Schools closed, what next?

[Sparklypurpleunicornsaremyfav]

So they've just announced schools are closing which I have to admit has made me feel better but I work in retail, non essential and come in close and physical contact with customers. As of yet we aren't being given any precautions to take to minimise the spread of the virus. I'm scared that I don't know who I'm coming into contact with, before anyone says anything I don't for one second think anyone would deliberately come into store knowing they'd had contact with the virus. But it still worries me what I could bring home. So when do you think or will they close shops like mine?

Moonface most home educated children so sit exams in schools. Some sit them in tuition centres, the kind that offer after school tuition. They are normally very very small places and do not offer any protection against viruses!

If predicted grades will be used instead of exam results home educated children will lose out!

Our office was ordering wfh from Monday. Now I will be wfh for the foreseeable. So scared I will have to take unpaid, surely they can’t force it if I CAN wfh?

I'm a key worker but I don't want my children going to school either?

DH is trying to arrange home working

DS is 18. A Level year. Looks like Friday will be his last day of school ever.

Hello! I am an artist and home educator (for 15+ years). I understand the shock of having to home educate when you didn't choose to... and doing it with ill children and parents at home. I have recorded a video about home education and will be answering questions over the next few days on Instagram at ashleyhylandartist . Hope it helps.

Ashley parents whose children are normally at school won't be home educating really. They will just need to keep their children at home and learning (with support from school) for a short period. The goals and aims won't he the same as for parents who are electively home educating.

Said this on another thread but can’t help but think about the poor kids who won’t get a hot meal, no community kitchens open like in the holidays, food banks have hardly any food. It’s horrible so bloody horrible.

Bogoff that's awful, but I have heard that at least some schools will be open for those children to come and have lunch.

@QuestionableDanceMoves I am in the EXACT same position as you, so virtual hand holding. I am a lone parent to 2 small children, so family at all, no support, came out of a refuge last year due to domestic abuse so no Ex partner on hand to help out, work part time at a payroll company (which is MANIC now as you’d imagine with SSP, queries etc) and absolutely no idea how I’ll cope financially or mentally tbh.

Sending hugs to everyone affected. Ignoring ignorant posters saying “shit happens” which isn’t helpful in the slightest!

@Bogoffrain School lunches and food vouchers were specifically mentioned so it is being thought about

DD's in Yr 10 and Yr 13, and have no idea what is going to happen.
DD1 had great AS, good predicted, but had a bad mock when ill, but wasn't fussed as knew it was only a mock. She's now panicking as if they go with mock result that would mean her offer wouldn't stand. If they go with predicted she'll be fine, but no-one knows anything.
DD2 was meant to be doing 4 GCSE's this year, but don't know whether she'll go on predicted for those, or be expected to do extra next year. Chaos.
Thanks to all of the teachers though - must be devastating for you too

I think many teachers vastly over estimate how much children need them.

Yeah right. I think a whole generation of kids, and their parents, are about to find out how much they miss teachers when they don't have them anymore.

@Butterymuffin I disagree. I think that after this, many people will wonder why we have schools, (regimented), for children at all, when the world has developed, and all learning can be done from technology at home.

I know I'm in a supremely lucky position. My kids are older and as a teacher I'm all set up to work remotely and set work from home on a daily basis and respond to the pupils.
We are also a school who is gearing up to opening up to key workers (awaiting a list of who that is) to support their learning as well as including vulnerable and FSM pupils to be able to get their lunch.

What our unions are quite clear about is that if we are expected, as we are, to set work etc during these closures, we will have worked our contracted days and the school year won't be extended as a result as it would cost a fortune to pay the staff more for the extra weeks.

What I did wonder was whether the opportunity to remodel the school year would be used.

@angell84 I think exactly the opposite. But we'll see, won't we?

@Butterymuffin technology has advanced a huge amount.

A lot of jobs can be done from home.
All schooling can be done from home.

Many,many children are homeschooled in the UsA

Yes, but just because something can be done, doesn't mean it should be or that it's the best way for it to be done.

As I said, we'll see.

Angell84 I agree, I think even in isolation the mental health will improve for many children bullied and many won’t return to school as they see they can do the same work at home.

"All schooling can be done from home."

No it can't. Not with my child.

@Sleepyblueocean okay I take your point. I will say , "a vast majority of schooling can be done from home".

I am not bashing teachers here. I am just thinking of all the people my age (thirties) that I know, that still suffer a huge deal from being bullied at school. One is in therapy.

And I think, " is throwing hundreds of teenagers into one building for many years of their lives, where many are bullied, a good idea?"

@angell84 right. So just bar all teachers with young kids from the profession, will you? Take it from me: it is EXTREMELY difficult to teach students online and care for a 1yo. And that's with a supportive partner.

@angell84 you vastly underestimate how important school and the teachers are for my DS. He’s got additional needs, his school has given him routine, social interaction, encouragement and support. Being taken out of school has disrupted that and the uncertainty of the future is causing him anxiety that I alone can’t combat. He needs his school routine, his teacher and all of the other adults that care for, help and support him.

Claiming that he can just do work at home is a serious insult to the many adults that care for children. They all contribute a hell of a lot more than learning how to read and write to a child’s life. And they care about the children they’re responsible for a hell of a lot more than just wanting to educate them. I think they deserve a bloody medal for what they do.

@angelil Yes I know it is difficult right now and I sympathise.

I was thinking about homeschooling in the future, so in that situation teachers would teach online, and childcare facilities would be open.

But I completely sympathise with your situation right now. I am sure it is hard. You are appreciated

Very interesting points about home educating and the emotional trauma suffered by some children in the education system.
The truth is, the education set up is not ideal in most countries but it is what it is and it evolves and hopefully one day it will be more nurturing and will taylor for different personalities and different levels of everything. However, I am a strong believer in the benefits of socialising with peers of similar ages going through similar experiences. School has been amazing for my children starting from nursery all the way through. It has been incredibly beneficial to me as well all those years ago. Besides, a lot of parents won’t be able to homeschool properly especially if they haven’t tried it before. Most still have to work, some don’t have the patience, resources or ability to impart knowledge in an age appropriate way which truly benefits the child, some won’t have the knowledge and all museums and educational/inspirational places will be shut. There’s only so much you can learn from the internet without the support of practical demonstrations. Ultimately, on the whole, kids need to mix with each other.