ARP ESSER Requirement

        Strategies, Policies, and Procedures

1. Universal and correct wearing of masks;

• As of August 18, 2021, face coverings are mandatory for all individuals (staff, students, parents, and visitors), regardless of vaccination status when inside all ETSD school buildings.  Students with a disability may contact the Pupil Services Department to set up a mask exemption meeting.  This mandate takes effect when Berks County COVID-19 transmission rates are in the Substantial or High category for two (2) consecutive weeks (effective 8/18/21) and the mandate remains in effect until it is lifted by a vote of the Board, which was done at the November 16th, 2021 Board Voting Meeting, effective December 15th, 2021 or at such time that the PA DOH Face Covering Order expires.  The PA DOH Face Covering Order ended on December 10, 2021.  Additionally, the ETSD Board of Directors voted on December 21, 2021 to continue to keep masks as an optional item (recommended but not required) for students and staff and visitors, which had become effective on December 15th, 2021.  The CDC recommends the wearing of face coverings as a mitigation measure.  The District continues to make this a recommendation; however, this is not a requirement.  
• On January 2, 2022, the Board of Directors voted to make masks mandatory for all students, staff and visitors from January 3 to at least January 19, 2022 (expired).
• Masks are considered to be well-fitting masks and gaiters.
• When participating in a sports team practice activity or event, whether indoors or outdoors, masks are not required.
• Non-Exeter SD groups and organizations will need to wear masks indoors when using our facilities. 
• Exceptions include when eating, indoor sporting events, high intensity activity that includes six feet of distancing between all individuals for the entire session, etc.
• Staff and students continue to be required to wear masks while on the school’s buses until such time as the CDC drops this requirement.  Parents who do not wish to have their child wear a mask on the bus may transport their child to and from school and activities/sporting events.  A student will not be allowed on the bus without a mask.  If a student does not have a mask but wishes to ride the bus, the bus driver will provide the student with a disposable mask to wear.  Students who do not comply when given a mask will be suspended from the bus for three (3) days.  Staff who do not comply will be disciplined up to and including termination.(Expired).
• Staff are expected to stay informed of the latest information and resources available and visit the CDC’s website which includes information on universal and correct wearing of masks.

2. Modifying facilities to allow for physical distancing (e.g., use of cohorts/podding);

• ETSD will adhere to the latest mandates provided by PDE, PA DOH and  CDC relative to physical distancing to the extent feasible given a full-return to 5-day a week in-person learning for all students.
• Physical distancing to the maximum extent feasible will continue to be recommended for indoor and outdoor spaces regardless of vaccination status.

3. Handwashing and respiratory etiquette;

• Handwashing and respiratory etiquette will be encouraged and monitored.
• Protocols include:

• Washing one’s hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
• If soap and water are not available, using hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol (for staff and older children who can safety use hand sanitizer)
• Avoid touching one’s eyes, nose, and mouth
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or cough or sneeze into one’s elbow

4. Cleaning and maintaining healthy facilities, including improving ventilation;

• ETSD will adhere to the latest mandates provided by PDE, PA DOH, and CDC related to cleaning and ventilation.
• ETSD is committed to continuing the best practices developed in response to COVID-19 for keeping the workplace clean, disinfected, and safe for staff, students, and visitors.
• The use of universal precautions designed to minimize the transmission of communicable diseases will continue to be implemented. Hand sanitizer and cleaning materials will remain available.
• Additional cleaning and disinfecting measures / protocols may be required as deemed appropriate or directed by PA DOH in the future.
• Staff will continue to be expected to adhere to appropriate personal protective equipment guidelines as established by the District or by PA DOH mandates.

5. Contact tracing in combination with isolation and quarantine, in collaboration with the State and local health departments;

• PA DOH considers COVID-19 a communicable disease. As such, it is among PA DOH’s listing of reportable diseases.
• Staff are required to report a suspected or known case of COVID-19 to the Director of Human Resources and their supervisor within 24 hours and to stay home from work.
• ETSD will coordinate with PA DOH regarding reporting Covid-19 positive cases.
• On January 2, 2022, the Board of Directors voted to require implementation of quarantine guidelines for close contacts of household positives.  Those requirements are as follows:

• If your child is fully vaccinated*, you may decide if your child should quarantine at home or continue attending school. If your child continues to attend school and does not have COVID symptoms, your child will be required to wear a mask (regardless of school/state mask mandates) for 10 days after the household exposure. We recommend having your child tested for COVID 5 days after the household exposure; however, testing is not required.

• *Fully vaccinated means that your child received a vaccine booster, completed a series of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine within the last 6 months, or completed a primary series of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine within the last 2 months.

• If your child is not vaccinated or not fully vaccinated*, your child must quarantine for 5 days. On day 6, your child may return to school if he/she does not have any COVID symptoms and is fever-free. Testing is recommended but not required. Your child will be required to wear a mask (regardless of school/state mask mandates) for 10  days after the household exposure.
• On March 15, 2022, the Board of Directors voted to remove this quarantine mandate.

6. Diagnostic and screening testing;

• Staff are required to follow the recommendations of their attending physician and/or PA DOH directive(s) as they relate to diagnostic and screening testing.
• School nurses will assist families in identifying a testing location should they wish to have their child tested.

7. Efforts to provide vaccinations to school communities;

• ETSD was pleased to collaborate with WalMart to administer 7,000 vaccinations in our facilities in 2021.  We will continue to collaborate with local health care providers and government agencies regarding targeted areas of need and will continue to serve as a vaccination host site if called upon.
• ETSD will continue to communicate local vaccine opportunities available to staff and the community at large.
• ETSD was pleased to collaborate with WalMart to administer pediatric vaccines in November of 2021.

8. Appropriate accommodations for students with disabilities with respect to health and safety policies; and

• Special accommodations or health care needs of students with disabilities will be addressed through the IEP/504 process.
• Accommodations may include, but are not limited to adapted service delivery models, (i.e. teleintervention, individualized services, when appropriate) and / or other health and safety precautions as outlined in an individualized health plan.

9. Coordination with state and local health officials.

• ETSD will continue to maintain existing partnerships with local and state agencies.
• As with any communicable disease, the ETSD will contact the PA DOH to report a suspected or known case of COVID-19 and follow mandates.