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Planning To Reopen - Our Schools, Decision Making Tool

8/11/2020 (Permalink)

As schools begin to reopen across the nation, parents, guardians, and caregivers will be making decisions based on numerous factors, such as individual preferences, health concerns, work situations, and school considerations. When making decisions about school for your family, there are many things to think about beyond academics, such as access to school meal programs, social services, extended day childcare, extra-curricular activities, social-emotional support from peers and educators, and transportation. Parents, guardians, and caregivers will be thinking about numerous factors, such as individual preferences, health concerns, work situations, and school considerations.

Many schools are offering parents and guardians a choice between in-person and virtual modes of instruction. CDC's Decision-Making Tool for Parents and Guardians is designed to help you think through school re-entry and the choices that your child’s school is offering.

According to the CDC, in lieu of a vaccine or therapeutic drug, mitigation is the greatest weapon communities can wield to slow the spread of a virus with pandemic potential such as COVID-19. COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by a new (and some data suggests evolving) coronavirus.

NOTE: COVID-19 is highly transmissible. Individuals should follow these universal precautions regardless of the extent of mitigation needed:

  1. Follow healthy hygiene practices
  2. Stay at home when sick
  3. Practice social distancing 
  4. Use a cloth face covering (with some exceptions) in community settings when physical distancing cannot be maintained.

(See our "Planning to Reopen series of blogs for more information regarding CDC, EPA, FDA, Mass EEA and OSHA safety requirements). To review the administration's reopening guidance from the state click here. To view Governor Baker's full report click here).

Household and Community Risks for COVID-19

If you, your child, or a household member are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19, you will need to weigh the benefits, risks, and feasibility of the educational options available. The table below will help you to assess your risk for COVID-19. If your response to any of the following 3 scenarios it true the risk of COVID infection is high. 

  1. My child has an underlying condition that increases the risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
  2. I live with someone, or my child’s caregiver, is at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 due to age or underlying medical conditions.
  3. The level of community spread in my area is high.

Decision-Making Tool 

Choosing whether or not to send your child back to school can be difficult. When weighing decisions about your child returning to school, it is important to consider your family’s unique needs and situation and your comfort level with the steps your school is taking to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Some considerations may include the specific risks to members of your household if a child were to become infected in school, as well as access to school meal programs, social services, extended day childcare services and extra-curricular activities, social-emotional support from peers and educators, and school transportation.

These questions address your views about how your school is preparing for school year 2020-2021 and are designed to help you weigh the risks and benefits of available educational options before you make decisions. If you answer “unsure” to any items regarding your school’s plan, consider reaching out to your school administrator for more information.

  1. I feel comfortable with my school’s reopening plans for reducing risk of spreading COVID-19.
    • Does not Apply
    • Disagree
    • Unsure
    • Agree
  2. I believe my school has the resources needed to effectively implement their reopening plan (e.g., staffing, supplies, training).
    • Does not Apply
    • Disagree
    • Unsure
    • Agree
  3. I feel comfortable with my school’s plan if a student or staff member test positive for COVID-19.
    • Does not Apply
    • Disagree
    • Unsure
    • Agree
  4. I believe my school has a plan to provide an effective program of instruction every day of the regular school week (generally five days).
    • Does not Apply
    • Disagree
    • Unsure
    • Agree
  5. I am satisfied with how my school communicates with families about the changes it is considering.
    • Does not Apply
    • Disagree
    • Unsure
    • Agree
  6. I am satisfied with how my school is addressing parents’ or caregivers’ concerns and questions.
    • Does not Apply
    • Disagree
    • Unsure
    • Agree
  7. My child knows how to properly wear a mask and understands the importance of doing so.
    • Does not Apply
    • Disagree
    • Unsure
    • Agree
  8. My child can wear a mask for an extended period of time, if required by the school.
    • Does not Apply
    • Disagree
    • Unsure
    • Agree
  9. My child has a reliable mode of transportation to and from school (e.g., school bus, carpool, walk/bike, public transit).
    • Does not Apply
    • Disagree
    • Unsure
    • Agree
  10. I am comfortable with how my child’s mode of transportation to and from school is reducing the risk of spreading COVID-19 (e.g., decreased bus/transit capacity, wearing masks, increased cleaning and disinfecting practices).
    • Does not Apply
    • Disagree
    • Unsure
    • Agree

Virtual/At-Home Learning Feasibility

These questions assess whether learning would be feasible for you and your child.

  1. I am able to work while my child is not in school (i.e., can still successfully do my job or I am able to telework).
    • Does not Apply
    • Disagree
    • Unsure
    • Agree
  2. I have access to reliable internet and a device, such as a computer or tablet, which my child can use for virtual learning.
    • Does not Apply
    • Disagree
    • Unsure
    • Agree
  3. I can supervise or identify someone who can supervise my child during periods of virtual/at home learning.
    • Does not Apply
    • Disagree
    • Unsure
    • Agree
  4. My child has a space where I live that is free of distractions during school hours.
    • Does not Apply
    • Disagree
    • Unsure
    • Agree
  5. My school provides a virtual learning option that allows students to have real-time interactions with their teachers (e.g., have live instruction).
    • Does not Apply
    • Disagree
    • Unsure
    • Agree
  6. My child’s learning style and needs are compatible with digital modes of learning.
    • Does not Apply
    • Disagree
    • Unsure
    • Agree

Academic and Social-Emotional Wellbeing

These questions assess your belief in your child's ability to succeed, both academically and socially, in a remote learning environment.

  1. My child will be able to keep up academically through virtual/at-home learning.
    • Does not Apply
    • Disagree
    • Unsure
    • Agree
  2. My child will receive quality education through virtual/at-home learning.
    • Does not Apply
    • Disagree
    • Unsure
    • Agree
  3. My child will be sufficiently engaged during prolonged periods of virtual/at-home learning.
    • Does not Apply
    • Disagree
    • Unsure
    • Agree
  4. My child will be able to stay socially connected during prolonged periods of virtual/at-home learning.
    • Does not Apply
    • Disagree
    • Unsure
    • Agree
  5. My child will be able to keep up academically through virtual/at-home learning.
    • Does not Apply
    • Disagree
    • Unsure
    • Agree
  6. My child will receive quality education through virtual/at-home learning.
    • Does not Apply
    • Disagree
    • Unsure
    • Agree
  7. My child will be sufficiently engaged during prolonged periods of virtual/at-home learning.
    • Does not Apply
    • Disagree
    • Unsure
    • Agree
  8. My child will be able to stay socially connected during prolonged periods of virtual/at-home learning.
    • Does not Apply
    • Disagree
    • Unsure
    • Agree
  9. If my child needs specialized adaptive communication devices, equipment, or learning aides, I am able to have them where I live.
    • Does not Apply
    • Disagree
    • Unsure
    • Agree

School-Based Services


These questions review some school-based services that your family may be using. You may want to consider whether you have been able to access these services through a virtual/at home learning option, your satisfaction with the services to date, and whether you would prefer to receive these services in school. If your child is at higher risk for severe illness and relies on school-based services that are only available on site, you may want to have additional conversations with your school to address concerns you may have.

  1. If your child has an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or other specialized learning or behavior plan…
    • Does not Apply
    • Disagree
    • Unsure
    • Agree
  2. My child is able to receive the required IEP learning accommodations through a virtual/at-home learning option that meets my family’s needs.
    • Does not Apply
    • Disagree
    • Unsure
    • Agree
  3. If your child receives school-based learning services (e.g., tutoring before or after school) …
    • Does not Apply
    • Disagree
    • Unsure
    • Agree
  4. My child is able to receive needed school-based learning services through a virtual/at-home learning option that meets my family’s needs.
    • Does not Apply
    • Disagree
    • Unsure
    • Agree
  5. If your child receives school-based nutrition services (e.g., school breakfast or lunch) …
    • Does not Apply
    • Disagree
    • Unsure
    • Agree
  6. My child has an alternative to the nutrition services provided in schools that adequately meets our family’s needs (Your school district’s child nutrition website may have this information).
    • Does not Apply
    • Disagree
    • Unsure
    • Agree
  7. If your child receives school-based behavioral services (e.g., social skills training, occupational therapy, speech/language therapy) …
    • Does not Apply
    • Disagree
    • Unsure
    • Agree
  8. My child is able to receive needed behavioral services through a virtual/at-home option that meets my family’s needs.
    • Does not Apply
    • Disagree
    • Unsure
    • Agree
  9. If your child receives school-based emotional or mental health services…
    • Does not Apply
    • Disagree
    • Unsure
    • Agree
  10. My child is able to receive needed emotional or mental health services through a virtual/at-home option that meets my family’s needs.
    • Does not Apply
    • Disagree
    • Unsure
    • Agree
  11. If your child attends after care (including after school clubs and activities) provided by the school…
    • Does not Apply
    • Disagree
    • Unsure
    • Agree
  12. My child has an alternative to the after-care services provided by schools that adequately meets my family’s needs.
    • Does not Apply
    • Disagree
    • Unsure
    • Agree

While the administration continues to work with communities to implement best practices and protocols for reopening our schools we will continue to share with you guidance from the CDC, EPA, FDA, Mass EEA and OSHA and the Governor's office to follow as we prepare for the new school year.

Also, we at SERVPRO of Newton/Wellesley know that not every community has access to the resources necessary to meet the strict cleaning guidelines to ensure a safe environment for our children. For those communities, we are here to help!

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned

The Disaster Remediation Teams at SERVPRO of Newton/Wellesley are specialists in cleaning services and we adhere to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards. We are prepared to clean and disinfect your schools, according to protocols set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We have years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go beyond the scope of work of "normal daily cleaning". Call SERVPRO of Newton/Wellesley today for a free consultation - (617) 332-9000.

All of us here at SERVPRO of Newton/Wellesley want you and your loved ones to stay safe and know that we will make it through this together! Rest assured, we will continue to do our best to keep you up-to-date and informed!

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