Returning to school in the Cape Henlopen School District

The Aug. 11 issue of the Cape Gazette covered the detailed plan of the Cape Henlopen School District for the reopening of schools. Most children will be in hybrid programs, attending school part time. For some families, the new school schedule will work fine. However, parents who need to work full time outside their home will face new challenges.

Some children in hybrid school programs will go to licensed day care programs on days they don’t attend school. Children in day care, both center-based and home-based, will need help with schoolwork from staff who usually do not have the time or training to provide it. Many high school students will  be unsupervised on the days they are not in school. They may be socializing with friends, even when they know they shouldn’t be. If they do not wear masks or stay apart, one high school student could infect many others - students, teachers, parents - when he or she returns to school. It is unlikely that there will be enough licensed day care slots to accommodate all children who need them. Those young enough to need full-time day care may be accepted before children in hybrid school programs who only need day care part time. The latter may need to be cared for on non-school days by an unlicensed neighbor or friend. This person might not use proper safety techniques. Also, she is unlikely to have the time or skills to help all the children in her care with their schoolwork.