VA AAP's School Reopening Tasks Force
Discusses The Latest Data
This informative webinar led by five VA AAP members presents the latest school reopening information to help make qualified decisions.
March 11, 2021
2/5/2021: The Virginia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics celebrates Governor Northam’s announcement and recognition of the critical need that schools return to in-person learning by March 15th. We also thank Senator Dunnavant for passionately advocating legislatively for school reopening through the passage of her bill in the Senate this week.
Schools are not only a place of learning. Families rely on schools to provide childcare; reliable nutrition; a safe space for children to socialize; and access to school-based mental, emotional, and physical health services. Schools also continue to play a critical role in addressing racial and social inequity.
In December, when the VA-AAP surveyed 203 pediatric providers in the Commonwealth of Virginia, we found alarming evidence of a decline in the mental, behavioral, academic, and general well being of the children we care for in our state. Returning to in person learning, with well thought out mitigation strategies, is the right prescription for our children as they continue to struggle from the consequences of the pandemic.
LEARN MORE ABOUT US
Who we are
The Chapter formed a task force to support safe school reopening efforts given the complications around the COVID-19 pandemic. The group consists of pediatricians representing all regions of Virginia including clinicians from rural and urban areas with varied backgrounds and expertise.
Goals
The task force aims to provide support for pediatricians by engaging local stakeholders in school reopening. This includes school nurses, teachers, school administrators, health departments, and parents. The group will accumulate knowledge on how to reopen schools safely and maintain a safe environment.
Connect with local officials, health departments, and with school nurses. Also find our VA-AAP Toolkit to get you started on engaging key persons involved with school reopening.
Find notes for returning to school when sick or exposed to COVID as well as information for families on testing, quarantining, and masks wearing.
Information on VDH guidance and algorithms, keeping sports safe, and guidance for school reopening and student safety from other medical organizations.
Leah Rowland, MD (Chair)
Norfolk/Virginia Beach, VA
Pediatric Specialists, Children's Medical Group, CHKD
Percita Ellis, MD
Lexington, VA
Rockbridge County
Rockbridge Area Health Center
Dana Ramirez, MD
Norfolk/VA Beach, VA
Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters
Andrew Wu, MD
Arlington, VA
Pediatrics of Arlington, PLC
Diane Dubinsky, MD
Fairfax, VA
Consultant, Fairfax County Health Department
Paige Perriello, MD
Charlottesville, VA
Pediatric Associates of Charlottesville
Amy Harden, MD
Marion, VA
MountainView Pediatrics
John Farrell, MD
South Riding, VA
South Riding Pediatrics
Kristine Powell, MD
Williamsburg, VA
Pediatric Associates of Williamsburg, CHKD
Robert Gunther, MD
Fishersville, VA
Augusta Health Pediatric Hospitalists
Sandy Chung, MD, MSHA
Fairfax, VA
Fairfax Pediatrics, Trusted Doctors
Michael Martin, MD
Vienna, VA
Einstein Pediatrics, Trusted Doctors
Bergen Nelson, MD
Richmond, VA
Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU
Emily Remus, MD
Arlington, VA
Krupa Playforth, MD
Fairfax, VA
Emily Gonzalez, PhD
Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics
Univeristy of Virginia Children's Hospital
Tracy White, MA, BSN, RN
Virginia Department of Education
School Health Specialist/Consultant
Joanna Pitts, BSN, RN, NCSN, CNOR
School Health Nurse Consultant
Virginia Department of Health
See a summary of the overall purpose and goals of the School Reopening Task Force of the Virginia Chapter. It may be shared with other stakeholders in the process of opening public and private schools during the Coronavirus pandemic.
The task force is here to support both our membership but also other stakeholders involved with the reopening of schools including teachers, school nurses, health departments, and administrators. You are invited to submit questions to the task force.
Learn about the VDH resources to guide decision for the safe return of kids to school
The Virginia chapter hosted three leaders at the Virginia Department of Health who provided insight into:
- CDC School Indicators and VDH Guidance on Mitigation Measures in K12 Settings
- Pandemic Metrics Dashboard and CDC School Indicators
- Algorithm for Evaluation of a Child for COVID-19 and Return to School
Be part of the change
be a member of the Virginia Chapter of the AAP