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Original poster

First day back at school - how was it?

309 replies

snowballer · 01/06/2020 15:59

I have a child in Y1 and he's had a brilliant day. Around 20 of the class of 30 came back today, split into two groups across two classrooms. Nothing was terrifying, no weird chalk circles outside in which to play, and no prison like classrooms. All the children coming out at pick up were so happy to be back. Even the fact his best friend is in the other group didn't bother him!

How were your children's days if they went back today?

OP posts:
Khione · 01/06/2020 19:36

Well Done Teachers, Well Done Parents

And Well Done to all the Kids

A lovely thread to read.

ineedaholidaynow · 01/06/2020 19:37

DS's Private school is back for the eligible Primary years today. They said before half term they won't open the Senior school, although now the guidance has finally come out that might change. They are providing a full live timetable and can do the face to face contact virtually. They also have Senior boarders who are mainly from abroad so wouldn't be able to come back yet, so remote learning would be needed for them anyway.

I am glad to hear of so many happy experiences. I know there were many concerns, and much criticism of teachers appearing to be very negative, but they would never show those concerns to their pupils, and would do whatever they could within the constraints to make it a good place to be.

AdalindMeisner · 01/06/2020 19:38

Our school.hasnt gone back yet. Public health officer in our county council has said he doesn't think it is safe to open (locally we don't meet all the criteria - we are a bit of a hotspot) and when we do open it will be to yr 6 first. I have been so torn as dd2 is autistic (main stream school) and she can't access school alone - needs help to access her class (reception) and can't cope with even the smallest of changes that wouldn't register for any other child and we also have family members who are clinically vulnerable (not shielding) so that is a consideration (we would be at the mercy of public transport to get to school).

This thread is so lovely to read though and I truly am glad the young ones who have been back have had good days and are happy.

Sallycinammonbangsthedruminthe · 01/06/2020 19:39

So lovely to read a happy thread ...so positive.My dd is in year 3 and cannot wait to return so heres hoping its not too long now.Well done kids! Well done parents and well done schools...today sounds like it went so well ...

Aragog · 01/06/2020 19:40

It's lovely to see how it's all working out and that the children are mostly fine with the changes.

I know that the teaching staff, and support staff for that matter, have tried to make our school as nice as possible for our key worker and vulnerable children over the past few weeks.

Obviously, we plan to do so when the reception children return in two week's time. We can't open to year 1 due to not enough classrooms and no excess space around school to add new rooms and spaces, etc. And we are infants only so no year 6 anyway. Whilst there absolutely will be lots of changes and things won't be the same at all - important for parents and children to know this - the teachers, TAs and other school adults will be continuing to care for the children as best as they are able.

BunsyGirl · 01/06/2020 19:41

@Aretheystillasleepbob My DC’s private schools has gone back today for nursery, reception, year 1 and year 6. I know lots of people with kids at other private schools and they have also opened. Please don’t spread false information.

BillBaileysBum · 01/06/2020 19:43

Brilliant thread. So pleased.

gingerorange · 01/06/2020 19:44

I was happy with the risk, there was a chart I read somewhere today that the vast majority of children don't live with anyone over 50

What about school staff over 50? Several of my colleagues are, don't they matter?

Yurona · 01/06/2020 19:44

Independent school as well. Pre-school, reception, year 1 and 6 back. Kids loved it. Could easily accommodate all pupils and are keen to reopen completely. They are providing a full online curriculum as well for the years still stuck at home.

mumsiedarlingrevolta · 01/06/2020 19:45

Are any of your teachers wearing masks?

Just interested because there is a Nursery down the street from us.
They have no outside space at all so usually take the children in big pushchair tandem things to green space nearby.

I was going to walk dog in same place and saw the Nursery staff taking kids out-all staff wearing masks. Is that a rule? Or to protect children? or workers? Because obviously they are changing nappies and things-seemed a bit odd outside in the open air?

afrikat · 01/06/2020 19:46

My 3 year old went back to pre school and came back super happy. She got to play outside all day with her bestie who she has talked about constantly in lock down

ZebraF · 01/06/2020 19:47

Another happy child here! Back to the school nursery today and had a wonderful day. Kept in group of 6 indoors, allowed to play with another group outdoors. Social distancing has been handled sensitively and creatively. She went in confidently and came out beaming! Well done and thank you to the teachers and school staff who have put so much effort into making this experience the best it could be for the children. We can’t eliminate the physical risk of the virus completely, but from a wellbeing perspective it sounds like most people have had a positive experience today and nothing like what the media told us to expect.

Delta1 · 01/06/2020 19:47

@Aretheystillasleepbob you're so wide of the mark it's ridiculous. Lazy rumour spreading. All the independent preps attended by my family, friends, colleagues etc ALL went back having been champing at the bit to get started.
Not only that, but some Heads have been lobbying to be allowed to bring back more year groups - sadly not allowed. They all hit the ground running today. Fully prepared at 8am.

Lyndassniff · 01/06/2020 19:48

I am so glad that so many children had a lovely day. Both my children's schools are not re opening for a couple of weeks. It gives me hope for the time when they can go back to school.

My 6 year old is a lovely boy, but he is very angry and unhappy at the moment.

RoryGillmoresEvilTwin · 01/06/2020 19:54

I'm so glad a good day has been had!

I really wish yr 4 ds could go back. He's so lonely and while he's completing lessons each day, there's absolutely no enthusiasm for it. It's a bit soul destroying watching him.

TempsPerdu · 01/06/2020 19:55

Such a lovely, cheering thread to read - well done to all the teachers, parents and pupils. Really glad it was such a positive experience for most.

No school for us yet but DD restarts nursery on Thursday. To say she’s excited about it would be an understatement!

Sertchgi123 · 01/06/2020 19:59

@snowballer

I have a child in Y1 and he's had a brilliant day. Around 20 of the class of 30 came back today, split into two groups across two classrooms. Nothing was terrifying, no weird chalk circles outside in which to play, and no prison like classrooms. All the children coming out at pick up were so happy to be back. Even the fact his best friend is in the other group didn't bother him!

How were your children's days if they went back today?

Thank you for such a lovely post.
cocktailoclock · 01/06/2020 20:00

Great to hear such positive stories - just wish it would be open for year 2 and year 4. It's a very long wait until September for those children

Original poster
snowballer · 01/06/2020 20:01

What about school staff over 50? Several of my colleagues are, don't they matter?

@gingerorange there are hundreds of other threads you could post this on, or your could start your own. This thread is so overwhelmingly positive, could we just let it remain so? I for one am so glad just to read happy stories for once.

OP posts:
pfrench · 01/06/2020 20:03

This is because teachers are ace.

Delatron · 01/06/2020 20:04

I agree that it’s such a shame for the other children missing out. I have a year 5 too and he’s pretty sad his brother gets to go in and not him.

Our school basically said today they’ve had no guidance from the government or LA how to get the other years back. Our school is a junior school so even if they did one day for each year group it would help.

Sallycinnamum · 01/06/2020 20:05

Lovely thread. My yr6 goes back tomorrow and my year 3 is desperate to go back too.

Myothercarisalsoshit · 01/06/2020 20:06

@snowballer

What about school staff over 50? Several of my colleagues are, don't they matter?

@gingerorange there are hundreds of other threads you could post this on, or your could start your own. This thread is so overwhelmingly positive, could we just let it remain so? I for one am so glad just to read happy stories for once.

I'm over 50 and going back on Wednesday. Oh well.
Frazzled2207 · 01/06/2020 20:15

Lovely thread pleased it went well. My reception son is back soon (still waiting on a date), year 2 son looks like he will need to wait.

Eccle80 · 01/06/2020 20:16

My year 6 was back today, in a bubble of 9. They are expected to distance, and he wasn’t with his best friends, but he has enjoyed his day, as do others I have heard of in his year. The school did a good job with ideas of fun things they could do without contact