Practicing Prevention

• Teach and reinforce good hygiene measures
• Provide hand soap, hand sanitizer, paper towels, and no-touch trash cans in all bathrooms, classrooms, and frequently trafficked areas
• Post signage on COVID-19 prevention & symptoms, good hygiene, and school/district specific protocols
• Clean/disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily
• Turn off water fountains and provide bottled water or allow students and staff to bring water from home
• Conduct deep cleaning before school reopens and on weekends, as needed

Transporting Students

• Provide hand sanitizer for students and bus drivers
• Provide masks/facial coverings to bus drivers
• Allow and encourage students to wear masks/facial coverings
• Utilize spaced seating where possible
• Eliminate field trips
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces on the bus daily
• Establish protocols for bus stops, loading/unloading students to minimize the congregation of children from different households

Entering School Buildings

• Post signage on COVID-19 prevention and symptoms, good hygiene, and school/system specific protocols
• Require parents to check their children’s temperature before sending them to school
  • Require parents to keep sick children home if temperature over 100.4
• Require school system employees to check their temperature before coming to work
• Designate entrance and exit flow paths for each building
• Establish a protocol for visitors (e.g. requesting use of face coverings and restrict non-essential visitors/volunteers)
• Establish a protocol for student pick up/drop off

Serving Meals

• Allow and encourage student hand washing before and after meal service
• Provide hand sanitizers for students and staff
• Use disposable plates, utensils, and other similar items
• Designate entrance and exit flow paths for cafeterias and serving lines
• Conduct cleaning of cafeterias and high-touch surfaces throughout the day
• Other possible options (grade-level appropriate):
  • Serving meals in classrooms
  • Pre-packaged/boxed lunches

Transitioning

• Limit congregating between groups/grade levels
• Provide additional time for transitions
• Designate hallway flow paths to minimize/eliminate congregating
• Stagger class changes

Conducting Large Group Gatherings

• Abide by the maximum number of people allowed to congregate as defined by the Governor’s current statewide Executive Order
• Discourage the congregation of students in parking lots and common areas
• Stagger the schedule, when possible, for large group gatherings, such as recess and school meals
• Identify and utilize large spaces for social distancing
• Follow GHSA guidelines for athletic events and practices

Supporting Teaching & Learning

• Use master schedule to balance class sizes
• Remove unused desks and furniture in classrooms to maximize social distancing
• Limit physical interaction through partner or group work
• Establish distance between teacher and student desks/workspaces
• Identify and utilize large spaces for social distancing

Protecting Vulnerable Populations

• Provide virtual learning opportunities for students and staff in vulnerable categories
• Consider allowing special education students, where possible, to continue in-person instruction as these students often rely on daily routines and social interactions to address their individual learning needs
• Adhere to state and federal employment law and extended leave allowances, as well as FERPA and HIPPA requirements
• Consult with local board attorney and HR personnel to offer special accommodations for personnel who are members of vulnerable populations

When a Child, Staff Member, or Visitor Becomes Sick at School

• Identify an isolation room or area to separate anyone who exhibits COVID-like symptoms
• Establish protocols for safely transporting anyone who is sick home or to a healthcare facility
• Notify local health officials, staff, and families immediately of a possible case while maintaining confidentiality
• Close off areas used by sick person and do not begin cleaning and disinfecting procedures for 24 hours, if possible
• Advise students/staff who came into contact with the individual to stay home and follow appropriate DPH guidance