Thoughts on School Reopening, from a teacher's P.O.V.

For those who know me well, you know that my wife is in the Public Education system. She isn't on LinkedIn, but I felt that this needed to be shared on her behalf, with her permission. Apologies for the long post, but I hope that her thoughts help anyone struggling with the challenges we are about to face as schools reopen in the fall.

Okay, so I voice my frustrations pretty regularly but I also believe in coming up with solutions to the best of my ability for the things I can control. So here are some frustrations plus some ideas that I feel could help ease some fears about the upcoming school year. Please view with the mindset that it takes a village and we all want things to return to normal but safety is a major concern.

Problem 1- Temperatures

1) Temperature checks are best practice but the district does not have funding for enough thermometers to test students.

Solution 1-

1) See if PTA or other parents can donate digital no touch thermometers. Enough that each bus driver can check temperatures before students enter the bus and one for each drop off lane so that students are tested before they leave the cars. This will also allow for the awkward “mommy but you gave me Tylenol to make the fever go away” conversations to happen before the student even makes it onto campus. Live near a title 1 school, consider donating to them if you are choosing to keep your children home.

Problem 2- Supplies

2) Supplies should be individual and not shared, this includes all writing utensils, books, learning games, electronic devices etc.

Solution 2-

- Teachers should modify supply list to the bare minimum to start the school year with the understanding that as COVID eases additional supplies may be asked for. This not only helps parents who may be struggling financially by COVID but makes it more feasible that each student will be able to maintain their own individual supplies.

- Districts and schools should encourage “bring your own device” policies and parents should practice log-ins and opening frequently used

applications so that teachers do not need to be touching all the various devices to assist with this issue

-If you are a book nerd like me consider donating to your child’s class library. Additionally, ask if you can help create individual book bins for each student so that they can start the year off with books to read.

Problem 3- The Bus

3) Students should maintain 6 feet distance, alternating rows, or installing dividers when feasible but districts do not have enough busses, drivers etc to do this

Solution 3-

- Remember it takes a village...if teachers and parents are expected to change their routine business should have to as well- if possible, see if your employer could modify your hours so that your child does not need the bus

- ASK other parents in your class to carpool (I know we are nervous asking others for help but now is the time for us all to find ways to keep each other healthy!)

Problem 4- MASKS

4) Even if kids are sent to school with masks they are going to be taken on and off during the day, dropped, forgotten, misused etc.

Solution 4-

- Purchase a badge holder or lanyard that allows your child to wear their mask when it is not on their face. This allows them to place it in a safe, clean location ON THEIR BODY when it is not on their face. That way we are not placing more germs on the lunch tables, teachers desk, specials counters etc. and will reduce the spread of all the icky germs that will inevitably be on the masks themselves.

Problem 5- Teacher Health

5) Teachers are already exhausted and the struggle between wanting to get back to their students and protecting the health of their own self and children is real

Solution 5-

- Please use grace. Remember that we are human. This might not be the year we communicate the best, have the coolest projects, or the most Pinterest ready classroom. While I don’t speak for anyone else, I know my primary focus is going to be the health and safety of the students I see on a daily basis. If teachers have to be out for their own health or their child’s please understand if the lessons aren’t the best or if they just don’t have time to fix the problem on the playground (if we even get to use the playground). It’s going to be hard and we will need any and all support and love you can give

In no way am I an expert, nor are these earth shattering solutions. If I had my way we would have 8 kids per classroom, socially distanced, with every supply we could possibly dream of, but unfortunately that isn’t the reality. I am also not okay with the thought “well it’s just not possible in schools so we aren’t going to follow the rules”. I would love to spark a conversation about other ideas that could help. Thanks for reading. Love you all.