Another teacher worried

[Toastybutt]

I’m really lucky.
We are allowed to wear masks and cases have not been too bad in our area. But it’s really starting to get to me. I’m vulnerable- as are many of our staff. Not very very vulnerable, but enough that, now that cases are rising sharply in the area, I’m getting scared.
Not just for me. I’m worried about bringing it home to my family - I’m the only one who has to go out to work. I’m worried about passing it on to a colleague. I’m terrified that something I do (or forget to do) will put a child at risk of getting it and taking it home.
It’s really starting to drag me down.
It’s Sunday morning and I already feel sick about work tomorrow. I enjoy my job. But we are working extra hours because of staggered starts, doing extra break duties, doing various cleaning tasks too. Plus I need to get work ready for isolating children, prep and teach amazing lessons because my class deserve it and stay upbeat for the kids.
I know lots are in worse positions, I’m lucky to have a job etc. I have no idea how teachers in secondary are coping. I understand it’s worse for nurses. I know all that. But I’m stressed and sad and it’s only going to get worse now for at least the next few months.
Just needed a whinge. Thank you.

[Kjc39]

Personally, I’m just glad that my secondary school aged children are still able to go to school. They have missed out on far too much education already and what they are getting now isn’t brilliant. The cure has in some ways become worse than the disease. It is impacting heavily on children. I also work in a school with early years, so absolutely no social distancing. I’m wiping noses, holding hands. We are just one big bubble. But you know I’m not scared to go to work. My priority is keeping things normal as much as possible. We are seeing so much anxiety and speech problems. This can’t go on.

[starrynight19]

PrivateD00r sadly this pandemic has proved how very selfish so many people are.
My dd has just gone back to school after her third isolation and a child in her year tested positive sending home lots of year 11 pupils , thankfully not her this time because he came in whilst he had symptoms and a test booked

[starrynight19]

IHeartKingThistle oh no , hopefully it’s just a mild dose for you. Sounds like your school have done the right thing it’s just running out of control and the government don’t seem one bit interested. Take care

[IHeartKingThistle]

Thanks all xxx

[PrivateD00r]

I cannot believe selfish flipping parents are sending DC in to school unwell! I honestly think parents should be heavily fined for this. People are so unbelievably selfish! I kept my dc off an extra few days when I recently had covid just to be absolutely sure because although they didn't have the 'official' covid symptoms, they were under the weather for sure. So I counted out 10 days from the last one of the dc feeling unwell then sent them all back after that. I would rather be cautious than potentially cause a member of school staff or another dc to catch this flipping thing.

[PrivateD00r]

@IHeartKingThistle

Thanks for pushing me to get a test - it came back positive today and as I'm the 6th member of staff confirmed positive this week, 26 more are isolating and more than 50% of the students have been sent home, the Head has closed the school for two weeks. We had no cases in the first wave and none at all until a couple of weeks ago - it's happened really quickly.

How are you getting on? Please take it easy and forget all about work. This virus is no joke, I am currently recovering from it myself. I would recommend sleeping well propped up, regular paracetamol even if you think you are ok and plenty of clear fluids if you can manage. I needed antibiotics for viral pneumonia in the end and wished I had contacted the GP sooner rather than waiting until I was really unwell - don't be afraid of asking for help.

Take as long off as you need, don't be pressured to rush back. The school can just bloody well stay shut for as long as is needed!

Take care

[13luckyblackcats]

Oh yikes @IHeartKingThistle, looks after yourself and hope you stay as well as possible.

[borageforager]

sansa our head told me to send my other child in while we waited for test result on one of them.

[Danglingmod]

Sansa - Heads are not allowed to ask. Govt guidelines.

[IHeartKingThistle]

Thanks for pushing me to get a test - it came back positive today and as I'm the 6th member of staff confirmed positive this week, 26 more are isolating and more than 50% of the students have been sent home, the Head has closed the school for two weeks. We had no cases in the first wave and none at all until a couple of weeks ago - it's happened really quickly.

[SansaSnark]

I think in the case of kids being sent in without a negative test, the duty is on heads to ask to see proof. I do think some heads could do more within the current rules to keep their schools safe.

[nowanotherone]

To all you teachers I can't thank you enough. I have an 8 and 11 year old and they are so so happy to be in school . I know things aren't anywhere close to normal for teachers but please know you are enabling normality for kids from the kids perspective and for that I'm truly grateful ❣️

[WhyNotMe40]

Every single lesson I taught today had ill pupils that had been knowingly sent in ill.
2 persistent coughers, 2 pale feeling sick types.
We have pupils who have been sent in with "negative" from parents who cheerfully tell us they haven't had a test. Parents just kept them home for a few days.
I'm worried.

[LivingMyBestLifeNOT]

Hi I am an early years practitioner and still working. I feel very vulnerable, we have no PPE. Coughing sneezing etc all session.
I am a single parent to 3 DD's who are all at school/ college.

I do feel a little sad by the comment of stop moaning about being cold because my DD 5 had purple lips a couple weeks ago at school because she was so cold. (she is very small and dainty and I now have thermals for her) but this makes me angry because it shouldnt be like this, the poor children and the staff.

[Toastybutt]

I’m so grateful for the parents on here who know we are doing our best.
Loving the support on this thread thank you everyone.
Monday done.

[PrivateD00r]

@CallmeAngelina

"I think a lot of us have just got a bit fed up with the hyperbolic threads, normally titled 'schools are f*' and the likes and it just shuts down conversation."

Well, if you're referring to any particular thread there, it's just reached over 900 posts, so not much sign of the conversation being shut down. And there have been many contributions detailing exactly what it is like in schools at the moment, as this thread does too. It needs emphasising.

This thread is very refreshing, no swearing necessary

[CallmeAngelina]

"I think a lot of us have just got a bit fed up with the hyperbolic threads, normally titled 'schools are f*' and the likes and it just shuts down conversation."

Well, if you're referring to any particular thread there, it's just reached over 900 posts, so not much sign of the conversation being shut down. And there have been many contributions detailing exactly what it is like in schools at the moment, as this thread does too. It needs emphasising.

[IHeartKingThistle]

Thanks @starrynight19, I got a test this afternoon. Fingers crossed for a quick negative!

[starrynight19]

iheartkingthistle I would certainly get a test. We had a positive with a minor temp for a short time. Terrible your being asked not to get tested when so many of your colleagues are testing positive.

Funny how Boris gets to self isolate today after being in close contact at a meeting. Yet teachers don’t need to when they have positive cases in their class

[Donewith2020]

@PrivateD00r that was me about vulnerable HCPs - at my friends' trusts (2 diff ones) anyone with more than one vulnerability is on non clinical, as are pregnant women. It probably varies from trust to trust but they've both been very impressed with their trusts doing good risk assessments and getting the more vulnerable of the CV group in safer roles, iyswim.
Sorry to hear they aren't all doing that though, it sounds such a good idea given how big the CV group is and that the level of risk can vary so much for individuals' in it. It's just so variable I guess.

[goldenlilliesdaffodillies]

Another teacher here. It's getting scary now. My Headteacher and Deputy Head have been amazing-they have done everything humanely possible to keep the children and staff safe and Covid Secure. They have been really strict about staff social distancing, creating zones, extra cleaning everywhere, policing parents to make sure they also socially distance at drop off and pick up. They couldn't have done more and have also had a lots of flack from both staff and parents in trying to keep the school safe.
However, despite all this a member of staff has still gone down with Covid literally overnight and a whole bubble is having to isolate. I am in that bubble and now have to isolate as well. It's really worrying sitting here waiting to see if I develop Covid. The Covid App popped up with a countdown which felt surreal and scary.

I just feel people aren't taken this seriously.I don't want school's to close. Lockdown was so damaging for my children, and I can saw how badly it affected children (and parents) everywhere. I taught throughout Lockdown.

I just don't know what the answer is though.

[Suzyeve]

I understand your worries op. I work in a school part time and am a first aider as well as helping in other ways . I have underlying conditions. There is no social distancing because it is a primary school, I understand with the children, but even most of the staff don't seem to bother distancing from each other. Some rooms without windows. Some teachers choosing not to open windows. No masks. It's scary and feels like only a matter of time before catching it.
I'm not full time and really feel for teachers and staff shut in a room with so many children for so long. I find it hard enough going in each day for my own role.
Xx

[cheeseychovolate]

Teachers are doing an amazing job at the moment, I'm so great full that schools are open and I'll always remember that teachers put themselves on the front line during the pandemic. All the parents I know feel the same.

[PrivateD00r]

What a great thread, every parent should have to read this to understand what school staff are going through. I think a lot of us have just got a bit fed up with the hyperbolic threads, normally titled 'schools are f***' and the likes and it just shuts down conversation.

It has been very helpful to see the reality of what schools are like now.

I am currently off recovering from cv-19, the DCs schools have been absolutely fabulous at making sure my dc are kept up to speed. Clearly this is extra work on top of their already full workload. I sent them all emails to acknowledge this and thank them, unfortunately that is all I can do really.

A pp mentioned that vulnerable HCP's are not at work, sadly this isn't so and was never the case. I have asthma (so am CV, not CEV) and have worked as usual throughout, and as stated already, currently have CV-19. Unfortunately there are too many vulnerable staff to let them all stop working. Therefore the important thing is to bring in measures to enhance their safety, that is the issue really.

I heard on the radio this morning that emerging evidence is showing the spread in secondary schools to be significant and that schools are likely to close early for the Christmas break (I am not in England). Hopefully this will be home learning and not just an extra week off like we had at Halloween as I really do fear for my dc who is doing GCSEs this year. I am fully expecting secondary schools to move to blended learning in the new year and would fully support this move despite how difficult it would be for us as a family.

The safety of the school staff absolutely needs to be prioritised.

[IloveJKRowling]

OP and all other teachers you are being amazing. Please keep posting, we need to hear this. The TES seems to be reporting on how you're feeling and the real situation in schools but as yet not the mainstream media.

As a parent, I think you have been let down by the government and the unions and I'm angry about it.

To the poster upthread who said There is no easy answers thats the problem , closing schools causes problems as does having them open

There are SOME easy answers - masks is one. Worn from age 6 in Spain, France, Italy and many other countries. With no problems for the children - the children I know in other countries wearing masks in schools all day are proud to be protecting their families and teachers.

And it seems to be a no-brainer to fund schools rather than give Serco shareholders more profits.

The problem is, by having woefully inadequate mitigation, no distancing, large class sizes, non-functioning test and trace, schools are MORE LIKELY to close sooner or later. As teachers will be off with covid, stress or both.

You can't open schools without teachers.

Thank you to the teachers. You shouldn't have to teach in these conditions.