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Expert says COVID-19 pandemic could change schooling forever

The stress and uncertainty of coming back to school can affect a child's mental health. But parents can help prepare their children.

KENTUCKY, USA — While the school year may not be over for some Kentucky and Southern Indiana school districts, most are already planning for next year.

Even when some things return to normal in schools, experts say nothing will quite be the same as it was pre-coronavirus. Physician-in-chief at Kentucky Children’s Hospital Dr. B. Scottie Day said learning will be different, as well as the social aspects of school.

“We would change the way that we completely teach our children and it’s going to change the way that school is done forever probably,” Day said.

The American Academy of Pediatrics released new guidance on how schools should reopen, including following the CDC recommendations on cleaning and disinfecting, as well as putting plans in place to accommodate high-risk students.

The plans could include continuing distance leanings, and taking into account lost instructional time, but not fully expecting to make up for it.

Another consideration is the mental health and stress levels of students returning to school.

“We talk about students being upset, not sleeping well, being out of their routine, feeling sick. It’s that anxiety,” Hardin County Chief Academic Officer Greg Sutton said.

Sutton is already talking with school principals about how to make sure the social and emotional leaning and safety of students is implemented this upcoming school year.

It’s also something parents can help their students with in preparation for going back to school.

“What do we ask parents to do? Well, a plan would be to get them back into the routine. Maybe make sure you visit the school and get to that open house and let them see, hey it’s safe to be back at school,” Sutton said. “That’s going to be a critical thing we do.”

It won’t be easy for everyone, but Sutton says being back together will also give students some extra support.

“The students are going to need the support of not only their teachers their counselors, family resource centers but their friends,” Sutton said.

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