AIBU to ask if your primary school have banned water bottles in class

[crikeycrumbsblimey]

Just having a discussion with a friend whose primary age DD has been told they are not allowed their water bottle in class and it needs to stay in the locker. They have said water bottles are distracting. They only allow access at breaks.

Could anyone let me know if their school has adopted the same policy? They have told my friend that "most" primary schools are adopting the same policy but between us we can't find a single other school.

YABU - my school does not allow water bottles in class
YANBU - my school allows water bottles in class

Just wondering how common this is. Thanks

Water bottles in class encouraged here, especially now with Covid.

Air con isn’t allowed to be used at the moment, only open windows and doors and it’s fucking hot! Water fountains are also off limits.

There’s always a reminder in the newsletter to make sure your child brings at least 1 bottle of water.

Yanbu. Child in year 1...water bottle s are kept on a tray by the sink

@crikeycrumbsblimey

I’m really sorry you think I’m not a teacher, or that my version of events is somehow unreliable. I’ve actually been teaching in secondaries since 2005. I’ve learnt the hard way how to run a classroom; it’s an absolute minefield and some children are naturally counter-cultural and will seek behavioural loopholes.

I can tell you from vast experience that it’s unnecessary and disruptive to allow water-chugging throughout lessons, although it tends to calm down after the children settle into their new setting and realise they’re not going to expire if they put their bottle away for 45 minutes or so.

@GladysTheOstrich

OP, we’re not ‘horrible teachers’ for getting annoyed about constant interruptions to learning because of toilet trips and constant water chugging.

If you have a class of 30 children for an hour per week (as is the case in my subject) and seven children want the toilet at seven different points during the lesson, that constitutes seven pointless lesson disruptions and reduction of learning time.

I’m trying to maximise focus and attainment, and I’m being asked for the loo every 5 minutes.

Want to tell me where I said you were horrible teachers then? @GladysTheOstrich

As a teacher I rarely got to the staffroom on breaks and sometimes lunchtimes. Occasionally a TA might bring me one down, or I'd have a flask type cup . Most teachers rarely get to drink a full, hot cuppa!