INGENIUM COVID-19 INFORMATION

INFORMACIÓN COVID-19 DE LAS ESCUELAS INGENIUM

Updated July 26, 2021

Welcome

We know these are uncertain and anxious times for everyone in our community. We sincerely appreciate your patience as our response to this health crisis continues to evolve and we make the needed adjustments to protect everyone’s health and safety.

Ingenium Schools has been closed to in-person instruction to help prevent the further spread of COVID-19 in our community.

Below are the steps we are taking to ensure a safe environment when we are able to reopen and welcome students back into our classrooms.

Options for Testing

Beginning Thursday, April 8th, Ingenium Schools are providing no-cost testing for all staff and students who will be returning to in-person learning or working regularly on any of our school grounds.

These students and staff must participate in our weekly testing program in order to be on campus.

Isolation Policies

Any student or staff member with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 is to stay home and not go to school, notify the school of illness, follow up with their health care provider, and get tested for COVID-19.
Any student or staff member who tests positive (confirmed case) for COVID-19 is to stay home and not go to school, even if they do not have symptoms of illness. They are to notify the school of the positive test and follow up with their health care provider.
If a student or staff member develops symptoms of illness consistent with COVID-19 while at school, they are to immediately go home, notify their health care provider, and get tested for COVID-19.
When a student develops symptoms of illness consistent with COVID-19 at school, the student will wait in an isolation area and be given a surgical mask, if available, to wear (if tolerated) while arrangements can be made for a family member to pick up their child.
The school will provide information to the family member or staff member on resources to get tested for COVID-19.
The school may notify the school community of a case of COVID-19 and precautions being taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Specific information about the case is confidential.
Anyone with a confirmed case of COVID-19 is to follow Home Isolation Instructions.
The Department of Public Health Case and Contact Investigation Program will follow up directly with the family of a student or a staff member who has a confirmed case of COVID-19. They will collect additional information and issue the Health Officer Order for Isolation.

Any student or staff member with COVID-19 may not return to school until they have met the criteria to discontinue home isolation, including at least 24 hours with no fever and no use of fever-reducing medication, other symptoms have improved and at least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared. For persons who never developed symptoms, isolation can be discontinued 10 days after the date of testing positive.

Quarantine Policies

Any students or staff who have been in close contact with someone diagnosed with or suspected to have COVID-19 are to stay home and not go to school. “Close contact” is defined as being within 6 feet for more than 15 minutes, even if a non-medical face covering was worn, or had unprotected direct contact with body fluids or secretions; i.e., was coughed or sneezed on, shared utensils or saliva or provided care without using appropriate protective equipment.
If a student or staff member has had close contact outside of school (home or elsewhere) with someone diagnosed with or suspected to have COVID-19, they are to home quarantine, notify the school, follow up with their health care provider, and get tested for COVID-19.
If a student or staff member has had close contact at school, they will be instructed to go home, notify their health care provider, and get tested for COVID-19.
When a student has had a close contact exposure at school, the student will wait in a quarantine area while arrangements can be made for a family member to pick up their child.
The school will provide information to the family or staff member on resources to get tested for COVID-19.
The school will identify all students and staff members who have had exposure (close contact) at school with someone diagnosed with or suspected to have COVID-19.
The school will notify the families of students or staff members about exposure at school.
The school will provide information to the family or staff member on resources to get tested for COVID-19.
Anyone who has been exposed (close contact) to someone with COVID-19 is to follow Home Quarantine Instructions. They are to home quarantine for 14 days from the last date of exposure. If someone tests negative, the person will still need to complete the full 14 days of quarantine.
The Department of Public Health Case and Contact Investigation Program will follow up directly with the family of a student or a staff member who has been exposed to COVID-19. They will collect additional information and issue the Health Officer Order for Quarantine.
Any student or staff member with COVID-19 may not return to school until they have met the criteria to discontinue home quarantine.

Who to Contact if a Student Has Symptoms or is Exposed to COVID-19

Staff and families should self-report to the school by calling their school directly if they or their child have symptoms of COVID-19, a positive test for COVID-19 or were exposed to someone with COVID-19 within the last 14 days.

Ingenium Charter School - (818) 456-4590

Barack Obama Charter School - (323) 566-1965

Ingenium Charter Middle School - (818) 309-2777

Ingenium Clarion Charter Middle School - (323) 880-4779

How to Conduct a Symptom Check Before a Student Leaves Home

Before leaving home all students, staff and families must conduct a self check. Ask yourself these questions:

Do I have a fever?
Do I have a cough?
Am I experiencing shortness of breath or difficulty breathing?
Am I experiencing any other symptoms?

If you have a fever with cough or shortness of breath, you are presumed to have COVID-19. Contact the school, let your doctor know and get a test for COVID-19. To protect others, stay home, wear a face mask when you seek medical care and follow the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health’s Home Isolation Instructions. For more information about checking symptoms visit the DPH COVID-19 Symptom page.

Required use of Face Coverings

In accordance with Los Angeles County Public Health requirements for face coverings:

Face coverings will be worn by all staff and students indoors and outdoors.
Exceptions will only be provided for individuals with medical conditions, mental health conditions or disabilities, as verified by a medical professional.
Face shields with drapes may be used by teachers for instructional purposes.
Students will be provided a face covering if they do not have one.
A face covering should be removed for meals, snacks, naptime or outdoor recreation, or when it needs to be replaced.
When a cloth face covering is temporarily removed, it should be placed in a clean paper bag (marked with the student’s name and date) until it needs to be put on again.
Cloth face coverings should be washed daily.

More information about face coverings at: https://covid19.lacounty.gov/face-coverings/

Physical Distancing

Physical distancing measures will be put into place in the different physical environments at school. All adults must stay six feet from one another and six feet away from children, while students should maintain six feet of distance from one another as practicable.

“Distancing Dots” will be placed on the ground in line areas.
The number of desks will be reduced in classrooms.
All desks will be placed at least six feet apart in classrooms.
Classroom space will be arranged to remove non-essential furniture, allowing maximum space for students and staff.
Class schedules will be staggered to ensure a limited number of students are in the hallways at any given time.
Students will not be allowed to gather in groups.
Line-up and waiting procedures meeting physical distancing guidelines will be put into place.
Routes will be designated for entry and exit to lunch, recess, and other transition times, as feasible.
Staff will be asked to practice physical distancing, including but not limited to, the following:

When working indoors or outdoor areas
Before and after the work shift
Coming and going from vehicles
Entering, working in, and exiting physical buildings or other structures

During breaks and lunch periods

For more information about physical distancing visit the DPH Physical Distancing webpage.

Screening Protocol

Screening is conducted before students, visitors and staff may enter the school.

Screening includes a check-in concerning fever, cough, shortness of breath and any other symptoms the person may be experiencing.

Screenings are conducted for each individual who enters any of our campus locations at the time of entry by:

Students

Students who screen positive at entry or who report symptoms at any point during the school day will be given a surgical mask and accompanied to an isolation space where they can remain while arrangements are made for their return home.
The COVID-19 Compliance and Response Team (CCRT) will be informed of any positive screening result in the school and initiate the School Exposure Management Plan consistent with DPH directives
Students who have had close contact with an individual who has screened positive for COVID-19 symptoms will be accompanied to the preselected quarantine space where they can remain until arrangements are made for their return home. This space is apart from the one set aside for symptomatic students. Once students return home, they are instructed to self-quarantine as required by the Health Officer Order of May 1, 2020, until such time as it has been determined that the individual screening positive for COVID-19 symptoms is negative for COVID-19. (See July 1 Quarantine HOO.pdf.)
Screening of middle and high school age students will include a question about close contact with anyone at home, school or elsewhere that the individual has been told has tested positive for COVID-19
Any middle or high school student who is screened for exposure and reports close contact with an infected person will be provided with a surgical mask and accompanied to a predetermined space in the school while arrangements are made for them to be picked up by parents in order to initiate quarantine at home. Parents will be advised to seek testing for the child.

Adult Visitors and Staff

Adult visitors and staff who screen positive at entry or who report symptoms at any point during the school day will be instructed to return home and self-isolate as required by Health Officer Order of July 1, 2020. (See July 1 Isolation HOO.pdf.)
The COVID-19 Compliance and Response Team (CCRT) will be informed of any positive screening result in the school and initiate the School Exposure Management Plan consistent with DPH directives.
Adult visitors and staff who have had close contact with an individual who has screened positive will be instructed to return home to self-quarantine as required by Health Officer Order of July 1, 2020, until such time as it has been determined that the individual screening positive for COVID-19 symptoms is negative for COVID-19. (See July 1 Quarantine HOO.pdf.)
Screening of adults will include a question about close contact with anyone at home, school or elsewhere that the individual has been told has tested positive for COVID-19.
Any adult who is screened for exposure and reports close contact with an infected person will be instructed to leave the school, return home to initiate self-quarantine and get tested for COVID-19.

Changes in School Meals to Avert Risk

School meals will look slightly different as we implement measures to maintain physical distancing. These measures include:

To the extent possible, meals will be eaten in classrooms or outdoors, without any mingling of elementary school students from different classrooms.
If students line up to pick up food, tape or other markings will be used to assure a 6-foot distance between any two students.
Staff will assist students in maintaining physical distancing and keep elementary school students from different classrooms from mingling.
If meals take place in a cafeteria, meal times are staggered to the extent feasible to reduce the number of students in the cafeteria at one time
If meals take place in a cafeteria, space between tables/chairs has been increased to support 6 feet of physical distancing. Barriers between tables and/or chairs may be used as an alternative when 6 feet of distancing is not possible.
Food items will be packaged and handed to students by district staff wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

Visitor Policies

As a preventive measure, visitors to the school are limited to essential workers. Families are encouraged to conduct business with school personnel remotely when possible. However, there will be times when visitors need to be at the site and the following protocols will be enforced:

Visits by appointment only.
Visitors must pre-register in a visitor log that includes their name, phone number and email address.
Visitors are instructed to come to their appointments alone. If a visitor must be accompanied by another person (e.g., for translation assistance, or because the visitor is a minor or has minor students) their information is captured in the visitor log.
Visitors arriving at the school with non-enrolled children (e.g., younger siblings of students) must ensure that these children stay next to an adult, avoid touching any other person or any item that does not belong to them, and are masked if two years of age or older and not at risk due to a respiratory condition.
Movement of visitors is limited to designated areas such as the reception or lobby area, offices, conference or meeting rooms and public restrooms, to the extent feasible.
Visitors must wear cloth face coverings at all times while in the school.

Updating Emergency Contact Info

Ingenium Schools will contact parents via email, text or voice message to communicate school emergencies, including school closures. Parents are asked to regularly update their cell phone numbers and email settings to assure they will get the information.

To update your contact information, please contact your school.

Hygiene

All campus visitors are asked to follow these safety guidelines:

Wash hands frequently for 20 seconds with soap and water — especially before and after eating, after coughing or sneezing, after sharing items in class and before and after using the restroom.
Portable handwashing stations will be located throughout campuses.
Use approved hand sanitizer when hand washing is not feasible.
Avoid touching your face.
Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow.
Use tissues to wipe your nose.

Cleaning

Intensified cleaning, sanitation and ventilation will be put into effect at all schools and work locations.
High-touch items will be cleaned and sanitized daily.
Classroom and student work areas will be cleaned and sanitized when a new group of students will be using the location.
School-approved Environmental Protection Agency-listed disinfectant products proven to eliminate the COVID-19 virus will be used.

Stay Home When Sick

“Stay home when sick” will be promoted and encouraged with all students and staff to keep everyone safe and healthy.

Safety Considerations for Students with Disabilities

School personnel will work closely with families of students who have health conditions that put their child at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19. As appropriate, a health and safety plan may be developed.
Students with medical needs that prohibit wearing a mask will need to use a face shield or covering. Any alternatives to face coverings should be discussed with the student's healthcare provider and documented in the student’s IEP or 504 plan.
Students with IEPs will have access to distance learning if the student’s family deems necessary.

Considerations for Staff Working with Students with Disabilities

Staff will use the type of face covering that is most conducive to addressing specific students’ needs.
IEP services will be delivered with adherence to the wearing of facial coverings, physical distancing, increased hand washing, and sanitizing.
All staff who work with students who require more hands-on services such as diapering, catheterization, feeding, etc. will use both face coverings and gloves.
Staff who work with students who require modeling of oral tasks to complete work will be issued face shields with drapes so students are able to view their instructor.

School Vehicles

Vehicles will be cleaned and sanitized between routes and when different students are seated on the bus.
Students will be screened prior to getting on the vehicle.
Students and drivers will be required to wear face coverings.

Training

Training will be provided to all students, staff and parents on COVID-19 signs and symptoms, preventing the spread and proper health and safety measures.

Other Safety Considerations

Training will be provided to all students, staff and parents on COVID-19 signs and symptoms, preventing the spread and proper health and safety measures.
Physical barriers will be installed in front office areas where face-to-face interaction with the public occurs.
Students will be encouraged to bring water bottles that can be used at water refilling stations. (Please note: water fountains will be closed to minimize COVID-19 exposure.)

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