The Prepping Thread - A Newer Beginning ;)

euronorris

Elaine, it's a tough and scary decision I know. But previous posters are right, you need more info. My experience with our local nursery (and the school it is attached to), is that they school is understanding and supportive of that, and openly encouraged questions. They sent us a survey where we could indicate our initial thoughts, and raise questions. Once the deadline for completing the survey had passed, the school collated their answers and issued them to everyone together with further info on how they would be implementing distancing etc etc. Hopefully their school will do something similar.

We chose, initially, to send DD back this week (to nursery). But in light of a local outbreak here, and my antibody test coming back negative, we called in on the first day and said we'd changed our minds. They were absolutely fine with this. So, remember that you can always change your mind too. It's worth considering, that with going back from start of July, they'd only have/or miss, about 3 weeks of school anyway before the summer holidays wouldn't they? So I certainly wouldn't worry from a 'missed education' perspective. Not sure if the timings are different in Wales or not.

monnagran

I have read your post Moneyseeker, or whatever you are calling yourself this week, with incredulity.
As a retired Headteacher and mother of sons I can assure you that teenage boys are not fully cooked, and incapable of making the sort of life and death decisions that you are advocating.
Elaine is very properly concerned about her sons'  safety and well-being, as well as the safety and well-being of those they come into contact with.  She is seeking advice and reassurance from people who might have some experience and support to offer her.  This is not a decision about whether they should wear a raincoat if it is showery or excused games if they have a cold.  These are life and death decisions whether you accept that or not.

Given the option of my sons resenting me for ever because I caused them to miss a few weeks of schooling and blitzed their chances of a rewarding career, and taking the risk of them being dead, or causing the death of someone else, I know what I would choose.  But then I am not in that position so wouldn't be entitled to tell those who are what they should do.

Money, it might be an idea to confine yourself to speaking about things that are within your own experience and leaving your opinions to gather dust in some forgotten place.  You are running the risk of, at best making yourself look ridiculous, and at worst causing some very real hurt and damage.

-taff

What she said ^ with more eloquence and less swearage than I would have done.

TheCheerleader

Elaine, I also live in Wales 🙃 and listened to Kirsty Williams yesterday. 

She said only 1/3rd of each class would be returning at any one time, staggering attendance throughout the week, so approx 10 children in a class.
There will be only one child to a desk and lunch eaten in the classroom, playtimes rotated.

I think it’s important for the teacher to ‘touch base’ with pupils before the end of the year, as I am really concerned about some children’s well-being. The WAG want a dry run of how this will work during the summer while the virus is less prevalent, so they can iron out any logistical problems before a return in September. 

She also stated that there will be no fines for non-attendance, so ultimately it is up to individual parents to weigh up their own risk. Hope this is of some help to you. 

nannywindow

Elaine as you know I too live in Wales. My DD is a primary teacher and her DH a secondary maths theacher. This news seemed to come as a complete surprise to them and to others too. I have 2 DGC in primary school, a different one to DD and I'm worried about all of them. I believe that this is, as Thecheerleader says, probably a dummy run for September, but I don't like my loved ones being treated as guinea pigs. I have just spoken to SiL and he says there won't be any teaching anyway as such and it's going to be a logistical nightmare trying to organise. ( his school has over 1000 pupils, DD's has 400 plus and very small classrooms) I hope that this will help you and no one should think ill of you for choosing either way. Feel free to PM me at any time.

nan

prepareathome

I am concerned at how often I heard those in authority go on about how important it is children return to school as the loss of their education now will be so bad for their future.  They make it sound as if children only have a certain time to complete their education and then that's it, thrown on the scrapheap if they have not got x number of A'Levels or whatever your education authority calls the higher qualifications by 18.

As some of you know we were brought our granddaughter age 13 whom due to her own mental health, from her past life, she was diagnosed with PTSD,  was unable to go to school for two years and then went to a hospital school rather than a normal school to help her get back into education.  Many children have to take time out from school due to health problems and it does not stop them from gaining qualifications and succeeding in life.  All this meant that by the time she was 16 she was at Year 5 level so she then went to college and spent normal two years studying for GCSEs then another two for A'Levels which meant she only went to University last year age 20.

The fact she was two years older than what is seen as normal age for any of these stages has not had any effect on her accessing education and at both college and university, the mix of ages of those doing the same level subjects does not affect how they treat each other or how these educational establishments treat them.   Peer groups might seem important in school but nowhere else and if schools stay closed because of the virus then all the peer groups will be at the same level.

I just wanted to throw this out in case anyone is wondering should they keep their child home or not because they are worried about them falling being their peers, yes during school time it might seem hard but at 16 they can go to college and the ages there range from 16 to 90 and the same at University if they decide to go on to Higher Ed.   I know its not something that really should be considered but just thought I would mention it. 

elaine241

Thank you all of your comments. As you may know we live on a farm with shielding FIL and MIL on a neighbouring farm. Both of my boys have flourished in lock down as they have been learning so many new skills  associated with the farm and machinery work. Both drive tractors on the farm and have been mowing, tedding, chain harrowing, rolling etc and have gained experience and confidence. The online google classroom has worked really well and they do knuckle down and get on with their work despite the distractions. Older son is incredibly academic ( without really trying!) and can do his work with one eye trained on a you tube video at the same time! The younger one has had issues around dyslexia in the past although we have not had him formally assessed. The older one is brilliant with his brother and has patience and a calm attitude which I unfortunately do not! He has led by example and then helped the younger one when he gets stuck.
I am awaiting the schools proposals as the main building is a very old manor house with some very small classrooms. I have yet to make my mind up regarding if or when they go back to school. Both boys have expressed worries about the ability to social distance and stay safe, saying their mates may well not take it seriously. They have to get a bus to school and again I have concerns about how this will work.They are missing their friends , both have sports they play outside of school and are missing their team mates as well as their class mates. At the moment it is a wait and see scenario although my gut feeling is to keep the status quo and continue the online work. After the worrying discussion re a second wave with my friend who works in a Bristol hospital I feel that it is too soon. Apparently the end of June was the second choice for the chief medical officer and that he wanted a mid August return to give it more time. The mid August date was rejected by teaching unions although I can not reason why! I don't want my children used as a trial run to see if the precautions they put in place work; I would rather take a "wait and see what happens in the community" stance first. Watch  this space!

Nonnadiluca

A couple of thoughts re return to school : why not just bring the summer holidays forward,  start now and look to go back in August by which time things might be a bit clearer?
Why the rush to get 4 and 5 year olds back first? In most other countries, particularly the Scandinavian countries which all have far better educational outcomes than the UK, children don't start formal education until 6 or 7. 
As a parent and grandparent I'd say definitely trust your instincts! 

Wraithlady

MingVase said:

Wraithlady if things go to custard then there will be no local veg box... better plan without it.

Well, as it's a local farmer with his family running it, I'm hopeful, as short of the majority of them getting Covid 19 at once, I would be surprised if it was interrupted.

Also,I have tomato plants, mangetout and a few onions planted, I also seem to have a stray courgette plant I don't remember sowing, not to mention the fruit - the raspberries are going genteely beserk!

If it comes down to it, we would probably survive on what we have, for a good month or two, even without the veg box. It's just less restrictive with it!

Onebrokelady

Living_proof said:

euronorris said:

OMG!! I had forgotten about the Wrights Coal Tar Burner! We had one too. Wow, that took me back. I am always amazed at the things some people remember from their childhood with ease, that I had forgotten about completely until they mention it. I remember the smell distinctly!

OK euro, I have another one for you of the same sort of time. How about the dreaded Virol? I can to this day remember with a shudder the vile taste and texture. My mother had an enormous tin of it in the larder and every morning without fail we were made to have one gloopy disgusting teaspoon of the stuff to keep the germs away. I am guessing it was vitamin B of some kind, but I am sure someone will know and maybe even liked the stuff!

Omg,I still remember the horror of Virol, my mum also dosed me up with Minedex vitamin syrup and a weird substance that looked like mint sauce but tasted like some sort of herb,it even had leaves floating round in it