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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wish we could be honest?

43 replies

Crackercheese · 18/07/2022 06:38

I don’t mind going into school today. I know it’s a PITA for working parents when we close.

But I hate the bullshit. Why can’t we stay open for convenience, encourage anyone else to stay home, and watch some videos in a dark room?

But as it is we have to go through the farce of learning and the curriculum.

OP posts:
MrsTerryPratchett · 18/07/2022 06:40

I'd be happy with that!

carefullycourageous · 18/07/2022 06:44

YANBU. But with this government a charade is all we have in so many circumstances.

EHopes · 18/07/2022 06:47

In Australia that's what happens if there is a heatwave during school terms. It's what we did when I was a child (no aircon at all) and what my kids schools, which all have aircon in at least one part of the school typically do, especially in the afternoons.

MoodyTwo · 18/07/2022 06:50

I hope school don't close early, I won't be able to pick my DS up as I'm not taking my newborn out in the heat, and DH is collecting him on his lunch after a meeting.
However oddly the only lesson I remember at school was a science lesson and we were all sat outside under trees as it was too hot

Original poster
Crackercheese · 18/07/2022 06:53

Wish people would stop suggesting this. It’s hotter than the hottest day. It is not safe outside.

OP posts:
MushMonster · 18/07/2022 06:53

You just reminded me of days like this back in Spain!
We did indeed watch videos, films and all, with the blessing of HT, parents and all. But they were good films, and we discussed them, we actually learnt quite a bit! In English, we did watch Fawlty Towers and we were so pleased that we did understand the majority of it.

Schooldil3ma · 18/07/2022 06:54

I don't think any parent is expecting schools to be delivering the curriculum 4 days before end of term I a massive heatwave.
We're all in on the lie together, don't worry 😘

Original poster
Crackercheese · 18/07/2022 06:54

No, but the headteachers are!

Ive seen our twitter ‘still committed to learning blah blah.’ Hmm

OP posts:
KangarooKenny · 18/07/2022 06:55

I agree, offer them the choice to stay at home.

Icedbannoffee · 18/07/2022 06:57

MoodyTwo · 18/07/2022 06:50

I hope school don't close early, I won't be able to pick my DS up as I'm not taking my newborn out in the heat, and DH is collecting him on his lunch after a meeting.
However oddly the only lesson I remember at school was a science lesson and we were all sat outside under trees as it was too hot

It'll be hotter than it was when you were at school, even in the shade it will be unsafe for a class of children. I agree OP, dreading today as well as being roasting the children are already on one as its nearly the summer holidays, making sure 33 children have drank some water will not be easy or fun, and my classroom is boiling at the best of times let alone when its actually scorching outside. Hoping many keep their children home, I've added some work to the online learning app.

Schooldil3ma · 18/07/2022 06:57

@Crackercheese are you sure the head isn't in on it as well? Learning can take many forms....playing with lego / watching an "educational" film / a very long game of Sleeping Lions

MollytheTrolleyDolly · 18/07/2022 07:10

YANBU - makes perfect sense that those who can ease the burden should do so.
DD is staying home today and tomorrow. Her school has said everyone should come in but she travels by train and the train companies are urging against non essential travel.

Original poster
Crackercheese · 18/07/2022 07:11

I teach secondary so no. We don’t play sleeping lions. We don’t have trays that we will fill with cold water. We won’t have a water fight on the field at midday are some heads fucking mad and we can’t watch films, supposedly.

OP posts:
Schooldil3ma · 18/07/2022 07:27

If it's any consolation I've got to do about 24 house calls today in PPE. I'm expecting to find some of those patients very poorly due to the heat. If my dc weren't in school I wouldn't be able to work....we're all helping eachother out and keeping society going by keeping going through the heatwave, as shit as it is.

Original poster
Crackercheese · 18/07/2022 07:28

That’s exactly what I’m saying. We provide childcare. Nothing else. It’s the farce of acting like it’s a normal day that’s annoying me.

OP posts:
Monoandsix · 18/07/2022 07:32

Mine are at primary and only in two days this week anyway. They're going to be doing fuck all.

Really? At secondary do they not piss about at the end of term. I remember in my teens the last week of term was a write off. Watching a video in class (yes it was before the days of DVD!), doing quizzes or the boring teachers made us do home work (ha!) from other lessons.

Cheesecakeandwineinasuitcase · 18/07/2022 07:36

I was just saying to my husband yesterday the only reason the government is saying it’s ok for kids to go to school is so that parents still go to work. Apparently there have been COBRA meetings about this heatwave. The cynical side of me thinks this is so they could discuss how to minimise disruption to business. I mean, it’s not like they are doing much to address soaring energy bills and people not being able to afford to live because of inflation is it? I don’t recall there being any COBRA meetings about that.

Luredbyapomegranate · 18/07/2022 07:37

That’s crackers. Watch some films, and discuss, while drinking water.

I absolutely think schools have to be open, parents have to go to work, but I don’t expect them to achieve anything.

Harridance · 18/07/2022 07:37

My kids want to go to school

OutDamnedSpot · 18/07/2022 07:40

I’m also a teacher. I agree with you. “We’re open if you want us, but feel free to keep your kids at home if you feel safer” would be a much better message.

It would need to be a national message though. “Schools are open if you need them, but keep your kids at home if you feel safer”

Original poster
Crackercheese · 18/07/2022 07:47

@Monoandsix most schools really heavily frown upon any hint of winding down.

@OutDamnedSpot i think where possible kids should be home to be honest. Ours will go outside and it will be hard to stop them.

OP posts:
Toddlerteaplease · 18/07/2022 07:55

And hospital that are already short staffed due to covid. Will now be even more short staffed.

Original poster
Crackercheese · 18/07/2022 08:00

Why?

OP posts:
forlornlorna1 · 18/07/2022 08:10

My dd goes to a specialist provision school. Today is their last day. They were supposed to all (whole school of 45 ish kids) be going to a large park for picnic and games but it's very sensibly been cancelled. So no work was going to be done today...so why are we still having to send them in!. My dd doesn't feel thirst and has a linked adult with her at all times anyway so great she can keep giving her drinks. But she's already become agitated and aggressive this morning, her poor carer will bear the brunt of this and she will most likely be sent home early or be in the sensory room being calmed down. It's not fair on anyone!

TheLadyofShalott1 · 18/07/2022 08:19

Crackercheese · 18/07/2022 06:38

I don’t mind going into school today. I know it’s a PITA for working parents when we close.

But I hate the bullshit. Why can’t we stay open for convenience, encourage anyone else to stay home, and watch some videos in a dark room?

But as it is we have to go through the farce of learning and the curriculum.

I agree that expecting children to learn anything today is ridiculous, especially as I am sure that some parents will keep their children off. So despite this heat, you are espected to teach young children, but also enable any who can't, or their parents won't let them, go into school today, catch up with what they do miss today? I really don't think it is fair that because of something none of us can stop, teachers will have to work extra hard, in at the very least, uncomfortable conditions.

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