BICENTENNIAL UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT #76

FY 22 Salome High School Mitigation Plan

Board Approved 9/13/2021

Distance Learning

At this time, distance learning will no longer be provided.

Back to School Plan - 2021-2022 School Year

Using guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, state and county health officials, and parental feedback, the Bicentennial Union HS District has prepared a comprehensive plan to mitigate risk of exposure to COVID-19 at Salome High School.  This document contains detailed information about our safety protocols for the 2021-2022 school year.

Bus Safety

CDC Guidelines:

• Clean and disinfect frequently
• Maintain 6 feet of physical distancing if possible

Our Plan:

• Windows may be open for increased air circulation during seasonal times of the year
• Hand sanitizer will be available for use by staff and students as they get on and off the bus
• All transportation vehicles will be cleaned once per day
• Additionally, a disinfection will occur twice daily on high touchpoint areas, including: bus seats, handrails, door handles, windows, driver area
• Ventilation will be set to non-circulating mode as possible

Containment/Cohorts

CDC Guidelines:

• Ensure that student and staff groupings are as static as possible by having the same group of children stay with the same staff as much as possible.
• Limit mixing between groups if possible.

Our Plan:

• While considered, cohorts are not practical at this time.

Events/Field Trips

CDC Guidelines:

• Pursue virtual group events, gatherings, or meetings, if possible, and promote social distancing of at least 6 feet between people if events are held.  Limit group size to the extent possible.
• Pursue virtual activities and events in lieu of field trips, student assemblies, special performances, school-wide parent meetings, and spirit nights, as possible

Our Plan:

• Field trips, events and large gatherings will be considered individually based on specific mitigation risks.
• Distancing ability will be considered when offering school-wide assemblies with students assembled in the same physical locations.
• AZ Interscholastic Association (AIA) guidelines will be followed for high school athletic events and practices.

Face Coverings

CDC Guidelines:

• Use of simple cloth face coverings are meant to protect other people in case the wearer is unknowingly infected but does not have symptoms.
• Cloth face coverings are not surgical masks, respirators, or other medical personal protective equipment.
• Teach and reinforce use of cloth face coverings.
• Face coverings may be challenging for students (especially younger students) to wear.
• Face coverings should be worn by staff and students (particularly older students) as feasible, and are most essential in times when physical distancing is difficult.

Our Guidelines:

• Students may wear cloth face coverings.

Food Services

CDC Guidelines:

• Have children bring their own meals as feasible, or serve individually plated meals in classrooms instead of in a communal dining hall or cafeteria, while ensuring the safety of children with food allergies

Our Plan:

• Students will continue to receive meals through the District’s Food Services program or they may bring meals from home.
• Students will eat in the cafeteria, physically distancing as possible.

School Health Screenings

CDC Guidelines:

• If feasible, conduct daily health checks (e.g., temperature screening and/or symptom checking) of staff and students
• Health checks should be conducted safely and respectfully, and in accordance with any applicable privacy laws and regulations

Our Plan:

• Parents are asked to continue to screen their children for the following symptoms  before bringing them to school:

• Fever of 100 degrees or higher, or chills
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Muscle aches
• Sore throat
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Congestion or runny nose
• Cough
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• New loss of taste or smell

• Any student with visible symptoms of runny nose, cough, shortness of breath, or vomiting, or one who has a fever at or above 100.4 degrees, will be sent home with the following exceptions:

• If the student has a runny nose and the health aide observes that there are not other symptoms, the health aide will contact the parent to inquire as to whether the student has had any other symptoms of there have been any COVID-19 exposures in the home.  If not, the student may return to class.
• If the student has health information on file that confirms a diagnosis of asthma or other respiratory condition and the health aide observes that there are no other symptoms, the health aide will contact the parent to inquire as to whether the student has had any other symptoms or there have been any COVID-19 exposures in the home.  If not, the student may return to class.

• Note: School will not give out attendance awards for the duration of the COVID-19 health crisis.

Intensify Cleaning & Disinfection

CDC Guidelines:

• Coronaviruses on surfaces and objects naturally die within hours to days.  Warmer temperatures and exposure to sunlight will reduce the time the virus survives on surfaces and objects
• Normal routing cleaning with soap and water removes germs and dirt from surfaces.  It lowers the risk of spreading COVID-19 infection.
• Disinfectants kill germs on surfaces.  By killing germs on a surface after cleaning, you can further lower the risk of spreading infection.  EPA-approved disinfectants are an important part of reducing the risk of exposure to COVID-19.

Our Plan:

• As part of daily cleaning regimen, disinfectant will be used on all frequently touched surfaces
• Classroom touchpoint areas will be disinfected daily
• Bathroom touchpoint areas will be disinfected at least twice daily
• Student restrooms are fitted with no-touch toilets, urinals, and hand dryers.
• Hand sanitizer will be available in all classrooms

Shared Belongings

CDC Guidelines:

• Discourage sharing of items that are difficult to clean or disinfect
• Keep each child’s belongings separated from others’ and in individually labeled containers, cubbies, or areas
• Ensure adequate supplies to minimize sharing of high touch materials to the extent possible (e.g.,  assigning each student their own art supplies, equipment) or limit use of supplies and equipment by one group of children at a time and clean and disinfect between use
• Avoid sharing electronic devices, toys, books, and other games or learning aids

Our Plan:

• When feasible, sharing of school supplies among students is to be restricted.  If a school supply or piece of equipment must be shared by students (for instance, a pencil sharpener or blocks/toys), staff should wipe down the item with disinfectant after each use

Signs and Messages

CDC Guidelines:

• Post signs in highly visible locations (e.g., school entrances, restrooms) that promote everyday protective measures and describe how to stop the spread of germs (such as by properly washing hands)
• Broadcast regular announcements on reducing the spread of COVID-19 on PA systems.
• Include messages about behaviors that prevent the spread of COVID-9 when communicating with staff and families (such as on school websites, in emails, and on school social media accounts.)

Our Plan:

• Post signage to promote social distancing
• Post handwashing signs in school bathrooms to promote proper handwashing by students
• Post signs to promote health and safety protocols

Social/Physical Distancing

CDC Guidelines:

• The CDC “encourages” but does not mandate social/physical distancing

Our Plan:

• Students will sit 3 feet apart when feasible.
• If an emergency situation arises that requires social/physical distancing issues, resume social distancing as soon as safely possible, wash hands, and disinfect any surfaces touched

Volunteers/Visitors

CDC Guidelines:

• Limit any nonessential visitors, volunteers, and activities involving external groups or organizations as possible - especially with individuals who are not from the local geographic area (e.g., community, town, city, county)

Our Plan:

• Volunteers and visitors will be asked to go through the same health screenings as staff and their participation will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

POSSIBLE OR CONFIRMED COVID EXPOSURE ON-SITE (A PERSON BECOMES SICK WITH COVID-19 SYMPTOMS)

1. Immediately report the situation to the Superintendent or Academic Advisor. Confidentiality must be maintained to the greatest extent possible.
2. Superintendent will notify local health department of a possible or confirmed COVID exposure for guidance.
3. Ask individual (or parent) to provide a list of people on campus that the positive person had direct contact with during the 14 days before the onset of symptoms or a positive test result.
4. If an employee develops COVID-19 symptoms at work, the employee will be separated from all other students, staff, or visitors and arrange to send the employee home in a safe manner. If the employee is able to self-transport, the employee should leave the site. If the employee is not able to safely self-transport, staff will arrange to contact a family member, friend, or other method of transport to get the employee home or to a health care provider. If the employee appears to be in medical distress, 911 will be called.
5. If a student develops COVID-19 symptoms at school, the student will be isolated from all other students and staff in a supervised quarantine room. The staff member assigned to supervise the student will wear PPE or a cloth face covering and will maintain 6 feet distance from the student at all times unless there is an emergency. A parent/emergency contact will be contacted immediately to pick the student up. If the student appears to be in medical distress, 911 will be called.
6. Close off any areas that the symptomatic employee or student were in for a prolonged period. Wait 24 hours before cleaning and disinfecting those areas. During that time, if feasible, open windows or outside doors to increase air circulation in those areas. After 24 hours, thoroughly clean and disinfect all surfaces in the area.
7. Notify appropriate individuals (or, in the case of students, their parents) of the potential exposure. DO NOT disclose the name of the individual who has become sick. Notification should recommend that exposed individuals monitor their health closely, contact their health care provider if possible, and self-quarantine if any symptoms develop.
8. Employees or students who have developed COVID-19 symptoms may not return to the site until:

1. There has been a resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications; and
2. There has been improvement in respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath); and
3. The individual has a negative result of an FDA Emergency Use Authorized COVID-19 molecular assay for detection of the virus causing COVID-19.
4. The health department provides us with updated information otherwise clearing the individual.

9. Employees or students who have received a positive COVID-19 Test may not return to the site until:

1. At least 24 hours have passed since recovery, which is defined as resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and improvement in respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath); and
2. At least 10 days have passed since the first symptoms emerged
3. The health department provides us with updated information otherwise clearing the individual.

IF AN EMPLOYEE OR STUDENT REPORTS A POSITIVE COVID-19 TEST

1. Superintendent will notify local health department for guidance.
2. Ask individual (or parent) to provide a list of people on campus that the positive person had direct contact with during the 14 days before the onset of symptoms or a positive test result.
3. Follow the notification protocols listed below.
4. If possible, custodial staff will wait 24 hours before cleaning and disinfecting those areas. However, if the area must be used, cleaning and disinfecting will take place immediately. Staff will wear PPE while cleaning. During that time, if feasible, open windows or outside doors to increase air circulation in those areas.
5. Employees or students who have developed a positive COVID-19 Test may not return to the site until:

1. At least 24 hours have passed since recovery, which is defined as resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and improvement in respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath); and
2. At least 10 days have passed since the first symptoms emerged
3. The health department provides us with updated information otherwise clearing the individual.

6. Employees or students who have tested positive for COVID-19 but never developed symptoms may return to work 10 days after the COVID-19 test was taken.

NOTIFICATION TO STUDENTS/EMPLOYEES OF POSSIBLE COVID-19 EXPOSURE

When Administration becomes aware that a student or staff member has tested positive for COVID-19, or has not been tested but is demonstrating of COVID-19 symptoms of difficulty breathing, loss of sense or smell, fever, or coughing, the following steps will be taken:

• Make a list of individuals who had direct contact with the positive person during the previous 14 days.

• Contact the adult individuals identified as having been in direct contact and advise him/her that s/he has a possible exposure at work due to someone who tested positive and ask questions regarding whether the individual has consistently worn masks while at work and whether the individual is experiencing any symptoms.

• Provide written notification of possible exposure to those individuals who had direct contact with the positive person during the previous 14 days. If there is reason to believe that there was direct contact during which either individual was not wearing a cloth face covering, require the possibly-exposed individual to stay home for fourteen days from the last date of exposure to the individual who tested positive.

• For employees:

• If the individual is able to telework, assign telework tasks during the period of self-isolation.
• If the individual is not able to telework, provide information about leave options

• If the individual is a student, provide distance learning for the period of self-isolation.

• Provide written notification of a positive COVID-19 case on site to members of the community.

Personally identifiable information about the individual who tested positive will not be released

in written or verbal notifications.

All student health information will be maintained confidentially. The school shall report information that a student has had a positive COVID-19 test or has become sick with a presumptive COVID-19 case to the Superintendent.