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Back to School During the Pandemic

back to school during coronavirus pandemic

Everything about 2020 has been different, so the back-to-school season is no exception. This year, first-day-of-school jitters are mixed in with uncertainty, all while the coronavirus pandemic wreaks havoc on our lives. Hand sanitizer and laptops have replaced backpacks and lunch boxes as must-have items for returning students — where the one uniform requirement nationwide is a mask.

If you’re reading this, I’m sure these thoughts are running through your mind …

  • What will this school year look like?
  • How do I prepare my child for virtual school, in-person and virtual school or just in-person school?
  • If we do virtual school, am I supposed to teach my child, too?

Trust me, you’re not the only one who’s having to adapt. Our library staff are here for you and we’ll continue to support you during these unprecedented times.  

Let’s jump right into it. The most important part about getting ready for school — even during a pandemic — is preparation. How can I do this, you ask?

  • Communication
  • ‎Have a talk with your child about how this is new for both of you, just like every new school year.
  • Ask questions about how your child is feeling and what you can do to support them and vice-versa.
  • Communicate that you’ll navigate this school year as a team just like you always do.
  • Establish Expectations
  • ‎Discuss with your child what you expect from them, whether it’s submitting assignments on time, being on time for virtual class, making good grades —anything and everything you can think of.
  • ‎Let your child verbalize what they expect from you. Remember this is a two-way street.
  • Plan
  • Sit down with your child and make a schedule for what will go on during the school day, just like they have at school. For example, 8:30 AM virtual math, 9:15 AM break time, 11 AM lunch, etc.
  • It’ll take time for your child to get adjusted to this schedule, just like it does during regular school, but after a couple of weeks hold your child accountable to sticking to the routine.
  • Classroom Rules
  • Teachers and their students typically establish classroom rules together, and they’re held accountable by their teacher and you, as a parent.
  • Make sure you hold your child accountable during virtual school because the teacher can’t see everything that’s going on.
  • ‎If needed, make rules alongside your child and enforce them all day, every day. If your child doesn’t submit an assignment, don’t ignore this. Sit down and have a conversation with them, so this doesn’t happen again. If something like this is ignored, they may just stop doing their work.
  • Support Your Child’s Teacher
  • Please be patient with teachers, they’re going through the same thing as you.
  • Remember that virtual school isn’t homeschool, let teachers be teachers and educate your child.
  • ‎It’s okay for you to help your child, but let your child get answers wrong. If you correct your child’s work, they may never learn.
  • ‎Stick to your role as a caregiver. Continue to communicate with your child’s teacher, ask questions, anything that you would normally do, do it.
  • Familiarize yourself with your child’s classes and grading system.
  • Have Daily or Weekly Family Meetings
  • Talk about how school is going, what is or isn’t working.
  • Listen to everyone and uplift each other.
  • Anything is open for discussion.

The library has valuable tools and resources in different formats to support you and your child. Check out our Online Resources where you can browse by topic or try out our virtual Ask a Librarian chat service. As always, you can contact your local branch for help. We’ll always be here for you — happy to help.

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