I don't think public schools will move to 6 days a week. I do think there will definitely be more health-related guidelines in place including washing hands regularly and possibly wearing masks. However, I can't see little kindergarteners and 1st graders doing well with having a mask over their noses and mouths all day.
There's no way my school could have desks 6 feet apart and still have all of the kids in class so the classes would have to be chopped in half. My coworkers and I were wondering if we'd have half the class 2 days a week, the other half the other 2 days and then at-home learning on Fridays? That would be a nightmare to schedule with siblings, parent's schedules, etc. And only having half the desks in class means that two kids will be sharing the same desk so everything would have to be fully sanitized every day.
I think cafeterias will be all the kids facing one way. I don't think it's necessary to eat in the classrooms. I'm not at all sure how recess will work -- they NEED recess.
One of the major problems with the CDC guidelines is saying that kids should stay with one teacher all day. That's legally impossible for students with IEPs who have to, by law, have a special education teacher for part of the day. Plus, there are kids who get speech, social work, Title 1, occupational therapy... And what about PE, art and music? And if those specials are in their classroom with the PE, art and music teacher teaching through Zoom, when does the classroom teacher have any quiet time to plan, call parents, etc.?
It's gonna be different, for sure.
Thanks, Josie, for some very real commentary from a teacher's perspective, especially to acknowledge some of the VERY specific requirements for "special" ed kids (504/IEP/etc). I am sooo worried legal matters will stymie what's best for most.
I think the CDC guidelines, in general,
seem more than reasonable...I just don't think they're
doable in most public school settings. Mostly because, while I'm not a teacher, I have spent countless hours in and around classrooms as a volunteer at our childrens' schools. Six foot distancing will not work.
I think we are ALL in a no-win situation. People (teachers/students) will get infected. Some may die. And those are incredibly difficult words to even type, much less think.
Our school system is considering a hybrid (split shift in/out physically of school) and an all-virtual option. No one, again...teachers, students, parents....like those options. We all want what we had. But those days are gone.
That said, you've asked for what "I" think school should look like and I'm tired of the PC talking points. For now, for the interim, I think...schools need to put a *&%& camera in the classroom and broadcast it and leverage whatever group/zoom/meetup plus school portal software (like Schoology) they have to give that teacher online access to the students. AND, if they can figure out how to get some kids "in" there, then do that. Call it a "studio" audience. No masks, no gloves, no hyper cleaning/sanitizing modes for the ones who agree to be in "the group." But smart practices, all the stuff we've been teaching our kids: cough into your elbow (Batman!), wash your hands....don't touch your face!
I know that stinks the most for the youngest kids. I can't tell you how many times I've watched a relationship between a teacher and student blossom...with simple things like a "hug" (which sadly is forbidden by rule but ignored by almost all) or an 'up in their face'....you can do this!.
I would really like to know some of your suggestions....so that I can make better suggestions to our school system.