Freezing schools

[Ineedapuppy]

DD8 has cried this afternoon at how cold it is in her classroom with all the doors and windows open. Apparently she’s not allowed a blanket from home and the only response from school is to wear layers under uniform

AIBU to think that this is unkind? At work (large multi National company) staff would NOT work in these freezing conditions. How can it be fair to expect young kids to do it and if so, why make them wear flimsy uniforms?

@Burnt0utMum

It was freezing here today. I usually leave the window open all day but couldn't cope today. No way kids should have to sit freezing all day when they're trying to learn. I have Raynauds and no amount of thermals has ever helped. The kids should be able to be comfortable so they can learn effectively.

This is how I feel with my Raynaud's too. Sometimes I just become so cold I can't think straight. And I know everyone else around me is probably just a bit chilly, but for me it's unbearable. Not all children are the same. Some might be fine in the cold, some might be really struggling.

As I said I totally understand the reason behind open doors and windows but what about vulnerable children and staff?
Is there a risk they won't catch Covid but will get bronchitis or pneumonia instead?
I'm not sure but DD2 had asthma and with windows open she was a lot better in the summer but since October has had chest infection after chest infection. I don't know if it's being in a cold classroom but I'm sure it doesn't help.
Trouble is there is no alternative.

The competitive hairshirting is pathetic. OP: could you double up her layers- 2 skins on top, 3 prs of tights, neck buff & fingerless gloves? YANBU

@Lifewith

Someone these replies. As if a child isn't allowed to feel cold and to get on with it. Ffs. I feel the cold badly, even with layers. A child is allowed to say they are cold.

It does seem like this, I feel for dc

It’s interesting to see such a mix of responses.

DD is wearing skins (sports thermals) but she’s freezing. She’s not allowed blankets, hot drinks, hot food in flasks for lunch (apparently a risk ) and I haven’t dared broach foot warmers.

She’s crying because she’s cold - she’s just of those types that feels the cold .

Why can’t we have air purifiers or bi-weekly testing or something else? Why put the burden in small kids

@HesterShaw1

How did people manage in days gone by, or in properly cold countries?

I don't know about days of yore, but in the 90s we were sent home if it dropped below 16. This used to regularly happen when the school boiler was on the out.

A quick google shows Norway and Sweden recommend indoor temperature of 18 or 19 minimum for 'light work'.

@ 20:26 EstoPerpetua
One of my DC was a cathedral chorister from the age of 7, and it is absolutely freezing in an unheated cathedral in winter. Several thermal layers were the answer. He used to sing in two pairs of thermal long johns, thermal socks, two thermal long-sleeved vests, school uniform, cassock and surplice.
🤣🤣
This made me howl, if you intended to be funny or not.....I can't quite make up my mind.
I work in a school, lunch break included on a exposed hill. It is cold these days!

Yabu. Just let her wear thermal undergarments. And some gloves for her hands

Also your dd is not " a small kid" op. She is 8.
Just put more layers on her if she is still cold. Extra jumper. Shawls. Etc

I think it is ridiculous to have the room so cold. I work in a school . Every so often we open the doors and let a blast of air in and then we shut them and get on with our work. It is intolerable to work in such awful conditions all the time.

8 is a small kid ffs. It’s not like she’s a strapping 17 year old rugby player.

Do you know what. This is the post that’s got on my tits.

She is small. She’s tiny for her age. She’s petite. She rarely complains. She a bloody diamond. And if I want to call her at the age of 8 a small child then I will.

When did we become so intolerant of childhood?

She is not allowed a sodding shawl. THIS IS NOT THE 1800’s

@Ineedapuppy

Do you know what. This is the post that’s got on my tits.

She is small. She’s tiny for her age. She’s petite. She rarely complains. She a bloody diamond. And if I want to call her at the age of 8 a small child then I will.

When did we become so intolerant of childhood?

She is not allowed a sodding shawl. THIS IS NOT THE 1800’s

I know. The intolerance is awful.

Our CO2 monitor is permanently "in the red" 🤷🤦

Ok, I’m in a (freezing) country where children can wear what they want (and everything in school is free including very nice cooked lunches), and I find it a bit funny to think that they can’t wear what they want but to question if wearing a blanket is ok.. Is there not a law in the UK how cold it can be in a class room. Do the teachers think the children will learn anything being freezing cold? It’s just very odd.

It’s covid rules @TrulyPistoff

Not some random teachers liking to inflict the cold

what is this CO2 monitor that is being mentioned? i've not heard of this and what is the relevance to covid?

It’s bullshit. I’ve got rid of my CO2 monitor. I can’t teach and kids can’t learn in those conditions. If it’s a choice between pneumonia and COVID I’ll choose COVID- I’ve been vaccinated against that.

When did we become so intolerant of childhood? She is not allowed a sodding shawl. THIS IS NOT THE 1800’s

Once again, not in the UK, but UK sadly sometimes seem to be so far behind. I’m in a country where it’s now -20 c cold. But, children in school are definately never cold.

Your poor little girl OP.
We didn't have central heating til l was about 15 and our house was always freezing (apart from the living room where we had an open fire) Doesn't matter how many layers you have on, if the air is cold and you are not moving much, your bones get cold and it is hard to focus.
Like you said, it's not the 1800's !!

@MarleneDietrichsSmile

It’s covid rules @Ineedapuppy

Ok, rules in desperate time of an update then.

I understand the importance of ventilation but there has to be a balance. Kids can't concentrate if they're freezing. In my classroom I have windows partially open all around the room but the outside door closed. I open the door at break and lunch times to ventilate the rooms more.

How grim is it in this country that school buildings are so utterly inadequate that children need to freeze to keep Co2 levels down. Poor kids.