Let's boycott all school threads outside of Education

[Everyexitisanentrance]

Honestly guys we are getting a kicking on other threads. We repeatedly have to explain our contracts, holidays, why we are not doing more online, why we should be doing less on ...... it is never ending. So far we have been off for the Easter break plus a max of two weeks. There is a lot of the population that do not need childcare. We are open for key worker children but that gets ignored. All the social distancing issues are ignored. All the ppe requirements are ignored. Now it could be that the trolls just see us as an easy target, hence all the forlough calls. So as a union member, I am requesting that teachers do not have to explain themselves on other threads as we are just fueling the fire. (I have been guilty of this).

So I am calling for a union boycott!

piggy an actual paper? How retro! I might do the same
Lurking teacher here , sending fragrant blooms to all

Oh , I always get an actual paper! Am a Luddite but prefer word retro.

Just out of interest, how do we all feel (teachers and school staff) about going back?

Would you be happy if the gov said we were all going back on June 1st with classes as normal and that they’d decided social distancing was impossible in schools, so not to bother?

Would you prefer to wear masks?

Would you be happy with 10 to a class and social distancing?

I can’t decide what I can see working. I just feel that teaching classes of 30 who have all come on the packed bus and train with countless members of the public would be a nightmare.

I think smaller class sizes would be the only way it could possible start to work but I really don’t think opening schools should be the first step out of this lockdown.

Interesting read that article Piggy

I also read a reasonably sensible article from the BBC this morning about the U.K. and it covers every angle that has been covered on the million going back to school threads but that a lot of posters always twist.

I can safely say on this thread that I don't want to. It's a rather petulant don't want to.

I don't want to teach classes of 10 (unless they already were)
I don't want to teach kids on rotation
I don't want a(perhaps) non specialist supervising some of my class's learning
I am enjoying being away form poor behaviour
I don't want the stress of SD
I don't believe we will have gel and soap (which I am allergic to anyway)
I don't want to teach in mask either though
I don't trust school leaders to plan the whole thing very methodically
I don't trust the govt to give them time to do so
I don't want the stress of trying to get kids to stay apart from me and each other
I don't think the schools will be cleaned
I don't see how access to handwashing facilities can be controlled and organised beyond primary school
I worry about my DH who is on the vulnerable list
I worry about what will happen to PE and drama and music etc
I worry that the kids will HATE it and be miserable
I worry about counselling kids and staff who have experienced illness and bereavement
I worry about teaching a core subject like an automaton with no creativity or joy to a pre imposed schedule so we are 'all at the same place'
I can't see how school transport works.

A lot of this has made me realise how stressful I was finding work.

DH might say different as he is so bad at IT that teaching from home (difficult in his subject anyway) is literally making him cry ; he is so stressed (although he was before anyway)

Obviously, what will be will be and will do as told.

Can you link BBC thread chloe?

Just seen your post *!

I have a personal issue in that my classroom is crammed with computers so I would like:

1. Cleaning supplies and gloves (so my hands don’t go back to being red raw and peeling like before) that make it easier for me to clean the keyboards, screens and mice after every lesson, break and lunchtime. I still don’t know how I could socially distance though.

1. I’d like clear PPE so children could see my face but if that wasn’t possible then permission to stay at the front of the room and not move around.

1. I’d like my school to be cleaned properly and not on the current skeleton staff it currently has, with proper cleaning products, because our budget is so small

1. All non essential events to not take place (such as clubs, assemblies, parents evening) at first.

5 To settle in, I would also be recommending no homework to begin with.

1. I think bus and train services or at least the govt should consider services and social distancing for students and commuters

There’s probably so much more but that’s a start!

Don’t freak out by the June 1st headline!

www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-52377277

Piggy I think one of your phrases sums it up for me - I just don't trust that the people making the decisions re schools know what they are actually asking people to do or will have the best interests of staff and students at heart. I think my own Head would, certainly, it's at a government level I am very very wary.

I think small classes - it is going to be a nightmare timetable. I think lots of hand gel and wipes to use on door handles, keyboards etc

I see your practical points chloe but that's not teaching is it? It's so sad...

I had to go home one day form choir before lockdown because I hyperventilated with the smells and perfumes of all the soaps and handgels! And then my face went all blotchy in a year 10 lesson and my lips swelled up... not sure there's much I can do about that!

I made my room a no handgel application zone but can hardly do that now.

So so sad - It’s a bad dream turned real

1st June back for Year 10 and Year 12.

However I think some staff will have a mix of on line and in class teaching and others may be on line only until September

It is dependent upon hygiene, SD and PPE.

@Piggywaspushed - no hand gel zone !

Ah yes, I'd read that BBC one. That's the one that makes it apparent that absolutely no 'leaders' have the same priorities. I mentioned this on some thread or other!

I also rarely think ASCL actually think about classroom teachers although Geoff Barton is at least human.

It was nice to watch the teacher being interviewed on BBC News today who is going for his test as the newsreader was so kind and nice to him and thanked him for all teachers were doing. I actually cried. And then the lady on the till in Morrisons thanked me!

And I forgot to thank her back. Felt so bad.

I have a dd in y7 at my school.

So for me it would be September. I want the testing to be developed further.

Obviously I will do go back when I am told too.

I’ll do what I’m told - go in and keep smiling no matter what.
But probably handing in my notice in May, I’m shot and can’t do another year.

Forgive me for gatecrashing the staff room

• I am not a teacher. Just wanted to say that we have been beyond impressed by my kids teachers and school’s approach and dedication. I gave emailed in and told each of the teachers our gratitude. I am working full time myself so also juggling but they have done their absolute best to deliver business as usual. We could not have asked for more. In return, we are doing our level best to make sure our kids fulfil their side of the bargain by engaging fully with the work and lessons set.

ChloeDecker

I feel your pain.

I have computers and hand tools. a double whammy.

The only way I can see of getting around it would be paper/design work instead of practical.

The comments on that BBC article from that super head worry me. She’s right to say socially distancing will be impossible if schools open as they were, but I don’t think the government should use that as an excuse to say,

‘Oh look, then-we just won’t pretend to try to socially distance as you say it’s impossible. Ok, as you were- starting from Monday, please. Good job teachers, have a clap’

Things can and should be put in place.

Teachers and parents will thwart Macron’s plans to reopen schools
Parents of French pupils have said they will engage in “civil disobedience” by keeping their children at home when President Macron reopens schools on May 11.
And teaching unions have also pledged to boycott lessons when schools return, accusing the government of exploiting schools to “.try out a collective immunity theory”.
The National Unitary Union of Primary School Teachers has opposed the reopening of schools until all pupils and teachers have been tested for the virus, which means lessons could not effectively resume until July 4.
Officials are concerned about the damage this could cause to President Macron’s reputation, with one source describing the policy as an “enormous mess” according to The Times.

@Romeojuliet - thank you for you kind words. They are much appreciated in these trying times

#teachermentalhealth #bekind

www.tes.com/news/schools-cant-stay-closed-until-we-have-vaccine

I am loving the way he says all of this will be done to us rather than with us : it will anyway, Geoff!! Did he not notice that school closures were done to us?