The District custodial staff and contracted cleaning company will follow the CDC, PDE, DOH, and CCHD guidelines and requirements for COVID-19 cleaning. Approved EPA disinfectants will be used in all areas. District training of custodial staff on proper cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting to follow the required guidelines and strategic assignment of areas and duties to custodial staff will be utilized.

In advance of the PDE school reopening guidelines, the District began the procurement of cleaning supplies, gloves, face masks and shields, protective gowns, and other pertinent components necessary to ensure the effective cleaning of District facilities. The District has been in regular contact with our vendors regarding supplies that meet the OSHA and CDC requirements for COVID-19.

The custodians will increase the frequency and intensity of cleaning in common areas, restrooms, high-touch areas and items such as door handles, throughout the day as staff and students enter and exit areas of use. Daily disinfecting of all areas after students and staff exit the building will be completed.

In addition, teachers, staff, and administrators will have access to face masks/shields, disinfectant sprays, and gloves in classrooms and office spaces to be able to additionally disinfect surfaces as used and in an ongoing effort to ensure student and staff safety.

Outside groups, visitors, and/or the public will not be permitted to utilize indoor facilities during the yellow and green phase to allow staff sufficient time to clean and sanitize.

Custodial staff will be trained on the requirements for cleaning, sanitizing, disinfecting, and ventilation protocols either by facilities management or by specific product vendors. All training will be completed prior to students and staff re-entering the building before the start of the school year, and continued on a regular/monthly/annually/ or as requirement changes are made. Training will be completed as a group and individually by demonstration and using other visual training tools and best practices.

Staff responsible for cleaning, sanitizing, disinfecting, and ventilation protocols will be monitored by facilities management and building administration ensuring guidelines are followed.

WSSD will follow the guidelines to the best of our ability in the areas of social distancing and other safety protocols. Classrooms will be organized to promote social distancing to the maximum extent possible. Classroom space will be reorganized to provide the utmost space for students; individual student desks will be spaced accordingly with social distancing of six feet. Classroom spaces will be organized with student desks facing the same direction and students being assigned to a specific seat in the classroom. Unnecessary furnishings from classrooms will be removed to provide maximum space for social distancing.

Student transitions and groupings of students will be developed in order to find ways to limit the number of individuals that students and staff come in contact with on a daily basis. Classes will be staggered to limit numbers in hallways at any time. Procedures will be developed in large common areas to ensure social distancing guidelines are followed and allow for students and staff to maintain a high degree of safety.

The District will utilize our educational plan for having 50% of total students on-site. This model would include two groups of learners. Group One would be on-site Monday and Tuesday with Group Two on-site Thursday and Friday. Wednesday would be a day for remote instruction and other activities. Wednesday would also provide custodial staff and contracted cleaning company with opportunities for enhanced cleaning and disinfecting. Additionally, IEP/GIEP/504 teams will review the needs of individual students and ensure the appropriate supports and services are in place. This may include adjustments to the amount of synchronous and inperson supports and services.

Outdoor spaces will be explored to implement social distancing strategies for all areas. Weather permitting, teachers can utilize outdoor spaces in and around the building for instructional purposes. Designated areas will be identified for specific classrooms so as not to intrude on social distancing. Physical Education class will participate outside when feasible. Masks will not be required to be worn during PE classes when students are outside and maintaining a six foot separation; they may be required during inside activities. A cohort rotating schedule for using the playground will be identified. Playground equipment will be separated by each cohort. In the event the playground equipment is used, all playground equipment and materials will be cleaned and disinfected daily by custodial staff or contracted cleaning company with disinfectant supplies that meet EPA’s criteria for use against Covid-19.

The District will create hygiene routines throughout the school day that will include handwashing and the use of hand sanitizer. Classrooms will be equipped with hand sanitizer, disinfectant spray, and disinfecting wipes, and paper towels. Signage will be displayed reminding students of hygiene measures to help stop the spread of coronavirus (hand washing, sneezing into elbow/away Page 11 of 38 from others, social distancing, etc.). All staff will be required to wear face masks or shields while on school property in accordance with the Secretary of Health’s Order Requiring Universal Face Coverings issued July 1, 2020 unless they have a limited exception contained in Section 3 of the Order. All students will be required to wear face masks or shields while on school property in accordance with the Secretary of Health’s Order Requiring Universal Face Coverings issued July 1, 2020 unless they have a medical or mental health condition or disability, documented in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act or IDEA, that precludes the wearing of a face covering in school. Accommodations for such students will be made in partnership with the student’s health care provider, school nurse, and IEP/504 team.

The District will provide transportation with two students to a seat maximum in accordance with CCHD guidelines. Families and those who reside in the same household will be assigned to sit together on the bus. Drivers and student passengers will be required to wear face masks or shields while on the bus in accordance with the Secretary of Health’s Order Requiring Universal Face Coverings issued July 1, 2020. Frequently touched surfaced on buses will be disinfected between bus runs, and buses will be cleaned and disinfected daily. Windows will be open to allow for the circulation of air.

Non-essential visitors and volunteers are not allowed in school buildings. Activities that involve outside groups using District facilities are not allowed. Essential visitors and volunteers will need an appointment and must complete and pass the Symptom Monitoring Checklist.

Social distancing training and safety training protocols will be developed based on the age and grade level of the student population.

All staff and families will be requested to screen at home and inform the District of any present COVID-19 symptoms. Staff members and students will be monitored as they enter the building to ensure they are healthy and not exhibiting signs of illness. Staff and students may have their temperature taken before entering the building and screened for signs or symptoms. The District will follow the CDC guidelines for quarantine and isolation if a staff member or a student is confirmed to be positive for COVID-19. They will be sent to the isolation room for the safety of others and sent home as soon as possible under the District crisis protocols and CDC guidelines. The WSSD nursing department will monitor classrooms with staff or students who are high risk. This monitoring will occur at least one time per day.

Once we have a confirmed case of COVID-19, CCDH health officials will be notified. These officials will help administrators determine a course of action for our School District. The Pandemic Crisis Response Team of administrators and school nurses will make decisions on a case by case basis. The team may consult with medical providers on best practices related to specific cases. Presumptive symptomatic /asymptomatic persons can return to the building according to the WSSD Staff and Student COVID-19 Response Protocols that were developed using CDC and DOH guidance.

The student or staff member will need to be cleared by their physician if they have been confirmed positive for COVID-19, and be fever free for three days with improved symptoms, and ten days since symptoms first appeared. If a staff member is unable or uncomfortable to return to work, they will need to contact the Human Resources Department.

Students may choose to participate in WSSD online learning if they are unable or unwilling to return to school.

The changes in our Health and Safety Plan will be shared on our website. SchoolMessenger calls can be made as needed for changes in student schedules. School health will seek guidance from the CCHD in regard to notifying families about confirmed illness or possible exposure.

School nurses, administrators, and other staff will be assigned screening responsibilities. The training will be provided in person or online by District staff and/or vendor representatives before the first day of school, and updated as needed.

Limit or cancel all non-essential travel.

Each school will have a class coverage plan for staff who are absent and when substitutes are unavailable.

The nursing staff will provide additional monitoring of COVID-19 symptoms in classes with high risk staff and students. Staff and students identified with high risk may also utilize more PPE.

The District will look at the specific schedules of instructional and non-instructional staff and determine how best to deploy those staff members so students have the highest quality learning opportunities.

Our behavioral health team will be partnering with classroom teachers to ensure students’ social-emotional needs are identified and students are provided the support necessary. At the start of the school year, behavioral support teachers and support staff will be needed to support students’ social emotional needs, assess students one on one, and support classroom teachers as they assess the social emotional needs of the students.