31 Fun Facts for 31 Days - October 2021
31 Fun Facts for 31 Days
By: Anne Littlepage
1. Irish immigrants brought Halloween to the U.S.
2. The most lit jack-o-lanterns on display is 30, 581.
3. Trick or treating has existed since medieval times.
4. Candy wasn’t given out to trick or treaters until the 1950’s.
5. Skittles are America’s favorite candy.
6. Candy corn is America’s least favorite candy.
7. Candy corn was originally called chicken feed.
8. Silly string is banned in Hollywood on Halloween.
9. Harry Houdini died on Halloween in 1926.
10. The world’s longest haunted house is 3,564 feet long.
12. Disney’s Hocus Pocus was originally called Halloween House.
13. "It" is the most successfully commercial horror film of all time.
14. Halloween is day with the most parties, after New Year’s and Super Bowl Sunday.
15. There are no words in the dictionary that rhyme with orange.
16. More than 93% of children go trick or treating every year.
17. The first jack-o-lanterns were actually made from turnips.
18. Halloween is the second highest grossing commercial holiday after Christmas.
19. Ireland is the birthplace of Halloween.
20. Pumpkins are classified as a fruit, not a vegetable.
21. The average bag of candy that one child collects on Halloween contains about 11,000 calories.
22. 17% of Americans dress their pets in costumes.
23. The first citywide Halloween celebration took place in Anoka, Minnesota in 1921.
24. $3.2 billion was spent on costumes last year.
25. Finding a spider on Halloween night is considered good luck.
26. The largest Halloween parade in the United States is held annually in New York City.
27. Halloween was once considered a holiday for romance.
28. A full moon on Halloween night is rare.
29. The Peanuts animated show helped revive the Halloween spirit.
30. America spends half a billion dollars on Halloween pet costumes each day.
31. An old Halloween tradition involves a Halloween cake being baked with a thimble inside. Whoever got the thimble in their slice was to be unfortunate in love for the next year.
Poems to Celebrate the Fall Season - 2021
Poems to Celebrate the Fall Season - 2021
9/12/2021
By: Geoffrey McMain
Edited by: Kaitlin Graham
With Fall 2021 beginning in fewer than two weeks, it’s a great time to get in the spirit for the season of colors, cool weather, and pumpkin spice lattes. What better way to channel the mood of such a poetic time than through poetry? Here’s a few top picks of poems about Fall!
As Summer into Autumn slips
By: Emily Dickinson
As Summer into Autumn slips
And yet we sooner say
"The Summer" than "the Autumn," lest
We turn the sun away,
And almost count it an Affront
The presence to concede
Of one however lovely, not
The one that we have loved --
So we evade the charge of Years
On one attempting shy
The Circumvention of the Shaft
Of Life's Declivity.
Autumn Birds
By: John Clare
The wild duck startles like a sudden thought,
And heron slow as if it might be caught.
The flopping crows on weary wings go by
And grey beard jackdaws noising as they fly.
The crowds of starnels whizz and hurry by,
And darken like a clod the evening sky.
The larks like thunder rise and suthy round,
Then drop and nestle in the stubble ground.
The wild swan hurries hight and noises loud
With white neck peering to the evening clowd.
The weary rooks to distant woods are gone.
With lengths of tail the magpie winnows on
To neighbouring tree, and leaves the distant crow
While small birds nestle in the edge below.
The Beautiful Changes
By: Richard Wilbur
One wading a Fall meadow finds on all sides
The Queen Anne’s Lace lying like lilies
On water; it glides
So from the walker, it turns
Dry grass to a lake, as the slightest shade of you
Valleys my mind in fabulous blue Lucernes.
The beautiful changes as a forest is changed
By a chameleon’s tuning his skin to it;
As a mantis, arranged
On a green leaf, grows
Into it, makes the leaf leafier, and proves
Any greenness is deeper than anyone knows.
Your hands hold roses always in a way that says
They are not only yours; the beautiful changes
In such kind ways,
Wishing ever to sunder
Things and things’ selves for a second finding, to lose
For a moment all that it touches back to wonder.
Fall, Leaves, Fall
By: Emily Brontë
Fall, leaves, fall; die, flowers, away;
Lengthen night and shorten day;
Every leaf speaks bliss to me
Fluttering from the autumn tree.
I shall smile when wreaths of snow
Blossom where the rose should grow;
I shall sing when night’s decay
Ushers in a drearier day.
My November Guest
By: Robert Frost
My Sorrow, when she's here with me,
Thinks these dark days of autumn rain
Are beautiful as days can be;
She loves the bare, the withered tree;
She walks the sodden pasture lane.
Her pleasure will not let me stay.
She talks and I am fain to list:
She's glad the birds are gone away,
She's glad her simple worsted grey
Is silver now with clinging mist.
The desolate, deserted trees,
The faded earth, the heavy sky,
The beauties she so truly sees,
She thinks I have no eye for these,
And vexes me for reason why.
Not yesterday I learned to know
The love of bare November days
Before the coming of the snow,
But it were vain to tell her so,
And they are better for her praise.
Autumn
By: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Thou comest, Autumn, heralded by the rain,
With banners, by great gales incessant fanned,
Brighter than brightest silks of Samarcand,
And stately oxen harnessed to thy wain!
Thou standest, like imperial Charlemagne,
Upon thy bridge of gold; thy royal hand
Outstretched with benedictions o'er the land,
Blessing the farms through all thy vast domain!
Thy shield is the red harvest moon, suspended
So long beneath the heaven's o'er-hanging eaves;
Thy steps are by the farmer's prayers attended;
Like flames upon an altar shine the sheaves;
And, following thee, in thy ovation splendid,
Thine almoner, the wind, scatters the golden leaves!
Hopefully these poems brought you a greater appreciation for the beauty of fall and put you in the mood for the new season!
The Origin of Churrasco - Hispanic Heritage Month 2021
The Origin of Churrasco - Hispanic Heritage Month 2021
9/15/2021
By: Geoffrey McMain
Edited by: Kaitlin Graham
September 15th through October 15th is Hispanic Heritage Month, making it a great time to learn about and connect with Hispanic and Latin American cultures. As the son of a Brazilian immigrant, I thought it would be fun to share a little about an iconic cultural practice from Brazil to celebrate this Hispanic Heritage Month.
Churrasco: Brazilian Barbeque or Something More?
The first things that might come to mind when you think of Brazil are probably beaches, tan bodies, and Carnival. But possibly the most notable of these things are Brazilian steakhouses, known as churrascarias in Portuguese, renowned for their seemingly endless waves of high-quality, slow-cooked meats sliced tableside at customer demand. While churrascarias are famously popular in both the US and Brazil, they stem from a much less high-class (and expensive) practice in Brazil, known simply as churrasco. (Pronounced: shoo-HAW-skoo)
Friends, Family, and Meat
At face value, a churrasco might seem the same as an American barbeque, where family and friends gather together to revel in each other’s company and enjoy great food, but in Brazil, this gathering runs deeper than a run-of-the-mill cook-out.
A typical Churrasco is an exciting event where everyone brings something to share, whether it be cuts of meat, side dishes, or a pack of cold beers. This process of sharing is enhanced by the continuous rounds of grilled meat passed around throughout the night for everyone to enjoy, not unlike the experience of a Brazilian steakhouse.
As people stuff themselves with a variety of savory meats like slices of juicy picanha (a famous Brazilian cut of steak) or other classics like pao de queijo (Brazilian cheese bread), people partake in conversations with long-missed friends, sing traditional Brasileiro songs, and even dance the Samba.
I have many fond memories of my childhood, in both Brazil and the US, of Brazilians and non-Brazilians alike coming together to eat, sing, and dance to the sweet sound of laughing friends and a melodic guitar, well into the night.
The Origins of Churrasco
Brazilians are known for being some of the most outgoing people on the planet, which makes sense why such a festive gathering would originate from Brazil.
The art of Brazilian barbeque started in the Rio Grande do Sul, in the south of Brazil, in the 1600s, when Portuguese ranchers built on the indigenous tradition of grilling skewered meat in pits. Over the years, it became a tradition to gather the entire village in a massive feast of freshly butchered, slow-cooked meat to celebrate the fruits of many hard months of labor.
And so, churrasco was born.
If you want to enjoy churrasco, it’s as simple as taking a trip to one of many churrascarias that now dominate the US. But if you want to enjoy churrasco more like a Brazilian (or just save some money), head over to your local meat supplier to buy your favorite cuts of steak, pork, or chicken, and invite your friends and family to partake in a night of lively festivities and, of course, decadently juicy meat!
10 Movies and TV Shows to Watch During Drug and Alcohol Abuse Awareness Month
10 Movies and TV Shows to Watch During Drug and Alcohol Awareness Month
9/03/2021
By: Aaron Kaushal
Edited by: Kaitlin Graham
1. Shameless
Shameless is a Netflix comedy-drama about a dysfunctional group of siblings who are trying to cope with their alcoholic father. The show does a good job of portraying how addictions such as alcoholism can affect the entire family. Spending his money on drugs and alcohol rather than supporting his family is a common theme throughout the series.
2. BoJack Horseman
BoJack Horseman is an animated Netflix series that tackles themes of alcohol and substance abuse. The constant substance abuse by the main character, BoJack, ends up causing a lot of problems for him throughout the series., making it very clear that substance or alcohol abuse can lead to individuals making terrible decisions. Having to cope with depression as a result of this abuse is another theme that can be seen throughout the series as well.
3. Euphoria
The HBO Series Euphoria follows Rue, a 17 year old drug addict who just got out of rehab. Rue and her friends go through high school, going through experiences of drugs, depression, friendships, love, and identity. The series did well when it came to tackling these themes. It follows a teen dealing with mental illness and her addiction to drugs which she sees as an escape. Rue’s character was created with these themes in mind in order to spread awareness to viewers. It shows the struggles an addict faces in their life and how it affects their future.
4. Requiem For a Dream
Requiem For a Dream is a psychological drama that depicts various types of drug addiction each leading to different outcomes for the characters. The main characters are addicted to heroin. The movie itself was seen as an effective anti-drug PSA. The movie follows the stories of four main characters who deal with failure throughout. The characters had big dreams, but ended up not being able to achieve them due to their addictions.
5. Mom
Mom was a CBS comedy centered around addiction. It explores the life of Christy, a recovering alcoholic and single mother. It follows her struggles and triumphs as a recovering addict. This series showed viewers how much your life can change if you overcome an addiction. Viewers have claimed that the series helped them stay sober in their recovery as well.
6. Flaked
Flaked is another series that follows an alcoholic. The series takes on themes of addiction in an interesting way. Many scenes take place in 12-step meetings, which is a program to help people recover from addiction. The series seems like it urges viewers to deal with their own addictions, as well, by attending these meetings and seeing how beneficial it can be for their health.
7. Patrick Melrose
Patrick Melrose is another series that accurately shows the dangers of addiction. The recurring theme throughout is that if you do not deal with an addiction it will only continue to get worse and worse. It covers the dangers of addiction as well as the negative effects it can have on one's life. It demonstrates that it is important to get help early on.
8. Nurse Jackie
Showtime series Nurse Jackie educates viewers on many aspects of addiction and recovery. Loving someone with an addiction can be painful for both people involved. Being able to help someone with recovery is an important step in getting over an addiction, which is seen throughout the series. The series focuses on helping viewers understand that they are not alone and there will always be help available for them if they choose to accept it. The series also goes against the stereotype that addicts are failures in life, because many successful people may hide addictions.
9. Intervention
Intervention is a docuseries about addicts trying to overcome their addictions with the help from their families and friends. This is a truly hard hitting series with each episode following a different addict, who are told they are being documented for their addiction, but in reality they are the subject of an intervention. It is interesting to see the role friends and family can play in helping an addict recover. It has been extremely popular as viewers have also claimed that the series helped them overcome their own addictions.
10. The Basketball Diaries
The Basketball Diaries is a 1995 crime drama following the life of Jim. Jim is a high-school basketball star on the surface, but a heroin addict behind closed doors. Dealing with the stress of high school, family, and his coach's expectations, he turns to drugs. This movie explores the realities of a high school addict and the struggles they face. Ultimately, Jim receives help from a friend in order to try to recover from his addiction.
Anti-Bullying Awareness - 2021
Anti-Bullying Awareness - 2021
8/22/2021
By: Anne Little-Page
Edited by: Kaitlin Graham
Several months ago, I blogged about my personal experiences with bullying and how it affected me. I've spoken with friends, people on social media, and even people who work as counselors about bullies.
While I am still learning about why people are bullied some questions I have remain. I wonder if my bullies changed or if they continued bullying others when they became adults.
Some of the people that messaged me or spoke to said their bully was apologetic and did change. Others said that the bully was still mean or acted like they forgot what happened.
Why do people become bullies?
Oftentimes I wonder if a demanding, power-hungry boss was a bully when they were younger and wants to achieve top hierarchy in their field. A co-worker that bullies other colleagues may have also been a former bully at school.
A lot of times bullies are unhappy and choose someone that they believe to be weak or insecure. Sometimes they want power and enjoy being the one that students look to and follow.
The person they are bullying may be a threat to them because they are not following them or is going against what is popular. Bullies may even be jealous that someone is standing out in some way that causes them to feel inferior.
Many famous singers and actors were bullied when they were younger. The bully may feel that they aren't talented or are ignored in their life. Someone getting praise from others may cause them to feel they aren't the center of attention which could trigger them to start bullying someone else in order to make themselves feel better.
I've often wondered what goes through a bully's mind when they look in the mirror. Do they feel guilty for the pain they caused others that day? Does the bully raise their glass in the air and toast their victory?
Bullies need to realize that their words have power, and it often causes emotional and sometimes physical damage. They need to listen people who were bullied and how they felt. They should take some time for self-reflection, and work towards self-growth.
Can I former bully fix their mistakes?
The bully should also make steps in trying to change and apologizing to those they bullied. Then they should show the person they bullied that they have changed for the better.
The people who were apologized to by a former bully said that they felt a weight had been lifted off them and that they had gotten closure. They also said that they were able to understand what motivated the bullies’ behavior such as abuse at home, neglect from others, low self-esteem, and other issues. Former bullies often say they feel guilty for what they have done in their past.
If you were a bully or are a bully, don't think that you are stuck in that role. There is always room to change.
I believe each person has an opportunity to change their circle of influence. Whether it is at school, work, your neighborhood, or even online, when you see someone bullying someone else you should speak up for them. You should say to the person that is bullying that they should stop their behavior.
If you see someone crying or getting constantly harassed by someone, be a friend and listen to them. Let them know you are there for them. One small act of kindness could change someone's life.
Is virtual learning good for students?
Is virtual learning good for students?
8/19/2021
By: Anne Littlepage
Edited by: Kaitlin Graham
It is that time of year for students to start preparing to go back to school. For many students they are preparing to step inside their school and sit in classrooms for the first time in over a year.
Since the pandemic began last year, many students only attended school in a virtual setting. A lot of those students and parents have complained that virtual learning has caused their grades to drop or that they don’t receive direct help from their teachers.
Students have also complained of having emotional and mental health problems as a result from being isolated from friends. Since the vaccine is available to students 12 years of age and over, more schools will be opening this year with the traditional classroom, although the rise in COVID-19 cases may cause plans to change.
Other parents and students have thrived in the virtual school environment and decided to do virtual school permanently. Many students liked the convenience of attending from home. They can sleep in a little later and don’t have to conform to the school’s dress code.
Also, students that were bullied didn’t have to worry about going to school and being harassed any longer. A 2019 Pearson survey said that "23% of parents enrolled their kids in Connections Academy to avoid bullying while 13% said they joined because they had been bullied.”
Some students also have excelled academically through virtual learning. They aren’t as distracted by being with other students in a classroom. Students who are stronger academically have also been able to move at their own pace.
The rise in COVID-19 across the country has many parents concerned with the lack of social distance in schools, as well. Parents are concerned that even if they have been vaccinated their children could be exposed to COVID-19 and cause the parent to test positive for the virus.
Even though children under 12 aren’t eligible for the vaccine, they can still be carriers of the virus. This could cause the virus to spread even more, because a lot of their activities in school are group activities, and young children have difficulties social distancing with one another.
There are also students that haven’t been vaccinated and aren’t planning on getting the vaccine.
COVID-19 cases have resulted in 38 states increasing their number of virtual schools in their state. In Virginia, 110 of 132 school districts will use Virtual Virginia according to Newsweek. The number of students has increased from 413 to 7,636 for the 2021-2022 school year. Tennessee has approved 29 new online schools for the new year and Minnesota approved 26 new online schools.
It sounds like students will be given two options on how to attend school. One is online and the other is the traditional school. Educators around the country will have to wait and see which one will become more popular.
For more information, check out these websites:
Do you have a child attending school? Would you prefer them to learn in a virtual or in-person environment? Comment down below to start the conversation!
Where to Find Back to School Sales
Where to Find Back to School Sales
8/14/2021
By: Geoffrey McMain
Edited by: Kaitlin Graham
It’s back-to-school season, which means it’s everyone’s favorite time to shop for all things school, office supply, and technology! With all this shopping, it’s lucky that so many places have discounts on these items, so here are some stores with the best back-to-school deals and savings.
Amazon
As one of the largest retailers in the world, Amazon is in the perfect position to offer fantastic discounts. Some of the deals they have are on school supplies, electronics, and clothes, as well as a $10 off coupon on school essentials when you spend more than $100.
Target
Target has deals on everything from notebooks to Apple Air Pods, making it an excellent choice for back-to-school shopping and even dorm outfitting, with low-price selections for small home appliances and on-campus necessities like bedding. So whether you’re shopping for crayons or Keurigs, Target is the place to look.
Walmart
Along with all the typical back-to-school deals, Walmart has a school-specific supply search that’s used with just a city and institution name and shows users everything they or their child will need for their school year from their school. And if you’re a teacher, Walmart’s teacher shop offers special discounts for educators as well.
Macy’s
Macy’s has discounts on all clothes for children K-12, whether it be shoes, jeans, or dresses, and school accessories such as backpacks and masks are also on sale. These great savings are even available for some of the biggest brands like Nike, Champion, and Tommy Hilfiger.
Best Buy
If you’re looking for new tech before heading into the fall semester, Best Buy is one of the best places to look. With a wide selection of laptops, PCs, and other necessities on sale, Best Buy is an excellent choice for high-end, low-price technology for all school needs.
Staples
For back to school season, Staples is offering such school and office essentials as binders, pencils, paper, notebooks, art supplies, and just about anything else you can imagine, all at a low price, making Staples a one-stop-shop for all things for the new school year.
Bed Bath & Beyond
While Bed Bath & Beyond is known for being a big-box retailer of home products, this company also has deals for college shoppers, with a 20% discount on all dorm purchases. They even have an online shopping system that will hold your order at the nearest Bed Bath & Beyond for pickup, so if you want to make a convenient shopping trip for dorm essentials or otherwise, Bed Bath & Beyond is the place to go.
Office Depot
Office Depot offers all things school supply for a discount rate, with up to 55% off for generic products and up to 70% off on certain brands like Crayola or Elmer’s. Teacher supplies are also on sale! That means big savings for educators that shop at Office Depot.
Nordstrom Rack
Nordstrom Rack is committed to helping kids look great on their first day of school at a low price, with backpacks up to 50% off and clothes for girls and boys up to 65% off.
Old Navy
At Old Navy, all clothes for kids are up to 50% off right now, with even lower prices in the clearance section. Select adult apparel is 50% off right now, as well! So whether you’re trying for a new look for school or just need some new clothes, Old Navy is a great choice for the best clothes at the best prices.
How to Go Back to School In Style
How to Go Back to School In Style
8/12/2021
By: Aaron Kaushal
Edited by: Kaitlin Graham
When returning back to school there are many products that students will need in their educational journey. Pencils, pens, erasers and highlighters are always fairly easy to find and pick out.
However, today there are many different designs and styles available for students when it comes to backpacks, or even notebooks. If you want to return to school in style, the following products have many design options available for purchase, allowing you to express yourself in a whole new way. Continue reading to find out how you or your child can stand out when going back to school!
Backpacks
Backpacks come in many shapes, sizes, colors, and designs. Many students often look for the most stylish backpack that fits all their needs. Going on Amazon and simply typing the word “Backpack” will give you access to view over 10,000 backpacks available.
Popular backpack brands among high school and college students include North Face, High Sierra and Under Armour.
Lunch Bags
The days of being embarrassed to bring a sack lunch to school are over! Impress your classmates by showing up
with the coolest lunch bag in school!
Similar to backpacks, lunch bags also come in a wide variety of choices. Searching for “Lunch Bags” on Amazon will also let you view over 7,000 options, all coming in different shapes, sizes, and designs.
Folders and Notebooks
A notebook is always something good to have on-hand in your backpack. Having a notebook for each class is a great way to stay organized.
Notebooks come in a wide array of colors, as well. Having a different color for each class is a popular method many students utilize. The same idea can be applied to folders as well, for keeping track of any loose papers.
Reusable Water Bottles
Being able to have cold water any time of the day is always nice. With an insulated water bottle, you can keep your 
water cold. Look for a bottle that is small enough to fit in your backpack so you can stay hydrated without having your hands full.
Instead of having to drink from water fountains, having your own bottle can save you time and energy. On top of that, bottles also come with many different designs so you can always find one that matches your taste and style!
Popular water bottle brands include Swell, Hydro Flask and CamelBak.
Masks
Many public schools and colleges will still be requiring masks on campus for the 2021-2022 school year. Instead of picking up a boring plain mask, find one that suits your style!
Masks and face coverings are available in a wide variety of colors and designs. Looking on Amazon or surfing the internet for masks can result in finding some unique looking masks.
Don't hesitate to stand out with a unique printed mask! You can find some here.
Should schools have in-person classes this year?
Should schools have in-person classes this year?
8/10/2021
By: Geoffrey McMain
Edited by: Kaitlin Graham
As schools and millions of teachers, parents, and students brace for the new academic year and the reopening of schools, countless concerns are still up in the air surrounding the pandemic.
These concerns are magnified by the highly contagious Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus, which has rapidly become the dominant variant in the United States, leaving many wondering whether or not reopening schools is a good idea at all. Despite the uncertainty, there is a wealth of research regarding the pandemic that can hopefully illuminate a path forward.
What does the public think about school re-openings?
According to a national tracking poll done by the Morning Consult in June, the general public’s opinion seems to favor sending kids back to school. The study found that 74% of all adults are at least somewhat comfortable sending children to school and only 12% are not comfortable at all.
A similar poll also conducted by the Morning Consult found comparable results with parents: 74% at least somewhat comfortable having their children back in school and only 9% not comfortable at all.
It’s important to note that these studies were conducted before Delta became the dominant variant of COVID-19 in the United States, so they may not entirely reflect the population’s current opinion.
What risks do school openings pose to children and others?
The three most important infectious disease statistics are transmission, hospitalization, and death rates, so to understand the risk of re-openings, it’s best to look at these statistics for children.
In February, The Journal of Infectious Diseases published a study that found death and hospitalization rates for those aged 1-18 were significantly lower than elderly or at-risk patients. The study also discovered that when mitigation efforts (masks, social distancing, contact tracing, etc.) were established in schools, the transmission rate in primary schools was limited; however, in secondary schools, the infection rate was similar to that of the general population.
Despite the evidence of limited transmission in schools, a study from the Clinical Infectious Diseases Organization found that the infection rate was similar across all age groups, even children. Although, a possible answer to this is that children are infected outside the classroom and not within.
How are families affected by school closures?
Research reflects that children are negatively affected across-the-board by school closures, as confirmed by one study published in April. It found that even in best-case scenarios, students suffer from not being physically present in school: a fact exacerbated significantly in underprivileged communities, where learning losses are 60% larger than in other homes.
Besides the negative effects on learning, families suffer in other ways from school closures, with a February report from Rutgers University discovering high risks for emotional and social issues in both children and parents, as well as difficulty finding childcare support for young children, and even nutritional problems for low-income students who rely on free or low-cost school meals.
These issues pose a significant challenge for many families, especially those in disadvantaged areas that lack the resources to address them adequately.
Concerns Over the Delta variant
The Delta variant of COVID-19 has been quick to grip the public’s attention as it’s become the dominant form of the Coronavirus in the United States. The data shows that Delta is significantly more transmissible than other forms of COVID, given its viral load is more than 1,000 times larger than other variants.
While children are more likely to be infected with the Delta variant than before, the evidence still points to a lower transmission rate, hospitalization, and death than the general population. Regardless, Delta is a significant threat to many people and has directly led to a sharp uptick in cases and deaths, making it a point of concern for families with children heading back to school.
It’s possible that by fall, enough people will be vaccinated to curb the tide of Delta, but in a pandemic, the future is unlikely, and what effect this variant will have on school openings remains to be seen.
Where does that leave us?
Given the wide array of problems children face learning at home, it’s clear that being physically back in school is necessary for students, but how that can be reconciled with the potential dangers of in-person learning can only be determined by each family. All that’s clear is that everyone should take precautions and get vaccinated as soon as possible to protect themselves and others.
How to Keep Kids Safe When Going Back to School During A Pandemic
How to Keep Kids Safe When Going Back to School During A Pandemic
August 1, 2021
By: Kaitlin Graham
Going back to school can be a stressful time for parents, especially when facing a pandemic involving the deadly virus that is COVID-19. Keep reading for some helpful tips on how to keep your kids safe and healthy this school year.
1. Practice Handwashing At Home
It’s important to teach your children the proper way to wash their hands at home before they have to do it alone at school. According to the Mayo Clinic, it may be helpful to teach them the importance of washing one’s hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, “especially before and after eating, coughing/sneezing, or adjusting a face mask.” As you may know, you should wash your hands for the length of time it takes to sing the “ABC” song twice.
2. Develop a COVID-19 Reaction Plan
Even after taking every precaution (masks, distancing, handwashing, sanitizing, and vaccinations), it is still possible to be exposed to COVID-19. Having a plan in place can alleviate some stress and anxiety for you and your family if one of you is exposed to COVID-19. Make a plan that works for you family to protect you and the people you are close to from contracting the virus.
3. Get Vaccinated
For people ages 12 and up without prior health issues, the COVID-19 vaccines are completely safe and very effective. Getting the Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson vaccine is one simple way to protect yourself and your loved ones from getting sick. If your child is 12 or older, encourage them to get the vaccine, as well, so they can go to school without risking their health. Visit vaccines.org to find a COVID-19 vaccination location near you.
4. Mask Up
While wearing a mask is bothersome, it is the best defense against COVID-19 for children ages 12 and under. Since children under the age of 12 cannot get vaccinated at this time, it is very important to teach them why we wear masks and ensure they are wearing their masks properly in schools and other indoor public spaces. Click here to read “Your Guide to Masks” from the CDC.