Background: For pandemic preparedness, researchers used online systematic searches to track unplanned school closures (USCs). We determine if Twitter provides complementary data. Methods: Twitter handles of Michigan public schools and school districts were identified. All tweets associated with these handles were downloaded. USC-related tweets…

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently released an update to the nutrition standards schools must meet in the breakfasts and lunches served to more than 30 million children. The last time USDA fully updated school meal standards was in 2012. Research on the impact of those changes found that the nutritional quality of school meals…

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, children have presented with increased psychiatric symptoms. Little research has been done regarding early childhood mental health, particularly those from vulnerable socioeconomic contexts who are exposed to adversity. We aimed to assess mental health and the impacts of the pandemic on this population. A survey…

Purpose: This study assessed the effectiveness of malaria classroom corner (MCC), school-based intervention in the promotion of basic malaria awareness and common control practices among children of primary school age. Design/methodology/approach: A quasi-experimental design was employed, involving 206 children of primary 5 and 6 classes from two…

Purpose: There are limited school physical activity policy dissemination and implementation studies. This is a concern given the adverse mental, physical, and socio-emotional effects the COVID-19 pandemic has had on children and adolescents. This study explored New Jersey school administrators' experiences in disseminating recess guidelines,…

As the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, rapidly spread across the globe in Spring 2020, one of the most widely implemented risk reduction measures utilized was to physically close all school buildings. Reopening America's public schools for site-based instruction safely amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic (without a vaccine) is remarkably…

On March 13, 2020, following the directives given on March 12 by the State Superintendent of Education in Maryland (Dr. Karen Salmon), all public schools across the state were to be closed for 2 weeks beginning March 16 following the World Health Organization declaring COVID-19 a pandemic. It was hard to believe that a new pandemic would be any…

This study's goal was to characterize the utility of symptom screening in staff and students for COVID-19 identification and control of transmission in a school setting. We conducted a secondary analysis of cross-sectional data for staff, students and associated household members in a Georgia school district exposed to COVID-19 cases who received…

Inservice teachers have had to engage in professional development to successfully make the transition to remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. While there has been considerable focus on preparing content, access to devices, and connectivity, less attention has been paid to how professional development is preparing teachers to improve…

In this brief, the British Columbia Teachers' Federation (BCTF) welcomes new Minister of Education, the Honourable Jennifer Whiteside. The purpose of the brief is to provide context and recommendations for action on key issues of concern in the BC public education system. It brings together in one place many of the BCTF's concerns and proposals…

This document records testimony from a hearing before the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education that was held to discuss how to overcome obstacles to safely reopen schools. Member statements were presented by: (1) Honorable Rick W. Allen, Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary…

Research has demonstrated the importance of schools for child well-being, and teachers across the province are working hard to meet the needs of all students in their classrooms. However, school communities are threatened where key health and safety measures are still not in place to protect against the risks of COVID-19. Almost 9 in 10 public…

By the end of March 2020, all public schools in the United States were closed to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. More than 50.8 million children stayed home as school systems scrambled to transition to remote or hybrid learning platforms. While the decision to close schools was difficult, the debate over when and how to reopen…

This study examined educational experiences of families under COVID and their schooling decisions in the 2021 school year. Results from a survey of 1743 parents indicate most schools provided educational resources ranging from hardcopy packets to live online instruction. Parents were generally positive about the experience. Parents in private and…

Since the COVID-19 pandemic emerged in March 2020, districts across the nation have faced the difficult task of reopening school sites safely for in-person instruction and keeping them open as community infection rates have risen and fallen. It is useful to learn from the efforts of districts that have been able to reopen schools--and keep them…