Educated guesses when schools will reopen

[frasersmummy]

Just that really

What do you think might be a realistic re-opening date.
Am I being optimistic thinking after the February break
I know no one has a crystal ball just looking for people's thoughts

Right so John Swinney says they have given more money to buy devices to allow every child to have a device... however our August order is still not here. So how about we get the order of devices that we had ordered?

Should've used amazon prime Grovee Seriously though that is absolutely pish that they haven't come. What's the excuse?
I'm finding the IT side of this lockdown easier than before because we have a device from school and I've bought my own pc, so all four of us now have a separate device. It's really helpful and I'm glad the school could offer that.
I'm still planning based on being back in on the 1st, looks like I'm the only teacher in Scotland doing that!

Oh but Amazon isn't on the approved supplier list in my LA 🤣🤣🤣

@Mistressiggi I had a school iPad as the ones from the council hadn't arrived. Had to clear it on Monday so a child could have it. Now no device to use.

@Groovee

Right so John Swinney says they have given more money to buy devices to allow every child to have a device... however our August order is still not here. So how about we get the order of devices that we had ordered?

Going by typical SG by the time they arrive the kids will be back in school.

They should have ordered this stuff months and months ago.

@Groovee

Was at work today and the general consensus is April.

Schools won’t know anymore than general guesser

Have Scotland given re open date for nurseries?

Really feel for people there

IT procurement in schools is a rigged game, paying inflated prices and timelines due to being locked into a particular supplier that had a good deal when the procurement contract was signed but didn't stay competitive...

@MarshaBradyo at the earliest it will be 1st Feb but most people think it will be later.

[quote shouldistop]@MarshaBradyo at the earliest it will be 1st Feb but most people think it will be later. [/quote]
Ah that is harsh

@anon444877

IT procurement in schools is a rigged game, paying inflated prices and timelines due to being locked into a particular supplier that had a good deal when the procurement contract was signed but didn't stay competitive...

Our PTA raised £1500 for a laptop for each of the 5 classes in our school. Found some on Dell or similar for £300 each - no problem we thought - one for each class. Oh no - they had to come from council "approved" procurement firm @£750 each so only 2 classes could get one. Just a farce

I've just come out of a staff meeting where my HT said very clearly that we will not be back on 1st Feb. The phrase used was "long haul" 🤦‍♀️

Oh yes, exactly our pta's experience too. But don't worry, the school procurement market is rotten. It's not just IT, overpaying happens across lots of contracts. I wish investigative journalists would do more on it.

Rara - parent donated funds don't have to go through the council procurement as not council money, BUT then the council won't provide the derisory IT support it provides for those laptops.

Rara that's bonkers, does that mean PTA would be better donating actual laptops rather than cash?

For those of you in schools.. Any word on how the exam years will be graded?? If they don't go back before Easter there is no way they can be..

We had an outdoor tap installed! £500!!! When dh could have fitted for no more than £60. Honestly it's ridiculous this "must go through the oracle!"

What the oracle is... I've never asked 😂

@Groovee our region has just swapped to Oracle - with untold numbers of glitches. You can log issues, record CPD, view pay slips, apply for CPD courses blah blah on it (when it works). I assume the admin staff are also accessing it for purchasing.

@Groovee Christ, we had a quote from a plumber recently to install a hot tap outside and I think it was about £100.

April!!! How on Earth can we keep up this ridiculous way of learning till then. School & teachers are doing an amazing job of remote learning but it's not a long term answer, until February half term seems like a mountain to climb. The children need to go back to school. Poor children.

It’s really not fair on the children. Even for company. My boy is stuck at home with just his old mother. Not right for a 12 year old.

Poor children, parents and teachers. I have been driven insane by my ASN dc whilst trying to go "live" in my kitchen with pupils 🤦‍♀️ Staff meeting tonight was a car crash although bless him my HT was doing his best. DH is dayshift so is now trying to get home through bloody snow. I've just read elsewhere that today is apparently "the worst day of the pandemic" and I agree with that. I've never felt so low and there's absolutely nothing to look forward to except more stress and more hassle

Frasersmummy

If the schools don't return til Easter, I reckon the grades will be awarded simply by teacher recommendation. I listened to John Swinney today, and he asked teachers to concentrate for now on teaching and learning the course content rather than assessing.

In June, they will need to start the next year's courses.

Disclaimer: I don't work in a school and this is just my tuppence worth.

If the rates go down then after feb half term but all other restrictions will apply.

Well my school is planning for being closed until after the Easter holidays, my children's primary school is doing the same. If we're back sooner, with proper measures in place, that's great, if not, we'll cope.