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Social distancing in schools is a unique challenge. Schools and classrooms have spent the last century evolving into places of collaboration for students, recognizing their need for movement, freedom to express themselves, and have a better flow of communication among and between students and teachers. Expecting students, especially younger ones, to adhere to strict rules of social distancing for all hours of their day is almost unimaginable.
However, COVID is here and we are faced with a new normal. There are differences of opinion about the best way to approach teaching during COVID, but one thing is certain - when schools reopen social distancing in the classroom will be a requirement. The question is how to do it.
Hertz Furniture has over 50 years of experience as leaders designing educational spaces for schools. Our designers have been developing solutions to provide the best educational experiences while at the same time ensuring safety for students and teachers in the classroom, and everywhere else on the school campus.
Our guiding principle is that effective classrooms should be focused on physical distancing - not social distancing. While this may seem like semantics, in the education space this means a world of difference. Schools and classrooms must be set up to provide the best protection from COVID, but also allow students to have the social interactions they require.
Here are our recommendations for setting up schools and classrooms according to CDC guidelines, while allowing for the best educational experience for students and teachers.
Download and watch the full Hertz Furniture Social Distancing in Classrooms Presentation to get even more ideas than presented in this article.
Typical classroom sizes and layouts vary widely. Based on a common classroom size of 24’ by 24’, the room would typically have about 25 desks in a configuration of 5 rows of 5 with the teacher’s desk at the front of the classroom.
In a new layout modified for COVID, the recommendation is to space seating/desks at least 6’ apart when feasible.
Turn the desks to face in the same direction or have students sit on only one side of tables, spaced apart. In this model, the classroom has been reduced to 20 desks vs. 25 desks.
If the classroom is being used for fewer students, it can be set up with a different configuration, allowing for a 6’ square space around each student. (See diagram below)
The model with 12 students can be adjusted to a collaborative model by using portable sneeze guards for every desk. In this model, students can face each other and continue their collaborative discussions and school work.
The above classroom layouts are enabled by use of portable sneeze guards at every desk. These guards are protective of students as they have a front and 2 side wings providing three full sides of protection. They are antimicrobial, meaning they are coated to inhibit the growth of bacteria, and they are constructed out of clear vinyl which is easy to clean and disinfect with wipes or cleaners. These guards are very versatile with a small footprint that can fit on almost any desk, are light weight (less than 1lb), and can fold up easily for easy storage, when no longer required.
A similar approach to separating students is by use of dividers rather than individual sneeze guards. In this model, pods of 4 students can sit side by side, facing each other, but are physically separated by use of different sized plexiglass (i.e. clear) dividers.
This approach is enabled by use of mobile, translucent dividers. They are freestanding and portable and can easily be moved to different areas that need control or containment with an unobstructed view of what’s happening on the other side of the barrier. Best of all, these dividers are “Re-markable” which doesn’t just mean they are amazing, it means re-markable quite literally. They can be used with wet erase and liquid chalk markers on clear panels and be wiped clean with a damp cloth.
Whatever the setup of the classroom will be, students will need to be reminded of their place in the classroom, as well as the need to keep their physical distance from others. Using floor decals and signs, students will be constantly reminded and guided on where to stand or sit. Especially useful are 6’ Zone floor decals, which delineate a center space for a desk, and the 6’ radius around it. This is great for reminding students , but also helps keep track of where desks should be in case they get moved around.
Managing the reopening of schools and social distancing in classrooms is a very complex endeavor, requiring a perfect balance between competing interests. The added responsibility of providing a Coronavirus safe and healthy environment will require extra effort and attention by all involved - school boards, superintendents, principals, school leaders and teachers. Using resources and guidelines provided by the CDC, and other levels of government will help you with communicating and reinforcing health guidelines. Innovative classroom furnishings and products for the COVID-19 world will help you in quickly adapting the school environment. Quality products are now widely available. Designing classrooms and other school learning spaces takes skill and experience. Contact Hertz Furniture to consult with a project designer to plan your COVID-safe classroom.
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