Thread by @WoodfordinDK

#Thread I am routinely getting emails from teachers and others in BC and elsewhere in #Canada wanting to know the details of kids returning to school here in #Denmark and how it is going. So here goes. #bced #bctf

First a refresher. The Danish government allowed daycares, nurseries, and classes up to grade five to reopen as the first phase of an economic reopening. This began Apr 15th. Kids of that age were chosen as a first cautious step due to the statistically small infection risk.

Schools faced strict mandates. Kids must be kept at mandated distances apart in class. It varies by age but in grades K-5 kids must be two meters apart when in class. School interiors must be cleaned twice everyday as is everything the kids touch immediately after use. #Denmark

When I take Henrik to school there are hand washing stations outside the buildings and both kids and adults must use them before dropping their child off in the morning. #bced #Denmark

Adults are not allowed inside the school. Signage on the door warns parents not to come in. You hand off your child and his/her backpack etc at the door and say goodbye. #Denmark #bced

Inside the school due to the social distancing requirements classes have been broken down into smaller groups. In my son’s case a group of about ten. They are seated well apart in class and eat lunch and snacks observing social distancing. #bced #Denmark

The kids are outside as much a possible during the school day. I have even seen some classes with the tables and chairs moved outside where classes are conducted. This is probably to reduce infection risk and buy the cleaners space to work. So far the weather has played along

Outside the groups are supposed to remain more or less self contained as in they don’t mingle with the other groups of kids again to reduce infection risk. But also kids will be kids and so I am sure this is not a 100% success rate. Teachers and students wash hands frequently

At the end of the day parents pick up their kids again without entering the building. In my case we drop off at one side of the building and pick up on the other. Parents and kids all dance around each other trying to maintain social distancing as much as possible. #bced #bctf

Okay here are the challenges to date. First spacing. The social distancing requirements and smaller groups means a LOT more space is needed. Students are being moved into empty buildings, in some cases closed museums, and schools for grades 6+ that are - so far - empty.

The spacing challenge also means they need more teachers. So teachers of grades 6+ are coming in to help while also trying to facilitate online learning for their kids still at their homes. In #bced terms it is like implementing CS&C on steroids.

Finally due to the stringent cleaning requirements the demand for cleaners is also soaring as they try and clean school interiors twice a day and everything the kids touch immediately afterwards. This is a big challenge now and to maintain over a longer term. #bced #Denmark

All of those challenges especially spacing will be really compounded once grades 6 and up are given the greenlight to return and public buildings reopen, remember some of them are being used currently as ad hoc classroom space.

Last tweet on the “How is it going?” question. Hard for me to say. I am not intimately familiar with each schools situation. My rough sense is so far ...it’s okay? My son is happy.
It seems a tenuous model over a longer term though and if a child or teacher gets infected...yikes

I should add on the spacing challenge my son’s school is grades 0-5 (0 = K). To create space they actually moved two grades out, 4-5, & moved them across town to the currently empty school for grades 6+. Just to give you in one case an idea of the spacing challenge #bced

#Denmark’s Education ministry has told teachers, who were bringing together small groups of grades 6-10 students, to stop as it is not allowed. Teachers say the kids are being adversely impacted by #coronavirus restrictions. dlvr.it/RVfcx7

Some Danish mayors and political parties are pushing the government to bring kids in grades 6 and up back to school. They are expressing concern about the lost time and the mental health of vulnerable kids. #Denmark’s Ed min won’t yet say when..

dlvr.it/RVj2KL

We received a note from my son’s school today a child was sent home “due to illness.” Danish Health Board mandates kids are not to go to school sick and if they have any symptoms, even a runny nose, they must be sent home immediately. #Denmark

The Danish Health Board also mandates if a child is sent home sick they cannot return to school until they are symptom free for 48 hours. All parents at the school are also notified if any child is sent home sick. School stresses it has not had any positive #COVID19 test to date