A Guide on Returning to School During COVID
Going Back to School
Summer is coming to an end and everyone is getting ready to go back to school. And so, the long list of must-dos begins - buying school supplies, shopping for clothes, and generally getting into the spirit of welcoming the fall season with open arms. All of this is a bit trickier now with COVID on our hands, due to the fact we're living in such unprecedented times and parents are simultaneously preparing to return to work in-person, at least part-time. Of course, this has always been the norm but it's a bit more nerve-wracking this year due to adults and children getting used to doing things from the home. This upcoming school year means new routines, new activities, new stressors, and a new (well, old) norm. To help aid in this transition, we've put together a list of things you should take care of before school starts!
Ease into Your New Routine
Adults and children, alike, have gotten used to working from home, experiencing less social interaction, and not having to worry about commuting and coordinating times for pick-ups and drop-offs. Since all of this will need to be put back into practice this upcoming year, it's a good idea to ease back into them.
To comfortably transition into new routines, adults can start by returning to work a few days a week and embracing a more hybrid work environment to start with, not only so you can get back up to speed but so your child gets used to it. You can encourage your child to have small play-dates, go to the park, or perhaps join a sport or other activity to get reacquainted with being around larger groups of kids prior to school starting.
Go Shopping!
Your kids are most likely going to need new school supplies and possibly even clothes assuming they didn't upgrade their wardrobes while they were quarantining. If this is the case, you may want to stop at a few stores to pick up some notebooks, pencils, backpacks, and clothing. If in-person shopping sprees aren't really your thing, you can do all of your shopping online through websites like Amazon, Walmart, Target, or OfficeDepot exclusively for any school supplies.
Upgrade Your Internet
Although people will be home a lot less come September, it is likely that kids will occasionally need to do distance learning and adults will need to work-from-home if someone in close quarters should get sick and need to be operational from home again.
Because of this, it is important that your Internet speed is reliable so parents can get their work done efficiently and children can do online assignments and join Zoom calls for school when need be. This is especially true if parents and children find themselves home at the same time and the family needs more bandwidth to go around.
Get Your Child a Mobile Phone
Prior to COVID-19, most families had a system in order regarding how they would drop the kids off at school, pick them up, balance work, arrange a babysitter, etc. When the pandemic happened, there was not as much need for any of that since many parents were working from home. Now, with children and adults returning to their working and living environments, combined with changing circumstances pertaining to COVID, it might not be a bad idea to get your child a mobile phone to keep you in the loop about what's going on in the classroom, about their classmates' health, etc. in case they may need an unexpected pick up. If you do decide this is a good idea, you can check out some of Optimum Mobile’s plans here.
Hopefully, this article has helped you to adequately prepare for your child's return to school (and simultaneously, your return to work!). We wish you a relaxing, stress-free, and healthy year ahead. We hope that this transition goes as smoothly for you and your family as possible!