Y3K Tutor In Your Home

Schools Reopening: Social Distancing

By

One controversial part of the Massachusetts plan to reopen schools is the section on social distancing. Before reading the plan, keep in mind that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended maintaining a physical distance of six feet between individuals to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus.  Here is their social distancing plan for schools reopening:

 

●Distancing requirements: Schools should aim for a physical distance of six feet when feasible, and three feet is the minimum distance allowed. Schools should seek to maximize physical distance among individuals within their physical and operational constraints.

●Classroom and facility configuration: To the extent possible, desks should be spaced six feet apart (but no fewer than three feet apart) and facing the same direction.

●Alternative spaces in the school (e.g., cafeteria, library, and auditorium) should be repurposed to increase the amount of available space to accommodate the maximum distance possible. In these larger spaces, establishing consistent cohorts/classes with separation between the cohorts/classes provides another option to maximize these spaces safely.

●Additional safety precautions are required for school nurses and/or any staff supporting students with disabilities in close proximity, when distance is not possible:These precautions must include eye protection (e.g., face shield or goggles) and a mask/face covering. Precautions may also include gloves and disposable gowns or washable outer layer of clothing depending on duration of contact and especially if the individual may come into close contact with bodily fluids.

 

Although not as feasible, 6 feet social distancing is known to be safer. What do you think of them reducing the number to only 3 feet? Be sure to check here soon for the school reopening plan for how to manage student groups.

 

Schools Reopening: Masks

By

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has issued safety guidance required for reopening schools in the fall.  The 28 page Initial School Reopening Guidance is complex and reading it in full can be very confusing.  Y3K Tutor In Your Home has decided to break-up their guidance information, highlighting the issues that are important to you.

Today we will look at face mask rules. Here are the rules Massachusetts schools will require when they reopen:

Students in grade 2 and above are required to wear a mask/face covering that covers their nose and mouth. Students in kindergarten and grade should be encouraged to wear a mask/face covering. Face shields may be an option for those students with medical, behavioral, or other challenges who are unable to wear masks/face coverings. Transparent masks may be the best option for both teachers and students in classes for deaf and hard of hearing students. They may also be useful for teachers and younger students who rely on visual/facial cues.

  • Adults (including educators and staff) are required to wear masks/face coverings.
  • Exceptions to mask/face covering requirements must be made for those for whom it is not possible due to medical conditions, disability impact, or other health or safety factors.
  • Mask breaks should occur throughout the day. Breaks should occur when students can be six feet apart and ideally outside or at least with the windows open. Further guidance on mask breaks including duration and frequency will be forthcoming, as well as more information about properly removing and putting on masks.

 

Masks/face coverings should be provided by the student/family, but extra disposable face masks should be made available by the school for students who need them. Reusable masks/face coverings provided by families should be washed by families daily.

  • Masks/face coverings are required to be worn by everyone on the bus during school bus transportation.
  • Transparent face coverings provide the opportunity for more visual cues and should be especially considered as an alternative for younger students, students who are deaf and hard of hearing, and their teachers.

 

Check here soon as we take a closer look at the new social distancing requirements for schools.

Executive Function and COVID-19

By

There is a special part of our brain that is responsible for executive function skills.  These skills include our ability to organize, plan ahead, and especially important in this day and age of COVID-19 . . . our ability to sense danger.  The problem is that this all takes place in the prefrontal cortex and this area of the brain does not fully develop until we are well into our 20’s.

Therefore children and teens may not sense COVID-19 danger and choose not to social distance.  It is up to us as responsible parents to monitor and keep our kids safe.  We need to make sure our teens are following social distancing. It is your responsibility as a parent to make sure they follow the rules even when they are out in public places like a field, playground, or hanging out with their friends.

Coronavirus Social Distancing

By

Now that schools are closed and a number of employees are working from home amid the coronavirus outbreak, people need to practice the concept of social distancing. It is the only thing that is going to immediately address the situation that we’re experiencing here in the United States. Y3K Tutor In Your Home asks all families to help flatten the curve. This means to spread out the impact of the virus over time instead of allowing it to spike as we’ve seen in Italy, for example, where the number of confirmed cases increased rapidly. A spike could overwhelm our health care system, even here in the United States.

Unfortunately there can be no play dates for your children, because you don’t know what the other child has been exposed to and might be bringing into your house, where it could be passed on. Avoid large public gatherings or venues where many people congregate such as malls. Social distancing is a way to protect yourself from contagious diseases, including the flu, the common cold or coronavirus (COVID-19). It involves maintaining at least a six-foot distance from other people, getting away from anyone who’s coughing or sneezing, avoiding shaking hands and using technology to meet instead of meeting in person when possible. As a nation we can work together and get it done!

 

PARENTS AGREE: Y3K TUTOR IN YOUR HOME CHANGES LIVES #31

By

Our Y3K Tutor In Your Home tutor has been terrific for my 7th grader with executive function and decoding issues. He met a boy frustrated about school, quickly established a great rapport and turned him into a boy with some confidence that he could meet the demands of 7th grade. It is an ongoing process.  Our tutor helps each week with organization of materials and assignments and working on homework where a little more explanation is needed.  He has been particularly helpful in helping with writing assignments, getting my son to think through the question, his argument and then really thoroughly explaining and supporting his arguments.  Before he was struggling to write 3 paragraphs, and now he is checking to make sure he has articulated every thought clearly.  Our tutor’s support each week reinforces the lessons and keeps my son on track and organized.  His grades have come up, but most importantly he is confident in himself as a student and is engaging more with teachers during the day.

 

Shannon A.

Bigelow Middle School Parent

Newton, MA

Y3K Tutor In Your Home © All Rights Reserved 2003-Y3K