5 Face-To-Face Classes Must-Haves You Can Order Online, According To Smart Parents

The Department of Education has finalized August 22, 2022 as the official start of the school year and July 7, 2023 as its end.

In the DepEd Order that they released last month, starting November 2, all schools are required to resume their 5-day in-person classes. 

In response to the pandemic, the DO has also provided "Guidelines on the Prevention of COVID-19 and Other Infectious Diseases," which includes:

• The strict mandatory use of face masks on-campus, and even a face shield where there are no face masks available and the entire face requires to be visible in activities;
• Keeping the classroom doors and windows open for ventilation;
• Eating separately, or eating in such a way that both faculty and students are not facing each other or speaking while eating; and,
• DOH counselling for unvaccinated learners and their families.

Coming from about two years of online classes, we asked parents in our Facebook group, Smart Parenting Village, how they feel about it. 

How parents feel about going back to face-to-face classes

'Scared, is the system ready?'

Mom of two Danniel Obillo-Segun said, she is scared for her kids once the school requires face-to-face classes. 

She said, her 13-year-old will be going to face-to-face classes soon, and the school of her 7-year-old child already informed that they will comply with DepEd's order in November.

"Scared for both of them and for all the kids. Are schools and the entire system (transpo, food concessionaires, other services) ready?" she told Smart Parenting.

"Scared ako, kasi ako na maingat, bahay-work lang, nagbabaon ng food at hindi nag cocommute eh nagka-Covid. Eh paano mga kids na mag-i-school bus, sama-sama silang 40 students sa isang room na malimit ay enclosed, sa school na hindi mo controlled ang dami ng tao at di mo mababantayan lagi ang sanitation?"

'Excited na natatakot'

Meanwhile, for Mommy Gles Bautista-Yumul, she is excited for her 5-year-old son who just started his Kinder classes in Imus, Cavite.

"Excited na natatakot, pero fully vaccinated na siya. Kapag nag-start na mag-face-to-face, ime-make sure ko na maliligo at palit agad siya ng damit. May ipapasuot din ako sa kanyang alcohol sprayer na maliit lang para di niya makalimutan mag-spray."

Mommy Charlene Chia from Pasig has a 5 year old son, and said she trusts her child. "Naniniwala ako na malakas ang resistensya talaga ng mga bata (syempre with the proper intake of food nutrition and vitamins) kaya kahit may pangamba, excited ako na magkakaroon na ng face-to-face interaction ang anak ko."

READ ALSO: Is Vaccination Required Before Kids Can Attend Face To Face Classes? Here's What DepEd Says

She added, "Sa edad ng mga kindergarten, isa sa dapat talaga mabuild is ung kanilang socialization. Sobrang buryong-buryo na ung anak ko sa loob ng bahay kaya kapag nagkakaroon ng time na makapaglaro siya sa labas or mag-announce ang teacher niya before ng playday sa school, sobrang excited nya."

'Don't worry, parents'

A teacher joined the conversation, and assured the anxious parents. Earlan Jezreel Ampeloquio, who is a kindergarten teacher at an international school in Taguig, assured the parents. 

"No need to worry po especially if the school of your child is following health protocols. One of the practices po na I think na effective is once they reached the classroom they are washing their hands directly. So far, nag-end po ang semester namin successfully." She also shared that the kids are wearing face masks and they will only remove it during meal times.

READ ALSO: No Talking During Mealtimes, No AC In Classrooms: DepEd COVID-19 Guidelines For Face-To-Face Classes in November

5 face-to-face classes must-have according to parents

Here are some face-to-face classes essentials that the parents at Smart Parenting Village shared for added protection for their schoolkids. We also added links where you can buy them online!

1. Extra face masks (starts at P13.00)

Face masks are required for all students who will attend in-person classes, so moms are making sure that their kids will have enough masks with them in case the one that they are wearing gets torn or wet throughout the day. Read here how to properly store and wash cloth masks, according to a nurse.

You can buy a pack of disposable kiddie masks in Lazada here. 

2. Hand sanitizer (starts at P150.00 per bottle)

A mom recommended Sanitizeit Alcohol-Free Antimicrobial Sanitizer. She said it is the "best baon ever" for kids since this product is alcohol-free. 

Buy it in Lazada here.

3. Air purifier necklace (starts at P3500.00)

One mom said that an air purifier necklace is one of her F2F essentials for her child. Smart Parenting found this brand Stay Fresh Canada which is laboratory-tested to help keep the air around your child clean and breathable.

It is lightweight, portable, and rechargeable. It comes in five colors and with free silicon protective cases that kids would love.

You can buy it in Lazada, Shopee, and at Clean Room PH's website.

4. Anti-bacterial wipes

A mom also recommended anti-bacterial wipes. Your kids can use it to wipe their desks and chairs before using them. It also comes in handy when they need to use the toilet. 

Buy it in Lazada here.

5. Lunch box and tumbler

For their peace of mind, parents at the Village said they will provide baon for their kids. One mom said she bought a lunch box and an insulated tumbler for her kid so that they won't get hungry in school. Two moms recommended the B. Box brand.

You can buy it in Lazada here.

 

Schools, please cooperate

Aside from the preparations of the parents, Teacher Earlan also called on the school administrations, saying they play a huge role in ensuring the safety of their students. "The school should always be transparent to the parents should there be positive cases. For example, if may nag-positive sa ibang department, sinasabi din namin so that ang mga parents are aware. But thank God, in Kindergarten department, never po kami nagkaroon ng case."

She added, "Iba po ang fulfillment at happiness ng kids sa face-to-face classes. Good luck kids po and to all new parents."

RELATED STORIES: 

• Kabado At Excited: Judy Ann And Son Lucho Have Mixed Feelings About Face To Face Classes
• Toddler And Preschool List And Tuition Fee Guide In Quezon City
• Andi Manzano's Daughter Amelia Attends Face To Face Classes For The First Time!

What other face-to-face classes must-haves will you buy for your child? Join the conversation at the Smart Parenting Village here.