It is the middle of June.
This would be the time when teachers, administrators, and all educators would breathe a sigh of relief as another school year had come to a close while Summer school would be starting up.
But this year was different.
With school shutting down back in mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, everyone (Teachers, Administrators, Educators, Support Staff, Parents, and Students) was affected and struggle to various degrees to make it to the end of the year.
The task now is for all of us to prepare as best we can for our return next school year.
Returning to School
It is imperative that we return to our classrooms.
As good and useful a tool that Distance Learning has been through this time of crisis (It has been, and it must be integrated into education) it has also shown that it is limited in its capacity to take over the role of In-Classroom Learning. Parent's concerns over possible contagion are valid and must be of concern to schools and their districts as preparations for the 2020-21 Academic School Year are planned out. Nevertheless, students must return to the classroom.
Safety
Fear of a second wave and the possibility of another stay-at-home order being issued will remain present for the foreseeable future. Therefore school safety must be prioritized for students to return to the classroom. Since the shutdown, schools and districts have been diligently working on sanitizing each surface in all classrooms. As part of the multifaceted approach to preventing the spread of COVID-19 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must be acquired and made available for all students and school staff. This includes masks, gloves, sanitizer, and making sure that washing stations are stocked with soap and paper towels.
Instruction
How can teachers prepare to start the school year when there are so many unknowns? By doing what teachers have always done each and every school year: Plan.
Teachers and administrators must work together to plan for all possible contingencies upon the return of students to school.
One way to make the transition back to the classroom is to use a Blended Instruction Plan that incorporates a Distance Learning approach through the use of a platform (ie. Zoom, Google Meet), a Central Data Storage device (ie. Server, Cloud) that meets the necessary needs for accessing information in a variety of ways (ie. Downloading/Uploading Lessons, Video Files, Learning Progress and Assessment), and the technology needed to access it (ie. Laptops, Tablets, Network Connection) with modified in-class instruction that addresses the concerns of all participants involved for as long as it is necessary and provides students with the best educational opportunity.
The task ahead is tough but educators can meet the challenge with the support and cooperation of parents, students, and all stakeholders in positions of educational leadership.
Let's get our students back in their classrooms.
Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator
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