{"id":7707,"date":"2020-09-11T18:12:51","date_gmt":"2020-09-11T12:42:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.univariety.com\/blog\/?p=7707"},"modified":"2020-09-14T16:22:00","modified_gmt":"2020-09-14T10:52:00","slug":"schools-reopening-what-to-expect","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.univariety.com\/blog\/schools-reopening-what-to-expect\/","title":{"rendered":"Schools Reopening: What To Expect?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 24px; color: #000000;\">With schools set to reopen from 21st September, a quick look at what you need to know<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 20px;\">On August 29, 2020, when the government had announced a set of guidelines under Unlock 4.0, it had also given its consent for the partial reopening of schools from Sept 21. The move, however, comes with its own set of regulations.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\"><a style=\"color: #000000;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.univariety.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Schools-Reopen_-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-7709\" title=\" schools reopening\" src=\"https:\/\/www.univariety.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Schools-Reopen_-1.jpg\" alt=\"details of schools reopening\" width=\"592\" height=\"592\" \/><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 24px;\"><b>What can we expect from schools?\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 20px;\">All eyes are on schools right now. Based on their discretion, they will now decide how many school lessons or activities require the physical presence of students and teachers. <strong>Online lessons are being continued in most schools<\/strong> and nothing is likely to change on that front.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-size: 20px;\">In the event of some students and staff returning to schools, the authorities shoulder a massive responsibility. After all, it is a question of safety. Schools will need to ensure that\u00a0<\/span><a style=\"color: #000000;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.univariety.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Schools-Reopen_-1.jpg\"><br \/>\n<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 20px;\">students and teachers maintain the social distancing norm of six-feet at all times\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 20px;\">they wash their hands frequently for 40-60 seconds\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 20px;\">students and teachers wear a face mask at all times and gloves whenever necessary\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 20px;\">they use an alcohol-based sanitizer wherever feasible\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 20px;\">they cover their mouth whenever coughing or sneezing\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 20px;\">any work areas or common areas are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized, especially frequently touched surfaces. If a school was used as a quarantine center, then the premises has to be deep cleaned and sanitized before allowing students and staff inside.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 20px;\">The government has also advised that schools <strong>could ask for the Aarogya Setu App<\/strong> to be installed if needed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 20px;\">Though the central government has declared so, the state of Maharashtra has put a hold on it till Sept 30. However, we have started planning for the same and are expecting 50% of students to report to the school.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: 20px;\">As preparation, we have divided the entire school students\u2019 strength into two batches. Each batch will report to school on alternate days to ensure physical distancing in the classrooms. Thermal temperature scanning, oximeter, and sanitization will be done before entering the school bus, and shoes will be sanitized before entering the school premises. Once students leave, the school will be sanitized every day and the staff will also be trained in these processes. We will continue to have a blend of online and offline classes. Those who wish to stay home will be provided with the option of online school.\u201d<\/span> <em><span style=\"font-size: 20px;\">(<\/span><\/em><\/span><em><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 20px;\"><strong>Mr.Pramod Tripathi<\/strong>, <strong>Headmaster, Ashoka Universal School<\/strong>)<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 24px;\">What activities are going to resume? <\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 20px;\">Any activity that might lead to a large crowd- <strong>assemblies, sports, other events- will not resume any time soon<\/strong>. Schools with swimming pools will keep them closed. <strong>Cafeterias<\/strong> will also remain <strong>shut<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 20px;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For commonly used areas, and for queue management, <strong>markings will be made<\/strong> so that students and staff can maintain social distancing. <\/span><b>Labs<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, especially those that are used frequently will be sanitized frequently. <\/span><b>Air-conditioned classrooms and labs<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> will need to maintain a temperature between 24 and 30 degrees Celsius. Humidity will have to be 40-70 percent. The Ministry Of Home Affairs, however, has asked for students and staff to take in as much fresh air as possible and that there be cross-ventilation in all rooms.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 20px;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">In Maharashtra, schools are shut till Sept 30 and the government has not set a definite date for reopening. Whenever schools start, a dual system of online and physical classes will be followed. The school will follow all SOPs issued by the government diligently.\u00a0 We are already working on them. \u201c (<\/span><em><strong><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">Vinita Dsouza<br \/>\nCEO\/ Head of School, Trinity International School)\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 20px;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Students will be provided <strong>t<\/strong><\/span><b>heir own time slot<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to come into school and consult teachers. They must maintain adequate physical distance. As far as lab activity is concerned, students are required to sanitize their hands before touching anything.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 24px;\"><b>How safe is this going to be?\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 20px;\">The biggest concern that parents have expressed <strong>is that of the safety of their children<\/strong>. There is now an added responsibility on the part of <strong>schools<\/strong> to keep the premises clean and sanitized. They must <strong>clean their floors frequently<\/strong> and make hand wash and sanitizers available for all students who visit. In addition to that, they must disinfect frequently touched surfaces before and after the sessions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 20px;\">&#8220;As of now, the government in UP has stalled the reopening of schools but we do expect at least 20% to 25% of our students to come to school for guidance, usage of the library, practical classes, and doubt clearing. There is a complete SOP that has been made and several pieces of training have been done. We have purchased thermal scanners, gloves, masks, sanitizers, and different equipment. The teachers and other staff will be trained and the campus will be made completely touch-free. Deep cleaning and sanitization will have to be done regularly. However, it is going to be difficult to stop students from maintaining social distancing from their friends whom they will meet after months. We have a full provision of online classes. The planning and time table for the same is underway but the mindset is to see that no child is left behind.&#8221; <em><strong>(Amrita Burman, Deputy Director, Sunbeam Group Of Institutions)<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 20px;\">While these are the guidelines of the Ministry Of Home Affairs, it remains to be seen how effectively they can be followed. Another important factor to take into consideration is <strong>how parents will react to this situation<\/strong>. While it is true that spending hours in front of the screen has adverse effects, sending them to school during a pandemic is even more worrisome. <strong>Are parents willing to take that risk?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: 20px;\">We have done a survey of 5000 parents and<\/span> 84% of them want to send their children to school only after Diwali. 44% of them only want to send their kids the next academic year.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">Online classes are the only hope for schools right now. Eventually, we will think about sanitization. We are conducting online classes since April for 7300 parents and all of them are regularly attending. The students are faring well in exams too and hence we feel learning is happening.\u201d (<\/span><em><span style=\"font-size: 20px;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">Manan Choksi<br \/>\nExecutive Director, Udgam School For Children)<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 24px;\"><b>Can parents do something about this?\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 20px;\">Ultimately, the decision to send their children to school rests with parents. Most schools understand this and have the provision of online lessons for students whose parents don\u2019t want them to step out.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 20px;\">Apart from the safety precautions that schools are taking, parents can choose to take their own extra measures to feel safer. For instance, they could provide face shields to their children instead of just a face mask or even do something as basic as talking to their children about the dire consequences of being careless in this matter. It is now evident that it is up to us and this situation will take some time to change. At the end of the day, the need of the hour is to keep safe and take care of ourselves and our loved ones.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>With schools set to reopen from 21st September, a quick look at what you need to know On August 29, 2020, when the government had announced a set of guidelines under Unlock 4.0, it had also given its consent for the partial reopening of schools from Sept 21. The move, however, comes with its own<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6479,"featured_media":7710,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"amp_status":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[360,580,578,579],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v15.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Schools Reopening: What To Expect? - Univariety Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Schools reopening from September 21 has resulted in several questions in the minds of parents. 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