Being mindful of the evolving need for emergency measures to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and in accordance with guidance issued by the New York State Department of Health (DOH) and the New York State Education Department (SED), the following protocols will be implemented for all students, staff members, employees and visitors of the Yorktown Central School District.
HEALTH CHECKS
Every student, staff member and employee is required to conduct a health screening each morning prior to coming to school/work, including careful observation of symptoms of COVID-19 and health screening measures. Parents/guardians are responsible for ensuring that these health checks are performed of their children. Training videos in the health screening protocols will be available for students, employees and parents/guardians.
All staff members and employees must complete a District Questionnaire daily prior to coming to work. Students will be required to complete the District Questionnaire periodically. Any visitor, contractor or vendor who wishes to come to the District must also complete the District Questionnaire prior to being allowed entrance to any District school or other facility. The Questionnaire will determine (1) if individuals have knowingly been in close or proximate contact with anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 14 days or has or had symptoms of the virus; (2) tested positive through a diagnostic test for COVID-19 during the past 14 days; (3) has experienced any symptoms of COVID-19, including a temperature greater than 100°F during the past 14 days; and/or (4) has traveled to any restricted state, as determined by New York State, or any CDC Level 2 or 3 country during the past 14 days.
All students, staff members and employees may have their temperature screened upon arrival at school or other District facility by using a zero-contact detection system.
Any student, staff member, employee or other visitor with a fever of 100°F or greater and/or symptoms of possible COVID-19 infection must not come to school/work. If a student, staff member, employee or visitor develops a fever of 100°F or greater and/or symptoms while in school or on District premises, they will be immediately isolated and sent home.
MASKS AND FACE COVERINGS
Students
All students in kindergarten through 12th grade are required to wear a mask or face covering when at school or a school function, in any other District building or facility, or while in other areas of a school campus, including while traveling in hallways, while waiting outside buildings before and after school, while waiting at bus stops and when riding in District provided transportation.
Students may remove masks and face coverings when eating or drinking during assigned lunch/snack periods or during scheduled mask breaks. Mask breaks will only be considered when the students are socially distanced at least six (6) feet from all others.
Masks and face coverings must cover the nose and mouth of the student. Masks with valves are not permitted. Face shields, neck gaiters and bandanas are not acceptable substitutes for masks and face coverings. For additional information on masks and face coverings, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html.
A student who refuses or repeatedly fails to wear a mask or face covering, and/or refuses or fails to maintain social distancing and/or other health and safety requirements will be subject to disciplinary consequences in accordance with the District’s Code of Conduct. Repeated failure to comply with these protocols may lead to suspension of the student from school and/or from District transportation.
A student may only be exempted from these requirements if an appropriate health care provider certifies, in writing, that the student is not medically able to tolerate wearing a mask or face covering and the school physician concurs.
The District will provide a mask or face covering to a student if a student does not bring a personal mask or face covering.
Students will receive training on good respiratory hygiene and how to properly wash their hands.
Staff Members and Employees
All staff members and employees are required to wear a mask or face covering while working or attending a school function, or while in any other District buildings, facilities or other areas of a school campus, including while in the hallways and traveling in elevators, and in District vehicles if more than one person is in the vehicle.
Staff members and employees may remove masks or face coverings if working in an individual office and/or other workspace (including outdoor areas) where appropriate social distancing can be and is maintained.
Masks and face coverings must cover the nose and mouth of the employee. Masks with valves are not permitted.
A staff member or employee who refuses or repeatedly fails to wear a mask or face covering, when required, and/or refuses or fails to comply with social distancing requirements or other health and safety requirements, may be subject to discipline for insubordination in accordance with law and applicable collective bargaining agreements.
A staff member or employee may only be exempted from these requirements if an appropriate health care provider certifies, in writing, that the staff member/employee is not medically able to tolerate wearing a mask or face covering and the school physician concurs. While the District will provide masks or face coverings for employee use, employees may also choose to use their own.
Visitors
At such time when visitors are permitted in school buildings and facilities, all visitors (including, but not limited to, parents, volunteers, contractors, consultants) must wear a mask or face covering while working or attending a school function, while in other buildings or facilities or other areas on a school campus, including while walking in hallways and traveling in elevators, and in District vehicles if more than one person is in the vehicle.
Visitors may not remove masks or face coverings unless permitted to do so by an administrator and only if social distancing can be and is maintained. This does not apply to common areas such as school offices.
A visitor who refuses or repeatedly fails to wear a mask or face covering, when required, and/or refuses or fails to comply with social distancing or other health and safety requirements will be required to immediately leave the premises, and may be prohibited from returning.
INFECTION CONTROL STRATEGIES
All students, staff members, employees and visitors must be aware of and social distance from others (at least six feet from any other person) to the extent possible. All persons in school, District buildings and facilities, including outside areas, must cover their mouth and nose when they cough or sneeze and then properly wash their hands or hand sanitize. All persons on school grounds or transportation must properly dispose of masks and other disposable PPE.
Cross Ref:
5300 Code of Conduct
Adopted: August 31, 2020