Parents expecting work packs when we're still open

[Bridecilla]

My lessons are mainly interactive / powerpoint based so wouldn't have the same impact printed out.

I've started sorting online resources etc on the usual platforms and will obviously have more time to update these if and when we close.

Parents are expecting "work packs" which we simply don't have time to collate. Does anyone know what our responsibilities are to children whose parents choose to keep them off before shut down?

Has the school made the parents think these would be available.?

A few primary schools have sent emails/letters to parents that school packs will be available if they shut OR if a child needs to self isolate.Teachers had few days notice to make up some basic ones. Parents are following guidelines for self isolation and demanding the work packs that the school have said are available. Except they're not or the few that are resemble an activity magazine type thing.

Forward to your HOD/line manager so that there’s a consistent response to this coming from the school.

The answer is that these will be provided if and when schools close

No they won’t, because teachers will be off too, some of us looking after our own children.

I'm not irritated by parents asking but I am irritated by school not having a response or a plan.
I do think we will be expected to provide and probably mark work if schools were to close.

I regularly use Moodle sos students can have access to the PowerPoint used in class.

I'm in the process of setting up Activelearn which thankfully marks work and tracks participation.

We have to set up Microsoft Teams.

I'm happy to set some work if and when we close (although I won't be available online all day as I'll have ds at home) I just can't see where I can spare time to supply anything else whilst still teaching!

Do not respond until you have talked to your HOD. This is not for you to worry about, there should be a school response.

We use something similar to Show My Homework or Classcharts. All I’ve done is put on ‘if you weren’t in on Friday, we read up to x, talked about x and completed this task.’ Maybe attached the worksheet if there was one. But i tend to do this anyway. I’m not doing anything more unless the schools are closed. It’s probably easier for me as I teach English and most of my classes happen to be reading fairly meaty texts at the moment.

As a parent of a child with an underlying health condition - I guess what I’d like from school is a list of the topics that they’ll be covering. Then I can look stuff up and teach at home. Is that a reasonable thing to ask?

That sounds a lot more straightforward than the magic "work packs!"

Do not add to your work load. If kids are off they have parents at home who can teach them something useful for 7 days.

If individual teachers start providing 'packs' then it will raise expectations from parents that everyone will do the same, and clearly, very few people have the time or energy to do this. There should be clear guidance from the senior management team about how to handle these requests. A simple statement of what was covered in each lesson should suffice for now, surely parents can research their own resources or follow the relevant activities etc in the books their children already have.
Teachers are going to come under more and more pressure as colleagues go off sick and they have to cover extra classes and so on. It's unreasonable to expect them to magically create work packs tailored to individual children on top of everything else they are coping with!

In my school each year group has put together 10 activities each for maths, english and topic and they're on standby ready to upload to the website as and when we are told to close.

There will be plenty of children who will need to stay at home because either they or someone in their family has symptoms.

So the schools should be providing packs now Appreciate it’s Sunday night but I’d imagine a whole lots of people - me included - have been working non stop since early last week to ensure plans are being put in place for an inevitable reduction in services 🤷‍♀️

My dad's school have announced as part of their preparation for if/when they close that work packs will be provided. My work place have no intention of closing unless ordered to by the government so juggling childcare as a single parent could be immensely fun.

Dd is on chemo for a chronic immune issue so sooner or later I will need to isolate her, but if that comes before the government shut the school's down then I won't be expecting special treatment from her school. I will request info on topics they are covering and I have a stock of sat guides to work through with her if needed.

@PegasusReturns I've already worked today planning for my normal lessons and the extra students I'll have because colleagues are isolating. There's no point highlighting your now because the work fairies didn't come and make packs up as far as I know and i have no time to

But Pegasus plans are being put in place for an inevitable reduction in services which isn’t now. Schools are open tomorrow.

Twinkl has kindly provided ROI free access for all parents. Some books were sent home and homework set but otherwise it's wing it yourself. Teachers should not have to make up new packs for parents. There are so many resources online I think they can manage a few weeks!

As I understand it, there has been guidance citing this will be necessary.

I don't see it as unreasonable in the slightest. Even less so if you as a teacher could potentially not be working until Sept as quoted by Irish mps.

Make the time. After school. Look at study guides etc like cgp. You cannot be interactive in these situations so have the most impact you can for the children.

@ShoppingBasket
Do you have the twinkl code that you need?

It’s difficult to have sympathy for the “I have no time or energy” for this school of thought. It was obvious at least a week ago that children would not be in school for various reasons.

Many many people are having to work significantly outside of their usual hours. Sometimes in pretty difficult circumstances so yes I think teachers could do with pulling their weight too.

@SoloMummy can you link to the guidance?

I'd also appreciate support in making time. I teach until 4.30, have revision classes after that twice a week. I also have a family etc.

If I'm not at work then of course I will have time and will do everything I can. I have exam classes and I'm devastated for them but I honestly can't make time to prep packs for people choosing not to come in

@PegasusReturns we already work significantly outside of hours. There are no more hours. I accept that my role should change to packs / online if and when we close but I can't do 2 jobs at once (teaching in the classroom and home educating)

@ShoppingBasket I’m in ROI and my DC are definitely not “winging it”. They have full structured school days and have to log in every class as if they were at school. Detentions are being set for missing class as normal and teachers are available online throughout each class.

@Bridecilla as do most professionals.

HCPs who work part time have been asked to go FT. Manufacturers are working round the clock, police and utility providers have had leave cancelled. It’s an emergency situation that require an emergency response.

@PegasusReturns it's not the same as going part time to full time.

I have a full time job. I already do extra hours for free. I don't have the capacity to do more because of the choices other people make