Thoughts on #SchoolReopening:
Getting kids back to school safely should be a priority. No doubt kids NEED school, not just for education but for social interaction, good mental health, development etc. Additionally it facilities parents/caregivers returning to work.🧵⤵️ 1/
Getting kids back to school safely should be a priority. No doubt kids NEED school, not just for education but for social interaction, good mental health, development etc. Additionally it facilities parents/caregivers returning to work.🧵⤵️ 1/
This is meant to be a compilation thread with fantastic ideas & input from parents/educators (from this previous tweet). Please feel free to add suggestions in comments! 2/
Controlling community transmission so cases continue downwards until Sept 2020 is critical. That means continuing w/ distancing, masks, hand washing, & limiting gatherings. There’s only so much that can be done to change schools in this short timeframe. 3/
Although the risk of severe COVID19 complications is rare in children, it is not zero. 4/ cps.ca/en/blog-blogue…
Additionally the long-term effects of COVID19 infection is not well known or studied in both adults & children. Kids are not guinea pigs. 5/
Not all kids are healthy - some are immunocompromised, have medical conditions. Same for young/healthy-appearing staff. Opt out option must be available for BOTH students & higher risk educators/staff to continue with online/distanced learning. 6/
It is not only kids that are at risk (Part 1!) - they are potential vectors of transmission to their families. 7/
It is not only kids that are at risk (Part 2!) - educators, staff, school bus drivers, & THEIR families too! 8/
VERY important to involve educators, parents/caregivers, other school staff, school boards, unions, in discussion. Many educators & parents/caregivers felt left out of the decision making process. 9/
Also should involve medical experts, paediatricians, community leaders… 10/
The more perspectives, the better we can see any blind spots. It needs to be a coordinated response… 11/
Masks/PPE: The focus should be on ensuring that masks & face shields are available/accessible & provided to children/staff who CAN wear them, recognizing that children who are young, have autism &/or other med conditions may not be able to wear them. 12/
There is a big difference between managing infection control for kids in kindergarten vs. high school ‘kids’. 13/
High school ‘kids’ aren’t babies. They can be trusted to learn safety protocols. I mean some can even drive… 14/
More paid sick days for educators/staff (including if needing to self-quarantine) & also for parents/caregivers if they have to care for sick children. *SUPER IMPORTANT!* 15/
Protocol needs to be developed in the event kids get sick - sanitation? What about everyone exposed around them? 16/
This definitely needs a solid plan to manage to avoid putting other students/staff at risk. 17/
Kids don’t live in a bubble (only at school) - all interactions including those outside the school can also be a risk for transmission.18/
Cleaning - schools will need more funding and more staffing! 19/
Ventilation: Some classrooms don’t even have air conditioning or windows that open. There’s <50 days left until Sept - this needs to be addressed ASAP! 20/
Additional ideas for barriers: 21/
Staff in LTCs were advised to avoid working in more than one location - should this also apply to educators & if so will they be financially supported to ensure this is sustainable? 22/
Unique challenges for Special Needs children and their educators. Smaller class sizes/ratios? (Funding??): 23/
What about testing? Will kids/educators have easy access to #COVID19 testing? What about regular pooled testing: 24/
In Germany, students are doing self-tests for #COVID19 (at least you don’t have to study for this kind of test): 25/
nytimes.com/2020/05/10/wor…
nytimes.com/2020/05/10/wor…
Taking advantage of outdoor spaces if available (& weather permitting!) as well as community centres: 26/
Bars, casinos, professional sports - yes, these all play a role in our economy. But children are our future, & they should come first in ANY discussion. 27/
Lots to be done in <50 days (until Sept). Lots at stake.
Let’s do everything we can to reduce community spread, & listen to parents/educators/medical experts.
Feel free to comment with any other ideas/suggestions! CC: @fordnation @Sflecce 28/
Original🧵:
Let’s do everything we can to reduce community spread, & listen to parents/educators/medical experts.
Feel free to comment with any other ideas/suggestions! CC: @fordnation @Sflecce 28/
Original🧵:
Facilitates*... all the teachers reading this thread will probably be wondering where I got my education🤦🏻♀️
