EBCF

INTERIM POLICY REGARDING COVID RELATED ISSUES

This policy is established in response to Federal, State and DESE regulations/guidelines regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. This policy does not apply to students and staff participating in a strictly remote learning environment or the remote learning portion of a hybrid model.

This policy shall automatically expire when the above referenced guidelines detailed below are no longer in force and the District has returned to “Normal” in person instruction as per recommendation of the Superintendent.

The AWRSD School Committee has taken note of the COVID-19 emergency; resulting disruption of the traditional school day and year; growing concerns of students, families and the community; and the growing number of issues that will affect public education by unanimous vote on August 10, 2020 approving the school reopening plan presented by the Superintendent for the 2020-2021 school year.

Therefore, the AWRSD School Committee establishes this emergency, interim policy to:

· promote public safety and safety of students and faculty,

· maintain to the extent possible the high and efficient level of educational services,

· ensure support for students in general and in particular for those at highest risk educationally as well as those at social and economic risk, and

· comply with the emergency orders of the governor and adhere to the extent possible, to the guidance of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and other agencies of state and federal government and expedite the safest strategy for returning students to school.

The following AWRSD specific regulations are hereby established:

Failure to comply with this policy may result in disciplinary action for students or staff.

Face Covering

Masks are among the most important single measures to contain the spread of COVID-19.

The Ashburnham- Westminster Regional School District is committed to keeping our staff and students safe. In addition to keeping a physical distance of at least six feet from other people, practicing good hygiene measures (e.g., frequent hand washing, avoiding touching the face, covering coughs and sneezes), and staying home when ill are the best-known protections against COVID-19, wearing a face-covering that covers the nose and mouth can help protect others.

In order to help ensure the health and safety of the Ashburnham-Westminster Regional School District community and the public, face coverings are required to be worn at all times indoors when other people are present; this includes, but not limited to:

· common areas, such as hallways, stairways, classrooms,

· workspaces or outdoor settings

· restrooms

This requirement is in accordance with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts workplace safety requirements. This policy is in effect until otherwise communicated. For the purposes of this policy, a face-covering means any cloth face covering, such as facemask that covers the nose and mouth, and ties around the ears or the back of the head. It must be secured under the chin and fit snugly against the sides of the face.

All personnel, students, contractors, vendors, and visitors, on school ground will be required to wear masks, and follow all social distancing guidelines. Visitors will be encouraged to leave personal belongings in the car or to keep such items with them during their visit to wear masks and follow all social distancing guidelines. Time will be built throughout the day for mask breaks where students and staff don’t have to wear masks. Ideally, these breaks will occur outside or in a classroom with the windows open where 6-foot physical distancing can be maintained.

If a staff member cannot wear a mask due to a disability, they should promptly contact the Director of Human Resources PRIOR to any in-person work to discuss potential accommodations. If a student cannot wear a mask due to a disability, they (or their parents) should promptly contact the Director of Pupil Services PRIOR to any in-person learning to discuss potential accommodations.

Hand Hygiene

Hand wash stations or hand sanitization stations will be installed in all learning spaces and common spaces throughout AWRSD. The following hygiene guidance will be followed throughout the district:

· Students and staff are required to exercise hand hygiene (handwashing or sanitizing) upon arrival to school, before eating, before putting on and taking off masks, and before dismissal.

· When handwashing, individuals should use soap and water to wash all surfaces of their hands for at least 20 seconds, wait for visible lather, rinse thoroughly, and dry with an individual disposable towel.

· If handwashing is not feasible, hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent ethanol or at least 70 percent isopropanol content can be used. Hand sanitizer should be applied to all surfaces of the hands and in sufficient quantity that it takes 20 seconds of rubbing hands together for the sanitizer to dry.

· Hand sanitizer should be placed at key locations (e.g., building entrances, cafeteria, classrooms).

COVID-19 Isolation Space:

In order to minimize transmission of COVID-19, all schools in Massachusetts are required to have an isolation space for students displaying COVID-19 symptoms. This space must be separate from the nurse’s office or other space where routine medical care is provided. Students showing COVID-19 symptoms during the school day will be moved to this space until they can be picked up by a family member. A designated space has been created in each AWRSD school building. These spaces all allow for separate entrance/exit independent from regular nurses’ offices and exam rooms. Protocols for Suspected COVID-19 Positive Cases in Schools: AWRSD nursing staff, in collaboration with our district physician, local board of health officials and caregivers and staff, will utilize a systematic approach to isolating, tracking and mitigating suspected and confirmed school-based cases of COVID-19.

First Reading: Waived Second Reading: Waived ADOPTED: 9/1/20 RESCINDED: 8/24/21