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I was initially optimistic hearing Adriana LaGrange announce additional support to provide PPE and sanitizer for schools, taking this financial burden off of school boards. /1
But my optimism faded as more specifics were being sought out and clarification requested for transferring these theoretical measures into practical application in the classroom. So much ambiguity and lack of knowledge regarding classroom composition. /2
Clearly class size is an issue for many schools and crowding will cause complications with safety measures. /3
Distancing will be nearly impossible, and all students facing forward working quietly is not realistic, especially in a primary classroom. Hand washing will be time consuming, for example, the school where I teach has one double sink shared between 7 classrooms! /4
Add masks, where sanitation of hands are required before and after putting on or taking off, even if sanitizer is used rather than soap, the amount of sanitizer will be astronomical. /5
And where will students store masks when they are not wearing them? My district has indicated in their re-entry plan that lockers will not be used, so jackets, lunches, school supplies, etc. will remain with each student. /6
I can already envision it, crowed classrooms with student’s personal items strewn all over the floor around their desks and things falling out of their desks and their mask stuffed in their desk. This is not pessimism, this is the reality in a primary classroom. /7
And it absolutely infuriates me when leaders suggest that parents who are not comfortable with the re-entry plan can just keep them home. This exhibits such a blind privileged response! Not all families are able to keep their children home. /8
Not to mention, this is contrary to what our CMO has been promoting, whole child’s health, not just physical, but social interaction which contributes to mental wellness.
So, though today’s announcement is a good first step, much more is still required./9
So, though today’s announcement is a good first step, much more is still required./9
