Is it safe to return to school or university in September 2020?

8 Tips about what to do if you have concerns about your children returning to school or university during the Covid 19 Pandemic

As a parent you must have conflicting views about your children returning to school, college or university. On the one hand you feel its right as we have to get back to ‘normal’ at some point right?

And on the other hand; you feel: ‘No absolutely not! Its too soon to go back to school, we’ve managed so far with home – schooling via Zoom or Microsoft Teams. It is too soon to return to school or university?

There may even be times when you have changed your mind about how you feel about the whole situation, and that too, is perfectly natural.

So here are some tips about what to do if you have concerns about your children returning to school or university during the Covid 19 Pandemic.

1. Keep in contact with your child’s school or university to get regular information and updates about lesson times, social distancing with school or university and hygiene rules in these settings before term starts.

2. This will give you an opportunity to speak to staff about your concerns and what the new school day/university day will looks like and what the new protocol is and how to stay safe.

3. Check the news and social media for updates. Keep this to once a day to ensure that you don’t let it consume your thoughts and ruin your day.

4. Be aware that, whilst news and social media can be helpful and informative; other news and social media can be misleading and untrue.

5. Speak to other parents and teachers about your concerns. Another perspective can be useful.

6. Make sure your children are aware of the need to social distance and stay in classroom bubbles and or friendships bubbles as advised by their school and or teacher.

7. Follow the distancing rules when moving around the school or university. For example, use one door to enter a classroom and another one to exit the classroom. The same is true when using corridors. Classrooms and corridors should have clear signs and marking to help your children navigate around the school or university safely.

8. If the guidance changes between now and September, the media provide regular updates.

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