Getting back to school safely this year will require all of us to be on board with masks

When it comes to getting kids to wear masks to school this year, they can look to so many professionals who wear masks all the time already. Policemen, firemen, construction workers, doctors, nurses, scientists and the list goes on of jobs that require masks. Reminding kids of this is just one of the ways to inspire them to wear their masks with pride. 

Masks have become part of the new normal to keep yourself and others safe, but school will likely be the first time your child has to wear a mask for so many consecutive hours. 

There are ways to make this more manageable and maybe even a little fun for kids. Though kids are often more adaptable than we adults anticipate, it can still be hard for children to comprehend why it’s so important to wear masks, and it can be even harder to actually keep them on. 

Why we wear masks

It’s important to explain to your kids just a little bit of the science behind wearing masks so that they can relate to the importance of wearing them. The more children understand why they need to wear masks, the more willing they will be to actually wear them.

For starters, the CDC says, “COVID-19 spreads mainly from person to person through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, talks, or raises their voice. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.”  

The candle test 

One effective and engaging way to get a kid’s attention is a fun science experiment. Bill Nye recorded his experiment where he attempts to blow out a candle wearing different face coverings. He starts with a scarf wrapped around his face and successfully blows out the candle. In another attempt, he attempts to blow out the candle wearing a cloth face mask and is unable to extinguish the flame. 

@billnye

##WearAMask ##LearnOnTikTok ##TikTokPartner

♬ original sound – billnye

Although this cannot necessarily prove that the mask you are using is effective in containing droplets, it is a fun experiment to do with children to show them what the mask is supposed to do. If your child can easily blow out the candle, it is probably a good indication that you should get a different mask. 

Get kids involved to wear masks at school

Another great way to encourage your child to actually wear his or her mask is to have them involved in the selection process. 

• Sit down on Amazon or any other website and peruse masks together or print a selection for them to review.
• There are also DIY masks that you can create as a project together as a family. 
• Grab some iron-on decals or stickers and let your child decorate their own mask that they will be excited to wear. Check your school’s guidelines to see what kind of rules your schools has for masks.

As you get your children involved, make sure that you do your best to model mask-wearing in front of them. When you leave for a store, proudly exclaim that you have your mask ready-to-go. Positive reinforcement can go a long way, so when you see your child wearing his or her mask make sure to praise them and highlight the positive behavior. 

Practice makes progress for wearing masks

In some ways it seems like the pandemic has lasted forever, but wearing masks is just one of the many aspects that will take some time to get used to. To make it easier, here are some ways to practice mask-wearing with your kids: 

1. Practice for short periods of time: Wearing masks takes time to get used to. No one enjoys the feeling of not being able to breathe, especially when it’s still 80 degrees outside. By allowing your child to wear the mask for five-minute increments and gradually increasing the time, you can allow them to get used to wearing their masks for a longer time at school. 
2. Make it fun: Depending on the age of your child, making a game around mask-wearing could be an effective tool. Introduce masks in playtime by playing doctor, putting masks on stuffed animals, or make it a race to get it on. This will also help ensure that your child can take their mask on and off without assistance. By making mask-wearing fun, you are both encouraging them to successfully keep their mask on at school and also keeping the mood a little lighter. 
3. Delivering the message: Little reminders throughout the day about the importance of mask-wearing can help them become accustomed to wearing their masks. You know your child best and what interests them, so try to find a way to address mask-wearing in a way they will be receptive to.

Have extra masks handy

Wearing masks may be uncomfortable at times, but it doesn’t have to be stressful. When you find a mask you like, buy extra so that you can keep spare ones in the car, their backpack, and by the front door for easy access. Start with a few masks from different stores to see what styles your kids like best. Masks fit differently depending on each person’s size and facial structure, so what works for one family member may not be ideal for another.

Finding the right mask for your child to wear at school

Don’t settle for a mask that falls off or is uncomfortable to wear. There are some great masks out there that are easy to wear and breathable, but still provide adequate protection for you and your child.  Here are a few top picks for the best masks to start the new school year:

1. 32 Degrees Kid’s Unisex Face Cover, 8-pack

It may be worth the CostCo membership just for these masks. They are light, breathable and though they are easy to put on, they don’t fall off easily. They are also machine washable and come in an 8-pack so you can keep up with having a clean mask for school each day. They come in a variety of solid colors, vibrant and neutral, and even pass Bill Nye’s “candle test.”  They also have the mask for adults to match. 

2. Kid’s Unisex Face Mask (3 – pack)

These are your standard rectangle-shaped mask in a variety of colors and designs. They are also machine washable and have a metal nose clip to help the mask stay on better. 

3. 5y-10y Kids facemask Reusable 100% Cotton Face Mask washable 3 layer 3D with Nose Wire adjustable ear straps filter Pocket & Filter Option

This mask gives you the option to add filters for extra protection and also contain the nose wire. These handmade masks are lightweight, breathable and also have adjustable ear straps. 

4. Variety 5-Pack of Triple-Layer Cloth Face Masks for Kids

While you are doing some back to school shopping there, Old Navy’s masks come in a variety of solid colors, are breathable and are easy to take on and off. 

5. Kids’ 2pk Cloth Face Masks – Cat & Jack™

Target’s face masks are soft, comfortable and one size fits most kids three and up. These masks include the nose wire, have two layers and a pocket for a filter (not included.)

A few more notes to consider when buying masks for this year:

• It is a good idea to buy several styles of comfortable masks so that your child can choose what works best for them.

• Masks with nose wires often work better for children who wear glasses. If you use a mask with a filter pocket but no nose wire, you can repurpose a blue medical mask that has a nose wire in it, just trim it to size and insert it into the pocket.

• Some people experience dryness after prolonged mask use. Check that your child has access to drinking water throughout the day.

• If you have any questions about masks and safety, the American Academy of Pediatrics is a great source. 

This school year brings with it many unknowns and challenges, but by taking proactive measures we can make mask-wearing just a little easier and more effective for our kids and teachers to have a safe and successful school year.  

Note that the ATT is not a source of medical advice, and you should ask your pediatrician if you have any questions about the safety of any particular masks.

As we approach the upcoming school year, we recognize that our ATT teachers, administrators, families and students are concerned about the continued uncertainty of what this school year will look like.

All of our schools are faced with the task of the usual back to school planning, combined with the daunting need to plan for safely educating our community’s children during a worldwide epidemic.

Over the summer, we have seen our schools meet this challenge with creativity, perseverance, resourcefulness and much hard work. 

As the State of Illinois currently remains in Phase 4, all ATT schools are scheduled to open on time and in person. Each school, depending on its size and population is working hard to determine how to reopen in the least restrictive, yet safest manner. Schools will be following the Illinois State Board of Education and state and local boards of health guidelines.

In addition, some schools have seated medical oversight and planning committees to assure that their school is not just fulfilling the governmental guidelines, but more importantly, they are applying them correctly and effectively. Schools also have access to the ATT medical advisory board comprised of infectious disease doctors, school nurses and a pediatrician.

It is our hope and Tefillah that the situation continues to improve throughout the coming school year. At the same time, we are reassured to see our schools all building on lessons learned last spring and planning for contingency scenarios if stricter social distancing and possibly a return to remote learning is required. All of our schools have the common goal to minimize the disruption that might arise. 

ATT has worked with the Jewish Federation and other funders who are eager to help financially stabilize the schools and help them meet their needs in continuing education. The ATT acknowledges the generosity of the JUF and the Walder Family Foundation for very substantial support and concern they continue to show for our schools.

Helping ATT schools access available funds

ATT has been assisting schools in accessing and maximizing public relief funding by identifying opportunities, helping schools navigate the process to access these funds and assuring that local school districts, who typically are the gatekeepers for Title funds and the ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund), are distributing these funds equitably and in accordance with Federal rules.

Below are some recent ATT activities in this area:

• Consultation with Chicago Public Schools and four other public school districts to access the Federal CARES Act/Education Stabilization Fund and understanding appropriate uses of the funds. These consultations consist of the exchange of information and monitoring that our schools are getting their fair share.
• Numerous collaborative discussions with other nonpublic school representatives of the Illinois Coalition of Nonpublic Schools regarding opening schools in the fall and accessing CARES Act funding.
• Informing ATT schools of the processes they need to follow as details about the new funding unfold.
• Forwarding communication from the Illinois State Board of Education that impacts our schools.
• Assuring that remote learning requests are eligible for Title I funds.
• Successful efforts with Chicago Public Schools to reinstate IDEA Proportionate Share special education services for eligible students so that services could resume remotely. These services include speech, LD learning specialists and other LD interventions.
• Managing the required paperwork for Federal Title programs and tracking their progress for payment.

Our schools have also been able to access Federal Payroll Protection Loans (PPP) to assure that staff will continue to remain employed. ATT and JUF assisted schools in accessing this opportunity, and all of the schools benefited from this critical financial infusion.

To support our schools, the ATT is overseeing training to make this year as successful as possible.

ATT has been convening its Principals Council more frequently so that principals can hear each other’s ideas and concerns and network effectively. Schools can exchange information, successes and resources to help meet the increased needs of this time. This week’s meeting focused on reopening, planning and surveying schools’ reopening needs.

Individual schools and teachers have received support for technology in education, best practices and content.

ATT will be providing several professional development courses over the remainder of the summer break to help teachers gain confidence and insight into the new realities of our students’ learning needs.

ATT is proud of its partnership with its affiliated schools and its role in assuring that our schools continue to thrive and grow so that your child will experience the best education that we can provide.