Reopening ELCO School DistrictSTRATEGIES FOR A SAFE AND HEALTHY START TO THE

2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR

Background

• Each school entity must create a Health and Safety Plan;• The Plan should be tailored to the unique needs of each school

district and in consultation with local health agencies;• The Plan should be flexible to adapt to changing conditions;• The Health and Safety Plan must be approved by the School

Board and posted to the school district’s website prior to the reopening of school;• It is expected the Plan will be monitored throughout the year.

Any revisions to the Plan should be reviewed and approved by the School Board and reposted to the website.

Health and Safety Plan

“All decision makers should be mindful that as long as there are cases of COVID-19 in the community, there are no

strategies that can completely eliminate transmission risk within a school population. The goal is to keep transmission

as low as possible to safely continue school activities.”

Health and Safety Plan: Three PhasesThe Red Phase has the sole purpose of minimizing the spread of COVID-19 through stay-at-home orders, strict social distancing, closures of non-life sustaining businesses, closures of schools and in-person instruction, and building safety protocols. Remote learning opportunities should be the method of providing any instruction to students. Support services for students such as school meal programs and at-risk student check-ins, should be provided as feasible.

In the Yellow Phase, stay-at-home orders are lifted, but some restrictions on work and social interactions ease. Limitations around large social gatherings, remain in place. Schools in yellow counties will be permitted to reopen for in-person instruction after July 1 provided the schools adhere to PDE guidance which includes Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines.

The Green Phase eases most restrictions, but still encourages social distancing and limitations on large social gatherings (250 people maximum) to allow the economy to strategically reopen while continuing to prioritize public health. While this phase will facilitate a return to a "new normal" for schools and communities, it will be equally important to continue to monitor public health indicators and adjust strategies to mitigate community spread. Schools in green counties must continue to adhere to PDE guidance.

Health and Safety Plan

The Reopening School recommendations are tentative and can be influenced by other factors including:• Changing health and safety guidelines• Updated guidance from the Pennsylvania Department of

Education and/or the Pennsylvania Department of Health and/or the Governor’s Office

Flexibility and Fluidity

Resources and Guidance

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention• The American Academy of Pediatrics• The World Health Organization• Pennsylvania Department of Education• Pennsylvania Department of Health• Lebanon County Department of Emergency Services• WellSpan Health• Local Health Officials• Stakeholder groups, survey results, Lebanon County SDs

Our Priorities• Planning for a Safe and Healthy Return to School;• Providing Staff Support through professional learning /

planning opportunities and safety trainings; and • Focusing on Student Learning and Academic and

Social/Emotional Support.

Pandemic Coordinator / Team“Each school entity is required to identify a pandemic coordinator and/or pandemic team

with defined roles and responsibilities for health and safety preparedness and response planning during the phased reopening of schools.”

Julia Vicente, Pandemic Coordinator Daniel Marks, Plan Development/Response Team

Barbara Davis, Plan Development/Response Team Brad Entrekin, Plan Development/Response Team

Michael Miller, Plan Development/Response Team Michael Gerhart, Plan Development/Response Team

Amy Shoemaker, Plan Development/Response Team Tam Hower, Plan Development/Response Team

Doug Dresch, Plan Development/Response Team Steven, LIn, Plan Development/Response Team

Jenelle Himmelreich, Plan Development/Response Team Douglas Bohannon, Plan Development/Response Team

Robert Boltz, Plan Development/Response Team Dr. Steven Shay, Plan Development

Jeremy Sweigart, Plan Development/Response Team Stakeholder Group Members, Plan Development

Jennifer Haas, Plan Development/Response Team District Staff, Plan Development

Craig Soden, Plan Development/Response Team

Cleaning, Sanitizing, Disinfecting, Ventilating“The ELCO School District is committed to ensuring the health and safety of every student

and staff member which includes maintaining clean learning and work environments.”

Yellow and Green Phases• High touch points/surfaces will be cleaned and disinfected using hospital grade

disinfectant several times a day, by custodial staff, and after each new group of students. Deep cleaning will be completed regularly;

• Bathrooms will be regularly cleaned at least twice each day and more if needed;• Additional cleaning materials will be available to staff;• Playgrounds will be disinfected daily;• Bottle filler stations will be installed throughout all buildings;• District vehicles will be cleaned daily with a disinfectant that is sprayed on the

interior;• Antimicrobial HVAC filters will continue to be used and replaced regularly.

Yellow Phase: 25 people or less; Green Phase: 250 people or less, both utilizing social distancing to the maximum extent possible

Social Distancing

Classroom Space

Hygiene Practices

Visitors and Volunteers

Signage

Cafeteria / Large Group

Areas

Recess and Physical

Education Classes

Social Distancing “The ELCO School District will continue to practice recommended health and safety

protocols that are provided by the state and county.”Yellow and Green PhasesClassroom Space• All seating must consist of hard surfaces that can be wiped down; • Desks all face the same direction;• Desks will be separated as far as possible to allow for the greatest amount of social distancing.Hygiene Practices• Expected hygiene/hand-washing practices will be reviewed and taught;• Hand sanitizer stations will be placed in every classroom and throughout the building;• Staff and students will use hand sanitizer upon entering/exiting the building and at mealtime;• Scheduled hand washing (sanitizing) will occur throughout the day;• Reminders and discussions will focus on hand washing, social distancing, avoidance of touching face,

mouth, etc.

Yellow Phase: 25 people or less; Green Phase: 250 people or less, both utilizing social distancing to the maximum extent possible

Social Distancing Signage Yellow and Green Phases• Reminders and signs of healthy hygiene practices will post throughout the buildings, in bathrooms and locker rooms;

• Floors will be marked to encourage social distancing;

• Entry doors will have signs with expectations for symptom self-screening;

• Announcements, videos, flyers; Reopening ELCO Webpage will contain resources on healthy hygiene.

Cafeterias / Large Group Areas• YELLOW: No congregating of more than 25; meals provided in classrooms; limited menu options.

• GREEN: Seating will maximize the greatest social distancing possible and students will face the same direction, Dining areas and cafeteria will be thoroughly cleaned between lunch periods; limited menu options.

Visitors / Volunteers• Only “essential” personnel will have access to buildings and must follow current operating procedures.

• YELLOW: No volunteers.

• GREEN: Volunteers will be permitted on a limited basis.

Yellow Phase: 25 people or less; Green Phase: 250 people or less, both utilizing social distancing to the maximum extent possible

Social Distancing Recess • YELLOW Recess: permitted by individual classrooms; Playground equipment will not be used; may

consider jump ropes and balls but must be sanitized after use;

• GREEN Recess: Recess permitted; playground equipment will be used and sanitized daily.

Physical Education Classes• P.E. will be held outside whenever possible and will maximize social distancing to the greatest extent

possible; Equipment sharing will be kept to only those items which can be sanitized;

• Lessons limit use of equipment and promote contactless activities.

Yellow Phase: 25 people or less; Green Phase: 250 people or less, both utilizing social distancing to the maximum extent possible

Other Safety Protocols

Shared Materials

Communal Spaces / Hallways

Coordination with Local Childcare Providers

Transportation

Student Interaction

Other Social Distancing and Safety Practices

Other Safety ProtocolsShared materials Yellow and Green Phases• Parents/guardians may provide supplies in place of students sharing supplies;

• All materials will be properly cleaned and sanitized after each use.

K-5: Communal Spaces and Hallways Yellow and Green Phases• Students will walk down hallways on the right side and will maintain social distancing;

• Upon arrival, students will go directly to classrooms;

• Breakfast will be eaten in classrooms;

• At the end of the day, students will be dismissed from classrooms; no staging in common areas.

6-12: Communal Spaces and Hallways• YELLOW Phase: Upon arrival, students will go directly to classrooms;

• YELLOW/GREEN Phase: One-way hallway designations will be made to the maximum extent possible;

• YELLOW Phase: Communal areas will not be used for groups larger than 25 students; social distancing required;

• GREEN Phase: Communal areas will not be used for groups larger than 250 students; social distancing required.

Yellow Phase: 25 people or less; Green Phase: 250 people or less, both utilizing social distancing to the maximum extent possible

Other Safety ProtocolsTransportation Yellow and Green Phases• Parents/Guardians given option to drive child/ren to and from school daily;• Drop-off / Pick-up procedures to be established to accommodate ‘car riders’;• Seating will be arranged to socially distance to the maximum extent possible; two students to a seat;• Weather permitting, roof hatches and windows will be opened to increase ventilation.• Extracurricular and educational field trips will be restricted;• Schools busses and vans will be disinfected daily, at a minimum.Student interaction• Student desks arranged in rows, facing same direction;• Interactions restricted between groups of students; • Small group instruction (K-5) will occur while following health and safety guidelines;• YELLOW Phase: Special area teachers (K-5) will travel to classrooms;• GREEN Phase: Students will move to the Special area classrooms.

Yellow Phase: 25 people or less; Green Phase: 250 people or less, both utilizing social distancing to the maximum extent possible

Other Safety Protocols

Coordination with Local Childcare Providers Yellow and Green Phases• Open lines of communication will be established to collaborate and ensure coordination between

local childcare facilities;

• In conversation with YMCA - SACC program coordinator.

Other Social Distancing and Safety Practices Yellow and Green Phases• Plexiglass guards will be installed in main offices;

• Disposable masks will be available in each building office;

• Floors will be marked with signs/tape to encourage social distancing.

Yellow Phase: 25 people or less; Green Phase: 250 people or less, both utilizing social distancing to the maximum extent possible

Monitoring Student and Staff Health

Monitoring for

Symptoms and History of Exposure

Isolation or Quarantine

Protocols

Returning from

Quarantine

Monitoring Student and Staff HealthRegular screening for symptoms and ongoing self-monitoring throughout the school day can

help to quickly identify signs of illness and help reduce exposure.

Monitoring for Symptoms and History of Exposure Yellow and Green Phases• Parents/Guardians will screen students at home before sending to school;

• Staff will self-screen at home before leaving for school each day;

• Students exhibiting one or more symptoms will not be sent on the bus or brought to school;

• Staff exhibiting one or more symptoms will be required to stay at home and report illness;

• If a student or staff falls ill at school, the student or staff member will immediately go to the nurse's office for screening.

**Symptoms: fever, shortness of breath, headache, body aches, fatigue, loss/altered sense of taste or smell, diarrhea, and/or runny nose/congestion

Students/Staff who have had significant exposure (15 minutes or more) to someone known to have tested positive must self-report to their teacher/supervisor;

Staff will be trained on the identification of symptoms;

Resources will be shared with the school community about symptoms and when a child should be kept home due to illness.

Yellow Phase: 25 people or less; Green Phase: 250 people or less, both utilizing social distancing to the maximum extent possible

Monitoring Student and Staff HealthIsolation or Quarantine Protocols Yellow and Green Phases• Isolation areas will be designated in each building for those exhibiting symptoms;• School nurses will follow CDC’s Standard and Transmission-Based Precautions when caring for the sick;• The use of face coverings is required if tolerated;• Individual will be advised to seek medical attention;• The area of isolation will be closed off after the symptomatic individual leaves and will not be used

again until the area is cleaned and disinfected.

Returning from Quarantine Yellow and Green Phases• Students/Staff are required to be fever free, off fever reducing medications for the previous 72 hours

and at least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared;• Students/Staff are required to have improved symptoms before returning;• Medical notes will be accepted to clear students/staff for return.

Yellow Phase: 25 people or less; Green Phase: 250 people or less, both utilizing social distancing to the maximum extent possible

Other Considerations

Protecting Students/Staff

at a Higher Risk for Severe

Illness

Using Face Coverings by Students/Staff

Safety Protocols for Students with

Complex Needs

Strategic Deployment

of Staff

Other Considerations for Students/Staff“The ELCO School District will follow face covering guidelines as provided and updated by the

CDC and/or the PA Department of Health. These guidelines will be applicable for all students and staff when present in building facilities and while on district transportation.”

Protecting Students/Staff at Higher Risk for Severe Illness Yellow and Green Phases• Where applicable individual medical plans will be created, or procedures will be established to

address the individual needs;• A full continuum of services will remain available for students who have complex needs as

outlined in medical plans and/or individualized education plans;• Staff with a high risk of severe illness will work with their Principal/Supervisor and the Human

Resource Office to create a plan to maximize his/her safety.Use of Face Coverings by All Staff• Face covering guidelines by CDC and/or the PA Department of Health will be followed;• A face shield and a cloth face covering will be provided to each staff member;• Disposable face coverings will be available in all buildings and main offices.

Yellow Phase: 25 people or less; Green Phase: 250 people or less, both utilizing social distancing to the maximum extent possible

Other Considerations for Students/StaffUse of Face Coverings by Students Yellow and Green Phases• Face covering guidelines by CDC and/or the PA Department of Health will be followed;

• Students will be encouraged to bring their own face covering to school; however, disposable face coverings will be available;

• Face shields and/or face coverings with ‘windows’ will be available for hearing impaired, EL students, or those with special needs.

Strategic Deployment of Staff Yellow and Green Phases

• Staff will continue to be assigned at each building in alignment with district policies and procedures to best meet the needs of all learners.

Yellow Phase: 25 people or less; Green Phase: 250 people or less, both utilizing social distancing to the maximum extent possible

Fact Sheet Example

Budget

Funding:• Slated to receive $390k from PDE CARES funds• Slated to receive $210k from PA Commission on Crime and

Delinquency• Have applied for FEMA/PEMA monies

Professional Development

Subject to revision and additions

• Cleaning, Sanitizing and Disinfecting Training, Custodial and Maintenance Staff

• Cleaning and Sanitizing Classrooms and Equipment, Staff

• Hand Washing, Sanitizing, Students and Staff

• Recognizing Symptoms of COVID-19, Students, Staff and Parents/Guardians

• Social Distancing Procedures, Students and Staff

• Proper Use of Face Coverings, Students, Staff and Parents/Guardians

• Safety protocols for Students with Complex Needs, Staff

Communication Plan• Reopening ELCO Webpage: The COVID-19 webpage will be replaced with a Reopening ELCO

Webpage. This page will serve as the main hub of information for the reopening. Superintendent messages, School Board approved plans, web resources, announcements, and more will be included. This page will be continually updated.

• Dedicated Reopening ELCO email: ELCOreopening@elcosd.org designed to field questions about the reopening of schools.

• ELCO Family and Staff Surveys: We want to continue to hear from you! Additional surveys will be sent to ELCO families and Staff asking for input and feedback regarding the reopening.

• Email Updates: Administrators will share important building-specific information about the reopening process through emails and newsletters with students and families.

• ELCO School District Facebook Page: The ELCO SD Facebook Page will continue to be used to share progress updates with the community on the reopening process.

• *New* Fact Sheets: One-page fact sheets will be created on key issues and procedures that ELCO will implement when reopening in the fall. These fact sheets will be available to download on the Reopening ELCO Webpage.

• *New* Video Updates: Brief recorded video updates on how the district is preparing to welcome students and staff back along with reopening updates will post to the ELCO Reopening Webpage each week.

Next Steps

July 15 Presentation of Draft Health and Safety Plan

July 16 - 23 Draft Health and Safety Plan posted to district Reopening ELCO webpage; Feedback/comments to elcoreopening@elcosd.org

July 17 2nd Parent/Guardian Survey sent to ELCO familiesEnd of July Post FAQ document to Reopening ELCO webpage

August 3 Final Health and Safety Plan presented to School Board for approval consideration

August 3 Instructional Plan Outline presentedEarly August Instructional CommitmentsAugust 31 Back to School: First Student Day

Preview: Instructional Options Under Consideration

Green Phase• In-Person Instruction• Online options, both synchronous and asynchronous, K-12Yellow Phase• Hybrid Model: In person and remote learning• Online options, both synchronous and asynchronous, K-12Red Phase• Online options, both synchronous and asynchronous, K-12

Changes

This plan is subject to change based on the changing requirements from the CDC, PA DoH, and PDE.