Resources for Returning to School During COVID-19

Schools are at the very core of our communities and are critical to the academic, physical, and mental health of students as well the economic health of communities and ultimately the country. COVID-19 has forced schools, parents and communities to weigh these benefits against the risks of the COVID-19 in deciding how they will open, forcing difficult decisions for everyone involved.      

The Social Emotional Learning Community of Practice of the CSIU 16 Region has developed a series of resources to help communities, schools and parents face these difficult decisions. The document and links below include Educator and Parent Tips for helping students return to school. If you scroll down you will also find a compilation of resources that were gathered and vetted by the committee directly related to COVID-19 as it relates to opening schools. Each is listed with a brief description of the source and its contents. 

Download Tips for Parents on Helping Students Return to School during COVID-19.

Download Tips for Educators as Schools Open during COVID-19.

Staff and Student Wellness Guide – Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE)
This guide was developed in direct response to COVID-19 as well as the current social and racial un-rest. It provides a roadmap for schools designed to support staff and student wellness regardless of where school entities are in the planning or implementation phases of other initiatives. Key considerations, questions to consider, and resources have been presented to assist all school entities with the creation of equitable, trauma-informed plans that address the emotional wellness and safety of their students, families, and staff.

COVID-19 ("Coronavirus") Information and Resources for Schools and School Personnel - US Department of Education
This is a resource list of policies and guidance from the Federal Department of Education. It includes a great FAQ section with information related to specific programs such as special education, English learners, Career and Technical students, etc.

Return to School During COVID-19 - American Academy of Pediatrics Parenting Website
This HealthyChildren.Org article provides the latest AAP advice regarding school return and is updated as new data is received and analyzed.

School Decision-making Tool for Parents, Caregivers and Guardians - Center for Disease Control (CDC)
This tool is designed to help parents, caregivers, and guardians weigh the risks and benefits of available educational options to help them make decisions about sending their child back to school.

Supporting Your Child’s Mental Health as they return to school during COVID 19 - UNICEF
The format of this useful document developed by UNICEF is in the form of FAQ-s (Frequently Asked Questions.). It provides practical responses/suggestions for dealing with “what if” scenarios that parents will face.

Back to School Planning Checklist - Center for Disease Control (CDC)
This checklist provides parents/caregivers with an action plan to help them prepare their student(s) for what school may look like when they return. Completing the checklist with students can lower anxiety, and provide some control in a situation where all parties have little control.

Helping Children Cope with Changes Resulting from COVID-19 - National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)
This document provides great suggestions for helping students cope with changes as well as how adults can manage the information overload that accompanies the pandemic. There also is a downloadable Parent Guide for Talking to Children about COVID-19 Related issues.

COVID-19 Resources for School Counselors - Pennsylvania School Counselors Association (PSCA)
PSCA provides a series of roundtables as well as other resources related to COVID-19 and Schools.

School Counseling During COVID-19: Online Lessons and Resources - The American School Counselors Association (ASCA) 
ASCA provides a very comprehensive list of resources, including lessons plans, suggestions for virtual counseling etc.

Children Returning to School During COVID-19 - Parents At Work Network 
Parents At Work is a membership-based organization providing work + family education and policy advisory services to enable workplaces and their people to thrive.  They developed this practical and succinct resource guide to help parents navigate returning to school and to work.

An Initial Guide to Leveraging the Power of Social and Emotional Learning As You Prepare to Reopen and Renew your School Community - The Collaborative for Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL)
This guide provides a framework with actionable recommendations to help school leadership teams plan for the SEL needs of all students and adults during the upcoming transition into summer and the beginning of the new school year.

COVID-19 - How Teachers can Help Students Transition Back to School – Teacher Magazine
Teacher Magazine is an online national publication for school educators, published by the Australian Council for Educational Research.  This brief article provides a very succinct and useful set of suggestions for school return.

Moving Forward - Overcoming Barriers to Change - Teacher Magazine
A comprehensive set of suggestions from Australian Educational Experts on how to move forward during the pandemic.

7-Tips for Educators Returning to School during COVID-19 (Canada) -Anxiety Canada 
Anxiety Canada™ is a leader in developing free online, self-help, and evidence-based resources on anxiety.

How to Ease Kids Fears about Returning to School During COVID-19 - Parents Magazine Parents Magazine – A trusted periodical since 1926, Parents Magazine provides some practical tips for parents sending kids back to school during COVID-19.

COVID-19: Resilient Educator Toolkit - Resilient Educator 
The Resilient Educator™ is a training program which helps educators boost performance, improve school relationships, and strengthen resiliency. The COVID-19: Resilient Educator Toolkit equips teachers with actionable strategies and advice to use immediately for themselves and in working with and supporting children, parents, and families during these difficult times.

Re-Opening Primary Schools during the Pandemic - The New England Journal of Medicine 
This article provides a perspective on “Why In-Person Schooling Matters.”