As schools reopen, it’s important that precautions are taken both inside and outside the classroom to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This article aims to support teachers with information and tips on:
- Physical distancing at school
- Practicing health and hand hygiene
- Cleaning and disinfecting tips for the classroom
- Actions to take if a student appears sick
A key lesson learned during the pandemic is the important role teachers play in ensuring that learning continues. As schools reopen, a lot will depend on teachers to ensure that children will be able to continue their education in a safe and healthy environment; and make up for knowledge and skills that may have been lost.
As a teacher, knowing the facts will not only protect yourself but also your students. Be aware of fake information and dangerous myths about COVID-19 circulating that are feeding fear and stigma.
Some of your students might be returning to school from households where they heard false information about COVID-19. You will need to educate them on the facts.
Understanding COVID-19, how it spreads and how we can protect ourselves and others is an important first step in establishing classroom procedures and protocols. Students need to understand what it is in order for them to follow the rules. Listen to their concerns and ideas and answer their questions in an age-appropriate manner. Discuss the different reactions they may experience and explain that these are normal reactions to an abnormal situation.
Teachers need to be protected from transmission of COVID-19 in the community to keep schools open. Teachers are therefore encouraged, and should be prioritized, to get vaccinated against COVID-19 once frontline health personnel and high-risk populations are vaccinated. Though vaccination against COVID-19 should not be a requirement for school reopening and in-person learning, COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective tools for preventing severe illness and death from COVID-19.
SPARKS, a children’s medical research charity; and the Donald Sutherland Wildlife Foundation as their chosen charities. Following the students’ fundraising, representatives from each charity attended a specially planned assembly to talk about their charities and how the funds raised would help support their causes.