A New Way Back to School
The phrase “back to school” takes on a whole new meaning this year because of the Covid-19 pandemic. In previous years, parents had to contend with getting the usual supplies that included notebooks, pencils, and backpacks. This year the needed supplies include masks, eye protection, and hand sanitizers! Despite the challenges presented by the pandemic, experts agree it is important that children get back into the classroom for academic, developmental, and social reasons. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) strongly promotes that all policies developed this year for school reopen has children in the classroom. However, the AAP is also saying that the reopen guidelines should be flexible and responsive to viral transmission in the school and in the community.
COVID-19, Children and Transmission
In the information that was recently released from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in August, children were shown to account for 7.3% of the Covid-19 cases in the U.S., while making up 22% of the overall population. The recent trends are showing that the number of cases in children has increased from March to July and with school reopening, these numbers can increase further. The CDC has also reported that children can carry high levels of viral load in their nasopharynx and they can effectively transmit the virus to others. This has implications for bringing the virus home to elderly family members and passing it on to teachers. Since mid-August, school openings in the U.S. have already had challenges with children testing positive for Covid-19, forcing the quarantine of exposed students and teachers and in some cases causing classes to be suspended.
Staying Safe at School
So many parents and teachers are wondering, “what will the first day of school look like amidst this pandemic and what will we need to do to safeguard our kids?” The August cover of New York Magazine, (August 3-16, 2020) has a startling picture of a middle-schooler in full PPE to make the point of proper protection for our students.
Given this information, state leaders and school boards throughout the country have been wrestling with how to implement infection prevention guidelines from the CDC safely and make them work in their school community. Parents are also struggling with making the decision on whether to return their children to the classroom or continue with online school. Many parents will be making these important decisions based on their child’s physical and academic needs, and, also based on the level of virus in their community.
Guidance from the Experts
Organizations such as the CDC, The National Association of School Psychologist (NASP,) and the AAP have issued extensive guidance for the return to school to assist school boards, teachers, and parents in making decisions about school reopening and providing guidelines for a safe return. The overall strategy for the reopen plans is that the children return to a school that is safe and that the policy supports the overall health and well-being of the child, their family, and the community. The programs include hand-washing, the use of face coverings, temperature checks, cleaning and disinfection of the physical environment, adequate ventilation, the physical distancing of students and teachers, and grouping students in pods.
The experts are stressing that these interventions are actions that can mitigate the spread of Covid-19 in the community and in the school. However, based on the transmissibility of the virus, and the fact that individuals can transmit the virus when they are unaware they have it, eliminating the risk of Covid-19, is difficult.
What can parents and school administrators do?
Returning to school this year will undoubtedly be different from previous years. Communication between community leaders, health officials, school boards, and parents will be vital in making this happen safely and smoothly.
The staff at Healthlink Advocates, as health and wellness coaches and advocates, often get questions regarding current health issues, and Covid -19 has been no exception. In assisting our clients with inquiries about school return, the use of PPE, and the transmissibility of Covid-19 we look to the evidence-based information from the CDC and the AAP to share with them.
Despite the challenges brought about by Covid-19, here are some actions that are being taken by parents and school administrators that can help reduce the spread of the virus in school and make returning to the classroom safer for students and teachers.
Parents
Teach and explain to children how and when to wash their hands.
Have hand sanitizer in handy places, ie: backpacks, athletic bag, or handbag.
Teach and explain to children how to wear face coverings and why it is so important, make sure the mask is covering their nose and mouth correctly.
Wash your child’s cloth mask daily, have more than one mask.
Explain to your children why teachers and students may be so far apart in the classroom and why social distancing is so important.
Explain why their classroom may look different and have plastic barriers in the room.
Talk about “covering their cough” if they do cough, by using their elbow instead of their hands.
Taking your child’s temperature daily and monitoring them for fever, cough, and sore throat.
Speak to your children often about these safety measures, stay calm, and remember children will react to how you are responding and what you say.
Teachers and Administrators
Developing a Re-Open Plan for School, that includes all the safety measures and how to manage an exposure of Covid-19, including quarantining of exposed students and teachers.
Having a communication process for alerting parents and teachers to changes in the Re-Open Plan.
Developing social distancing protocols that are appropriate for the students and teachers.
Having guidelines regarding the use of PPE in the classroom, such as when to wear masks.
When possible, spend time outdoors with students.
Educating students on proper handwashing technique and the use of face coverings.
Cohorting children in “pods” or small groups with the same teacher.
Providing alternating methods of teaching, such as online programs, when indicated.
Frequent cleaning of classrooms and common areas, particularly high- touch items, such as doorknobs and bathroom fixtures.
Providing physical barriers in the classroom, ie: plexiglass partitions when necessary.
Partnering with the local health department in developing a protocol in the event of an exposure of Covid-19 in students or teachers.
To help parents and school officials address the process of returning to school safety, the CDC has developed a checklist, as a resource that reinforces the guidelines above and makes returning to school safe for students. See the checklist attached.
References:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/pediatric-hcp.html
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/ https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/pdf/Back-to-School-Planning-for-In-Person-Classes.pdf