Maintaining distance between people reduces the risk of exposure to COVID-19. School spaces will need to be reconfigured and repurposed so students and staff can maintain a safe distance from each other.
Staff members have gone through a lot of changes during the pandemic. School leaders will need to provide support to help their staff manage these changes effectively and meet their professional and social-emotional needs.
Families and caregivers are important stakeholders who need to be kept informed of school reopening decisions and adjustments to academics, operations, athletics, and other school functions. Being transparent is crucial in establishing trust with families and caregivers.
Schools need clear procedures to follow when a student or staff member has been exposed to COVID-19 and/or is showing symptoms. Following public health recommendations around screening, testing, tracing, and preparing for positive cases is crucial to prevent any spread.
With COVID-19 being transmitted via droplets in the air, it is critical that air in school spaces is ventilated and if possible filtered. Fresh air from opening windows can also keep virus particles from accumulating inside.
Vaccinating the population against COVID-19 will help stop the spread of the virus. Adults and children (when authorized) should receive the COVID-19 vaccine to protect themselves, their families, and their community.
The virus that causes COVID-19 is mainly spread through respiratory droplets. Having students and staff sanitize themselves, objects in classrooms, and high-touch surfaces reduces the risk of exposure to COVID-19.
Schools have to look different and function differently to keep students and staff safe. School leaders will need to reconfigure student groupings, daily schedules, and visitor access to limit contact between individuals.
Masks work. Requiring all children and staff to wear a cloth or medical mask that covers both the mouth and nose at all times is one of the most important ways to contain the spread of COVID-19. The data is overwhelming for their use, and universal masking with a mandate is more effective than voluntary compliance.
Explore various podcasts in our leadership series, “What Will We Take With Us?” to hear how education leaders rose to tackle the challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic, and how they’re working to take what they’ve learned into a future that supports student-centered learning across the K-12 field.
