busy shops/pubs/restaurants either.

Kids have missed enough school this year.

And if there’s free for all mixing for 5 days then straight back to school 1000s will miss school anyway as bubble will be bursting left, right and centre.

If there’s a 2 week planned closure, meaningful online learning can be planned for.

@OverTheRainbow88

Kids have missed enough school this year.

And if there’s free for all mixing for 5 days then straight back to school 1000s will miss school anyway as bubble will be bursting left, right and centre.

If there’s a 2 week planned closure, meaningful online learning can be planned for.

Do you honestly think even if the gov say no mixing that people won't mix?

Do you honestly think even if the gov say no mixing that people won't mix?

I think lots of people will follow the guidelines.

And those that don’t may be a bit more sensible than if mixing is freely allowed.

I guess we can wait and see what is said on thurs

It's great seeing how many people on this thread are willing to scale back their Christmas for the sake of safety.
I would love to think this was representative of society but I honestly don't know.

@Possums4evr

It's great seeing how many people on this thread are willing to scale back their Christmas for the sake of safety. I would love to think this was representative of society but I honestly don't know.

I agree, and I really do hope people are sensible but as others have said “there will be the ones that will mix wether we are advised to or not” so it won’t make much difference what rules are put in place. Most people I know will be staying at home for Christmas or staying in their bubbles if they live alone.

@OverTheRainbow88

Do you honestly think even if the gov say no mixing that people won't mix?

I think lots of people will follow the guidelines.

And those that don’t may be a bit more sensible than if mixing is freely allowed.

I guess we can wait and see what is said on thurs

I think some would change their plans if it wasn’t a free for all. Not everyone. But if it was half say, that would help re the impact.

I meant at Christmas time in pp

But "meaningful planned for online learning" won't happen anymore than the govt doing a u turn and making the schools as safe as teachers want them to be.

My own school and that of many of my friends in our local area found the online provision woeful and inadequate and that is with parents who actually care/can afford computers etc... god help the ones who couldn't.

They should put it to a national vote - "which would you rather sacrifice - seeing family over Christmas or our children's education?". Personally I would far rather ditch the family Christmas gathering than sacrifice yet more of my children's education.

It’d be ok if people who wanted to live it up could choose separately and come back after the week.