Guidance on reopening of special schools/classes:

I'll try to do a summary of the different documents tomorrow, but first read through a few things that jumped out immediately.

Most is repeating information shared already. Appendix 1 is most of the new stuff

#edchatie

#1
➡️ Increased mitigation measures are surgical masks for staff and new guidelines in ventilation (windows open when not in class, partially open when in class)

➡️ No change in vaccination place for any staff currently

#2
➡️ Flexible work arrangements can be agreed by BOM. No guidelines on for who. These staff work remotely with pupils at home (by choice or on 50% off if in special schools)

➡️ Flexible arrangements in ARE substitutable

#3
But

In special classes in mainstream

➡️ School staff, teachers and SNAs already currently on staff should be substituting in the classes first.

So other mainstream staff potentially on call, or have to replace high risk/vulnerable staff in special class fully.

#4
➡️ Parents can choose to keep children home, and be marked present if engaging remotely.

@coleyduggs

#5
Nothing on the February provision programme, presumably coming separately

#6

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More from @CatrionaGolden

4 Feb
To lighten the mood & give insight into ehat I think perfectly sums up the DES I present a thread on my first (traumatic) experience of

"The Cluster Games"

(sometimes known as the clusterf**k)

* Other principals, please jump in here with your experiences *

#1

#edchatie
So, I came home from teaching abroad and got a principalship starting Sept 2018. Great! Busy, full on, a million jobs to get my head around, but all going well.

Then, February comes.

Oh SET allocations are out, great! No. Not great.

So begins "The Cluster Games"

#2
The DES releases allocations. You may think these look like a random assortment of hours and minutes for each school that make no sense. You would be right.

Here's a random sample, from Carlow.

First school on the list. That's 71.03 hours.

#3 Image
Read 16 tweets
4 Feb
Not actually that much in the documents so key points thread.

Supplementary Provision scheme:

➡️ Special school, special class & School support Plus in Mainstream eligible. Schools have flexibility to add to SSP taking into account current circumstances

#1

#edchatie Image
➡️ 20 hours over 4 weeks
➡️ Outside of school hours
➡️ Flexibility for catch up over Easter/Spring Break
➡️ Can be done by Teacher or SNA, rates in image

#2 Image
The school should :

➡️ Identify and inform eligible parents/children
➡️ If interested, fill out part 1 of form & pass on
➡️ Help to match school staff who volunteer with eligible pupils
➡️ Try to help find someone if possible if no school staff available
➡️ Send parents doc

#3 ImageImageImage
Read 6 tweets
4 Feb
Summary of Information Note on Leave

➡️ Parental Leave
➡️ Unpaid Leave
➡️ High risk
➡️ Pregnant

Only applies for this temporary interim period.

Underpinned by all just be BOM approved and they must ensure safe amount of staff on site.

#1
#edchatie
Parental Leave:

➡️ BOM may waive 6 weeks notice
➡️ BOM can approve a pattern of leave, less than one week blocks. E.g where staff are available some days but not others, with childcare.

#2 Image
Unpaid Leave:

Can waive requirements for notice

#3 Image
Read 7 tweets
4 Feb
Long summary of reopening schools docs from 3/02.

5 docs total
➡️ Letter to Principals
➡️ App1 -Framework for return
➡️ App2 -HSPC Guidance
➡️ App3 -Additions to COVID response plan needed
➡️ App4 -COVID response plan doc

All here:

#edchatie
#1

into.ie/2021/02/03/gui…
Letter to Principals:

➡️ 2 phases and dates confirmed again.
Special schools - 11th - 50%
Special classes - 22nd - 100%

➡️Circular to follow on staffing, parental leave etc (the parts people want info on 🙈)

➡️ Dicussions ongoing for further reopening

#2 ImageImageImage
Appendix 1: Framework for return

This is the meat of it, most of the new stuff is in here.

3 main areas
➡️ Risk mitigation and public health advice
➡️ Interim model incl flexible staffing
➡️ Sequencing and timeline

#3 Image
Read 23 tweets
3 Feb
PSSA @INTOnews vote, a thread.

So, I'm going to collate my thoughts here as I try to work through the deal & implications.

Please correct me if I have understood anything wrong!

I want to come to a decision myself today, but I haven't finalised it yet.

#edchatie

#1
My context, because this will appeal to different people for different reasons

How this impacts me:
➡️ Old payscale
➡️ New pension
➡️ Teaching Principal (benchmarking/ workload changes)

#2
Basis for the info for the thread

➡️ INTO Webinar & comms
➡️ Glór Webinar
➡️ @anseo podcast
➡️ The agreement itself (skimmed & in parts)
➡️ Other people's posts/tweets and chatting with colleagues

#3
Read 18 tweets
26 Jan
Long one: Live lessons, Equity, Access & Remote Learning

The demands for live learning and claims that it is the best option, or the only real teaching, or the closest to "normal" are getting louder the longer this goes on. Frustrated parents looking for support.

#edchatie

#1
Absolutely understandable. Trying to navigate remote learning, apps, downloads, printables & support your child while working yourself at home, or outside is not just hard, for many it's impossible.

Each family sees this through their own lens, from their own perspective

#2
But, for every voice we hear saying "live lessons are the best" "live lessons are the only way" I worry about the voices we're not hearing.

Lots of things vary family to family, and for some live would be the best, but here are some overarching things we do know for sure

#3
Read 14 tweets

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