ASPENGROVE SCHOOL COVID-19 SAFETY PLAN

SCOPE AND INTENT .................................................................................................................................................................. 1

RISK IDENTIFICATION AND ASSESSMENT .................................................................................................................................. 1

CURRICULAR PROGRAMMING .............................................................................................................................................................. 2 CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAMMING ......................................................................................................................................................... 3 ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS .............................................................................................................................................................. 4 ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS ..................................................................................................................................................................... 5

PROTOCOLS TO REDUCE THE RISKS .......................................................................................................................................... 6

FIRST LEVEL OF PROTECTION (ELIMINATION) .......................................................................................................................................... 6 SECOND LEVEL PROTECTION (ENGINEERING): BARRIERS AND PARTITIONS ..................................................................................................... 7 THIRD LEVEL PROTECTION (ADMINISTRATIVE): RULES AND GUIDELINES ........................................................................................................ 8 FOURTH LEVEL PROTECTION: PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT ............................................................................................................. 14

CLEANING AND HYGIENE PRACTICES ...................................................................................................................................... 15

DEFINITIONS .................................................................................................................................................................................. 15 CLEANING AND DISINFECTING OF THE SCHOOL FACILITIES ........................................................................................................................ 15 CLEANING AND DISINFECTING OF BUSES .............................................................................................................................................. 16 FREQUENTLY TOUCHED SURFACES ....................................................................................................................................................... 16 LAUNDRY ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 16 HAND HYGIENE .............................................................................................................................................................................. 17 HAND WASHING PROCEDURE ............................................................................................................................................................. 17 RESPIRATORY ETIQUETTE .................................................................................................................................................................. 17 HANDWASHING STATIONS ................................................................................................................................................................ 17

RELATED SCHOOL POLICIES .................................................................................................................................................... 18

FOR STAFF AND STUDENTS ................................................................................................................................................................ 18 FOR STAFF ONLY ............................................................................................................................................................................. 18 RESOURCES .................................................................................................................................................................................... 18

COMMUNICATION AND TRAINING PLANS .............................................................................................................................. 19

STAFF TRAINING AND COMMUNICATION .............................................................................................................................................. 19 STUDENT COMMUNICATION AND TRAINING ......................................................................................................................................... 19 PARENT COMMUNICATION AND TRAINING ........................................................................................................................................... 19 SIGNAGE ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 19

MONITORING AND UPDATING THE SAFETY PLAN .................................................................................................................. 20

RESPONSIBILITIES WITH RESPECT TO THE COVID-19 SAFETY PLAN ........................................................................................................... 20 RECORD KEEPING AND REPORTING ...................................................................................................................................................... 20 REPORTING SAFETY CONCERNS ........................................................................................................................................................... 20

RISK ASSESSMENT FROM RESUMING OPERATIONS AND PLAN FOR RE-OPENING PROTOCOL ................................................ 21

RISK ASSESSMENT ........................................................................................................................................................................... 21 RE-OPENING PROTOCOL ................................................................................................................................................................... 21

PLAN DISTRIBUTION ............................................................................................................................................................... 21

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SCOPE AND INTENT This Safety Plan has been prepared for Stage 2 of the Ministry of Educations’ K-12 Education Restart Plan.

The intent of the Plan is to:

• Maintain a healthy and safe environment for all students, families and employees • Provide the services needed to support the children of our essential workers (ESWs) • Support vulnerable students and provide continuity of educational opportunities for all students • Provide for the continuity of teaching and learning

Operation of Aspengrove School in Stage 2 is characterized by:

• Early Learning Centre and program open and operating five (5) days a week • Full-time instruction for all students for the maximum instructional time possible within learning group limits set by the

Ministry of Education.

Last update: August 27, 2020

RISK IDENTIFICATION AND ASSESSMENT

The virus that causes COVID-19 spreads in several ways. It can spread in droplets when a person coughs or sneezes. It can also spread if you touch a contaminated surface and then touch your face. The risk of person-to-person transmission increases the closer you come to other people, the more time you spend near them, and the more people you come near. The risk of surface transmission increases when many people contact the same surface and when those contacts happen over short periods of time. The virus is not known to be airborne (e.g. transmitted through the particles floating in the air) and it is not something that comes in through the skin.

When assessing the risk of transmission within the School, the following grid has been used:

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CURRICULAR PROGRAMMING

Curricular Academic Programming (PYP, MYP and DP)

Early Learning Centre

Risk Assessment High High Activities where people interact in close proximity (<2M apart) and/or with members of the public

In classroom learning: at a desk, in reading centers, group collaboration, group sporting activities in PE Bus transportation Guest visits to classrooms Comforting acts for younger students Assisting younger children with reduced ability to act independently to practice good hygiene Lunch and snack periods when kids are eating Break or class transition periods where students congregate in hallways or outside in groups Assemblies; performances Playing wind instruments Singing

Group play stations Sharing activities Assisting children in bathroom and eating activities Assisting children with reduced ability to act independently to practice good hygiene Comforting activities Assisting with dressing/undressing for movement between indoor/outdoor including sunscreen application Playground activities Lunch and snack periods when kids are eating Break or class transition periods where students congregate in hallways or outside in groups Assemblies Singing

Places where people gather in close proximity

Staff Lunchroom Hallways & Lounge Areas Gaga court Sport court Entranceways Exits Ramps Gym Bathrooms Change rooms PYP Playground Entrances and exits Academic Offices Student resource center Art and Science instructions and safety demonstrations Classroom washing stations Lockers

Classrooms Staffroom Playground Hallway & locker area Entrances and exits Gym Bathroom area (sinks) ELC Director’s Office Classroom washing stations Lockers

Tools, machinery, and equipment that are shared while learning and working

Chromebooks Gym/ PE equipment Books Desks and chairs White Board markers and erasers Art supplies and tools Science equipment and tools Drama equipment, props and costumes Bathrooms (Toilets, sinks, bathroom stalls) Couches All toys and learning manipulatives Playground equipment Musical instruments Gym Change room areas Fitness room equipment

All toys Change table stations Tables and chairs Books Dress up stations and dress up clothes Kitchen stations Table activities and toys Art supplies and tools Bathrooms (Toilets, sinks, bathroom stalls) Books Photocopiers Staff room equipment Kitchen equipment Laundry equipment Playground equipment

Surfaces that people often touch, such as doorknobs, elevator buttons, and light switches

Door handles, light switches, bathroom stalls, toilet handles, sink tap handles, paper towel handles, water fountains, handrails on ramps and stairs, lockers, microwaves, water dispenser, photocopier, computer keyboard

Door handles, light switches, bathroom stalls, toilet handles, faucets, paper towel dispensers, water bottles, benches in cubby area, photocopier, computer keyboards, Laundry equipment controls, and doors handles,

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CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAMMING

Outdoor Education Program Exploratory Program Athletics Program

Risk Assessment Medium Indeterminable; depends on the activity

High

Activities where people interact in close proximity (<2M apart) and/or members of the public

Sleeping Meal prep Eating While in transport

Indeterminable; depends on the activity

All group sports In transit to games

Places where people gather in close proximity

Mealtime Tents While being instructed in new skills

Indeterminable; depends on the activity

Team or change rooms Gym during game play Volunteer car travel

Tools, machinery, and equipment that are share while learning and working

Cooking equipment Transportation doors, seats Tents Watercraft & Ores Ropes Harnesses Climbing handles

Indeterminable; depends on the activity

Any sporting equipment used in game play and practice

Surfaces that people often touch, such as doorknobs, elevator buttons, and light switches

Seats, water bottles, watercraft, cooking equipment, photocopier, computer keyboards

Indeterminable; depends on the activity

Door handles, light switches, bath taps, bathroom stalls, toilet handles, water bottles or hydration fountains photocopier, computer keyboard, car doors

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ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS Admissions Front Desk

Administration Human Resources Finance Development Facilities and

Transportation

Risk Assessment High High Medium Low Medium Low

Activities where people interact in close proximity (<2M apart) and/or members of the public

Frequent individual meetings with staff, students and public Open House presentations Group staff meetings New parent/ existing parent meetings Admission or scholarship testing Assessing home stay applicants Student/Family tours

Individual and group meetings with new and existing staff, students and public Medical aid to sick students The first point of contact with the public and students

Short and frequent individual and group meetings with new and existing staff. One on one new employee meetings, existing staff meetings Staff training delivery Assessing work from home scenarios .

Infrequent individual meetings with staff, students and the public. Frequent individual meetings with staff Group staff meetings .

Individual and group meetings with staff, students and the public. Group staff meetings

Work performed may be in crowded areas; Frequent individual meetings with contractors. Shared potentially contaminated surfaces

Places where people gather in close proximity

Front office Conference room Admissions Office Staff lunchroom Student resource center Head’s office

Front office Staff lunchroom Sickroom Head’s office

Front office Staff rooms Development/ HR office Conference rooms Head’s office

Front office Staff rooms Finance office Conference rooms Head’s office

Front office Staff rooms Development/ HR office Conference rooms Head’s office

Conference room Staffroom Facilities shed Head’s office

Tools, machinery, and equipment that are shared while learning and working

Paper, pens, calculators, filing cabinets, Promotional materials, Projectors Laptops (potentially) Printers Photocopier

Papers, pens, files, phones, filing cabinets, Printer, and Photocopier

Paper, pens, files, filing cabinets, printer, photocopier

Paper, pens, files, filing cabinets, printer, photocopier

Paper, pens, files, filing cabinets, printer, photocopier

Maintenance truck Tractor All tools and machinery related to the role, printer photocopier

Surfaces that people touch often

Doorknobs, filing cabinet doors, light switches, keyboards, monitors, door frames, phones, photocopier

Doorknobs, filing cabinet doors, light switches, keyboards, monitors, door frames, supply storage door and supplies, phones, photocopier

Doorknobs, filing cabinet doors, light switches, keyboards, monitors, door frames, supply storage door and supplies, phones, photocopier

Doorknobs, filing cabinet doors, light switches, keyboards, monitors, door frames, supply storage door and supplies, phones, photocopier

Doorknobs, filing cabinet doors, light switches, keyboards, monitors, door frames, supply storage door and supplies, phones, photocopier

Doorknobs, filing cabinet doors, light switches, keyboards, monitors, door frames, supply storage door and supplies, phones, handrails on ramps and stairs, photocopier

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ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS

TRANSPORTATION SERVICES Activity: The School provides bus services to and from the School in the morning and afternoon. Students are required to sign up for these services in advance, so ridership is known. Bus transportation services are also offered for offsite trips and ridership is known. The School has two buses that are shared between two-3 drivers, with 1 driver mainly driving 1 bus. Bus trips are 30-40 minutes in length. Transportation may also be provided by various volunteer drivers when the bus is not available. Risk of transmission is medium due to the following:

• Staff and students sit in close proximity. • Ventilation is minimal unless AC is on or windows are open. • Seats are used by different people throughout the day. • Length of time is limited to trips from Aspengrove School to places in the Nanaimo/ Lantzville/ Ladysmith area, other than the few occasions our

students travel outside the Nanaimo/ Lantzville/ Ladysmith area • Population is controlled by the total population of Aspengrove and the individual class size.

Frequently touched surfaces on the bus:

Seats Inside hand railing Floors Interior windows and wall section below passenger windows Inside and outside door handles (including manual control for service door); Inside door grab handles, pads and armrests Keys Steering wheel Shift lever and console Dashboard Turn signal and wiper stalks Seat and Seat adjuster Any other parts that are commonly used and that may have been touched.

FOOD SERVICES Food services offered by the School include: bake sales and special events where food is prepared at students homes and brought to the school to share and be consumed by other students, these events and occasions include intercultural day, birthdays, etc. Food services are also provided via the hot lunch program managed by the Aspengrove Parent Association. In the hot lunch program, students bring their own utensils and plates and volunteers serve food ordered and delivered by various restaurants to the school. All businesses supplying food are food establishments who comply with the food safe guidelines. Risk of transmission is high for the following reasons:

• Food brought from home can be prepared in uncontrolled environments and served by individuals without Food Safe certification. • Students and staff come into close contact for an extended period when lining up for food • Movement of staff and students at one time in hallways to obtain the food with increase contact of individuals. • Volunteers coming in close contact with each other and with students and staff while preparing and serving food • Various food delivery people coming on site into contact with our staff and students.

High touch surfaces: Serving utensils, tables, and equipment

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PROTOCOLS TO REDUCE THE RISKS

Infection prevention and exposure control measures help create safe environments by reducing the spread of communicable diseases like COVID-19. According to the Public Health Office, these control measures are more effective in controlled environments where multiple measures of various effectiveness can be routinely and consistently implemented.

Schools are considered a controlled environment by public health. Aspengrove is a small and consistent group of people, has robust illness policies for students and staff and can implement effective personal practices (e.g. diligent hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, etc.) to keep our students safe.

To reduce the risk of the virus spreading through droplets in the air, Aspengrove has implemented various additional protocols to protect against our identified risk of transmission of COVID19. Different protocols offer different levels of protection. Wherever possible, we use the protocol that offers the highest level of protection. However, if the first level isn’t practicable or does not completely control the risk, the Aspengrove may consider additional controls. Aspengrove will, at a minimum, follow the guidance issued by the Public Health Office, BC CDC, Work Safe BC and the Ministry of Education.

FIRST LEVEL OF PROTECTION (ELIMINATION)

First level protection protocols reduce the risk of transmission by eliminating contact between people (staff and students). Building access and occupancy Building access will be limited to staff and students and invited guests and visitors. • No individual will be allowed to enter any School Building with any of the symptoms of the common cold, influenza,

COVID-19, or other infectious respiratory disease that do not relate to a pre-existing condition. (See Illness Policy) Occupancy limits will be posted on rooms where individuals from multiple learning groups are expected to gather. Parents, caregivers, health-care providers, volunteers and other non-staff adults (e.g. visitors) entering the school

will be prioritized to those supporting activities that are of benefit to student learning and wellbeing (e.g. teacher candidates, immunizers, meal program volunteers, etc.).

Deliveries and meetings will occur outside of pick up and drop off times.

Learning Groups and Social Distancing Students and staff will be organized into learning groups that will stay together for all activities that occur within the

school, including but not limited to learning, and breaks (lunch, recess, classroom changes, etc). The maximum amount in a learning group will be 60 students and staff in Grade K-8 and 120 in Grades 9-12. Junior Kindergarten students and teachers will comprise of one learning group and maximums are based on licensed

occupancy levels. Within the learning group minimized physical contact will be encouraged, but a two-meter physical distance does not

need to be maintained. This includes: • Avoiding close greetings • Keeping hands to yourself

Staff will avoid entering areas they do not have direct work responsibilities. Learning group composition changes will be minimized during the year, however, may occur to support optimal

school functioning. Consistent seating arrangements will be maintained within learning groups where practical. This will assist the Public

Health Office should contact tracing need to occur. The School will minimize the number of adults (staff and others) who interact with learning groups they are not a

part of as much as is practical to do so while supporting learning and a positive, healthy, and safe environment. Staff and students will maintain a two-meter physical distance when interacting with an individual outside of their

learning group. Here are some examples of when this may occur at Aspengrove: • A teacher teaching a class outside of their assigned learning group. • During break times (e.g. recess, lunch), students may want to socialize with peers in different learning

groups. • Participating in Out of School Care, extracurricular activities and exploratories. • While receiving learning supports.

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If students are unable to physically distance, they will be limited to socialize within their learning group only or where they can be supported to physically distance.

• Teaching staff will set up their classrooms and establish activities to practice and teach physical distancing protocols. For example:

1. Younger children will be supported to have minimized direct contact with one another, while older children will be supported to maintain physical distance whenever possible.

2. Small group environments within learning spaces will be created to reduce the number of children in a group. 3. More individual activities or activities that encourage more space between children and staff will be

incorporated into the learning day. 4. Student will be taken outside more often to learn.

Traffic Flow

• Floor markings and posters to address traffic flow will be posted throughout the school. • Designated entry and points will be identified for individual learning groups. • Students are required to respect a two-meter distance with any other individual entering or exiting the room not in

their learning group; for example, one person enters and exits a door at a time. • While moving in between buildings and around campus, students and staff will maintain a two-meter distance from

those outside of their learning group. • Access to lockers and movement in hallways will be scheduled to ensure learning groups are not interacting in the

hallways and students within a learning group have sufficient space to avoid physical contact.

School Events, Assemblies and Meetings • In-person inter-school events (including competitions, tournaments and festivals) will not occur at this time in

accordance with provincial Health and Safety Guidelines. • School events will occur within a learning group only and will be minimized in frequency during the year. • Gatherings will not exceed the maximum learning group size in the setting, plus the minimum number of additional

people required (e.g. school staff, visitors, etc.) to meet the gathering’s purpose and intended outcome. • Events or assemblies that gather multiple learning groups will occur virtually. • Staff meetings involving staff from different learning groups should preferably occur through virtual means. Where a

virtual alternative is not possible, staff meetings can happen in person if participants maintain a two meter physical distance.

SECOND LEVEL PROTECTION (ENGINEERING): BARRIERS AND PARTITIONS

Barriers will be installed in the following areas: • In the front office of the Main School Building to separate administrative workers from the public. • At the library check out desk

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THIRD LEVEL PROTECTION (ADMINISTRATIVE): RULES AND GUIDELINES

Health Screening

• Parents and caregivers are expected to assess their child daily for symptoms of common cold, influenza, COVID-19, or other infectious respiratory disease before sending them to school.

• Staff are expected to assess themselves daily for symptoms of common cold, influenza, COVID-19, or other infectious respiratory disease before sending them to school.

• Any staff or student who have cold, influenza, or COVID-19-like symptoms that are not related to an existing condition must stay at home and not come to school. See Illness Policy.

• Staff and Students may still attend school if a member of their household has cold, influenza, or COVID-19 like symptoms, provided the staff or student is asymptomatic. It is expected the symptomatic household member is seeking assessment by a health care provider.

• Please see the BCCDC.ca website for more information on the required health screening or how to perform this health screening.

School Transportation • Students Grade 6 and up and staff must wear a non-medical masks, face covering or face shield (in which a non-

medical mask must be worn in addition to the face shield). • All students and staff will apply hand sanitizer to their hands prior to entering and after exiting the bus. • Students must be pre-registered to ride the bus at least 48 hours in advance the trip. No student will be allowed to

ride the bus who has not previously registered. Please notify the School of any changes to your student’s attendance on any registered trip.

• When scheduling bus drivers, every attempt will be made to assign a bus to one driver for the day. • While waiting for the bus, students will remain two meters from others waiting for the bus or remain in their car until

the bus arrives. • Bus drivers will clean buses as per the cleaning and disinfecting guidelines in the document. • Buses will be loaded from back to front and offloaded from front to back. • If space is available, each passenger will have their own seat or sit with members of their own household. • If space is limited due to high ridership, students may also sit with members of their assigned learning group. • Passengers will strive to sit in the same seat to and from school within the day. • Use of Volunteer drivers is not permitted.

Pick Up and Drop Off Procedures • A physical distance of two meters must be maintained in the parking lot, in reception areas and in the entryways

always. • Parents must stay in their cars during pick up and drop off. • During the day, parents/ caregivers will be no more than a 30-minute drive away from the School or the distance of

your home to the School, whichever is farther, in case the child develops symptoms at the School, or another emergency occurs.

• Pick up and drop off times and locations will differ amongst learning groups. • Parents of students in multiple learning groups must default to the drop off and pick up time of the youngest child. • Childcare prior to school pick up times assigned is not available at this time. • Parents experiencing delays in dropping off their child may park in designated parent parking spots while transitioning

their child. • Car traffic will be one way on the property to avoid congestion. • Traffic control signs and traffic control attendants will be on site to direct car traffic during pick up and drop off times.

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Volunteering at the School • All volunteers will adhere to all safety protocols of the School and sign a confirmation that they have read and

understand the safety plan prior to volunteering. • All volunteers are responsibility for performing a health screening prior to entering the School and sign a declaration

upon entering the School on their health. If a volunteer has any symptoms of a common cold, flu or COVID19, they must not enter the School.

Visitors at the School • Visitor access will be prioritized to those supporting activities that benefit student learning and wellbeing. • For any inquiries or to make an appointment, all staff can be reached through the main office line at 250-390-2201 or

via email. To access ELC staff outside of office hours, select the ELC room 120 or 121 in the options. • All visitors are required to sign in at the Front Office prior to entering the building and wear appropriate identification

provided by the School. Personal information by any parent visiting the school will be collected to facilitate contact training.

• Confirmation of a personal Health Screen is required by every parent or visitor entering the building. • Information will be collected by any visitor to the School to facilitate contact tracing by Health Authorities. • All visitors ages 12 and older will wear a non-medical mask or face covering while on site. • Staff will notify the front desk of any individuals invited onsite, including guests, parents or volunteers.

Community Use of School Facility • Any community gathering in the facility will comply with the Gatherings and Events Order of the Provincial Health

Officer and not exceed 50 people. • Spaces and equipment used by community members will be cleaned prior to the use by the community and again prior

to students reentering the facility or using the shared equipment. • Community members will be provided a copy of this safety plan and declare they have read, understood and will

comply with the School’s Safety Plan prior to using the facility.

Bringing items to the School • Clearly label all personal items brought to the School to discourage accidental sharing, including personal computers. • Students’ personal items will not be shared • Avoid bringing items that cannot be easily cleaned.

Use of School Chromebooks and BYOD • Students in Grade 6 and up will be expected to supply their own electronic device. Please see the School’s “Bring Your

Own Device Program (BYOD)” document. • Students in Grade 3, 4 and 5 will be assigned a school Chromebook that will remain at the school and will be cleaned

as per the cleaning and disinfecting guidelines in the document. • Chromebook carts are considered a high touch surface and will be cleaned as per the cleaning and disinfecting

guidelines in the document.

Library and Classroom Books • School owned books can be borrowed and brought home. • School owned books returned by students will be placed in a container and stored for at least 72 hours prior to re-

shelving.

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Food and Drinks at School • Students will bring their own lunch in a contained lunch kit. • Clearly label all food and beverage containers to discourage accidental sharing. • The use of the microwave will not be permitted by students. • Students will not be allowed to prepare or serve food. • No sharing of utensils, food, drinks or other personal items. • Water fountains will not be in operations. Water is available to for refilling bottles in all PYP classrooms, MYP hallway

and DP hall kitchen. • Homemade food items are not to be made available to other students for sharing or for fundraising purposes at this

time (e.g. birthday treats, bake sale items). • The Hot Lunch Program will not be available at this time. This will be re-evaluated during the school year. • Students will eat their lunch in the classroom or outside.

Toys, Manipulatives, and other School supplies • Students will be supplied or will supply their own school supplies for personal use. Personal student supplies are not

to be shared, will be clearly labelled and an individual space provided in the classroom to store them. • Teaching staff will have their own teaching supplies, clearly label them, and identify a space to store them in the

classroom away from the student supplies. • Teaching staff restocking supplies in their classroom will clearly label these once taken out of the supply closet. • Staff will choose toys and learning aids that are easily cleaned and disinfected. • Shared toys and manipulatives are considered frequently touched surfaces and will be cleaned as per the cleaning and

disinfecting guidelines in the document. • Where possible, students will be provided their own personal supplies for use in the classroom.

Science and Art • Students will wash their hands before and after class and before and after handling shared tools or equipment or

whenever hands are dirty. • Students will have personal spaces and tools, as best as possible. • Students will ask to label their own supplies to reduce the risk of accidental sharing. • Shared equipment and tools are considered a frequently touched surface and will be cleaned and disinfected as per

guidelines in the Cleaning and Disinfecting section. • Staff will ensure appropriate space is available to allow for students to view and understand safety demonstrations

and instructions.

Music and Band • While playing instruments and singing, Students will maintain a two-meters distance among staff and students. • Where possible musical instruments will be stored in students’ lockers. • Students will wash hands before and after music class. • No instruments besides large string instruments, percussion, and piano may be shared during this time. • Shared instruments are considered a frequently touched surface and will be cleaned as per the cleaning and

disinfecting guidelines in the document. • School music stands and chairs will be cleaned and disinfected in between classes. • Performances will occur virtually, in smaller groups and/or outside to ensure a two-meter distance among each

performer and audience member can be maintained. • No in-person inter-school festivals/events will occur. • Staff will refer to the “Guidance for Music Classes in BC During COVID-19 developed by the B.C. Music Educators’

Association and the Coalition for Music Education in B.C.” for additional information.

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Drama • Students and staff will wash their hands before and after drama class. • Performances will occur virtually, in smaller groups and/or outside to ensure a two-meter distance between audience

members can be maintained. No in-person inter-school festivals/events will occur until further notice. • Classes will be designed to minimize contact among students and staff. • Blocking of scenes will be choreographed in ways that limit physical touch and face-to-face interactions, and instead

seek creative solutions to dynamic storytelling and expressive movement. • Shared equipment such as set pieces, props, cameras etc. are considered a frequently touched surface and will be

cleaned and disinfected as per cleaning and disinfecting guidelines in this document. • Costume items will be limited in their shared use. For laundry, follow the instructions provided in the Cleaning and

Disinfecting section of these guidelines.

Sports • Programs, activities, and sports teams will occur if:

o physical contact can be minimized for those within the same learning group; and o physical distance (2m) can be maintained for staff when interacting outside of their learning groups.

• Shared equipment is considered a frequently touched surface and will be cleaned as per the cleaning and disinfecting guidelines in the document.

• No in-person inter-school competitions or events will be held or participated in. This will be re-evaluated through the school year.

• As per BC School Sports instruction, no in-person inter-school competitions/events. This will be re-evaluated throughout the school year.

Field Trips • No overnight trips will not occur. • No international field trips will occur. • Trip attendance will not exceed 50 and will not mix learning groups. • The risk of COVID19 transmission will be assessed and mitigation procedures identified for each field trip prior to

leaving. • Any locations of a field trip are required to submit a COVID-19 operating plan to the School. This plan will be submitted

to the Director of Finance to ensure consistency with the School’s plan. The Field trip coordinator will share this plan with the student’s parents.

Outdoor Education Program • Outdoor education program will be designed to occur during the day only. No overnight trips will not occur. • The program may involve a combination of onsite and offsite activities. Offsite activities will follow the field trip

protocols outlined in this document. • Trips will not exceed 50 and will not mix learning groups. • Shared equipment and tools are considered a frequently touched surface and will be cleaned and disinfected as per

guidelines in the Cleaning and Disinfecting section.

Exploratory Program • Exploratory programs may involve a combination of onsite and offsite activities. Offsite activities will follow the field

trip protocols outlined in this document. • Exploratory programs will not mix learning groups. • Shared equipment and tools are considered a frequently touched surface and will be cleaned and disinfected as per

guidelines in the Cleaning and Disinfecting section.

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Extracurricular programs and clubs • Extracurricular activities and special interest clubs should occur when physical distance can be maintained between

members of different learning groups and physical contact is practiced by those within the same learning group. • In-person inter-school events including competitions, tournaments, and festivals will not occur at this time. This will

be re-evaluated throughout the school year. • Where possible, the School will seek virtual alternatives to continue to support these events in a different format.

Playgrounds • Students will wash their hands before and after outdoor play. • Direct contact between students will be minimized. • Sand and water can be used for play if children wash their hands before and after play. • Playground equipment will not be cleaned.

Fitness Room • Participants will wash their hands before and after using the fitness room. • Occupancy will be limited to ensure fitness room participants can maintain a two-meter distance from each other. • Participants will clean and disinfect shared equipment after each use. • Participants must sign in and out of the fitness room each time. • Do not enter if occupancy has been reached.

Staff Rooms/ Kitchens • Staff rooms and kitchens are restricted for staff use only. • All personal dishes will be washed immediately and removed from the staffroom. Clearly label any personal dishes

brought to the School. • School dishes are reserved for program use only. • Refrigerators are not available for use of personal food items. • Dishwasher is reserved for cleaning of classroom equipment. No personal dishes will be washed in the dishwasher. • Microwaves, coffee machines, kettles, dishwashers and other kitchen equipment are considered high touch surfaces

and will be cleaned and disinfected as per guidelines in the Cleaning and Disinfecting section. • Staff must maintain a two-meter distance from people in the staff room or, whenever possible, take your break

outside. • Notices on community cork or poster boards will be placed by the Front Desk Administrator in the Main School and DP

Hall kitchens and ELC Director in the ELC building. • Use only personally labelled white board markers and erasers to write messages on community white boards.

Reporting and Information Collection • Employee and student absenteeism in excess of 10% of regular attendance will be reported to the School’s Public

Health Officer to aid in the early identification of clusters and outbreaks. • The School will keep up-to-date lists of all members of all learning groups to share with public health should

contact tracing need to occur. • All non-staff and student visitors to the School will provide the following information: name, telephone number

confirmation of health screening, time of arrival, time of departure, reason for visit, locations in the School visited and who they met with in the school.

Ventilation • Ventilation systems will remain on 24 hours a day to increase airflow in the classrooms. • Classroom windows will be opened, when weather is favorable to doing so.

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Illness Policy Reporting an absence due to illness • Staff and students who have any of the following symptoms that do not relate to a pre-existing condition, such as

allergies, will stay home and report their absence via a confidential email to the school (staff: staffabsense@aspengroveschool.com; students: absense@aspengroveschool.com).

Fever Chills Cough or worsening of chronic cough

Shortness of Breath Sore throat Runny nose/ stuffy nose Loss of sense of smell or taste Headache Fatigue Diarrhea Loss of appetite Nausea and vomiting Muscle aches Conjunctivitis (pink eye) Dizziness, Confusion Abdominal pain Skin rashes or discoloration of

fingers or toes

Symptoms developed at the School • If students develop symptoms at School:

• The symptomatic student will be immediately isolated from others in a supervised area at least two meters away from others.

• The student will be provided with a non-medical mask, if not already wearing one. Masks will be taken home for disposal. Any tissues used will be thrown away as soon as possible, and hand hygiene performed.

• The School will contact the parent, guardian or emergency contact to pick up the child. The emergency contact will be no more than a 30-minute drive away from the School at any point during the time their child is at the School.

• Where possible, all staff will maintain two meters from the ill student. • If a staff member develops symptoms while at the work:

• Symptomatic staff members will be asked to go home immediately. • If unable to leave immediately, symptomatic staff will isolate themselves into an area at least two meters

away from others. • The space used to isolate the symptomatic individual and all other areas used by the student will not be used until

cleaned and disinfected by cleaning personnel. • If a student or staff member is severely ill (e.g., difficulty breathing, chest pain), the School will call 911.

Returning to School after being sick • Anyone experiencing symptoms of illness as listed above will self-isolate until they have been assessed by a health-

care provider to exclude COVID-19 or other infectious diseases. • Contact a health-care provider for further assessment. This includes 8-1-1, or a primary care provider like a physician

or nurse practitioner. • If diagnosed with COVID19 or another infectious disease, the staff member or student must obtain a doctor’s note

indicating it is safe to return.

Quarantine and Self Isolation • Any Staff and student who has travelled outside Canada in the last 14 days OR were identified as a close contact of a

confirmed case or outbreak must stay home and self-isolate for 14 days. • Staff unsure if they or a student should self-isolate will be directed to the following resources:

• Ministry of Health’s online self-assessment tool at covid19.thrive.health, • 1-888-COVID19 – BC’s new non-medical information line for British Columbians who have questions about

COVID-19 (open seven days a week from 7:30 am to 8:00 pm); or • A family physician or nurse practitioner to be assessed for COVID-19 and other infectious respiratory diseases.

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FOURTH LEVEL PROTECTION: PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

Use of Masks There are multiple more effective infection prevention and exposure control measures in place which allow us to limit the use of masks within the School setting. These included, staying home when sick, enhanced cleaning and disinfecting, organizing staff and students into learning groups, hand hygiene and delivering programs that ensures a two meter physical distance can be maintained between learning groups. However, where there is a risk that these measures will be less effective, the School has required the following protocols:

• Staff and students will be provided two non-medical masks each. • All staff, students in Grade 6 and up, and visitors will wear either a non-medical mask, a face covering or a face shield

(in which case a non-medical mask should be worn in addition to the face shield) during the following times: • Common areas, such as hallways and lounges • Buses • When interacting with a member outside of their learning group and a two meter distance cannot be

maintained. • When performing cleaning duties.

• Grade 5 and younger will not be required to wear a non-medical mask as the School has been advised by health authorities that they increase the likelihood the student will touch their face and yes, as well as require assistance to properly put on and take off their mask that requires increased closed contact with others and increasing the risk of exposure and transmission of viruses to the student.

• Wearing a non-medical mask, face covering or face shield in School outside of the circumstances outlined above is a personal choice for students and adults.

• If a student is unable to wear a mask, face covering or face shield as described above for medical reasons, a note from the student’s physician must be provided to the School.

• Non-medical masks will be provided to those who develop symptoms at School and are required to be in isolation at the School.

Use of Gloves • Disposable gloves are required to be worn when cleaning blood or body fluids (e.g. runny nose, vomit, stool, urine); • Wash hands before wearing and after removing gloves.

More information about COVID-19 related mask use, including how to clean and store reusable masks, is available on the BCCDC website and the Government of Canada website. More information on cleaning and disinfecting instructions for face shields is available on the BCCDC website.

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CLEANING AND HYGIENE PRACTICES

DEFINITIONS

• Cleaning is the physical removal of visible soiling. Cleaning removes rather than kills, viruses and bacteria. It is done with water, detergents and steady friction from cleaning cloths.

• Disinfection is the killing of viruses and bacteria. A disinfectant is only applied to objects, never on the human body. • A frequently touched surface is any surface that is touched by different people, frequently throughout the day.

CLEANING AND DISINFECTING OF THE SCHOOL FACILITIES

• All Aspengrove buildings will be cleaned and disinfected once a day after the school day ends. • Frequently touch surfaces will be cleaned and disinfected twice in 24 hours, once mid-day and once after the School

closes. • Shared toys will be cleaned and disinfected twice daily or used only ½ of the day and cleaned and disinfected at the

end of the day. • Items and surfaces that children have placed in their mouths or that have been in contact with bodily fluids will be

cleaned as soon as possible and between uses by different children. • Visibly dirty surfaces will be cleaned and disinfected immediately. • Items in the School that are not easily cleaned (e.g., fabric or soft items) will be removed, where possible. • Shared toys will be cleaned and disinfected twice daily or used only ½ of the day, placed in a sealed bin and cleaned

and disinfected at the end of the day. • Cleaned toys and learning aids used will be left out to be disinfected using a hydrostatic fogger twice weekly. • Toys that are dishwasher safe may be run through a full wash, sanitize and dry cycle prior to being used again. • Toys that are mouthed will not be used until cleaned and disinfected. • There is no evidence that the COVID-19 virus is transmitted via textbooks, paper or other paper-based products. As

such, there is no need to limit the distribution or sharing of books or paper-based educational resources to students because of COVID-19. If books are to be taken out of the school, hold in a separate bin for at least 24 hours prior to re-shelving.

• When the cleaning schedule cannot be maintained or is not practical, for example in the summer months of July and August, the room will not be used.

• Each classroom and offices will be supplied with: o Disposable gloves and non-medical masks for cleaning o Disposable cloths o Cleaning agents/ disinfectants o Lined waste disposal bins o Where a sink exists, soap and paper towel o Hand sanitizer pumps for each table in the room

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CLEANING AND DISINFECTING OF BUSES

• Buses will carry a supply of: o Disposable gloves and non-medical masks o Disposable cloths; o Paper towels and absorbent materials; o Waste disposal bags and tape; and o Cleaning agents/disinfectants.

• Bus drivers will clean and disinfect the following areas of the bus at the start and end of the driver’s shift: o Seats; o Inside hand railing; o Floors; o Interior windows and wall section below passenger windows; o Inside and outside door handles (including manual control for service door); o Inside door grab handles, pads and armrests; o Keys; o Steering wheel; o Shift lever and console; o Dashboard; o Turn signal and wiper stalks; o Seat and Seat adjuster; o Any other parts that are commonly used and that may have been touched.

• Bus drivers will clean and disinfect high touch areas of the bus after each trip including: o Seats; o Inside hand railing; o Interior windows and wall section below passenger windows; o Inside and outside door handles (including manual control for service door); o Inside door grab handles, pads and armrests;

• Dispose of soiled disinfection cloths, disposable gloves and any other items in contact with contaminated surfaces in a waste disposal bag. Seal the waste disposal bag and discard in lined trash bin.

FREQUENTLY TOUCHED SURFACES

• Doorknobs, light switches, hand railings, faucet handles, toilet handles, tables, desks and chairs used by multiple students, water filling stations

• Shared learning items and manipulatives • Shared equipment (e.g. computer keyboards and tablets, glassware and testing equipment for science labs, kitchen

equipment, etc.) • Appliances (microwaves, refrigerators, coffee pots, photocopiers or laminators, cutters, and kettles)

LAUNDRY

• Laundry will be placed in a laundry basket with a plastic liner until ready to be laundered. • Do not shake dirty items. • Clean hands with soap and water immediately after handling dirty items and before handling clean items.

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HAND HYGIENE

Hand washing is one of the best ways to minimize the risk of infection. Proper handwashing helps prevent the transfer of infectious material from the hands to other parts of the body — particularly the eyes, nose, and mouth — or to other surfaces that are touched.

• Anyone using the school facility will wash their hands: • Upon entering and exiting any building at the School. • When the student leaves from home to catch a school bus. • Before and after:

any breaks (recess, lunch). eating and drinking using a learning space that is used by multiple learning groups (gym, music room, science lab etc.) riding the bus transitioning between different environments (e.g. outdoor-indoor transitions, from the gym to the

classroom, from office to office, classroom to the office) performing first aid wearing gloves performing cleaning duties touching a shared objects assisting students

• After: using the toilet sneezing and coughing handling garbage contact with body fluids cleaning tasks

HAND WASHING PROCEDURE

1. Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap. 2. Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers,

and under your nails. 3. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. 4. Rinse your hands well under clean, warm running water. 5. Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them. 6. If water is unavailable, use a waterless hand cleaner that has 60-90% alcohol. Alcohol-based hand rub dispensers are

located throughout the School.

RESPIRATORY ETIQUETTE

• Cough or sneeze into their elbow sleeve or a tissue. Throw away used tissues and immediately perform hand hygiene. • Refrain from touching the eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands. • Refrain from sharing any food, drinks, or unwashed utensils.

HANDWASHING STATIONS

• Sinks are in every bathroom and in some classrooms and will be supplied with sufficient soap and paper towels at all times

• Where there are no sinks easily accessible, disinfecting stations have been set up that consist of an automatic or manual hand sanitizing pumps

• Buses will be supplied with hand sanitizer.

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RELATED SCHOOL POLICIES

FOR STAFF AND STUDENTS

Illness Policy (post-COVID19 Pandemic) Cleaning policy (post-COVID19 Pandemic)

FOR STAFF ONLY

Staff sick leave policy Health and Safety policy Work from home policy

RESOURCES

BC information bulletin: re: liability order

BC CDC COVID19 Childcare & Schools COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool Use of Masks Travel

BC Government Guidance BC's response to COVID19

Work Safe BC Child care: Protocols for returning to operations Education (K-12): Protocols for returning to operation Joint Health and Safety Committees

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COMMUNICATION AND TRAINING PLANS

STAFF TRAINING AND COMMUNICATION

• Our staff will receive information regarding the following prior to opening: • The risk of exposure to COVID-19 and the signs and symptoms of the disease. • Safe work procedures or instruction to be followed, including hand washing and cough/sneeze etiquette,

proper use of masks and when to use them. • How to report an exposure to or symptoms of COVID-19. • Changes they have made to work policies, practices, and procedures due to the COVID-19 pandemic and

keep records of that training. • The School will keep records of instruction and training provided to workers regarding COVID-19, as well as reports

of exposure and first aid records. • First aid attendants will be provided with the OFAA protocols for use during the COVID-19 pandemic. • Policies are posted on the AGS policies and procedures shared drive and accessible by all staff.

STUDENT COMMUNICATION AND TRAINING

• Staff will deliver training and lead activities for students to teach social distancing rules. • As changes occur, staff will communicate these changes to students.

PARENT COMMUNICATION AND TRAINING

• Aspengrove’s COVID-19 Safety Plan will be posted on the Aspengrove School website, accessible by the public. • Weekly eNews communications to parents from the Head of School on updates and important information for

opening and ongoing operations. • Safety protocols will be sent to our parent community via email by August 28th. • Aspengrove will hold an information session for parents to educate:

• Parent, student, staff responsibilities. • Safety protocols while at School.

• Changes will be communicated in the weekly eNews delivered via email. If changes are considered significant, additional information sessions will be held.

• Program specific details will be communicated to parents by program principals and grade teachers. • In the case of an outbreak within our community, the School will be contacted by, work closely with and take the

advice of the School’s local Health Officer within the Ministry of Health on how to proceed. Aspengrove will communicate to parents any impact to their specific children and the program at that time at the direction of the Public Health Officer.

SIGNAGE

• Handwashing signs • At each sink

• Occupancy limits sign • Bathrooms • Staff rooms • Photocopier rooms

• Wash your hands upon entry • Classroom entry doors • Building entry doors • On bathroom stalls

• When to wash your hands • On bathroom stalls • In classrooms

• How to wear a face mask • At first aid station • On bathroom stalls

• COVID19 prevention top 10 • All entry and exit doors

• “Stand here “ sticker at entrance

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MONITORING AND UPDATING THE SAFETY PLAN

RESPONSIBILITIES WITH RESPECT TO THE COVID-19 SAFETY PLAN

Health and Safety Committee Under the direction of the Head of School, the Health and Safety Committee (“HSC”) will

• Select, implement, and document risk assessments and appropriate site-specific control measures. • Ensure that all resources (information, authorization administrative changes, technology, training, human resources)

and materials (personal protective equipment, equipment, cleaning and disinfecting products and systems) required to implement and maintain the Plan are reasonably made available as practical when required.

• Ensure that leadership, teachers, education assistants, support staff and outside contractors are informed about the content of safety policies.

• Conduct a periodic review of the effectiveness of this safety plan. This includes a review of the available control technologies to ensure that these are selected and used when practical.

• Maintain records of training and inspections. • Re-examine all tasks in the workplace, especially those that require the direct care of students, and ensure safe work

procedures are updated with COVID-19 practices. • Where possible, have workers perform only essential tasks to maintain the student’s education and well-being. Tasks

that are non-essential should be put on hold until directed otherwise by the provincial health officer.

Senior Leadership • Ensure that faculty are knowledgeable regarding the controls required to minimize their risk of exposure to COVID-

19. • Directly work in a manner that eliminates or minimizes the risk to workers. • Post or relay educational and informational material in an accessible area for workers to review.

Teachers, education assistants, support staff and outside contractors • Know the controls required to minimize their risk of exposure to COVID-19. • Participate in COVID-19 related training and instruction. • Follow established work procedures and instructions as directed by the employer or supervisor. • Report any unsafe conditions or acts to the supervisor. • Know how and when to report exposure incidents.

Facilities team • Maintaining an inventory of PPE for custodians, cleaning and disinfectant products, and well-maintained equipment

used for cleaning and disinfecting. • Providing adequate instruction to custodians on the hazards associated with cleaning work areas and on the safe

work procedures specified in this exposure control plan. • Directing the work in a manner that ensures the risk to custodians is minimized and adequately controlled. • Revising the work schedule to ensure priority intensive cleaning of impacted work area surfaces and touchpoints.

RECORD KEEPING AND REPORTING

• The HSC will keep records of instruction and training provided to staff regarding infectious diseases, as well as exposure reports and first aid records.

• Employee and student absenteeism will be reported to the public health to aid in early identification of clusters and outbreaks by the Front Desk Administrative staff.

• COVID-19 related meetings will be documented, and minutes posted in the staff resources folder of google drive.

REPORTING SAFETY CONCERNS

• Safety concerns will be reported to the Facilities Manager and reviewed and inspected by the HSC. • If necessary, new protocols will be established and communicated by the HSC.

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RISK ASSESSMENT FROM RESUMING OPERATIONS AND PLAN FOR RE-OPENING PROTOCOL

RISK ASSESSMENT The risk of resuming operations is considered low to medium due to:

• operating systems continuing to run and maintained by facilities staff during closure • need for the use of space is limited during re-opening • restarting at a time when regular cold and flu is not normally prevalent amongst students • supports and guidance available • opening period is short for students

RE-OPENING PROTOCOL 1. Review and update Safety Plan for new information 2. Review Cleaning protocols with Contractors 3. Review and seek feedback from COVID19 operational team members on protocols 4. Submit plans to Ministry 5. Inspect and maintain all HVAC systems in all buildings and replace filters (Facilities Staff) 6. Prepare building interiors (Facilities Staff)

• Traffic flow markings • Signage • Set up Hygiene stations • Initial Deep Clean • Establish an inventory of cleaning supplies and PPE

7. Prepare classrooms (Faculty) 8. Educate and Inform Staff and Families

a. Distribute safety plan and obtain sign off by staff and parents b. Staff training on new protocols and cleaning procedures. c. Hold information sessions for parents and students on safety protocols.

PLAN DISTRIBUTION

• AGS policies and procedures google drive • Website