In response to the pandemic and greater impact on schools and children, our partners Kaiser Permanente released Planning for the Next Normal at School: Keeping students, staff, and families safe and healthy. The resource provides specific, evidence-informed guidance and operating procedures for keeping school communities mentally and physically safe, improving health in both in-person and virtual school environments.
“Providing students with opportunities for free play, physical activity, and social interactions is especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic, as schools navigate the challenges of physical distancing and extended screen time that may occur during virtual learning.”
The playbook is divided into 6 chapters, each filled with practical information for school staff and administrators:
- The Impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of students and educators
- Enhancing a prevention strategy during COVID-19
- COVID-19’s effect on the social drivers of health
- Physical activity, physical education, and health education
- Staff and teacher well-being
- Funding and family engagement strategies
Designed to assist schools in proactively addressing the needs of their communities, this playbook sourced information from more than 30 school health organizations, including Playworks.
The starter plays in this playbook overlap significantly with Playworks programming. We are working alongside Kaiser Permanente on strategies such as promoting equity collaboration, social-emotional skill building, offering recess in person or virtually, and providing teachers and staff with training opportunities.
“Healthy students are more successful learners – and successful learners are more likely to have lifelong health.”
Learn more and get the playbook >
