Health & Safety

Responsible Parties: Responsible Parties shall be responsible for developing the plan, affirming to having read and adhere to this guidance, and meeting the standards set forth therein. For Science Academies of New York Charter Schools, the district Superintendent, Operations Managers, Human Resources, School Nurses, Deans of Schools, members of the School Safety Committee, and those assigned by school leaders, are the Responsible Parties. Responsible parties will be referred to as SANY throughout the document. SANY will engage with school stakeholders and community members when developing its reopening plans. Responsible parties and a designated COVID-19 safety coordinator will be responsible for continued compliance with all aspects of the school’s reopening plan, as well as any phased-in reopening activities necessary to allow for operational issues to be resolved before activities return to normal or “new normal” levels.

Face Coverings: SANY will maintain protocols and procedures for students, faculty, staff, and other individuals to ensure appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is used to protect against the transmission of the COVID-19 virus when on school grounds and in school facilities. Specifically, appropriate PPE means, at minimum, an acceptable face covering, which is strongly recommended to be worn by all individuals at all times but is required to be worn any time or place that individuals cannot maintain appropriate social distancing per the NYSED Guidance and NYSDOH. However, if face coverings are to be worn by all individuals at all times, SANY will allow students to remove their face covering during meals, instruction, and for short breaks so long as they maintain appropriate social distance. Acceptable face coverings include but are not limited to cloth-based face coverings (e.g., homemade sewn, quick cut, bandana), and surgical masks that cover both the mouth and nose. Students must wear a face covering on buses if they are physically able. SANY will obtain and maintain adequate supplies of cloth face coverings for school staff, students who forget their masks, and PPE for use by school health professionals.

Social Distancing: SANY will maintain protocols and procedures for students, faculty, and staff to ensure appropriate social distancing to protect against transmission of the COVID-19 virus when on school grounds and in school facilities per the NYSED Guidance and NYSDOH. Specifically, appropriate social distancing means six feet of space in all directions between individuals, or use of appropriate physical barriers between individuals that do not adversely affect air flow, heating, cooling, or ventilation, or otherwise present a health or safety risk. If used, physical barriers must be put in place in accordance with United States Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines and may include strip curtains, cubicle walls, plexiglass or similar materials, or other impermeable dividers or partitions.

Spaces: To reduce social density, SANY will consider and assess additional and/or alternate indoor space(s) that may be repurposed for instruction or other required purposes in support of in-person instruction within the school facility, school grounds, as well as outdoor space(s) where health and safety conditions (e.g., allergies, asthma) allow for such potential usage per the NYSED Guidance and NYSDOH.

In-Person Instruction: To ensure equity in education, SANY will prioritize efforts to return all students to in-person instruction at this time. However, based on the dynamic nature of local community transmission of the COVID-19 virus, a phased-in approach or hybrid model combining in-person instruction and remote/distance learning may be necessary at various times throughout the 2020-2021 school year. Parents are required to pick their education model by August 14, 2020.

Parents will have the option to change their education model (hybrid or remote) at the end of each marking period. If space is available this request will be accommodated. If they need to change their education model for any reason families will need to make this request in writing to the School Dean two weeks prior to the end of the marking period. If space is available this accommodation can be made. As per our policy families are responsible for contacting transportation to arrange for busing. If transportation can not be accommodated families will be required to self transport should they choose the in-person education option.

Cohorts: SANY will “cohort” students, to the extent practicable, to limit potential exposure to the COVID-19 virus. Cohorts, particularly for younger students, are self contained , pre-assigned groups of students with reasonable group size limits set forth per NYSED and NYSDOH Guidance. SANY will enact measures to prevent intermingling between cohorts, to the extent possible (e.g., separation by appropriate social distancing, particularly if there are multiple cohorts in one area). SANY will make reasonable efforts to ensure that cohorts are fixed –meaning contain the same students –for the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency. Faculty may instruct more than one cohort so long as appropriate social distancing is maintained.

SANY “cohorts” will not exceed 12 students per group as long as six feet of space is maintained in all directions between individuals. SANY will have set schedules for cohorts and students will not change classrooms except transition to activities such as going outside for recess, bathroom breaks, etc. This will be part of their daily schedule and only one cohort will be allowed in the hallway at a time. Students and staff in common areas and during transitioning they will wear masks as required per our policy.

Screening: SANY will implement mandatory health screenings, including temperature checks, of students, faculty, staff, contractors, vendors, and visitors to identify any individuals who may have COVID-19 or who may have been exposed to the COVID-19 virus per the NYSED and NYSDOH Guidance. Specifically, all individuals must have their temperature checked each day.

Questionnaires/Surveys will include questions regarding recent international travel or travel within a state with widespread transmission of COVID-19 as designated through the New York State Travel Advisory, before allowing such individuals to return in-person to the school.

Capacity: The number of students will be based on the square-footage of the room, however, no more than 12 students will be permitted per classroom at SANY to ensure social distancing per the CDC guidelines. Faculty and staff will be allowed to return in-person using a phased in approach (12 months staff return, followed by the deans, academic coaches and teachers with one week between each group), with consideration given to factors and guidelines put forth by the CDC and NYSDOH guidelines.

Social distancing: All those that are on the school grounds and/or in school facilities will maintain a minimum of 6 feet. If this is unable to be maintained staff and students will be required to have face covering/mask. SANY will also make available disposable face coverings, floor markings, postings and other requirements per the CDC and NYSDOH. Floor decals marking 6’ distance in high congestion areas and classrooms will be posted when possible. Directional arrows will be on floors indicating traffic flow patterns in hallways, staircases, entrances and exits of large rooms (auditorium, cafeteria, etc.).

PPE and Face Coverings: SANY will provide appropriate PPE to protect against transmission of the COVID-19 virus to all when on school grounds and in school facilities upon entry. Upon entry all students, faculty, and staff are required to have the required PPE (i.e., acceptable face coverings) before entering school facilities, grounds, or any other space owned or administered by the school or school district (e.g., school buses). If they do not bring their own PPE SANY will provide the PPE to staff and students to gain entry to the facilities.

Operational Activity: Classes, shared spaces, and activities may be adapted in various phases of learning and operations. Students will be offered alternate approaches, such as alternative schedules or hybrids of in-person and remote learning as requested through our parent survey with questions like student/family learning model/preference. School spaces can be used or in support of in-person instruction. Schedules will be created to allow for students from the same household to attend on the same day; shared spaces, such as cafeterias, libraries, playgrounds, and gymnasiums, will be modified and used; and if and will only be used by one cohort at a time. Field trips, special congregate events, will be on hold until further notice as we consider the risks for COVID19 transmission. Students and staff will socially distance at a minimum of 6 feet, PPE usage such as facial coverings will be used when social distancing cannot be maintained, and cleaning and disinfection will be completed on a daily basis. SANY will conduct virtual events such as meetings, assemblies and staff training/PD as needed. SANY will conduct required school safety drills with modifications that ensure social distancing between participants. Reopening plans will include changes or additions to facilities that comply with the requirements of the 2020 New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code (BC) and the State Energy Conservation Code. SANY will ensure compliance with the 2020 Building Condition Survey; SANY will provide provisions to conduct the Lead-In-Water Testing as required by NYS DOH regulation 67-4; ensure all existing and new Alcohol-based Hand-Rub Dispensers are in accordance with FCNYS 2020 Section 5705.5; SANY will ensure submission of floor plans to OFP review if district reopening plan includes installation of dividers in classrooms, libraries, cafeterias, auditoriums, gymnasiums, doors, and other points of congregation; ensure the existing or altered number of toilet and sink fixtures meet the minimum standards of the BCNYS; SANY buildings provide one drinking fountain per 100 occupants; all project submissions dedicated only to “COVID-19 Reopening” will be labeled as such; include the use of plastic separators that comply with the 2020 BCNYS Section 2606.

Hygiene, Cleaning, and Disinfection: School-wide cleaning and disinfection of classrooms, restrooms, cafeterias, libraries, playgrounds, school buses, and all other school facilities will be completed on a daily basis. Training and promotion of hand and respiratory hygiene among all individuals in school facilities and on school grounds will be completed at the start of the school year for students and prior to the start of school for staff.

• SANY will provide personal protection equipment (PPE) to all staff.

• On a daily basis, staff shall be diligent about disinfecting high contact surfaces that could spread COVID-19

• Staff will be provided with spray bottles of an EPA approved disinfectant and paper towels to building staff members to clean up student spills and messes.

• Drinking fountains will be periodically sanitized during the school day and sanitized every evening.

• Buildings currently have drinking fountains that meet building code for public school district use including drinking fountain fixture counts

• The District has accelerated its program to add bottle filling drinking fountains to each school building.

• Students will be asked to bring water bottles as part of their school supplies per our student handbook. If a student forgets or damages their personal water bottle one will be provided to them by SANY.

• SANY buildings equipped with elevators will encourage staff and students to use the stairs over elevators, unless absolutely necessary.

Handwashing breaks will be completed several times throughout the school day including:

• Before eating food

• After using the toilet

• After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing

• After touching garbage

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

Students and staff will have access to hand sanitizer in each classroom and offices throughout the building.

Students will not be utilizing lockers. Students will place their belongings in their classroom.

Bathrooms will be clean and sanitized a minimum of three times per day.

Extracurriculars: All afterschool activities, interscholastic sports, assemblies, and other gatherings have been postponed. If there is any update, SANY will use the NYSDOH’s “Interim Guidance for Sports and Recreation During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency” to assist in development of these activities.

Vulnerable Populations: Those that may be considered as part of the vulnerable population, including students, faculty and staff who are at increased risk for severe COVID-19 illness may be accommodated and these accommodations are not limited to remote learning or remote work, modified educational or work settings, or providing additional PPE to individuals with underlying health conditions per the NYSDOH and NYSED guidelines. Staff that fall into the vulnerable population should speak with their Operations Manager; students should speak to their school dean. SANY will also identify and describe any modifications to social distancing or PPE that may be necessary for certain student or staff populations, including individuals who have hearing impairment or loss, students receiving language services, and young students in early education programs, ensuring that any modifications minimize COVID-19 exposure risk for students, faculty, and staff, to the greatest extent possible.

Transportation: Consistent with State-issued public transit guidance, protocols and procedures, Students and parents are responsible to follow their student’s home school district’s, which provide busing. Students should adhere to policies and procedures set forth by their home district’s transportation department.

Food Services: SANY Food Service protocols and procedures for students will consider the following:

• appropriate social distancing and any modifications to service that may be necessary such as providing meals in locations like classrooms and cafeterias as well as staggering meal periods;

• measures to protect students with food allergies if providing meals in spaces outside the cafeteria allergy lists will be provided to each classroom as well as in the cafeteria;

• students will be provided with the opportunity for handwashing as well access to hand sanitizer before and after to eating breakfast and lunch for promoting hand hygiene;

• sharing of food and beverages is not allowed.

Cleaning and disinfection will be completed prior to the next group of students arriving for meals, if served in the same common area (e.g., cafeteria) as required by NYSED and DOH.

SANY will provide all enrolled students access to school meals each school day, which includes students in attendance at school and students learning remotely.

SANY will ensure all applicable health and safety guidelines, including the following:

• Each SANY school building will provide access to remote learners to pick up breakfast and lunch each day school is in session.

• Meals will be provided in a “grab and go” system at your student’s school between 10 am and 12 pm. Students will be able to pick up breakfast and lunch for any school days that they will be learning remotely during pre-selected meal pick up times.

• Student i.d. card will be required at pick up.

• Families that have students in multiple buildings will be able to pick up at any location that their students attend.

• Hand hygiene will be promoted, posters/flyers will be placed at meal pick up sights regarding how students should perform hand hygiene before and after eating, and stating/showing sharing of food and beverages will be discouraged;

• cleaning and disinfection will be completed prior to the next group of students arriving for meals, if served in the same common area; compliance with Child Nutrition Program requirements; communication with families will be completed through our website, social media, emails, text messages and robocalls in the languages spoken by families;

• Students will socially distance (six feet separation) while consuming meals in school unless a physical barrier is provided.

Mental Health, Behavioral, and Emotional Support Services and Programs: SANY will make available and provide resources and referrals to address mental health, behavioral, and emotional needs of students, faculty, and staff when school reopens for in-person instruction (e.g., how to identify and support students having difficulty transitioning back into the school setting, especially given the changed school environment). This includes training for faculty and staff on how to talk with and support students during and after the COVID-19 public health emergency, as well as information on developing coping and resilience skills for students, faculty, and staff.

Communication: SANY will communicate plans for students, parents/legal guardians of students, faculty, staff, and visitors and those plans will include applicable instructions, training, signage, and a consistent means of providing individuals with information. SANY will communicate with students and families about preparing for the upcoming year, including adapting to social distancing requirements, properly wearing face coverings, and proper hand and respiratory hygiene. SANY will develop webpages, text and email groups, and social media to disseminate information. Communication plans will be in multiple languages, as necessary, including language(s) spoken at home among families throughout the school community. Written plans will be accessible to those with visual and/or hearing impairments.

Screening: Students and Staff must stay home if they experience any of the following symptoms:

• Fever (a temperature greater than 100.0F) 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

SANY will implement mandatory health screenings, including temperature checks, of students, faculty, staff, contractors, vendors, and visitors. If an individual presents a temperature of greater than 100.0°F, the individual must be denied entry into the facility or sent directly to the isolation room prior to being picked up or otherwise sent home. SANY will use a daily screening questionnaire for faculty and staff reporting to school; periodically it will use a questionnaire for students, particularly young students who may require the assistance of their parents/legal guardians to answer. Ill students and staff will be assessed by the school nurse (registered professional nurse, RN) or medical director. If a school nurse or medical director is not available, ill students and staff will be sent home for follow up with a healthcare provider.

Remote health screening (e.g., by electronic survey, digital application, or telephone, which may involve parents/legal guardians) before any individual reports to school, is strongly advised.

SANY will limit the number of visitors permitted on school grounds or in school facilities, and, if visitors are allowed, screening of such visitors.

What should I expect when coming to the building as a visitor or guest?

• All visitors, staff and guests are required to wear the proper facial coverings consistent with COVID-19 guidelines.

• All visitors, staff and guests will be asked questions that are consistent w/ our COVID-19 staff and student questionnaire.

• Once granted entry into the building you will be required to have your temperature taken.

• Please be advised that we are trying to limit as much exposure/contamination as possible and SANY staff will greet you at the entrance if you should need to drop off paperwork.

Return to School from Illness and Testing Responsibility: If a student or staff member screens positive for COVID-19 either from exposure or symptoms upon arrival of school, the individual will be escorted to a designated isolation room and sent home immediately. The school nurse will be responsible for partnering with families by instructing them to call their primary health care provider or recommending a local clinic or urgent care if the individual does not have a doctor. The health office will also provide them with our “COVID-19 Positive Screening at School Form.” As per CDC guidelines, if a student or staff member screens positive for COVID -19 exposure or symptoms of proper assessment, and testing can only be performed by a healthcare provider (physician, physician’s assistant, or nurse practitioner), SANY will provide families with information regarding healthcare and testing resources if needed. If an individual tests positive for COVID-19 SANY will notify the local health department about the case.

Return to School after Illness:

SANY will follow CDC guidance for allowing students or staff to return to school after exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19. If diagnosed as not having COVID-19, by a healthcare provider, they may return to school:

• After they have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicine. Anyone who leaves school with a temperature 100.0° or greater) (which is a symptom of COVID-19) is required to have a written note from his or her healthcare provider stating it is safe to return to school.

• If diagnosed with a different condition, the individual needs to obtain a written note from a healthcare provider stating return to school is safe.

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

• At least ten days have passed since the individual first had symptoms;

• At least 72 hours, or three days, have passed since the individual had a fever (without using fever reducing medicine) and symptoms have improved, including cough and shortness of breath;

• Written documentation from a healthcare provider is received that confirms evaluation and release from isolation.

School Health Offices: If students, faculty, or staff develop symptoms of COVID-19 during the school day individuals will be directed for evaluation by the school nurse (RN) if they are unavailable the individual will be isolated and then immediately sent home.

Isolation: Individuals who screen positive upon arrival, or who become symptomatic while at school will be sent to the “Isolation Room” until pick-up arrangements, if applicable, for symptomatic students, faculty, and staff will be provided with the “COVID-19 Positive Screening at School Form” and must be seen by a health care provider.

Infected Individuals: persons who have tested positive complete isolation and have recovered and will not transmit COVID-19 when returning to in-person learning will be required to provide a note from their healthcare provider stating they have been discharged from isolation and may return to school in coordination with the local health department;

Exposed Individuals: SANY will partner with the local DOH and await guidance in order to ensure proper COVID-19 precautions are in place.

Hygiene, Cleaning, and Disinfection: Adherence to, and promotion of, hygiene, cleaning, and disinfection guidance set forth by DOH and CDC, including strategies for cleaning and disinfection of exposed areas and appropriate notification to occupants of such areas as discussed under “Reopening” above. Additionally, buildings may be disinfected as needed by custodial staff during non-occupied hours using electrostatic sprayers and/or fogging style applicators with an EPA approved disinfectant for the following reasons:

• If someone is identified as or suspected of being ill, custodians will disinfect in accordance with the procedures above in areas of the building where the person was present.

• If someone is confirmed to have COVID-19, SANY will seek direction from the Onondaga County Health Department as well as the CDC’s reopening decision tool. Sections of the building or the entire building may be closed for further disinfection or disinfected off hours depending on the circumstances.

Contact Tracing: SANY will work in conjunction with the local health departments in contact-tracing efforts using the protocols, training, and tools provided through the New York State Contact Tracing Program–an initiative between the Department of Health, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and Vital Strategies.

Communication: SANY will communicate with students, parents/legal guardians of students, faculty, staff, and visitors and those plans will include applicable instructions, training, signage, and a consistent means of providing individuals with information. SANY will develop webpages, text and email groups, and social media to disseminate information. Communication plans will be in multiple languages, as necessary, including language(s) spoken at home among families throughout the school community. Written plans will be accessible to those with visual and/or hearing impairments.

Closure triggers: SANY will await guidance from the NYSDOH regarding conditions that may warrant reducing in-person education or closing the school, in consultation with state and local health departments, and plan for an orderly closure.

Operational Activity: School will collaborate with the local health department to determine the parameters, conditions or metrics including absenteeism and illness in the school community. Those signs will be considered early warning signs and if it is beyond an acceptable level school administration may choose to modify operations.

Communication: SANY will communicate plans for students, parents/legal guardians of students, faculty, staff, and visitors and those plans will include applicable instructions, training, signage, and a consistent means of providing individuals with information. SANY will develop webpages, text and email groups, and social media to disseminate information. Communication plans will be in multiple languages, as necessary, including language(s) spoken at home among families throughout the school community. Written plans will be accessible to those with visual and/or hearing impairments.