Apple muncher's number crunching

apple_muncher

I am keeping a close eye on you guys up there. You must feel like guinea-pigs...

Anyone else noticed that schools are all expected to implement govt polucy with no extra money being allocated to them..?

apple_muncher

The study that 'shows' that pupils are more likely to catch covid at home than in school was carried out in June. June, eh? Wasn't that when only a few primary years went back, in bubbles of 15. After being in full lockdown already for over 2 months... Not quite the same as every year group in full class sizes (of 30ish)... And after a few months of out-and-abouting and more mixing... And surely any study carried out then included all the key worker children, so of course the virus was potentially around more at home, methinks...

Ah well. I still hold to being sensible and keeping safe, so I'll not be approaching any germy children!! Or germy teachers!!!

greent

I think children need to go back - but I think that class sizes, room sizes, coreifor and stairway issues, shared equipment etc all make it very difficult. The costs which schools are incurring to ensure they are ready are certainly increasing- and yes, sadly with no funding. Teaching styles will need to be adapted and it wont be anywhere near what the students are used to at the schools I work in - it will be a sadder place, I think. 

I dont know what is the correct course of action, but I personally  would like to see some scaling back of other things that have reopened to ensure schools reopening stand the best chance of being successful. 

apple_muncher

greent said:

I dont know what is the correct course of action, but I personally  would like to see some scaling back of other things that have reopened to ensure schools reopening stand the best chance of being successful. 

Indeedy!!!

apple_muncher

To mask, or not to mask. That is the question... Frankly, I don't mind. Just stop focussing on it and distracting people from the bigger issues...

I've been back to the gym, along with my swollen knees. They are no worse than before I went, so I shall go again tomorrow, keeping the focus on other body parts. Dodgy ankles, swollen knees. Hmmm. It is working its way up my body!

Taking dd to meet a friend in a local park tomorrow. Last time it was beautifully sunny so us 4 mums sat on the grass and chatted. It won't quite be the same tomorrow though...! Hope it is at least dry...

Did a little school work today - bits for my appraisal. I've got the paperwork to fill in: did you meet targets -why/not; new targets; proof of wonderfulness... My draft targets are:

1)to check the knowledge gap for my y11s and do summat about it [they haven't fallen behind, though we do need to focus on listening and speaking skills - even though their speaking grade will be teacher assessed next year]

2)to take a trip abroad [all overnight sch trips are banned at the mo, so I can't do this one!] I think I'll suggest setting up a penfriend scheme for any senior pupils who want it, but push it with y9+...

Dd has got on with some schoolwork too and now has just 3 subjects to go over before term starts. Go her!

apple_muncher

We had great weather for meeting in the park - phew. Dd + friend skateboarded (friend's dad left his behind as he needed to go home to work (I forget other people have to work from home during the hols)). So dd learned to skateboard for a few hours. It is her new love. So we discussed earning a skateboard rather than waiting for Cmas. unsurprisingly she has done her research and found a board already! So I've bought it [special offer and only 2 left] ready to be earned.

Day 1 of 30 of Yoga with Adriene has been done. I am totally unable to sit cross-legged. Not even a little bit. Nor kneel with the tops of my feet flat on the floor.

More schoolwork accomplished. More to do, of course...

apple_muncher

Just read this from TfL.

'We're also planning to prioritise some of our bus services for school travel. Government guidance allows for all seats to be occupied on these 'school services', doubling their capacity, which is currently limited due to necessary social distancing.'

07.30-09.30 + 14.30-16.30. I am not surprised at the change on full occupancy... But what about standees? They reckon there are 250,000 pupils using the buses in Lunnon... 600 school routes might not be enough...

Also:

'We ask that schoolchildren travelling without adult's travel on the designated school services where these are provided, in order to help ensure space for customers on other services.

We will continually review how our network is operating to ensure our approach is working and meeting demand as best as possible. Check this page regularly for the latest information on our services and safer travel guidance.

By doing all of this we will help increase capacity and free up other buses for other customers including your staff, and also help enable London's young people to make safe and reliable journeys to and from school.'

I do hope that it works...

apple_muncher

I am very glad not to be out in the downpour. And to have a safe, warm, dry place to be.

apple_muncher

I was supposed to be going swimming with dd this morning, but when she woke up, she didn't want to go. So I quickly cancelled that booking and made one for the gym! Then I took 2 bags to the Sally Army and did a liddle shop. And was only out for grand total of 100 mins.

Managed to remove some of the roots of a bush thingy that's been growing between 2 drains up against the front wall for far too long and got some strong plantkiller on the rest. Then it rained. Then it poured...

Day 3 of yoga got done. I skipped day 2 as it started with 5 mins of kneeling down/proper bent knees. Neither of which I can do at the mo... I hope to finish the 30 days by the end of Sept. Should be doable, especially if I keep skipping a day!

Karmacat

You're really keeping busy, apple!  Erm, I hope the downpour didn't wash off the plantkiller?  And ditto being glad that I've not been out in it.