Returning to School During COVID-19
For families deciding about the return to school, here are our thoughts:
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Each family needs to start with their context at home.
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Do we have high risk members and routine contacts?
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Do we have the ability to do home, hybrid or “at-school” learning?
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Ability is an expansive term - do we have the work flexibility, the means (time, support and mental resilience) to do a specific method?
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What is my school/school district doing/offering?
We STRONGLY ENCOURAGE ALL TEACHERS AND STAFF WEAR MASKS as well as children. -
How do schools locally adjust to our current conditions? What contingency plans exist for changes when COVID-19 illness increases?
Based on your family’s view on the above considerations here is a summary of guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics:
-In school learning has advantages
-The role of children and adolescents in spreading COVID-19 appears to be low
-Children may be less likely to become infected and spread infection with COVID-19
Of note:
Policies to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 with school must be BALANCED with the known harms to children, adolescents, families and the community by keeping children home.
How to Keep Schools Safe
-Clean/disinfect high touch surfaces
-Wash Hands
-Desks 3-6 feet apart
-Fewer students and staff in the classroom
-Reduce moving classrooms of students. For example, consider moving teachers to different rooms.
-Lunches at desks
-Use outdoor spaces
-Masks for all adults and older students
-Flexibility to go virtual during surge of infection
Resources:
From the American Academy of Pediatrics - https://services.aap.org/en/pages/2019-novel-coronavirus-covid-19-infections/clinical-guidance/covid-19-planning-considerations-return-to-in-person-education-in-schools/
From HealthyChildren.org - https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/COVID-19/Pages/Return-to-School-During-COVID-19.aspx