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’m a nurse, I need to go to work. I can’t just have two weeks off.

That would suit me. Were self isolating for 2 weeks before visiting v elderly, shielding parents but I bet plenty wont.

I also think putting secondaries online for the last two weeks of term would be a good idea, as they are rife with infection.

My dc mental health is plummeting. As some one who works in schools, no, they shouldn't have more time off. Absolutely not.

I thought all this had been done to death already. Schools are always going to be the absolute last thing to close. The situation will need to be desperate before we do that again. Teachers need to get their heads round that.

DD is at the end of her second period of isolation- so far 4.5/9 teaching weeks have been spent at home and she has had 5 weeks of school since 17 March. I am totally happy not to mix at Christmas to allow her to go to school, and I would bitterly resent her education and mental health being compromised further for the sake of a couple of days of festivities.

Also, to allow online for 2 weeks after Christmas I would have to cancel all my Christmas annual leave, thus spoiling the family Christmas I had planned. There isn't a magic leave pot, unfortunately. DH is a teacher.

It is one year. Allowances should be made for single households where there is a high risk of loneliness. Other than that, surely people can get by for one year?!

The next term doesn't start until the 12th January at our school anyway. I was assuming that was more or less the case for all but maybe not.

Having seen the papers this morning that everything will reopen on the 2nd and its free for all shopping, go nuts, I suspect it's an attempt to try and salvage some of the Christmas takings for retail and businesses, but will inevitably mean the last four weeks of lockdown is undone back to where it was and we'll all be locked down again in January.

Schools won't. But small businesses that had to shut through Nov, will have to shut again through Jan and don't survive on the Christmas takings should be thoroughly fucked by it all, mine included.

In the school I work in the kids all see there families and do what they like regardless. They happily tell you about attending parties etc.
Personally I’d prefer to lockdown a week earlier as it’s my vulnerable family members I’m most afraid of spreading to. Then we have till the 4th to lockdown after to prevent bringing it back in.

I think they should close early. That way it limits a large number of people who have to isolate (or should be isolating for contact).

I have a suspicion that those with kids who should be isolating may still mix at Christmas (and can understand why some would make that decision) and that could increase the silent spread.

I think closing schools and mixing will decrease the number of people mixing who are carrying it because transmission is so high in schools.

Well given that my council refused to allow video teaching and the "teaching" between March and the end of term consisted of a few worksheets downloaded from a generic website and a "watch this video on YouTube" - no thanks.

If teachers want parents at secondary level to get behind blended learning, then schools/councils need to up their games considerably.

@OverTheRainbow88

This who aren’t planning on mixing won’t it concern you that the majority of the kids in your child’s class will have?

And yes it’s totally shit for those who won’t mix to not be in school being taught face to face, I do realise that.

Yes it would concern me. But another 2 weeks out of school concerns me too. One has just come out of a 2 week isolation period as her teacher tested positive. I can’t afford any more unpaid leave. Everyone I know with young kids is planning a quiet Christmas at home.

I think this is quite a good idea tbh, could the two weeks missed be added on at the end of the summer term so they get 4 weeks holiday in the summer when hopefully cases will be lower. That way, kids don’t miss out on education, teachers aren’t run ragged trying to run online lessons and the classrooms are safer for teachers, children and families.

And yes, OP. Every sympathy that teachers are being expected to stand in front of risks that only some NHS staff are otherwise being expected to, without any of the same precautions and without protective equipment, and to shut up about their situation because of the workforce's need for childcare. Regardless of their own personal situation and risks and fears. And without being recognised for or supported in this, but constantly scolded about having feelings about it.

Schools should not close after the Christnas mixing, just because some people will not compromise their CHristmas plans.

If you have a big family - see people in small groups. If you are lucky enough to be able to accommodate 20 people in your house in one day, well save it for Easter or next Christmas.

Getting really fed up with the idea that having a massive get-together outweighs everything else. There is nothing to stop people seeing their family and friends in small groups when restrictions ease.

Keeping education open is much more important than having parties.

@Whydoelephants

I think this is quite a good idea tbh, could the two weeks missed be added on at the end of the summer term so they get 4 weeks holiday in the summer when hopefully cases will be lower. That way, kids don’t miss out on education, teachers aren’t run ragged trying to run online lessons and the classrooms are safer for teachers, children and families.

This might potentially be a compromise but won't work because school staff (and parents/family members) will already have booked holiday for those weeks.

Also the first two weeks of the summer holidays in England are usually the best weather wise.

The plans to allow mixing are ridiculous but yes if they happen then there needs to be a clear 2 weeks before the children go back to school.

Ds is off school shielding at the moment, he will be going back when the lockdown ends and I trust the school that he will be safe. However I am very worried about when he goes back after Christmas because so many of the children will have been mixing with so many other people

ladypenelope68 Are you for real? You think we shouldn't work? Husband is an ITU consultant and I work with COVID patients. Rotas already pressed to capacity. If we take parental leave, it will literally result in patients with COVID not being treated.

Definitely not. I’m not planning to mix with my family this Christmas , not fair on those who can’t see their families due to covid not to mention on children’s mental health etc either!
Sick of everyone saying to close the schools now.

I work in a massive mall where 000's of people traipse through every day and touch things. We have no PPE, only a mask. When this place opens on 3 Dec it will be swamped.

If I am happy to put myself in the front line then others can do it too.

No. of covid positive results at my secondary school to date = 0

It would definitely be better to close 2 weeks early. We really have to be able to let shops and restaurants etc have some trade over Christmas.

Kids are missing enough education.

However I can’t understand why people can’t just have a small Christmas and keep their families safe just for this year. I have vulnerable relatives, no way are we all mixing. We all want to see next Christmas.

I do agree that obviously regardless of rules some will deem it necessary to mix over Christmas so yes I see the point but a blanket closure is unfair for those that are careful.

January/feb is going to be even more grim than normal though!

@WillowSummerSloth

And what should those of us that are both key workers (both doctors) with young children be expected to do?

Schools would still remain open for key worker and vulnerable children.

Children at the school I work at are going to other people's houses to celebrate birthdays. Those same children certainly will be mixing at Christmas.
Closing all secondary schools at the same time would be fairer than the ad hoc closing that is going on now. It's just so unfair for Y11 and 13.

Or maybe tighter restrictions within school like proper social distancing and no 1:1 interventions without PPE?

@TimeForLunch

The next term doesn't start until the 12th January at our school anyway. I was assuming that was more or less the case for all but maybe not.

4th January for us.

[quote LadyPenelope68]@WillowSummerSloth
And what should those of us that are both key workers (both doctors) with young children be expected to do
So you working is ok even if it puts teachers health at risk? Nice![/quote]
Why would you not want doctors working? I don’t think they’re being selfish by wanting their kids to be in school so they can help I’ll people.

OP. You are barking up the wrong tree.

Push for no Christmas mixing, tighter restrictions after lockdown, not closing the schools and further screwing up the mental health and education of a generation.