Why schools must re-open for the most vulnerable students -- - The Washington Post

Why schools must re-open for the most vulnerable students -- - The Washington Post

Why schools must find a safe way to reopen for the most vulnerable students — by a veteran educator

School district officials are consumed with trying to figure out if, when and how to reopen schools during the coronavirus pandemic — with no definitive answers from even the top experts on infectious diseases.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recently issued guidance for school reentry that said districts should do everything they can to bring students back into classrooms. The organization “strongly advocates that all policy considerations for the coming school year should start with a goal of having students physically present in school” — and the reasons are not just about academics. It said:

The importance of in-person learning is well-documented, and there is already evidence of the negative impacts on children because of school closures in the spring of 2020. Lengthy time away from school and associated interruption of supportive services often results in social isolation, making it difficult for schools to identify and address important learning deficits as well as child and adolescent physical or sexual abuse, substance use, depression, and suicidal ideation. This, in turn, places children and adolescents at considerable risk of morbidity and, in some cases, mortality. Beyond the educational impact and social impact of school closures, there has been substantial impact on food security and physical activity for children and families.

One thing the guidance does not do, however, is to directly address fears teachers have of getting the infection from a student who may show no symptoms.

I recently published a few posts by teachers who expressed some concerns about reopening schools that have been echoed by many teachers on social media. You can read them here and here.

The post below, by Carol Burris, a former teacher and award-winning principal, explains why it is vital that schools find a safe way to open for their most vulnerable students. Burris, now a public education advocate, was named the 2010 Educator of the Year by the School Administrators Association of New York State. In 2013, the National Association of Secondary School Principals named her the New York State High School Principal of the Year.

12 inconvenient truths about schools and kids that should be considered before reopening — from a teacher

‘Parents need to go to work’ does not stop covid-19 at the school entrance

By Carol Burris

When covid-19 hit New South Wales, Australia, the majority of students shifted to remote instruction, with in-school instruction only for those families who needed it. After a few weeks, however, educators began to worry when they saw a reduction in calls to child protective services. It was likely that the reduction was not due to a decrease in child abuse, but rather the absence of the vigilance provided by schools. And officials could not guarantee the safety — or the learning — of some of the most vulnerable students, Education Week’s Madeline Will reported, so they shifted to a different strategy. CONTINUE READING: Why schools must re-open for the most vulnerable students -- - The Washington Post