AIBU to say how happy I am that schools are open?

[WouldBeGood]

And I am so grateful to my DS’ teachers. Started high school and he’s enthused and learning loads.

Yes very happy, my youngest one started Y7 in September and I was worried it was not going to be a great experience with certain things not running and no mixing with other age groups etc etc but he obviously doesn't know anything different (got an older one in Y9) and is loving it, the teaching has been superb and the school has been great at communicating with us parents.

I’m surprised that people are saying that ‘close the schools’ are shouting the loudest because as far as I can see, the vast majority want schools open, and most want them making safer with improved mitigation measures like mass testing, masks at secondary, more funding for better ventilation to try to keep them open by minimising them spread of covid.

I’m much happier teaching in school than remotely and my kids are happier being at school. I feel so sorry for the ones who have had multiple isolations and can’t even leave the house. More should be done to prevent that.

@Swingometer

YANBU

It feels like the ‘close all the schools’ people are shouting the loudest but I suspect the silent majority agree with you OP

It reminds me a lot of the whole Second Referendum thing regarding Brexit (I'm very Remainy and was somewhat active in that campaign), which was another example of an activist minority being very visible and vocal online while achieving absolutely nothing in reality. Ditto Corbynism. I think its a big issue in left / liberal / progressive politics at the moment - people think retweets and petition signatures mean infinitely more than they actually do. Plus really active campaigners end up in self-reinforcing bubbles via private social media groups, WhatsApp etc. So yes, the Close The Schools thing feels eerily familiar .

I'm a teacher and I'm delighted to be at work and getting my kids back up to speed. I get really annoyed at people fighting to close schools, it's only ever in their self interest or to quell their anxiety. We've been shit hot on our PPE and social distancing and only one child has had a positive COVID test since the beginning of term, no staff have come down with it. It's very possible to get through this with minimal impact.

Our child's entire yeargroup is off for at least a week. It is HELL . Constant Microsoft Teams and trying to motivate a chronically irritable teenager

Thank you. Schools are getting no national support or good press at all, despite school staff being so dedicated and committed. Even the Education Secretary is no where to be found. We feel very let down as the government spins to its own agenda.

YANBU I'm so grateful for each day my son is in school and learning new things.

@RaeburnPlace that’s really why I started this thread 😊

I am so grateful!

I am so grateful that my children are currently able to attend school. I have been so impressed with their online resources as well. Sure, it's not perfect but I feel that despite the very difficult circumstances, my secondary school children are broadly in line with where they would have been under normal circumstances.

I'm glad they are open, just wish they were safer. We live with my parents and I am worried that my children will bring home the virus. I also think that "open" depends on where in the country you are. A friend's son is on his third isolation, my son hasn't had any, yet. Both year 11. Hardly fair, when they are taking GCSES next year.