School Day

Hand sanitizing stations will be set up at school entrances.

Procedures for students will vary by school. In general, the following procedures will be followed.

• Multiple entrances will be used in order to maintain social distancing.

• All students must have a completed temperature screen prior to entering the building. Adults taking student temperatures will wear masks and gloves and use touchless thermometers

• All students will sanitize their hands and must wear masks

• Students should go directly to their assigned classroom once they have completed all required screening. (Alternate arrangement are being considered for those students who will be accessing breakfast)

• Parents/caregivers will not be allowed to enter the buildings.

All students are required to wear facial coverings while in the building, as well as outside where physical distancing cannot be maintained. Staff will wear facial coverings inside and outside when with students. The CDC recommends facial coverings in settings where other physical distancing measures are difficult to maintain, especially in areas of significant community-based transmission. Adults doing drop-off and pick-up should wear facial coverings. Instructions for making, wearing and washing facial coverings can be found on the CDC website. PreK students require special consideration regarding age and child development.

The following stipulations are for students, as well as staff, where applicable:

• Facial coverings are developmentally appropriate when children can properly put on, take off, and not touch or suck on the covering.

• Students who have a medical or behavioral reason for not wearing a facial covering should not be required to wear one. These decisions should be made in partnership with the health care provider and school nurse.

• Students/staff should not wear facial coverings while sleeping, eating or swimming (or when they would get wet).

• Facial coverings with ties are not recommended for young children as they pose a risk of choking or strangulation.

• Facial coverings may be removed during outdoor activities where students and staff can maintain social distancing and have ready access to put them back as needed when activity stops.

• Staff may take off their facial covering in select circumstances when physical distancing cannot be maintained, such as when a parent/caregiver is hearing impaired and reads lips to communicate. It is also recommended to use facial coverings with clear plastic windows to support communication when there is ongoing contact with individuals who are hearing impaired.

• The use of clear facial shields for students and adults is allowable as long as they meet all of the health guidance of the Vermont Department of Health. Face shields should extend below the chin and to the ears laterally, and there should be no exposed gap between the forehead and the shield’s headpiece.