Protocols for Potential Closures

All discussions involving potential school (or district) closure will be made by the local boards of health (LBOH) in consultation with their public health nurses and the district COVID-19 response team (Superintendent, Principals, Nurse Leader and School Nurses). Additional guidance will be sought from MDPH State Epidemiologists as needed and agreed upon following discussion with the LBOH. Information that will be considered for any discussion of school operations or closure will include available data on the status of COVID-19 on a statewide, regional and local level. Additionally, more than one case in a school at a time or within a short time span will prompt a thorough assessment of potential transmission within a school and could prompt a request to activate the mobile testing response. The school based COVID-19 response team will work closely with the Public Health Nurse to determine if it is likely that there was transmission in school. Should there be circumstances where there are multiple cases in multiple schools, school and district leaders will consult with the local board of health as to proposed next steps.


In order to determine the appropriate model for school operations we have developed Community Health Metrics for the purpose of monitoring the status of COVID-19 and a tiered system to assess the appropriate model for safe school operations and to determine if a closure is warranted. The following external data sources have been identified as the primary data sources for the Community Health Indicators:


MDPH Weekly data: COVID-19 Weekly Public Health Report

MDPH Daily data: COVID-19 Daily Dashboard

Public Health Institute of Western Mass: Franklin County COVID-19 Data


Communication:

Per the DESE guidelines, if the decision is made to close for some number of days due to concerns of the potential for in school transmission, the school and/or district should send clear information and instructions to families and staff:

  1. Informing them that it is possible COVID-19 is being transmitted in the school and/or district

  2. Noting that there may be more potential cases that are not yet symptomatic

  3. Recommending students quarantine and not have contact with others

  4. Reminding families of the importance of not having contact with higher-risk individuals (e.g., grandparents)

  5. Reminding families of the list of COVID-19 symptoms for which to monitor

  6. Ensuring that remote learning is immediately provided to all students

Before bringing students back to school:

  1. Check inventory levels of needed supplies (e.g., disposable masks, soap, hand sanitizer, cleaning products); re-order replacement inventory

  2. Consider a school-wide refresher training on the importance of correct hygiene procedures (masks, physical distance, handwashing)

  3. Reiterate the critical nature of masks, physical distancing, and hand hygiene when students return to school


Any case within the school district will be reported to the DESE Rapid Response Help Center by the District Nurse Leader. No personally identifiable information will be shared in the reporting process.


Per DESE guidance, before a final decision is made on a school or district closure, the superintendent will consult with DESE for further guidance as described in the DESE Protocols for responding to COVID-19 scenarios in school, on the bus, or in community settings (revised December 16, 2020).