Any heard/read anything about BOTH parents needing to be key workers for their children to still attend school? Guardian seems to have an article implying both parents need to be to qualify but I can't see it anywhere else.
I’m starting to get a bit wobbly now just come back to my room to find messages on my board from year 11’s I wont see again, no last day, no prom, no results day…hard to grasp.
Mrs OOB was in floods of tears for the same reason.
Was a bit dusty for me too, leaving school shouldn't be a non-event.
Any heard/read anything about BOTH parents needing to be key workers for their children to still attend school? Guardian seems to have an article implying both parents need to be to qualify but I can’t see it anywhere else.
Hasn't been announced so nobody knows.
Not a teacher, but should the worst come to my job I'm someone that's happy (being young, fit and healthy) to volunteer to do key work....most key work.
Letting random kids/teenagers into my home, even without the threat of contagious disease. Not a chance.
Just announced to Scottish teachers (at my school anyway) that all SQA examinations cancelled and graded will be awarded on evidence gathered and estimates.
Sounds like we're going to get redeployed across schools in the authority to teach, what I assume, pupils with learners in crucial services and industries.
They are an important measure of progress for teachers students and parents.
Not really, there's a very nartow focused on maths, English and science and they're done "teach to test", so kids lose skills for any other subject. They're teacher-assessed and are what primary teachers are judge on so you tell me how objective you think they are.... 😉 As a knock on, they're also used to extrapolate GCSE target grades, so if a child's SATS are.... optimistic, shall we say, that then screws the pooch for the secondary teachers who have to show progress. All sounds a bit pants to me.
Well...that was a big jobby sandwich from Swinney.
Swinney also suggested secondary teachers will be back in next week with senior pupils to finish assignments etc
NOT good
Just seen my Mrs (Secondary School SENCo) she's been told all teachers are expected in next week but they don't know where or what they'll be doing, although rumour has it they'll be providing glorified childcare rather than delivering the curriculum.
She's been told she can take our kids into school with her, which is a mixed blessing as i can't work from home with them scrapping over the TV remote, but also feel it defies the point of closing schools.
Total Clusterf*ck.
Mrs SWSD just texted to say her primary school will be staying open through the Easter holidays, so she'll be there doing extra classes for the kids that need to be in school.
Meanwhile I'm sat on my arse fiddling with stuff that really can't be progressed until this is all is over.
"What did you do in the great Coronavirus outbreak grandad?"
"I made sure my spreadsheets balanced really, really well".
She’s been told she can take our kids into school with her, which is a mixed blessing as i can’t work from home with them scrapping over the TV remote, but also feel it defies the point of closing schools.
But… the exposure risk of one of your household being in that one school (with vastly reduced attendance) is probably much the same as several of you being in there.
tiggs121
Would that be the same Higher pupils who voted with their feet THIS week? Honestly, I knew he was going to be a car crash, but not this bad. What is the point of the assignment anyway? I mark it; are they going to go ahead with them or are they now a ticky-box exercise?
ayjaydoubleyou
Member
Not a teacher, but should the worst come to my job I’m someone that’s happy (being young, fit and healthy) to volunteer to do key work….most key work.
If you, or anybody else, is serious about volunteering then I suggest you contact a local care agency. They are struggling for carers ordinarily - now even more so. There will be procedures in place to enable you to carry out caring duties such as personal care as long as your accompanied by a DBS checked staff member.
Why is it that teachers whinge more than any other profession?
Nurses, social workers .. even talk of the army too being redeployed to different areas and different locations to do their job, or things not ordinarily part of their job descriptions. Most will have family at home too.
Why do teachers think they are any different?
Why do teachers think they are any different?
Troll like behaviour, take it elsewhere.
Why is it that teachers whinge more than any other profession?
Because people like you exist.
I dislike the imported prom gimmick, but am quite sad that my daughter is missing her yr6 prom, residential, an end of year production yr 6 put on and the goodbye to friends moving onto different secondaries.
Shes also missing out on a host of scout camps and activities.
even talk of the army too being redeployed to different areas and different locations to do their job, or things not ordinarily part of their job descriptions.
That's part of their job, surely?
Not heard a single teacher complain in my school. Everyone is just working hard to support each other and our community.
Mrs Anagallis has volunteered to help in her school, mine are not sure whats going to happen, but obviously we cant both be out or we will be defeating the purpose.
Shitogram from the heid Yin's. Summed up as all schools closed apart from the open ones. No kids in apart from to gather evidence (pretty sure the sqa has a bit of evidence we could use). Key worker kids to be babysat and given meaningful work even though they might be in classes of age range 5-17. All classes to be meaningful online work including those for whom the exams are cancelled.
Oh and we could be redeployed to any task we might be able to carry out. We're all for getting a positive out of this but it's a shit storm of conflicting information. Council release statement in the morning by which time it's already out of date.
I have started to set up lessons for the next six weeks for all classes but I need information like who's in a set so I can populate a team and then it's all gravy. But a deputy today said I can't know the pupils names because that'll let me look up their email addresses which will contravene gdpr. Even though I need them to populate the team.
I was thinking would it be inappropriate to have nerf gun battles along the corridors if I am supervising a small group of kids during the outbreak?
My school will be open for vulnerable kids or the kids of key workers. I think that's about 35 kids total. Teachers will be setting lessons via the internet also.
All schools in Wales are being asked to do the same.
Edit: Primary school 60 odd kids per year with nursery as well.
If you, or anybody else, is serious about volunteering then I suggest you contact a local care agency. They are struggling for carers ordinarily – now even more so.
For now, concerned with keeping our 12 person business afloat (not my business, I'm just an employee). But will remember for the future if the worst happens.
I should be out of isolation on Sunday.
If anyone's stuck inside and has a power kite they aren't using.........?
kelvin
But… the exposure risk of one of your household being in that one school (with vastly reduced attendance) is probably much the same as several of you being in there.
Not at all and it gets further and further away from "the same" the younger the children.
Adults can be expected not to touch things ... and when they do not touch their face until they wash their hands. Unless you have worked in a lab etc. it's more difficult than you might think when you are doing something else.
Kids in reception? Not a chance?
My 10yr old tried whilst doing miscellaneous things round the house. [Computer, coursework, watching TV] Every time he put a finger, pen or whatever in his mouth I remarked... after 1/2 hour or so he admitted he'd never do it whilst doing something else.
Why is it that teachers whinge more than any other profession?
I'm not a teacher, and I usually try to be more polite than this, but why don't you just f off you whining git?
I wonder what crucial job you do?
Why is it that teachers whinge more than any other profession?
Doesn't take long does it?!
The overwhelming majority of teachers are hardworking to the extent of donig far more than asked to do the best for their students. They have been stressing over the goings on and how to do the best for all year groups over the coming months are are rewarded with this kind of sh!t from journalists and on social media.
So schools are closed, Scouts and Guides have shut down, the kids orchestra has shut down, cycle club has shut down, we are all being urged to limit social contact, pretty much every club has shut down except my daughters gymnastics club, even though at least two of her display team are self isolating this week.....
She isn't training tomorrow, handy excuse of the broken finger
Right I've suferfested and now have a pint in hand feel better.
My day started bad when I wasn't allowed into Sainsbury's to get a loaf for my 78yo mum who's just out of hospital while on my way to work. The oaps were leaving with so much bogroll that it'll outlast most of them.
MCTD- gymnastic places must have super powers. The one my son goes to is open as well!
I left teaching in 2018 and feel like I've dodged two bullets now!
All the best former colleagues!
@FB-ATB - British Gymnastics website says everything at national level is cancelled till June, but individual clubs can do their own risk assessment. She's on a display team heading for EuroGym in Iceland in July, so they are keen to keep training as the event isn't cancelled yet.
Just had an email from sons college saying they are refunding the upfront bus fare till the end of this academic year - presumably not expecting to go back till September
It will be hard for Yr 11 in school tomorrow. Word on the street is that they are all planning to come in to say goodbye.
Overall student attendance in the county yesterday was approx. 34%
Overall teaching staff attendance was approx. 65%
Not at all and it gets further and further away from “the same” the younger the children.
A very good point well made.
We're all in Monday and Tuesday. No more exams/prelims for kids only those that need to complete coursework.
No guide on how grades for exam classes will be awarded or what evidence is needed.
From SQA
Following the Deputy First Minister’s announcement yesterday that the 2020 exam diet cannot now go ahead, I wanted to confirm to you the position with the marking of National 5 coursework. Marking of coursework will continue as planned. Depending on your location, scripts will be delivered to you from Tuesday 24 March and arrangements for the delivery of the scripts are based on the information you have already provided.
I see the key workers school thread got locked, what are other key workers thinking about their kids next week? In a quandary here. Wife is a social worker so we qualify, albeit not in a role with particularly vulnerable individuals, in fact seems her work might dry up then potentially redeployed elsewhere. Kids are 6 & 4, so chances of actually working from home with them around are zero.
I'm a self employed contractor, and on 3x wife's salary (albeit she's part time) so while I could pack my contract in, or take it down to 2 days, to look after the kids, it would be financially tough for us. Alternatively wife takes temporary redundancy or reduces hours, which is perhaps not the thing to do in a crisis but she's so fed up with the profession that putting herself in harm's way for zero reward from employer or "client" might just be the final straw.
Or we suck it up and put the kids in the 3 days she works, and feel guilty that we are putting them/us/society at risk by not social distancing as we should.
No idea what to do, but glad I found this thread to see others in a similar quandary, most others I spoke to are of the view that if it's available they'll use it
I would be making every possible change to avoid kids going in. I know of one teacher jabbering on about having to take her son into school with her as her husband cant look after the kid as he's working from home. Its ****ing madness, get your husband to look after him ffs. If you have two people at home you should make every effort to not send kids to school. My school have told me that under no circumstances are we to bring kids into school to look for others or have to leave kids with grandparents etc.
Good article on how to deal with kids at this time. Wasn't sure to put it here or on the general thread, so going for both
@tenacious_doug
We're in a very similar situation. My wife is also a social worker who's isn't front line but her job qualifies as a key worker. I run two micro businesses with a friend and can be flexible especially as the crisis is likely to reduce our work anyway. We've decided that i look after the kids 3 days a week so she can work but if a big contract comes in we have the flexibility to switch. I don't think it's right to send kids to school or nursery unless one of you is a true key worker and the other cannot help. The key worker definition is far too wide and is open to abuse, I see that Pets at home have designated their staff as key workers FFS!
Kids are 6 & 4, so chances of actually working from home with them around are zero.
I think that when you get into the routine of things, whilst not always easy, you’d manage fine. I used to look after my children on my own all day at that age and they would happily entertain themselves for long periods whilst I did things around the flat, or sat and read the paper beside them. Difficult as they were at times, I miss those days more than I can tell.
what are other key workers thinking about their kids next week?
Both keyworkers here, neither of us can WFH. We will only use the school provision when both of us are working at the same time, otherwise they’ll be with us at home. Assuming it happens, haven’t heard anything back yet!
Scotland has decreed that exam pupils should not go in to complete coursework as we had been informed last week.
I've been told (by good source in local authority) that they are planning to even cut what is on offer - the planned hubs are a perfect vector into hundreds of key worker families.
the planned hubs are a perfect vector into hundreds of key worker families.
This is definitely a concern of mine. I received an email this afternoon asking me to volunteer at such a hub. Considering what measures were taken prior to closing the schools, I’m torn between my strong urge to do my bit and volunteering for an unknown setup that I’d likely not be impressed by.
How are teachers coping with the closure?
I work at a college and im expected to deliver lessons remotley for the rest of the term, i have to submit a log of intended activity each day, all students are expected to complete a learning log, i have to invte managment and quality personel into my lessons and students are going to be contacted on their experience and progress.
We had friday to prepare for all this, and we cant assess some parts anyway due to needing specalist software/ equipment. Waiting for awarding bodies to sort that one out.
Son is high risk (had heat surgery previously) think im on the list too.
Mrs Pondo's mob are badly organised, which is usual for them - no kids in tomorrow but all teachers requested to be in but keep away from everyone else, straight to classrooms and no more than two at a kettle. What for? Just nuts - they're just delivering childcare at this stage, so absolutely no need to go in, just work out which kids'll be in and put a rota together. Expectation is there'll be teachers rota'd on over easter and maybe weekends - this may change as the head is a cock.
My school and mrs anagallis school has a rota for next 2 weeks, mine is almost all SLT and Heads of department/year. I'm not on it, other halfs on hers for 2 afternoons.
Our school has rota in place; 7-7 split into 3 shifts, also running over Easter hols. Currently I'm not going in due to asthma, but I'm not teaching any more so a lot of what I need to do I can do from home. Our staff have all really pulled together.
Head's organised a lunchtime meeting in the main hall for all staff! Honestly, what a cretin.
As a bare minimum they should be operating A and B teams - one week one, one week off.
Mrs Dubs School only have to cover about thirty kids so she’s just “on call” in case one somebody gets ill.
She’s also a first aided so might be called in to cover.
I'm a teacher in a college and we have all been instructed to work from home. Luckily a few courses including mine are computer and course work based. All students put their work on individual websites so we can keep checking and sending feedback so as long as they have access to a computer and internet they will be ok. Adobe have even provided free access to students for now so they can continue to work.
The only thing that worries me is if students don't do any work. With only email contact it is very difficult to chase them. The don't realise how lucky they are compared to those who need access to specialist equipment.
At my wife's school they had a pair of parents both claiming to be key workers and needing to dump their kids at school as they are both childminders.
The idea of minding their own children was alien to them.
ps it's a High school, so the pupils should generally be able to left unattended.
Head’s organised a lunchtime meeting in the main hall for all staff! Honestly, what a cretin.
This is how viruses spread. That head really is a cretin!
In a predictable manner all online learning platforms have gone pop!
My predicament is that we're both Mon-Fri key workers, unable to WFH.
Our only child is 14, so able to look after themselves, but we have concerns about him being home alone 07:30-16:00 for ??? 6 months V sending him to school with 15 other kids who he doesn't hang out with & who are high risk spreaders.
We've planned to send him in Mon, Wed & Fri for social interaction, he hates us for it, and it looks like he's in a class with social distancing of kids he's not friends with....
We're coming round to thinking he may be safer & have more interaction hooked up to his PS4 for the 6 months.
The kids will be socially distancing at school.
I’ve been told (by good source in local authority) that they are planning to even cut what is on offer – the planned hubs are a perfect vector into hundreds of key worker families.
Emails we've had from school and nursery this morning certainly make it look like it's moving in that direction. We are Edinburgh and they are not providing anything initally this week, instead using the next few days to plan for how they will approach, certainly sounds like there will be a more reduced provision than was first anticipated.
My wifes in school today (SENCo in a secondary school) they've asked 150 teaching staff to come in to child mind 60 'vulnerable' kids and an unknown number of keyworker kids.
The head is a total tool so not sure how long it will take before he realises they should be trying have as few people in as possible - can't see why they cant split into A/B shifts and do week on week off..
The school I work at was planning on the assumption of about 60-70 kids being in.
Only 22 turned up today, so they're splitting us into A and B teams, one week on one week off. There's also a reserve C team, not working for now, but will be called in when staff are ill or absent.
'Holiday'clubs have now sprung up so that if your child can't go to school, you can send him to the club!!!!!!
Holiday’clubs have now sprung up so that if your child can’t go to school, you can send him to the club!!!!!!
That won’t last long!
First day of home schooling here in Glencoe. Started off with PE with Joe on YT at 9am. The school have been excellent in getting lessons and books out so far.
Crazy times.
Mrs Scape has come home at lunchtime. The staff spent a considerable amount of time "discussing criteria" with a lot of parents for the first hour. No key stage 4 kids at all are in school. Far fewer kids in than expected. Staff now on a rota. Mrs Scape now does just Wednesdays and emergency relief cover on a rota basis.
Anybody hear schools mentioned there? Any school folks heard whether theirs shuts or not?
I was thinking same too, my son is still going to school... or was
tartanscarf
Member
Holiday’clubs have now sprung up so that if your child can’t go to school, you can send him to the club!!!!!!That won’t last long!
First day of home schooling here in Glencoe. Started off with PE with Joe on YT at 9am. The school have been excellent in getting lessons and books out so far.
Crazy times.
Posted 7 hours ago
You're still on here then! Where have you been? 😉
Day 1 of homeschool was hard
7 & 9 year olds were easy in the morning, donloaded & printed off all this weeks lessons (but will need to order some more printer cartridges!, had a good game of football with them at lunch- thank funk for the nice weather!- but kids lost focus in the afternoon
keeping 3 yr old twins occupied at the same time was tough tho
right, starting my wfh day now!!!
We did YouTube PE at 9am, YouTube science at 10am, and an hour of everyone reading a book of their choice at 11am. It was pretty easy to be honest.
Day 2 of online teaching and the portal has fallen over by 7.30am!
At my wife's school, the school opened on Monday with a list of 60 possible kids who would be allowed in.
Today there were 4. Staff outnumbered kids by 3 to 1. Bonkers
How many parents are going to tell their kids the virus is on it’s way out any it’s back to school next weds?
At my wife’s school, the school opened on Monday with a list of 60 possible kids who would be allowed in.
Today there were 4. Staff outnumbered kids by 3 to 1. Bonkers
Same at my wife's school - they had 7 in today and over 50 staff...
Mrs Pondo says speak to their union, as they have advice on this.
I'm in a hub next week and been told that the usual amount of ppe will be available.
Apparently some masks and gloves are actually available. But only to be used in as per the ppe matrix.
