Oh that’s so sad that teachers are upset and dreading returning for fear of what they face from parents. I thought the ones at my dc schools did a brilliant job and can only imagine how much extra work trying to shift to online teaching was. We got work set everyday but always told just do what we could. Stories from teachera via video then ms teams eventually too. Could easily email teacher or message for extra assistance. Was it normal schooling? No of course not but it was a blinking good effort in circumstances. I wouldn’t pay much attention to that Facebook group if I was you! There are always outspoken parents just don’t let them get to you and remember majority are very supportive. That’s why I hate class whatsapp groups and the link. I’ve avoided except one year when it was difficult to leave and it was insanity.
The only people I feel slightly peeves at are the govt. For last minute approach and lack of funding in my view. Perhaps I’m being harsh but I really think we need more info our council won’t provide any details eg staggered drop off, to wear uniform, take bags, etc until govt announcement. Which I think is fair enough of council as they can’t release guidance if they haven’t received any from govt! I also agree - why is no money being used for things like sinks outside (even temp ones are easy to knock up), proper outside spaces, etc etc. One of my children’s schools is tiny for number of children. They already stagger lunches and breaks as Playground is too dangerous otherwise. I have no idea how they’ll manage and the council seem to refuse to help turn the muddy field on the school grounds into a decent playground even with need for more space being even more urgent now. I do think all the money being plowed into furlough, bonuses for companies returning staff, endless signs and tv adverts. Why has no one given any more thought to our children and our teachers too? I’m sure this 850 teacher announcement was actually only that the money already earmarked for education from the corna dh sa was going to be halved with halve used for new teachers and TA. I hope we get one. Our school have had their TA drastically cut past few years so any boost would only be returning to levels form a few years ago. Not particularly giving any extra assistance.
One thing I’ll say though is that actually do get why a parent on that site would query the lunch situation. I have to provide an ice pack for my dc as it sits in a really hot classroom for hours until lunch. Surely it’s a h&s issue in itself if they are just stuffed into bags with no cooling in roasting classrooms? Same with water. That shouldn’t be limited. If it is I want to be aware so I can send a spare bottle with my child. Somedays they need extra fluids. It was be hot when they return after summer and If outside more they really need fluids or get heachachy.
But those are minor really. I certainly wouldn’t be complaining or emailing the school about. I would hope they’d be in the new guidance when issued. I wouldn’t contact school though or moan in a parent group.
I’d prefer my young primary aged children didn’t wear a mask all day. They would loose all confidence in speaking out. One has only just started to wear on rare occasions and the other is getting use to him for a few minutes at a time. They wouldn’t and couldn’t keep them in all day I don’t think. I don’t think it’s good for their social skills or emotional health either. Teachers ... again I’d prefer they didn’t wear masks even with normal primary aged child interaction. But that’s not my choice so if they need or want to wear one then i certainly wouldn’t complain. I’m just not sure how effective they’d be able to teach with a mask on - even things like phonics don’t the children benefit from seeing that facial expression?
Agree also that when most (inc govt I’d say!) are discussing returning to school it’s from a primary perspective. One teacher, one class, same room, no mixing, low risk, extra hand washing, Outdoor lessons, low risk low risk low risk. I can only assume secondary is vastly different. Children mixing form different subjects, rooms moves, they can’t really do much outdoor lessons, low risk but not primary school aged low...totally different kettle of fish isn’t it.