First bell today, with masks – All new rules in schools, due to coronavirus | HELLAS

The time has come for the long-awaited return of students to schools …

The classrooms open today when the first bell rings at 8:15 in the morning, in a school year that will be different from the others because of the coronavirus and that nobody knows how it will end, since the pandemic continues in the country. However, the schools will normally open as of today where sanctification will take place, as well as a detailed explanation and discussion from the teachers to the students, about the rules under which the lessons will be taught and the protection and hygiene measures to be carried out. must be observed.

Schools: first day at school with exchange of mask and instructions.

As already known, the first day will pass with the sanctification, the explanation and the discussion for the faithful application of the cleaning and hygiene standards and other protection and prevention measures based on the pertinent instructions of EODY, the distribution of books of text, but also mask, which has now been distributed to all schools.

According to the instructions given by the Ministry of Education, the program for the first day will be as follows:

• Explanation and discussion for the faithful application of the cleaning and hygiene rules and other protection and prevention measures based on the relevant EODY instructions
• Delve into the content of the printed information material that has been sent (117512 / ΓΔ4 / 08-09-2020)
• Mask distribution per student
• Emphasis on proper use of the mask.
• Update on the schedule of the week
• Distribution of books for the new school year

A similar program will be followed for kindergartens:

• Discussion for the faithful application of the cleaning and hygiene rules and other protection and prevention measures based on the relevant EODY instructions
• Explanation of the content of the printed information material that has been sent (Φ.7 / 117703 / Δ1 / 9-9-2020)
• Mask distribution per student
• Special emphasis on the proper use of the mask.

Schools: in which areas the first bell will not ring

However, the school year will not begin for all students. Some schools remain closed until September 16, following a decision by the Ministries of Health and Education. For precautionary reasons, the Lesbos and Pella Regional Unit schools will be closed until the 16th of the month, while until September 18, there is a suspension of operation in the following schools:

• Kallithea Lemnos Special Education Primary School (Lemnos Regional Unit)
• Kallithea Lemnos Special Education Kindergarten (Lemnos Regional Unit)
• 7th Alexandria Primary School, Imathia (Imathia Outlying Unit)

Wearing a mask and what is provided for those who do not wear it

When it comes to wearing a mask, things are clear. The mask is mandatory for students and teachers, with specific exceptions. In accordance with the detailed instructions, which were reflected in a relevant Joint Ministerial Decision of the Ministries of Health and Education, in the event that a student does not comply with their obligations regarding the mandatory use of a mask (non-medical or medical / surgical ), you will not be allowed to enter. in the classroom and will say goodbye.

If he is a minor, he will remain in a special area, maintaining the greatest possible distance and other protective measures, until he is received by his guardians. Upon the arrival of the tutors, the JMC provides that the parents and the student will be informed of the usefulness and need to use a mask.

However, according to officials from the Ministry of Education, at an early age (4-10 years) there will be some flexibility and leniency in cases of not wearing a mask. As has been repeatedly emphasized by ministry leadership, students in kindergarten and the first three grades of elementary school will receive special emphasis on education and familiarity with the proper use of a mask.

The use of a mask is mandatory in the following cases:

• in all interior areas of schools,
• outside school units when there is overcrowding (school attendance and leaving, overcrowding in dining rooms or outdoors, etc.)
• in Student Transportation,
• during the adjustment period in kindergarten, by a healthy and stable partner (parent, guardian or other person).

It is not necessary to wear a mask during meals and during exercise. However, accompanying students at KESY must wear a non-medical mask.

In the case of children with underlying diseases, the use of the surgical mask can be chosen by the guardians of their choice or by the attending physician.

That they are exempt from the mandatory use of a mask.

The categories of students who are excluded from the mandatory use of a mask are as follows:

• students with cognitive, developmental, mental, or behavioral disorders,
• students with a serious neurological, muscular, or other disease that prevents them from wearing the mask.

In special education schools, the use of a mask is provided only if possible. A necessary condition to participate in the courses will be the presentation of the necessary relevant supporting documents.

Schools: What about distance education?

According to the Ministry of Education, students who will be absent due to coronavirus will be able to attend classes remotely. According to the ministry, “the possibility of absence of students and teachers for reasons related to COVID-19 (higher risk groups, COVID-19 disease, etc.) is foreseen, as well as the suspension of departments or school units due to case detection. In all these cases, the implementation of modern distance education is contemplated within a framework defined by a new Ministerial Decision issued by the Minister of Education and Religions Niki Kerameos and the Vice Minister Sofia Zacharaki “.

The Ministerial Decision stipulates that, as long as the risk of the spread of the coronavirus persists, primary and secondary schools are obliged to provide modern distance education to students who will not be able to attend the educational process in person, as follows:

1. If your department or school unit is suspended, modern distance education is provided, where both teachers and students participate exclusively at a distance in the educational process.

2. If some students are excused absent due to coronavirus, simultaneous modern distance education is provided to students who participate in the course with physical presence and those who cannot attend the educational process with physical presence. In particular, if students are absent because they belong to a high-risk group or live with a person suffering from coronavirus, remote attendance is mandatory.

In the event that simultaneous modern distance education becomes difficult to implement, the possibility of forming “online departments”, in which both teacher and students participate exclusively from outside, is also provided under certain conditions for students belonging to high-risk groups. distance in the educational process. These may consist of students only from the specific school unit or from different school units, per class and per lesson

What will happen in the event of an accident at school? When is its operation suspended?

In the case of a suspected student case, the child should be immediately isolated in a specially designed and well-ventilated area, until his family comes to pick him up. The student will then visit their doctor and undergo a laboratory test. Until the results come out, the student will remain isolated at home, while the school will continue to function normally. A similar procedure is followed in the case of a teacher or school unit employee.

If the child’s or teacher’s test is negative, then they can return to school within 24 hours. If, of course, it is positive, then the parent must inform the person in charge of the Covid-19 school, as well as those responsible for all their extracurricular activities. It then communicates with the competent authorities.

In case there are more than one cases in a school, the temporary suspension scenario is usually on the table. This was also highlighted by the professor of infectious diseases, Charalambos Gogos, speaking yesterday at Mega.

“Up to two cases in a school can continue to function.” If we have three or more cases, it may be necessary to close an entire complex, “he said characteristically.

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