Ask the Rev. Doctor Maria: August 11, 2020
- Are AAP recommended strategies such as cohort classes, use of outdoor spaces when feasible, and strategic teacher assignment being used?
- What daily cleaning protocols are being implemented?
- What harm reduction strategies are being used when "best practices" aren't feasible (for instance, masks are a great mitigation strategy, but in small children who won't be able to keep their hands off of them or keep them on, not so much...)
- Is the school using a data-driven approach to handling trigger points to temporarily return to online learning?
Every family is different; every family's choice will not be the same. For some families and children, the hybrid approach is best; for others, keeping their children "online only" and supplementing their social needs may be best; for still others, making the decision to homeschool or create a cohort of homeschooling families might be best.
Whatever your choice, I ask you to consider two things:
1. It is highly likely schools will have to return to temporary "online only" options, since, unlike the European and Asian countries, we are still in the "first wave" of this. Everyone needs to have a "plan B" and maybe even a "plan C" and "plan D"
2. It's easy to start thinking of our children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews in terms of loss and in terms of disadvantage--not being able to play certain sports this year, missing out on the "special things" such as proms, graduations, etc. -- but give kids the power to create their own special memories. My guess is that these kids will look back as adults someday, and yes, they will have their regrets and maybe even their resentments that it was a "boring" time -- yet at the same time, I believe what they will remember most fondly is that they got to spend a lot more quality time with US -- the parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. All any of us can be in these difficult days is a "good enough" parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, neighbor.
3. Our own personal choices, whatever they may be, don't give us the luxury to ignore the needs of those families who have fewer choices than ourselves. I urge you to pray, ponder, and act as advocates for families who have the least number of choices. As Christians, we are always on the lookout for "the least of these."
Pray earnestly, fervently, and frequently for our kids, parents, teachers, and school administrators as we set sail in uncharted waters in the weeks ahead, and try to have an extra dose of compassion for those making tough decisions.
Faithfully,
The Rev. Dr. Maria L. Evans
who doubles as
Maria L. Evans, MD, FCAP, FASCP
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