The next school year will look different. DPI recommends planning for multiple scenarios. Assumptions that go into this recommendation are as follows:
- Schools should plan for change throughout the next school year. Schools and districts should monitor guidance affecting their communities and be pre- pared to shift between in-person, physically-distanced, and virtual learning throughout the school year.
- New health and safety protocols will impact many aspects of school operations, including teaching and learning. Health and safety recommendations may change during the school year as new best practices develop and may vary from one community to another.
- Guidance from national, state, county, and city health officials will include general recommendations to be adapted locally. For example, guidance on physical distancing, surveillance measures, and disinfecting could impact decisions related to teaching and learning. In particular, the physical distancing guidance may lead to class size constraints best met by students attending school in staggered groups, in shifts, or in static groupings.
- According to the Centers for Disease Control, “current data suggest a disproportionate burden of illness and death among racial and ethnic minority groups.” (COVID-19 in Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups, CDC).
- Schools provide not only positive educational and social interactions, but also ensure students are cared for when families work outside the home. School closures and reduced time in the school building may put a strain on families needing to make additional childcare arrangements.
- Some staff and students may not feel safe coming into school buildings and may need to work and study from home.
- Those over age 60 are in a higher-risk category due to COVID-19.
- Staff may have underlying conditions putting them at high risk for infection as well.
- Students may have underlying conditions or live with family members who are at high risk.