How to Reopen K-12 Schools in the Safest Way Possible: A Path Forward for Education on COVID-19

We are bringing together experts in public health, school architecture, and health education to discuss how schools can begin to plan for reopening and how that might look in action. Dr. Steve Kelder, a professor of epidemiology with the UTHealth School of Public Health, will provide his “5 Planning Rules for Opening Schools” including how to make informed decisions, establish proper protocols, and maintain open communications.

We will then learn about the spatial implications of social distancing and how to deal with reduced capacity from Vandana Nayak, AIA/LEED AP, Principal and Texas K-12 Regional Practice Leader and Angela Whitaker-Williams, AIA, Principal and Austin K-12 Practice Leader, from the architecture firm Perkins & Will.

Finally, Shana Green, a former middle school P.E. teacher now with CATCH Global Foundation, will discuss the implications for physical activity and physical education when space and student interactions must be limited, and then outline some best practices and free resources that can support both in-school and distance-based physical activity and physical education.

Presented by

Steve Kelder, PhD, MPH
Professor of Epidemiology, UTHealth School of Public Health in Austin

Shreela Sharma, PhD, RD, LD
Professor of Epidemiology, UTHealth School of Public Health in Houston

Vandana Nayak, AIA
Principal and Texas K-12 Regional Practice Leader, Perkins & Will, Dallas Office

Angela Whitaker-Williams, AIA
Principal and Austin K-12 Practice Leader, Perkins & Will, Austin Office

Shana Green
CATCH Implementation Manager, CATCH Global Foundation

Course Files

• Presentation Slides
• Speaker Contact Information