Of course, teachers, parents, and students are a bit worried about what school year 2020-2021 will bring. As I think about the options possible, I can imagine some silver linings.
Smaller Real Time Classes
I believe that classes have to be small. I think a maximum of ten seems right for most classrooms. We can't stuff too many children in a classroom if we are worried about spread. To have such small classes means all hands on deck--teachers that don't typically teach a class should teach classes in the fall to provide more teachers to make this work.
Multiple "Schools"
To create enough space for 10 children per class across a system means that there may need to be more teaching spaces. Schools can use all available rooms for teaching and, perhaps, use public/private spaces outside of school such as libraries, local camps, museums, empty office buildings, and more.
Relationship Building
Small groups of students are ideal for relationship building.
Meaningful, but somewhat different, curriculum
This is an ideal time to boost skills that often don't get enough time. For example, one hour or more at every level can be devoted to reading good books. The online resources for reading are amazing--classes can read the same books and individual books. A huge emphasis on reading will serve all students well and be a good fit for pandemic school. Math curriculums can easily be shared amongst teachers at same levels as can curriculum in other disciplines.
Online Meetings for Teachers, Parents, and Others
As much as possible keep meetings in the virtual world to limit transition. Perhaps shorten school days or shorten the school week so that teachers have that time at home for virtual meetings, prep, and planning. This may be the right time for a move to a four-day work week. The fifth day of school could be a virtual day for all students, and a prep, planning, and meeting day for most teachers, those not leading the virtual day.
Learn Outside
The principal at my school is researching the idea of putting lots of tents outside around the school to welcome outdoor learning. I think this is a great idea, and as much as we can integrate being outdoors with our small classes, the better.
Safe Protocols, Routines, and Traffic Patterns
Schools should have a set of common protocols that teachers and students use for safe school use.
Clearly, next fall will not be school as we know it, but similar to the ways we are living our lives now, we can look for the silver linings--ways to meaningfully teach children in safe ways. This is possible, but it will demand flexibility, all hands on deck, and positive protocols and routines.
