PDE Health and Safety Plan Requirements
Plan must include the following:
Steps to take in relation to isolation or quarantine when a staff member, child or visitor becomes sick or demonstrates a history of exposure.
The plan must include the following:
Steps to take in relation to isolation or quarantine when a staff member, child or visitor becomes sick or demonstrates a history of exposure.
PDE Considerations
Work with school administrators, nurses, and other healthcare providers to identify an isolation room or area to separate anyone who exhibits COVID-19like symptoms.
Establish procedures for safely transporting sick individuals home.
Close off areas used by a sick person and do not use before cleaning and disinfection.
Notify local health officials, staff, and families of exposure or confirmed case while maintaining confidentiality.
Implement flexible sick leave policies and practices, if feasible.
Create a communication system for staff and families for self-reporting of symptoms and notification of exposures and closures.
NEPA Task Force Considerations
Evaluate the ability and use of district resources to institute mass screening per CDC. (if the determination is made that mass screening is recommended for school entry)
Screenings should be conducted and reported in accordance with any applicable privacy laws or regulations. Confidentiality should be maintained.
Promote/reinforce healthy hygiene practices:
Recommend and encourage sick staff/students to stay home.
Implement intensified hand washing protocols in the health office and school. Hand washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, use of hand sanitizers (60% ethanol or 70% isopropanol). Consider regular hand washing intervals during the school day per CDC recommendations.
Avoid touching face, eyes, nose, mouth.
Sneezing/coughing in elbow or sleeve, use of tissues.
Face coverings. (size, developmentally appropriate, washed properly, etc)
Educate/reinforce not sharing personal items.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily.
Consider plans to protect most vulnerable populations (students/staff with pre-existing medical conditions, medically fragile and/or special health care needs). Continue monitoring of immunization compliance.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Consider (per CDC/PADOH guidelines):
Health Care Provider (HCP) Face coverings vs. surgical masks vs. N-95 masks fitted to the HCP, goggles/face shields, gloves, gowns, hair coverings, no-touch thermometers.
Establish guidelines for comprehensive monitoring and symptom surveillance of illnesses: student & staff absences, follow-up for students sent home, etc.
Consider safe health room procedures for medication administration (inhalers vs. nebulizers), screenings, physical layout and office space, performing treatments, completing physical and dental examinations, etc.
Develop procedures if student/staff member becomes ill during school.
Notify the school nurse (maintaining confidentiality) of possible COVID related illness.
Nurse screens/assesses for infectious illness. (fever 100.4, respiratory symptoms etc.)
Create isolation areas and procedures in the health office to reduce spread, physical barriers if needed, identify an isolation room or separate area for anyone who exhibits COVID-like symptoms, consider possible wait time until the student is picked up. Ensure the separation of students with Covid-19 symptoms from students without.
Notification to parent as soon as possible, follow guidelines for exclusion/dismiss student safely. (should wear mask or face shield, safe exit to vehicle)
Close off areas used by sick people, do not use areas before cleaning and disinfection per CDC.
Notify administration/PA Department of Health for direction.
Contact tracing/follow-up classmates and staff for possible quarantine as per PA Department of Health, cleaning/disinfection of contaminated areas-- per CDC guidelines.
Possible dismissal, potential short-term building closures, notification to district parents/staff, respecting confidentiality.
Procedure for student’s re-entry. (CDC guidelines/possible Dr. note required/10 day absence mark)
Provide parent/staff/student education regarding all procedures and protocols, clear communication and expectations, consider methods for reinforcement.
How will we account for emergencies with students for which parents cannot pick up their child due to being an essential worker or lack of transportation?
PDE Health and Safety Plan Requirements
Plan must include the following:
Guidelines for when an isolated or quarantined staff member, child, or visitor may return to school.
PDE Considerations
Refer to the most recent DOH Guidance on Home Isolation or Quarantine and Returning to Work.
NEPA Task Force Considerations
Evaluate the ability and use of district resources to institute mass screening per CDC. (if the determination is made that mass screening is recommended for school entry)
Screenings should be conducted and reported in accordance with any applicable privacy laws or regulations. Confidentiality should be maintained.
Consider plans to protect most vulnerable populations (students/staff with pre-existing medical conditions, medically fragile and/or special health care needs). Continue monitoring of immunization compliance.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Consider (per CDC/PA Department of Health guidelines):
Health Care Provider (HCP) Face coverings vs. surgical masks vs. N-95 masks fitted to the HCP, goggles/face shields, gloves, gowns, hair coverings, no-touch thermometers.
Establish guidelines for comprehensive monitoring and symptom surveillance of illnesses: student & staff absences, follow-up for students sent home, etc.
Consider safe health room procedures for medication administration (inhalers vs. nebulizers), screenings, physical layout and office space, performing treatments, completing physical and dental examinations, etc.
Develop procedures if student/staff member becomes ill during school.
Notify the school nurse (maintaining confidentiality) of possible COVID related illness.
Nurse screens/assesses for infectious illness. (fever 100.4, respiratory symptoms etc.)
Isolation areas and procedures in the health office to reduce spread, physical barriers if needed, identify an isolation room or separate area for anyone who exhibits COVID-like symptoms, consider possible wait time until the student is picked up. Ensure the separation of students with COVID-19 symptoms from students without.
Notification to parent as soon as possible, follow guidelines for exclusion/dismiss student safely. (should wear mask or face shield, safe exit to vehicle)
Close off areas used by sick people, do not use areas before cleaning and disinfection per CDC.
Notify administration/PA Department of Health for direction.
Contact tracing/follow-up classmates and staff for possible quarantine as per PA Department of Health, cleaning/disinfection of contaminated areas-- per CDC guidelines.
Possible dismissal, potential short-term building closures, notification to district parents/staff, respecting confidentiality.
Procedure for student’s re-entry. (CDC guidelines/possible Dr. note required/10 day absence mark)
Provide parent/staff/student education regarding all procedures and protocols, clear communication and expectations, consider methods for reinforcement.