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Back to school: What do you need to know about the health protocol for reopening classes?

by | May 11, 2020 | Special Edition

The progressive decontamination having begun in all regions of France, our children will gradually return to school. It is certainly not the case for all of them. But at least, it is for some of our little ones in nursery, kindergarten or elementary school. As a result, parents are expressing many concerns. Especially, as for the measures and security modalities planned in order to supervise this return to school and this progressive reopening of the classes. 

A health protocol based on the recommendations of the Scientific Council, mayors and teachers' unions, was unveiled on Friday, May 1 by the Ministry of Education. This protocol aims to highlight and set the rules of life of schoolchildren within institutions. And this, in order to try to avoid any possible spread of covid-19.

To see more clearly on this subject, Kidlee Here is what you need to know about this health protocol and how to reopen classes:

A voluntary return to school 

In fact, this reopening of schools after containment is not mandatory. It is only possible on a voluntary basis for parents wishing to have their children return to school. For the learners, whether they are young or old, education remains mandatory. This implies that the student who is not in the classroom remains connected to his or her school. And this, by following a distance education from his home.

Disinfection measures, before, during and after school

Before reopening, all rooms, passageways and surfaces were thoroughly disinfected. Regularly and even during the presence of the students, all rooms are ventilated. Contact surfaces, such as door handles and stair railings, are disinfected several times a day. After the students have left the school, the rooms are again thoroughly cleaned with products effective against covid-19.

The sanitary protocol instructs students to disinfect teaching materials, washrooms and sinks, play areas and other objects accessible to students several times a day. 

Permanent respect of barrier gestures and limited traffic

The health protocol requires a permanent respect of the safety distance and barrier gestures. And this, while having a minimum of circulation or crossing of the pupils in the buildings. The classroom tables are all installed at a minimum distance of one meter.

In the corridors, the circulation of the students will be in a single direction to avoid all crossings. In the playground, there is a fixed schedule for each class. And games involving contact as well as ball games are forbidden.

Lunch is taken in the classroom with packed lunches or in the canteen in small groups. Each child must wash his or her hands upon entering the school. Then, every two hours during the day.

It is forbidden to use the equipment. And teachers and supervisors must ensure that students do not exchange personal items.

Vigilance in the face of symptoms

The health protocol also explains what to do if a student develops symptoms on the school premises. In this case, the student is given a mask and immediately taken to the infirmary or to a room set aside for this purpose. The student will of course be under adult supervision until the parents arrive. Parents must have their child tested.

The health authorities will also be notified in order to apply the procedure in force in this situation. Namely, the identification of people who have interacted with the child until 48 hours before the onset of symptoms. All objects touched by the student and all places he/she would have frequented must be disinfected. 

A return to school also supervised by parents

This health protocol also involves the parents of the students. Indeed, every morning, and for a safe return to school, parents must take their child's temperature. In case of symptoms or fever over 37.8°C, the child will have to stay at home. It is also the parents' responsibility to remind their children of barrier measures. They should also be provided with disposable tissues and masks if needed.

The arrival at the school but also the exit of the school, take place in a progressive and supervised way. This is to avoid crowds of students at the entrances and exits of schools. However, parents and accompanying persons are forbidden to enter schools during this health emergency period.

This sanitary protocol, whose objective is to define the sanitary conditions for the resumption of schools, is materialized in two booklets of about 60 pages. One concerns nursery and elementary schools and the other concerns secondary schools. You can consult it in detail and have access to very good explanatory sheets for children by clicking here!