Well, hello there, Peeps!
It’s me, back again, musing on a Thursday abot the strange world we’re living in, especially the world of schools.
As you know, I’m not a huge fan of remote learning, and honestly, there are very few teachers worth their salt, who would honestly say they prefer the systems in place now, as opposed to face to face teaching.
I won’t wax lyrical again about the same thing, though.
A quick update. Week one was much smoother than I had imagined, and I embarked upon the calls for week two, as well as having students in the classroom, it being my turn this week. Aside from two parents who asked about the possibility of Zoom, or live lessons, everyone else was pretty happy. A few needed a little urging, again, to make sure they were helping their child to access learning, but there were at least a few who made a point of saying how happy they were with everything we were setting.
I’ve received photos of work, and even some wonderful videos of children demonstrating their learning. It warmed my heart!
Right. Update done.
What I was going to discuss today was the testing regime that has been suddenly flung into the picture today by the DfE for teachers in Primary School.
‘Apparently’, all Primary schools are going to be sent sets of Lateral Flow tests for school staff to utilise every day, if someone was to test positive, who was a possible close contact, I think, or maybe it’s a set of tests we are all to do every day? Still no clear guidance… surprised? I’m not!
So as long as you are getting negative tests, you keep coming in to work.
Though, these LF tests are around 50% accurate, so we may still end up in school, actually positive, but with a result that said negative…
And if you test postive? You have to go and get a proper test, and isolate for 10 days.
Here’s hoping that doesn’t mean we end up shutting schools, if the ‘inaccurate’ tests tell a whole staff, or the majority, that they are positive!
Oh, well, onwards and upwards, eh!
But I Smile Anyway... 
Jan 17, 2021 @ 16:09:11
Congratulations, Sis! In your words – like in Jennie’s too – managing the lockdown with electroic devices sounds like an easy, calming dow walk. You should listen to our officialsll, and teachers, here in Germany. This sounds like someone has throw the tablets from heaven to earth, without any sence. 😉 Michael
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Jan 17, 2021 @ 16:23:09
Thank you Bro… Nothing makes sense!
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Jan 18, 2021 @ 12:41:29
😉
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Jan 17, 2021 @ 14:06:43
The testing is unreliable here, too. We had our first teacher test positive. Up until now, there has not been a case of Covid in the school. So, that entire class has to quarantine for 14 days. The classroom was scrubbed and disinfected top to bottom. BTW, schools here have discovered the most amazing product, Force of Nature. It takes the place of bleach and soap & water – an all in one natural product. Look it up, it’s been a lifesaver for teachers and the big job of cleaning.
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Jan 17, 2021 @ 14:22:26
Sounds interesting. Is it something available here in the UK?
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Jan 18, 2021 @ 14:04:49
It is a dream come true for cleaning, and it’s all natural. I don’t know if it’s available in the UK. Google ‘Force of Nature’ and see.
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Jan 18, 2021 @ 14:34:50
Will do xc
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Jan 18, 2021 @ 14:41:39
🙂
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Jan 15, 2021 @ 06:31:12
This seems like being stuck within a hurricane of chaos.. What’s the solution really?
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Jan 15, 2021 @ 07:57:19
No one knows, and that’s the everyone is facing! 🙏🏽
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Jan 15, 2021 @ 05:04:17
Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet.
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Jan 14, 2021 @ 19:29:37
The situation is so unstable everywhere. Hang in, sis! Much love to you, dear 💖
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Jan 14, 2021 @ 19:45:08
Thank you, Sis. IT really is, but what can we do? Just praying and staying as safe as possible ❤
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Jan 15, 2021 @ 17:36:21
Yes, exactly!
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Jan 14, 2021 @ 17:39:26
Good luck. I taught an online class once, before Covid, when it was just an experimental thing I wanted to try. After I did it, I never wanted to again. Despite this negativity of mine, I think positive thoughts about working teachers every day. You all should be getting combat pay.
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Jan 14, 2021 @ 18:25:17
Thank you Cynthia 🙏🏽💜
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Jan 14, 2021 @ 16:55:01
Keep safe Ritu.
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Jan 14, 2021 @ 16:55:26
Trying, Di. Thank you 🤗
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Jan 14, 2021 @ 16:38:42
The efforts that all Educators are going through right now is awe inspiring…front line workers to be sure! I hope that you will have access to vaccinations soon so that you can movie forward more safely…bravo to you!
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Jan 14, 2021 @ 16:42:25
Thank you John 💜
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Jan 14, 2021 @ 15:12:15
What a three-ring circus, eh?
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Jan 14, 2021 @ 15:24:50
Totally, Sis 😖
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Jan 14, 2021 @ 10:57:28
This world gets crazier by the minute!
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Jan 14, 2021 @ 11:09:36
Truly 😖
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Jan 14, 2021 @ 10:51:21
Remote learning is a huge challenge for everyone. I find myself exhausted at times moving from one zoom or teams call to another. You just can’t beat face to face…
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Jan 14, 2021 @ 11:09:24
You can’t, we all agree…
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Jan 14, 2021 @ 10:38:20
It is just as Geoff says, but don’t give in ! You cannot worry about these tests what will be will be and no amount of worrying or stress will change that!
Our lad went back to work the day before yesterday still exhausted from the Covid, he works in close contact with lots of people and colleagues….. He told me he is just waiting for his phone to ping again. So I do understand your concerns. Hugs💜💜💜
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Jan 14, 2021 @ 11:08:35
The exhaustion is so much, I’ve heard from many x
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Jan 14, 2021 @ 18:12:12
It truly is ☺️☺️💜💜💜
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Jan 14, 2021 @ 08:43:18
It’s just trying to drive you bonkers. Life would be too easy without the DoE!!
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Jan 14, 2021 @ 10:30:47
So true… 🙄
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Jan 14, 2021 @ 07:36:22
Dear Ritu, everything seems so complicated… in none of any place nobody knows what to do best or right… once again I repeate the world almost is a big laboratory. In your field everything is so important, as in medical field… I hope all these points work as expected. You are admirable as medical persons… Education and health they are great subjects/fields for every country. Blessing to you all, teachers. Thank you, Love, nia
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Jan 14, 2021 @ 07:38:47
Thank you Nia. You are right that no one really knows what is happening… But we need to stay safe xx
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Jan 14, 2021 @ 07:41:37
yes, sure, STAY SAFE dear, I know you are off to hear this, but this is my wishes there is nothing I can do more… but I wished. Welcome, Love, nia
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Jan 14, 2021 @ 08:41:37
🤗🤗🤗
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Jan 14, 2021 @ 06:10:29
Why can’t they give teachers a vaccination. Surely that would be easier. Mind you, you can still get the virus and pass it on even if you’ve had the vaccination, so I suppose they have to keep testing.
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Jan 14, 2021 @ 07:02:11
Yup, and the vaccine programme is concentrating on the vulnerable first. Then, hopefully, in a wide scale, school staff will be added to the list of groups that need it quickly.
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Jan 14, 2021 @ 07:52:15
After the medical folks and the elderly get the vaccine in the United States, the teachers are next. The goal is to have students (where I live-it’s different everywhere) be back in school by the end of February.
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Jan 14, 2021 @ 08:42:07
💜 hope is that will be the plan, here, too.
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Jan 14, 2021 @ 05:33:18
Hang in there, Ritu! Thank you for being a caring teacher.
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Jan 14, 2021 @ 07:00:23
Thank you Pete. Nothing else but to carry on 🤗
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