Schools reopen for high school students and here are the new rules that apply!

As of today, students of the Third Lyceum return to their desks after the suspension of the operation of the courses on March 11, due the escalation of the coronavirus pandemic.

The opening of the schools will not be reminiscent of the usual images of a "first day at school." The National Public Health Organizatio (EODY) protocol permeates all aspects of school life and students, teachers and parents are asked to follow the instructions, in order to return to whatever normality the conditions allow.

According to the instructions of EODY, the first two hours of the first and second day will focus on informing students about the rules of hygiene, emphasising the safe distance and hygiene of hands, as well as the complementary use of a face mask.

What to look out for

A list of everything that teachers, students, but also their parents and guardians will have to pay attention to on the days when they will return to their desks, has been prepared by EODY in collaboration with the Ministry of Education.

What students need to do/watch out for:

• Cough or sneeze into their elbow or tissue, which should be thrown away immediately in a trash can.
• Not to put their hands in their mouth, nose or eyes.
• Wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before eating and after using the toilet. If soap and water are not available, the use of an alcoholic antiseptic solution is recommended.
• To not exchange objects (such as pens, pencils, erasers, banknotes, coins, etc.) with their classmates.
• Keep a distance of 1.5 m with their classmates in the classroom and in other areas of the school, as well as with their friends and acquaintances outside the school.
• If a student develops a fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, he or she should immediately notify his or her parents / guardian and teacher and stay home until he or she feels completely well.

What teachers should pay attention to:

• Inform children to stay home if they feel sick.
• Educate children to wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or disinfect them with an alcoholic antiseptic solution after each break, especially before eating and after using the toilet.
• Help children engage in frequent cleaning of surfaces and objects in the classroom (eg desks, bags, books, etc.).
• Inform children about how important it is to not exchange objects with each other.
• Monitor the number of missing students daily and inform the school principal if the number of absent students increases.
• Take time to inform students about the virus but also to encourage them to talk about their fears and worries about the virus.

Parents and guardians:

• Encourage children to follow EODY guidelines posted at school and implement hygiene measures (Avoid close contact with people who have symptoms of the virus and keep their distance from the elderly or vulnerable family members)
• Keep children at home if they feel ill, contact a primary healthcare physician directly and inform the school.
• To discourage children from crowding indoors with many people.

The rules

The return of the members of the school community is done with the necessary protection measures, which have been provided by EODY and the Ministry of Education, with the observance of the distance of 1.5 meters being the most basic.

In order to reduce overcrowding during the arrival and departure of students to the school, the usual gathering in the courtyard will not take place before the start of the program. Students will go straight to the classroom. The maximum number of students allowed per class is fifteen (15) and the distance between students sitting on desks should be 1.5 meters. Classrooms are divided into two and students will go to school on rotation. The small sections (up to 15 people) will be able to operate daily.

According to the Minister of Education Niki Kerameos, 66% of the departments of the 3rd high school of GEL will teach daily and not in rotation, because these departments have less than 15 students and there is no need to divide departments. The corresponding percentage of the departments of the 3rd high school of EPAL is 74%.

Regarding the configuration of the rooms, the relevant circular stipulates that the desks will have a common orientation and the students will sit one by one on the desk and alternately, on the right and left sides of the desk, not one behind the other.

Ventilation of the classrooms will of course be done and it is planned to clean them twice a day.

The break will be different from now on. Students will not take a single break and in addition there is a gradual exit in order, while each class will have a different space in the courtyard.

Ball games (eg volleyball, basketball, soccer) are prohibited and canteens will be closed.

Equipment

According to EODY, each school unit needs to be provided with the following:

• Antiseptic alcoholic solutions for each class
• Wet cream soap for toilets
• Hand towels for toilets where possible
• Common cleaners and disinfectants suitable for cleaning surfaces with antiviral action (homemade bleach and alcoholic solutions with at least 70% alcohol)
• Surgical and non-medical masks (for emergencies)
• Gloves, mainly for cleaning staff, as well as for other emergencies

EODY protocol for cases

In order to manage any symptoms that occur in a member of the school community, the relevant EODY protocol will be activated, based on the tracking process and with grades depending on each case.

If a student falls ill with coronavirus, the school will not close. Classmates in the same ward will not attend school for 10 days. As long as they do not show any suspicious symptoms, they will return. As for the student who may be ill, they may return to school after 3 days from the onset of fever and the remission of symptoms, as well as the passage of at least 10 days from the onset of symptoms.

Support phones

For more information, support or intervention, students, parents and / or teachers can contact the special team of EODY scientists:

• For medical support and intervention: 210 5212054, 210 5212056, 210 5212058
• For psychological support and intervention: 215 215 6060

End of course on June 12, 2020

It is also reminded that high schools and lyceums will hold classes until June 12 and graduation exams will not be held (the evaluation of students will be based on the grades of the four months) and on June 15 and 16 the Panhellenic Exams will be held for General Lyceums and Vocational High Schools, respectively.

Tuition centres are also opening

Finally, regarding the operation of the tuition centres, as in the case for schools, they must observe the preventive measures (distance of 1.5 meters between students and 15 students per department). The classes of the 3rd Lyceum will start tomorrow, Monday, May 11, while the classes of the A ', B' Lyceum and Gymnasium as well as the foreign language courses will resume on May 18. The ministry, however, recommends continuing the courses through distance learning.

*Source: Ant1news