National COVID-19 Outdoor Learning Initiative

Schools across the United States are facing an uphill battle as they figure out how to navigate COVID-19 physical distancing requirements that will allow students to return to campus. There is an urgent need to reimagine PreK-12 schools in order to safely reopen. Repurposing outdoor spaces is a cost-effective way to reduce the burden on indoor classrooms while providing fresh air, hands-on learning opportunities, and the health benefits associated with increased access to nature.

Integrating School Programs

The Outdoor Infrastructure page of our website has site planning information and strategies for outdoor classroom spaces. The sections below offer some additional strategies for planning and integrating other types of school programs outdoors.

Recess and Physical Education

COVID-19 is changing the way we move, interact and play. As we adapt to our new reality and schools reopen, we will need to create different approaches to play that take physical distancing guidelines into account. At the same time, it is vitally important for children’s mental health and well-being that adults let kids be kids, make time for play, and ensure that children’s happiness is a key priority in their plans to reopen—along with the considerations for students’ physical and social-emotional wellbeing.

We have several guidebooks to share below, produced by our colleagues at Playworks, to help schools consider how to play safely and enjoyably in a COVID-19 context. Playworks has been partnering with elementary schools across the country for 20+ years, to help kids stay active and build valuable social-emotional skills through play.

Playworks’ Safe Return to Play Guide is filled with ideas for games that can be safely integrated into school programs for students of all ages. This resource draws on their guidebook called Games for Social and Emotional Learning, The Aspen Institute’s Return to Play Guidelines, and the CDC’s recommendations on limiting the spread of coronavirus.

Activities in the Safe Return to Play Guide are segmented into three levels of risk, using a color coded stoplight system. Most activities in the collection can be accomplished without special equipment, and COVID-19 modifications of standard games are noted.

Playworks also created Recess Guidelines that outline strategies schools can use with any of four different reopening configurations. This includes:

1. Reopening at school using well defined “pods” (small groups of students) to limit the number of contacts, but socialize normally

2. Reopening at school with physical distancing measures in place (e.g. 6’ spacing, masks, each class isolated)

3. Online classes with live educators, leading games and daily activities (students are at home)

4. Online classes with activities shared, to be used and played when students are offline (students are at home)

Planning Outdoor School Meals

In addition to their central role in providing academic instruction, schools are also places where hundreds of children eat their meals every day. Many schools offer breakfast as students’ days begin, lunch at mid-day, and often an afternoon snack in their classes and/or as part of their after school programs. Serving meals is always a complex undertaking, but it is especially so in a COVID-19 context.

As schools reopen this year, many will be offering “grab and go” options instead of buffet lines, and are planning to have students eat in their classrooms rather than in a cafeteria. What happens if their classrooms are outside? How can schools plan ahead for outdoor meal times that require deliveries, food distribution areas, places to sit and eat, and areas to collect recycling, composting, and garbage at the end of the meal? How can children still participate in preparing their own snacks or having cooking classes using individual work stations outside?

We are in the midst of preparing resources that will answer these questions. Please check back soon for updates!

Here are a few resources that are available from other organizations around the country:

Center for Ecoliteracy
COVID-19 Return to School Planning Resources
This webpage has a variety of COVID-19 planning templates for meal service scenarios, operational changes, stakeholder maps, reopening protocols, and additional resources that support school nutrition programs in their planning efforts for reopening school. The “Meal Service Scenario” tab within their downloadable resource will guide you through all the different steps needed for preparing and serving meals with the option for students to eat outdoors. Use the categories across the top of the page to think through considerations such as food safety, infrastructure and equipment needs for serving outside, and the training needed for staff. The “Planning Protocol” tab will help you think through implementation guidance for staff and volunteers and what students will need for eating outside, including possibilities for educational opportunities during meal time. 

School Nutrition Association
COVID-19 Thought Starters on Reopening Schools for SY2020-21
This document has some useful questions for schools to consider related to set-up and serving logistics, on pages 10 and 12.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
CDC Activities and Initiatives Supporting the COVID-19 Response and the President’s Plan for Opening America Up Again (May 2020)
Page 43: “If a cafeteria or group dining room is typically used, serve meals in classrooms instead. Serve individually plated meals and hold activities in separate classrooms and ensure the safety of children with food allergies.”
Page 44: “If food is offered at any event, have pre-packaged boxes or bags for each attendee instead of a buffet or family-style meal. Avoid sharing of foods and utensils.”

Taking library Programs outside

Library programs serve their entire school community, and manage resources that need to be shared by everyone at the school. How can school libraries keep their services available during the COVID-19 pandemic, with physical distancing measures in place to protect school librarians and their students? Many library functions can be moved outdoors. Here are a few initial ideas:

• Book check out: Set up a no-touch book check out system, where students reserve their chosen library books online (or via email). The school librarian may then be able to assemble the chosen books on a cart that is specific to each class, and bring the cart outside for students to use during their session.

• Reading areas: Instead of meeting indoors in the existing library, schools can set up outdoor spaces for students to gather to read their books and meet with the librarian in the fresh air. Classes might meet at picnic tables under shade umbrellas, or under the shade of existing trees, sitting on simple, portable seat cushions, benches, or chairs.

We are gathering a group of school librarians to work on additional ideas for taking library programs outside. If you would like to join the conversation with fellow librarians, please click this link to send us an email.