So Gav says schools could stay shut beyond half term.....

[Coldwinterahead1]

I'm guessing after Easter. What does everyone else think?

Also, it has become very apparent this week that the teachers at DS's school really could do with some Zoom training.

They don't know how to use it and its been a 'bit of a car crash'. The class are starting to learn how to mute themselves at least.

I think it's really too early to say either way. But I think after Easter is more likely unfortunately I feel so sad for the children and parents

@RedToothBrush

Also, it has become very apparent this week that the teachers at DS's school really could do with some Zoom training.

They don't know how to use it and its been a 'bit of a car crash'. The class are starting to learn how to mute themselves at least.

Also parents understanding what time to login and with which class login is also proving problematic. Especially when you have two kids in the same household due on a call at the same time.

I really think March sometime.last time was different this time we have a vaccine and we are surprisingly doing quite well. I don’t see why once those vulnerable have been vaccinated we shouldn’t start to open up starting with children going back first and definitely not last!!

@noblegiraffe

There is no excuse for rapid testing not to be up and running by half term therefore making the spreading of the virus increasingly less likely.

If they use it instead of isolating close contacts as planned, it will make spreading the virus more likely.

@noblegiraffe our LEA aren't convinced of the evidence surrounding the use of lateral flow tests in this context and have told schools continue to ask close contacts to SI.

Thankyou 3littlewords x

Most schools are offering a good enough online teaching commitment now, so it would be easy enough for the government to let the date extend to after Easter. (And the BBC website has the link for handing on old laptops: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/5SqHJMTKZx5sYhlltXJvB1Q/give-a-laptop)

So did Boris. He said at least until after half term, but I think everybody just heard half term.
Yes, I think it will be the entire term

Red, I don't know if your post is written in a jokey way or aggressive way.
I only skimmed back a few few posts and I was mentioning how teachers are getting around teaching pupils at home and in school.

Most schools also did zoom and Google meet training before last lock down March.

I have not got the time to drill down into the conundrum at the moment I was simply replying to the post about teachers, teaching simultaneously.

slidingdrawers

That's a relief to hear, I'm very worried about this over reliance on the LFT, esp with the high false negatives!

I think they should be used in conjunction with si and all the other measures, not instead of.
I'd be very nervous with si taken away and reliance on the tests.

@3littlewords

So asking how schools will go back ASAP is "being jumped on"?

Are posters now not allowed to ask this.

and why are you calling those that ask the "wolf pack"?

Boris said there would be a review of restrictions in March. I never expected any students to be back until at least then.

He didn't say we'd be in this current lockdown situation until March did he? He said it would be a very slow and cautious relaxation but that's the end date he's asked for currently

I'm not being snarky btw that's just how I understood it

Honestly? I am really FUCKING TIRED of the 'why can't kids go back' shit.

And I'm REALLY FUCKING TIRED of the bollocks the parents are coming out with.

The kids can't be at school. Its fucking dangerous to the community as a whole. Its shit I fucking get it. My 6 year old gets it.

The parents? No. They do not get that teachers are super human. Nor that they have a home life in addition to their job - perhaps with kids. Nor that they were dropped in it from great height. Nor that the teachers are trying to manage all these little problems elsewhere and perhaps its would be nice if you also got off your arse and used your brain cells too for once.

And after listening to them all week on the group chat, I can REALLY understand the pressures the teachers have to deal with and how teaching is about managing the fuckwitted parents every bit as much as their little darlings (who are for the most part quite nice).

PS if the teachers have had training in zoom then the company or individuals who supplied that training need firing on the spot.

(This also neglects the other 50% of the problem the parents who you think are literate but are actually incapable of reading an email the parents who can't operate zoom.)

I do not have a problem with the kids, the teachers, the work, the endless teach problems. But I have firmly reached the limit of my patience with parents who think they can throw their weight around and demand the bloody impossible and whinge when its putting out what utter twats they are being.

How teachers manage them normally I do not fucking know. Shittest part of the job by a country mile.

Schools may have massively increased their online learning bellocchild but what won’t ever be able to change for a huge proportion of working parents is how on earth we still do our jobs while homeschooling alongside? My kids are primary age. 1 with SEN. They just don’t engage with lessons taught on a tiny screen, usually with dodgy connections/ muffled sound/ blurred presentations/ wrong pages being shared and hard to read and constant interruptions from other kids. They can’t get on with work without me sat next to them prompting/ coaching/ guiding them. So I’m being shit at my job. I’m making mistakes. Declining calls I should be on. It’s not sustainable.

@sundowners

Schools may have massively increased their online learning bellocchild but what won’t ever be able to change for a huge proportion of working parents is how on earth we still do our jobs while homeschooling alongside? My kids are primary age. 1 with SEN. They just don’t engage with lessons taught on a tiny screen, usually with dodgy connections/ muffled sound/ blurred presentations/ wrong pages being shared and hard to read and constant interruptions from other kids. They can’t get on with work without me sat next to them prompting/ coaching/ guiding them. So I’m being shit at my job. I’m making mistakes. Declining calls I should be on. It’s not sustainable.

So what is your solution and how should it be implemented?

Paid parental leave for one parent, however companies are vvreluctant to furlough.

Get teachers vaccinated and children back in hugely reduced bubbles, even for 1 or 2 days a week each after half term.

@sundowners

Schools may have massively increased their online learning bellocchild but what won’t ever be able to change for a huge proportion of working parents is how on earth we still do our jobs while homeschooling alongside? My kids are primary age. 1 with SEN. They just don’t engage with lessons taught on a tiny screen, usually with dodgy connections/ muffled sound/ blurred presentations/ wrong pages being shared and hard to read and constant interruptions from other kids. They can’t get on with work without me sat next to them prompting/ coaching/ guiding them. So I’m being shit at my job. I’m making mistakes. Declining calls I should be on. It’s not sustainable.

But surely that's the fault of your employer and the government not the teachers? The government should insist that at least one working parent is furloughed during the crisis. As a primary school teacher I would fully support this.

[quote FrippEnos]**@3littlewords

So asking how schools will go back ASAP is "being jumped on"?

Are posters now not allowed to ask this.

and why are you calling those that ask the "wolf pack"?[/quote]
She was jumped on when it was assumed she didn't give a shit about covid, when she responded asking if others gave a shit about the pupils she was called stupid. Then her words were quoted and added too that she said schools should open asap without any safety measures in place when she didn't say that at all. Multiple posters - pack mentality - wolves.

Or yes as haunted said- look at helping working parents manage this all if schools can’t reopen. But the situation as is can’t carry on.

Totally agree - no one wants unsafe schools to be opened but if we could have at least one parent on furlough it wouldn't be an issue

I've multiple children and have been told no and to take unpaid leave same as last time

Which is bizarre seeing as companies can cover the cost.

When did I EVER blame teachers or even come close to criticising them Myothercarisalsoshit???
Stop misquoting me.
I adore my DCs school and their teachers. My mother is a teacher. I have nothing but respect for teachers. I’m not blaming teachers or schools.
It needs to come from the government yes, on that we are agreed.

For me it's not about the standard of remote learning that I'm getting from school, my kids schools have been fantastic I couldn't fault them. For me this just isn't a long term solution for the kids or the parent that's home being forced to be the teacher! I am not a teacher & I'm trying my best I am mentally worn out with home schooling, working, looking after a busy house. This is just an unsustainable way of life especially for the poor kids, the damage to them emotionally & socially is beyond awful. If so many in essential retail can stay open then our kids should be in school.