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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

..to be a bit annoyed that we still aren't allowed into dc primary school, no assemblies etc

142 replies

Henni19 · 01/09/2021 08:03

Ds started reception last September. Ds2 starts at the same school nursery tomorrow.
I had really hoped things would be different now we are learning to live with this virus but they've just posted to say same rules apply, no parents in the building, operating in bubbles, no assemblies, queuing up outside school to collect etc etc.
I just feel gutted, I've never stepped foot in the building and really hoped things would be a little more relaxed this time.
Aibu to think that we need to think the school should have done things differently this year?

OP posts:
JuliaBlackberry · 01/09/2021 08:04

I know it's frustrating but covid is on the rise and it's a small measure to try and keep from classes closing or teachers being off sick. Better no assemblies or parents on campus than masses of kids or teachers off.

Sirzy · 01/09/2021 08:04

I think them being cautious early in the year makes sense. Wait and see how things pan out when children are back before making changes.

WillaWeatherspoon · 01/09/2021 08:05

Given no kids are vaccinated yet it seems sensible to keep as many precautions as necessary. Look at the spike in Scottish cases when schools went back a couple of weeks ago.

IWasBornInAThunderstorm · 01/09/2021 08:06

Seems fair enough. They need to keep the kids at school for as long as possible. I'd be annoyed if I had to take time off work to look after my child because a parent wanted to look at the school building.

PepsiHoover · 01/09/2021 08:06

YABU. The school is there for your DC to learn, not to put on entertainment for the parents.

My youngest who is 6YO is going into year 2 and hasn't done a full year in the class room yet. I'm more concerned about that than the Christmas play.

toomuchlaundry · 01/09/2021 08:06

Are cases high in your area?

We have the highest number of cases in our area than we have ever had before, in fact some of the highest in the country. Still waiting to see what our school guidance will be, but I will be surprised if we be totally back to normal

RoseAndRose · 01/09/2021 08:06

Different schools will be doing things differently, and it will all be based on individual risk assessments - so things like layout, ventilation, bottlenecks in moving around etc. And of course vulnerability of staff.

Many people are predicting a 'bumpy' autumn. And so mitigations make considerable sense, especially when they help keep schools open

dementedpixie · 01/09/2021 08:09

My area in scotland is now a covid hotspot since schools went back. I'm sure the schools will want to minimise the number of bodies that enter their premises until they see the effect on case numbers

DappledThings · 01/09/2021 08:09

We went in for parents' evening last year which was nice. No idea about assemblies though. Is that something parents expect to go to? Don't remember that ever happening when I was small.

toomuchlaundry · 01/09/2021 08:11

I was speaking to HT the other day, they were saying many of the children were more relaxed at events last term eg sports day, when parents weren’t there, compared to when parents used to be able to watch. They are going to look at how they run events in the future and maybe not always invite parents to everything, which traditionally they used to be invited to

AlrightThereSkippy · 01/09/2021 08:11

It is annoying, but I can understand why they're doing it. So YANBU for being annoyed, but obviously they're doing what they think is right to stop classes from closing etc.

There are some places which are, I think, using covid as an excuse not to provide a full service, but I truly don't think that applies to schools.

LittleBrenda · 01/09/2021 08:11

@Sirzy

I think them being cautious early in the year makes sense. Wait and see how things pan out when children are back before making changes.
Me too. It would not be sensible to start too many things all at once.

At our school we have stopped staggered starts and home times and we are mixing two year groups at playtimes and lunchtimes.

Although it is sad, the younger children don’t remember that parents were once at assemblies etc. When I told my year two class in the summer term we were having sports day not one of them asked if their parents were coming to watch. Of course, they weren’t at school at all in the previous summer term.

Wormsarecool · 01/09/2021 08:12

I’m in the same position as you and although it’s hard, it’s actually been better for my very shy child in many ways. They did all of the activities but without parents there. I mentioned this to her teacher and she agreed and said the school are looking to keep some of the changes moving forward as so many children have benefited.

toomuchlaundry · 01/09/2021 08:12

With respect to parents’ evening we asked DS’s school if they could keep it virtual, so much easier. We weren’t the only ones who preferred it that way, including many of the teachers

Peabodi · 01/09/2021 08:13

I feel gutted about it too
My son is starting reception and I feel sad that I can't go in at the lunchtime to have his first lunch with him like they usually could

I guess it makes logical sense but not to the emotional part of my brain

Frazzled2207 · 01/09/2021 08:14

It is disappointing but I support the caution tbh
In the past the school has relied on pta events to raise money and these are still on hold too. These decisions are not taken lightly.

Our school still has a hold on trips and residentials which is sad. Can’t see how that is more risky than just school. But I understand it’s more about the insurance implications than the trip itself.

IWasBornInAThunderstorm · 01/09/2021 08:15

@toomuchlaundry

I was speaking to HT the other day, they were saying many of the children were more relaxed at events last term eg sports day, when parents weren’t there, compared to when parents used to be able to watch. They are going to look at how they run events in the future and maybe not always invite parents to everything, which traditionally they used to be invited to
That's nice to hear a positive has come out of it. I hadn't thought of that angle before. I'd happily not go to sports day if it helped the kids.
Looneytune253 · 01/09/2021 08:15

Day to day schools function without parents much better. Drop off is always too chaotic when parents are allowed in. Assemblies/sports days etc on special occasions are important to parents but this isn't usually needed till later in the year. Don't worry I'm sure things will change by then

pianolessons1 · 01/09/2021 08:16

That's odd. we are back on Thursday with no bubbles.

TimeForLunch · 01/09/2021 08:16

Where are you, OP? Our school (London) is going to be almost back to normal when it reopens next week. The only difference is that pick up and drop off are outside the main gates. Parents are invited in for various events though and no bubbles thank god.

Anon778833 · 01/09/2021 08:16

I'd say that YABU because if they don't put measures in place we could end up with school closures again.

Mumwithbaggage · 01/09/2021 08:18

We're going back to normal (I'm a teacher) just as my youngest child who's 17 has tested positive. Yes she's isolating in the house as much as possible but being double jabbed I still go in as normal with no mask and teach with no bubbles. I'd rather have it your school's way!

DappledThings · 01/09/2021 08:18

My son is starting reception and I feel sad that I can't go in at the lunchtime to have his first lunch with him like they usually could
This is something else I never knew was a thing. I would have thought it would make the transition harder to string it out like that.

DS's school have said now that on mornings when a child is feeling a bit hesitant the parent can take them all the way to the classroom which wasn't allowed before.

Sirzy · 01/09/2021 08:18

@toomuchlaundry

With respect to parents’ evening we asked DS’s school if they could keep it virtual, so much easier. We weren’t the only ones who preferred it that way, including many of the teachers
For things like that I think having both options works well a for many people physically going into school for parents evening will be tough but a scheduled call/zoom is a lot easier.

I think one good think is the push to use available technology to help parents access their children’s education. Ds left primary school this time round, the leavers assesmbly was online instead of in person - but they meant parents who where at work could watch it (either live or afterwards) and other relatives if they wanted to could watch. Hopefully moving forward that remains as it will be a lot better than the rush to get tickets for every man and his dog!

SirSamuelVimes · 01/09/2021 08:19

I wish I even bloody well knew what my child's school are planning. She goes back next week and we have had no communication at all from school. Don't know what time to drop her, what time to pick up, if they're still insisting on masks in the playground for adults, if they are keeping the staggered starts.... Nothing. Taking the piss.