Schools closed until undetermined date - was March 29th

Millem

I see increments frozen and not 2% increase on 1st October anyway.....regardless of resistance to working extra time.

doc_17

Snowbiee21 wrote: »

When is the announcement?

After the meeting finishes. How long will the meeting be? Anyone’s guess. Rumour is (On RTÉ this am) that the JC is gone.

Just regarding the number of new cases....That’s a bogus stat. There’s only one stat that can be taken into account unfortunately given how the testing is so messed up and unavailable. That stat is the number of deaths. That’s the only thing I look for each day to see where we are at.

CraftySue

doc_17 wrote: »

After the meeting finishes. How long will the meeting be? Anyone’s guess. Rumour is (On RTÉ this am) that the JC is gone.

Just regarding the number of new cases....That’s a bogus stat. There’s only one stat that can be taken into account unfortunately given how the testing is so messed up and unavailable. That stat is the number of deaths. That’s the only thing I look for each day to see where we are at.

I wonder about number of cases as well as a representation of where were at, I would like to see graphs on daily hospital admission over time, might give a more accurate picture.
Someone mentioned college entry and the need for leaving cert results- Cognitive Ability Tests (CAT) and online interviews has been given as an alternative to our points system, which could have merit.

Postgrad10

Snowbiee21 wrote: »

When is the announcement?

Wondering the exact same thing ?

Mardy Bum

Postgrad10 wrote: »

Wondering the exact same thing ?

Government briefing is live now. Paschal is on currently.

rainbowtrout

RealJohn wrote: »

I think it’d be extremely naïve of us to think that if we teach for two weeks before the exams start (which would be pointless, in my opinion), that it will count towards next year’s teaching hours, regardless of when those two weeks are.

But again, the scenario where the exams take place in August and we start the next school year as normal doesn’t work, because there’d be nobody to mark the exams. When the exams happen, there will need to be two weeks without any classes after that at absolute minimum, and even then, that would be a rush job, representing the fastest turnaround in marking ever (to the best of my knowledge), and the examiners would probably need a week off anyway, after that.

If the exams were to take place at the end of August, I would think the last week in September would be the earliest practical start date for classes, and that would almost certainly mean cutting down midterms, Christmas and Easter holidays, and teaching at least an extra week in June.

I would agree with all of that generally.

In theory if the LC happened in August this year, you could put the school year back this year to start 1st October or thereabouts. College year would start later too, but I don't think this is a big deal in the greater scheme of things. It used to start in October anyway until recent years. Run the school year for 20/21 from October to June. There would be no need to cut midterms etc. LC 2021 to take place in July to accommodate the late school start. Next year summer holidays would be only 2 months, but would be 4 this year so we wouldn't lose out that way, and then back to normal for 2022.

Inquitus

Hard to see schools re-opening any earlier than sometime in May, but cannot see it personally. i would be surprised if they opened before the school year ends myself and then what they do is anyones guess.

TheValeyard

They cant make us work extra time. Teachers were working those weeks as per normal from home. Classes were done remotely and work was assigned and corrected. If they tried to make us work more time they would need to give a financial payment, otherwise it be shot down by the courts very quickly.

Looptheloop30

There's a video of Leo on a call talking about Jul, Aug or sep for the LC. Didn't mention June. Tried to upload it from my phone but the file is too big.

Postgrad10

Can someone post up here when there’s news. I’ve no access to pc/ internet at present.

wirelessdude01

Mardy Bum wrote: »

Government briefing is live now. Paschal is on currently.

Is it over?

mirrorwall14

It was just pascal donahue. My understanding is the bigger planning meeting isn’t until later

wirelessdude01

Millem wrote: »

I see increments frozen and not 2% increase on 1st October anyway.....regardless of resistance to working extra time.

I see a 20% haircut to all non frontline govt paid people.

picturehangup

Could they make us work until the end of June?

I know in my school that students will expect us to continue to accept work to be corrected/marked at any time. Even yesterday, I had three students looking for one to one zoom feedback on their work.

Whilst I admire their work ethos for the most part, I think some student could milk us dry, unless clear boundaries are issued regarding dates, when it is unacceptable/acceptable to expect teachers to be available on tap.

Yet,others who have procrastinated will panic, and expect us to bail them out when it suits them, the same ones who didn't log on to the live, normal scheduled classes. We need some Union direction on this.

Postgrad10

picturehangup wrote: »

Could they make us work until the end of June?

I know in my school that students will expect us to continue to accept work to be corrected/marked at any time. Even yesterday, I had three students looking for one to one zoom feedback on their work.

Whilst I admire their work ethos for the most part, I think some student could milk us dry, unless clear boundaries are issued regarding dates, when it is unacceptable/acceptable to expect teachers to be available on tap.

Yet,others who have procrastinated will panic, and expect us to bail them out when it suits them, the same ones who didn't log on to the live, normal scheduled classes. We need some Union direction on this.

Be careful with zoom. There’s something in the news incident about it today.

Don’t be pressurized in answering them straight away. You are on holidays.

Millem

I think they can make us work any amount of days as long as we get 20 days annual leave plus bank holidays.

Annual leave is different to a school closure.

TheDriver

Millem wrote: »

I think they can make us work any amount of days as long as we get 20 days annual leave plus bank holidays.

Annual leave is different to a school closure.

True but also remember the amount of school days that are provided. Any most schools are providing them. So by teaching remotely, the argument would be that 167 school days are completed.
I think "making" you teach would be counterproductive anyways.

wirelessdude01

picturehangup wrote: »

Could they make us work until the end of June?

I know in my school that students will expect us to continue to accept work to be corrected/marked at any time. Even yesterday, I had three students looking for one to one zoom feedback on their work.

Whilst I admire their work ethos for the most part, I think some student could milk us dry, unless clear boundaries are issued regarding dates, when it is unacceptable/acceptable to expect teachers to be available on tap.

Yet,others who have procrastinated will panic, and expect us to bail them out when it suits them, the same ones who didn't log on to the live, normal scheduled classes. We need some Union direction on this.

If it was normal times then they wouldn't have access to you. Just ignore.

RealJohn

TheValeyard wrote: »

They cant make us work extra time. Teachers were working those weeks as per normal from home. Classes were done remotely and work was assigned and corrected. If they tried to make us work more time they would need to give a financial payment, otherwise it be shot down by the courts very quickly.

They can, and they know they can, because we’ve done a great job over the last couple of years of demonstrating that we don’t have the stomach for a fight.

TheValeyard

RealJohn wrote: »

They can, and they know they can, because we’ve done a great job over the last couple of years of demonstrating that we don’t have the stomach for a fight.

One teacher, one court case, and they'd be fcuked. And they know it!

But I would agree that unions in particular have been but spineless in recent history.

Millem

TheDriver wrote: »

True but also remember the amount of school days that are provided. Any most schools are providing them. So by teaching remotely, the argument would be that 167 school days are completed.
I think "making" you teach would be counterproductive anyways.

Schools are “obliged” to open for 167 days.....I don’t know what the rules and regulations are on opening for more than 167 days.

I do know that our official holiday entitlement is 20 days plus bank holidays. This is based on rulings from cases post June 2013 in relation to maternity leave.

picturehangup

Millem wrote: »

I think they can make us work any amount of days as long as we get 20 days annual leave plus bank holidays.

Annual leave is different to a school closure.

:eek:Any amount of days?
I thought our salaries were for 9 months, spread across 12 months?
Confused.

doc_17

Do not use Zoom. It can be porn-bombed. All they have to do is share the code and it’ll be your fault. Not your job.com

Rosita

RealJohn wrote: »

I agree with most of what you said, but I have to question this bit. Did we have 500 new infections yesterday, or did we get 500 positive tests back yesterday, from people who were infected two weeks ago and only started showing symptoms last week? Are they not behind on tests? Were they not predicting a peak around now anyway?

If, best case scenario, yesterday was the peak of diagnosed infections, it could be safe to have the exams, as normal, by the time June rolls around. Even outside of that best case scenario, June exams could still go ahead.

I wouldn’t base my speculation on the figures we’re getting at the moment. If the number of actual infections really is still increasing, then the leaving cert is the least of our worries. If we’re just getting more positive tests back because the testing capacity, and the prioritisation of those most likely to actually be infected is improving, that’s probably a good sign, not a bad one, even though it will mean that the numbers seem higher.

I wouldn't have the clinical expertise to answer questions about infections. I take the numbers at face value and they have gone up and up in other countries. Not sure if we'll be any different. And I read someone on here about five days ago saying that we had peaked (and 24 hours later they were wrong) so am sceptical about that. Would prefer to hear the HSE advisers stand over a comment like that.

But yeah I've always thought the LC exams could go ahead. I am basing that on the knowledge of how social distancing could work in my school. Just when numbers increase I get jittery on that knowing that the medical advisers believe we have as many undiagnosed infected people. And they are the ones advising the government.

But I am beginning to think that the LC might be the least of our worries.

Rosita

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

I see a 20% haircut to all non frontline govt paid people.

A "haircut"! I haven't heard that for a long time. You know the good times are back when you hear that!

Bobtheman

You people are worrying ahead of time. I doubt even the department are planning that far ahead.
As to pay cuts. There won't be any. It's a different situation than 2008.
This is an EU wide situation.
Relax. The announcement tomorrow will just say LC won't happen in June. As to teaching over the summer that will have to be worked out with the unions as it's a minefield. You would not be talking about the entire summer if it occurred. All depends on when the LC is held and only God knows that
So so many variables that trying to tease them out here is a minefield.
We don't even know if schools are shut all of May.
Yet

Bobtheman

Rosita wrote: »

A "haircut"! I haven't heard that for a long time. You know the good times are back when you hear that!

I could do with an actual haircut. Jesus some people love to be pessimistic ! Not talking about any poster in particular. Just us all

Midlife

Thinking 'how will this affect us' and seeking to find fault with potential strategies will not serve teachers well.

This is unprecedented and many in the country will take a serious hit.

There is no good way out and going in counting our working days seems a bit much to me.

Shn99

There will be a live briefing from Govt Buildings at 4pm, will probably be broadcast on RTE News now and the usual platforms

KildareP

doc_17 wrote: »

Do not use Zoom. It can be porn-bombed. All they have to do is share the code and it’ll be your fault. Not your job.com

What do you suggest as an alternative?

Because if they share the meeting ID and password with WebEx, the exact same thing can happen.

Likewise for GoToMeeting.

Or Google Hangouts.

Or Teams meetings.

Don't share the meeting ID and password combination publicly on social media, turn on the waiting room, don't admit anyone you don't recognise, mute all mics, disable participant screensharing, no videos allowed and you're good.