Jessica Chenoweth 
California is preparing to send kids back to school in the next couple months. While specific dates range depending on the county COVID numbers, specific school district and grade, parents are getting ready to get their kids back to in-person learning. So what do you need to know and how should you prepare for your kid going back to school? Here are some helpful links:
When will kids be going back to school?
This is a complicated question. It depends on the current case rate in San Diego County. Elementary students can return if the case rate is less than 25 per 100,000 people, which San Diego County is currently below. Middle school and high school students can return once we reach the red tier, which is currently defined as 7 cases per 100,000. However, that restriction is about to be relaxed some to 10 cases per 100,000 people in the coming days depending on vaccination rates. Yes, it does sound complicated (because it is), but EdSource.org has more up-to-date information broken down for you:
What should your kids have ready to head back to school?
Obviously, your child will probably need plenty of masks and hand sanitizer before heading back to class. But there are a lot of things that you might not even think about. What is the drinking water situation in class? Who do you contact if your child does get sick? The CDC has provided a printable handout for parents with a checklist to help guide parents:
Back to School Planning: Checklists to Guide Parents, Guardians, and Caregivers – CDC
How do you handle your child’s back-to-school anxiety?
Going back to school at the end of summer can be stressful. So imagine what it will be like in the middle of a global pandemic? While things are starting to look better, the stress and worry of being around so many people again can be hard for both parent and child. Kaiser Permanente has shared three way how you can help your kids and yourself get through the anxiety:
3 ways to manage anxiety about returning to work and school – Kaiser Permanente
