Post-pandemic: Tips for Preparing Students’ Return to School

Better to Be Prepared Than Not: A Safe and Orderly Return of Students to School

e have been asked by a number of schools for advice regarding preparations for students’ return to school. Whether in June or in the fall, students and staff will return and this requires considerable thought and planning.

We naturally look to experts to guide us in our decision-making process. Also, looking at the decisions other jurisdictions have made before us will help us to steer towards our goal. Given the world’s capacity for instantaneous communication and our ability to distill ‘best practice’ from virtually endless sources, educators and school administrators can be overwhelmed facing such difficult decisions.

Learnings from Quebec’s School Opening

The opening of elementary schools in parts of Quebec during the week of May 11 is informative for us to see which resources and guidance are provided for schools in that province.  The English language school board of Western Quebec has an excellent website that provides information for parents. The information is broken down into areas that serve as a very useful starting point for school administrators in their planning for students’ return to school in any other province. Even if detailed information is forthcoming in the future from our Ministry, it is likely to address a similar list of functions that require careful consideration and planning by school administrators.

Other Countries’ School Opening Processes

We can also learn from school openings in other countries such as Denmark and Germany. These countries have opened some of their schools regulating hygienic procedures, physical separation and staggered schedules.  While school administrators wished for more clarity and detail for the post-pandemic world, one generalization that seems to rise to the surface is that societies that trust their government and the authorities will be able to manage a smoother transition to a ‘new normal’ in education. It’s a good reminder for us of the importance of trust and the impact of every decision and every new initiative on our relationships.

Where to Start

A good place for the planning to start is to ensure that decision makers are aware of the latest information and resources available to assist in their work. There are so many places to look, both locally and internationally. It is best to look at fewer, more relevant sources of information rather than casting a wider net. Yes, there is information coming from the WHO, but it is likely best to focus on what our local governments are saying to us.  

Announcements from the Ontario Ministry of Education are available at their Newsroom and on their website.

Administrators will want to manage students’ return to their schools in a way that considers a number of criteria that would likely include the following:

Be Prepared and Be Adaptable

It is good to remember that decisions made on the fly without a framework will likely not be the most effective. Getting this right is important, but also anticipate that all decisions will be scrutinized and evaluated by everyone. It is best to prepare for ‘deployment.01’ and get ready to review and modify as required, always working within the criteria you and your team have laid out.