
Carl J. Petersen: If there is a bright side to this crisis it may be that students finally get the smaller class sizes that they deserve. Unfortunately, it took a health care crisis to get it done.
While administrators will bear the responsibility for ensuring that there are fewer students in a classroom, teachers are going to have to be empowered in order to make it work. They are going to have to develop new strategies for this new normal, especially in classes where group learning occurs like in science labs and music classes.
Dr. Mike Robinson: Is Schooling with social distancing even possible?
Carl J. Petersen: Failing at this task is not an option. It is clear that the distance learning model is failing many students, especially those with special education needs and we need to get children back in school buildings as soon as it is safely possible.
Staffing levels are going to have to increase to ensure that children and faculty are following the rules to keep everyone safe. As an “essential” worker during this crisis who had the responsibility of ensuring that his team follows these new rules, I know that it is a difficult task with adults. I cannot imagine what it will be like with children.
Dr. Mike Robinson: Staggered start times; alternate weeks of attendance; remote learning until further notice.
Carl J. Petersen: Yes, all of the above and also something more. All options need to be on the table as we work towards an inflexible goal. Having worked through this already in my workplace, I have learned that success is achieved through trial and error. We need to have the courage to admit when something is not working and then try something else.
Dr. Mike Robinson: What are thoughts about teachers wearing masks and other PPE?
Carl J. Petersen: I work in a clean room so I have experience with this. At first this gear can feel very confining, but it soon becomes second nature to compensate for the fact that people can only see half of my face. For example, I have instinctively learned to exaggerate facial expressions when communicating with my team.
Dr. Mike Robinson: This question comes from a parent. "When schools are open, what signs would be visible that would suggest social distancing is working?
Carl J. Petersen: In my experience, you never reach a point where it has worked. People are social animals and will gravitate towards congregating in groups. Maintaining social distancing is a constant process of reminding people of the importance of doing it.
Because maintaining social distance at the school site will be an imperfect science and monitoring what children and staff do off-campus is completely out of the school’s control, a testing program is completely mandatory before we open the gates to the schools. This needs to include initial tests before admittance and daily health screenings including a temperature check.
BIO: Carl Petersen is a father of five, including two daughters who are on the autism spectrum. During a drawn-out mediation over special education services, he turned to his wife, Nicole, and said: “somebody has to change this.” Nicole replied, “What about you?” He accepted the challenge and has run twice for a position on the LAUSD School Board. During his last campaign, he was endorsed by the Network for Public Education (NPE) Action and Dr. Diane Ravitch called him a “strong supporter of public schools.” Links to his blogs can be found at www.ChangeTheLAUSD.com. Opinions are his own.