Keeping DCs off school

[NotAKaren]

Anyone else keeping their DCs off school in advance of Christmas. Given Boris's advice to reduce contacts from Friday I am thinking of keeping both DC at home tomorrow and Friday so our contacts are reduced in advance of seeing MIL for Christmas. They are mostly watching films and doing fun quizzes at school and it seems like a big risk mixing with so many in for not a lot of educational benefit right now. I realise that this does not eliminate all risk but right now I feel like every day is like roulette.

Mine were going to be in school. My dc had to be tested yesterday so we're waiting for results back. IF it's positive we get let out on Christmas Eve should we all be ok. It's made me wonder if I should keep them home regardless of the outcome of the test. We have an elderly relative coming for Christmas so we we're isolating and getting tested on christmas eve (tier 3, community testing area).

I've been completely honest with school and said that I'll get DS to complete whatever learning they put up on the online platform
I think pp is trying to be considerate, but really keeping dc off school so you can mix safely with family, knowing their teachers cannot do the same, and then also expecting them to do extra work putting lessons online for your child, now that is unreasonable.

My daughter hasn't been at school since last Friday. We haven't left the house since then (I work from home) and won't until 23rd Dec when we travel to my parents. That way I know we are safe to see them. The school were actually fine about it, although they couldn't officially authorise it the head said she completely understood - we are in Kent where we have the highest rates in England right now.

Yep, mine has been off since Tuesday

Nope. Teacher. As an aside we have been doing assessments in our department all week with classes so the idea that it's just Christmas activities this week is nonsense.

@ItsIgginningtolookalotlikeXmas

I've been completely honest with school and said that I'll get DS to complete whatever learning they put up on the online platform I think pp is trying to be considerate, but really keeping dc off school so you can mix safely with family, knowing their teachers cannot do the same, and then also expecting them to do extra work putting lessons online for your child, now that is unreasonable.

I am not expecting anyone to do anything extra. DS's school have routinely been putting work up, or sharing lessons on their online platform, for children who are self isolating. That's what I will be asking him to do. My siblings are teachers and it's looking very unlikely I'll see them and their families over Christmas so I'm well aware of the pressure that teachers are under, thanks. I don't think that makes me unreasonable to want to minimise the risks to my immediate family.

I'm a teacher. My DC has been off all week.

"Sorry to have offended you so much by my apparent stupidity and username🙄"

No, actual stupidity using such a scummy misogynistic username on a parenting forum. Not apparent stupidity.

Apology accepted. Thanks

@ItsIgginningtolookalotlikeXmas

I've been completely honest with school and said that I'll get DS to complete whatever learning they put up on the online platform I think pp is trying to be considerate, but really keeping dc off school so you can mix safely with family, knowing their teachers cannot do the same, and then also expecting them to do extra work putting lessons online for your child, now that is unreasonable.

If a parent chooses to keep their child off when school is open and their teacher is there, we are not expected to provide extra work online.

Pulled DD out of Friday. Me and OH WFH so other than food shopping/walking the dog we are staying put until 23rd.

No. I'm saving our conjunctivitis for January

Lots of people are, schools are half full. Ps all kids do in the last week is watch films and do colouring, you're kidding yourself if you think they are getting quality lessons rn.

@Perfect28

Lots of people are, schools are half full. Ps all kids do in the last week is watch films and do colouring, you're kidding yourself if you think they are getting quality lessons rn.

Maybe some schools only watch films and colour in. I have taught/will teach maths and English every day this week. I have also spent hours recording and editing our performance so that parents can watch it remotely. Keep your DC off if you like, but please don’t expect the teachers to provide work. We are on our knees and it’s soul destroying teaching all day and then having to set remote learning when I get in.

Nope. Teacher. As an aside we have been doing assessments in our department all week with classes so the idea that it's just Christmas activities this week is nonsense.

Ps all kids do in the last week is watch films and do colouring, you're kidding yourself if you think they are getting quality lessons rn.

Combination of diagnostic tests to help identify the gaps and help children catch up, special Christmas activities like parties and carol concerts and yes a bit of colouring and watching films in our school.

I don't blame people for wanting to keep their kids off and it's not as bad as missing a week in the middle of term but there are some things that they'll miss for sure!!

Wasn't planning to but after increasingly desperate emails from the headteacher we rang the school office and were strongly advised to do so.

@InspectorAlleyn you might be doing work but there are definitely plenty of teachers in your school who aren't. Also, we have to set work regardless for students who might be isolating for genuine reasons so the workload is already increased. Yes I'm a teacher, so is my partner. We don't have kids. I'm not saying that missing a whole week of lessons is a good thing, or something I agree with, but planning assessments/vital work this week was definitely a mistake. Attendance was always going to be low. Our head was unofficially condoning it.

I’m not keeping mine off. We are not mixing at xmas as I don’t consider it necessary risk, so if one of them has to isolate it would have little impact on our plans. Who knows what January will bring. I value every chance my children get to socialise and see friends - they won’t be getting to do that in the next couple of weeks. If the school spent the whole week doing fun things rather than educational stuff (which I know they don’t btw), I’d be even more keen for them to be at school. So much better than having an extra week sat at home.

No and primary school is not doing inset, dc looking forward to party there on Friday with friends and family o/s

I have one dd still going. Primary school and cases are low. One has been off since her yr closed for 2 days last week and I didn't send her in this week. I get daily emails revealing new cases and this week so far multiple close contacts in dds year have been identified and told to isolate. So glad she's not been in tbh.

I'm newly single and want to see my parents over Xmas. So flame me i dont care. School have been posting work on SMHW fir isolating students the whole time anyway so dd is doing that.

@Perfect28 that’s amazing that you know what the other teachers in my school are doing 😂.

We actually have no children off in my class and only a handful across school. Perhaps if a large proportion were off, I would have changed my plans, but thankfully I’ve had no need to. In my school, the children need normality and structure, so a week of colouring in would be a recipe for disaster. That’s why I have continued with maths and English (and also to try and continue to plug gaps from the first lockdown). My own children are also doing maths, English and RE (with some colouring in 😊) in their own school.

Also, as I have no children who are needing to self-isolate it would absolutely add to my workload to set work for children whose families choose to keep them off. I am happy to set work for children who are isolating.

Again, I am not against keeping children off this week: It’s a very personal decision. Please don’t think they won’t be missing anything though. And please spare a thought for those of us (not just teachers) who cannot stay off and therefore will not be able to see ECV family members at all.

They’ve continued with normal work here too. Until last day.

Mine are in. One of their classes is missing 2 children, one 5 (they aren’t compulsory school age in that class though). Some of those of course might be ill or notified to isolate etc, I don’t know why they’re absent. Otherwise the kids are in school, doing a combination of Christmas stuff and the usual daily literacy, maths etc. They’re definitely not just colouring in.

No way get have misssed enough school - I would only do that in the event we were seeing a vulnerable family member.

Those who have done this are you all staying in completely? because if you are working / going to shops etc then all pretty pointless!!

... also to add mine are doing school work I think they are wanting them to catch up - proper work mixed in with some fun

School have allowed kids to home learn. Got the distinct impression it was both a plea and a recommendation. So we’re doing it .