Parents, Caregivers, and Guardians Guide to Covid-19 Back to School Decisions

By Original Author: Carla Due, Miller County | Adapted for Blog: Pamela Luker, Pope County

 #COVID19 has us making tough decisions regarding whether we send our children back to school or have them participate in virtual learning this year. There is not a one size fit all answer for every family. However, there are some things you can consider when deciding what option best suites your family. 

Should I send my children back to school?

This is a question many parents are asking as the school year quickly approaches. Most of our schools are offering several different learning formats, in-person, virtual, or a combination. Each option can have benefits. For example, the face-to-face social interaction can be a benefit for our children's mental health, opportunities for physical activities, and possibly less family tension. One thing we also have to consider is the increased risk of coming in contact with the Covid-19 virus during face-to-face interactions. Is your child at risk of higher complications if they contract the virus? Or is someone in your household at an increased risk of severe illness? If so, you may want to take extra precautions. You should also view your schools plan to reduce the risk of exposure to the students. Do you feel comfortable with the school's re-entry plan? It all comes down to weighing the pros and cons of each learning format while considering your family's situation and risk factors. For more detailed information to consider when making the best decision for you and your family, visit the Center for Disease Control website. https://bit.ly/3gJHd8x 

 There is an excellent checklist at the end of the article to help you make the best possible choice for you and your child.Back to School Decision Making Tool

Photo by Unsplash.com@Element5Design