By Linda Marrs-Morford, IPLI Director

As educators, it’s hard not to be concerned about the recent spread of the coronavirus.  Not only are adults worried, but students are as well.  How do we deal with these rising fears?  We educate. 

As principals, we are the filter for our schools.  How we react sets a tone for our schools.  Let’s start by educating ourselves, so we know the facts, and then sharing what we know with our staffs.  The Center for Disease Control and Prevention is a good place to start – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/index.html, and many educational organizations are providing excellent resources to help districts educate their constituencies about the virus.  Here are a few:

• Interim Guidance for Administrators of US Childcare Programs and K-12 Schools:  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/guidance-for-schools.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fspecific-groups%2Fguidance-for-schools.html
• U.S. Department of Education COVID-19 (“Coronavirus”) Information and Resources for Schools and Personnel:  https://www.ed.gov/coronavirus
• NAESP:  https://www.naesp.org/blog/guidance-covid-19-school-leaders
• NASSP:  https://www.nassp.org/news-and-resources/coronavirus/

School districts will also receive guidance from the Indiana Department of Education and develop their own response plans to this emerging issue, so check with your district to determine the appropriate actions and protocols for information dissemination.

Students will be asking questions and wanting information as well.  It’s important to listen and hear their concerns, then help them understand the facts and how to protect themselves.  How will this be accomplished in your school?  Here are a few good articles about how to talk to kids about coronavirus:

• From the Seattle Times:  https://www.seattletimes.com/education-lab/how-to-talk-to-kids-about-the-novel-coronavirus/
• Harvard Health Publishing:  https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/how-to-talk-to-children-about-the-coronavirus-2020030719111
• PBS:  https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-coronavirus
• Child Mind Institute:  https://childmind.org/article/talking-to-kids-about-the-coronavirus/
• Single Care: https://www.singlecare.com/blog/back-to-school-covid-anxiety/
• NY Times:  https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/02/well/family/coronavirus-teenagers-anxiety.html

It’s a great teachable moment!  Here’s an article with examples of lesson plans:

• Teaching About Coronavirus – http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/teaching_now/2020/03/teaching_about_coronavirus_3_lesson_plans_for_science_math_and_media_literacy.html

More importantly, the adults in the building need to stay calm.  We are all a little nervous about this, but we can’t transfer this to our students.  Let’s emphasize things like washing our hands, using a tissue, staying home when sick, etc., but not to the point we scare kids.  We are the filters.  Let’s help our students handle this in a positive, productive manner.

CDC Everyday Preventive Actions to Help Prevent the Spread of Respiratory Diseases

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

Handwashing Jingle by James Cole Elementary School Principal & IPLI Mentor Mike Pinto

A B C D E F G
H I J K L M N O P
Q R S T U V
W X Y and Z

Now I’ve washed my hands nicely.
This can help me stay healthy.

You can also create your own hand washing infographic based on your favorite song at https://washyourlyrics.com/ .