Frightened about going into school next week...

[RobertSmithdoesmyhair]

We are expecting between 80-100 children in school. I am becoming more frightened about going in as the days pass and the news unfolds. As a family, we are not going out and intend to stay inside, but I am soooo worried about bringing the virus home. I know the NHS staff are immensely brave and doing a brilliant job, given the circumstances, but I wish I didn't have to go in. Anyone else feeling this anxiety?
In Ireland, all school are completely closed- who is looking after the frontline staff's children there?

Yes, what's happening o the kids in Ireland?

I'm nervous but also determined to make it work. Worried that some of the children we have are violent and very, very unhygienic. Planning a ton of outdoor activities! We are going to be wearing so many hats next week. Covering for the caretaker so cleaning, one to one ing, teaching, distance learning support...mind boggles..

Gotta be done though. We're going week on week off throughout until this is over. What's your plan?

I am not frightened. More cross. My family is socially distancing as required. My teen daughter is at home for the foreseeable. I have to go work amongst kids who have been happily out and about over the weekend, at parties and in the park. Some of whom have older siblings at home who could look after them.
I understand that some parents are in genuine need of this. But I wish others would be more responsible.

I am frightened too.

Doctors, nurses and all who work in hospitals are incredibly brave.

LumpySpacedPrincess
What outdoor activities have you planned?

Do you have to go in every day? Many schools are operating a rota system because there are so few children in. The ones I've spoken to are not planning to teach though, just babysit.

I am frightened too.

Our leaders are not experienced in infection control. Many are mostly thinking just like teachers. E.g. what activities will the children enjoy during this stressful time? Rather than thinking how can I lessen the spread of this infection to stop my staff, their families and the families of these children from dying?

We need to plan carefully to supervise the home learning activities we have set and organise nuture and enrichment activities whilst minimising the risks to all. This isn't happening in my school

I'm scared too.

I have anxiety that has been really well under control for the past few years but now for the past week I've been throwing up before work and I can't stop the racing thoughts.

I'm sure looking at the lists that quite a few of the key worker children could be looked after by someone else at home. Out of the 7 from my class only 1 has both parents that are key workers.

Yes, how are other countries managing with the schools completely closed? For some strange reason, schools in England should expect (unfortunately) children from lazy parents who are at home but claiming key worker status (or at least trying their luck).

Yup. We are highly likely to become infected what with kids being suoerspreaders and us having no masks or gloves.

I also will be working amongst staff members who were having dinner parties/visiting relatives last night and are planning on uk Easter holidays. We are all going to be infected really quickly. Then at leat they will have to shut the schools down altogether.

Robert, we're planning outdoor play, bug hunts, fairy gardens, den building, yoga etc. I agree that infection control will be the priory. We have distance learning plans and were going to deliver what we ask of the children at home within the school. Low or no pressure on the kids though. However some of our kids love learning and it will soothe them plus keep them still, seated and away from each other. It will be an impossible task though as one child is gleeful about his poor hygiene and loves to lick other peoples belongings to freak them out!

I'm also thinking lot's of singing, learning poems, just to keep them occupied and still??? We are KS1 and will be mixed year 1 and 2.

Also hoping the violent child manages not to punch anyone!

I can fully chime with this feeling. I can’t believe that the vast majority of people are working from home, and the government have advised people to avoid all non essential contact, yet we are expected to put our own health and that of our families on the line.

My school is extremely filthy, and has been for years. Apart from a couple of new hand sanitizer dispensers, a couple of signs and cleaning staff wiping door handles and bannisters with wipes, this are the measures that have been adopted. I’m not convinced SLT have any training or expertise in handling infectious diseases and pandemics. They seem to be operating in a bubble, like schools often do, of carrying on keeping the school open at all costs without fully realising the gravity of the situation.

We as a family are in self isolation at the moment due to coughs/colds, and the first I heard that I’d been put down in a rolling 2 week timetable was via an impersonal whole staff email. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it since. It has totally freaked me out!

According to the NEU website it is an expectation or an assumption you will go into school in these circumstances. However, the guidelines state that this should be negotiated. As well as this the NAHT’s website states ‘It is entirely reasonable that individual members of your team will harbour their own fears about their health and that of their families. They may even resent the request from the government. Some will want to know if they can be compelled to work. As key workers there is an expectation that members of your team will report for work if they are fit to do so and not follow the guidance for isolation. But it will be impossible to build the team response you will need if you rely on compulsion. That will lead to resentment and people will simply stay away using “isolation” to legitimise their absence. We are hearing reports of great team meetings where peers have encouraged one another to step up with full cooperation. This effort cannot be about compulsion.‘

Still a little unclear, but it seems to suggest that you can’t be forced and that the government’s request is not fully reasonable.

Hope this is useful information

Other countries are doing similar...teachers providing childcare for children of vital workers

Thank you all

What % of teachers will be needed? Can you shield your more vulnerable staff?

I’m scared too. I work in an infants school where a few staff have health problems. I am a TA and will be in tomorrow with the Deputy and an office member. I will continue to go in so long as I am well, even though I am terrified of bringing the virus home to my family.
I suspect (know) some staff members will claim to be ill so they don’t have to come in though. 🙁

I'm terrified underneath but I know I'm doing the right thing going in and I'm proud to play my part. Our school has a rota, we're expecting 120 kids, everyone's doing one morning or afternoon session this week unless self-isolating or in the vulnerable group. They're working from home, providing the rest of us with ideas, planning and general moral support. We haven't really seen past Wednesday in any detail.

DH's school however - that's a different story. Expecting 40 kids, but every single member of staff has been told they must be in. All week. All day every day. In a two-form entry primary. I'm fuming and it's taking everything in me not to march down there and give the head a piece of my mind from an appropriate social distance. How dare she put my husband - and by proxy, my children - in such a ridiculously vulnerable position?

Rant over. Stay as safe as you can everyone.

I’m a long term supply teacher in a KS1 SEN class and will be going in to a full complement of ten children with a team of hopefully 4 or 5 TAs tomorrow. Our kids will not be keeping 2m away from us. They cannot comprehend that as a concept (they are all non verbal) and we can’t possibly avoid them in our small classroom as they communicate with us by pulling us to what they want / seeking comfort. All of them require personal care as they are all still in nappies. It will be a normal day and I’m sure perfectly fine and fun, but it’s not anywhere near the distancing or contact avoiding guidelines. How long before we are all taken out by this and the kids are not able to attend as the school has to close due to unsafe ratios?

I have made the awful decision to send my son to live with his dad and not see him other than through the window until I either catch it and recover or can take an antibody test to show I have had it asymptomatically but no longer infectious.

Is there anyone at home with a health condition? If not, and they get the virus, they should recover easily. If so, do not go in. Avoid other people as we all are, and wash your hands.

I'm scared as well. I also don't want to scram into our tiny staffroom with all the other teachers (everyone in tomorrow)
I'm wondering how many outdoor activities I can plan....

@Poetryinaction I dont think you can say that so easily. Young fit people with no underlying health conditions have been hospitals and died from this. Isn't something like 50% of the USAs intensive care Covid patients under 60?

I'm definitely anxious and would rather nest at home with my family, but happy to be doing the right thing and looking after the children who need it.
I'm sure doctors, nurses, checkout operators are nervous too.

But what makes them any different from any other public sector worker who has to go into the community because that is their job??
I am a child protection social worker - we still have to go to the office, we have to do home and hospital visits, we have no hand gel or masks either. And I don't have the luxury of a rota like teachers are describing. I am just doing my job. As should they be? This is an incredibly hard situation for everyone - without exceptions.

It is a worrying time for all who have to carry on working but it is our duty and our job.

I am a nurse, I'm not worried for me, it's my patients who all fall in to the high risk category. I'm worried everyday of someone bringing it on to the ward. It's a tough time but we keep going because we have to.

Thank you for all you are doing, know that you are not alone and just take each day as it comes💐💐

Of course this is a very worrying time for everyone who is a front line worker.
I guess we all have to play our part and hope if we contract this it will be a mild case.
I hope some parents might have had a change of heart over the weekend and our schools won’t be quite as full as expected.
Good luck everyone your all doing something amazing

I am happy to be going in. Yes it puts me at a slightly increased risk but if it means a health worker can go and do their job then I am proud and happy to care for their child.

I am also on a rota and only needed on Friday next week although I remain on call for the school.

I am waiting to hear from our local CVS about voluntary stuff I can do such as delivering packed lunches to children on FSM whose families cannot get out. Also possibly providing telephone support to families over the coming weeks. Even if I am not needed on school I will be doing my bit.