GREENWOOD, Ind. — Many Indiana schools have already been back in session with many more to start this month. WTHR education expert and school administrator Jennifer Brinker talks about some lessons already learned.
Question: How are students handling masks?
Mrs. Brinker: I have learned over the years kids are much more adaptable and flexible than adults and this topic isn’t any different. While there are some outliers, for the most part, educators have found that students are very respectful about masks and complaints have been fewer than were expected. I think that families and kids overall know that if this is what we need to do in order to be healthy and back in school, then this is what we are doing.
Question: What happens if they are refusing to wear a mask?
Mrs. Brinker: Overall what I am hearing from educators from several districts is that this is a "non-negotiable." There are options for students to do school virtually if they don’t follow school rules. Keep in mind also that this is a state mandate, not just a school rule. The few students we have had issues with usually get it together after a discussion.
Question: We have seen that there have been some schools that started off and then have had enough confirmed cases that they have had to move to virtual learning or hybrid approaches. Is this because social distancing isn’t happening?
Mrs. Brinker: Again, this is a pandemic. We are dealing with a highly contagious virus. Social distancing is very tricky in schools. We are all doing the best we can, but this is why the masks are so important. The guidance has already changed from 6 feet to 3 feet for schools and we are constantly adjusting plans to try and keep up. The best advice I can give parents is just to try to be flexible with all of these changes, as well.
Question: Have educators noticed changes as far as how the students are doing academically or socially at the beginning of this year as opposed to years past?
Mrs. Brinker: I would say that students as a whole are a little behind academically because they did miss a substantial amount of in-person instruction in the spring. Teachers will be able to catch them up academically. They are pros at this. As far as socially or emotionally - I mean - I think we all are a little off our game socially after being isolated more than ever before. I will say again, though, kids are resilient and they seem to be bouncing back very well.