Health and Safety

The health and safety of students and adults in our schools is paramount. Health and safety considerations must always come first in every decision made and every action taken by our schools and districts. Whether instruction is provided in-person, remotely, or through some combination of the two, schools have an important role to play in educating and communicating with school communities about the everyday preventive actions they can take to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Prevention is accomplished by following the recommendations of health authorities in the following areas:

• • Health Checks;

  • Healthy Hygiene Practices;

  • Social Distancing;

  • Medically Vulnerable / High Risk Groups

  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Cloth Face Coverings;

  • Management of Ill Persons; and

  • Cleaning and Disinfection

HEALTH CHECKS

Prior to any staff member or student attending a school facility, they must be screened at home for symptoms associated with COVID-19. Any student or staff member with a fever of 100°F or greater and/or symptoms of possible COVID-19 virus infection should not be present in school. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) keep an up to date list of symptoms of Coronavirus on its website. This list is not all inclusive as some individuals may display other symptoms or none at all. As of 10/16/2020, the following are listed as the most common symptoms of COVID-19:

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

• Fever or chills

• Cough

• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

• Fatigue

• Muscle or body aches

• Headache

• New loss of taste or smell

• Sore throat

• Congestion or runny nose

• Nausea or vomiting

• Diarrhea

This list does not include all possible symptoms. CDC will continue to update this list as we learn more about COVID-19.

Staff members should monitor students for possible signs of any type of illness such as:

• • Flushed cheeks;

  • Rapid or difficulty breathing (without recent physical activity);

  • Fatigue, and/or irritability; and

  • Frequent use of the bathroom

Students and staff exhibiting these signs with no other explanation for them should be sent to the school health office for an assessment by the school nurse. If a school nurse is not available, the school will contact the parent/guardian to come pick up their ill child or send the staff member home. Health screenings, including daily temperature checks and completion of a screening questionnaire are required for all staff, contractors, vendors, and visitors. Students will be required to have a daily temperature check and periodic completion of a screening questionnaire. Anyone who has a temperature of 100°F or greater or has a positive response on the screening questionnaire must be isolated from others and sent home immediately. Students will be supervised in the isolated area while awaiting transport home. If necessary, the school will refer a potentially infected individual to a healthcare provider and provide resources on COVID-19 testing (https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov). Students and staff are required to notify the school when they develop symptoms or if their answers to the questionnaire change during or outside school hours. We recommend that all staff complete the daily screening questions prior to arriving to work. If this is not or cannot be done, then completion of the screening questions must be completed prior to engaging with students. Screening of students includes a daily temperature check (to be completed by parents prior to departing home) and periodic completion of a screening questionnaire. A screening questionnaire determines whether the individual has:

• knowingly been in close or proximate contact in the past 14 days with anyone who has tested positive through a diagnostic test for COVID-19 or who has or had symptoms of COVID-19;

• tested positive through a diagnostic test for COVID-19 in the past 14 days;

• has experienced any symptoms of COVID-19, including a temperature of greater than 100.0°F in the past 14 days: and/or

• has traveled internationally or from a state with widespread community transmission of COVID-19 per the New York State Travel Advisory in the past 14 days

Per NYSDOH, schools are prohibited from keeping records of student, faculty, staff, and visitor health data (e.g., the specific temperature data of an individual), but are permitted to maintain records that confirm individuals were screened and the result of such screening (e.g., pass/fail, cleared/not cleared).

COVID-19 HEALTH SCREENING ASSESSMENT - STAFF

Prior to the start of all employee’s work day, all staff members are REQUIRED to complete the online Health Screening Assessment to ensure that there is no potential for exposure to COVID-19 within the building. The COVID-19 Health Screening Assessment for staff can be found at this link: https://forms.gle/gVv7x1Vpa2ZLJcn78 . Any staff member who answers “yes” to any question on the survey should contact their immediate supervisor as soon as possible. The office of the Superintendent of Schools and People Operations have access to survey information and will monitor the responses daily to ensure the safety of our students and staff while on our campuses.

COVID-19 HEALTH SCREENING ASSESSMENT - STUDENTS

On a weekly basis, all students who are attending in-person learning experiences are REQUIRED to complete the online Health Screening Assessment to ensure that there is no potential for exposure to COVID-19 within the building. The COVID-19 Health Screening Assessment for students can be found at this link: https://forms.gle/f3js5MZZxYuziMzZ6. Any parent who answers “yes” to any question on the survey should keep their student home from school and contact the principal or school nurse. The building principal and school nurse have access to survey information and will monitor the responses daily to ensure the safety of our students and staff while on our campuses.

COVID-19 HEALTH SCREENING ASSESSMENT - VISITORS

All visitors entering a Rome City School District facility are REQUIRED to complete the online Health Screening Assessment to ensure that there is no potential for exposure to COVID-19 within the building. The COVID-19 Health Screening Assessment for visitors can be found at this link: https://forms.gle/NKmyMUSmnaY36ksMA. Any visitor who answers “yes” to any question on the survey will not be permitted into our facilities. The office of the Superintendent of Schools, office of People Operations, office of the Assistant Superintendent for Operations and Management, Director of Facilities, building principals, and school nurses have access to survey information and will monitor the responses to ensure the safety of our students and staff while on our campuses.

TEMPERATURE SCREENINGS

In some cases, it will not be practical for temperature checks to be performed prior to students arriving at school. Students whose parent/guardian cannot complete a temperature screening prior to arriving at school will have their temperature screened upon arrival by a school nurse or another properly trained school official. All unscheduled visitors will also be subject to temperature screenings and the Health Screening Assessment. While waiting for a temperature screening, students must be socially distanced. All individuals conducting temperature screenings will use:

• a non-contact thermometer;

• a face shield;

• a face mask

• disposable gloves;

• reliance on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Upon arrival, the screener should wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, put on all PPE listed above. A gown could be considered if extensive contact with an employee is anticipated.

Then:

• Make a visual inspection of the individual for signs of illness, which could include flushed cheeks or

fatigue, and confirm that the individual is not experiencing coughing or shortness of breath.

• If performing a temperature check on multiple individuals, make sure that you use a clean pair

of gloves for each individual and that the thermometer has been thoroughly cleaned in

between each check. If disposable or non-contact thermometers are used and you did not have

physical contact with an individual, you do not need to change gloves before the next check. If noncontact thermometers are used, you should clean and disinfect them according to manufacturer’s instructions and facility policies.

• After each screening or after several screenings, where you did not have physical contact with an

individual, remove and discard PPE and wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/general-business-faq.html

The process for conducting temperature checks of individuals upon arrival at a school facility will be:

1. Non-contact digital temperature screening device will take initial temperature of all students and staff;

2. If an individual’s temperature is below 100-degrees, they will be permitted to continue to their classroom or other desired location;

3. If an individual’s temperature is above 100-degrees, they will be screened a second time by a school nurse utilizing a hand-held non-contact digital thermometer.

HEALTHY HYGIENE PRACTICES

Healthy hygiene practices will be taught and re-taught in our schools for both students and staff. In an effort to assist our entire community in learning and promoting healthy hygiene practices, we encourage families and staff to review the CDC’s video resource page (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/). Additionally, our schools will have signs throughout their facilities to continuously remind our students and staff of healthy hygiene practices.

HAND HYGIENE

Students and staff must practice good hand hygiene to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. For in-person instructional models, time will be built into each daily schedule for students and staff to maintain healthy hand hygiene. Hand hygiene includes:

• • Traditional hand washing (with soap and warm water, lathering for a minimum of 20 seconds), which is the preferred method;

  • Use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers (60% alcohol or greater) when soap and water are not available, and hands are not visibly dirty. NYSED’s Memo: Handwashing Recommendations and Alcohol-based Hand Sanitizer Use in Schools (http://www.p12.nysed.gov) provides information to schools regarding the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers;

  • Hand sanitizer dispensers will be placed in all classrooms, throughout common areas (e.g. entrances, cafeteria), and near high touch surfaces;

  • Signage will be located near hand sanitizer indicating visibly soiled hands should be washed with soap and water; and

  • Students or staff that are unable to use alcohol-based hand sanitizers for health reasons will be permitted to wash their hands with soap and water.

The CDC guidance on when and how to wash your hands (https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing) provides information on when handwashing should occur, how to wash hands correctly, and how to correctly use alcohol-based hand sanitizers. At a minimum, students and staff should wash hands, as follows:

• • Upon entering the building and each classroom;

  • After using shared objects or surfaces (e.g. electronic devices, musical instruments, writing utensils, tools, toys, desks or table tops);

  • Before and after snacks and lunch;

  • After using the bathroom;

  • After helping a student with toileting;

  • After sneezing, wiping or blowing nose, or coughing into hands;

  • Upon coming in from outdoors; and

  • Anytime hands are visibly soiled.

Everyone is encouraged to frequently wash their hands with soap and water throughout the day, especially after they have been in a public place, used a shared object, or coughed or sneezed. When soap and water is not readily available, an approved hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol should be used. The CDC recommends hand washing with soap and water whenever possible as the best means of hand sanitization.

• Building hand sanitizer stations: we are installing at least one new hand sanitizer station in the main entrance or lobby of each building. Additional hand sanitizer stations have been ordered and once received will be installed at additional building entrances. These stations are available for everyone’s use and will be refilled as needed.

• Personal bottles of hand sanitizer: A personal bottle of hand sanitizer will be provided to staff when they return to work. Employees must keep their personal bottle of hand sanitizer for use at work. Except for unique situations, the district does not currently plan to replenish or continually supply personal bottles of hand sanitizer to staff. Everyone is encouraged to wash their hands with soap and water whenever possible and to use building hand sanitizer stations.

• Departmental hand sanitizer bottles: In locations where access to a sink or the building hand sanitizer stations is not readily available, a bottle of hand sanitizer may be requested to have available centrally in the area. When access to a sink is available, hand washing with soap and water is best.

• School medical or health directors should approve and permit the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers in school facilities without individual’s physician orders as alcohol-based hand sanitizers are considered over-the-counter drugs. Student use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers should always be supervised by adults to minimize accidental ingestion and promote safe usage; supervision is required for elementary school students. Parents/guardians can inform the school that they do not want their child to use alcohol-based hand sanitizers by sending a written notice to the school. Schools must provide accommodations for students who cannot use hand sanitizer, to allow for their use of handwashing stations.

RESPIRATORY HYGIENE

The COVID-19 virus spreads from person to person in droplets produced by coughs and sneezes. Therefore, it is important that students and staff cover their mouths or noses with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and dispose of the tissue appropriately. A supply of tissues and no touch trash cans are available in each room. If no tissue is available, using the inside of the elbow (or shirtsleeve) to cover the mouth or nose is preferable to using the hands. Always perform hand hygiene after sneezing, coughing and handling dirty tissues or other soiled material.

SOCIAL DISTANCING

Social Distancing, also called “physical distancing”, means keeping a six (6) foot space between yourself and others. The Rome City School District will enforce social distancing in all school facilities and on school grounds, including transportation. During in-person learning experiences, we will ensure that student groupings are as static as possible by having the same group/cohort of students stay together. Additionally,

• In-person learning experiences will be limited to student groupings/cohorts of between 8-12 students;

• Arrival and/or dismissal times may be adjusted to allow for minimal people arriving/leaving a facility at a given time. This may include different arrival/dismissal times for students who are walking or being driven to school;

• Schools will use multiple entryways to allow for minimal people entering/exiting a facility at a given time;

• Parents/guardians will not be permitted to exit their vehicles when dropping off or picking up their students. Students will be expected to walk from the car to the entrance for arrival, and will be escorted to their parent/guardian’s vehicle at dismissal;

• In-school movement will be restricted where possible by keeping students within a defined area or classroom and modifying class schedules and/or class transitions will follow these recommendations:

  • If possible, we will have the same cohort of students with the same teacher each day;

  • Special area teachers (e.g., music, art, physical education) may go to individual classrooms versus rotating all students through a shared space that is not able to be cleaned with each new use. Whenever possible, hold physical education and music classes outside and encourage students to spread out.

• Staggered use of restrooms will be required, allowing use at other times when necessary. Bathrooms may be monitored by staff to ensure social distancing, that it is clean, and students are washing hands after use;

• Staff should open windows to improve ventilation. Do not open windows if there is a health or safety risk (e.g., allergies, or potential fall);

• Individual student belongings will be separated. To the greatest extent possible, students will not share supplies and if shared supplies are necessary, they will be cleaned between use;

• Visual aids (e.g., painter’s tape, stickers, posters, cones etc.) to illustrate traffic flow and appropriate spacing to support social distancing will be utilized where appropriate throughout our facilities;

• The use of common gathering areas for students and staff (e.g., lockers, cubbies, entryways, hallways) will be restricted throughout the school day;

• We will limit gathering in small spaces (e.g., elevators, offices) to one individual at a time, unless all individuals in such space are wearing acceptable face coverings;

• Playgrounds may continue to be used when proper safeguards are in place. In elementary school settings, staggered playground usage will be implemented. Washing hands before and after touching play structures and keeping six (6) feet of space from other students as much as possible will be encouraged. When possible, building in visual cues that demonstrate physical spacing will be done by our staff;

• When participating in activities that require projecting the voice (e.g., singing), playing a wind instrument, or aerobic activity, social distancing of twelve (12) feet in all directions must be maintained between individuals;

• School-wide meetings, after hours parent organization meetings, community facility usage, student field trips, and other events that require mass gatherings of students and/or community in our facilities WILL NOT BE PERMITTED. Schools will utilize virtual meeting/field trip options to the greatest extent possible;

• Visitors to our facilities will be admitted on an extremely limited basis with priority given to district leaders, parents to address a student health emergency, facilities/maintenance/grounds staff, and staff generally assigned to work remotely. Schools will be encouraged to conduct all parent conferences and meetings remotely.

MEDICALLY VULNERABLE / HIGH-RISK GROUPS

The following groups are at increased risk for complications from COVID-19 and may need added or alternative provisions for social distancing. Students who have family members who are in high risk groups may also need to attend school remotely. Persons in these groups should consult with their healthcare provider regarding prevention:

• Individuals age 65 or older;

• Pregnant individuals;

• Individuals with underlying health conditions including, but not limited to:

  • chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma

  • serious heart conditions

  • immunocompromised

  • severe obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 30 or higher)

  • diabetes

  • chronic kidney disease undergoing dialysis

  • liver disease

  • sickle cell anemia

  • children who are medically complex, who have neurologic, genetic, metabolic conditions, or who have congenital heart disease are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 than other children.

Students with special needs or students who are medically fragile may not be able to maintain social distancing, hand or respiratory hygiene, or wear a face covering or mask. It is important for parents/ guardians to work with their student’s healthcare providers so that an informed decision can be made on how best to meet the student’s needs at school while protecting their health and safety. Transitioning these students back to school will require:

• Planning and coordination of:

  • Student’s healthcare provider

  • School Health Services Personnel (school nurses)

  • Supported Learning personnel

  • People Operation services and

  • School Administration.

• Being aware that such families are already under significant stress and COVID-19 has made their situations more critical.

Alternate plans created in consultation with school health personnel on how to meet the needs of the student while keeping social distancing may include:

• Additional PPE for staff caring for such students;

• Assigning only one staff member to care for the student; and/or

• Decreased students in a classroom, alternating schedules, and provision of related services ton an individual basis.

Medical Mask Exemption Form

Finally, if parents/guardians choose not to send their student back to school, the Rome City School District will provide instruction remotely. Please see the section on Teaching and Learning for more details.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/infection-control-recommendations.html

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)

The OSHA COVID-19 guidance (https://www.osha.gov) sets forth when PPE is needed by staff, pursuant to the OSHA standards. The CDC recommends that school-based health personnel use Healthcare Facilities: Managing Operations During COVID19 Pandemic Updated June 29, 2020 (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus) guidance when providing care to ill persons as part of infection control protocols:

• Licensed healthcare professionals must utilize standard precautions at all times;

• Transmission- based precautions should be used when assessing persons suspected of having COVID-19;

• We ensure that we will have adequate supplies of PPE for use by school health professionals to assess and care for ill students and staff members;

• Such PPE includes, but is not limited to:

  • face masks (disposable surgical masks)

  • respirators (N95) masks that are fit tested

  • eye protection or face shields

  • gloves

  • disposable gowns.

For optimal protection, when worn, the face shield must be used with a face mask and:

• Extend below the chin anteriorly;

• To the ears laterally;

• There should be no exposed gap between the forehead and the shield’s headpiece;

• Only be worn one person per shield;

• Be cleaned between use; and

• The wearer should wash their hands after removing the shield and before putting it on.

Obtaining PPE may be difficult due to high demand. Upon returning to school for in-person learning experiences in September, the Rome City School District will provide all staff members with two (2) cloth masks and a face shield. All students will be provided with one (1) cloth mask. If desired, staff and students may utilize their own personal PPE from home. Please note, to assist those students and staff who forget the required PPE for in-person learning experiences, we are prepared with a stock of disposable masks for students in the quantity of one (1) disposable mask per student, per day; disposable masks for staff in the quantity of one (1) disposable mask per staff member, per day; and for school nurses in the quantity of two (2) disposable masks per nurse, per day. To assist students and staff in obtaining necessary PPE equipment, we ask that you please contact our Facilities Department (https://www.romecsd.org/district).

AEROSOL GENERATING PROCEDURES

Respiratory treatments administered by nurses generally result in aerosolization of respiratory secretions. These aerosol generating procedures (AGPs) potentially put healthcare personnel and others at an increased risk for pathogen exposure and infection. The CDC recommends PPE use when administering AGPs. PPE consists of:

• Gloves;

• N95 or surgical facemask;

• Eye protection; and

• A gown (if necessary).

PPE should be used when:

• Suctioning;

• Administering nebulizer treatments; or

• Using peak flow meters with students who have respiratory conditions.

Treatments such as nebulizer medication treatments and oral or tracheostomy suctioning should be conducted in a room separate from others with nursing personnel wearing appropriate PPE. For nebulizer treatments, if developmentally appropriate, the nurse could leave the room and return when the nebulizer treatment is finished. Cleaning of the room will occur between use and cleaning of the equipment should be done following manufacturer’s instructions after each use. The CDC recommends during the COVID-19 pandemic that respiratory medications utilizing metered dose inhalers (MDI) with a spacer or valved holding chamber be used over nebulizer treatments whenever possible. Nebulizer treatments at school should be reserved for students who cannot use an MDI (with or without spacer or valved holding chamber). Use of peak flow meters, including in the school setting, includes forceful exhalation.

Some procedures performed on patients with suspected or confirmed a COVID-19 infection could generate

infectious aerosols. Procedures that pose such risk should be performed cautiously and avoided if possible.

If performed, the following should occur:

• Staff in the room should wear an N95 or equivalent or higher-level respirator, eye protection, gloves, and a gown.

• The number of staff members present during the procedure should be limited to only those essential for patient care and procedure support.

• Visitors should not be present for any reason.

• Whenever possible, AGPs should ideally take place in an AIIR.

• Clean and disinfect procedure room surfaces promptly as described within this document.

Whenever possible, students will be asked to utilize a personal inhaler to avoid the need for conducting any form of AGP. If a nurse is performing suctioning or administering nebulizer treatments, then she/he must wear an N95 and wear a face shield. Surgical masks will not offer her/him the adequate protection as the respiratory droplets will pass through a surgical mask.

CLOTH FACE COVERINGS

Cloth face coverings are meant to protect other people in case the wearer is unknowingly infected but does not have symptoms. Cloth face coverings (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus) are not surgical masks, respirators, or other medical personal protective equipment. All individuals in school facilities and on school grounds must be prepared to put on a face covering if another person unexpectedly cannot socially distance. All students and staff members must wear cloth face coverings:

• Whenever they are within 6 feet of someone;

• For staff, whenever they are in the presence of students;

• In hallways;

• In restrooms; and

• In other congregate settings, including buses.

Schools must provide acceptable face covering to employees (and students if they forget their own) and have an adequate supply in case of need for replacement per Executive Order 202.16. Employees with healthcare provider documentation stating they are not medically able to tolerate face covering cannot be required to do so. Face coverings may be challenging for students (especially younger students) to wear in all-day settings such as school, so scheduling mask breaks will be important. Face coverings should not be placed on:

• Children younger than 2 years old;

• Students where such covering would impair their health or mental health, or where such covering would present a challenge, distraction, or obstruction to education services and instruction;

• Anyone who has trouble breathing or is unconscious; or

• Anyone who is incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the cloth face covering without assistance.

Information and resources to assist schools in instructing on the proper use and cleaning of facemasks are on the CDC webpage on cloth face coverings (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus). Students and staff may use alternate PPE (i.e., face coverings that are transparent at or around the mouth) for instruction or interventions that require visualization of the movement of the lips and/or mouths (e.g., speech therapy). These alternate coverings may also be used for certain students (e.g., hearing impaired) who benefit from being able to see more of the face of the staff member.

FACE SHIELDS

Face shields are one of the recommended face coverings for all individuals to wear in an effort to reduce potential exposure to COVID-19. The Rome City School District recommends that all staff members who are working within three (3) feet of another individual wear both a cloth mask and a face shield. This is a recommendation based on the feedback of medical professionals that were consulted during the development of our plan.

GLOVES

Vinyl or nitrile gloves will be provided to staff in a health care capacity, food services, facilities (maintenance, custodial, etc.) and any other area as required to help staff safely perform their duties. Based on guidelines from the CDC, gloves are not required or recommended for general use to protect against COVID-19. Instead, practice frequent hand-washing and use of hand sanitizer.

MANAGEMENT OF ILL PERSONS

Students and staff with symptoms of illness must be sent to the health office. Ideally, one of our school nurses (Registered Professional Nurse, RN) would be available to assess individuals as chronic conditions such as asthma and allergies or chronic gastrointestinal conditions may present the same symptoms as COVID-19, but are neither contagious nor pose a public health threat. If a school nurse is not available, students will have to isolate for a brief period of time until a nurse becomes available to evaluate the student. Any student or staff member who has a fever or other symptoms of COVID-19 that are not explained by a chronic health condition will be dismissed for follow up with a health care provider.

IF STUDENTS OR STAFF BECOME ILL WITH SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19 AT SCHOOL

Schools should follow Education Law § 906 (http://www.p12.nysed.gov), which provides:

whenever…a student in the public schools shows symptoms of any communicable or infectious disease reportable under the public health law that imposes a significant risk of infection of others in the school, he or she shall be excluded from the school and sent home immediately, in a safe and proper conveyance. The director of school health services shall immediately notify a local public health agency of any disease reportable under the public health law. The director of school health services, or other health professionals acting upon direction or referral of such director, may make such evaluations of teachers and any other school employees, school buildings and premises as, in their discretion, they may deem necessary to protect the health of the students and staff.

School staff must immediately report any illness of students or staff to the building principal or other designated school staff. Such reports should be made in compliance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), and Education Law 2-d. All health evaluations in our schools will be conducted in the nurse’s office, or an established secondary evaluation room. School nurses and other school health professionals assessing or providing care to ill students and staff should follow the CDC’s Transmission- based precautions (https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol), which includes the use of appropriate PPE (see section on PPE). Students suspected of having COVID-19 awaiting transport home by the parent/guardian must be isolated in a room or area separate from others, with a supervising adult present utilizing appropriate PPE.

Based on the recommendations of the CDC and NYSDOH, if an illness in school occurs:

• The school will immediately go into lock down to prevent the movement of any person within the building;

• Any area determined to have been used by a sick person will be closed immediately and not used until after cleaning and disinfection has occurred;

• The school will wait 24 hours before beginning the cleaning and disinfection process, which means a two (2) day period for cleaning should be expected;

• If feasible, outside doors and windows will be opened to increase air circulation in the area.

• All areas used by the person suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19, such as offices, classrooms, bathrooms, lockers, and common areas, will then undergo a thorough cleaning and disinfecting process.

  • Once the area has been appropriately cleaned and disinfected it can be reopened for use.

  • Individuals without close or proximate contact with the person suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 can return to the area and resume school activities immediately after cleaning and disinfection.

• As soon as the building is secured and movement of individuals is restricted, the building principal will provide notification to parents/guardians regarding the potential concerns through mass communication mediums.

• Any student, parent/guardian, or staff member who has been determined to have been in direct contact with a potentially infected individual (through contact tracing) will be notified directly of the situation, and provided information how they may be tested for COVID-19.

• In the event that a student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19, a determination will be made regarding the possible need to close the school facility completely for a given period of time. Determination to completely close a school facility will be done in collaboration with the Oneida County Department of Health and all required Executive Orders and NYSED guidelines.

Ill students will remain in an isolation room while awaiting arrival of their parent/guardian. Upon arrival of a student’s parent/guardian:

• Students will be escorted from the isolation area to the parent/guardian;

• The parent/guardian should call their health care provider, or if they do not have a health care provider, follow up with a local clinic or urgent care center;

• Symptomatic students or staff members should follow the CDC’s Stay Home When You Are Sick (https://www.cdc.gov/flu/business/stay-home-when-sick.htm)

• guidance unless otherwise directed by a healthcare provider or the local department of health. If the student or staff member has emergency warning signs such as trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion, bluish lips or face, 911 will be contacted immediately and the operator will be made aware that the person may have COVID-19.

In conjunction with the above regarding COVID-19, all members of the Rome City School District Staff will receive information on the symptoms of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/mis-c) associated with COVID-19 which is a serious condition associated with COVID-19 in children and youth, for awareness purposes. We will notify the parent/guardian of any student if their child shows any of the following symptoms and recommend the child be referred for immediate follow up with a healthcare provider:

• fever

• abdominal pain

• vomiting

• diarrhea

• neck pain

• rash

• bloodshot eyes

• feeling extra tired

Schools must call for emergency transport (911) following district policies, for any student showing any of these emergency warning signs of MIS-C or other concerning signs:

• trouble breathing

• pain or pressure in the chest that does not go away

• new confusion

• inability to wake or stay awake

• bluish lips or face

• severe abdominal pain

If a student or staff member reports having tested positive for COVID-19, the school administrator or his/her designee must notify the local health department to determine what steps are needed for the school community.

RETURN TO SCHOOL/WORK AFTER ILLNESS

Schools must follow the CDC guidance (https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov) for allowing a student or staff member to return to school/work after exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19. If a person is not diagnosed by a healthcare provider (physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant) with COVID-19 they can return to school/work:

• Once there is no fever, without the use of fever reducing medicines, and they have felt well for 24 hours;

• If they have been diagnosed with another condition and have a healthcare provider written note stating they are clear to return to school.

If a person is diagnosed with COVID-19 by a healthcare provider based on a test or does not get a COVID-19 test but has had symptoms, they should not be at school/work and should stay at home until:

• It has been at least ten (10) days since the individual first had symptoms;

• It has been at least three (3) days since the individual has had a fever (without using fever reducing medicine); and

• It has been at least three (3) days since the individual’s symptoms improved, including cough and shortness of breath.

The CDC provides specific guidance for individuals who are on home isolation regarding when the isolation may end which can be found in the Discontinuation of Isolation for Persons with COVID-19 Not in Healthcare Settings (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus). The CDC recommendations for discontinuing isolation in persons known to be infected with COVID-19 could, in some circumstances, appear to conflict with recommendations on when to discontinue quarantine for persons known to have been exposed to COVID-19. The CDC recommends fourteen (14) days of quarantine after exposure based on the time it may take to develop illness if infected. Thus, it is possible that a person known to be infected could leave isolation earlier than a person who is quarantined because of the possibility they are infected.

COVID-19 TESTING

The Rome City School District WILL NOT conduct COVID-19 testing or require testing or antibody testing of students or staff members. The decision of whether a test needs to be conducted should be determined by a healthcare provider or the local department of health, please see: The CDC Interim Considerations for K-12 School Administrators for SARS-CoV-2 Testing (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus). Any staff member, student, parent/guardian that needs a test should visit our local testing laboratory at either of the below locations:

https://www.google.com/maps/wellnow https://www.google.com/maps/griffiss

CONTACT TRACING

Contact tracing is a public health function performed by local public health departments to trace all persons who had contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19. This allows public health officials to put in place isolation or other measures to limit the spread of the virus. The Rome City School District is required to cooperate with state and local health department contact tracing. We will assist public health departments in knowing who may have had contact at school with a confirmed case by:

• keeping accurate attendance records of students and staff members;

• ensuring student schedules are up to date;

• keeping a log of any visitors which includes date, time and where in the school they visited; and

• Assist local health departments in tracing all contacts of the individual at school in accordance with the protocol, training, and tools provided through the New York State Contact Tracing Program (https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov);

• Questions should be directed to the local health department.

Confidentiality must be maintained as required by federal and state laws and regulations. School staff WILL NOT try to determine who is to be excluded from school based on contact without guidance and direction from the local department of health.

SCHOOL CLOSURES

The Rome City School District will work in collaboration with the Oneida County Department of Health, the City of Rome, and Rome Hospital to monitor regional and local statistics related to COVID-19 positive cases and hospitalizations. If in-person learning school attendance rates fall below 93% (our average yearly attendance rate for all students), the school district will consult with local health officials to determine the potential need to close a specific school, or all schools. If there is a significant increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations, to the point where hospital capacity to serve patients is minimal, the school district will consult with local and regional health officials regarding a possible closure of schools to prevent further spread of the virus. Mandatory school closure will occur if the Governor’s parameters for closure are reached, which is a nine-percent (9%) regional infection rate on a seven (7) day rolling average.

CLEANING AND DISINFECTION

Frequent cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces are key to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19 in our buildings. The facilities department works diligently to clean and disinfect each building throughout the district daily and has increased the frequency of cleaning surfaces in high-traffic areas. To supplement their efforts, we ask that all staff routinely clean and disinfect your personal work areas and commonly touched surfaces within classrooms/offices/buildings. The CDC provides Reopening Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfection (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus) with specific guidance for schools along with the Cleaning and Disinfection Decision Tool (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/clean-disinfect) to aid in determining what level of cleaning and/or disinfection is necessary. School wide cleaning WILL include classrooms, restrooms, cafeterias, libraries, playgrounds, and busses. The guidance framework for cleaning and disinfection is based on doing the following:

• Normal routine cleaning with soap and water will decrease how much of the virus is on surfaces and objects, which reduces the risk of exposure;

• Disinfection using US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-approved disinfectants against COVID-19. Where disinfectants are used, products should be registered with EPA and the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Frequent disinfection of surfaces and objects touched by multiple people is important;

• When EPA-approved disinfectants are not available, alternative disinfectants can be used (e.g., 1/3 cup of bleach added to 1 gallon of water or 70% alcohol solutions). Do not mix bleach or other cleaning and disinfection products together. This can cause fumes that may be extremely dangerous to breathe in. Keep all disinfectants out of the reach of students;

• All Rome City School District facilities will be thoroughly cleaned on a daily basis;

• High traffic areas where students are moving throughout the day will be cleaned and disinfected throughout the day after student travel through an area is complete;

• Our schools will maintain cleaning logs that include the date, time, and scope of cleaning and disinfection in a facility or area. These logs will be located in the office of the building custodian.

High touch surfaces must be cleaned and disinfected frequently throughout the day. Examples of high touch surfaces include:

• Tables;

• Doorknobs;

• Light switches;

• Countertops;

• Handles;

• Desks;

• Phones;

• Keyboards and tablets;

• Toilets and restrooms; and

• Faucets and sinks.

In many cases, staff members may be expected to clean their own work areas on a frequent basis to comply with frequent cleaning requirements. Students should not be present when disinfectants are in use and should not participate in cleaning and/or disinfection activities.

Playgrounds should be cleaned per CDC guidance (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus):

• outdoor areas, like playgrounds in schools and parks generally require normal routine cleaning, but do not require disinfection

• do not spray disinfectant on outdoor playgrounds- it is not an efficient use of supplies and is not proven to reduce risk of COVID-19 to the public

• high touch surfaces made of plastic or metal, such as grab bars and railings should be cleaned routinely

• cleaning and disinfection of wooden surfaces (play structures, benches, tables) or groundcovers (mulch, sand) is not recommended

  • sidewalks and roads should not be disinfected.

  • Shared athletic/gym equipment (e.g., balls, protective gear) should be cleaned between use per manufacturer’s directions.

DISINFECTANT PRODUCTS

All cleaning products and disinfectants used within the Rome City School will be from the New York State Registered Disinfectants based on EPA regulations. A copy of this list can be found at http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/materials_minerals_pdf/covid19.pdf

HOW TO CLEAN AND DISINFECT

The CDC guidance on cleaning and disinfection (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus) is our best resource. Some highlights include:

• If surfaces are visually dirty, clean with soap and water prior to disinfectant application.

• Spray or wipe the area with an approved disinfecting product.

• Adhere to the manufacturer’s recommended contact time for the disinfectant to know how long the surface should remain wet for the disinfectant to be effective.

• When cleaning keyboards, copiers and electronic equipment, do not spray disinfectant directly onto the equipment; spray the disinfectant onto a paper towel or use a disinfecting wipe.

• Throw away towels or wipes used for cleaning after each use.

• Wash hands immediately after cleaning and disinfecting.

• Contact the facilities department or your building head custodian if you need help in any way.

• Safety information on all district-provided COVID-19 disinfectants is available in the Director of Facilities office.

CLEANING AND DISINFECTION SUPPLIES

Spray bottles of EPA-approved surface disinfectants and dry paper wipes will be provided for use in supporting the cleaning and disinfecting of personal and shared work areas. Due to extreme supply shortages, disinfecting wipes may not always be available for distribution. Disinfecting supplies should be available for frequent disinfection of shared and common use areas and high touch surfaces. A single bottle may be required to be used by multiple employees and in multiple areas until supply availability improves. Due to the limited availability of spray nozzles and bottles, empty disinfectant spray bottles must not be disposed of. Empty spray bottles should be returned to the head custodian for refilling and redistribution.

REMOVAL FROM SCHOOL FACILITIES

During these unprecedented times, there are significant concerns that many individuals have related to the compliance of following health and safety requirements and/or recommendations. All students, staff, and visitors are expected to comply with all of the above health and safety expectations of the Rome City School District. Students and visitors that refuse or consistently violate these expectations (without medical documentation permitting variances) may be subject to removal from our facilities. The Rome City School District reserves the right to deny access to our facilities for students and/or visitors who do not comply to health and safety expectations. If a student is removed from a facility, the action will not be deemed disciplinary in nature; however, it will be considered a decision in the best interest of the health and safety of the others in the facility. Students removed from a facility will be provided remote learning opportunities. Staff members who refuse or consistently violate these expectations (without medical documentation permitting variances) may be subject to removal from our facilities. Staff members who are removed from a facility due to non-compliance of health and safety expectations will be subject to discipline.

MESSAGING

While schools are in session, the Rome City School District will broadcast messages every hour reminding all individuals within a facility to abide all requirements of in-person, including but not limited to:

• Hand washing hygiene;

• Avoiding close contract, social distancing;

• Wear a face covering as much as possible;

• Avoid touching face;

• Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing;

• Clean and disinfect frequently;

• Stay home when sick.

TRAINING

As part of our training program for a return to in-person learning experiences, the Rome City School District will require all employees who will be in our facilities in September 2020 to affirm that they have received, read, and understand this document. As school re-opens, individual buildings will hold training sessions for staff to better understand how these guidelines apply to their specific work environment. Below is a list of several websites that individuals (staff, parents, guardians) may visit to gain a better understanding of health and safety requirements.

• Hand Washing Video ~ (https://www.youtube.com/hands)

• PPE / Face Coverings ~ (https://www.youtube.com/mask)

• PPE / Face Coverings ~ (https://www.youtube.com/PPE)

• Protecting Yourself ~ (https://www.youtube.com/precautions)

• Protect Against COVID-19 ~ (https://www.youtube.com/covid19)