Are the kids going back to school next month? I’m Zulah Talmadge here in the newsroom of The Shady Pines Gazette. Every parent in town with young children wants to know the answer to that question. The trouble is, no one seems sure how to safely do that while we’re still dealing with this Covid 19 pandemic.
The number of cases here in Shady Pines Story Town are still low, but the hospital in nearby River City, reports a growing number of peopleare being treated with the virus. And, it’s not just older people. Young people are getting sick, too. Health care workers on the front lines are worried that things might get worse very quickly.
That’s why everyone is asking, “Is it too risky to open Shady Pines Elementary?” There are so many questions about how to keep not only the kids and teachers safe, but what about the bus drivers, the people who clean the school and who serve lunch in the cafeteria? What about them? 
Every parent, grandparent, and caregiver I’ve talked to wants their kids back in the classroom. They also want to make sure that everything possible will be done to make sure the kids stay healthy and don’t bring Coronavirus home to the family. No one wants to come down with that horrible virus, right? Some people believe young children are not as likely to get sick. But new information now shows that may not be true. READ ABOUT THAT HERE
Before the school buses roll again, we’re learning that a lot of safety measures need to be in place. Health experts say that everyone should wear masks and kids’ desks need to be six feet apart. There should be places where kids can wash their hands or use hand sanitizer. Posting pictures with instructions is also a good idea. And, what about recess? How will play time actually work with these new guidelines? 
All surfaces should be wiped down often. But, how often? What about buses? How far apart can kids actually sit in a limited space like that?
Some schools in other countries are having good results with new ways to handle even the way kids walk into school. In Denmark, for example, the children line up next to traffic cones placed six feet apart. Only ten students can be in a classroom at the same time. They’ve even fround a way to make social distancing kinda fun by turning it into a game 
called, Shadow Tag. The idea is for every child to tag one another’s shadow so they stay six feet apart and that way, they’re not touching.
There are a whole lot of folks in Shady Pines working to come up with the best solution to the problem of how to open our school. Scoop, my Cub Reporter, and I will stay on this story and continue to bring you updates. In the meantime, if you have heard some good ideas about how to open schools safely, by all means please share them with us in the comment section below.
Talk to you soon!
I really like the way you bring up current events in this blog in a way that kids can relate and understand. My grandchildren are hearing their parents discuss this a lot. Right now they aren’t sure what’s going to happen with the kids’ school.
I’ve been having conversations with other parents and no one seems really gung ho about sending the kids back to school while this virus is out of control. Thank you for keeping this situation front and center in Shady Pines.
This is such a timely matter. My kids and their children are all trying to navigate the “new normal.” They’re not sure what they’re going to do even if the schools do re open. Please keep this conversation going.
You know I’m not sure I really thought about all the people who are potentially affected if a school doesn’t open safely. Bus drivers, cafeteria workers, janitors. This is a really good reminder that the issue is far beyond teachers and kids.
I had never heard of shadow tagging before I read it here. I’m going to share this with my son’s teacher.
Opinions are all over the place when it comes to reopening schools. Our district is considering some on site and some remote learning. No decision yet.
My child’s school is wrestling with these same issues. We are in a hot spot for Coronavirus and I’m not sure we want our daughter back in school yet.
As usual, this town is on the pulse of what’s happening. Well done Shady Pines.
From Shady Pines to Denmark for ideas on how to open schools. Very cool.
Shady Pines is up to date on current events like school re openings. This is a good resource for kids.