It’s getting closer to the start of the school year in many parts of the county meaning that school reopening plans are starting to become fully finalized. To be clear, when we say ‘reopening’ it does not necessarily mean that learning will be physically taking place in person. Reopening includes one of three likely courses of action: In-person learning, hybrid learning, or fully remote learning. When the doors of schools were physically closed in March, we certainly did not think that things would still be in such a state of uncertainty come August, but the reality is that almost all school leaders are preparing for a back-to-school season unlike any other they’ve had before. So, as school reopening plans start to become more fleshed out, we’re taking a look at what might work, where things are heading, and what could come next.
Going Back to School: So Many Factors
We’re monitoring news of school reopening plans around the country and, like everybody else, we’re learning a lot about what education in the fall might look like. While many students don’t go back to school until the beginning of September, some traditionally start the year in mid-August or sooner meaning that they’re heading back real soon. We’ve heard that, in some districts, the first day of school is being delayed by a week or two allowing for just a little bit of more time for safety protocols to be tested and put in place or for educators to finalize their instructional plans. We’ve also heard some not so encouraging news about a student who returned to school and tested positive for the coronavirus on the same day. While that’s likely to happen often, we’re trying to keep a positive attitude as all of this unfolds.
The reopening plans in just about every district will be unique and feature caveats that pertain to geographical, economic, environmental, and other factors in each area. In a rural area, for example, it might be a lot easier to bring every student back to school since more of them could safely fit in a classroom. In an urban school, however, it will be next to impossible for every student to come back on a full-time basis with distancing measures in effect. Many school and district leaders have been in constant communication with parents and teachers throughout the summer trying to get as much feedback as possible on what everybody’s thinking and worried about. There are so many factors that go into safely reopening in-person schooling and it seems like somebody is always coming up with a new thought or shedding some new light on the situation—something that’s to be expected with so much fluidity surrounding getting back in the classroom.
We read about one plan that’s going to be implemented in a school district in New York state. Like other plans, it includes its own unique wrinkles, but it’s also unique in general. Leaders in this district decided to go with a hybrid approach, which is certainly a popular choice at the moment. They surveyed parents during the summer and got a lot of useful feedback on what they were thinking, what they were scared of, and their other thoughts. They ultimately decided on the hybrid model, but with a twist. They will be doing in-person instruction for three straight days followed by remote learning for three straight days. They’re also not grouping students by last name, either. They’re being grouped by where they live, allowing for maximum efficiency when it comes to bus routes and creating opportunities for them to study together outside of school. This could also help contain things in the event there is an outbreak at some point. Most importantly, this plan helps ensure equity as all students will get the same amount of time in class.
Parent Concerns with In-Person Learning
In many cities and towns across the country, parents have been given the opportunity to voice their concerns and thoughts when it comes to reopening schools for in-person learning. Not all of them are probably thinking about all of the factors that will go into safely reopening schools and are thinking more about their own personal situations—all of which are completely unique, too. And, that’s fine. Nobody can really blame them for that. One of the biggest concerns that parents have shared—besides the obvious fear of their children getting sick—is the uncertainty that comes with schools operating in person. While this, theoretically, is the best option for students academically and perhaps even socially, it has the potential to throw a huge wrench into parent planning.
So, the way we look at it is that there is one major downside to trying to force reopening schools. The likelihood that a school faculty member or student inevitably shows symptoms or tests positive for the coronavirus at some point in time is too high for comfort. This means that committing to in-person learning full time would be a gamble that might only be rewarded for so long before everything changes. While school leaders who allow for in-person learning at the start of the year definitely have a back-up plan in place, logistically, it would probably take a week or so (if not longer) for everybody to get into a new rhythm with that routine. As for parents, not knowing when the original plan could be abandoned creates a whole lot of uncertainty and apprehension, especially when it comes to their own jobs, childcare, and helping their kids get to the remote classes on time.
If a hybrid model was in place, however, these kinds of concerns could be alleviated. Parents would know where their kids are learning from each day and there would be less of a chance (though certainly not a guarantee) that a student or staff member ends up sick. Not to mention, if they had to cut a day of in-person learning short because of a case or even a suspected case, it would create chaos throughout the school, among parents, in the parking lot, and perhaps even cause a bit of trauma for everybody involved. On the flip side, however, there are also a whole lot of parents whose work schedules don’t allow them to be home with their kids during the school day. Many of them need to physically be at their jobs and others are single parents, who struggle with meeting all of their child’s educational needs as it is. Unfortunately, not everybody has the same concerns, so there can’t be a one-size-fits-all solution for each of them.
Planning for Remote Learning
In many school systems, leaders have already made the decision to return to fully remote learning to begin the school year. While this certainly has upset some parents and teachers, it’s a huge relief for other educators. The good thing about committing to a fully remote model early on is that it gives parents and teachers much needed time to plan for the fall. Teachers can develop lessons that fit with online teaching and parents can figure out their scheduling situations (hopefully). It also helps eliminate the temptation to try in-person learning—even if things seem like they’re safe again. Beyond that, just about every teacher was involved in remote learning in the spring, so, theoretically, they’ve learned some important strategies for how to approach things—albeit with a different class of students.
Since teachers will be meeting new students to start the year (and doing so virtually in a lot of cases), gaining their trust and fostering engagement are going to be key. One of the ways they can do this is by trying to make the virtual teaching and learning experience as much like the classroom as possible. And, for many teachers, that means being themselves! Students will start to trust their teachers more when they can more easily relate to them and see that they’re someone they can have fun around as well as learn from. Sticking to some of the tried and true lessons with a virtual twist can also be a good way to engage students by presenting material to them in a way that’s as engaging as possible despite the situation. Then, there’s also the option of taking advantage of the situation and using a platform like Google Docs or Slides to allow students to collaborate or projects in real time—filling in tables or gathering helpful resources that can be used in various lessons!
Some teachers have advocated for making sure that remote learning is fun since the adventure began in the spring. The argument is that it’s tough enough to keep students interested using a remote connection and guaranteeing they actually learn as much as we’d all like is even tougher. Nobody can expect that students gain as much academically through distance learning experiences as they would in a traditional classroom, so it makes sense that teachers shouldn’t try too hard to force that. Keeping things on the lighter side and even giving students choice in the lessons or activities they complete can be effective. Using online platforms, like Flipgrid, can also be a great way to keep kids engaged and give them the chance to create something to show what they know rather than just consuming information!
Beyond Academics: Limiting Health Risks When School Reopens
As school leaders work to finish up their return-to-school plans, academics is typically found near the top of their priorities and there’s nothing wrong with that. Since we are in such an unprecedented time, however, other factors need to be considered and met in order for everyone—not just students—to safely return to school. Some school leaders are consulting everybody from parents and children to doctors and disease experts as part of efforts to obtain as much relevant information as possible. As it stands right now, there’s not really any way that doors to a school can open and students can come together without any risk of getting sick. We’d love for that to be true, but it’s just not currently possible, so that leaves school officials with trying the next best thing: Doing everything they can to shrink that risk.
One thing many school leaders are asking of parents is to consider their own unique risk levels. If a student is living with someone who is at a higher risk of getting sick or with a parent or sibling who is regularly working with the public, it might be best for that student to learn remotely. Also, if they live or regularly travel to a place with a known outbreak or higher rate of positive cases, this would be a justified reason to keep the child out of the school building. Basically, those are the first two things parents should think about and, if, after considering those factors, they feel confident about sending their kids to school, then they can start to help limit the risk for their child (as well as any potential risk created by their child) when they arrive at school. However, safety preparations need to start before the student reaches the school.
If parents can take the student’s temperature quickly every morning before leaving home, that is ideal. Then, there’s the question of the school bus. Parents should help make sure that physical distancing is enforced on the bus, that students are wearing masks, and that windows are open. If possible, driving children to and from school should be done. Next, once arriving at the school building, there should be a clear and enforced set of procedures. It should be reiterated that any student who doesn’t feel well not step foot in the building and, at this time, temperature checks could be performed again (though they won’t be everywhere). Social distancing will need to remain in effect and masks should be worn—even outside the building. Also, defining and clearly stating a mask policy should be in place with consistent and mandatory enforcement for all students and staff members. Finally, distancing measures should be in place in each classroom, sanitizing products should be plentiful, and a plan should be in place for what everyone will do if somebody in the school gets sick.
The School Reopening Tips Created by the CDC
Chances are you’ve possibly done some research of your own about how safe it is to reopen schools this fall. As a parent, student, educator, member of a school support staff, or a concerned member of the community, we’ve all probably formed some sort of opinion that leans one way or the other. Without trying to take a side, we’ll now share the recommendations for school reopenings that come directly from the CDC. They echo the sentiment that the risk of contracting the coronavirus can be decreased when safety measures are in place, but it’s unlikely to guarantee nobody gets sick. The disease is most commonly spread by respiratory droplets that are released when people talk, cough, or sneeze and can spread to hands from a contaminated surface. So, unsurprisingly, their first recommendations are to wash hands regularly, stay home if you feel even a little sick, and disinfect commonly touched surfaces.
They say that the safest option is full remote learning, that in-person classes with smaller class sizes pose more of a risk, and that full sized in-person learning poses the highest risk. Again, you probably don’t need anyone to tell you that. If your district has chosen to try out in-person or hybrid learning, it then becomes the responsibility of school leaders to educate staff members and parents about what they should look for to keep themselves or students home. In school, teachers and administrators should actively encourage hand washing and disinfecting and do so in front of students regularly so that they start to learn to do so as well. The same goes for face coverings—if students see their teacher wearing a mask, they’ll start to feel more okay about wearing one themselves. The same is true of the opposite, though. If teachers aren’t taking it seriously, neither will students.
If opening for in-person instruction, the CDC also recommends that there be adequate safety supplies and plenty of signs and messaging that address the behavior that’s to be expected throughout the school building. As for limiting potential transmission of germs, again common sense comes into play. Students and teachers should regularly disinfect anything that’s touched, eliminate the sharing of any objects, modify classroom design to ensure one-way traffic and (of course) social distancing, inspect ventilation systems and leave classroom windows open if possible, and potentially install plexiglass partitions to student and teacher desks. Common spaces will likely need to remain closed, like playground equipment, drinking fountains, and the cafeteria and students will be eating at their desks—bringing their own food whenever possible. Beyond that, school leaders can consider staggered scheduling, developing a worst-case scenario communication plan, training staff members, and more.
We want to hear from you. Have your school or district leaders decided on the plan for this fall? If so, are you confident, scared, relieved, unsure, or feeling any other type of way about it? Let us know by sending us a message on Twitter or Instagram!