Back to School

Back to School

New Rules for Back to School

Going back to the classroom is going to look very different this year. Kids will need to practice social distancing whenever they can, which may include staying far apart in class and during recess, snack time and lunchtime. When social distancing isn’t possible, such as when they’re in line or on a school bus, they’ll need to be sure to keep their masks on, and not have physical contact with others. Parents will also have to carefully monitor their child’s health every day. And if schools do get shut down, you’ll need a stay-at-home plan in place.

Here are our recommendations for kids going back to school:

Every Day Before School

  • If your child is experiencing a headache, sore throat, chills, body aches or other symptoms, keep them at home and contact your pediatrician. 
  • Take your child’s temperature to make sure they’re feeling well and not running a fever. Children with a temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher should not go to school that day. Be sure to follow your school’s guidelines for when your child is allowed to return.
  • If your child has been exposed to someone who has COVID-19, do not send your child to school. Again, contact your pediatrician for guidance.

During School

  • Your child’s school has probably already issued guidelines for the rules that will be in place during the school day. Go over the guidelines with your child so he/she knows what the expectations are. You can also get helpful back-to-school information from the Centers for Disease Control website.
  • Remind your child to wash his/her hands frequently with lots of soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If you send your child to school with hand sanitizer, make sure it’s labeled with their name and that they know how to use it properly.
  • If taking a bus to school, your child should wear a mask the entire time, and if possible, sit with his/her sibling instead of friends.
  • If your child sneezes into a mask, they should replace it with a clean mask.
  • Also remind your child not to share food, water bottles, supplies, clothing or other personal items with their friends.
  • Consider sending a water bottle to school with your child each day.