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Original poster

Are you keeping your kids off school yet?

117 replies

mistletoemolly · 05/12/2021 09:22

Dc school has had a huge number of cases recently. Almost half the class are off either positive or awaiting results.

Had a PCR test over the weekend (as all parents have been advised were advised to do so on Friday) and we are negative. Precautions have been taken in school with bubbles and deep cleaning. But quite a lot of parents are still saying that they aren't sending their kids back next week even if they are negative because they don't want to ruin Christmas.

My thoughts are that dc have missed enough school already this year but I feel sad they'll be going into an almost empty class. Is anyone else keeping them off at this stage?

OP posts:
middleager · 05/12/2021 09:50

No, we have mock GCSEs snd they have missed far too much education already!

Benjispruce5 · 05/12/2021 09:50

No cases at my school. We had 2 in September and none since. I’m hoping it stays that way.

Happy1982ish · 05/12/2021 09:50

1 child off in my son’s
1 in my daughter’s

Fabulous Christmas school stuff planned

Not a cat’s chance in hell would I keep them off

Even if 50% of the class was off

luverlybubberly · 05/12/2021 09:52

No. He's had Covid in the summer so I'm more worried about the usual bugs like norovirus.

LindaEllen · 05/12/2021 09:52

@frozendaisy

Wouldn't entertain the idea.

I presume they will have to isolate at some point.

But then we are not batshit and think Christmas is this huge huge cannot be ruined event.

THIS.

For goodness sake. Worst comes to worst, you delay and do video calls on the day and then visit family when isolation is over.

You cannot keep putting education on hold for covid (and yes, the week before Christmas is a key part of education. Even if no formal lessons are on, kids make memories and have lots of happy times at this point in the term).

middleager · 05/12/2021 09:53

@middleager

No, we have mock GCSEs snd they have missed far too much education already!
And I say this with huge numbers of cases in our inner city schools. Mine both caught Covid previously at school and passed it to me.
kowari · 05/12/2021 09:54

@middleager

No, we have mock GCSEs snd they have missed far too much education already!
Agree, DS has a mock exam in the last week, he will be there every day unless told not to.
DementedPanda · 05/12/2021 09:55

Mine will be going to school. I am slightly nervous because I haven't started Christmas shopping yet.

LindaBlinda · 05/12/2021 09:55

Sending mine in for sure.

The week before breaking up for Christmas is some of the best times of the school year for the kids. Missing those days would make my DC as sad as missing other parts of Christmas.

We're lucky in that we've already had Covid the past few weeks as school had a couple of outbreaks.

But those days off school were miserable for my DC. They were fine (one day of mild headache) and wishing they were at school with their friends.

MarshaBradyo · 05/12/2021 09:56

No chance.

Also relieved no disruption other than Dc getting Covid and having to isolate.

AngelicaElizaAndPeggy · 05/12/2021 09:58

No! Would you be isolating in your home until Christmas morning? What happens if you keep them off and then they catch it somewhere else. You'll feel a right tit.

At some stage we have to prioritise their education. They've all missed so much and it's showing. Every day counts.

ParkheadParadise · 05/12/2021 09:59

My mum had 6 of us we were never off school.
She would send us even if we were dying with limbs hanging off😂😂
She told us we would feel better once we got there.
She would have sent us all through the lockdown. She was probably glad to get rid of us for a break.

AlohaMolly · 05/12/2021 10:01

We’re in Wales in a county that has already shut schools and DS’ school has already sent a year group home. He’s an only child and loves school, but his attendance has been quite poor this term due to him catching everything going! He’s currently on the sofa after being up all night vomiting again Sad so no, I won’t be keeping him off voluntarily. Tbh, there are rumours swirling around that they’re going to close our schools a week early or so for Christmas anyway.

DeathMetalMum · 05/12/2021 10:03

No, Dd1 has just had just over a week off as her whole class was asked to test and hers came back positive - only two students and one teacher were positive from the while class.

I won't be keeping them off any longer than they already have been. Our school breaks up a week before Christmas eve anyway so plenty of time between then and Christmas. I am also at work until Christmas Eve so would feel pointless keeping kids off.

Frazzled2207 · 05/12/2021 10:05

My ds1 Will be back at school as long as today’s pcr is negative. Ds2 has covid as does half his class.

However they only finish the Wednesday before Christmas. I can see most parents being tempted to bin off the last few days so as not to risk Christmas being ruined.

Dozer · 05/12/2021 10:06

What do you mean ‘yet’?

If schools are open, the vast majority of DC attend.

OliveTree75 · 05/12/2021 10:06

I had an outbreak in my class a few weeks ago. About 1/3 of the class had covid and about another 1/3 were kept off (out of worry, and still expected work which was a nightmare). However there's load of cases in my own kids classes and I am not keeping them off.

MissCrowley · 05/12/2021 10:08

Both my two have had it now within the last two months so they'll be going in. Even so I wouldn't be pulling them out of school. My 6 year old son is quite clearly dyslexic and I think any more interruptions to his schooling and I don't see how he'd catch up.

FingersofFish · 05/12/2021 10:10

I'm not. At various times my kids have been in classes work 50% off isolating or positive. It's been quite a good experience for them and they have had time off themselves with various viruses. I can't understand keeping kids off unnecessarily after missing this much with lockdown if I'm honest, it's been a disaster and I don't think schools should ever have been shut completely.

RobertSmithsHairbrush · 05/12/2021 10:11

Those of you keeping your kids off school to avoid covid over Christmas - what on earth are your kids doing when they are off school? I can't imagine trying to return to the whole 'homeschooling' while working scenario.

Olliesocks · 05/12/2021 10:13

So the parents and the rest of their household will be going into full lockdown again? Not leaving the hose? Not meeting friends or family?

The kids have missed too much school. They should go in unless they are ill or displaying covid symptoms.

hopeishere · 05/12/2021 10:14

DS has just had covid so definitely not! DS2 is at a special school. IF they did close schools early his would stay open but I would consider taking him out. But only if that happens.

regularbutnamechangedd · 05/12/2021 10:14

Christmas is me, DH and DCs. I've bought all the presents and ordered all the food.

Last year we had covid on Xmas day, but we managed and had our turkey the day after Boxing Day.

Kids still had a great time. Christmas is what you make it.

ChristmasKrackers · 05/12/2021 10:16

They have so many exciting things coming up this time of year at school, no way would I let them miss that just to sit at home bored.

itsgettingwierd · 05/12/2021 10:18

@frozendaisy

Wouldn't entertain the idea.

I presume they will have to isolate at some point.

But then we are not batshit and think Christmas is this huge huge cannot be ruined event.

Well it is for some.

My mum has terminal cancer. Each Christ is a big deal as it can be her last.

Pretty insensitive to not realise why for some it's a big deal.

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