Page 8 - spaces4learning, July/August 2020

RETHINKING
SCHOOL SPACES
AND STRUCTURES
TO MAINTAIN
PROPER
DISTANCING
AMID COVID-19
When students finally return to school after months of learning from home, there will be dramatic changes. Even when K-12 leaders are allowed to reopen their facilities, doing so safely and responsibly will require everyone to maintain proper distancing while they’re at school, experts agree — at least until there is a working vaccine for the COVID-19 virus.
By Cindy Eggebrecht-Weinschreider
THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION (CDC) guidelines for how schools and other organizations can safely reopen make the following recommendations for main- taining social distancing and limiting the sharing of materials within schools:
• Pursue virtual activities and events in lieu of field trips, stu- dent assemblies, special performances, school-wide parent meetings, and spirit nights if possible. Promote social distanc- ing of at least six feet between people if events are held, and limit group size to the extent possible.
• Limit nonessential visitors, volunteers, and activities involv- ing external groups of people as possible.
• Space student desks and seating at least six feet apart when feasible. Turn desks to face in the same direction, or have stu- dents sit on only one side of tables, spread at least six feet apart.
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Close communal-use spaces such as dining halls and playgrounds if possible; otherwise, stagger their use and disinfect them in between uses.
Have students eat meals in class-
rooms. Serve individually plated
meals, or encourage students to
bring their own meals from home where possible.
Stagger arrival and drop-off times or locations by cohort, or put in place other measures to limit direct contact with par- ents as much as possible.
Keep each child’s belongings separated from others’ and in individually labeled containers, cubbies, or areas.
Have enough supplies to minimize the sharing of high-touch materials to the extent possible (art supplies, math manipula-
8 JUL/AUG 2020