After nearly two years of uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic, many families are excited at the opportunity to send their children back to school. With the excitement also comes a sense of apprehension and anxiety surrounding how to help children safely return to school. In this article we will discuss some key strategies to help children cope, and to make families and school staff more comfortable with returning to school.
Little by little, schools are returning to in-person classes. Since schools across the country closed down at the start of the pandemic, many students have refrained from returning to campus. Now that more than 70 countries have announced the return of in-person classes, millions of students have started resuming their education on school grounds.
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted each area differently. The decision to get back to on-campus classes is typically made at a state level after local authorities have had a chance to weigh out the risks. Those in charge should take into account the current local conditions, and consider the benefits as well as the risks that in-person education would have on public health and society. In the end, the decision should be made with the children’s best interest at heart.
Circumstances vary from school to school, so whether or not it is safe to send children back to school depends on the measures that have been taken by the administration. It is imperative that schools plan ahead, and anticipate what kind of additional measures should be taken to ensure the safety of students, teachers, and staff when they do return to school.
With circumstances changing day-to-day, it is crucial to stay flexible to maintain a safe environment for all involved.
The protective measures taken in schools should be consistent with the overall health response to COVID-19. To ensure the health and wellbeing of students and staff alike, some practical measures that schools can take include:
The UNI-P EPIFRESH 550 AIR SCRUBBER has a high-efficiency, three-stage filtration system, pre-filter, and HEPA/activated carbon filter. As an extra layer of protection, the built-in UV-C lamp can help kill viruses and bacteria.
In addition to clean air, it is important to provide staff and students with a hygienic environment to keep them safe during such an unprecedented global event. Schools should prioritize improving hygiene measures including:
All teachers and administrators should receive training on social distancing and general hygiene to ensure that proper measures are taken to keep students safe.
Students around the world have expressed their desire to return to in-school learning after a long, difficult period of having to learn under unusual circumstances. However, as they resume their classes on-campus, it is important to provide students with the support they need to continue their education.
By providing staff and students with a clean, safe environment, you will reduce their stress and anxiety about returning to school. Parents will rest assured knowing that their children are breathing in clean, sanitary air, and that the schools are doing everything to ensure their health and safety.
