Finnish schools re-open 14.5. Worried

[Natsku]

Just been confirmed that DD's school will re-open on the 14th, which is only two weeks before the end of term so it feels like a pointless risk to me but there's no option to keep her home as far as I can tell as distance learning won't be permitted after that date.

If schools opened for your children this soon, would you be happy sending them? Is the idea that they don't spread it really backed up by evidence? Any teachers think this is a bad idea or a good idea?

How old is she? I’d be very tempted to keep her off. Tell the truth or say you are self isolating.

She's 9. I might use the self-isolating excuse if I'm not reassured by then. They say they are putting in procedures to make it as safe as possible but I don't know how they can unless they do less hours and more spread out.

Given I work in a school and am currently symptomatic (waiting test results), have only been to the supermarket twice since last being in work and not going anywhere else, if I am positive, it is either from asymptomatic teens or an asymptomatic DH.

They keep telling us we are unlikely to catch anything from our shopping and I have taken precautions with covering up while out shopping, cleansing hands before and after, wiping down trollies, car handles etc. The only place I haven't covered up is home and my workplace.

I think to some degree, underlying health conditions aside, a lot of children need to be back in school, mine included. I think there will be an awful lot of children who are suddenly symptomatic if a return to school happens sooner rather than later though.

I am watching other countries return to education with interest and don't see in the UK how many schools can remain within safe social distancing parameters with full pupil numbers in. There just isn't the space in a lot of schools so they would have to return on a part time basis initially.

Are they having all children back as normal? What is the usual class size?

Most countries that have gone back to school seem to have put some extra measures in place to help with social distancing- e.g. Germany, Denmark, etc. Although, I do think children will never social distance perfectly.

If you are very worried about the risks, and it's only two weeks, I think you could probably get away with saying she is off sick?

Is there normally no option to home school? Or are you worried about losing her school place?

They say its a slow return to school so I assume that means it won't be as normal. DD's class size is 21 I think, or maybe 22 but not sure what the usual class size is, I think it can vary a lot as they have to take in all the local children.

You can only home school if you follow the curriculum and I doubt I can manage to do that. Sick note is my best bet I think unless they would understand about my concerns.

It really doesn't seem fair on the teachers either, the teachers union was against re-opening