It's the eve of a new school year. The younger one is excited. He's read "la liste des fournitures scolaires" and packed shield, headphones, sanitizer, pencil case, tissue box.
Jumps into bed, asleep within minutes.
As I tuck in the older one, she whispers: "I'm nervous." 1/7
Jumps into bed, asleep within minutes.
As I tuck in the older one, she whispers: "I'm nervous." 1/7
I'm nervous too.
"What are you nervous about?"
I'm expecting the usual - new school, people, routines - and reassure her. As a local school, she'll easily develop friendships in our neighborhood, which she missed in previous years.
"What about COVID? Will it be there?"
2/7
"What are you nervous about?"
I'm expecting the usual - new school, people, routines - and reassure her. As a local school, she'll easily develop friendships in our neighborhood, which she missed in previous years.
"What about COVID? Will it be there?"
2/7
Her fears are about transmission, as source + as contact.
About bringing it home. About sharing with friends.
And about getting something WAY worse than cooties.
Maybe even at the level of poopy pants, but I don't explore this.
So little is in her control these days.
3/7
About bringing it home. About sharing with friends.
And about getting something WAY worse than cooties.
Maybe even at the level of poopy pants, but I don't explore this.
So little is in her control these days.
3/7
So much is being asked of her (and peers) to minimize risks and endure the political churn around public education.
Leaders across all sectors want strategies that keep schools safe and open.
But we're suffering from lack of transparent communication and bold vision
4/7
Leaders across all sectors want strategies that keep schools safe and open.
But we're suffering from lack of transparent communication and bold vision
4/7
Transparency about funding decisions, opportunity costs
Boldness to think outside the box, to improve higher-level controls in class design, ventilation, outdoor education.
After all, safe school measures = open schools = sustainable economy.
5/7
Boldness to think outside the box, to improve higher-level controls in class design, ventilation, outdoor education.
After all, safe school measures = open schools = sustainable economy.
5/7
#schoolreopening is not the end of COVID-19 prevention
As parent, I'll support teachers + students to figure out the right mix of strategies in classrooms and our homes
As IPAC MD, I'll support Public Health, testing centres, schools, hospitals to prevent+control outbreaks
6/7
As parent, I'll support teachers + students to figure out the right mix of strategies in classrooms and our homes
As IPAC MD, I'll support Public Health, testing centres, schools, hospitals to prevent+control outbreaks
6/7
So I tell us both:
"Yes COVID-19 is still here. Be prepared and be kind"
To educators who provide humour and grounding in such uncertain times - you're an inspiration!
I know my kids are in good hands.
And in clean underwear.
(Suggest adding: "change when wet or soiled")
"Yes COVID-19 is still here. Be prepared and be kind"
To educators who provide humour and grounding in such uncertain times - you're an inspiration!
I know my kids are in good hands.
And in clean underwear.
(Suggest adding: "change when wet or soiled")
