Safety and Back to School Udates

Fairfield
August 25, 2020
Those of us who are parents of school aged children were surprised this morning with the much anticipated news of “cohort” assignments. Phones were buzzing as children and parents texted, called and e-mailed, eagerly inquiring as to whether friends and neighbors had been assigned to the same learning days. It was a bittersweet moment.

On one hand, the normal back to school questions about whether or not a friend will be in the same math class and on the other, curiosity, uncertainty and even fear about how the cohort and back to school process will work. Teachers are facing many concerns themselves. It’s one thing to talk about what is going to happen. It’s another to move a step closer to that new reality.
Wearing a Mask in School

As we exchange notes about cohorts and prepare for the reopening of school, one thing we know for certain is that masks will be part of the new normal. Now is the time for parents to make sure their child is comfortable wearing a mask.
 
Last week, Governor Lamont signed his 66th Executive Order, making modifications to face covering requirements. This order requires anyone declining to wear a mask or face covering because of a medical condition to have documentation of the condition. It also contains provisions for people with disabilities to obtain such documentation without facing a significant burden.

This may be hard to explain to your kids as they get ready to head back to school, luckily

 Connecticut Children's has put together 16 activities to sneak mask practice into summer's end.
Around the Home
  • Have a daily “Mask On!” moment. Make a plan to wear masks around the house at certain times of day, like from 10-11 am, or during certain activities, like setting the table for meals. Have your child help you decide when.
  • Pick an activity with a concrete ending, like building a simple puzzle, and wear masks throughout.
  • Plan a special event, like a scavenger hunt or playing together with a favorite toy, with one rule: Masks are required.
  • Work masks into video chats. Does your child have regular video chats with family or friends? Arrange to wear masks next time.
  • Spend time reading a book, listening to a podcast, or watching a movie together with masks on.
  • Wear masks during art and creativity time, like drawing, coloring or building with LEGO bricks.
  • Wear masks while making masks – whether you’re assembling cloth masks for family members or coloring in paper masks for stuffed animals. Here are other strategies.
  • Play a game with masks on, whether it’s a classic card game or your child’s favorite video game.

Around Town

  • Plan a daily walk around the block with masks on. If you see other people on the sidewalk, practice good social distancing – and use it as a chance to talk with your child about why it’s still important to keep their distance, even when everyone’s wearing masks.
  • Explore hiking trails nearby for nature walks. Practice taking masks on and off: Put masks on whenever you see or hear other hikers, and take them off when the coast is clear.
  • Take your child for a summertime treat – like to get ice cream, play mini-golf, or visit their favorite playground – with masks on.
  • Visit the library for curbside book pickup wearing masks.
  • Head out for a picnic, and wear masks before and after eating.
  • Visit parks, playgrounds and the beach with masks on, or other places you can safely social distance. Thank your child for being a great role model.
  • Make a plan with other family members to wear masks while together, and log as much mask time as possible.

As teachers and students make the adjustment back to school, social and emotional well being for all those in the school communities is on my mind. Through a partnership with the Dalio Foundation, the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence is offering a free 10 hours course to all early childhood through high school staff, including afterschool programs.

The course, “Social and Emotional Learning in Times of Uncertainty and Stress: Research Based Strategies.” Rolling registration through December 31st and asynchronous learning provides flexibility for the learning model. Teachers can register and find more information at https://www.ycei.org/selcourse
 
It has been a bit since I have been regularly sharing information, but as we head into the Fall, I will remain in touch with resources and supports.