Pediatricians Want In-Person School This Fall

"Schools are fundamental to child and adolescent development and well-being," new guidance says. Ross D. Franklin/AP Happy Sunday, The American Academy of Pediatrics has come out with a strong statement in favor of bringing children back to the classroom this fall wherever and whenever they can do so safely. The AAP’s guidance "strongly advocates that all policy considerations for the coming school year should start with a goal of having students physically present in school." The guidance says "schools are fundamental to child and adolescent development and well-being,” and cites "mounting evidence" that transmission of the coronavirus by young children is uncommon, partly because they are less likely to contract it in the first place. On the other hand, the AAP argues that based on the nation's experience this past spring, remote learning is likely to result in severe learning loss and increased social isolation. Social isolation, in turn, can breed serious social, emotional and health issues: "child and adolescent physical or sexual abuse, substance use, depression, and suicidal ideation." It says these impacts will be visited more severely on Black and brown children, as well as low-income children and those with learning disabilities. AAP’s guidance for returning to in-person schooling includes recommendations about physical distancing, cleaning and disinfection, hand-washing, and using outdoor spaces whenever possible. — [Anya Kamenetz]( NPR Ed Education Correspondent [Read More]( Now, let’s get into more news from this week… Dr. Anthony Fauci, the country's top infectious disease expert, also wants kids to return to school. Fauci spoke this week at a hearing held by the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions to discuss plans for reopening schools and offices that have been shut down by the pandemic. He told Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., that local officials should make the decision to reopen schools based on the prevalence of the virus in their district. He also suggested that there could be "creative" measures to modify a school's schedule and structure to allow for a reopening of some kind. [Read more here](. --------------------------------------------------------------- Newsletter continues after sponsor message --------------------------------------------------------------- What are college admissions deans are looking for in applicants right now? A statement from Harvard University's Graduate School of Education — endorsed by more than 300 college admissions deans— emphasizes that they will understand if some normal avenues for beefing up a college résumé are curtailed by the pandemic. The admissions officers stress that they recognize students and their families may be struggling right now. They say explicitly that students will not be disadvantaged if they don't participate in extracurricular activities at this time. [Read more here](. — [Austin Horn]( NPR Kroc Fellow The U.S. Supreme Court rules Montana can't exclude religious schools from a scholarship program. In a major victory for school choice advocates, the Supreme Court effectively killed state constitutional provisions in as many as 38 states that bar taxpayer aid to parochial schools. The court's decision is the latest in a series of recent rulings that have lowered the traditional wall separating church and state by requiring government entities to treat religious and nonreligious institutions more equally, even when that means sending public money to religious institutions. [Read more here](. — [Nina Totenberg]( NPR Legal Affairs Correspondent & [Brian Naylor]( Washington Desk Correspondent And before you go, we want to know what you’re reading to your kids… Esmé Shapiro for NPR Whether you’re a parent trying out homeschooling or a teacher trying to keep kids engaged over Zoom, story time is always a bright spot in the day. This year, the NPR Books Summer Poll is celebrating kids’ books, and they’re looking for your help. A panel of esteemed judges will take your picks and use them to curate a final list of 100 favorites guaranteed to keep the kids in your life entertained. [You can fill out their poll by clicking here](. See you next week. What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: [npred@npr.org](mailto:npred@npr.org?subject=Newsletter%20Feedback) Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can [sign up here](. Looking for more great content? [Check out all of our newsletter offerings]( — including Music, Politics, Code Switch and more! [Facebook]( [Twitter]( You received this message because you're subscribed to Education emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy Policy](