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Original poster

If You Could Choose Any Education Option for Sept

999 replies

IDSNeighbour · 14/08/2020 22:54

I'm getting so confused by what parents actually want to happen with schools right now (I'm not a parent, I'm a teacher). I want to know what home opinions my classes are going to be coming in from in Sept - whether they're likely to be nervous or confident, whether they will want to SD or not, etc.

I know parents aren't one hive mind but the 'loudest voice' seems to keep changing its mind. Or I hear different ones, idk.

I'm sure there used to be a board for polls and surveys but, if I wasn't imagining, I can't find it.

So, if you're up for an unscientific straw poll to help me gauge general feeling, can you post A, B, C, D or E in the thread (you can explain if you like, I don't mind!)
A - I want full time schooling as close to the old normal as is allowed
B - I want full time schooling but with safety measures such as social distancing and masks for all who can and are old enough.
C - I want blended learning (half in the classroom and half online)
D - I want to keep my child at home all the time, home school them and not be penalised (ie, I want my place back when I think it's safe)
E - I think schools should remain closed for most children for now.

OP posts:
askmehowiknow · 15/08/2020 20:40

Selfish is indeed a matter of perspective. I wonder how we as a society feel about the exam results forced upon kids this.

Selfish that we prioritised others?

Or maybe justified that pubs were able to open and we've already enjoyed our youth so who cares

MoominMoma · 15/08/2020 20:40

A - but I think if parents want to keep their children at home they shouldn’t be fined for doing so.

Kirkybean2 · 15/08/2020 20:44

A is the dream, IF AND ONLY IF COMMUNITY TRANSMISSION IS VERY LOW. We might have that in my area, if we’re lucky, for a few weeks. Then when the numbers go up, which they will, I want D.

FrippEnos · 15/08/2020 20:46

@askmehowiknow

Selfish is indeed a matter of perspective. I wonder how we as a society feel about the exam results forced upon kids this.

Selfish that we prioritised others?

Or maybe justified that pubs were able to open and we've already enjoyed our youth so who cares

You can see how society feels about the exam results and you can see that it is split, just as feelings on this are split.

Selfish that we prioritised others?

That seems an ironic question as some are prioritising more than just one section of the community and being called selfish for it.

tange01 · 15/08/2020 20:47

C if that can't happen the D will happen!

Iamnotthe1 · 15/08/2020 20:49

@askmehowiknow
Selfish that we prioritised others?

Yes. Selfish that you prioritised specific others of your choosing over specific others that you didn't choose.

That's what makes selfish a matter of perspective and allows anyone to claim that the person arguing against what they wish is selfish.

It's a real shame because, at the core, you seem to want what the vast majority of teachers want: children back in school getting an education. We should be contributing from the same side but your particular viewpoint is as extreme as those advocating for complete closure. There's just no room for reasonable compromise.

FrippEnos · 15/08/2020 20:53

Iamnotthe1

You claim my view is extreme yet your view in the one that has no movement. "Back to school as normal".

My view has many compromises.

Selfish that you prioritised specific others of your choosing over specific others that you didn't choose.

The irony of this statement surely can't be lost on you?

noblegiraffe · 15/08/2020 20:56

askmehowiknow is presenting a straw man to focus on teachers (they want schools closed!) that they know teachers will respond to to take the attention away from Us4Them and their pandemic-denying agenda.

Iamnotthe1 · 15/08/2020 20:57

@FrippEnos

Iamnotthe1

You claim my view is extreme yet your view in the one that has no movement. "Back to school as normal".

My view has many compromises.

Selfish that you prioritised specific others of your choosing over specific others that you didn't choose.

The irony of this statement surely can't be lost on you?

I think you've got me confused with another poster here. My post wasn't directed at you: I'm arguing the same points that you are...
Alongcameacat · 15/08/2020 20:58

This could go on for three years plus. Our children can’t ‘pause‘ while the rest of the country and world press ‘play’. There is no option but to proceed with everyday living. This is already having detrimental effects on children’s mental health.

askmehowiknow · 15/08/2020 20:58

@Alongcameacat

This could go on for three years plus. Our children can’t ‘pause‘ while the rest of the country and world press ‘play’. There is no option but to proceed with everyday living. This is already having detrimental effects on children’s mental health.
Don't be so selfish Grin
Alittleodd · 15/08/2020 20:59

This thread did so well for so long.

And then the willfully obtuse and deliberately baiting posts start up and it all gets derailed again.

It is just boring at this stage to see the same false equivalencies drawn, the same incorrect statements having to be debunked, the same ludicrous strawmen being hoisted up and waved in front of us.

Booo to that, say I.

askmehowiknow · 15/08/2020 21:01

@noblegiraffe

askmehowiknow is presenting a straw man to focus on teachers (they want schools closed!) that they know teachers will respond to to take the attention away from Us4Them and their pandemic-denying agenda.
What @noblegiraffe is doing is suggesting people that want children in full time education believe coronavirus is a conspiracy!!
Iamnotthe1 · 15/08/2020 21:01

@Alongcameacat

This could go on for three years plus. Our children can’t ‘pause‘ while the rest of the country and world press ‘play’. There is no option but to proceed with everyday living. This is already having detrimental effects on children’s mental health.
Using your logic as a base, will everyone and everything go back to normal now then? To do anything otherwise would surely be risking the mental health and wellbeing of some groups within the country. If not, why not?
FrippEnos · 15/08/2020 21:01

Iamnotthe1

Yes. Sorry, I did get you confused.

Time for me to step away from the keyboard. Wine

sunseekin · 15/08/2020 21:04

@FrippEnos

SquirrelPants84

Interesting that the boycott school opening group has 6.7K members and us4them England only has 3.3K

I thought this today! I’m also pretty sure that I read a newspaper article where Boris referred to the us for them pressure group, I imagine he’ll pretend not to see the other one. Absolute joke.
noblegiraffe · 15/08/2020 21:04

What @noblegiraffe is doing is suggesting people that want children in full time education believe coronavirus is a conspiracy!!

No, another straw man.

Many people want kids in full time education.

What the conspiracy theorists want is full time and zero mitigation efforts so that they are ‘vindicated’ when cases don’t go up.

I guess they gave up on the 5G mast burning.

askmehowiknow · 15/08/2020 21:06

@noblegiraffe

What *@noblegiraffe* is doing is suggesting people that want children in full time education believe coronavirus is a conspiracy!!

No, another straw man.

Many people want kids in full time education.

What the conspiracy theorists want is full time and zero mitigation efforts so that they are ‘vindicated’ when cases don’t go up.

I guess they gave up on the 5G mast burning.

You'd be so disappointed to realise that's not true then won't you!
askmehowiknow · 15/08/2020 21:07

Imagine a world where sane educated intelligent people actually put children first...

ChavvySexPond · 15/08/2020 21:09

@askmehowiknow

I'm pleasantly surprised how relatively unpopular B is

C obviously can't be a valid option. We've proved that beyond doubt this year!

So looks like the winner is a resounding A Star

You must be a Brexit voter if you think voting for something impossible that once implemented will rapidly turn to disaster is "winning".
hopefulhalf · 15/08/2020 21:09

B or C are the only longterm sustainable options.

noblegiraffe · 15/08/2020 21:10

Imagine a world where sane educated intelligent people actually put children first...

If you want to put the children first, you want schools open and to remain open.

Hence the requirements for mitigation measures.

Sane, educated intelligent people get this.

Theforest · 15/08/2020 21:11

B, possibly C

JayDot500 · 15/08/2020 21:12

What's the best source of information for local case numbers? Gov.uk?

I'd vote B/C but my husband has a chronic illness (works from home) and I had post natal hypertension and my bp has been up and down for 7 months. We are both black too, so shitting bricks because my eldest is due to start Reception in a few weeks.

We've shielded since March and I've recently disengaged with news/social media because it's depressing seeing many people act like life absolutely should go on as normal. Including family members of course.

Given DH's growing paranoia, we'll likely let DS start, but try to keep up to date with our local cases and pay any fines if we felt cases were getting too high.

It's encouraging to see that other parents who have voted B downwards.

Iamnotthe1 · 15/08/2020 21:13

@askmehowiknow

Imagine a world where sane educated intelligent people actually put children first...
I imagine it must be really hard for you because you do genuinely believe that this isn't already happening.

The sane, educated and intelligent people are already trying to put children first. They are doing it through trying to make sure they get their education whilst also not increasing the risk of them having to live with the long-term health implications that surviving the virus can bring. Or, potentially worse, having to live with the mental scaring that losing a teacher or member of their family could bring.

One of us is considering one aspect of the child and the other is considering the whole child. It's a real shame that you can't join us in that.