When Reopening Schools, There Are A Huge Number Of Unanswered Questions.
We seem to be in a rush to open schools without making adequate plans regarding the safety of students, staff and educators. There are complex challenges of prioritization in determining how to open schools comparing competing needs while also preserving life. The White House wants schools to reopen in order to get parents back to work and open the economy. Parents and educators want it to be done safely. In an Axios poll, 71 percent of parents call it risky. The Federal Government has not provided a national strategy; just mandates, threats and demands. As cities, states and school districts grapple with reopening schools “safely, there aren’t many “good” choices. The choices include ““ all online, hybrid -on-line and in-person or all in-person. All of them present problems which remain unanswered. The reality is that remote learning is not an ideal substitute for in-person learning. It’s one advantage is that it is safer for both children, staff and educators
There are a large number of unanswered questions. Let’s address some of them:
When schools reopen, what precautions will be implemented?
Questions to Be Asked and Answered by Parents and School Staff
Getting To & From School
- Will schools/districts have sufficient number of buses and bus drivers?
- Will schools/districts have a sufficient number of replacement drivers in case one or more drivers develops the virus?
- Will bus drivers be wearing masks and shields?
- Will there be sufficient number of buses available?
- Will students social distance while waiting for buses?
- Will there be bus monitors before students board the bus to:
- take students’ temperatures before they board the bus?
- insure that students social distance on the bus?
- insure that each student is wearing a mask, and provide students with masks in case they forget to bring one?
- insure that students social distance on the bus?
When schools/districts use hybrid or face to face education
Entering and Leaving The School
- Will students, teachers and staff have their temperature taken before they enter the building?
- Will everyone entering the building be wearing a mask?
- Will students social distance before entering the building?
- In middle and high schools, will students social distance when changing classrooms?
- Will students social distance when leaving the building and while waiting for buses?
In the School
- Will teachers be given additional training in developing lessons for distance learning?
- Textbooks are now on paper, how will they be digitized?
- Will portable electronics be provide to every student? What will happen if one breaks?
- What provisions have been made for students who do not have internet or a stable internet service?
- How do we keep children from taking off their face coverings?
- How are young children expected to keep social distances of 6 feet in classroom?
- How are children to be taught not to share toys, crayons or tools?
- What happens if a child contracts the virus, will everyone in the class be quarantined for 14 days?
- If a teacher catches the virus, will schools be closed?
- Where will students have lunch?
- Will every school have a nurse? According to the National Association of School Nurses, in 2018, more than 60 percent of schools didn’t have a full or part-time school nurse, less than 50 percent have a full-time nurse, more than 30 percent only had a part-time nurse, and 25 percent don’t have any nurse. What happens to a student who takes ill?
- How will schools/districts find a sufficient number of teachers if class sizes are shrunk in order to accommodate social distancing?
- If a teacher catches the virus, will school be closed?
- How will schools/districts pay for the extra buses, custodians, cleaning supplies?
- What provisions are being made for students with special needs?
- Will school filtration systems be upgraded?
Our schools continue to operate on a calendar which is agriculturally based, closing during summer months so that students can plant and harvest. Schools are closed during a Fall break (Thanksgiving to Christmas or through New Year’s). and again in the Spring (Easter). Research and data that show that there is a learning loss during those periods.
Most school districts are working what used to be called “banker’s hours” – 9AM to 3PM. Banks are now open 24/7/365. Students use social media and the Internet 24/7/365. Schools need to revise their calendars to take advantage of the new realities of lifelong learning. School calendar adjustments can be made available for children to learn on a year long basis.