Back to school plans will look differently for staff, families and children alike around the world. Planning for a healthy and exciting new school year is challenging enough, let alone while navigating the uncertain environment of COVID-19.  Knowing where to find information, working with others to develop flexible plans, and staying connected is crucial for a successful school year.

Navigating COVID-19

When making decisions for you, your school or your family – leverage information and resources available through the Centers for Disease Control and other health experts to stay informed and stay healthy.

Resources for All

• Get the Facts: Updates and Resources for COVID-19 (CDC): Stay up to date with information and recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to keep you and your families healthy.
• Federal Response to COVID-19: What it Means for Students and Families (NCLD)

• Know Your Rights: The Families First Coronavirus Response Act Paid Leave & Paid Sick Time FAQ (A Better Balance)

Food Access

Families should check with their school district or local food bank. Many states have received a waiver from the USDA that allows schools to provide meals for all children under 18 and are not required to eat on site. Feeding sites are available throughout the community and available for ALL children and not just those that go to a particular school. If you can’t locate a site in your area, call your school district and/or local food bank and they can help connect you to food in your area.

Schools seeking real-time assistance to support food access in their communities should refer to the USDA Food Nutrition and Service Response and Resources.

Resources for All

• School Nutrition Waivers 101 (Action for Healthy Kids)
• National Hunger Hotline: 1-866-3-HUNGRY/ 1-877-8-HAMBRE (Hunger Free America)
• Food and Nutrition Resources for Individuals and Families (USDA Food and Nutrition Association)

Planning for a New School Year

Remain flexible when setting your back to school plans. Shifts in the learning environment or changes in schedules may come in go as we move further into the second half of the year. Look to others in your community to learn what’s working (or not working) for others to better inform the approach that best meets the needs of your school, family or community.

Resources for All 

• Resources for Distance Learning (Action for Healthy Kids): Resources for navigating challenges with distance learning including accessibility, tools and strategies for families and school staff.

Resources for Families

• School Decision-Making Tool for Parents, Caregivers, and Guardians (CDC)
• Back to School Planning: Checklists to Guide Parents, Guardians, and Caregivers (CDC)
• Back-to-School Concerns About Your Child: How to Act on Them (Understood)
• 101 Back to School Tips for Kids and Families (Care.com)

Resources for Educators and School Staff

• General
  • Guidance for Schools: Plan, Prepare and Respond to COVID-19 (CDC)
  • Recovery to Reinvention: A Playbook of Tools and Guidance Preparing for Fall and Beyond (Transcend Education)
  • Guidelines for Reopening Schools (School Superintendents Association – AASA)
• Family Engagement
  • Back-to-School for Educators: Start With Relationships (Understood)
  • Shifting from Family Involvement to Family Engagement in K12 Schools (School Mint)
  • Ensuring Family Voice in Return to School Plans (Family-School-Community Alliance)
• Health and Student Services
  • Supporting Student Social and Emotional Learning and Mental and Behavioral Health Amidst COVID-19 (National Association of School Psychologists and American School Counselor Association)
  • Return to School Planning: Resources for School Nurses (National School Nurse Association)
• PE and Physical Activity
  • K-12 Physical Education, Health Education, and Physical Activity School Reentry Considerations (SHAPE America)
  • Virtual Resources for Health and PE (SHAPE America), Adaptive Physical Education Guide (Rising New York Road Runners)
• School Nutrition
  • School Nutrition Programs: Thought Starters for Reopening Schools (School Nutrition Association)
  • Emerging Strategies & Tactics For Meal Service During School Closures Related To The Coronavirus (No Kid Hungry)
• Social-Emotional Climate
  • Reunite, Renew, and Thrive: Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Roadmap for Reopening School (CASEL)

Stay informed, active and healthy with more resources and activities by visiting Back to School: Safe & Healthy in an Uncharted Landscape.

Updated 10/2/2020