Do you think schools will be closed a week early so we be with parents/grandparents for Christmas?

[Dontbakeinatent]

Hi,

Just that really.

I hear that the government are putting together a plan so that we can be together at Christmas.

This is the only thing I can think of that would be effectve.

Thoughts?

And everyone will just use it as a chance to start xmas early. No thanks.

No thanks !

Its a stupid idea and although I hate the word, its a selfish idea! Pulling children from education when they have already missed so much to make yourself feel better about "breaking the rules" when we shouldn't be mixing households at all covid doesn't have a day off for Christmas. Yes it's sad we can't all meet up but its not the end of the world. If you wouldn't normally meet up on a regular day then Christmas shouldn't be any different its just another day. Be interesting to see how many who insist on the big family gatherings will be moaning when there's more restrictions or classes bubbles bursting in January

Yes really selfish. Sorry but i couldn't give two hoots about your family Christmas. In have aging parents and would love ti see them but if its a choice between my kids education then that comes first.

No chance of family visit for a long time. Staying at home for a whole term for others was bad enough but stopping school so people can eat turkey with grandma. Nope

Fully up for people taking own decision to isolate though

No. Children have missed enough school as it is.

@Itsagrandoldteam in the same position, but we decided not to send him back in sept. I am perfectly okay with being a weirdo and called paranoid (happened from school), but I value my life more than their attendance stats. I know we are in a unique position with a gifted kid who will not be harmed by this in terms of education.

Nope!

@Char2015

The last week of school is normally parties, watching Xmas movies, and generally not doing much work. In terms of education/learning, it wouldn't matter as much. Even the scientists said a few weeks back that missing 1-2 weeks of schooling now, wouldn't be detrimental. That's not me saying it, that's the professionals who know what they are talking about.

I work in a primary school and we’ve never been able to sack off a whole week’s worth of learning to have Christmas parties and watch DVDs. In normal times we’d have a Christmas dinner and make a Christmas card and calendar in art / DT. The latter we’ll still be able to do with perhaps a Christmas meal in the classroom. We haven’t had parties for the last 4 years.

[quote TheSunIsStillShining]@Itsagrandoldteam in the same position, but we decided not to send him back in sept. I am perfectly okay with being a weirdo and called paranoid (happened from school), but I value my life more than their attendance stats. I know we are in a unique position with a gifted kid who will not be harmed by this in terms of education.[/quote]
I understand completely, I am not asking for a week off so we can spend Christmas with his grandparents, I just want to spend Christmas with my son, is that too much to ask.

We each have to do what is right for our own family, at least my son is old enough to learn independently and he is still getting his lessons online. If he was in primary school though, I think I would just take him out and home school him for a year, it's impossible to be socially distant from a younger child.

I think people will have to make some tough decisions over Christmas, ie are you able to keep it simple and protect those you love, or do you want whatever Xmas the government are able to grant and risk spreading it.

I work in a school and my Mum lives locally, so I've only seen her three times on the doorstep - it's not worth the risk. My Mum doesn't sound sure about coming anyway, has said she's happy to meet for a walk, then last time asking when I finish and saying it's not long enough. I'm the largest risk to her and it'd be easy to socially distance but...

In “normal” times lessons in primary seem to stop about a week before as well as all the interruption for nativity rehearsals,carol concerts etc. And in secondary school (definitely lower) it’s word searches and dvds. As it’s not “normal” times and normal things can’t happen finishing a week early would be fine,the only reason it wouldn’t be is due to lack of childcare and that raises the ugly debate of school is for education not childcare.

The last week of school is normally parties, watching Xmas movies, and generally not doing much work. In terms of education/learning, it wouldn't matter as much Don't care. Good. Let them have a fun week at school. Mine are older though and one about to do A levels so not sure how much partying there will be.

I sincerely hope not - enough teaching time has already been lost this year and who knows what next year will hold so they need to keep schools open while they can.

the only reason it wouldn’t be is due to lack of childcare and that raises the ugly debate of school is for education not childcare don't be silly. I'm furloughed btw. I want them at school because that's where they should be, mucking about, preparing for mocks, watching Elf, whatever.

@MrsMiaWallis

the only reason it wouldn’t be is due to lack of childcare and that raises the ugly debate of school is for education not childcare don't be silly. I'm furloughed btw. I want them at school because that's where they should be, mucking about, preparing for mocks, watching Elf, whatever.

Agree completely not a childcare issue here.

I want dc to be either excited with friends pre Christmas or studying in yr11

the only reason it wouldn’t be is due to lack of childcare and that raises the ugly debate of school is for education not childcare

If there was alternative childcare available for my school aged children I would happily pay for it, but there isn’t.
Schools aren’t childcare, but unless society was set up to enable every family to have a stay at home parent, people understandably utilise the hours their children are at school to earn a living.
If the government said ‘we will close schools a week early but set up childcare providers for those who need to work’ then fab.
Also, that’s not the only reason. My kids have missed enough school this year. They love school, they love seeing their friends, they thrive on that interaction, and they get an education. I want them in school, not isolating at home.

I don't think they will as the Government are adamant schools won't closer regardless of what happens.

But it could be a good idea to avoid self isolation over Christmas Day.

We had classes who had to SI over half term, over Christmas will be much worse - and I think a lot more people would break their SI period as a result.

They are swabbing students to ensure they get home for Christmas. Its going to be annoying if DD can get home, only for me to end up in SI - even more so as I am still revering from Covid 5 weeks ago. No one knows if there is proper immunity so I'd still have to isolate.

I bloody hope not they’re already finishing on the 18th here!! We have 17 days off with fuck all to do as it is

The Friday before Christmas is quite normal here.
We are having the same amount of time off as normal - two weeks.
Back on January 4th.

I just hope I don't have to spend all of it in SI if a bubble closes.

Our school already announced that 16th of December is the last day before Christmas break

Those of you that think this is a good idea, I have a genuine question. Will you be isolating your family for the two weeks if it's an option? So not going out shopping, not going on walks etc?

People won’t self isolate over Christmas. They didn’t do it over half term and parents actively avoided testing to stop SI. They can be proactive about what will happen and plan for it or don’t and see more surges in the New Year.

I really hope not, they've missed out on so much education already when it's a long enough break for Christmas. Completely unnecessary and I'd never support it.

Children are still catching up on missed education, why make it worse? Especially when you take into account isolating absence.

@peboh

Those of you that think this is a good idea, I have a genuine question. Will you be isolating your family for the two weeks if it's an option? So not going out shopping, not going on walks etc?

Isolating means not coming into contact with other people (or mink). Going for a walk if you are rural would be perfectly fine i'd guess. Shopping can be delivered. What is so hard about staying put and not mingling???

Looking at this from a different perspective- how would you feel if you get the call on the 16th December that your child’s bubble has to isolate for 10 days?