The Tenth Republic - what is the new normal?

[StaffAssociationRepresentative]

You are most welcome to this school staff support thread to get us through stressful times. It is meant for school staff. Baiters and bashers can jog on somewhere else.

If you are NOT staff and just have a general education query please start your own thread.

You can play here only if you are a member of one the following groups-

-ABBA - anti bashers and baiting association
-SWAB - school workers against bashers
-SWOT - school workers opposing teacherbashers
-STARS - schoolworkers together against ranting + slurs

Other requirements for staff room entry include the ability to find the staff room, the ability to find a clean mug in the staff room, knowledge of the photocopier codes, and the ability to sniff out where the toffee vodka is hidden.

If you are fed up with cakes and biscuits there is now a cheeseboard on offer

If you come with a stick to beat us with then please do so elsewhere and not in the staffroom.

The children who've gone back at my sons school (they did their own thing) for the most part seem to be 2 days, plus kw.

We'd prefer 2 days a week for dd. It would allow dh to go in to each office (he has 2 part time jobs) once a week, and wfh the rest of the week, with dd hopefully completing the home learning relatively independently/collaboratively with friends.

From a teaching POV I'd prefer it too. I can easily set 2 days of tasks to follow up at home, a week at a time needs much more thought input, which I won't have if I'm also basically teaching full time.

This is what annoys me about the weak and spineless scientific advisers.
I should avoid all the things non-school employees are still allowed, nay encouraged to do. Going out, boosting the oh so important Economy in state sanctioned specific areas that don’t remotely interest me. Can’t even have a walk in the countryside meeting absolutely no one, in case I need a wee while I’m there.
But all the families who are sending their dc to school are permitted to do the above things and fuck everyone who has to teach them and support them.
Our only risk is supposed to come from every bugger else doing what they please then coming into my workplace where I’m not allowed to mitigate any of the risks with PPE or adequate distancing.

It all falls apart due to the lack of PPE for teachers doesn’t it?

A bubble isn’t a bubble if you have unprotected people moving between them.

A bubble isn’t a bubble if you have unprotected people moving between them.
That's the heart of the matter isn't it? If I get ill, that would be 7 classes I've exposed, who would all need to self isolate until they've been tested. If one of the kids gets ill, that could potentially infect 15 teachers, plus all the kids in all their classes. If we had some form of PPE we could at least minimise those risks of infection.

When I talked it through with Dh, he said obviously for ppa staff like me we need ppe. He has a close friend living in Japan; they all put masks on the minute they leave the house and just did that the minute the virus was said to be an issue.

I'd feel better though I'm don't know how well my asthma in the winter would stand the mask. Also, I do think constantly taking it on and off inside is actually risk? I think I'd have to have several washable ones I put on during the day. (Might ask aforementioned friend what they do!)

Might also ask the secondary school for a face visor.

Yes Ohthe, it would have to be two day chunked learning. The class taught stuff and the home doable stuff.

That would be easy to do.

I think workbooks as a kind of back up or "back bone" could be useful too.

Sadly the more practical lessons are increasingly seeming more impossible :(

NeurotrashWarrior

We have thought about giving each child an individual equipment tray, But hat would mean that we would need more equipment.

Plus the technician (which we are lucky to have) would have to sterilise the equipment after each lesson.

I've bought individual everything - felt tips, colouring pencils, all in a clear plastic pencil case. No pencil cases from home (not that I have those anyway), but it'll be really annoying with them fiddling all the time.

ohthegoats

I did that for a KS4 class some years ago. including an A3 carry case. The kids just trashed them and then complained when I wouldn't replace them.

I even had complaints from the parents. Never again.

Neuro, I’m in a covid-secure office at work so don’t need to wear a mask if there are fewer than the maximum number of people in there but do if I leave the office for any reason.

For reusing masks :
Remove it touching only the elastic loops. Wash hands. You can store them outside down in a plastic container. Then to put it back on wash hands, put on touching only the elastic loops, then wash hands again.

It’s a PITA so it’s often easier to leave them on. And I do use separate reusable ones for getting into and out of work.

Kate Green is new Shadow Education Secretary. Who?

YES. I knew you’d have got here before me Noble!

Long history of work with single parents, the disabled, strong interests in child poverty and gender equality. So, not anyone with a background in education (obvs! ) BUT so many issues that affect children and schools... fingers crossed as always...

Oh , that's a real shame it's not the Hull ex teacher MP.

I know her from local union days, Piggy, and although I’m sure she’d be pretty good, she’s a massive self-promoter and always struck me as quite right-wing in some ways. Emma does talk the talk though and gives decent press so I’m sure is being lined up for some point in the future.

Fripp - I've done it before with youngish ones, and so long as the deal is 'look after this, and it's yours', I find that more than half the class take home a full set of kit at the end of the year.

I am not surprised she is a little right wing : that's what Sir K is trying to do.

The interest in educational disadvantage can be a double edged sword. Adonis and Blunkett would say the same...

www.tes.com/news/coronavirus-keep-teachers-apart-say-government-science-advisers

I'm annoyed now. What about those of us with children? What about teachers married to other teachers. This is crazy!!

ohthegoats

It could just be the school that I am in. (I know that it partially is)

But its the same with the destruction of keyboards and other provided equipment.

Ah gravity just realised you were talking about the Hull woman!

According to They Work For You, she is a very hard working MP at least!

Well we knew it would happen, but here's the word from the local authority where I am www.itv.com/news/tyne-tees/2020-06-24/pop-up-schools-to-be-set-up-in-northumberland-this-summer/