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School in the Time of COVID
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What is School in the Time of COVID?
COVID-19 has disrupted life for everyone, but the impact on our schools has been especially felt throughout the community. The ongoing pandemic has interrupted conventional learning and forced students, teachers, administrators, and parents to adapt to a new normal. After nearly two years, we hear how those most affected are managing life as we now know it.

Rewatch all of the School in the Time of COVID conversations below.
Feature Staff at Davidson Elementary in the Tucson Unified School District hang a poster letting students know to report if they feel sick. March 10, 2021. (PHOTO: John DeSoto/AZPM)
videos
Jan 26
Student Voices
Student VoicesRecorded on January 26, 2022 Local high school students discuss their experiences managing classes, activities, and expectations during the pandemic. Watch Again
Feb 1
Educator Voices
Educator VoicesRecorded on February 1, 2022 Local teachers and counselors describe the challenges they've faced and the changes they've made during the pandemic. Watch Again
Feb 16
Community Experts
Community Expert VoicesRecorded on February 16, 2022 Local health care and wellness experts address challenges nearly two years into the pandemic. Watch Again
Mar 2
Parent Voices
Parent VoicesRecorded on March 2, 2022 Parents of local students talk about how they have taken on challenges and adapted to a new way of life during the pandemic. Watch Again
Resources
A collection of resources to assist with navigating the educational, social, and emotional landscape during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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National Association for School PsychologistsMental Health Helping Children Cope with Changes Resulting from COVID-19
Help and Hope for YOUthMental Health Mental health resources including crisis lines, resources for students, families, and schools.
National Child Traumatic Stress NetworkMental Health Provides caregivers guidance on mourning a death of a loved one due to COVID-19.
Back to School After COVID-19: Support Student and Staff Mental HealthMental Health This guide is an essential resource for schools and classrooms featuring tips on mindfulness activities, developing compassionate schools, acknowleging and addressing grief.
Trauma-Informed School Strategies during COVID-19Mental Health This fact sheet offers information on supporting staff, students, and families through a trauma-informed environment.
Supporting Schools to Test and Implement Trauma-Informed PracticesMental Health A series of 4 videos from teachers and school administrators about different trauma-informed practices and the effects on the school community.
Arizona 2-1-1Community Resource Searchable by county, this hub provides resources for housing and shelter, food assistance, rent assistance, COVID-19 resources, and more.
A Trusted SpacePBS LearningMedia As the nation navigates the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this film and curriculum offers tools to mitigate the effects of grief, trauma, anxiety, and other emotional stressors affecting both students and teachers.
Social-Emotional LearningPBS LearningMedia Find resources on core competencies, indicators of schoolwide programs, and SEL for PreK-6 educators.
The Arts for Every ClassroomPBS LearningMedia Engaging students in creativity enhances learning, but also aids in the expression and processing of emotions.
Stories
Coverage of the coronavirus pandemic from the AZPM newsroom.
Dads on Duty: Casa Grande Middle School initiates new mentorship programDads on Duty: Casa Grande Middle School initiates new mentorship program The school finds strong male role models to support students.
Mental health in the classroomMental health in the classroom The COVID-19 pandemic may be a turning point and students may be back in the classroom but many are still mentally grappling with the effects of the last two years.
TUSD changes mask rulesTUSD changes mask rules The change takes effect a week after Spring Break.
Avoiding budget cuts, Arizona Senate votes to raise spending limit for public schoolsAvoiding budget cuts, Arizona Senate votes to raise spending limit for public schools The 23-6 vote followed House approval of a similar measure last week.
TUSD board says temporary remote days would not constitute a school closureTUSD board says temporary remote days would not constitute a school closure The district is looking for ways to cope with teacher absences due to COVID-19
A partnership blooms after UA dissertation highlights recruitment biases in higher edA partnership blooms after UA dissertation highlights recruitment biases in higher ed One aspect of the partnership is to support Sunnyside and Desert View high school students interested in college.
Arizona loosens rules limiting work by substitute teachersArizona loosens rules limiting work by substitute teachers Groups representing rural schools and school administrators proposed the changes.
TUSD not expected to close any schools due to Omicron surgeTUSD not expected to close any schools due to Omicron surge Superintendent Trujillo says current pandemic-driven teacher shortage is manageable
Arizona sues Biden to keep school anti-mask rulesArizona sues Biden to keep school anti-mask rules The federal government demanded the state stop sending millions in federal COVID-19 relief money to schools if they don’t have mask requirements or close due to COVID-19 outbreaks.
Arizona health officials say 'mild' omicron still a riskArizona health officials say 'mild' omicron still a risk The state reported a new daily record of more than 18,000 confirmed cases on Wednesday.
Booster shots now being offered in Pima County to 12-15 year-oldsBooster shots now being offered in Pima County to 12-15 year-olds Only the Pfizer booster is available to the new age group
Arizona governor wants schools open despite virus surgeArizona governor wants schools open despite virus surge Ducey is tapping $10 million in federal virus relief funds to give parents up to $7,000 a year in private school tuition.
Southern Arizona students head back to class with COVID-19 infections risingSouthern Arizona students head back to class with COVID-19 infections rising Officials from Southern Arizona school districts and the University of Arizona said they are watching the surge carefully but are not yet considering any significant new restrictions.
Pandemics Pets: Julius & BaileyPandemics Pets: Julius & Bailey Meet collaborators Julius and Bailey, who made the most of the pandemic by exploring new photography techniques together.
Art Alley GalleryArt Alley Gallery Neighbors come together and transform their alleyway as a means of coping with grief.
Learning in an era of digital classroomsLearning in an era of digital classrooms Amanda Tashjian, of the University of Arizona College of Education, offers insight on best practices for adapting in school and at home.
Back to school during a pandemic in Sunnyside USDBack to school during a pandemic in Sunnyside USD Superintendent Steve Holmes tells Tony Paniagua how the district has managed despite the ongoing pandemic.
A new normal as students, faculty start the semesterA new normal as students, faculty start the semester The fall semester begins with a surge in COVID-19 cases and some adjusting.
Pima County health director on COVID-19 booster shots, outbreaks in schoolsPima County health director on COVID-19 booster shots, outbreaks in schools The CDC recommended those with compromised immune systems get a third vaccine booster shot.
A Sahuarita high school football team reflects on the pandemicA Sahuarita high school football team reflects on the pandemic Walden Grove High School football head coach and players share how COVID-19 impacted their season and academic futures.
School IDs to sport hotline for struggling teensSchool IDs to sport hotline for struggling teens Soon students will know who to call when they have suicidal thoughts just by looking at the back of their ID cards.
Pandemic DreamsPandemic Dreams A look into the vocabulary of dreams and how they might be helping us to make sense of our new normal in ways that we are incapable of doing during our waking life. (9:54)
All About the VaccinesAll About the Vaccines Dr. Deepta Bhattacharya from the University of Arizona’s Department of Immunobiology talks about the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines. (03:54)
Cultivating with KidsCultivating with Kids During the COVID-19 pandemic, the UA Community & School Garden Program has made distance learning an outdoor activity that’s fun, healthy, and engaging.
School in the Time of COVID-19School in the Time of COVID-19 Examining the physical and mental toll the pandemic has had on teachers, students, and parents. (08:46)
Mental Health and the PandemicMental Health and the Pandemic The psychological distress brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic is deeply bound to social isolation and economic insecurity and has resulted in a global mental health crisis. (07:43)
Antibody TestingAntibody Testing Behind the scenes of a major research study being conducted by The University of Arizona and focused on COVID-19 antibody testing and immunity
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