Returning to School and the Community Safely
Updated September 14, 2021
Experts at Children’s Mercy are working with the community to help keep children safe during the 2021-22 school year as we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.
Guidance for Keeping Schools Safe for Students and Staff
Information for educators and school health professionals
Children's Mercy is committed to helping children return safely to school during the COVID-19 pandemic. We have compiled resources for school health care professionals to keep students, families and school staff safe during the 2021-22 school year.
Guidance for schools during the 2021-22 school year
As a community, we're facing decisions about how best to keep schools safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Experts at Children's Mercy developed resources to help the community - both families and administrators - navigate in-person school during COVID-19.
Masks help schools stay open
Keeping schools open and safe for all is a top priority for all of us. See how masks prevent infection and help keep schools open.
The importance of masks in schools
The American Academy of Pediatricians (AAP) and the Missouri Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatricans explain the importance of masks in schools, along with other recommendations. See their statements.
Additional information for educators
Other resources to help with school reopening and operations.
National organizations:
- ABC Science Collaborative: COVID-19 and Schools Year in Review and Path Forward (PDF)
- CDC: Operational Strategy for K-12 Schools Through Phased Prevention
- CDC: Schools and Child Care Programs
- National Association of School Nurses: Personal Protective Equipment Guide
- The American Association of School Administrators: The National COVID-19 School Response Dashboard
Local and regional organizations:
- Johnson County Department of Health and Environment: School guidance
- Kansas Department of Health and Environment: COVID-19 Cases in Kansas
- Mid-America Regional Council: Kansas City Region COVID-19 Data Hub
Contact tracing resources:
- CDC: Contact Tracer’s Interview Tool (PDF)
- Johns Hopkins: Contact Tracing
If you have any COVID-19 school re-entry questions or would like to request a consultation, please fill out and submit a COVID-19 School Assistance form. We will get in contact with you as soon as possible.
Information for families
Below are resources to aid you with the return of schools.
Read recommendations for a safe return to sport from Children's Mercy specialists.
Below are more resources to aid you with school re-entry.
Screening:
- What to do if a student has COVID-19 symptoms (PDF)
- Return to school considerations for COVID-19 symptoms (PDF)
Masks:
Virtual Learning:
Cleaning and Disinfecting:
Town Halls:
- COVID 19 Update on Vaccine, Risk Mitigation, and Sports (video)
- Community Town Hall: Kids, COVID and our KC community (video)
- Community Town Hall: COVID-19 school re-entry (video)
Sports:
- Information About COVID-19 from Children's Mercy
- COVID-19 Testing
- COVID-19 Vaccine Information
- What to Expect During Your Visit
- Returning to School and the Community Safely
- The School TLC Study
- Safe Return to Sport
- Helping Your Child Wear a Mask
- Visitor Restrictions
- COVID-19 Positive Testing Results
- Información sobre el COVID-19 en español