@wlong10 Dr. Mike Robinson: How can schools practice social distancing when kids return?
Dr. Wanda Brooks-Long: Its Time to Think About Reopening Schools
1. National Funding for designation of all schools for the 2020-2021 as School wide Nutrition Program Schools K-12 including Breakfast, Lunch, After-school .
2. National Funding to hire additional Custodial and Food service staff for all schools for the 2020-2021 school year.
3. National Funding for Extended day and school year programming for all schools for 2020-2021 .
4. National Funding to hire additional Guidance Counselors and Social Workers to support Grief counseling and Corona onset PTSD in students, teachers and parents.
5. National Funding to hire Class Size reduction teachers to support social distancing for all schools for the 2020-2021 school year.
6. National Funding for increasing classroom spaces in all schools to support social distancing for the 2020-2021 school year.
7. National Funding for Security staff to increase available entrance and egress doorways in all schools in support of social distancing for the 2020-2021 school year.
8. National Funding for additional School Nurses/Nurse Practitioners to support student ,staff and community testing, sanitation training and wellness monitoring in all schools in support of safe and healthy schools for the 2020-2021 school year.
9. National Funding for increase in per pupil spending cost for the purchase of Corona related school supplies for all schools for the 2020-2021 school year.
10. National Funding for professional development , technical support, infrastructure and end user materials and supplies for the implementation of Virtual learning for all schools for the 2020-2021 school year.
11. National Funding for School Uniforms to prevent Bullying of students due to Corona impact on parent financials
Dr. Mike Robinson: Is Schooling with social distancing even possible?
Dr. Wanda Brooks-Long: Yes, Schooling with social distancing is possible: With a return to what we now consider antiquated classroom configurations(Rows)using the Social Distancing parameters, with utilization of class-size best practices( 12 -15 students in a classroom), with the establishment of classroom small group (3) instructional zones, with a move to both breakfast and lunch in the classroom( Dr. Tonya McGee, Newark Public Schools can provide a detailed description of the process)with a move to teachers moving from classroom to classroom and students remaining in their homerooms(Establishment of Grade Level Pods) with the establishment of additional entrance and egress locations, with the establishment of Pod Preparation and Lunch periods reducing the number of students on the playground or in a Special as again the Teachers come to the students. There will need to be an increase in staffing-See above
Dr. Mike Robinson: To what extent do you believe staggered start times; alternate weeks of attendance; and remote learning until further notice be an effective social distancing strategy?
Dr. Wanda Brooks-Long: I have believed for over a decade now the United States should relinquish the Industrial and Farm age models used to inform public education. We have a unique opportunity to create the model that will serve for further generations. Sometimes Chaos brings on the swiftest change. Utilizing a European or Asian model for the school year and/or day would open up additional opportunities for meeting school needs. Remote Learning/ Distance Learning/ Virtual Learning when paired with Flipped and UBD planning can add a major element to Instructional planning and assessment. I would not recommend alternative weeks of attendance. Our children need consistency and normalcy as do your teachers, parents, community and business partners.
Dr. Mike Robinson: What are your thoughts about teachers wearing masks and other PPE in the classroom?
Dr. Wanda Brooks-Long: I believe it would be extremely difficult to teach all day with a mask. I believe adding air purifiers, electrostatic cleaning, and ultraviolet light, washing hands and practicing instructional modalities that support Social Distancing would be a better alternative. I do believe all schools should move to school uniforms.
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?
Dr. Wanda Brooks-Long: I believe it would be extremely difficult to teach all day with a mask. I believe adding air purifiers, electrostatic cleaning, and ultraviolet light, washing hands and practicing instructional modalities that support Social Distancing would be a better alternative. I do believe all schools should move to school uniforms. Unfortunately signs that remind parents that visitations will limit to appointment only.
Bio
Dr. Wanda Brooks- Long is a dynamic educational leader committed to continual development of school leaders and instructional staff within a school community.
Dr. Wanda Brooks-Long: Its Time to Think About Reopening Schools
1. National Funding for designation of all schools for the 2020-2021 as School wide Nutrition Program Schools K-12 including Breakfast, Lunch, After-school .
2. National Funding to hire additional Custodial and Food service staff for all schools for the 2020-2021 school year.
3. National Funding for Extended day and school year programming for all schools for 2020-2021 .
4. National Funding to hire additional Guidance Counselors and Social Workers to support Grief counseling and Corona onset PTSD in students, teachers and parents.
5. National Funding to hire Class Size reduction teachers to support social distancing for all schools for the 2020-2021 school year.
6. National Funding for increasing classroom spaces in all schools to support social distancing for the 2020-2021 school year.
7. National Funding for Security staff to increase available entrance and egress doorways in all schools in support of social distancing for the 2020-2021 school year.
8. National Funding for additional School Nurses/Nurse Practitioners to support student ,staff and community testing, sanitation training and wellness monitoring in all schools in support of safe and healthy schools for the 2020-2021 school year.
9. National Funding for increase in per pupil spending cost for the purchase of Corona related school supplies for all schools for the 2020-2021 school year.
10. National Funding for professional development , technical support, infrastructure and end user materials and supplies for the implementation of Virtual learning for all schools for the 2020-2021 school year.
11. National Funding for School Uniforms to prevent Bullying of students due to Corona impact on parent financials
Dr. Mike Robinson: Is Schooling with social distancing even possible?
Dr. Wanda Brooks-Long: Yes, Schooling with social distancing is possible: With a return to what we now consider antiquated classroom configurations(Rows)using the Social Distancing parameters, with utilization of class-size best practices( 12 -15 students in a classroom), with the establishment of classroom small group (3) instructional zones, with a move to both breakfast and lunch in the classroom( Dr. Tonya McGee, Newark Public Schools can provide a detailed description of the process)with a move to teachers moving from classroom to classroom and students remaining in their homerooms(Establishment of Grade Level Pods) with the establishment of additional entrance and egress locations, with the establishment of Pod Preparation and Lunch periods reducing the number of students on the playground or in a Special as again the Teachers come to the students. There will need to be an increase in staffing-See above
Dr. Mike Robinson: To what extent do you believe staggered start times; alternate weeks of attendance; and remote learning until further notice be an effective social distancing strategy?
Dr. Wanda Brooks-Long: I have believed for over a decade now the United States should relinquish the Industrial and Farm age models used to inform public education. We have a unique opportunity to create the model that will serve for further generations. Sometimes Chaos brings on the swiftest change. Utilizing a European or Asian model for the school year and/or day would open up additional opportunities for meeting school needs. Remote Learning/ Distance Learning/ Virtual Learning when paired with Flipped and UBD planning can add a major element to Instructional planning and assessment. I would not recommend alternative weeks of attendance. Our children need consistency and normalcy as do your teachers, parents, community and business partners.
Dr. Mike Robinson: What are your thoughts about teachers wearing masks and other PPE in the classroom?
Dr. Wanda Brooks-Long: I believe it would be extremely difficult to teach all day with a mask. I believe adding air purifiers, electrostatic cleaning, and ultraviolet light, washing hands and practicing instructional modalities that support Social Distancing would be a better alternative. I do believe all schools should move to school uniforms.
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?
Dr. Wanda Brooks-Long: I believe it would be extremely difficult to teach all day with a mask. I believe adding air purifiers, electrostatic cleaning, and ultraviolet light, washing hands and practicing instructional modalities that support Social Distancing would be a better alternative. I do believe all schools should move to school uniforms. Unfortunately signs that remind parents that visitations will limit to appointment only.
Bio
Dr. Wanda Brooks- Long is a dynamic educational leader committed to continual development of school leaders and instructional staff within a school community.