AIBU to think school closures ignore parents' work commitments?

[OhNoItsThePinkyPonk]

AIBU to think that the school doesn’t take much account of parents’ need to work? Primary school have just announced they won’t be opening for the rest of the week, but it’s OK because they’ll be sending us online work for us to do with the children, and whilst they are sorry they have had to cancel sports day we shouldn’t be too upset because they’ve have rescheduled it for a couple of weeks time. Like, I totally get they have to put the safety of the children first and if it’s too hot it’s too hot, but what do they think I’m
doing when the kids are at school, preparing beautiful dinners, ensuring the craft box is topped up, pining wistfully for the moment they come home? FFS, my job obviously comes second to my children and of course I’ll cancel planned surgeries and clinics where I need to. It’s not the emergency that bothers me, it’s the blasé way in which it’s communicated as though it’s a
minor inconvenience, not a major major f’ing headache with serious second and third order effects.

phew, that’s better. Now to go and get the little darlings…

Firstly it's not the teachers decision, it's down to safety.

Children can't regulate temperature so we'll and when you get them outside for a quiet activity, they inevitable go off running and overheating, no matter how many times you say.

The classrooms are BOILING. 30+ people in a room without ventilation gets seriously uncomfortable.

The only way forward is to invest in AC, the challenge is who is going to pay for that? My kids school is an old victorian building designed to keep heat in and I did worry. Glad everyone is home today

@toffeeappleturnip You missed the part where we have made arrangements...
I'm simply pointing out whilst it's easy for me, it's not easy for many. But school is definitely considered childcare, for the simple fact that there are no childcare alternatives other than unsustainable favours.

Of course it impacts parents, making their working day more difficult to organise.

But 30 odd kids in school uniform in buildings built to contain heat, without air conditioning is not safe. Particularly when you add in the need to hydrate, and the lack of constant access to adequate, safe, toilets.

If my kids were still at school, I'd have been giving them the day off. But that is part of our family's privilege, that we are able to do so, without strain or penalty. If I could sign up to have a few kids just here to hang out, and take the strain off their parents, I would!

Oh ok. So you are arguing for the sake of arguing. You actually don't have any childcare issues at all.
🙄

@toffeeappleturnip It's a forum, it's ok to have a discussion without it being about yourself all the time.😜 And who knows, life can change in an instant where suddenly childcare becomes a problem, so these issues are still valid, whether they effect me or someone else.

But at the end of the day, school is seen primarily as an education source and secondary as childcare. This is how society runs and how we work. If all schools ceased to exist tomorrow, yes people would be concerned about education but I think a hell of a lot of people would also be wondering what to do with their child during the workday.

Totally agree. My eldest son is working on a roof is 40 degree heat as an apprentice with no time off cos it’s a heat wave and my youngest son is dossing around in his pants thrilled he has the day of school! Even he said it’s not that bad in the classrooms. All we’re teaching this generation is the minute it snows or the sun comes out the country shuts down! It’s pathetic.

North England. School very much still open here including breakfast and afterschool club until 6 with very little comfortable space and resources. It's very hard on the little ones.

Your post:
' pls share the options available where I can still go to work? There are none. That's the issue. '

It's not much of a discussion if you just make up hypothetical situations that don't exist, pretending you are the one with childcare issues, then pretend none of the solutions given to you work.

That's not a discussion, that's just horseshit.

@toffeeappleturnip I sorted childcare so relax. And will speak for the many who are struggling to figure out arrangements who don't have the chance to post on a forum like this because they are too busy pulling out childcare from their arse. School is seen as childcare for the majority of working parents.

I agree finding childcare at short notice is awful. Last week I had to take a day off as DS was sick in the night. Today I’m leaving school early (should’ve had Yr 11 now before anyone wonders why a teacher is posting!) as DS’ school is closing early (mine isn’t). I take unpaid leave for all emergencies. We’ve never had other childcare options either. Teachers do understand.

Schools are there to provide an education. They are not a childcare provision.

Everyone who works is a key worker. They all pay taxes which keeps the country running.

Well said.

We know. Did you not take advantage of the fact your children were in school to go to work?

Of course they know you're not necessarily doing that, a lot of head teachers are working parents 🙄

This is fine BUT parents are very much encouraged to work as much as they can once children are school age. There are posts on here sneering at women who stay home as what on earth can they be doing all day? The only way some parents can work is because their children are in school or wrap around care via the school. I work part time so I am able to cover some holidays and emergency events such as these, I am also fortunate to be able to wfh. However not everyone can. We can't have it both ways, expect people to be working and then expect them to drop everything should the schools suddenly close.

Why? What did teachers do wrong during the pandemic?

We’re talking a couple of days here. Nurses and doctors are examples of key workers in this situation, not people providing non-essential services.

I don't get time off in hot weather so no I dont applaud them. They need to crack on like everyone else in the UK.

A lot of cities across the world struggle to manage in 40 degree heat and they are built for it and acclimatised. People die every year due to heat there are reported excess deaths in the past in France, Chicago and India. I feel faint in anything over 25 due to numerous health conditions, my partner has a heart condition and his hands swell and he’s breathless in the heat. We are a country that has most of the year cool weather so are not used to working and just getting on with it in 40 degree heat, if you can that’s great!

yes. And no.

There is a cost of living crisis - families aren’t able to get by on one income while mum bakes pies and watched soaps at home all day.

it is infantile to suggest that school doesn’t also provide a significant role in propping up the economy of households and the country by freeing parents up to work - which this DUMPSTER FIRE of an economy demands of them.

How are parents meant to get ahead (or even tread water) in their careers when the rug can be pulled out for so many reasons.

Schools need to be fit for purpose. The planet is only getting hotter.

I'm both a parent and an educator. I understand that it's inconvenient. I don't have short-notice childcare available either.

But schools are there to educate. They are not day care centres and they are not childcare. Their first priority is the wellbeing of all children under their jurisdiction, and decisions will be made with that consideration first in mind, as it should be.

My child is my responsibility. If I can WFH my child can still be with me. If I have formal arrangements in my workplace, appointments or meetings that can't be run online, then I shall simply have to cancel them until I'm available. And no, I might not have time to supervise any school work set. It's inconvenient. But schools and employers have their responsibilities, and I have mine. All will prioritize accordingly.

There is too much of an assumption nowadays that people's responsibilities in fact belong to someone else. Ie. 'if you won't move seats because I haven't booked/paid for one, and you're sitting next to my child on a flight, then you automatically become said child's babysitter for the dutation'. Er, no. It doesn't work like that.

Nor does this.

I was dropping off some rechargeable fans at my DD classroom earlier, she's the teacher. Her own fan paid for by her is on the children as there is nothing provided. The sick room has overflowed into reception and there was lots of crying and stunk of vomit. It was sad to see. A school with small classrooms and over subscribed. With a concrete playground with little shade. Parents had the choice to collect or not send in.

Yeah, because you are customers. Please don't believe the private school system is built up for the good of the nation!

But Bridgette Phillipson said this …

Bridget Phillipson said: “I know hot weather can be a struggle. But my message to families is simple: if your child’s school is open, you should keep sending them into school. Teachers are relaxing uniform rules, keeping classrooms cool, making sure children are hydrated, teaching critical skills like water safety, and avoiding vigorous activity on the hottest days. If your child has medical needs which mean you’re especially worried about the heat, talk to your school about what they can do.
“Every day of absence and lesson missed has a cost – and that cost falls hardest on our most disadvantaged pupils and working class communities. So, pack a water bottle, put on the sunscreen, and trust that your child’s school has got this.”

Talking out her arse. Obviously not about disadvantaged pupils but keeping classrooms cool.