Schools all over the South are heading back to school, and we’re learning lots. Below are 5 things you should know:

1. Many schools are taking safety precautions.

Many schools are implementing safety measures such as social distancing, plexiglass, masks, hand sanitizer, ground markings for social distancing, and not gathering in large groups. And all of these precautions will definitely help parents and Educators feel safer however it is largely dependent on your local school district. So for example in Atlanta Public Schools they're going as far as having on-site testing and contract racing and this has proved to be really effective in stopping the spread of covid-19. However, in some schools district masks aren't even required, they are optional and no contract racing is being done.

2. Some school districts are not mandating masks, and even banning them.

What's interesting is that some districts are putting in mandatory mask mandates While others are leaving it optional and in some states Governors have gone as far as to ban mask mandates cough cough Florida. Currently two districts in Florida are defying those orders and mandating masks to ultimately protect their kids, staff, and parents. Let's share some data:

Masks prevent the spread of covid-19, and when it comes to our children wearing a mask seems like a small risk compared to their lives or long-term health.

3. Outbreaks are happening, and Delta is catchy.

Just because we want to go back to school does not mean covid and it's cousin Delta have any plans on slowing down. Here in the South we are seeing spread not only in our communities, but in our schools specifically. In my husband's own school there has already been 1 known case and he's only been back 7 days as of today. Also at Drew Charter School in Atlanta there was a recent outbreak that made the news. I'll link that article here. This is not limited to Atlanta Public Schools, either, nor are these schools at fault, we’re still in a pandemic and they’re doing their best to protect everyone. We're seeing the same throughout Georgia and the South. What's scary is some school districts have policies stating they don't have to inform parents about covid exposures. What can you do about it? Reach out to the school and or school board, send an email, or call, to figure out what the policies are. Ask questions like:

Are masks required?
Does the school offer covid testing?
What is being done to keep people safe?
What happens if my child does have covid?
Are they required to communicate with you if a covid case arises in the schools? -Do they communicate if your child was exposed?

and any other necessary questions that you need answered to feel safe and then determine if that's the best school fit with these current times.

4. Many schools are addressing mental health or social emotional learning

For the first time in a long time we've seen many schools make a concerted effort to address the social-emotional learning needs and mental wellness of students and staff. While this is not true of every school, we have seen a sudden increase in those principals and districts who understand that prioritizing the wellness of the people they care for going forward is going to be a necessity. After the collective Community trauma we've all experienced, and are still experiencing, schools are being intentional in their approach by bringing on more counselors and qualified trainers, purchasing curriculum, and finding new activities to engage everyone in regards to Wellness. If your school is currently not doing any of these things, it is time to ask specifically. We can also help so feel free to connect us to schools or organizations you know that could use a focus on wellness. Whether you are a parent or a teacher we must push for the things we know our teachers & students need to thrive.

5. A future school closing could be on the horizon.

While this is the last thing that I want, particularly as a parent, I'd be naive if I didn't at least consider it. If I was super smart I'd plan for it, and that's what I'm encouraging parents to do in this season. Ask yourself what would you do if you had to return to Virtual Learning Monday? Think through what would have to happen, what support you’d need, and who you’d have to communicate with. If you have thought these things through you are less likely to be panicked if the call is made and at worst super prepared. My rationale behind this suggestion has to do with what we're seeing down here. One school last week had to go to Virtual Learning, because so many teachers contracted Covid in one week and they didn't have the staff to pull off opening the building. Now this is a short-term solution and they plan to transition back to in person school within 10 days, but these are the types of unexpected occurrences we should at least be aware of.

If you are a parent, a teacher or leader in the Northeast, Midwest, or West Coast know that my goal in sharing is that you can plan a little bit better knowing a little bit more. May this peak into the future weeks and months help you out.

by Claudine Miles, M.Ed.

School Re-Opening, What We’re Learning in the South, & 5 Things You Need to Know!