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Mitigation Strategies
Mitigation Strategies
A key goal for safe schools is to reduce or eliminate in-school transmission by layering effective mitigation strategies. Each strategy decreases the risk of in-school transmission. No one layer is 100% effective. It is the combination of the layers that are most effective and have been shown to decrease transmission. The following strategies are ordered by those that are most effective at reducing the risk of transmission. All strategies are helpful but may have a potentially smaller effect or have less evidence of efficacy. These strategies will be addressed throughout our reopening plan.
A key goal for safe schools is to reduce or eliminate in-school transmission by layering effective mitigation strategies. Each strategy decreases the risk of in-school transmission. No one layer is 100% effective. It is the combination of the layers that are most effective and have been shown to decrease transmission. The following strategies are ordered by those that are most effective at reducing the risk of transmission. All strategies are helpful but may have a potentially smaller effect or have less evidence of efficacy. These strategies will be addressed throughout our reopening plan.
- Face Coverings
- Stable Groups
- Distancing
- Ventilation
- Hand Washing
- Cleaning and Disinfection
- Check for Signs and Symptoms
- Surveillance or Screening Testing
Personal Protective Equipment
Personal Protective Equipment
Face covering guidance has been given the most significant emphasis requiring all staff and students to wear face coverings while on campus. All individuals, including staff and students, must wear face coverings that cover the mouth and nose consistent with public health guidance. In accordance with new public health guidance, the district will provide surgical masks for all staff. The new guidance is explicit on the importance of this mandate, specifically stating that “schools must exclude students from campus because they will not wear a face covering.”
Staff and students who are not able to wear a cloth face covering are required to wear a clear face shield, with a cloth drape attached, tucked into the collar of a shirt or tied around the back of the neck to contain coughs and sneezes. Any students with health exemptions must submit medical documentation with our district nurses two weeks prior to the students’ return to school date.
Staff is required to use gloves for administering first aid, cleaning facilities, supplies or equipment, and for food service. The use of gloves for other activities is not recommended. Some learning environments may require additional PPE due to specific conditions. This safety gear will be provided as determined necessary.
The district currently has several months of PPE equipment in stock. A supply of PPE equipment is also available in each learning space.
Physical Distancing
Physical Distancing
The plan for reopening of WCSD schools is driven by safety practices based on the most up to date guidance from health experts. A key component of these practices includes physical distancing.
Staff and students will maintain 6 feet of physical distance in all settings. To meet this goal, the following measures are being taken:
Limit campus use to students and staff only
Keep students in small cohort groups throughout the day
Stagger recess and passing period times
Space student desks 6 feet apart
Turn all desks to face the same direction
Eliminate large gatherings such as school assemblies
Utilize personal water bottles and use of water bottle filling stations
Designate isolation areas for students or staff who are not feeling well.
When closer proximity is required, such as small group instruction or one on one teacher support, sneeze guards will be utilized. Individual desk shields have been provided for each classroom.
Outdoor learning spaces will be utilized as often as practicable.
Health Education and Practices
Health Education and Practices
Students will be instructed on proper hand-washing techniques, managing coughs and sneezes, and avoiding face touching.
Lessons will include proper use of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) and social distancing.
Instructional videos may be viewed by clicking here.
Signs and infographics regarding preventative measures will be placed throughout school buildings in areas of high visibility.
Hand-washing and hand sanitizing time will be built into the schedule during transitions:
Entry to school
Before and after recess and eating
After use of restroom
Before leaving the classroom for the day/dismissal
Hand-washing stations are placed strategically in most commonly used areas throughout each campus.
Hand sanitizer stations are located throughout each campus.
Preventative supplies (hand soap, sanitizer, general-purpose cleaner) will be provided in each classroom and throughout the campus.
Students and staff will wash hands after sneezing, coughing, or blowing their nose.
Home Health Screening
Home Health Screening
The safety of our students and employees is our overriding priority. As the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues, we are closely following the guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local health authorities.
In order to prevent the spread of the virus and reduce the potential risk of exposure to our workforce and students, we are requiring all staff and students to conduct symptom checking prior to entering the school site. Those who develop symptoms during the school day will be immediately isolated and sent home.
Staff and Students are directed not to come to school if they answer yes to any of the following symptom checks:
Do you currently have, or have you had a fever of 100.4 or greater in the past 14 days?
Are you currently experiencing or have you experienced in the past 14 days a cough, shortness of breath/difficulty breathing, fatigue, congestion or runny nose, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell, chills, headache or muscle aches, nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting?
Have you been in close proximity to anyone who has experienced any of the above symptoms or who has tested positive for COVID-19?
COVID-19 Case Management
COVID-19 Case Management
Confirmed Case
In the event of a confirmed COVID-19 case among our staff or students, WCSD administration will work with the Contra Costa Health Services public information officer to coordinate communication as appropriate for the specific circumstances. The district will report all cases immediately and follow requirements outlined in the District COVID Safety Plan.
Symptom Development
WCSD will follow CCHS Schools Guidance for any suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases.
Students showing COVID-19 symptoms at school will wait in the designated Health Room/Isolation Space to keep separated from others; parents will be required to arrange for the student to be picked up immediately, if warranted based on Screening Flowchart. Parents are asked to ensure emergency contacts are kept current at all times.
Students who are in quarantine will be provided assignments and the ability to engage in virtual learning if practicable.
Returning to Work or School Students or staff who have tested positive for COVID-19 may return to school or work in accordance to CDPH Guidance. Click here to view.
WCSD COVID-19 Dashboard All individuals who test positive for COVID-19 and who have come onto district campuses with close contact of other students or staff will be reported on the WCSD COVID-19 Dashboard.
Click here to view the WCSD COVID-19 Dashboard
WCSD will use the following communication templates:
-Click here for COVID-19 Positive sample notification for students
-Click here for COVID-19 Exposure sample notification for students
-Click here for COVID-19 Exposure sample notification for staff
-Click here for Health Room sample notification for students
Sanitation and Ventilation
Sanitation and Ventilation
Cleaning Procedures
Cleaning Procedures
WCSD will implement a strict cleaning schedule that will allow each learning space to be sanitized between uses. Custodial staff will be expanded with temporary staffing to provide the capacity for this level of sanitation. All custodial staff will be certified in proper sanitation protocols and will utilize products determined effective for thwarting COVID-19.
WCSD will implement a strict cleaning schedule that will allow each learning space to be sanitized between uses. Custodial staff will be expanded with temporary staffing to provide the capacity for this level of sanitation. All custodial staff will be certified in proper sanitation protocols and will utilize products determined effective for thwarting COVID-19.
In addition to scheduled cleaning in each classroom, custodial staff will sanitize high touch surfaces several times a day throughout the campus. Hand-washing stations have been added to school playgrounds and high traffic areas.
In addition to scheduled cleaning in each classroom, custodial staff will sanitize high touch surfaces several times a day throughout the campus. Hand-washing stations have been added to school playgrounds and high traffic areas.
Ventilation
Ventilation
As part of Measure D, all WCSD classrooms are equipped with a Pelican Ventilation System. This system maximizes air exchanges to provide fresh air regularly throughout a classroom. Facilities staff maintains these units according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. As an additional mitigation measure, Air Filtration units have been purchased and installed across the district.
As part of Measure D, all WCSD classrooms are equipped with a Pelican Ventilation System. This system maximizes air exchanges to provide fresh air regularly throughout a classroom. Facilities staff maintains these units according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. As an additional mitigation measure, Air Filtration units have been purchased and installed across the district.
Classroom teachers are encouraged to leave doors and windows open and to utilize designated outdoor learning spaces as often as possible to reduce the amount of time indoors.
Classroom teachers are encouraged to leave doors and windows open and to utilize designated outdoor learning spaces as often as possible to reduce the amount of time indoors.
Campus Visitors and Facility Use
Campus Visitors and Facility Use
Campus Visitors
At this time, school site offices are closed to the public. Please be sure contact your student's teacher or the school office by email or telephone rather than visiting the school campus. Most needs can be handled remotely. When an in-person visit is necessary, please be sure to first schedule an appointment.
Non-essential visitors are restricted from all district facilities and school sites.
Parents should remain in their vehicles for student drop-off and pickup. See Daily Procedures for Drop Off and Pick Up Procedures.
In order to follow health and safety guidelines provided by Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), we require that all visitors:
Maintain a social distance of six feet with anyone around you.
Do not exceed a maximum of two visitors at a time in all school offices.
Wear face coverings at all times.
Limit movement on campus to the school office only. Visitors, including parents/guardians, are not allowed to enter the school grounds or classrooms.
Limiting Large Group Gatherings
All meetings will be held virtually.
If an in-person meeting is necessary, the meeting should be held in a location where physical distancing guidelines can be maintained.
Facility Use Permits will be limited to WCSD Daycare partners.
School campuses are closed to the public on all school days. Use of school grounds, including fields or play structures is prohibited on weekdays. This measure has been put in place in alignment with the county health guidelines. All visitors to the school MUST wear a face covering and follow health and safety protocols.
School Campus Reopening Plans
School Campus Reopening Plans
Each school site has designated areas for ingress and egress, play areas, traffic patterns and outdoor learning spaces. Click here to view school specific Reopening Plans.
Child Nutrition Services
Child Nutrition Services
WCSD’s Child Nutrition Services Team is excited to serve you!
WCSD’s Child Nutrition Services Team is excited to serve you!
Meal Service When In Hybrid Learning Model:
AM Group - Prepackaged Grab n’ Go breakfast and lunch will be available for pickup after class at all sites in a designated location. Additional meals for Wednesday and weekends will be available on Tuesdays and Fridays correspondingly.
PM Group - Prepackaged Grab n’ Go breakfast and lunch will be available for pickup before class at all sites in a designated location. Additional meals for Wednesday and weekends will be available on Tuesdays and Fridays correspondingly.
100% Remote Learning Students - Prepackaged Grab n’ Go breakfast and lunch for the remote learning days and weekends will be available for pickup on Mondays and Thursdays at WCI.
Meal Service When the District is in 100% Remote Learning:
Prepackaged Grab n’ Go breakfast and lunch for all days including weekends will be available for pickup on Mondays and Thursdays at Walnut Creek Intermediate, Buena Vista, and Murwood.
Free Meals For All
Free Meals For All
Meals will be free for all students regardless of eligibility through the end of the 2020-21 school year.
Contactless Point of Sale System
Contactless Point of Sale System
Students can now have their student ID cards scanned when paying for meals instead of manually typing in pins on a keypad. This eliminates the shared touch surface of a keypad.
Please visit Child Nutrition Services on the WCSD District website for more information here.
Community COVID-19 Testing
Community COVID-19 Testing
WCSD is pleased to be working with Agile Force in association with PMH Laboratory to offer voluntary on-site COVID-19 Testing at no cost to parents and students, even if you are uninsured. Click here to schedule an appointment and for additional information.
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