Experts from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network share their recommendations for educators supporting students during the COVID-19 crisis, including establishing structure, strengthening relationships, teaching self-regulation, and providing targeted support to students with greater needs.

During the pandemic, Ontarians have been prepared to accept the additional costs within our public infrastructure of lost revenues for public transit, additional health care, and financial assistance to individuals and businesses.  Similar considerations will need to be made for Ontario schools.

Pediatric doctors and infectious disease experts from SickKids and other health institutions provide recommendations for the return to school. The report recommends resuming daily school, but says that for schools to “effectively carry out [their] mission will depend in part on the resources made available to the schools.” According to the report this includes staff like health-care providers, additional custodians and cleaning staff, and an expanded number to teachers, guidance counsellors, social workers, psychologists.

Annie Kidder argues that it is time to address the “human crisis” with the same kinds of resources that were put in place to address the economic crisis caused by COVID. It will require funding and cooperation from multiple levels of government.

Microsoft Education collaborated with New Pedagogies for Deep Learning to report on the lessons learned in education during the first few months of the pandemic and what that means for reopening schools and the future of learning. The report looks at how the approaches used in education during the pandemic enable well-being, equity and quality.

OISE professor of Leadership and Educational Change, Carol Campbell, provides ten areas of advice for policy-makers. Among these, she recommends watching other regions, relying on research, and consulting with experts and practitioners when planning for school re-opening.