Staff Frequently asked questions

Social Distancing

Employees will make a reasonable effort to maintain social distancing (6 feet away) throughout the day. Schools will not host in-person large group gatherings or meetings. GMSD is encouraging all adult-to-adult meetings be held virtually. If a virtual meeting is not practicable, masks or facial coverings need to be worn and social distancing must be utilized. Click to expand this section.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Staff

Students and staff will be required to wear a mask or facial covering while on campus. Parents will need to provide a mask or facial covering for their students.

Exceptions for students and staff are outlined in the guidance from the Tennessee Health Department. According to the Tennessee Health Department:

• Unless a student has trouble breathing or is unable to remove a cloth face-covering without assistance, all middle school and high school students should always wear a cloth face covering while in the school building. Middle and high school students may remove their cloth face covering when outdoors so long as social distancing can be maintained.

• Unless a student has trouble breathing or is unable to remove a cloth face-covering without assistance or is sleeping, all elementary students should wear a cloth face covering while in the school building.

• Elementary students may remove their cloth face covering when outdoors.

• Students who continuously play with, suck on or chew their face covering should be excused from wearing one, as should students who will not tolerate a face covering.

• Preschool children under age 2 years should not wear cloth face coverings.

• Individuals should not wear masks while eating or drinking. Lunchtime should be restructured to allow children to eat lunch in their classrooms or outdoor spaces, rather than the cafeteria.

• People who are deaf or hard of hearing—or those who care for or interact with a person who is hearing impaired—may be unable to wear cloth face coverings if they rely on lipreading to communicate. In this situation, consider using a clear face covering. If a clear face covering isn’t available, consider whether you can use written communication, use closed captioning, or decrease background noise to make communication possible while wearing a cloth face covering that blocks your lips.

• Some students, such as those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, mental health conditions, or other sensory sensitivities, may have challenges wearing a cloth face covering. They should consult with their healthcare provider for advice about wearing cloth face coverings.

Principals are granted authority to waive the mask requirement for legitimate educational, safety, or health-related reasons for students, staff, and visitors on campus. Teachers will also have the ability to provide mask breaks when students are socially distanced, and staff will have the ability to wear face shields when providing phonics lessons, speech, or other therapies. Exceptions for staff with disabilities and other health impairments will be made. Any adult visitor entering the campus, will be required to wear a mask or facial covering.

*Updated August 25, 2020

Any adult visitor entering the campus, will be required to wear a mask or facial covering.

The district will supply employees with options for facial coverings. Employees are also able to provide and wear their own facial coverings.

Facial coverings should not contain any political or controversial wording or images per our Staff Ethics policy. While staff can remind colleagues and students to put their masks on, they should not shame any staff or student, as there are legitimate cases for not wearing a facial covering.

District Provided PPE

GMSD has ordered the following items for our staff:

• 2 Cloth, GMSD-branded masks for every staff member

• 1 face shield for every staff member

• Boxes of disposable masks

• Portable dividers, plexiglass barriers for high traffic areas and high-risk employees

• Medical clothing (scrubs) for specialized staff and high-risk employees

• Hand sanitizer stations throughout the building

• Hand sanitizer bottles for every staff member

GMSD is purchasing additional cleaning supply kits for teachers to be kept in the classroom. Staff will be trained to implement routine sanitization methods multiple times throughout the day (such as the wiping of high touch surfaces and objects).

Building Sanitization and Cleaning Procedures

Increased cleaning efforts have been outlined with our custodial service provider, SKB, to include multiple daily cleanings of common areas and increased efforts in each classroom.

GMSD will hire temporary assistance at each school building to both clean and monitor the increased cleaning effort protocols and ensure that their building is in alignment with district standards.

GMSD has purchased five Clorox Total 360 Cleaning Systems. These systems are often used in hospitals to mitigate the spread of germs. Each classroom will be sanitized routinely. High traffic areas will be disinfected on a regular basis.

GMSD has ordered and will install MERV-13 filters for all HVAC systems. The MERV-13 filters are the industry standard in reducing particles and bacteria in the air. Our HVAC systems also have the ability to circulate fresh air in programmed bursts through the building. GMSD has programmed fresh air in short, frequent bursts.

Each school is developing a hand washing/hand sanitizing schedule that ensures all students are taking regular breaks to wash their hands throughout the day. Restrooms will be regularly checked for necessary materials.

Health Checks

All GMSD staff will complete an onsite symptom screening each day as a part of their normal check-in procedure. Any adult entering the campus will be required to complete an onsite symptom screening which will include five questions and a temperature reading. Principals will provide additional details about specific entry points and building hours for symptom screenings.

Staff will complete the Staff Screening Log each day and maintain the log in a safe place. Schools will do regular spot checks for completion of Staff Screening Logs to make sure all staff members are regularly completing the symptom screenings.

Staff with fevers or observable symptoms of COVID-19 at work should immediately contact a supervisor and go to a designated, supervised area separate from others until they are able to leave the facility.

Positive and Suspected COVID-19 Cases

In all cases of either suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19, FERPA and HIPPA protection laws will be followed by all staff. Due to the privacy issues governed by law, the identity of the person cannot be shared. It is, however, important that parents report confirmed COVID-19 cases to the school so that proper protocols can be enacted.

Staff who are experiencing COVID-19 Symptoms

• Staff should not report to work. Immediately complete the following actions:

• Contact your direct supervisor to let them know you will not be reporting to work to make arrangements for a substitute, etc.

• Contact Human Resources at (901)752-7900 to discuss leave/telework options.

• Staff are encouraged to get tested for COVID-19 (Testing locations and information).

• Staff should continue to monitor symptoms at home (Self-Monitoring Form).

• Staff should not return to work until they have met the criteria to discontinue home isolation:

  • • At least 24 hours have passed since recovery defined as resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and improvement in respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath); AND,

    • At least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared; OR,

    • A negative COVID-19 test and symptom free; OR,

    • A release from your doctor allowing you to return to work

Staff should keep their supervisor informed of their return to work status and direct questions to Human Resources.

Staff who have been in direct contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19

Note: A potential exposure means having close contact within 6 feet for more than 10 feet of an individual with confirmed COVID-19. The timeframe for having contact with an individual includes the period of time of 48 hours before the individual became symptomatic.

• Notify supervisor so they can make arrangements for a substitute teacher if necessary.

• Contact Human Resources at (901)752-7900 to discuss leave/telework options.

• Observe a Self-Quarantine by following Guidance from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

• If you start to experience symptoms, it is highly recommended getting tested for COVID-19 (Testing locations and information).

• Monitor symptoms at home (Self-Monitoring Form).

• Keep supervisor informed of return to work status.

Free COVID-19 Testing

Testing for COVID-19 by the Shelby County Health Department is now available at no cost for anyone experiencing even mild symptoms. See a list of testing locations here. Call in advance to make an appointment.

The Shelby County Health Department asks that you do not go to a doctor’s office for COVID-19 testing unless your doctor has instructed you to do so.

If your doctor has instructed you to be tested in their office, your medical coverage with the district will cover the cost of your COVID-19 testing. You will not be charged a copay and, if you need to go out of network, you will not be charged out of network fees. If you have questions regarding your medical plan through the district, you may contact Health Cost Solutions at 1-800-526-3919.

Staff that are diagnosed with COVID-19

• First and foremost, take care of yourself and remain at home.

• Immediately contact your direct supervisor who will arrange coverage for your job responsibilities.

• Contact Human Resources to discuss telework/leave options.

• Follow CDC Guidance for self-care.

• Employees should not return to work until they have met the criteria to discontinue home isolation:

  • • At least 24 hours have passed since recovery defined as resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and improvement in respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath);

    • AND,

    • At least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared; OR,

    • Released from the Shelby County Health Department

• Keep supervisor informed of return to work status.