Social Distancing
The Portland Public Schools has engaged in numerous endeavors designed to deepen our understanding of evolving public health policies and protocols. This endeavor has been complicated by the amount of information, the constantly changing nature of the information, and the occasionally inconsistent messaging from officials. At this time, the Portland Public Schools has defaulted to CDC guidelines, CT Health Department recommendations, recommendations from the Chatham Health District, and the Adapt, Advance, Achieve: Connecticut’s Plan to Learn and Grow Together to design the policies and procedure articulated in the district’s reopening plan.
The Portland Public Schools has engaged in numerous endeavors designed to deepen our understanding of evolving public health policies and protocols. This endeavor has been complicated by the amount of information, the constantly changing nature of the information, and the occasionally inconsistent messaging from officials. At this time, the Portland Public Schools has defaulted to CDC guidelines, CT Health Department recommendations, recommendations from the Chatham Health District, and the Adapt, Advance, Achieve: Connecticut’s Plan to Learn and Grow Together to design the policies and procedure articulated in the district’s reopening plan.
Communication, training, and the articulation of logistics and protocols designed to keep children, faculty and staff safe is the centerpiece of Portland’s reopening plan. We have set aside time at the beginning of the year for training of faculty and staff. Faculty and staff will train our students with developmentally appropriate methods and will endeavor to implement protocol and policy throughout the reopening process and school year. Specifically, training and protocol will emphasize the importance of social distancing, frequent hand washing and use of sanitizer, use of face coverings that cover the nose and mouth, respiratory and cough etiquette, and advanced cleaning/disinfecting of surfaces.
Communication, training, and the articulation of logistics and protocols designed to keep children, faculty and staff safe is the centerpiece of Portland’s reopening plan. We have set aside time at the beginning of the year for training of faculty and staff. Faculty and staff will train our students with developmentally appropriate methods and will endeavor to implement protocol and policy throughout the reopening process and school year. Specifically, training and protocol will emphasize the importance of social distancing, frequent hand washing and use of sanitizer, use of face coverings that cover the nose and mouth, respiratory and cough etiquette, and advanced cleaning/disinfecting of surfaces.
The district will maintain an inventory of adequate supplies, including soap, hand sanitizer with at least 60% ethyl alcohol or 70% isopropyl alcohol (for staff and older students who can safely use hand sanitizer), paper towels, tissues, disinfectant wipes, cloth face coverings (as feasible), and no-touch trash cans. The material will be provided to faculty, staff and students and deployed in a concerted effort to ensure that all health and safety protocols are implemented.
The district will maintain an inventory of adequate supplies, including soap, hand sanitizer with at least 60% ethyl alcohol or 70% isopropyl alcohol (for staff and older students who can safely use hand sanitizer), paper towels, tissues, disinfectant wipes, cloth face coverings (as feasible), and no-touch trash cans. The material will be provided to faculty, staff and students and deployed in a concerted effort to ensure that all health and safety protocols are implemented.