Educators across Michigan should now be planning strategies to reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus when school resumes in the fall.
There is no way to reopen without some risk, but a new guide from Michigan State University can help leaders prepare their schools, and communities, for a range of realities while learning in a pandemic.
The guide, released June 11 by the MSU Office of K-12 Outreach led by Bryan Beverly, gives a broad overview of recommendations and considerations by compiling information from multiple sources, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and related education research. As in many states, Michigan schools haven’t yet received state or federal requirements on COVID-19 related operations for the coming school year.
“We have a very short time to get ready for the complications of teaching during a pandemic in a way that minimizes the chance of a resurgence of the virus,” said Outreach Specialist Nicole Ellefson, one of the report co-authors. “COVID-19 came suddenly and forced a shift to remote education for everyone, but we can’t claim to be surprised going forward.”
Importantly, school districts’ plans must consider the needs of all students, with equity and transparent communication at the forefront, the authors say.
With the need for six-feet of social distancing, the cap in face-to-face classrooms may be approximately 12-15 students at one time. Managing this limited capacity means a variety of approaches can be taken by schools across four domains:
- Student cohorts: Placing students in groups, such as by need or into different time frames, so that students alternate between in-person and remote learning.
- Schedule: Changing the school year calendar with varying lengths of time between face-to-face and remote teaching.
- Building: Making changes throughout schools, such as increasing sanitation procedures, requiring face masks where possible and opening windows
- Classroom: Altering practices within each classroom, such as adding space between students while lining up; bringing art, music and physical education to the room; and limiting trips to the playground
The guide outlines various options and considerations related to each area of risk mitigation.
School leaders also must plan for a range of anticipated added costs, with the understanding that this will be difficult with steep budget cuts possible. New expenses could include hand sanitizing stations recommended at each entrance, more classroom materials to reduce sharing, and additional staff, such as school nurses, to monitor symptoms.
The MSU authors urge school leaders to have their plans in place and communicated to their communities prior to reopening. This includes working closely with their own employee unions as well as those who employ the families they serve.
“If we can do this collaboratively and work well together, we will have a much better chance of staying healthy, keeping our children in school and keeping the economy functioning,” Ellefson said.
“While the task that lies ahead of the education community is substantial,” said Bryan Beverly, co-author and director of the Office of K-12 Outreach. “We believe strongly in the ingenuity, knowledge and commitment of district leaders, staff and their communities to plan for robust, aligned and science-based reopening plans.”
Additional support
The Office of K-12 Outreach is available to consult with education leaders as they craft their reopening plans. Contact (517) 353-8950 or K12out@msu.edu.
In addition, Ellefson and fellow outreach specialist JoAnn Hurd Andrees will be presenting two workshops on reopening schools in conjunction with the Michigan ASCD.
The first, on June 18, will focus on how school leaders should start their reopening plans. The second workshop on June 25 will focus on planning for instructional changes. Register online.
Read the full report, “Reopening Schools During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Overview of Guidance for School Districts.”