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Table 3 Most Common Types of School Practices Discussed in Literature to Create Physical Distance Among Students Enrolled in Brick-and-Mortar Public Schools, 2000–2016

From: School practices to promote social distancing in K-12 schools: review of influenza pandemic policies and practices

Category

Examples

# (%) (n = 16 articles)

Cancelling or postponing after school activities

Cancel performances, sports practices, or games

6 (38%)

Increasing space among students during in-person instruction

Move class outdoors; re-arrange desks to increase space; divide classes into smaller groups; require that students remain seated while in class

5 (31%)

Canceling classes or activities that occur within the school day with a high rate of mixing/contact

Cancel physical education class; cancel field trips; cancel choir

5 (31%)

Partial closure

Closure of one class; closure of one grade

4 (25%)

Reduced schedule

Shorter school week; shorter school day; students come on alternating days

3 (19%)

Suspending use of common areas

Lunch in class rather than in lunch room; no recess

2 (13%)

Segregating students within common areas

Require that students only eat with classmates in lunchroom; require that students stay in assigned section of school yard

1 (6%)

Reducing the load on common areas through altered scheduling

Let classes out at different times so fewer students are in the hall at any one time

1 (6%)

Implementing standard workplace social distancing measures for teachers and other staff

Reduce face to face meetings; cancel staff meetings

1 (6%)

Reducing mixing during transport

Suspend buses; discourage use of public transportation

1 (6%)