Setting Learning Pod Ground Rules

Questions for Your Pod

So, you got the news. School is going virtual or hybrid. This leaves you with days of at-home learning. Groan!

You’re doing yourself a favor and setting up a learning pod to save your sanity and provide your child some much needed social interaction.  (If you haven’t formed your pod, find out how to do that here!)

What’s next?

It’s important to lay the ground rules for how your learning pod will run. This calls for a meeting of the pod family. Gather the grown-ups at one of your pod locations, pour some beverages, and get comfortable. 

Work your way through the questions below. The goal here is to be proactive. Beat the stress and anxiety by developing your plan in advance. Then, when a stressful situation comes up, you’ll know how to handle it.

Sometimes this can be awkward and difficult. I made this list of questions for you to use to try to cover all your bases, while eliminating the awkwardness. You can put the blame on me! 😊

Come prepared.

Print your own copy and bring it with you.

Coronavirus Safety Concerns (ugh… the most awkward! If you can get through this set of questions the rest will be easy!)

Will students and/or teacher mask?

Will students and teacher sanitize? How often? Who will supply the sanitizer?

Will social distancing be practiced?

Will temperature checks be used?

Will a student need to quarantine if:

• A family member is in quarantine 
• A family member is ill
•  A family member had a known exposure
• The family traveled out of town
• The family attended a large event
• The student has a symptom that can be explained by common ailments, like a runny nose from allergies.
• The school or classroom (for those on a hybrid model) closes

What is the process if a student presents with a symptom during the day and needs to be separated from the group?

Basic safety concerns

Does any student have allergies or medical issues?

Who should be called if a student is ill?

Place

Where will the pod take place?

Which rooms of the house are off limits?

Are any adult items (alcohol, firearms, medicines, poisons, etc.) locked up safely out of the reach of children?

Are students allowed to eat and drink in the house? In which rooms and at what time?

Can students go outside to play? What are their boundaries? What toys may they play with?

May the teacher take the kids on a walk around the block, or to a neighborhood park?

Time

How long will the pod run?

Does it matter if some students come late or leave early?

What if a parent is late to pick up?

Who cleans up once the day is done?

Supplies

What do students need to bring?

Is the WiFi strong enough to support all students online at the same time?

What is the WiFi password?

What supplies will be provided by the house, if any?

Is someone bringing snacks or lunch?

Education

How will the teacher motivate students?

How will the teacher discipline students?

Will the teacher provide free time for the kids to play? How much, when, where?

Will the teacher do extension activities such as art, crafts, sports, or science? Who provides the materials and funding for those activities?

Do the students have any learning concerns?

If a student finishes her work early, is there a place she could play quietly while the others continue their work?

Teacher

What is the teacher’s experience level?

Does the teacher have references you could see?

Will you run a background check?

How much will you pay your teacher?

How often will you pay your teacher?

Will you pay your teacher even if you have to miss due to quarantine or illness?

Will the teacher be alone with the children or will there always be another adult in the home?

Social Media

Will students be allowed on internet sites not directly required by their school work?

Will students be allowed to use social media?

Will pictures of the children be shared on social media?

Phew… what a list! That’s bound to be a long meeting. Make sure to bring coffee, or better yet, wine!

Don’t forget, you can grab a printable of these questions to take to the meeting with you.