Should you send kids to in-person school during COVID-19? 4 things cancer patients and caregivers should consider

A new school year is approaching for many children. But the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues.

So, is it safe to send your kids to school in-person this fall? Or, should you opt for virtual classes? What factors should parents be considering when making this choice? And what if you or a family member has cancer? How should that impact your decision?

Here’s what our education and infectious disease experts recommend if you’re having to factor in your own or a loved one’s cancer diagnosis when weighing the in-person vs. virtual schooling question.

Educate yourself about school options available to you during the COVID-19 pandemic

The first thing to do is identify your child’s options this year. Depending on where you live, these could include 100% in-person instruction, a totally virtual model or some combination of the two. If returning to a brick-and-mortar classroom is possible, find out what new policies are in place to reduce the chances of COVID-19 transmission, and start thinking about what level of risk you’re comfortable with.

“In addition to requiring both faculty and students to wear masks and practice social distancing, a lot of districts are exploring staggered start times, reduced classroom sizes, and having different areas for children to eat grab-n-go lunches,” explains Kris Frost, one of MD Anderson’s Pediatric Education coordinators. “All of these can reduce risk by limiting the number of people walking around the hallways at any given time and preventing crowds from congregating in the cafeteria.”

“Not every district is going to be able to implement best practices in the same way,” adds Daniel Smith, manager of Pediatric Education and MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital school principal. “But in Texas, parents can look to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Texas Education Agency’s websites for guidance on what those might look like.”

Smith also noted that regardless of which option parents choose, some districts are requiring commitments for a full six weeks or an entire semester. “So, I would try to find out how many of these my local district is going to put in place,” he says, “just so there are no surprises.”

Consider your own unique situation

If you or someone in your household has chronic health issues or is immunocompromised from cancer or its treatment, the next step is to reach out to your care team for advice.

People who are in or have just finished active cancer treatment can be especially vulnerable to COVID-19, so it’s important to get guidance from doctors about any concerns you might have.

“We know this is a difficult decision, especially for our cancer patients and their families,” says infectious diseases and infection control specialist Roy Chemaly, M.D. “But early and preliminary data from Europe suggests that only a minimal increase in cases of COVID-19 occurred either on campus or in the community after schools were re-opened. Still, it’s important to note that the incidence of COVID-19 in those communities was at its lowest point at the time of re-opening.”

“Even kids with medical issues can often still attend school,” adds Frost. “And there are many simple strategies, such as letting pediatric patients leave class a few minutes earlier than other students, or making sure they’re always allowed to carry their own hand sanitizer, that can reduce their risk.”

Create a back-up plan

Also important is implementing a daily symptom-check routine for your family, and making a plan for what to do should anyone develop a fever or other COVID-19 symptoms.

“Most districts are saying they will take kids’ temperatures at school, but it can’t hurt to do it every morning yourself,” says Frost. “If your child has a fever, they’ll be sent right back home anyway. And if you or anyone else in your household shows symptoms, you will all need to stay home and self-quarantine.”

The good news is that some school districts are offering a hybrid instructional model, This should make it a lot easier for students to keep up with their studies if they have to stay home — whether that’s due to their own or a family member’s illness.

“Kids should be able to logon pretty quickly and jump right into virtual schooling until it’s OK to return to the classroom,” adds Frost. “Every school district is going to be doing that.”

Make the best school decision for your family during COVID-19

Every family is different, so what makes sense for yours might not work for anyone else’s — especially once you add cancer into the equation. But after you’ve gathered the information you need, you can weigh the risks and benefits of each option and make the best choice for your situation.  

“We all want the safest environment for ourselves and our kids, but everyone’s situation is different,” says Smith. “And virtual schooling isn’t a magic bullet, especially if the appropriate supports aren’t in place. It may present a lower risk physically, but it could also pose a higher risk academically and emotionally. Schools provide valuable support networks for many children. And those take a real hit in a virtual environment. So, it’s something to consider.”

Request an appointment at MD Anderson online or by calling 1-877-632-6789.