Back to School during the pandemic ...a discussion thread

[bankr63]

I am so torn on this. A few weeks ago, when Ottawa daily cases were super low, I was all for sending my kids back. DH is going to grade 7, and is not AT ALL motivated with the online learning. It was a major struggle every day. He does game online with his friends, and mentally seems to be doing okay with the separation. Meanwhile, DD, going to grade 5, did pretty well with the online learning, but her mental health is greatly suffering from being separated from her peers. Anxiety, insomnia, general meltdowns over little things - she is a social creature, and this is harming her in ways we may not understand for years.

When they sent out a survey a couple of weeks ago if we were planning to keep the kids home if online was an option, I said no. But as cases rise again in the Ottawa area, I just don't know anymore.

There are no good options for our kids right now.

I think that one option to make the best of online learning is community schooling.
I don't think hundreds of students in a single building is a viable plan UNLESS the governments are willing to adjust to be safe and fund the required changes (no sign of that yet). Even then, outbreaks will happen.
What mostly failed in online education last year was motivation as well as problems with access. In Ontario, Ford's announcement at the very beginning that everyone gets an automatic pass was the biggest disincentive to giving effort I have ever heard. One of the dumbest things a politician ever said; and it was true, teachers were not allowed to evaluate any work that occurred after March 13, UNLESS it actually helped the student's mark. So free pass everybody!
So community schooling could solve a couple of issues; I am thinking like the one room schoolhouse. Small cohorts of students from a limited area would attend school at one neighbor's house (all grades together) allowing for social interaction with a small cohort of friends. That neighbor could be compensated by the government to oversee the children's education. Proper access to internet and devices would have to provided (also government subsidized); that is one of the biggest issues that many families faced - five kids and one laptop trying to share access and attend sessions at one time. The parent who takes on this role is intended to be a proctor/assistant, ensuring that students are putting in the effort; the teachers would still create the content. the proctor would ensure that students who need help with topics are actually reaching out to the professional teachers and would enable these interactions. This would also help with the unemployment problem for folks (like me) who are unable to find work during the COVID crisis.
This idea occurs to me because I live on a street with a "gang of 8". Kids from two families who have been a social circle since this was allowed (and probably a bit before as they struggled with social distancing when it was required). Having one parent oversee their education as a JOB would cost no more than the $2000/mo they are currently getting from government sources and would greatly enhance the economic recovery by allowing several other parents who still have jobs to concentrate on work, or actually go to work, during school hours. More people contributing, and contributing effectively.
If communities step up they can keep their young people healthy and educated and mentally stimulated while reducing the inherent risks that a large building filled with people presents.

 

[TammyLynn33]

I’m late to this party here but I am beyond frusturated right now . Not with the plans or lack of plans the govt/school boards are presenting BUT with the parents and staff and community members who as I look in my social media clearly aren’t bubbling or social distancing and are acting like this is all over . We the parents/ community and staff of said schools have a responsibility now to ensure numbers are as low as possible in order to ensure it’s not You or Your child bringing it into the schools in Sept. We all need to be a little accountable here and do our part instead of just screaming the schools aren’t doing enough .
( my sons hockey league president just hosted the boys championship golf/ party last night . Retired principal non stop shooting his mouth off about how unsafe when I walked into the golf course the tears started , all the teen boys ( jobs, girlfriends) huddled together zero social distancing arms around way other for pics.. I allowed my son to golf if he rented a private cart. He was not allowed to attend the after festivities . See what I’m saying here.. I don’t expect the schools to keep my kid safe if I’m not doing everything I can to keep them safe on my time.
That said big kid is not taking his dream program in Toronto this year , we weren’t comfortable. DD starts high school in September and acc to her she’s going regardless .. two boys gr 3 and gr 1.. grade 3 special needs excelled at home . I didn’t let the tears I can’t do this let him off the hook, he sat there until work was done and not in the iPad either mean mom but man has his writing , math and reading improved . Grade 1 is now my and big kids shadow . Mention school to him he cries he doesn’t want to go and get “the virus”
Right now I’m leaning towards littles stay home I will switch to evenings and home school. Taking it day by day here though

 

[Madame]

I’m late to this party here but I am beyond frusturated right now . Not with the plans or lack of plans the govt/school boards are presenting BUT with the parents and staff and community members who as I look in my social media clearly aren’t bubbling or social distancing and are acting like this is all over . We the parents/ community and staff of said schools have a responsibility now to ensure numbers are as low as possible in order to ensure it’s not You or Your child bringing it into the schools in Sept. We all need to be a little accountable here and do our part instead of just screaming the schools aren’t doing enough .
( my sons hockey league president just hosted the boys championship golf/ party last night . Retired principal non stop shooting his mouth off about how unsafe when I walked into the golf course the tears started , all the teen boys ( jobs, girlfriends) huddled together zero social distancing arms around way other for pics.. I allowed my son to golf if he rented a private cart. He was not allowed to attend the after festivities . See what I’m saying here.. I don’t expect the schools to keep my kid safe if I’m not doing everything I can to keep them safe on my time.
That said big kid is not taking his dream program in Toronto this year , we weren’t comfortable. DD starts high school in September and acc to her she’s going regardless .. two boys gr 3 and gr 1.. grade 3 special needs excelled at home . I didn’t let the tears I can’t do this let him off the hook, he sat there until work was done and not in the iPad either mean mom but man has his writing , math and reading improved . Grade 1 is now my and big kids shadow . Mention school to him he cries he doesn’t want to go and get “the virus”
Right now I’m leaning towards littles stay home I will switch to evenings and home school. Taking it day by day here though

One of my boys too. Jeez the first say 3 wks were non-stop hell. Every day he hummed & hawed and “But I don’t get it! Which part? All the parts...”. His twin who genuinely struggles (dyslexic etc etc etc) wraps everything up in an hour & he was sat there angry because he had to work.

Much of that3 weeks he had no electronics/TV/nada for the rest of the day... try again tomorrow... I can (and actually DO) do this ALL day long. Like a 10 year old can pull anything that my 15-17 year old students don’t try daily . He would NEVER do that at school. Teaching your own kids is brutal.

 

[TammyLynn33]

No what I meant is because he’s designated as special needs they don’t care if he learns they simply try to avoid meltdowns .
I pushed him and saw results I wish I could home school permanently but I need to work too

member: 509240"]
One of my boys too. Jeez the first say 3 wks were non-stop hell. Every day he hummed & hawed and “But I don’t get it! Which part? All the parts...”. His twin who genuinely struggles (dyslexic etc etc etc) wraps everything up in an hour & he was sat there angry because he had to work.

Much of that3 weeks he had no electronics/TV/nada for the rest of the day... try again tomorrow... I can (and actually DO) do this ALL day long. Like a 10 year old can pull anything that my 15-17 year old students don’t try daily . He would NEVER do that at school. Teaching your own kids is brutal.
[/QUOTE]

 

[quandrea]

I think that one option to make the best of online learning is community schooling.
I don't think hundreds of students in a single building is a viable plan UNLESS the governments are willing to adjust to be safe and fund the required changes (no sign of that yet). Even then, outbreaks will happen.
What mostly failed in online education last year was motivation as well as problems with access. In Ontario, Ford's announcement at the very beginning that everyone gets an automatic pass was the biggest disincentive to giving effort I have ever heard. One of the dumbest things a politician ever said; and it was true, teachers were not allowed to evaluate any work that occurred after March 13, UNLESS it actually helped the student's mark. So free pass everybody!
So community schooling could solve a couple of issues; I am thinking like the one room schoolhouse. Small cohorts of students from a limited area would attend school at one neighbor's house (all grades together) allowing for social interaction with a small cohort of friends. That neighbor could be compensated by the government to oversee the children's education. Proper access to internet and devices would have to provided (also government subsidized); that is one of the biggest issues that many families faced - five kids and one laptop trying to share access and attend sessions at one time. The parent who takes on this role is intended to be a proctor/assistant, ensuring that students are putting in the effort; the teachers would still create the content. the proctor would ensure that students who need help with topics are actually reaching out to the professional teachers and would enable these interactions. This would also help with the unemployment problem for folks (like me) who are unable to find work during the COVID crisis.
This idea occurs to me because I live on a street with a "gang of 8". Kids from two families who have been a social circle since this was allowed (and probably a bit before as they struggled with social distancing when it was required). Having one parent oversee their education as a JOB would cost no more than the $2000/mo they are currently getting from government sources and would greatly enhance the economic recovery by allowing several other parents who still have jobs to concentrate on work, or actually go to work, during school hours. More people contributing, and contributing effectively.
If communities step up they can keep their young people healthy and educated and mentally stimulated while reducing the inherent risks that a large building filled with people presents.

This is the kind of innovative thinking we need! A Can do attitude, rather than throwing obstacles up all the time. These are crazy times that call for out of the box thinking and an acceptance that there is no return to normal. Why don’t you write the minister? Probably won’t help, but couldn’t hurt.

 

[bababear_50]

This is from the very analytical son who hated K-12 public school education but accelerated and enjoyed in College/University. Not married yet and no kids.
He is now a computer analyst.
He says "well why don't hey open the Hockey arena and hold the clases there ,,then the kids can take breaks skating" ?
There are washrooms and also a snack bar???? Hmmmmmm...Mmmmmm.
So I checked for rental rooms and yes it looks like due to recent renos the Hockey arena has rooms for rent,,,,Hmmmmm....Hmmmm.
Smart kid I raised.
And the Hockey arena is within walking distance to our school.

Room - Full	80-100
Room 1 - North	50
Room 2 - South	25-30
Room 3	30-45

So many ways that things can be done!

I just emailed my Principal with info and suggestions.

Hugs Mel

 

[bankr63]

This is the kind of innovative thinking we need! A Can do attitude, rather than throwing obstacles up all the time. These are crazy times that call for out of the box thinking and an acceptance that there is no return to normal. Why don’t you write the minister? Probably won’t help, but couldn’t hurt.

LOL - my very good public sector job in health innovation ended because the LAST thing this government wants to hear about is innovation and out of the box thinking. The millions of dollars my team was able to redirect from administration costs to front line health services meant nothing to them. Sorry still a little bitter about the current government. Ashamed I voted for change; thought it would be change for the better.

 

[quandrea]

LOL - my very good public sector job in health innovation ended because the LAST thing this government wants to hear about is innovation and out of the box thinking. The millions of dollars my team was able to redirect from administration costs to front line health services meant nothing to them. Sorry still a little bitter about the current government. Ashamed I voted for change; thought it would be change for the better.

Oh I’m not surprised by that. Just disappointed. This pandemic is extraordinary and doing things like we always have done them won’t work. Unfortunately, all I ever seem to hear is, “That won’t work...”

 

[bankr63]

Oh I’m not surprised by that. Just disappointed. This pandemic is extraordinary and doing things like we always have done them won’t work. Unfortunately, all I ever seem to hear is, “That won’t work...”

Interestingly enough, the following item just came across my newsfeed. Micro-School Article Apparently micro-schools are a burgeoning idea in the states. Very similar to what I proposed, but my idea of having it publicly supported takes away the main drawback identified. I also wouldn't suggest trying to remove teachers from school. I think professional educators should be teamed with the micro-schools and support a normal sized cohort virtually. More of a win-win all around IMO.

 

[TammyLynn33]

This is from the very analytical son who hated K-12 public school education but accelerated and enjoyed in College/University. Not married yet and no kids.
He is now a computer analyst.
He says "well why don't hey open the Hockey arena and hold the clases there ,,then the kids can take breaks skating" ?
There are washrooms and also a snack bar???? Hmmmmmm...Mmmmmm.
So I checked for rental rooms and yes it looks like due to recent renos the Hockey arena has rooms for rent,,,,Hmmmmm....Hmmmm.
Smart kid I raised.
And the Hockey arena is within walking distance to our school.

Room - Full	80-100
Room 1 - North	50
Room 2 - South	25-30
Room 3	30-45

So many ways that things can be done!

I just emailed my Principal with info and suggestions.

Hugs Mel

Don’t tell my hockey playing kids who are having a hard enough time getting ice right now lol . I can’t imagine telling them no hockey because your school will be there lol that might just send them over the edge lol

 

[pigletto]

I’m not sure how I didn’t think of this already, but something just occurred to me.
My 16 year old son has horrible seasonal allergies. When we went for the initial testing when he was 7, the paediatrician who did the test said he had one of the worst reactions he’s ever seen to ragweed. He got allergy shots for years and it’s better than it was but it’s still bad. We are on very strict regimen of allergy meds from late August to late October . I can tell if he’s even an hour late taking the medicine because he starts to sneeze and sneeze and sneeze and gets congested and his eyes get puffy and red etc. At that point he needs Benadryl to stop the reaction .

Anyway .. this complicates things a little . Would they have to isolate him and send him home from school if he started that reaction ? Surely if he’s coughing and sniffling and sneezing they can’t just take his word for it that it’s allergies ? At least a few times an allergy season we end up picking him up because the headache is so bad or he’s so congested. Then what ? Would he need a test before going back ?

This is all rhetorical I guess , because nobody knows what the protocol will be. Just another layer in the complicated decision that this is .

 

[tgropp]

I don’t think any of us who want our kids back in school thinks it’s our “saving grace”. And we know it won’t be the same. But yeah some kids who haven’t seen any friends in months just want to be back even if it’s not the same. Just because they can’t do all the things they used to doesn’t mean it’s not a better option for them then staying home.

I have started to notice a trend, many parents who think kids should stay home are quick to point out every little issue with kids going back to school. They make a huge deal out of things like “kids won’t get to play sports or see all of their friends”. Yet those things aren’t an issue with keeping kids home? How is that? It’s like they feel the need to justify not sending their kids. You don’t. We get it, and don’t judge you.

I would just like to point out that those of us who want our kids in school for various reasons are not stupid, we know all these things. We have thought long and hard about our decisions. We don’t sit here and point out all the reasons why keeping kids at home isn’t a good idea. So why do others feel the need to bring up every little issue with sending kids to school.

My son in law is the head of all skilled trades in a school board district. For the last three months they have been putting hand washing and hand sanitizing stations in the classroom along with partitions. Nothing is perfect but I find it ironic that a certain teachers union is fighting for online teaching which is exactly why they were striking last year. If every essential worker used this rational, the economy would have collapsed along with health care disappearing. I did my health care duties without getting sick. We were careful and pro active. To say that it’s on safe and refuse to work without even trying is unreasonable. I am not blaming teachers as they are the pawns in the game of chess between the teachers union and the provincial government. Very sad.

 

[Madame]

My son in law is the head of all skilled trades in a school board district. For the last three months they have been putting hand washing and hand sanitizing stations in the classroom along with partitions. Nothing is perfect but I find it ironic that a certain teachers union is fighting for online teaching which is exactly why they were striking last year. If every essential worker used this rational, the economy would have collapsed along with health care disappearing. I did my health care duties without getting sick. We were careful and pro active. To say that it’s on safe and refuse to work without even trying is unreasonable. I am not blaming teachers as they are the pawns in the game of chess between the teachers union and the provincial government. Very sad.

I’m not fighting for online. I hate online. Most kids hate online.

I’m going to post 2 photos I sent to a colleague at my former school as a kind of eye roll indicating that it was the same old same old. I changed schools in Feb and my room was in the same condition that the previous classroom was in - mouse crap everywhere (my old room had a cupboard of old magazines encrusted with mouse droppings and urine as they had been nesting in it for years obviously). Desks are NEVER cleaned unless I do it (rare if my boards get cleaned and when they do it’s with the floor broom), and in my new room the chairs get put up on the desks from the filthy floors. My old school about 7 years back seniors hot a master key and flipped every desk in every room (sigh). I wish I had taken a photo - Jesus the years of gum. I almost puked. My Mom was a custodian at my high school & I KNOW for a fact they scrapped that off every summer. Apparently not anymore

The ventilation is trash. The circulation is trash. So hot in the summer sweat dripping off me onto my kids’ desks if I lean over them to help. I spend most of the winter teaching in a winter coat - no word of a lieMy last school they were renovating the foyer and the asbestos I had been screaming about because of the broken asbestos floor tile in my room (lots of old schools around here have high incidents of teacher cancers....) was fully exposed..... Custodians had to sign something saying they wouldn’t sue and the whole damn thing was hushed up.

Brand new bottle filling stations upstairs shut down due to high lead that couldn’t be flushed out at a safe enough level. Washrooms locked because of vaping (2 were left open - 1 for each sex & God were they disgusting by the end of the day). The public has no clue what our work conditions are. I do not think that my schools are outside the norm.
Do you have these conditions at your place of work..? Cause, honestly, I don’t think these things will change in Sept. and I’m scared.

I used one baby wipe per desk (just the tops) - we are not permitted to use ANY chemicals ourselves.

This one is difficult to see - I tried to get a close up and of course it blurred but this was just one of my preps spent cleaning - the little black dots are mouse droppings.

So yeah. I’m a little concerned.

 

[tgropp]

I’m not fighting for online. I hate online. Most kids hate online.

I’m going to post 2 photos I sent to a colleague at my former school as a kind of eye roll indicating that it was the same old same old. I changed schools in Feb and my room was in the same condition that the previous classroom was in - mouse crap everywhere (my old room had a cupboard of old magazines encrusted with mouse droppings and urine as they had been nesting in it for years obviously). Desks are NEVER cleaned unless I do it (rare if my boards get cleaned and when they do it’s with the floor broom), and in my new room the chairs get put up on the desks from the filthy floors. My old school about 7 years back seniors hot a master key and flipped every desk in every room (sigh). I wish I had taken a photo - Jesus the years of gum. I almost puked. My Mom was a custodian at my high school & I KNOW for a fact they scrapped that off every summer. Apparently not anymore

The ventilation is trash. The circulation is trash. So hot in the summer sweat dripping off me onto my kids’ desks if I lean over them to help. I spend most of the winter teaching in a winter coat - no word of a lieMy last school they were renovating the foyer and the asbestos I had been screaming about because of the broken asbestos floor tile in my room (lots of old schools around here have high incidents of teacher cancers....) was fully exposed..... Custodians had to sign something saying they wouldn’t sue and the whole damn thing was hushed up.

Brand new bottle filling stations upstairs shut down due to high lead that couldn’t be flushed out at a safe enough level. Washrooms locked because of vaping (2 were left open - 1 for each sex & God were they disgusting by the end of the day). The public has no clue what our work conditions are. I do not think that my schools are outside the norm.
Do you have these conditions at your place of work..? Cause, honestly, I don’t think these things will change in Sept. and I’m scared.

I used one baby wipe per desk (just the tops) - we are not permitted to use ANY chemicals ourselves.
View attachment 514022
This one is difficult to see - I tried to get a close up and of course it blurred but this was just one of my preps spent cleaning - the little black dots are mouse droppings.
View attachment 514023
So yeah. I’m a little concerned.

Totally unacceptable. I would be more than upset. The resources are there for janitors to do their job. Hopefully you will get this resolved. NO ONE should have to work in those conditions

 

[Starwind]

I’m not sure how I didn’t think of this already, but something just occurred to me.
My 16 year old son has horrible seasonal allergies. When we went for the initial testing when he was 7, the paediatrician who did the test said he had one of the worst reactions he’s ever seen to ragweed. He got allergy shots for years and it’s better than it was but it’s still bad. We are on very strict regimen of allergy meds from late August to late October . I can tell if he’s even an hour late taking the medicine because he starts to sneeze and sneeze and sneeze and gets congested and his eyes get puffy and red etc. At that point he needs Benadryl to stop the reaction .

Anyway .. this complicates things a little . Would they have to isolate him and send him home from school if he started that reaction ? Surely if he’s coughing and sniffling and sneezing they can’t just take his word for it that it’s allergies ? At least a few times an allergy season we end up picking him up because the headache is so bad or he’s so congested. Then what ? Would he need a test before going back ?

This is all rhetorical I guess , because nobody knows what the protocol will be. Just another layer in the complicated decision that this is .

A possible help to your son's situation, which doesn't solve it entirely, but maybe could reduce the number of times it gets to the points where things flare up and become and issue...

The antihistamines I take are supposed to last 24 hours but only last 6-8 before there are noticeable symptoms like sneezing, coughing, tearing eyes, etc. NOt fun at the best of times when it happens mid-afternoon, but definitely not a good thing to be happening at work during covid. I take another antihistamine mid-day before the morning one wears off and if the timing is right they overlap enough to prevent the symptoms when the first wears off. The challenge is to remember to take it mid-day while you are busy with many other things. So I started doing some research...

I discovered that there are vibration alarms that are used for medication dosing reminders. They come in a variety of formats, including bracelets/wristbands that look like a small format Fitbit, watches, etc. IN fact, some of the activity trackers have built in vibration alarms that can be used for this purpose too. And many digital watches if only a single alarm needs to be set. I haven't gotten one yet because I have an added challenge that whatever I get can't have any wireless connection in it, but without that restriction there are lots of options. They make kid friendly ones too !!

In the meantime I have alarms set on my smartphone to remind me to take my meds at the right times. I usually don't hit snooze ;-)

As for the school's policy re: symptoms and what they will do, that is a conversation you will have to have with the school. Personally, *I* wouldn't be surprised if they err on the side of caution though. FWIW, I have read several media stories of people who have now recovered from covid who when they first got sick with it thought their symptoms were due to allergies until after a few days they got sicker and realized "not allergies". So I could see a school [or, in my case, a workplace] going "yep, it probably is allergies in your case, but we aren't taking the chance" because they have a duty of care to the safety of all their students/employees.

SW

 

[pigletto]

A possible help to your son's situation, which doesn't solve it entirely, but maybe could reduce the number of times it gets to the points where things flare up and become and issue...

The antihistamines I take are supposed to last 24 hours but only last 6-8 before there are noticeable symptoms like sneezing, coughing, tearing eyes, etc. NOt fun at the best of times when it happens mid-afternoon, but definitely not a good thing to be happening at work during covid. I take another antihistamine mid-day before the morning one wears off and if the timing is right they overlap enough to prevent the symptoms when the first wears off. The challenge is to remember to take it mid-day while you are busy with many other things. So I started doing some research...

I discovered that there are vibration alarms that are used for medication dosing reminders. They come in a variety of formats, including bracelets/wristbands that look like a small format Fitbit, watches, etc. IN fact, some of the activity trackers have built in vibration alarms that can be used for this purpose too. And many digital watches if only a single alarm needs to be set. I haven't gotten one yet because I have an added challenge that whatever I get can't have any wireless connection in it, but without that restriction there are lots of options. They make kid friendly ones too !!

In the meantime I have alarms set on my smartphone to remind me to take my meds at the right times. I usually don't hit snooze ;-)

As for the school's policy re: symptoms and what they will do, that is a conversation you will have to have with the school. Personally, *I* wouldn't be surprised if they err on the side of caution though. FWIW, I have read several media stories of people who have now recovered from covid who when they first got sick with it thought their symptoms were due to allergies until after a few days they got sicker and realized "not allergies". So I could see a school [or, in my case, a workplace] going "yep, it probably is allergies in your case, but we aren't taking the chance" because they have a duty of care to the safety of all their students/employees.

SW

Thank you ! That is an excellent idea and I think you are right . We usually have him keep extra meds in his bag in case he feels like one isn’t going to be enough , but I’m going to take your suggestion and just have him take it a second time at the 8 hour mark . He can set a reminder on his cell phone.
It’s almost impossible to distinguish it from a cold so I can definitely see it being an issue .

 

[bababear_50]

I’m not fighting for online. I hate online. Most kids hate online.

I’m going to post 2 photos I sent to a colleague at my former school as a kind of eye roll indicating that it was the same old same old. I changed schools in Feb and my room was in the same condition that the previous classroom was in - mouse crap everywhere (my old room had a cupboard of old magazines encrusted with mouse droppings and urine as they had been nesting in it for years obviously). Desks are NEVER cleaned unless I do it (rare if my boards get cleaned and when they do it’s with the floor broom), and in my new room the chairs get put up on the desks from the filthy floors. My old school about 7 years back seniors hot a master key and flipped every desk in every room (sigh). I wish I had taken a photo - Jesus the years of gum. I almost puked. My Mom was a custodian at my high school & I KNOW for a fact they scrapped that off every summer. Apparently not anymore

The ventilation is trash. The circulation is trash. So hot in the summer sweat dripping off me onto my kids’ desks if I lean over them to help. I spend most of the winter teaching in a winter coat - no word of a lieMy last school they were renovating the foyer and the asbestos I had been screaming about because of the broken asbestos floor tile in my room (lots of old schools around here have high incidents of teacher cancers....) was fully exposed..... Custodians had to sign something saying they wouldn’t sue and the whole damn thing was hushed up.

Brand new bottle filling stations upstairs shut down due to high lead that couldn’t be flushed out at a safe enough level. Washrooms locked because of vaping (2 were left open - 1 for each sex & God were they disgusting by the end of the day). The public has no clue what our work conditions are. I do not think that my schools are outside the norm.
Do you have these conditions at your place of work..? Cause, honestly, I don’t think these things will change in Sept. and I’m scared.

I used one baby wipe per desk (just the tops) - we are not permitted to use ANY chemicals ourselves.
View attachment 514022
This one is difficult to see - I tried to get a close up and of course it blurred but this was just one of my preps spent cleaning - the little black dots are mouse droppings.
View attachment 514023
So yeah. I’m a little concerned.

I have been waiting for someone to be brutally honest.
Everything you have stated is in my school or even worst.
Yeah just got another notice about the Asbestos removal today.(this one is a level 2).
We (staff) hide wipes because we are not supposed to use them but the desks are so filthy we do use them. Plus for god sake I have a kids who are medically fragile.
We also have those huge creepy crawly BIG bugs behind all the white boards and old chalk boards.
Spiders,ants and mice galore. (And not the Mickey Mouse kind).
My co workers were so worried that I'd pick up something in late Feb that they went into the classroom and used water and bleach on all the desks. I was due to have gallbladder surgery. A very close co worker has just been diagnosed with a spot on her lungs//this dx came during the Pandemic and she is still waiting for to see a specialist,,Dr says it's from Asbestos. I'm so worried about her.
Every tap in the school has to be run for 5-8 minutes every morning due to high lead content.
I do our classroom but I'm not sure who does the others?????or even if they get done.
Do not let your kids drink school water.
I take bottled water for my special needs kids as their families can't afford it.
https://globalnews.ca/news/6603235/ontario-schools-safe-water/
https://www.thestar.com/news/invest...rch-our-database-to-see-the-test-results.html
And just a note here**** Custodians get 7-8 minutes per room max, ,,I know this for a fact as my youngest son used to work for a board as an evening custodian while going to school.
They are dealing with old/rundown facilities that should have been shut years ago.
He said it was the worst job he's had in his life,,,thank-goodness University paid off for him.



So yeah I have little to NO faith that things will be safe.
I'm packing my go to bag!
And just so I get to vote--I hate online too!,,BUT I will do it if I have to.
Hugs
Mel

 

[pigletto]

I’m not fighting for online. I hate online. Most kids hate online.

I’m going to post 2 photos I sent to a colleague at my former school as a kind of eye roll indicating that it was the same old same old. I changed schools in Feb and my room was in the same condition that the previous classroom was in - mouse crap everywhere (my old room had a cupboard of old magazines encrusted with mouse droppings and urine as they had been nesting in it for years obviously). Desks are NEVER cleaned unless I do it (rare if my boards get cleaned and when they do it’s with the floor broom), and in my new room the chairs get put up on the desks from the filthy floors. My old school about 7 years back seniors hot a master key and flipped every desk in every room (sigh). I wish I had taken a photo - Jesus the years of gum. I almost puked. My Mom was a custodian at my high school & I KNOW for a fact they scrapped that off every summer. Apparently not anymore

The ventilation is trash. The circulation is trash. So hot in the summer sweat dripping off me onto my kids’ desks if I lean over them to help. I spend most of the winter teaching in a winter coat - no word of a lieMy last school they were renovating the foyer and the asbestos I had been screaming about because of the broken asbestos floor tile in my room (lots of old schools around here have high incidents of teacher cancers....) was fully exposed..... Custodians had to sign something saying they wouldn’t sue and the whole damn thing was hushed up.

Brand new bottle filling stations upstairs shut down due to high lead that couldn’t be flushed out at a safe enough level. Washrooms locked because of vaping (2 were left open - 1 for each sex & God were they disgusting by the end of the day). The public has no clue what our work conditions are. I do not think that my schools are outside the norm.
Do you have these conditions at your place of work..? Cause, honestly, I don’t think these things will change in Sept. and I’m scared.

I used one baby wipe per desk (just the tops) - we are not permitted to use ANY chemicals ourselves.
View attachment 514022
This one is difficult to see - I tried to get a close up and of course it blurred but this was just one of my preps spent cleaning - the little black dots are mouse droppings.
View attachment 514023
So yeah. I’m a little concerned.

That is appalling .
My sons grade 8 classroom was on the third floor of a building built in 1924. There was little to no air movement up there . It wasn’t unusual for it to be 37 or 38 degrees in the classroom in September or June . So many of these old buildings just aren’t equipped for the measures needed .

 

[bababear_50]

Interesting observation by family and friends............................
I have Rhinitis,,,,and allergies,,Pigletto I know what your son goes through and it's awful.
I can take up to 20mg of Reactine a day but prefer to try and keep it at 5mg.
Well I never get sick in the summertime. By the second week back to school I get sick.
Hmmmm makes one wonder.
Hugs
Mel

 

[FigmentSpark]

I have been waiting for someone to be brutally honest.
Everything you have stated is in my school or even worst.
Yeah just got another notice about the Asbestos removal today.(this one is a level 2).
We (staff) hide wipes because we are not supposed to use them but the desks are so filthy we do use them. Plus for god sake I have a kids who are medically fragile.
We also have those huge creepy crawly BIG bugs behind all the white boards and old chalk boards.
Spiders,ants and mice galore. (And not the Mickey Mouse kind).
My co workers were so worried that I'd pick up something in late Feb that they went into the classroom and used water and bleach on all the desks. I was due to have gallbladder surgery. A very close co worker has just been diagnosed with a spot on her lungs//this dx came during the Pandemic and she is still waiting for to see a specialist,,Dr says it's from Asbestos. I'm so worried about her.
Every tap in the school has to be run for 5-8 minutes every morning due to high lead content.
I do our classroom but I'm not sure who does the others?????or even if they get done.
Do not let your kids drink school water.
I take bottled water for my special needs kids as their families can't afford it.
https://globalnews.ca/news/6603235/ontario-schools-safe-water/
https://www.thestar.com/news/invest...rch-our-database-to-see-the-test-results.html
And just a note here**** Custodians get 7-8 minutes per room max, ,,I know this for a fact as my youngest son used to work for a board as an evening custodian while going to school.
They are dealing with old/rundown facilities that should have been shut years ago.
He said it was the worst job he's had in his life,,,thank-goodness University paid off for him.



So yeah I have little to NO faith that things will be safe.
I'm packing my go to bag!
And just so I get to vote--I hate online too!,,BUT I will do it if I have to.
Hugs
Mel

I just dug a little deeper for my son's school. It was one of the ones that tested as having high levels in a tap used for food prep back in 2018. The board's answer... flush the taps every day for the next 24 months. No filters necessary. Yay.