Sue’s #WritePhoto prompt this week:
Partners bowing down While facing one another Ready to perform Their first dance, after a break But, can they keep their distance? Ritu 2020
Today’s poem is less about dancing and more about my thoughts as we are preparing for maybe going back into school come June 1st.
I am a Reception teacher, the 4-5 year olds, and they, along with Year One and Year Six pupils, have been suggested as the first classes to head back to school when the time is right.
My first thoughts?
How on earth can we socially distance thirty 4-5 year olds (x2) in a classroom, and outside at playtime?
Apparently, by halfing the class numbers… and using other teachers to take smaller groups, staggering drop off and pick up times and playtimes and eating lunch in our classrooms.
Will we get PPE?
No, because the govt doesn’t think it’s worth it. (But at least my head has ordered some things, just in case.) Seems that as it is nigh on impossible to socially distance them, what’s the point? Oh, and they are less likely to suffer from COVID-19… Actually they are more likely to be asymptomatic carriers… So they may not suffer… but what about us?
Am I going to bring it back into my home?
This is the scariest part. I can’t see other members of our family, they can’t even meet their own grandparents, but we can mix as a teacher with her class. Then we all go home, and there is the potential of infecting our own loved ones, if someone in that group is carrying the infection asymptomatically.
Do I want to go back?
This is a really tough one. I desperately miss my class, and I am anxious because I know there are many who are going to be falling behind in their learning. But, are we safe? We are trying to keep abreast of learning by using online methods, but these things are not as easy for the younger children. Older kids can access the online learning much easier than the little ones. They need practical, hands on activities to help them learn. So, for my babies education sake, I do want to go back, but I am not wholly convinced yet, that it is right.
Quite honestly, I feel like a guinea pig. Are the government sending us back first, to see what happens? If a few extra children and teaching staff fall ill and/or die, will that be the cue for them to decide to close again?
I’m not sure I want to be a guinea pig…
But I Smile Anyway... 
May 20, 2020 @ 01:18:03
I agree with John. It’s a mess. You’re justified in your rant.
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May 20, 2020 @ 07:56:33
Thanks, Liz. Currently being stoic, because I cant do much more, though I had an epic migraine and meltdown on Monday…
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May 20, 2020 @ 23:36:36
I pray that you, your coworkers, your students, and your family come through this all right.
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May 20, 2020 @ 23:55:39
Thank you 🥰
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May 18, 2020 @ 13:22:19
This is such a dilemma…if there was only some kind of planning, some kind of logic. You are right. They are figuring it out with our lives on the line. (K)
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May 18, 2020 @ 16:26:54
And we, as schools, have to plan for the eventuality, whether we’re ready or not…
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May 17, 2020 @ 16:01:02
Sorry Sis, was a little bit distanced from time too. 😉 Wonderful poem, remembers me on someone wants to do belly dancing for the community. 😉
Reopening of the schools on June 1.does not sound optimal.But keeping that at bay could work. Ever thought of shipping boxes? Lol
Large shipping boxes with holes for head, feet and arms.
Or as I saw the other day in a documentary from China. Caps with 1.5 m long distance warnings (PVC rods or similar) on each of the four sides. For innovations will be no borders, these days. 🙂 Best wishes, Michael
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May 17, 2020 @ 16:02:11
Yea bro. I saw those caps! Actually sent the pic to.ky manager as a joke suggestion 🤣
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May 17, 2020 @ 17:03:23
Lol Maybe jokeful, but otherwise you have not small adults, only children. 😉
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May 17, 2020 @ 18:37:30
Lol!
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May 17, 2020 @ 19:12:52
:-))
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May 16, 2020 @ 01:35:04
Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet.
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May 15, 2020 @ 18:56:01
I love the poem. Looks like you’re going to have to play this situation by ear. Pray and be steadfast my friend. And mostly, find more happiness in doing what you know you want to do
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May 15, 2020 @ 18:59:07
Thank you. I enjoy teaching… But this situation brings it’s own challenges.
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May 15, 2020 @ 21:33:05
Yes that’s true
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May 15, 2020 @ 08:18:41
I agree you cannot possibly socially isolate 2 nursery age children let alone a class of them unless you tie them down. And your anxiety of asymptomatic carrying is entirely reasonable. I’d hope schools allow you to make a conscience decision if the central decision is to go ahead, because it would be intolerable when the disease is still rife to force a decision. But with government decisions it will be a blunt instrument so who knows. All the best, lovely.
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May 15, 2020 @ 08:26:03
Thank you, His Geoffleship.
It doesn’t help when the management are also faces with conflicting advice and guidelines, from the govt, and the Local Authority.
And this is before the Academy Trust take decisions!
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May 15, 2020 @ 06:55:15
Hi Sis I commented on here last night , I admit I was tired did my comment not come through or worse did it upset you. I was definitely supportive.💜💜
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May 15, 2020 @ 08:24:12
Sis, you never upset me 💜💜💜
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May 15, 2020 @ 06:17:03
Your concerns are valid, and I’m sure the same for most people. The (CSU) California State University system announced the cancellation of fall sports yesterday, and it looks like the plan will continue to be distance learning for many classes. There are plenty of states already reopening here in various stages, although I’m not aware of any schools reopening yet.
The poem makes me think of going to my first dance in junior high. Despite all of the raging hormones, most of us remained socially distant because we didn’t have a clue about girls.😊
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May 15, 2020 @ 08:23:45
He he! You know, I never went to a formal dance, with a date, until we’ll into university.💜
Decisions to open things up will be tough, but I really don’t see how opening schools and the youngest children in first, would be the best?
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May 15, 2020 @ 05:45:42
It’s a time whrn no one knows what’s exactly the right thing to do … please stay safe 🌹🙈
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May 15, 2020 @ 08:22:14
Precisely that, and I’m.nkt sure I’m like the thought of my profession, and our pupils being the guinea pigs!
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May 15, 2020 @ 00:38:14
But when is the first belly dance😊?
How is the lock down going? Stay safe and take care.
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May 15, 2020 @ 08:21:13
I tell you what, lock down is really helping me to cultivate the right belly 🤣
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May 15, 2020 @ 14:44:32
Oh no. I did not mean that belly dance🙏
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May 15, 2020 @ 15:25:31
He he. Hope you’re well, Pranab
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May 15, 2020 @ 15:26:41
Trying to keep my belly under control 😀
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May 15, 2020 @ 15:31:27
Aren’t we all 🤣
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May 15, 2020 @ 15:34:10
😀😀
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May 14, 2020 @ 22:39:34
Some very testing times when thinking of going back…tricky call but confident you’ll make the right decisions.
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May 14, 2020 @ 22:52:10
If only it were in our hands… I fear the ones making the decisions have no clue…
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May 14, 2020 @ 20:33:15
It is scary, Ritu. Especially since, here, they’re talking about the kids maybe not going back to school as usual until January 2021! June is a lot sooner than January. I understand it’s hard to teach little ones remotely. Of course, back when we were little, a lot of kids didn’t even get an organized education until kindergarten or even 1st grade. But most parents are working, so, if the government wants to get things back up and running, someone’s got to care for the kids. It makes me nervous it’s you–but if anyone is smart and savvy and conscientious enough, it’s you!
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May 14, 2020 @ 20:45:50
Personally I think they should just repeat this year again for all students, across the board…
Come the new academic year. And we can still be there for keyworker children…
But who knows how this will pan out?
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May 14, 2020 @ 20:25:44
-Can they show their true feelings…? -But also keep their distance…? -But isn’t love always this tricky…? -The route of lesser resistance(s)…
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May 14, 2020 @ 20:35:06
But still not safe…
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May 14, 2020 @ 20:21:46
I sympathise that kids want to go to school, but the authorities/Government aren’t letting us send them definitely safely… -if only they were smarter at setting up routines that don’t endanger us (-them), instead of almost dying of Covid themselves (-like boss-man Boris did…). Can’t the school, or parents improvise something extra…?
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May 14, 2020 @ 20:34:18
Aside from online learning?
It is hard. Have you ever been in a classroom with primary children?
They can’t social distance… And my age group… They’ll be distressed at the changes, and still, we won’t be able to comfort them…
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May 14, 2020 @ 20:05:35
Wow, sounds like a real headache. I hope you, and all of the kids, stay safe.
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May 14, 2020 @ 20:07:25
Thank you, Trent. It is so tough… What is right? No one knows…
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May 14, 2020 @ 20:10:13
I don’t how bad it is in the UK, but it is far too early here. Even September might be pushing it…
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May 14, 2020 @ 20:14:47
It’s bad here, considering the size of the country… I wonder when there will be any normality…
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May 14, 2020 @ 19:55:31
Frankly, this whole debacle is getting ridiculous. We can have workmen in our homes… touching everything with no guarantees of cleanliness! But we can’t see more than one member of our families or friends… and can’t go into their homes.
None of this has been thought through with any degree of common sense.
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May 14, 2020 @ 19:58:53
You’re telling me, Sue…
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May 14, 2020 @ 18:57:56
I don’t know how they’re going to keep social distancing in the office, let alone a school.
Makes me glad I’m retired. Keep safe Ritu
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May 14, 2020 @ 19:08:32
Thank you, Di. I am trying my hardest… who knows what’s going to happen. x
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May 14, 2020 @ 19:10:38
It’s difficult for everyone, but even more so for those on the frontline. Personally, I think it’s too early and not enough thought has gone into the preparation for this.
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May 14, 2020 @ 19:15:49
We are left, or rather our leadership teams are, trying to see how we can make this work in our schools. My head has been inundated with paperwork since Monday with pages of documents and guidance, and guidelines… not to mention. parents wanting to know what is happening, and then the Academy Trust board need to meet to make an Academy-wide decision… it is not easy at all, Di…
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May 14, 2020 @ 20:22:25
No, something TPTB just don’t appreciate.
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May 14, 2020 @ 20:34:33
😢😢😢
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May 14, 2020 @ 18:43:07
You are being honest: no matter how much you try, it’s simply not going to be possible to practice safe “social distancing” – so the hope is that no one has the virus – and no one at their individual homes do either – and NO ONE in this now ever-widening ring of possible contacts will interact with anyone, at any time, who does…you have every right to be concerned.
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May 14, 2020 @ 18:54:29
I know our teaching unions are trying hard to reason with the government, and head teachers are trying hard to create systems that might work… But until the government get their heads our of the sand, we are like putty in their hands…
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May 14, 2020 @ 19:10:25
Yes, there needs to be a more reasoned discussion – this feels a bit premature and trying to appease parents and businesses
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May 14, 2020 @ 19:14:09
I’m not even sure it’s parents. Many of them are not happy to send their children back, yet. But economically, if there is no one to look after the children, then how are the workers going back to work?
Oh, it is so tough, John!
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May 14, 2020 @ 18:36:12
What a mess, Ritu. Social distancing is impossible.
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May 14, 2020 @ 18:52:46
It is a proper mess, John…
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