By Anika Sapra
Around March 14, 2020, schools around the country began closing because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, more than a year later, as schools begin to open for longer and with more students- here are some important things to remember about coming to school in-person.
1. Wear your mask! (all the information below has been derived from the CDC’s guidelines on safe mask wearing)
Wearing your mask is probably the best way to prevent the spread of COVID. Your mask should have two layers of breathable fabric, completely cover your face, fit snugly, and if possible, have a nose wire to prevent air from slipping out of the top. Make sure that you don’t touch or adjust your mask frequently.
Putting a mask on- Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer before putting a mask on. Masks should be worn above your nose, covering your mouth and securely fastened under your chin. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol after touching or removing your mask.
Removing a mask safely- Untie or stretch the ear loops. Make sure you handle it by only the ear loops. Fold it and lay it on a clean surface or put it in the washing machine. It is extremely important that you do not touch your eyes, mouth, or nose while removing your mask, and make sure to wash your hands after removing it.
Mask Hygiene- Make sure not to re-use disposable masks, and to wash a cloth mask when it gets dirty, at the minimum every day. When storing your mask to use later, make sure to keep it in a clean surface, like in a paper/plastic bag. For example, when eating lunch, remove your mask safely, sanitize your hands, and place your mask in a clean location. Taking it off while eating is extremely important, so be sure not to keep it on your chin or on your hands. After you eat, make sure to put the same side of the mask on and sanitize your hands.
2. Follow safety instructions!
Follow the signs in the hallways. The one-way signs are designed to reduce traffic and encourage social distancing, as mandated by the state. Following the signs in the hallway will only protect you.
Wipe down your desk- Wiping down your desk before, or after class is extremely important. Listen to the directions of your teacher and make sure that you wipe your desk down as they direct.
Stay Clean- Washing your hands and using hand sanitizer is extremely important. Use hand sanitizer before and after your classes and wash your hands whenever possible. Using hand sanitizer is especially important in classes like PE where equipment is shared.
3. Important Reminders
Attendance- As an in-person student, it is important to know that if you miss more than five days of school in person, you’ll be removed from in-person. Similarly, if you’re a hybrid student and you attend meetings online, it is counted as an absence. If you are an in-person student and you find yourself needing to stay home for any reason, make sure you let the office know so that you aren’t penalized.
Taking attendance and ordering lunch- To order lunch, make sure that you use the app “HSBackOrderGym.” You can order lunch via the app. Homeroom teachers are also no longer using the QR codes to take attendance, so make sure you stay updated with attendance.
4. Mental Health
Returning to school after almost a year can be difficult. Remember to take care of your mental health. Mindfulness, taking breaks from screens, exercise, eating healthy, and making sure you get enough sleep are great ways to maintain your mental health. If your mental health is suffering, make sure to talk to someone or reach out if you need help.
The gradual return to in-person schooling after a year in quarantine will be difficult for everybody, but hopefully with these tips, re-integrating into school will be easier!