It feels like people on MN are willing schools to close

[Marcellemouse]

Lots of threads being really negative about schools reopening. These have been largely started by teachers, the latest one being about a gagging order on the BBC. My 2 and every other DC I know are thriving on schools opening again. DS actually stands a chance of doing well and getting back on track with GCSES. DC are happy and animated again. Their teachers have been fantastic, I'm massively impressed. Friends of mine who are secondary teachers are positive and happy to be back teaching in school instead of home learning. I just get a different vibe in RL than on MN about schools. What's the reality?

Jesus we are never going to get to the point where there are zero kids having to isolate

There’s a big difference between zero kids and thousands of kids and rising, yes?

Jesus we are never going to get to the point where there are zero kids having to isolate - even though most are asymptotic or have mild cold or not even with covid.

But we're not discussing people who are off with a cold for a day or so before they get their test back. We're discussing the numbers of times when there's 2 or more cases in a school which PHE feel is more likely to be spread through the school than outside it. There are more of these occasions in schools than any other sector, and they're growing. Is that something we could learn from?

Do you know what, OP?

Teachers have got schools open. We are the ones who will keep them open.

Do you have any idea what that took? What it is taking every day to make sure things keep going? Every single person who is saying “my child’s teachers are fine/cheerful/positive” - yep. We are. But under the surface every teacher I know feels like they’re 6 months in to the year rather than 3 weeks.

Leave us alone.

OP, I am not a teacher, and I can only feel the negativity from some of the posters including you.

You say you are happy about your school. You say your children are happy.

So why the thread like this? You should be thanking the school and teachers, rather than starting yet another teacher bashing thread once again.

@notevenat20

I think you're making that up

The messaging isn't consistent. On the one hand teachers are risking their lives every day when teaching in schools. On the other it's a sin to suggest that teachers might on average by more keen for schools not to run full time than non-teachers.

Why do you hate teachers so much? Every single thread you start or post on - you slate teachers. You just sound ridiculous and unpleasant.

@SmileEachDay Unless of course this is a sort of a reverse OP and this is a Russian plot to annoy teachers so that they march out of schools and so destabilise the country...

I mean, if someone actually wanted schools to stay open, why would they antagonise the very talented professionals whose dedication beyond the call of duty is the only thing keeping the education system going?

Russian plot, I say. It makes more sense than any other explanation....

Ah you mean go back to online working...

Or we could have asked for more space, and staff, like other countries have done?

You can't just pretend it's ok and no one will have to make any adjustments. I particularly don't like the idea of working around my 4 children at home, but I'm going to find ways to make it work now because I can see the writing on the wall.

On the one hand teachers are risking their lives every day when teaching in schools. On the other it's a sin to suggest that teachers might on average by more keen for schools not to run full time than non-teachers.

You have stretched that dichotomy beyond belief. It is risky to be in the environment teachers are in, that's why people with a choice in how they work aren't doing it. It is also much harder work for everyone, parents and teachers, when schools close. There is no either / or here. It's a bad straw man

Russian plot, I say. It makes more sense than any other explanation....

It’s as good a theory as any 🤣

I think this OP is the new “Can do” attitude.

@SmileEachDay

Russian plot, I say. It makes more sense than any other explanation....

It’s as good a theory as any 🤣

I think this OP is the new “Can do” attitude.

Can do, can't think through

@noblegiraffe

Jesus we are never going to get to the point where there are zero kids having to isolate

There’s a big difference between zero kids and thousands of kids and rising, yes?

But there is a big difference between thousands out of ten million.

And it’s really interesting that more people died of pneumonia and influenza in the week ending on 18th of September than of Covid - regardless of the rises.

Yet thousands of schools have open successfully

At what cost both the physical and mental health of school staff? Or do we not matter?

@Enoughnowstop don't think we do. Sadly.

disagree, all the negativity is coming from the same few teachers. Everyone else is happy and positive about schools

Who? Which teachers?

But there is a big difference between thousands out of ten million.

Nearly one in six secondary schools hit, remember. We don’t know the numbers of pupils. Double the rate of schools partially/fully closed compared to last week.

A success?

@noblegiraffe it's so tempting to say let's all call in with a cough on Friday. Kids turn up at schools to find no staff. But we won't because we all care too much.

I’ve noticed in a shift in the U4T-type posts lately. It’s moved from ‘schools will be fine’ to ‘loads (unspecified number) of schools are fine’ and ‘ my school is doing a one-way system and the teachers are fab and we’re fine’ (implication that other schools that aren’t fine have somehow brought it upon themselves).

[quote mumsneedwine]@noblegiraffe it's so tempting to say let's all call in with a cough on Friday. Kids turn up at schools to find no staff. But we won't because we all care too much. [/quote]
We won’t even call in sick when we’re sick.

More so than other professions (that stat really gets teacher-bashers backs up...)

Yes, one way systems seem to be very powerful somehow.

I’ve noticed in a shift in the U4T-type posts lately. It’s moved from ‘schools will be fine’ to ‘loads (unspecified number) of schools are fine’ and ‘ my school is doing a one-way system and the teachers are fab and we’re fine’ (implication that other schools that aren’t fine have somehow brought it upon themselves)

I think the kids I teach and their parents would say everything is “great”’at my school, and that I am positive and happy to be back. I hope they would, it’s important that families have confidence in us.

It doesn’t mean there isn’t an awful lot of very, very hard work and a shitload of concern that we’ll be unable to keep all the plates spinning in the medium term.

My kids are so much happier back in school, deny it thought they do at 6.45 every morning. It is wonderful.

Do I feel safe? Nope, not at all I feel that with 3 kids in 3 separate schools it is only a matter of time before we have to hole up for weeks on end. Do I feel confident that their teachers are safe? Nope not at all. Teachers in 2 of 3 schools have tested positive. I think the primary may be fine, but the secondaries - bubbles of 210 and public transport. It is patently a nonsense.

I don't think anyone is going to get a choice. COVID cases rising amongst staff and pupils, staff in isolation rising, a rise in teacher/TA/school admin vacancies ( and we always struggle to employ cleaners) - no staff, no school.

@noblegiraffe only job I've ever had where being sick is more work than going in. I've struggled in feeling lousy as it's easier to teach than set cover. Not great for infection control though 😂

Oh right so anyone whose DC is back at school and it's going ok must be an Usforthem person. I am simply telling the truth as I see it. DS is back at school and has been for almost 6 weeks, they are also managing to do afterschool sports. Each day I say a little prayer of gratitude that school is still open.

Will it all stop with one or two positive cases ? Quite possibly, but at the minute it is open and functioning and the positive difference physically and mentally in my DS 14 in the short time he has been back is quite incredible.

Just seen on another thread

13,000 kids in Birmingham and 700 staff currently out of school isolating. A quarter of schools affected.

SUCCESS!

www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/13000-children-700-staff-quarantine-19020412

(And yet it’s uni figures people are flipping out over).