Schools closed until February? (part 3)

wirelessdude01

All that fandango wrote: »

Every man and his dog knows what's happening. Thats the point.

So tell us then. None of us know so maybe enlighten us.

Schools won't be properly open is about the height of what we know for sure. Some in, all out, hybrid, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, LC still on? See, no one knows anything for certain just yet.

All that fandango

alroley wrote: »

A university cannot send out a statement based on leaks to the media.

They have made absolutely no acknowledgement of the current situation.

wirelessdude01

All that fandango wrote: »

To make absolutely no contact with us whatsoever is poor form.

So they should email you to say they have nothing concrete to tell you?

What would the point be in that?

Bananaleaf

alroley wrote: »

That is true. I have not spent as much time with this group.

However, they have been incredibly consistent with exams that took place in 5th year both in and out of school and their 6th year Christmas exams/class tests. They are all pretty much in the same gradeband no matter what topics (e.g always student1 H2, student2 H5 etc.)

My class last year were so up and down I found it difficult to pick grades, at the moment I'd find it easier with my current group. But, you are very correct in saying I might not know their true ability. They could jump up grades towards the end.

That would be my concern anyway. By the way, remember last night when you asked me for the source that someone in govt had leaked the closure and I couldn't find it .... here's why!

All that fandango

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

So tell us then. None of us know so maybe enlighten us.

Schools won't be properly open is about the height of what we know for sure. Some in, all out, hybrid, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, LC still on? See, no one knows anything for certain just yet.

Sorry whats with the attitude? Couldnt care less if I've rattled your cage to be honest but just wondering If I've bothered you that much, why waste your time? You're contributing absolutely nothing to the thread with that tone. Why dont you calm down for yourself? Forget I even asked anything at all if what I said is winding you up that much.

All that fandango

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

So they should email you to say they have nothing concrete to tell you?

What would the point be in that?

Yes thank you, that would be something. Something...

wirelessdude01

All that fandango wrote: »

Sorry whats with the attitude? Couldnt care less if I've rattled your cage to be honest but just wondering If I've bothered you that much, why waste your time? You're contributing absolutely nothing to the thread with that tone. Why dont you calm down for yourself? Forget I even asked anything at all if what I said is winding you up that much.

Well you are thr one whining that they haven't contacted you when they can't actually tell you anything.

You then proceed to tell the entire thread that the dogs on the street know, what exactly do they know though?

cursai

Going by some of the posts here you'd guess some people hasn't attended school since February 1951.

Tell us what's going on?
You already know.
Will tell us that then.

wirelessdude01

All that fandango wrote: »

Yes thank you, that would be something. Something...

What would the actual point be in that email though when you already know that there is nothing they can tell you.

Queried

All that fandango wrote: »

Every man and his dog knows what's happening. Thats the point.

I'd say they're not contacting ye until they know exactly what the government's line on everything is. Since up until yesterday there was completely different information coming from different government ministers it makes sense. No point in sending out information today that's based on speculation and might not be valid this time tomorrow.

All that fandango

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

Well you are thr one whining that they haven't contacted you when they can't actually tell you anything.

You then proceed to tell the entire thread that the dogs on the street know, what exactly do they know though?

And why does that bother you so deeply? Get over yourself will you. You then proceed to get overly arsey as if I have insulted you personally? How about get lost? The thread is literally named "Schools closed until Feb" ( albeit with a ? mark).

All that fandango

Queried wrote: »

I'd say they're not contacting ye until they know exactly what the government's line on everything is. Since up until yesterday there was completely different information coming from different government ministers it makes sense. No point in sending out information today that's based on speculation and might not be valid this time tomorrow.

Thats fair enough, thanks. Shame others couldnt put it as graciously as that but anyways.

Locotastic

All that fandango wrote: »

To make absolutely no contact with us whatsoever is poor form.

I know it's a nerve wracking time, horrible to not know where you stand, my daughter is in the same situation right now and it's been a big worry all along. I think this is probably why this roller-coaster is so bad, the uncertainty is awful.

You just have to tell yourself what will be will be and that it's not within your control right now. It will all work out for you and you're not alone in not knowing what's going to happen next. Alternatives will need to be found.

Bananaleaf

All that fandango wrote: »

To make absolutely no contact with us whatsoever is poor form.

All that fandango wrote: »

They have made absolutely no acknowledgement of the current situation.

I think it is nice that they have respected the fact that you are still on holiday.

We weren't due to be back until tomorrow morning and we won't even know the facts by then, so I'd say they would have no reason to be in touch just yet

Beanybabog

I’m sure it’s bottom of the list of most peoples priorities, but what is the position on pre school fees? I had one in last lockdown on Ecce but we had a small extra fee because it’s a 3.5 hour session. This time I have two in Montessori -
I sent my second early because I was due my third baby and so pay privately for him as he’s too young for Ecce and it’s not an insignificant fee but I haven’t heard of a commitment to pay childcare providers this time, bar the Ecce rate which we don’t get anyway..

Locotastic

Beanybabog wrote: »

I’m sure it’s bottom of the list of most peoples priorities, but what is the position on pre school fees? I had one in last lockdown on Ecce but we had a small extra fee because it’s a 3.5 hour session. This time I have two in Montessori -
I sent my second early because I was due my third baby and so pay privately for him as he’s too young for Ecce and it’s not an insignificant fee but I haven’t heard of a commitment to pay childcare providers this time, bar the Ecce rate which we don’t get anyway..

Last time it didn't have to be paid far as I know because they were closed.

Are they only open for essential workers from now. If you're not and essential worker (I actually hate that term now) how could you be expected to pay for a service that you aren't allowed to use?

vid36

Every person in the country knew there was a possibility of future virus waves last summer yet the department had no plan b. That is a disgrace. Everyone knows there is a possibility of future problems in February/March and I bet they will be as unprepared as now.

Beanybabog

Locotastic wrote: »

Last time it didn't have to be paid far as I know because they were closed.

Are they only open for essential workers from now. If you're not and essential worker (I actually hate that term now) how could you be expected to pay for a service that you aren't allowed to use?

Mine is fully closed, it’s not a creche, you couldn’t use it full time. Most kids are Ecce and pay a small bit extra for an extra half hour but I pay full whack for one. I don’t want them to go bust, but as far as I can see only commitment is to Ecce fees, so they’d get nothing for my number 2. And the private fees are pretty loaded, I probably pay twice the Ecce rate for my number 2, so they lose a lot and potentially could close if we don’t pay?
I know people paying full creche fees but encouraged not to send them in unless essential

SpacialNeeds

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7D9aJxhdakQ

That's Niall Collins saying it's six weeks and then denying he said it, insisting it's three.

Lillyfae

SpacialNeeds wrote: »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7D9aJxhdakQ

That's Niall Collins saying it's six weeks and then denying he said it, insisting it's three.

He can say that he meant from the Christmas holidays in December. Either way it doesn’t matter because they can change things later if they want to, like they’ve done before. It’s a waste of time and energy looking for a “gotcha” moment.

khalessi

vid36 wrote: »

Every person in the country knew there was a possibility of future virus waves last summer yet the department had no plan b. That is a disgrace. Everyone knows there is a possibility of future problems in February/March and I bet they will be as unprepared as now.

Ah yes but what they will say is that they sent a document last October/November telliing schools to go online. It is itheir fallback, not up to them we got a note therefore any failure is the fault of the teachers.

What it doesn't say is that they contacted schools to find out what we had done and based their document on that. Get an online platform or else, typical Dept Of Ed assistance.

So that is all the help schools have had to my knowledge with getting online, the document that another poster put up here yesterday.

At midterm extra measures were asked for to help and they changed our inspectors to covid inspectors to check for compliance. How does someone coming around and asking me had I see the return to work form help me on the floor. Those inspectors could have been sent to schools where there are shortages in staff.

combat14

Wombatman wrote: »

https://www.rte.ie/news/2021/0105/1187701-covid-ireland-politics/

The 30th is a Saturday. Review on Saturday, find out on Sunday, everybody back on Monday.

Typical.

dont get your hopes up about being back on 1st feb - talk in uk of 8-12 week lockdown and more than likely that here too - this new variant is serious and making up about 25% of sampled cases here now

VinLieger

When do the limits for creches to move to essential workers etc come in as they are still fully open as of this morning?

km79

“The summer Leaving Cert exams could be delayed by a few weeks if Covid continues to cause serious problems.“

From Rte

Leftwaffe

km79 wrote: »

“The summer Leaving Cert exams could be delayed by a few weeks if Covid continues to cause serious problems.“

From Rte

It’s hard to see them going ahead at all to be honest. Hope I’m wrong on that.

Stateofyou

Maybe it's time to re-jig the whole leaving cert shambles anyway...

wirelessdude01

Stateofyou wrote: »

Maybe it's time to re-jig the whole leaving cert shambles anyway...

What's your suggestion?

Lashes28

Has any one seen any rumours on JC?

JDD

VinLieger wrote: »

When do the limits for creches to move to essential workers etc come in as they are still fully open as of this morning?

I presume it's from Monday. I have one in creche, he's in the ECCE but stays full time outside those hours, so it's €800 a month in fees. I'll be paying the fee for this week, pro rata, but not for the remainder of the month.

Same for my older two's after school. They haven't opened at all so they won't be paid this month.

I was concerned last March about people being laid off and emailed both providers to say that I was happy to keep paying fees for as long as they kept fully paying their employees. But they came back to say that the state would be paying their staff their full wages (not the PUP, there was a separate plan for private creches) so there was no need to pay our fees. I presume it'll be the same this time around.

That's the only silver lining to all of this. Last year we saved around €8,000 in childcare fees.

wirelessdude01

Today with Claire Byrne talking about how huge the essential worker list is and how it basically means everyone and their aunt is an essential worker. They are saying that if essential worker status means your children get to go to school and creche/preschool then pretty much all children would be allowed to.

KrustyUCC

SpacialNeeds wrote: »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7D9aJxhdakQ

That's Niall Collins saying it's six weeks and then denying he said it, insisting it's three.

We all know it will be six weeks

Schools won't go back until after midterm at the earliest

khalessi

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

Today with Claire Byrne talking about how huge the essential worker list is and how it basically means everyone and their aunt is an essential worker. They are saying that if essential worker status means your children get to go to school and creche/preschool then pretty much all children would be allowed to.

By hook or by crook;) schrodinger school it is closed but open

km79

Lashes28 wrote: »

Has any one seen any rumours on JC?

The fact it’s not even being mentioned tells us all we need to know

bladespin

khalessi wrote: »

By hook or by crook;) schrodinger school it is closed but open

Or is it????

(sorry couldn't resist the cat joke).

am_zarathustra

Lashes28 wrote: »

Has any one seen any rumours on JC?

JC could be run at the normal time, it's a longer course, over three years and the new common papers hardly require any actual knowledge, a decent student could pass them all bar the HL Maths, English and Irish by the end of 1sy year. The LC could then be run after, mid-june, to give the extra time.

Having corrected for a good few years now though the paper can be adjusted fairly easily, just get the chief examiners for every subject to sit down and come up with appropriate changes to the options in sections. Very few LC papers have questions that require information from numerous units to answer, maths maybe being an issue but the paper could be carefully set to avoid too much overlap. Marking schemes are adjusted every year to hit the curve anyway!

Predicated grades will be a nightmare after last year, any teacher who was honest will push their grades to the highest they can justify because the kids were screwed over the last time. The real problem is the industry of stress management and paid grinds feeding the anxiety that exists in Ireland now, this seems to get worse every year. Most competent, well prepared students would have been capable of sitting the paper last year, they would have coped with the stress. If they can't then college is going to be a bit of a shock to the system

harr

So as a parent of a special needs child I am really torn on what to do with special schools staying open.
My sons regression throughout the last lockdown put him back so much .. I mean years.
He has some health issues which would make him vulnerable as does some others in his class .. only 5 kids in his class so a close enough bubble.
I really wish they kept them closed so I wouldn’t have to make the decision.
Definitely won’t be getting his bus as that has 4 different special schools mixing.

Stateofyou

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

What's your suggestion?

Individual course work and tests throughout secondary years to an accumulated GPA?

jimmytwotimes 2013

Stateofyou wrote: »

Maybe it's time to re-jig the whole leaving cert shambles anyway...

It's already under review

Sardonicat

jimmytwotimes 2013 wrote: »

It's already under review

It always seems to be...

Bananaleaf

Sardonicat wrote: »

It always seems to be...

Look how quickly they can roll out changes when they are under pressure.

So yeah, keep waiting

C__MC

The government will push for schools to reopen on 31st, we know how hard set it was for them to close them
Leaving Cert to go ahead IMO as normal

combat14

C__MC wrote: »

The government will push for schools to reopen on 31st, we know how hard set it was for them to close them
Leaving Cert to go ahead IMO as normal

they can push all they like the uk is talking about a 3 month lock down

hard to see cases in icus coming down by the end of this month

sad to say there is already talk of pandemic time ethical decisions to be made as to who will live or die for those coming into hospitals shortly they are unfortunately that overwhelmed...

opening schools to add to that would be mindless, heartless and reckless in the extreme

harr

LC to return as normal next week , education minister to seek approval from government.

Benimar

harr wrote: »

LC to return as normal next week , education minister to seek approval from government.

That’s crazy.

Icyseanfitz

I think its entirely down to the severity of this new uk strain, its so much more easily transmitted that if there's any groups of people numbers go bang. That combined with Christmas has really made for a bad situation.

Redordeadqwwer

Redordeadqwwer wrote: »

It’s hard to see them going ahead at all to be honest. Hope I’m wrong on that.

Vaccinate them, its 60000 people. Do it in April.

Covit

harr wrote: »

LC to return as normal next week , education minister to seek approval from government.

That’s most sensible option but guess what !
Sf and co won’t agree!
And teachers won’t accept it either nicer stay at home do it online !

wirelessdude01

Stateofyou wrote: »

Individual course work and tests throughout secondary years to an accumulated GPA?

Leaving centers on liveline whinging about all the tests they've been subjected to this year

Icyseanfitz

harr wrote: »

LC to return as normal next week , education minister to seek approval from government.

Normas forward thinking strikes again

C__MC

Norma saving her arse given she pumped in a couple of million last summer to schools I would think