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

@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.

It does concern me, (although ds is at nursery not school) but dh & I are prison officers, WE unfortunately put him at risk everyday we go to work. My friend caught COVID working in a supermarket, and unfortunately passed it on to her teen ds. I’m not minimising the risk to those attending (and working) in schools, but it’s just one of the risks we have to manage.

I can see your point and agree is increased risk for staff

But don't want my son missing school either but he is also in extremely vulnerable group and do worry about risk increase as people meet families friends over Christmas (we are not but 2 children ECV makes it easy choice

So on balance to protect teacher /staff and my children. I would agree with you

Though suspect people will still do it even if told not to
@timeforlunch .Most schools in England back around 3/4th January

"Today 07:58LadyPenelope68

@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!"

Hahahaha you are kidding right? How many people's health will be at risk if all these doctors don't work? Fucking unbelievable!

No. And I don't even think this government could be stupid enough to take more of our children's education away. The reasoning made sense back in March when schools were closed. We were facing something now and scary and didn't have any knowledge on how to proceed. The idea of children losing more time at school simply so people can mix at bloody Christmas is quite frankly batshit.

NEW and scary

Sadly the plans to allow Christmas mixing will inevitably increase the dispruption to education one way or the other.

When schools go back it will be just in time for the infections picked up over the 5 days relaxation to be starting to show so I’m expecting a massive spike in the amount of bubbles being sent home to isolate

if Boris will allow us all to mix at Christmas
🤮🤮🤮

I wont be mixing over Christmas and I'd resent my kids having to miss out on school just because some people feel like they MUST have a "normal" Christmas no matter what. I know there are certain circumstances where people need to get together with family - those living alone etc. But the vast majority who will be seeing family over Christmas could easily give it a miss for a year, but won't.

I think schools should be partly closed from 11th December to 11th Jan. Mixing window from 25th-27th Dec. It would be an extra week at the ends of each term and would give two weeks between school and mixing at each end.

By partly closed I mean secondary’s closed except for year 11 and Upper 6th. Massively reduced class sizes. All other year groups expected to be old enough to be home alone.

Primary schools open only for those who have no parent at home nor any adult from a childcare bubble on that particular day. Parents encouraged to try to take a bit of leave that week. Again class sizes massively reduced. Hopefully back to the 15 child one teacher bubbles ( although it would be daily bubbles I realise with part time workers).

It would rely on a lot of honesty from parents but I like to think that most people would keep the children off where they could.

Definitely not. Keep the schools open and the pubs shut. Any rise in cases in January will not be the fault of the children, so why should they be the ones to suffer.

No. There were no exceptions to allow mixing for Eid or Diwali so there shouldn't be any for Xmas. 4 weeks off school has been missed already this term, my year 11 needs to be in and learning not at home for two more weeks.

I agree, Op, but I don't see it happening. The problem is the same people moaning about how unfair it'll be if they're NOT allowed to mix at Christmas, will most likely be the loudest voices when it comes to "My child NEEDS to be in school, exams, mental health, etc. I need to work..."

If education is truly to be prioritised, then something else STILL needs to give. If that means lockdown measures through the festive period, then so be it. But people need to choose what they want. Turkey with their siblings, a shopping spree with Mum, or education for little Billy. They can't have it all right now, I'm afraid.

I also work in a school and I know how stressful things are at the moment. Staff are on their knees and everyday is a mess of worried anticipation about who is out ill and why, and have they tested, etc.

I teach (but primary these days where the virus is less rife) and absolutely know by looking at my class that being in school is the right place for them. Despite being older and asthmatic I have no problem with that - even though I worry. It's my job and it's lovely seeing them have a normal time.

I know this isn't the year to see my adult children who live miles away for a big jolly. We'll do it one day soon when I can hug them.

My concern is passing on school germs to by 92 year old dad who is in a support bubble with us. He lives alone - his 95 yo wife is stuck in France and I very much doubt they'll see each other again (he wanted to come home before March lockdown for medical/family reasons). What if we're told to isolate that last week of term? What if it's his last Christmas? As a retired clergyman Christmas is very important to him. I'd take unpaid leave AND teach my class remotely that last week to keep him safe.

@TeenPlusTwenties

Well that would be my choice if I were in charge, but sadly I can’t see it happening.

If the mixing is allowed schools will inevitably have to close but will super short notice as bubbles will burst constantly. Even now with the lockdown they are bursting.

At least if there’s a 2 week planned closed parents would have some time to make plans for their children.

Completely agree!

@SerenadeOfTheSchoolRun

I think schools should be partly closed from 11th December to 11th Jan. Mixing window from 25th-27th Dec. It would be an extra week at the ends of each term and would give two weeks between school and mixing at each end.

By partly closed I mean secondary’s closed except for year 11 and Upper 6th. Massively reduced class sizes. All other year groups expected to be old enough to be home alone.

Primary schools open only for those who have no parent at home nor any adult from a childcare bubble on that particular day. Parents encouraged to try to take a bit of leave that week. Again class sizes massively reduced. Hopefully back to the 15 child one teacher bubbles ( although it would be daily bubbles I realise with part time workers).

It would rely on a lot of honesty from parents but I like to think that most people would keep the children off where they could.

I’ve already had to use my work leave for official school holidays as I have no childcare. My husband will have to use his for the rest. Where do you think this extra leave will come from?

We aren’t mixing over Christmas, except with dbil who lives alone, is wfh and has done a bit of childcare for us when we’ve been really stuck.

I'd rather not unless they announce what they're doing with exams first (which they won't). It's already hugely time pressured for years 11 and 13 and they're already stressed about everything. I'd rather not add to that further.
Instead, I'd keep the no mixing over Christmas and I bloody love Christmas. But every other major festival this year has been disrupted so I say we deal with it.

I think they should just ban families mixing inside over xmas. To me, it's not worth people home schooling, rates going up etc etc just for a one day celebration we have every year. Yes it will be a bit of a shit christmas but I think the effects of everyone mixing will just not be worth it

Yanbu.
But they should also allow pupils to finish two weeks early so they can see family. We can't see anyone if we don't isolate first. (My family will also isolate).

‘I’ve already had to use my work leave for official school holidays as I have no childcare. My husband will have to use his for the rest. Where do you think this extra leave will come from?’

That’s a really good question - the government could make it statutory (1 day in each of the 2 weeks affected) which would be hard on businesses but would give most children two days away from school in those two weeks.

Surely the children have missed enough education

Would be shit for those of us who don't have relatives to mix with and can't travel due to work commitments over the festive period.

Yes "work" is technically risky but no different to the rest of term

It won't work, there are Btec exams at the beginning of January

The government seem to have bowed to pressure over Christmas and one way or another, other things will pay the price for that...health care, schools, businesses. It's unavoidable if there is a spike in movement around the country and social mixing over Christmas. I think people should expect their dc to be at raised risk of being off isolating for much of January if the plans for Christmas go ahead.

The problem is that even if schools do close before or after Christmas, many of the same people who mix at Christmas will continue to do so through their isolation periods. Unfortunately as if the virus wasn't bad enough we are having to deal with a section of society who are just a liability.

@Oly4

Of course not. What should be banned is people mixing With extended family over Christmas. It’s unnecessary.. (exceptions for those with a terminal illness etc of course). My children’s education is necessary

I agree.