Dance #writephoto (and a socs rant…)

14 May 2020 58 Comments

by Ritu in #WritePhoto Tags: , , , , , , , ,

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…

https://scvincent.com/2020/05/14/thursday-photo-prompt-dance-writephoto/

58 Comments (+add yours?)

  1. Trackback: Photo prompt round-up: Dance #writephoto | Sue Vincent's Daily Echo

  2. Liz Gauffreau
    May 20, 2020 @ 01:18:03

    I agree with John. It’s a mess. You’re justified in your rant.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  3. memadtwo
    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)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  4. Trackback: Dance (and a socs rant) ~ Ritu Bhathal #writephoto | Sue Vincent's Daily Echo

  5. OIKOS™-Publishing
    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

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  6. thereluctantpoet
    May 16, 2020 @ 01:35:04

    Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  7. judeitakali
    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

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  8. TanGental
    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.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Ritu
      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!

      Like

      Reply

  9. willowdot21
    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.💜💜

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  10. petespringerauthor
    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.😊

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Ritu
      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?

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  11. Elber Oum
    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 🌹🙈

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  12. pranabaxom
    May 15, 2020 @ 00:38:14

    But when is the first belly dance😊?
    How is the lock down going? Stay safe and take care.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  13. potatosandwich
    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.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  14. Rebecca Moon Ruark
    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!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Ritu
      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?

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  15. keen2show
    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)…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  16. keen2show
    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…?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Ritu
      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…

      Like

      Reply

  17. trentpmcd
    May 14, 2020 @ 20:05:35

    Wow, sounds like a real headache. I hope you, and all of the kids, stay safe.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  18. Sue Vincent
    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.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  19. pensitivity101
    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

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  20. johnrieber
    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.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Ritu
      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…

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      • johnrieber
        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

        Liked by 1 person

      • Ritu
        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!

        Liked by 1 person

  21. John W. Howell
    May 14, 2020 @ 18:36:12

    What a mess, Ritu. Social distancing is impossible.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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