Schools closed until February? (part 3)

Dickie10

As a PP teacher i would happily leave january to settle down , hopefully go back feb 1st in some format and go til june 28th. put the leaving cert back to start july 5th.

scouserstation

alroley wrote: »

Your views are so odd.

Parents not parenting their kids: oh well! It happens! The school needs to keep the kids entertained.

Teachers wanting safe work environments: BURN THEM AT THE STAKE!!

We all want safer work environments but unfortunately covid has now become part of our daily working lives, you don't hear other professions demanding closure of their workplaces, whether your a chef working in a busy kitchen, a labourer working on a construction crewe etc

scouserstation

frank8211 wrote: »

The virus has caused everyone to be bored at home, affected badly etc. Why should not the load be spread accross all age groups

Try telling that to the kids who rely on school for a safe haven away from their situations at home, the vulnerable who can't even afford WiFi or the autistic child who doesn't understand why they have nothing to get up out of bed for, yeah let's spread the load

Solar2021

scouserstation wrote: »

Try telling that to the kids who rely on school for a safe haven away from their situations at home, the vulnerable who can't even afford WiFi or the autistic child who doesn't understand why they have nothing to get up out of bed for, yeah let's spread the load

Bit emotional reading that, feel so bad for the kids

We've ****ed this up for months and they are the one's being punished

kippy

scouserstation wrote: »

Try telling that to the kids who rely on school for a safe haven away from their situations at home, the vulnerable who can't even afford WiFi or the autistic child who doesn't understand why they have nothing to get up out of bed for, yeah let's spread the load

No doubt, it's a terrible situation, effecting some more than others, with varying levels of effect.
The alternative - at this minute in time - are limited unfortunately. This is sadly the way of the world right now.

munster87

Solar2021 wrote: »

Bit emotional reading that, feel so bad for the kids

We've ****ed this up for months and they are the one's being punished

Quite a few of the elderly suffered too I’ve heard.

kippy

scouserstation wrote: »

We all want safer work environments but unfortunately covid has now become part of our daily working lives, you don't hear other professions demanding closure of their workplaces, whether your a chef working in a busy kitchen, a labourer working on a construction crewe etc

There are levels of risk and safety however.
Lots of these professions don't set out to work in an unsafe environment, in fact there are plenty procedures and processes in place (generall, not just in Covid times) that ensure there is as little risk as possible in their workplaces with heavy fines if these are not in place or adhered too - particularily on building sites.
None of these professions work in an environment no more than 80 square metres (being generous with that size) with between 15 and 30 other humans for a number of hours per day, every day.
It's become part of the daily working life but with cases as they are presently changes have to and are being made.

Solar2021

munster87 wrote: »

Quite a few of the elderly suffered too I’ve heard.

Yeah but they've lived long happy lives

I've talked to many of them and they don't feel sorry themselves, they feel sorry for the kids, teenagers, young adults.

SusanC10

It's weird - I saw several Tweets earlier incl RTE or some of their journalists and TDs etc saying that MM confirmed that schools would be closed until Jan 31st. Now they seemed to have disappeared?
Why are they waiting to make the announcement?

Loafing Oaf

SusanC10 wrote: »

It's weird - I saw several Tweets earlier incl RTE or some of their journalists and TDs etc saying that MM confirmed that schools would be closed until Jan 31st. Now they seemed to have disappeared?
Why are they waiting to make the announcement?

Possibly can only be officially announced after Cabinet meeting tomorrow

wirelessdude01

SusanC10 wrote: »

It's weird - I saw several Tweets earlier incl RTE or some of their journalists and TDs etc saying that MM confirmed that schools would be closed until Jan 31st. Now they seemed to have disappeared?
Why are they waiting to make the announcement?

The official Fianna Fail account nd plenty of their senators and councillors tweeted earlier about school closures. Obviously they all jumped the gun, I'm guessing whoever times their tweets timed it for today instead of tomorrow by accident. They were all quickly deleted.

E36Ross

Its already widely half arsed leaked why not just make the announcement so people know exactly what's happening and can prepare for it.

Stateofyou

scouserstation wrote: »

We all want safer work environments but unfortunately covid has now become part of our daily working lives, you don't hear other professions demanding closure of their workplaces, whether your a chef working in a busy kitchen, a labourer working on a construction crewe etc

Still trolling I see.

Obviously, those other professions are not working with 30+ people from different households, unmasked, no social distancing and often a lack of ventilation.

Parents are also calling for a closure because we are ALL at risk due to 1million plus in the education system moving around and coming into close contact. That's what the closures are about. Absolutely no one in government is making decisions based on what teachers may or may not want.

Bananaleaf

munster87 wrote: »

Quite a few of the elderly suffered too I’ve heard.

Solar2021 wrote: »

Yeah but they've lived long happy lives

:eek:

JeffKenna

Solar2021 wrote: »

Yeah but they've lived long happy lives .

That's a mighty big assumption.

Purple Mountain

E36Ross wrote: »

Its already widely half arsed leaked why not just make the announcement so people know exactly what's happening and can prepare for it.

Do we think it's full closure and claw back time later or work online from next Monday to end of January.
(Parent here)

khalessi

Purple Mountain wrote: »

Do we think it's full closure and claw back time later or work online from next Monday to end of January.
(Parent here)

I reckon work online from Monday

Atlantic Dawn

I can't see them opening in February, it will take many weeks to get below 1000 cases a day.

Sammy2012

Purple Mountain wrote: »

Do we think it's full closure and claw back time later or work online from next Monday to end of January.
(Parent here)

Itll be work online i would think. As a parent and a teacher I'd much rather a closure and claw back the time. If its only a 3 week closure which will be 15 days we could work through Easter (except good Friday and Bank Holiday Monday) and through midterm break in Feb. Some schools have a week off in May and I know my own school has a week to play with at the end of June as we don't take any days off during the year so that would cover the missed days. I know it would be tough on the kids as they would have no real break but they could have fun days and I'm sure noone would mind too much for a one off.

I would much rather this this than online teaching. But I don't expect anyone higher up to be that sensible. I'd be happy to go to work to help out minding children of essential workers one or 2 days a week also. As I'm sure most people would.

Str8outtaWuhan

Sammy2012 wrote: »

Itll be work online i would think. As a parent and a teacher I'd much rather a closure and claw back the time. If its only a 3 week closure which will be 15 days we could work through Easter (except good Friday and Bank Holiday Monday) and through midterm break in Feb. Some schools have a week off in May and I know my own school has a week to play with at the end of June as we don't take any days off during the year so that would cover the missed days. I know it would be tough on the kids as they would have no real break but they could have fun days and I'm sure noone would mind too much for a one off.

I would much rather this this than online teaching. But I don't expect anyone higher up to be that sensible. I'd be happy to go to work to help out minding children of essential workers one or 2 days a week also. As I'm sure most people would.

Aren't teachers essential workers? So as a parent you would happily go to work leaving someone else to mind your child so you can mind someones elses child?:rolleyes:

wirelessdude01

Purple Mountain wrote: »

Do we think it's full closure and claw back time later or work online from next Monday to end of January.
(Parent here)

Online.

deiseindublin

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

The word union seems to evoke something strange in some people.

Along with the word teacher.

Sammy2012

Str8outtaWuhan wrote: »

Aren't teachers essential workers? So as a parent you would happily go to work leaving someone else to mind your child so you can mind someones elses child?:rolleyes:

No I would bring my own children with me. They would be fine. They are a bit older and if it was to help someone out why not? If I had to go to hospital for any reason at all now id be hoping they had the staff to treat me and not have to be at home because noone offered to mind their children.

Edited to add i would be happy to do it if we were actually closed. Not working online.

Str8outtaWuhan

Sammy2012 wrote: »

No I would bring my own children with me. They would be fine. They are a bit older and if it was to help someone out why not? If I had to go to hospital for any reason at all now id be hoping they had the staff to treat me and not have to be at home because noone offered to mind their children.

So you'd bring your own children into school to mind them and the children of doctors/nurses and we are been asked to decrease our contacts?:D

pc7

khalessi wrote: »

I reckon work online from Monday

So if like last year my smallie will get one email a week with work, it’s not good enough.

khalessi

pc7 wrote: »

So if like last year my smallie will get one email a week with work, it’s not good enough.

Have you emailed school about this or mentioned it since September?

jrosen

It will go on line id imagine.

I would probably prefer to just extend the break with the intention of making up the time. However Im not sure that would do anyone any good. Who wants to be in when the weather picks up when we are all stuck in now. Im also not convinced this is the last of it so would be concerned we will loose more teaching hours down the line, either through school closures or sick staff.

Sammy2012

pc7 wrote: »

So if like last year my smallie will get one email a week with work, it’s not good enough.

Well then you need to get on to your school. There were massive inconsistencies last time and this is why there should be a plan that the department can provide all schools with to avoid that happening again. But they have not provided this so no doubt this time will be no different.

JeffKenna

pc7 wrote: »

So if like last year my smallie will get one email a week with work, it’s not good enough.

I presume you're checking their e-mails to ensure they haven't deliberty missed them?

Sammy2012

jrosen wrote: »

It will go on line id imagine.

I would probably prefer to just extend the break with the intention of making up the time. However Im not sure that would do anyone any good. Who wants to be in when the weather picks up when we are all stuck in now. Im also not convinced this is the last of it so would be concerned we will loose more teaching hours down the line, either through school closures or sick staff.

Oh don't say that. Maybe I am being stupid but I'm hoping this will be the last time we will be closed. I'm also hoping that we will be back on the 1st of Feb.

Cluedo Monopoly

pc7 wrote: »

So if like last year my smallie will get one email a week with work, it’s not good enough.

My 5th class lady got 3 emails in total from her teacher in March-June period last year. Hardly enough to keep her busy for 2 weeks. Several parents complained but not sure it had any effect. The teacher this year seems more clued in. Hopefully anyway but there should be strict guidance on what's required for minimum service.

pc7

JeffKenna wrote: »

I presume you're checking their e-mails to ensure they haven't deliberty missed them?

It was junior infants, so mail came to me with work. I did ask and push for zoom or something, I offered to assist setting up something, anything so kids could even see teacher and have some connection with the school. I will push harder this time out if it’s the same Craic. They moved to SeeSaw for homework in September so hoping that was in mind if we were home again.

Sammy2012

pc7 wrote: »

It was junior infants, so mail came to me with work. I did ask and push for zoom or something, I offered to assist setting up something, anything so kids could even see teacher and have some connection with the school. I will push harder this time out if it’s the same Craic. They moved to SeeSaw for homework in September so hoping that was in mind if we were home again.

What do you think the kids should be doing on seesaw in Junior Infants? I'm not saying the teacher shouldn't be interacting with the kids but so much work at that age is hands on. I have a junior infant child here at the moment and I have no intention of engaging with seesaw for her if its online.

JeffKenna

pc7 wrote: »

It was junior infants, so mail came to me with work. I did ask and push for zoom or something, I offered to assist setting up something, anything so kids could even see teacher and have some connection with the school. I will push harder this time out if it’s the same Craic. They moved to SeeSaw for homework in September so hoping that was in mind if we were home again.

They'd be a very smart junior infant in they were deleting e-mails.

pc7

Sammy2012 wrote: »

What do you think the kids should be doing on seesaw in Junior Infants? I'm not saying the teacher shouldn't be interacting with the kids but so much work at that age is hands on. I have a junior infant child here at the moment and I have no intention of engaging with seesaw for her if its online.

A video saying ‘hello children, keep up the work for your folks’ I know they aren’t going to sit and watch a zoom lesson at that age, but I felt it was very very poor just getting an email a week. The teacher sent them a video when school broke up for summer and that she was looking forward to seeing them in September (same one for JI/SI, it made such a difference, they must have watched the video 50 times. So this time I’ll be asking for at least a weekly message, where they see the teacher at least.

Sammy2012

pc7 wrote: »

A video saying ‘hello children, keep up the work for your folks’ I know they aren’t going to sit and watch a zoom lesson at that age, but I felt it was very very poor just getting an email a week. The teacher sent them a video when school broke up for summer and that she was looking forward to seeing them in September (same one for JI/SI, it made such a difference, they must have watched the video 50 times. So this time I’ll be asking for at least a weekly message, where they see the teacher at least.

Well that's not too much to ask. I teach first and second and we were in touch every day when we got set up after Easter. The kids would leave me voice messages and I would reply so we had lots of little conversations.

Ted_YNWA

Ted_YNWA wrote: »

Dr Turk Turkelton wrote: »

In my opinion the only reason schools haven't been closed is because of the amount of teachers who didn't step up to the plate last March/ April.
The Government know that it will be same this time with the same excuses from the same lazy teachers.
If like other countries they had of stepped up and got on with things instead of feeble excuses about "the department" and "gdpr" and just taught online instead of treating it like an extended holiday all kids would be learning from home for the next two months.

Dr Turk Turkelton wrote: »

I somehow doubt that it's the kids that would be bothered by it.

Dr Turk Turkelton wrote: »

With all due respect that's a load of cr@p. If you read back through the threads on here from then it is plain to see there was no panic or anxiety just numerous complaints about useless unwilling teachers who didn't do a thing.

Dr Turk Turkelton wrote: »

Are you seriously telling me that supposedly educated people needed training in using the apps mentioned above?
Also the likes of Zoom, Meet and Teams were being used in workplaces all over Ireland on a large scale from February last year.
With no "training".

Mod

This is not the place to soapbox & rant about your disdain of teachers.

Don't post in this thread again.

Mod

Threadban lifted after discussion with poster

teachinggal123

Teacher Covid rates up to 333% above average https://www.tes.com/news/exclusive-coronavirus-schools-teacher-covid-rates-333-above-average?fbclid=IwAR1hLJo9ZTpZumwOGyqislqFeqZUbLPrDKT0taBfaqxitT60vqhzppQVT-0

thebronze14

Sammy2012 wrote: »

Itll be work online i would think. As a parent and a teacher I'd much rather a closure and claw back the time. If its only a 3 week closure which will be 15 days we could work through Easter (except good Friday and Bank Holiday Monday) and through midterm break in Feb. Some schools have a week off in May and I know my own school has a week to play with at the end of June as we don't take any days off during the year so that would cover the missed days. I know it would be tough on the kids as they would have no real break but they could have fun days and I'm sure noone would mind too much for a one off.

I would much rather this this than online teaching. But I don't expect anyone higher up to be that sensible. I'd be happy to go to work to help out minding children of essential workers one or 2 days a week also. As I'm sure most people would.

You must teach very different kids to me if you think they could cope with being at school for 5 months with only a day or two off! I do agree that Feb mid term should go and perhaps a small bit of the Easter break however

Bananaleaf

thebronze14 wrote: »

I do agree that Feb mid term should go and perhaps a small bit of the Easter break however

As well as remote learning from Monday?

thebronze14

Bananaleaf wrote: »

As well as remote learning from Monday?

I'd be happier to do remote learning and leave the holidays the way they are (bar Feb now as that's pointless) but I would understand if they shortened Easter a bit. Doubt they will though

Sammy2012

thebronze14 wrote: »

You must teach very different kids to me if you think they could cope with being at school for 5 months with only a day or two off! I do agree that Feb mid term should go and perhaps a small bit of the Easter break however

I did acknowledge that it would be tough on the kids. Everyone was wrecked at the end of term 1 and I have really enjoyed being off but just is an extraordinary year. It was just a suggestion to avoid the online teaching.

uli84

Level 5 my ass, well my kid is too small to manage remote and we both work full time so not happening in my house

Stateofyou

The BBC is putting out 3 hours of primary school programming every day of the week, and at least 2 hours for secondary students.

Anyone hear of any lessons being put together here for the homeschool hub?

Also seeing in comments that New Zealand is doing it as is Ecuador. And Australia. And France. And Mexico. Italy. Spain. Turkey. Ghana. Pakistan.

Leftwaffe

Mad the way some people who have never taught a class in their life, or perhaps haven’t even been in a school since they left one god knows how long ago, know what schools and teachers should be doing during this upcoming period. Telling us what’s best for students.

More often than not these same people don’t like teachers as well. I find it really interesting.

namloc1980

Is there going to be any standardised approach to learning at home or will each school do it's own thing? Last time we ended up with some schools being very engaged with their students while others hardly interacted at all.

thebronze14

Sammy2012 wrote: »

I did acknowledge that it would be tough on the kids. Everyone was wrecked at the end of term 1 and I have really enjoyed being off but just is an extraordinary year. It was just a suggestion to avoid the online teaching.

That fair enough. There's no perfect solution I'm afraid. Remote learning for now is the best there is imo although it won't suit everyone

scouserstation

Sammy2012 wrote: »

Itll be work online i would think. As a parent and a teacher I'd much rather a closure and claw back the time. If its only a 3 week closure which will be 15 days we could work through Easter (except good Friday and Bank Holiday Monday) and through midterm break in Feb. Some schools have a week off in May and I know my own school has a week to play with at the end of June as we don't take any days off during the year so that would cover the missed days. I know it would be tough on the kids as they would have no real break but they could have fun days and I'm sure noone would mind too much for a one off.

I would much rather this this than online teaching. But I don't expect anyone higher up to be that sensible. I'd be happy to go to work to help out minding children of essential workers one or 2 days a week also. As I'm sure most people would.

This is the sort of selfless attitude that is great to see, it would give me great confidence if others shared your views, it may seem like im tarring all teachers with the one brush but i see some of you guys are really willing to dig deep and do what is right for the kids

Icyseanfitz

namloc1980 wrote: »

Is there going to be any standardised approach to learning at home or will each school do it's own thing? Last time we ended up with some schools being very engaged with their students while others hardly interacted at all.

if the department had put anything resembling a plan together during the period of last march until now we could have had a centralized hub and standardised approach, unfortunately they sat on their asses and went with plan "all in or nothing"

km79

Redordeadqwwer wrote: »

Mad the way some people who have never taught a class in their life, or perhaps haven’t even been in a school since they left one god knows how long ago, know what schools and teachers should be doing during this upcoming period. Telling us what’s best for students.

More often than not these same people don’t like teachers as well. I find it really interesting.

Are you talking about the inspectorate