Remove some uncertainty and schools return in August for 2020/21

Uncertainty affects mental health for most people. Autistic children cope better with knowing a plan. It reduces anxiety.
Adults supporting them can also improve support if we know what is happening and can plan and reassure them.
If families know what is happening, they can accept and put plans in place to get through the circumstances they are faced with.
Children may also have elderly grand parents (agdd 80/90's) and relatives who they are missing seeing. If they go back to as school environment, this means that it will be even longer before they can know it is safe to see these dear family members.
A %, no matter how small equates to a number, a person, a child and that the family losing will never get back. They are important (not just a statistic) and it could be any of us. (1% = 1 dying in every hundred).
Some ASN children have hardly been in school at regular times. I hope in the future this highlights their plight and resources are put in place to help them access learning.
Children of all school ages are receiving work to complete at home, some very creative ideas and encouraging the principles of inclusion and achievement for all. To be honest, children going into S4-6 are the ones who would need to make sure that they will be prepared for their SQA awards/exams next year 2021. Other classes could miss traditional learning for a few months and still be in a good, if not better position. Support is still being provided to children by schools, teachers, social workers and other educational institutions.
Children are worried about getting the virus and passing it on. Children are worried that their parents will get the virus. Some parents are very concerned about this too.
It is important we take time and not be rushed into something to meet the demands of media and journalists who need to keep interest using headlines which will provoke controversy and divide support for the nation's approach. Only by working together will we get through this in the most effective and efficient way going forward.
In view of the aforesaid, I think schools should look at returning in August when they were due to start the 2020-21 session. This would allow sufficient time for changes to be planned, agreed and implemented without panic. In the meantime it would also allow teachers, families and any other relevant workers to plan for delivering education and supporting children for the remainder of Term 4, and that children will get the holiday they have worked hard for all year and deserve to replenish their batteries for the year ahead. This will give children the security they require both for now and going forward in the medium term.


Why the contribution is important

See above - I've copied the last paragraph below:-
In view of the aforesaid, I think schools should
look at returning in August when they were due to start the 2020-21 session. This would allow sufficient time for changes to be planned, agreed and implemented without panic. In the meantime it would also allow teachers, families and any other relevant workers to plan for delivering education and supporting children for the remainder of Term 4, and that children will get the holiday they have worked hard for all year and deserve to replenish their batteries for the year ahead. This will give children the security they require both for now and going forward in the medium term.


by Maryallan on May 09, 2020 at 08:36PM

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Comments

  • Posted by GrahamDane May 09, 2020 at 20:48

    It makes no sense to decide lolicy before information is available.
    Also, there will definitely be no vaccine before August so it would be playing with people's lives to be making that decision now.

  • Posted by Catgotyourtongue May 09, 2020 at 21:16

    I do agree for school retuning in August. If if not sooner. If children can get out into the sunshine to build up there Immune system provide extra vitamins Mineral intake as it will be a long winter to come with other Seasonal flu coughs and colds. The way for this to happen well my idea is if all children are provided with a ppe first aid kit. They can ware travel to school. Clean kit with disinfectant on arrival before entering school premises. The school staff would need to be more hands on with contraflow system stricter corridor, toilet tips, desks to meters apart. 15 min per individual class to have brake hourly to have out door group play singing, clapping dancing with teacher leading Per class. Lunch at desk with own cleaning equipment provide. The same routine apples on returning home.

  • Posted by Aham25 May 09, 2020 at 22:31

    I totally agree with this...august at the earliest. The mental health of everyone not being told really is suffering.

  • Posted by SBremner May 09, 2020 at 23:53

    Sad to say cause we are not sure yet that we would just say not until August to remove uncertainty. Everything is uncertain so doesn't make sense to delay just to remove uncertainty. People need some hope. If we want certainty then even Aug is not that.

  • Posted by Simone May 09, 2020 at 23:54

    I think would be catastrophic for schools to return until after summer holidays.

  • Posted by Bornattherighttime May 10, 2020 at 07:51

    I suggest that if any pupil breaks school rules and puts someone at risk tjey be sent home immediately. The reason is that at the moment we apply government guidelines for social behaviour to the school environment. The school is not bound by the same rules. Young people are able to make repeated mistakes with little consequence. They break rules to investigate what will happen in the safe knowledge that they will be protected by the system from any significant harm or consequence. They will be frustrated and confused. They will go out their way to sneeze on people, spit on people, fight, drop litter, and with the suggestion of increased staff supervision there will be plenty opportunity at a ratio of say 1 to 15. I ask - how many will be sent home and will schools be accused of discriminating against those unable to self regulate?

  • Posted by scottie234 May 10, 2020 at 08:05

    Schools need to return to some semblance of normality before August. Children have been out of formalized schooling for some time now and it is essential that they get back to their learning. It will take time for the staff to adjust to the new ways of working with the children in the building and if it is left until August then it will be well into September before any meaningful lessons can begin. Children are well aware of the dangers at pesent and should be back at their desks sooner rather than later.

  • Posted by LouisaBeveridge May 10, 2020 at 08:22

    I don’t understand how the government can make a firm decision in May on what is to happen August when this situation is unfolding. The government I am sure want schools back in August and yes they should be preparing for it which I would assume they are but surely they cannot and should not give any definitive answer on this until closer to the time.

  • Posted by Nimbus74 May 10, 2020 at 20:53

    Nothing before August and, then, an option for continuing work from home for all children with underlying health conditions, their siblings and the children of those considered at risk.
    Schools to continue providing inclusive work online for all, so that children with disabilities can continue to feel part of their class - a hard-won right.
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