Re-Opening Schools in a Pandemic

This is clearly a troubling time. And, unfortunately, guidance to parents, teachers, and community members about how, if at all, to re-open schools is too often inconsistent, incomplete, and sometimes contradictory. This is frustrating and at times frightening for many of us, including for those who are deeply committed to safe and nurturing educational experiences for our communities’ children and their teachers.

However, there are some things we know with confidence, so these are the points that govern our recommendations at this time. The three key points of the statement, “Outdoor Learning Opportunities for Healthy Students: A Solution for Elementary Schools During COVID-19,” are that:

• Time outdoors protects against virus transmission.

• Nature-based education provides positive academic outcomes.

• Nature-based education offers proven mental health benefits.

We urge educators everywhere to consider opening the school building doors to embrace learning outdoors. For some teachers not as familiar with outdoor classrooms and nature-based learning, it can be as simple as doing routine activities like check-ins, reading circles, story-telling, physical education, art and math activities in an outdoor setting. For others it can include those activities and more, facilitating project-based learning in meaningful ways in safe and diverse outdoor environments. Educational experiences that are offered in outdoor settings are demonstrated to bring a host of benefits, even during a pandemic. Of the many benefits, one that will be especially welcome—in addition to the obvious reduced risks of contagion and enhanced educational outcomes—is the sense of peace and calm, confidence and joy, that will be shared by students and teachers alike. Be well, be safe, and get outdoors in nature as often as possible.