The Path to Reopening Schools

Nearly 27 million Americans are dependent on childcare to work, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. * Impact on Students' Learning and Thriving. Possible Reopening Strategies According to multiple sources, possible operational and physical spacing measures that could safely facilitate reopenin...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Curriculum Review 2020, Vol.59 (9), p.3-4
Format: Newsletterarticle
Language:English
Subjects:
Coronaviruses
Disorders
Education
Educational organizations
Elementary education
Elementary school students
English as a second language learning
Foot
Internet
Learning
Libraries
Low income groups
Native language acquisition
Parents & parenting
Physical Education
Reentry workers
Sanitation
School buildings
Schools
Special Needs Students
Students
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Summary:Nearly 27 million Americans are dependent on childcare to work, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. * Impact on Students' Learning and Thriving. Possible Reopening Strategies According to multiple sources, possible operational and physical spacing measures that could safely facilitate reopening include: * Staggering arrival, dismissal and recess schedules * Having students attend school on alternating days or weeks, with the rest of their learning happening remotely * Dividing students into cohorts (by grade, floor, etc.) to reduce level of contact * Altering activities, like physical education and lunch service, that lead to large clusters of students * Spacing desks at least six feet apart * Extending classrooms into unused gyms, libraries, art rooms, etc. * Having smaller classes * Nixing field trips and school assemblies * Selectively reopening for certain populations, such as seniors, students with special needs, low-income students needing access to Internet/devices, children of essential workers or elementary school students (to help address childcare concerns for parents) * Bringing back vulnerable students first for more one-on-one assistance * Having certain staff at higher risk for COVID-19 remain working from home * Installing floor markings to direct foot-traffic flows to maintain distance * Sectioning off common spaces * Installing plexiglass barriers * Designating entrances and exits for different student cohorts * Installing portable hand-sanitizing stations at entrances and common areas * Increasing the number of bus routes or organizing tliem by cohort to reduce proximity and exposure * Offering incentives for private transportation * Staggering lunch times and providing pre-boxed lunches that can be eaten in socially distanced spaces or at student desks * Doing temperature and wellness checks for anyone entering school campuses * Setting up quarantine facilities for students with fevers * Wearing masks * Scheduling frequent campus wide handwashing and sanitation * Enhancing surface cleaning at end of school day * Training students, parents and staff on health and sanitation practices Additional Needs Other needs to take into consideration, Education Week reported, will include: * Recruiting educators to meet new learning needs students may have after being away from in-person schooling * Preparing for possible future closures, should the coronavirus resurface * Determining effective ways to spend federal recovery funds targeting schools
ISSN:0147-2453
1944-9534