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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

covid outbreak - skip the last week of school?

21 replies

Sugarplumm · 08/12/2021 21:40

Just been confirmed by my DDs primary school that there’s been quite afew positive lateral flow and PCR tests in my DDs year group at school this week - they’re now recommending testing all kids “just incase” as in a couple of the cases they had no symptoms.

My DDs lateral flow has come back negative this evening, but WIBU to keep her off next week? If she was to test positive tomorrow evening or at some point over the weekend, the isolation period would still end before Christmas Day. But if she happened to get it next week she would need to isolate over Christmas! I WFH so possible to accommodate this, just not sure how the school would take to this..

OP posts:
MoggyP · 08/12/2021 21:43

DC have missed so much education that I dont think it's right to pull them out like this.

Clymene · 08/12/2021 21:44

Well it's an unauthorised absence but we all know now that rules only apply to little people so perhaps point that out to the EWO

Witchcraftandhokum · 08/12/2021 21:44

As long as you're OK with the staff doing the same.

Mammyloveswine · 08/12/2021 21:45

@MoggyP

DC have missed so much education that I dont think it's right to pull them out like this.
They'll be doing nothing much in the last week before Christmas...I say this as a teacher..
autummvibes · 08/12/2021 21:46

@moggyP it's the last week of school where little will be done in terms of education. Children missed out seeing their families last year. If OP wants to keep them off for the week then it's understandable. I wouldn't judge someone for it. 🤷‍♀️

Atemyhat · 08/12/2021 21:49

Do it.

Original poster
Sugarplumm · 08/12/2021 21:50

@MoggyP Four out of the five days next week are themed with Christmas and full of Christmas activities - jumper day, party day, movie afternoon, crafting etc, I really don’t think she’ll be missing anything too important! The last week of term tends to just be all the fun things.

@Witchcraftandhokum I’d be happy for the staff to take the last week off - it means they’re more likely to be able to spend Christmas with their families with out the risk of having to isolate instead too

OP posts:
FallonCarringtonWannabe · 08/12/2021 21:55

They'll be doing nothing much in the last week before Christmas...I say this as a teacher
Hmm. My year 10’s and 11’s are both doing assessments next week.

2toastornot2toast · 08/12/2021 21:59

Same situation here. I would if I could but I'm a teacher in another school.... might see if dh will be wfh next week and pull both out

Crunchymum · 08/12/2021 22:03

Do they have to isolate though? I thought that was only for the new variant (which isn't the dominant variant yet )

DuggeeHugPlease · 08/12/2021 22:05

I wouldn't. The fact that it's all the fun things is what makes me want my DC to be at school during the last week. They'd be gutted to miss the Christmas party and activities.
Also I'd struggle more to keep them entertained at home during last week of school (wouldn't seem right to take them out and about while they're off school)

BonnyBoy · 08/12/2021 22:12

@Crunchymum

Do they have to isolate though? I thought that was only for the new variant (which isn't the dominant variant yet )
If they test positive yes of course they have to isolate!
Imdreamingofapeacefulxmas · 08/12/2021 22:16

Not sure op, have you got a special Xmas planned
Like others said the last week is lovely but family is more important.
If you really want too, do it life is too short.
Eg if I had dp to spend it with I'd definitely not risk that and take them out.

slaybell · 08/12/2021 22:17

You'll probably get a fine but if you're ok with that then go for it

Original poster
Sugarplumm · 08/12/2021 22:18

@Crunchymum - if she was to show symptoms or test positive she’d have to isolate for 10 days

@DuggeeHugPlease I get that, and I know she would feel like she was missing out with her friends but we’ve got a lovely surprise day booked for Christmas Eve and we’re spending Christmas Day with her grandparents and great grandparents, who all spent it alone last year like many others did. I’d rather lessen the risk of that happening again this year if I can.

OP posts:
55mirabeau · 08/12/2021 22:20

It’s beyond unlikely that a school would fine for this.

However, just lie and say she’s tested positive on an LFT and you’re taking her for a PCR.

Keep her at home and enjoy your Christmas.

DuggeeHugPlease · 08/12/2021 22:40

@Sugarplumm fair enough and would absolutely support you doing what works best for your situation and if that's limiting the chance of having to isolate then I'd go for it.
In my case a lot of our fun stuff we have booked is before term ends so there would be not much point keeping them home from school.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 08/12/2021 23:53

I don’t think you’ll get fined, especially as you can easily say you’re waiting for a PCR, but I wouldn’t do if.

I wouldn’t want to take the fun stuff in the last week of term away from them. And they will be doing some learning, and being with friends is important too.

I work from home but keeping younger ones off here means sticking him on an iPad for hours as I have to work- as it did last week with upset stomach that kept him off for days (norovirus maybe?)

Pensieve · 08/12/2021 23:59

Whilst on the one hand I get it as am in a similar situation this attitude also infuriates me. What you are also saying is you are happy for your child to be exposed to the same (maybe more) COVID risk but only at the times it suits you? So they may catch COVID over Xmas and have to miss school and isolate in Jan - but that’s ok 🤔

tupperwaretowers · 09/12/2021 00:10

Do what you like but be up front with the school about it.

sunflowerroses · 09/12/2021 00:32

Mine is off now until holidays with covid and she's so upset at missing all the fun stuff so I wouldn't but see your point of view too. Loads of cases in her class and some have pulled their children out already

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