First and most importantly, this is a collective step of faith to provide students with a traditional setting for learning. We know it comes with risks and I hope these tips will serve well in pointing you in a good direction. There are important links at the end that will provide more detail for preparation. Inevitably, there will be questions I did not anticipate. I welcome feedback and am here to care for the wholeness of students and faculty encompassing physical, mental and spiritual support.
Before school starts:
- Understand the parent commitment letter and if you are in question about symptoms, please keep your child home. Please remember that attesting to a symptom-free student also means that you have not given them any fever-reducing medication. Discuss any concerns with me and together we can discern the next step. Please don’t let the fear or concern of quarantine discourage you from transparency.
- Find a face covering that is comfortable for your child. It needs to cover the mouth and the nose. It may take a variety of styles to land on this. Allow time to wear it before school starts. Choose one that will be worn properly and with the least amount of handling. Most recent CDC data recommends only cloth coverings. However, face shields are considered for students where cloth coverings impede their learning or a medical/behavioral condition that prohibits the use of a cloth face covering. This also applies to students that are in cohorts with hearing impaired students that depend on full-face communication.
- Distancing will be our biggest challenge for all of us. This is key to mitigating the spread of Covid. If it can’t reach the nose, mouth and eyes of another, the viability of the virus is decreased significantly.
- Explain the reasons for distancing and face coverings to your child. Understanding the ‘why’ can help develop motivation. A face covering helps contain their germs. Distance enables germs to land where they can die and not harm others.
- The carline will take extra time. Please aim for 7:50am for a drop off so the student can be screened and to their class for an 8:00am start.
- Teach your kids how to wash their hands thoroughly. I will teach and encourage alongside you, but learning has proved more effective when modeled by parents.
- Water fountains will be turned off. Please send extra water in for your child. Two insulated bottles of cold water are recommended. We assure you that your child will be hydrated, regardless.
- Prepare and have a solid plan in place should this progress to exclusive virtual learning. International experiences have demonstrated that even when a school carefully coordinates, plans, and prepares, cases may still occur within the community and schools. Expecting and planning for the occurrence of cases of COVID-19 in communities can help everyone be prepared for when a case or multiple cases are identified. (from CDC)
- Communicate with your children that their classmates may have different views and understanding of Covid. Prepare them that others may respond differently. For instance, one student may choose to wear a mask even when it's not required (Ex. Outside activities) Encourage them to choose mercy and grace over judgement when discussing issues and outcomes. We are all in this together.
Important Links