AAP advocates for in-school education in the fall

The American Academy of Pediatrics has issued further guidance for school re-entry.¹ The guidance stresses that the organization strongly urges schools to start in the fall with students being physically present.

The guidance recommends that all re-entry policies follow certain principles:

• Policies should be flexible and nimble to better respond to new information
• Develop strategies that can be adapted according to the level of viral transmission found in the community
• All policies should be practical and appropriate for the students’ developmental stage.
• Considerations and accommodations should be made for vulnerable populations of students
• No student should be excluded from school, unless the exclusion is required to adhere to public health mandates
• Policies should be created with the intent to support the overall health of student and families. All policies should communicated in languages other than English, as needed.
• The guidance also provides information on physical distancing, cleaning, mental health of staff, and other considerations.

Reference

1. American Academy of Pediatrics. COVID-19 planning considerations: guidance for school re-entry. Services.aap.org. Published June 25, 2020. Accessed July 1, 2020. https://services.aap.org/en/pages/2019-novel-coronavirus-covid-19-infections/clinical-guidance/covid-19-planning-considerations-return-to-in-person-education-in-schools/.