An in-depth look at school reopening
An in-depth look at school reopening: One district’s story of grappling with guidelines, planning, and the uncertainty of the fall (28 July 2020)
As public health officials and departments of education continue to debate whether or not in-person classes should commence this fall, districts must forge ahead with preparations for reopening schools that accommodate a multitude of scenarios and restrictions. Every school’s story is unique – but in the hopes of taking a deeper dive into what school's are experiencing, we invited the superintendent and members from the School Administrative Unit #39 based in Amherst, New Hampshire, USA community who helped develop their reopening plan to share how they are implementing safety guidelines, communicating with constituents, and maintaining staff and student spirits in the midst of public pressure and constantly changing expectations.
Panelists
Adam Steel (Superintendent, SAU #39), Stephen O'Keefe (school board member), Deanna Cordts (nurse), Katy Kennedy (teacher, grade 2), plus a parent and a student.
Resources
SAU #39 2020 Reopening Plan - Presentation (pdf)
SAU #39 2020 Reopening Plan - Full document, Draft 2.0, 23 July 2020 (pdf)
Preparing K-12 School Administrators for a Safe Return to School in Fall 2020 (CDC)
Cloth Face Coverings for Children During COVID-19 (healthychildren.org)
Maslow Before Bloom: Basic Human Needs Before Academics (Dr. Bryan Pearlman, May 2, 2020)