By Jakob Cowan

For the upcoming school year there will be some new safety standards. Of course as many know masks will be required if school goes back into session as well as everyone must follow the six foot rule. This in turn will make classes smaller and more staggered. It also may be required to have the vaccine in order to return to school but that is still unknown. As well as if school is to return the government will have to say that it is okay to do so. Upon coming into the building you will have your temperature tested to see if you are sick or not. Also if you have any of the COVID symptoms then you must stay home and will have to do your school work online. They have said that there is a possibility that the classes will be 50/50 or you will go then you will stay at home and it will be online. For instance, in Stanwood High Schoolers will be returning to school on February 25th and they will go for two days a week for two hours a day and then go home and do the rest of school online. These are following the CDC’s guidelines but here are all of them: 

  • Keeping ill persons out of school. Educate students, families and staff to stay home when sick, and use screening methods.
  • Using cohorts. Conduct all activities in small groups that remain together over time with minimal mixing of groups.
  • Physical distancing. Minimize close contact (less than six feet) with other people.
  • Hand hygiene. Frequently wash with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand gel.
  • Protective equipment. Use face coverings or shields and other barriers between people. For employees, follow all Labor and Industries (L&I) and Employer Health & Safety Requirements for School Scenarios guidance.
  • Environmental cleaning and disinfection. Prioritize the cleaning of high-touch surfaces.
  • Improve indoor ventilation. Open windows when possible. • Isolation. Isolate sick people and exclude exposed people. 
  • Low risk spaces. Outdoor spaces are safer than indoor spaces. Consider moving activities outdoors when possible.

If You want more information about health and safety go to cdc.gov and they have more information on how to stay safe. As for staff they will have to follow these following guidelines to ensure safety to all students such as:

  • How to screen for symptoms.
  • How to maintain physical distance. 
  • The use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
  • Understanding and practicing frequent cleaning and handwashing. 
  • How to handle situations when someone develops signs of COVID-19.

 

There is also an emphasis on communicating regularly with students, families and staff. Emphasize the importance of staying home when sick, maintaining six feet of physical distance, and hand hygiene. Communication should be provided using multiple methods, such as posters, written letters, email, text message, phone, video conferencing. Make sure communication is in the language that parents best understand. This in turn will make a safer environment for staff and students and this is what the CDC’s guidelines are.