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Ways to make schools safer without closing them

504 replies

noblegiraffe · 24/10/2020 13:05

Because I am so bored of the misrepresentation and lies going on on this site by people who shout down anyone who raises concerns about the current situation in schools as 'wanting schools to close indefinitely'. The people lacking in imagination who seem to insist that either things carry on as they are (with hundreds of thousands of kids not in school due to the spread in infection), or that schools close and there's nothing in between that can possibly be done to make things safer.

So here's my list, mostly copied from another thread:

We could start with an effective test and trace system, which we were told was essential for the safe re-opening of schools, but we opened without.

We could move onto making sure that all classrooms have windows. And then that those windows open. A national WEAR A VEST campaign to stop parents and kid complaining that it's cold. Germany have just invested a large amount of money in improving ventilation in schools, the UK should follow them.

Masks. Why do the government keep insisting they're not needed in corridors (from the comfort of a socially distanced parliament) and that it's impossible to use them in classrooms when the rest of the world seem to manage? What lessons can we learn from the international experience?

Marquees/covers on the playgrounds so that kids aren't inside for wet break. I know that wet break caused a whole year group to be sent home in a local school as it was uncontrolled indoor close contact.

For it to be mandatory (not simply 'where possible') that classrooms are arranged so that teachers are 2m from the kids when teaching. If smaller class sizes are needed to facilitate this, then solutions must be found even if the government needs to pay money for bigger spaces.

Parents to be supported/sanctioned to avoid kids being sent into school with symptoms or when they're supposed to be isolating.

The government to update its list of symptoms for children requiring a test to include the main ones that children experience, instead of the adult symptoms which they mainly don't.

Regular testing in schools, particularly when there are outbreaks, to enable more effective isolation.

Vulnerable kids to be allowed the option of staying at home. Schooling could be provided by Oak Academy (why spend millions on it and not use it?) and the army of 'catch-up tutors' to provide feedback on work (or ECV teachers also permitted to stay at home)

Any other suggestions?

OP posts:
headstrong27 · 24/10/2020 16:28

@Triangularbubble oops, now they can't accuse me of lying!

noblegiraffe · 24/10/2020 16:28

And then, when other people say their ideas you don't like them either - like you don't like cleaning products now.

No. I said I was worried about using plague killing spray in poorly ventilated classrooms around children. Not cleaning products in general.

OP posts:
SmileEachDay · 24/10/2020 16:29

I had all my maths lessons in a PortaClassroom for 4 years when I was at school. 😂😂

It was ace because if it was especially windy it would wobble around which meant we were far too worried to do any maths Grin

headstrong27 · 24/10/2020 16:30

@noblegiraffe why does disagreement on the practicality of some points equal an agenda or is considered hostile or negative?

NothingIsWrong · 24/10/2020 16:30

It is my job to do this kind of thing. I am one of the people who would do the specialist planning. And you need proper foundations, paths, services which would need trenches, and a whole host of other things.

I'm sick of people saying "oh just put a few portakabins in". It is a set process to ensure that it is safe and suitable, and cannot be done overnight.

OpheliasCrayon · 24/10/2020 16:31

I mean look @noblegiraffe, I think you want to have your ideas confirmed and carried out. I certainly don't agree with all of them and I think some of them would be impossible, unsafe or not best for the children's wellbeing. Some people seem to also feel this way.

However, there's absolutely no doubt that the people who are actually in charge have absolutely no fucking clue whatsoever. So since you have more ideas than them and actually know about schools (which they don't ) whether I agree with everything you say or not you'd do a better job at sorting the situation out.

I think it's one of the scandinavian countries (or maybe it's Germany?) that has a cabinet made up entirely of people who's professions are related to the political responsibility they hold. I think we would benefit from this at this present time!

SmileEachDay · 24/10/2020 16:32

now they can't accuse me of lying!

If you mean me, I wasn’t. I’m very surprised that schools are still having volunteers in - if you’re doing gutter clearing and outside stuff that’s a bit different I guess 🤷🏻‍♀️

noblegiraffe · 24/10/2020 16:32

Ok but some of those not everyone agrees with. I certainly don't.

So you do know suggestions I’d be happy with and yet you decided to post that you didn’t.

Why?

Because I am a bit fed up of people telling me what I think and it being a lie. I get it all the time. I want schools closed. I treat kids with disdain. Now I’m not happy with any suggestions on a thread I started with a whole bunch of suggestions.

What the actual fuck is wrong with people that they literally ignore what I write, replace it with something else in their head, then bitch at me about it?

Seriously.

OP posts:
headstrong27 · 24/10/2020 16:34

I've been involved with H&S in schools & it's very complex & boring!

@NothingIsWrong clearly you need to do your job better & get those cabins up pronto 😆

ohthegoats · 24/10/2020 16:34

I think marquees are more about getting all children outside at break times, even if the weather is rubbish.

stayingaliveisawayoflife · 24/10/2020 16:34

Can I just say if any of my primary colleagues are suffering from the moving tables issue where they keep creeping forward now they are in rows then my secret or not so secret tip is to cable tie the legs together. Then they have to move the whole row which is far more difficult! Stops the bruises along your thighs as you shove the table back again for the fifth time that day!

WhyNotMe40 · 24/10/2020 16:35

[quote headstrong27]@Triangularbubble oops, now they can't accuse me of lying! [/quote]
Who is "they"?
So are you in classrooms with classes then? Genuinely interested as my kids school said it wasn't allowed. And my own school likewise has lost valuable help.

NothingIsWrong · 24/10/2020 16:35

I'm not going to make any comment on how school days are organised, or masks or handgel or blended learning cos I know nothing about them

I do know about provision of temporary accommodation for educational settings, and doing it quickly with the resources available would result in even more mayhem and it would not be quick.

OpheliasCrayon · 24/10/2020 16:36

@noblegiraffe

Ok but some of those not everyone agrees with. I certainly don't.

So you do know suggestions I’d be happy with and yet you decided to post that you didn’t.

Why?

Because I am a bit fed up of people telling me what I think and it being a lie. I get it all the time. I want schools closed. I treat kids with disdain. Now I’m not happy with any suggestions on a thread I started with a whole bunch of suggestions.

What the actual fuck is wrong with people that they literally ignore what I write, replace it with something else in their head, then bitch at me about it?

Seriously.

Yes. That's the point. I disagree with your suggestions! Which apparently isn't ok. I give up. Fortunately for me we have absolutely nothing in place whatsoever because I work in SEN and we can't. And I'm more than happy with the situation.
SmileEachDay · 24/10/2020 16:37

I'm not going to make any comment on how school days are organised, or masks or handgel or blended learning cos I know nothing about them

This is a refreshing attitude.

noblegiraffe · 24/10/2020 16:38

Yes. That's the point. I disagree with your suggestions!

No, you said But I just don't know what would be a suitable suggestion that you would be happy with!

After I wrote a whole load of them.

It’s there in black and white.

OP posts:
headstrong27 · 24/10/2020 16:38

Because I am a bit fed up of people telling me what I think and it being a lie. I get it all the time.

And yet on this thread you've told me I have agenda, what is it? & I'm keen to maintain the status quo, which is?

OpheliasCrayon · 24/10/2020 16:40

@noblegiraffe

Yes. That's the point. I disagree with your suggestions!

No, you said But I just don't know what would be a suitable suggestion that you would be happy with!

After I wrote a whole load of them.

It’s there in black and white.

But then you don't like other people's suggestions. Which you asked for.

Anyway this is getting circular and boring. I'm out !

WhyNotMe40 · 24/10/2020 16:40

@NothingIsWrong

It is my job to do this kind of thing. I am one of the people who would do the specialist planning. And you need proper foundations, paths, services which would need trenches, and a whole host of other things.

I'm sick of people saying "oh just put a few portakabins in". It is a set process to ensure that it is safe and suitable, and cannot be done overnight.

Was this something though that could have been done over the summer? Or something we could start doing NOW ready for spring?
headstrong27 · 24/10/2020 16:43

@SmileEachDay

I’m very surprised that schools are still having volunteers in - if you’re doing gutter clearing and outside stuff that’s a bit different I guess

You need to that thing where you think about the bigger picture & not just your own little world. I'm mean straight away you assumed I was a parent volunteer.

headstrong27 · 24/10/2020 16:44

Who is "they"?

@WhyNotMe40 did you not type the below?

Um, I didn't think parent volunteers were allowed currently?

SmileEachDay · 24/10/2020 16:44

You need to that thing where you think about the bigger picture & not just your own little world. I'm mean straight away you assumed I was a parent volunteer

Rude.

What kind of volunteer are you?

headstrong27 · 24/10/2020 16:45

Rude.

What kind of volunteer are you?

This is brilliant! you couldn't make it up 🤣🤣

WhyNotMe40 · 24/10/2020 16:46

That was absolutely not calling you a liar - it was me doubting my recollection that it was no longer allowed. Hence the um and question mark.

headstrong27 · 24/10/2020 16:46

@SmileEachDay what's your role?

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