Time to get back to school after the pandemic? Not quite. For the last two months, we’ve been watching the pandemic unfold and wondering how it would affect our kids. And, so far, the answer is not much. Most of the kids who were struggling with the pandemic are already back to school and doing just fine.

That said, the pandemic has sparked some important conversations about how we handle health emergencies and how we prepare for them. So, for the parents who weren’t sure whether to stay home or send their kids back to school after the pandemic, we’ve got some answers. Read on for more information on the pandemic, school closures, and what to expect when your child returns to class.

Why did St. Andrews World School close during the pandemic?

Besides protecting your own health, one of the main reasons school is closed is to protect your child’s health. When lots of kids are together in one place, there’s an increased risk of someone getting sick. Plus, when kids are home alone for long periods, they are more likely to develop health problems such as poor hygiene and vitamin D deficiency, which can lead to developmental disorders, mental illness, and even death.

Because of these risks, St. Andrews World School closed during the pandemic to protect kids’ health. If your child’s school was closed when they were in middle/high school, they probably weren’t aware of it. This is especially true if they weren’t feeling sick at the time. But even if your child is in elementary school, they may not have been aware that the pandemic was causing closures. Schools are not required to provide information about closures, so many don’t.

Is your child ready to go back to school?

No matter when they were sick, most kids will be ready to go back to school after the pandemic. If your child was sick with a fever or cough, they probably wouldn’t be well enough to go to school anyway. And, while most kids will bounce back quickly, it may take a few weeks for them to fully feel like themselves again.

That said, there are a few signs you should keep an eye out for:

Your child is taking an unusual amount of time to get over any illnesses they have.

They are sick again, even if it’s just a cold. It’s better to be safe than sorry, so if your child is developing a full-blown case of the (flu), you should stay home from school until they are better.

Your child is showing signs of depression or anxiety. These can be symptoms of a larger health issue that needs medical attention, but they are also signs that your child is not well-adjusted and should not return to school until they feel better.

• If your child is ready to go back to school, but you’re not, there are things you can do: Get your child ready for school. Tell your child to pack a bag (lunch bag, not a suitcase) full of their favorite clothes and snacks. Bring a book, their favorite blanket, and a couple of their favorite toys. Get your child’s schedule and make a plan for the first couple of weeks. Give your child their schedule for the first day of school and remind them that they are expected to be there. Get your child to school on time. If your child is late, settle them down and get them to school.
• If you’re not ready for school to start back and your child is, here are some things to consider: Get your child’s schedule and make a plan. Spend some time thinking about what you need to do to get back on track.
• Your child is old enough to make their own bed, pick out their own clothing, and start to get their room in order. These are all things your child should be able to do on their own, but they’re going to need your help if they’re not feeling well. Get your child to school on time. This is the most important thing you can do to help your child feel ready to go back to school.