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Catholic Schools Onward

Best Practices and New Opportunities

as

We Move Forward

Guidance and Procedures

July 2020

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Table of Contents

Contents

ABVM ONWARD TEAM………………………………………………………………...…2 LIVING OUR MISSION………………………………………………………………...…...4 INTRODUCTION AND PHILOSOPHY……………………………………………….……5 CATHOLIC IDENTITY……………………………………………………………………...7 CLASSROOM OPERATIONS………………………………………………………………8 BUILDING OPERATIONS……………………………………………………………….....9 BUILDING OPERATIONS HEALTH MONITORING…………………………………....11 LEARNING…………………………………………………………………………………12 AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES……………………………………………………………15 CARES………………………………………………………………………………………16 PRE-K……………………………………………………………………………………….17 PLAYBOOK………………………………………………………………………………...19

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The ABVM Onward Team is comprised of Administration, Teachers, Parents, Business

Owners, and Parishioners. This document reflects their commitment to analyze, adopt and

adapt directives from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s COVID Task Force (Catholic Schools

Onward), the PA Department of Health, the Chester County Health Department, and the PA

Department of Education to Assumption BVM School’s learning environment. Assumption

BVM’s Plan also embraces some decisions from local school districts as they pertained to

shared resources such as transportation.

This document was presented to Assumption BVM School’s Board of Limited Jurisdiction and

the Office of Catholic Education at the Archdiocese of Philadelphia for final approval.

Although every attempt was made to address all aspect of the returning to school plan, this

document is a fluid document due to the novel times facing our county, state, country and

world.

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BACK TO SCHOOL

LIVING OUR MISSION

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary School exists to foster a community of faith by

promoting Jesus’ teachings, celebrating individual student strengths and supporting individual

student needs while providing students with the skills necessary to make responsible and

respectful choices based on their Catholic faith.

While school closures might have been reasonable as part of the early pandemic response,

current evidence and experience support the concept that children can return to school in a

manner that maximizes children's health and minimizes risks from a public health perspective.

Consequently, whole health including mental health is our focus. Supporting views include

those expressed by the HHS Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use (Dr.

Elinor F McCance-Katz) and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) - Policy Lab. (Dr.

David Rubin at policylab.chop.edu).

It is the philosophy of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and Assumption BVM School that

through a holistic approach of mind, body, and spirit, we can provide necessary mental and

whole health support along with interventions as needed for students to have a safe and

effective transition into a new school year.

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Introduction and Philosophy

Introduction

This document will provide information regarding the plan to return to Brick-and-Mortar

learning for the 2020-2021 school year. Before we discuss the specific aspects of the plan, let us

start by identifying several of the key foundational premises that built the plan. The principles

listed below will allow us to remain open and use virtual learning for those who have been

identified with COVID-19 or in a situation where a parent feels working from home is in the

best interest of their child(ren).

Partnership – Catholic elementary schools are inherently a partnership between the parent and

the school. This is never more important than at this time and an even greater partnership is now

needed. It is our goal to open this school year and to remain open. This is not possible unless

the school and the parents agree to the importance of monitoring student health daily. Most

importantly, this means that students who are experiencing symptoms that include, but may not

be limited to: fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or

body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, nausea or vomiting, or diarrhea,

must be kept home until symptom free for 48 hours or medically cleared to return to

school. With parental cooperation in this matter, we will be able to keep school open and safe.

Cohorting

A cohort is a group of students in the same grade, most cases, this is a single homeroom

but, in some situations; it could be a larger group.

Cohorting is recommended by many health organizations as an environmental measure to

prevent the spread of disease. Some large school systems are using it as the only method of

prevention to control the spread of the COVID-19 virus. However, our schools will be using

other precautionary measures with cohorting as a major part of the plan. With this, we will keep

groups of children together for the entire day. They will attend lunch, recess and classes as a

cohort. If a case of COVID-19 is identified within a cohort, that cohort would then move to

virtual learning at home. The rest of the school would continue to operate with in-person

instruction.

Social distancing – Social distancing is also a fundamental practice in all our procedures of

operations. Social distancing is deliberately increasing the physical space between people to

avoid spreading illness. Keeping your distance from others lessens the chances of catching and

spreading COVID-19. Travel in the hallway, lunch periods, and classroom instruction have all

been planned to maximize social distancing.

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Strategic Use of Masks – The use of a masks will follow any current and governmental

guidelines. By order of the governor, students must wear a mask if there isn’t six feet of

distance between them. Masks will be mandatory in certain situations, such as travel in the

hallway, on the bus, classroom situations with non-cohort members, or when travel about the

classroom is necessary without effective social distancing. Students may remove masks when

they maintain a distance of at least six feet, i.e., when seated at desks or when eating or

drinking, unless a parent indicates they would like their child to keep a mask on the entire day.

Enhanced Cleaning – The school will increase the cleaning of common areas and high touch

features such as doorknobs, handrails, and counters. Children are encouraged to bring their own

water bottles to school, as common water fountains will not be in use. With this enhanced

cleaning, a safer environment can be established.

Monitoring health – Every day, parents are primarily responsible for monitoring the health of

their children. Teachers will be reminded to check the health of their students during a common

activity. Additionally, the school will implement random temperature monitoring.

Virtual Learning – Two types of non-traditional learning will be available.

*Distance Learning

If a child enrolled in our in-person model is sick, or a parent suspects the child may

be sick, the student may attend school by telecommuting. The major subjects will

be available through this method. Materials will be exchanged through the

Learning Management System (LMS).

In the case where a cohort has been dismissed from school and COVID-19 has

been identified, the entire cohort will utilize distance learning for the isolation

period. Lessons will be delivered through a telecommuting platform, with heavy

reliance on the LMS.

*Virtual Learning

This model may be chosen by parents who are concerned about sending their child

to school using the in-person model

The delivery of curriculum will be the same as Distance Learning, but parents are

committing to this model for a longer period of time.

Modified Attendance – Since we are encouraging parents to monitor health closely, and we

also encourage keeping children home if they display symptoms, the grading of attendance has

changed. Children will be marked as attending in person or attending virtually. Students will be

marked absent only when they cannot or do not participate in the virtual lessons.

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CATHOLIC IDENTITY *A Community of Faith

The Prayer of Pope Francis during the

Coronavirus will be prayed at the start of every

school day.

*Daily Prayers will be streamed to each class

by Student Council.

*Mass and School Liturgies:

- School Mass will be attended specific classes

every month with social distancing guidelines

in place. Remaining classes will attend via live

stream and will make a Spiritual Communion.

-Parents are highly encouraged to celebrate

Mass with the school via livestream.

-Parents of students scheduled to attend Mass

in the Church may opt for their child to attend

virtually.

*Prayer Partner activities will be modified;

however, cross-grade faith sharing will

continue virtually.

Prayer of Pope Francis

Lord, may you bless the world,

give health to our bodies and

comfort our hearts. You ask us not

to be afraid. Yet our faith is weak

and we are fearful. But you, Lord,

will not leave us at the mercy of

the storm. Tell us again: “Do not

be afraid” (Mt 28:5). And we,

together with Peter, “cast all our

anxieties onto you, for you care

about us” (1 Pet 5:7). Amen.

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CLASSROOM OPERATIONS

The organization of the classroom is important in supporting the academic progress of students.

Classroom space will provide an environment that allows teachers and students to interact

comfortably and safely. Careful consideration has been given to the strategic placement of

furniture, learning centers, and materials to optimize student learning, reduce distractions, and

keep children safe.

Classroom/learning space occupancy that

allows for six feet of separation among

students and staff throughout the day, to the

maximum extent feasible

- Each grade will be identified as a cohort.

Cohorting is an environmental measure to

prevent the spread of disease.

- Social distancing will be implemented in the

classroom where feasible with all desks facing

forward.

-Clear barriers will be purchased for classrooms

or spaces when feasible.

*Learning Resources

-Resources will be stored in spaces designated

by the classroom teacher.

-Technology will be 1:1 where feasible.

*School Supplies

- Students are to have an adequate amount of

school supplies with them daily.

- Students are highly encouraged to have

personal supply of tissues and hand sanitizer to

limit movement around the classroom.

-Materials left at home will not be permitted

to be dropped off at school.

*Specials Classes (PE, Art, Music, Library,

Spanish, Technology)

-Special teachers and departmental teachers

will go into the cohorts’ classrooms when

feasible

-Hard surfaces will be sanitized in the Honors

Math classroom before each cohort enters and

supplies will not be shared.

-Students receiving support from CCIU and

Learning Support will continue to receive

services in classrooms outside the cohorts’

classrooms with cleaning of hard surfaces

between usage as part of the cleaning,

sanitizing, disinfecting, and ventilation plan

-PE classes will engage in activities that allow

for six feet of socially distancing when

feasible and non-contact will be part of the

outside/inside physical activities and

classroom health lessons

-Returned library materials will be out of

circulation for 1 week before being shelved

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BUILDING OPERATIONS

It is important that movement in and out of the school building and around the school building

is smooth, stress free, efficient, and conducted in a manner that keeps students, teachers, staff

and volunteers safe.

*Cleaning, sanitizing, disinfecting and

ventilating learning spaces, surfaces and

any other areas used by students (i.e.

restrooms and hallways)

-High touch surfaces such as doorknobs,

desks, and light switches will be cleaned

frequently throughout the school day.

- Hand sanitizers will be available in hallways

near entrances and other strategic areas.

- Windows will be opened for ventilation

where feasible.

- Water fountains will be turned off and spouts

covered.

- Students are encouraged to bring their own

water bottles.

- Routine cleaning and disinfecting will be

performed each night strategically throughout

the school day and a full clean each night.

-School Ventilation Fan and classroom fans

will run when feasible.

* Students – Arrival & Dismissal

-Masks must be worn for arrival, travel in

hallways and common areas, dismissal, on

buses, or when six feet distancing is not

feasible or a barrier not provided.

- Bus riders and car riders will maintain

socially distancing as they arrive and enter

the school building.

- Busses will be emptied one at a time and

Local District Transportation Policies will be

supported and promoted.

-Staff will be located inside and in the Parish

Center Lobby to monitor the arrival process

and hand sanitizing.

-CARES students will report to the Parish

Center to designated areas.

-Car Riders will be called by grade and will

be escorted by classroom teachers to their

parents.

-Bus riders will be called by district with

teachers as hall monitors to supervise flow

and social distancing.

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* Good Hygiene Practices

-Routines will be followed including, but not

limited to: proper handwashing techniques,

hard surface sanitizing, and importance of

cleaning personal supplies.

-Hand washing and/or sanitizing will take

place upon entering the building, before and

after lunch, and before and after recess.

-Good hygiene practices will be reviewed after

morning prayers daily.

* Signage

-Posting signs in highly visible locations will

promote protective measures and how to stop

the spread of germs.

-Use of visual cues (floor stickers, cones,

circles, tape, etc.) to promote one way traffic

patterns.

*Lunch and Recess

-Students will eat with other members of their

cohort and social distancing will be promoted

while in the lunch line.

-Lunch spaces will be cleaned before and after

use.

- Outdoor play space will be expanded to

included grassy area to promote social

distancing and cohort play space will be

identified.

-Playground equipment will be cleaned

between uses by cohorts.

-Masks may be removed during outside

recess when consistently six feet apart.

-Equipment will be wiped down after use.

- Games and activities will be pre-approved

as part of the safe list to limit the spread of

infectious disease.

*Early Dismissals

-Students requiring early dismissal must have

a parent note. The parent will call school

when they arrive in lower lot and the student

will be escorted to the parent by a staff

member. Check out will be electronic.

*Staff

-Face Shields with the option of a mask must

be worn for arrival, travel in hallways and

common areas, dismissal, and at times when

six feet distancing is not feasible or a barrier

not provided.

* Visitors/Volunteers

-Visitors are limited to essential persons only

(i.e. State Police).

-Volunteers are limited to Lunch volunteers

and/or other persons supporting

administrative duties. Lunch Volunteers are

vital to the monitoring of students especially

during recess.

- Face coverings must be worn by all

visitors/volunteers while on school property

(not while in private vehicle).

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BUILDING OPERATIONS

HEALTH MONITORING Health monitoring will be done in conjunction with efforts taken at home by parents. Parents

have the greatest information regarding the health of their children and are an integral part of

this process.

*Student Health Screenings

- Daily health screenings that include taking a child’s temperature and completing a health

checklist/questionnaire will be conducted and submitted by parents before coming to school.

(Using an App is the goal)

-Student absence must be reported to school by calling the main office (no emails unless

requested during a return call) by 7:00am noting the reason for absence.

-Students not screened at home will be screened at school

*Faculty and Staff Health Screenings

-Daily health screenings will be conducted and submitted by faculty and staff before coming to

school. (App is the goal)

*Health Awareness during the School Day

-Teachers will complete a daily health scan of students before lunch.

-Students are encouraged to notify their teacher immediately if they are feeling ill.

-Faculty, Staff, and Parents must notify the school if the absence is due to COVID-19.

-Saint Raphael Room – This room is separate from the nurse’s office and is designated to

separate anyone who exhibits COVID-19 like symptoms until the individual (teacher or

student) is able to go home. If a teacher needs to go home, she may not return to the classroom

and administration will gather requested items needed by the teacher from the classroom. This

area will be closed off after use by a sick person and not used again before cleaning and

disinfection occurs.

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LEARNING MODELS

The ABVM Onward Team has been diligently reviewing guidelines set forth by the Chester

County Health Department (CCHD), the PA Department of Education (PDE), and the

Archdiocese of Philadelphia. While we realize in-person instruction has a greater impact at the

elementary level, the need for virtual learning has become a reality for a variety of

circumstances including the pandemic-related quarantine. Physical presence in the classroom

allows time for students to develop spiritually, academically, emotionally, and socially. When

this is not possible, it is important for us to be able to provide a means for students to learn

without interruption. Although our goal is to bring the students back into the school building,

we understand that the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic necessitates two school models

to meet the needs of our ABVM school family.

The term “virtual learning” refers to adapted instructional practices being utilized by means of

online instruction and interaction with students using various technological devices and

platforms aligned to the curriculum through synchronous and asynchronous methods. Virtual

learning can take place in situations where students are unable to be physically present in school

for a short period of time (distance learning) or when the virtual learning model is the chosen

method of curriculum delivery due these uncertain times.

Our fundamental goal in each model is to provide our students with a Faith-Based Education in

a safe learning environment. We understand and respect that this learning environment may be

different for each student.

Daily Attendance will be taken and marked accordingly

*In-Person

*Virtual

*Absent

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*In-Person Learning

This entire document outlines the safety measures adopted to provide a learning environment

where students can grow spiritually, academically, and socially.

-Provides a familiar learning and social environment within the school building. Teachers and

students have the ability to interact fluidly and the teacher can provide feedback on student

progress.

-Complemented by the safety measures in place, students will be able to interact with peers,

explore small group learning activities, participate in recess, and experience the community

feel of the ABVM setting.

-Distance Learning accommodations are in place to provide a synchronous virtual learning

environment for students who may become symptomatic or quarantined and cannot access

curriculum in person. This will ensure the continuity of our Faith Based Education.

*Virtual Learning

-Provides students with synchronous education (livestream) during the actual classroom

instruction timeframe.

-Student will be required to attend class virtually and in uniform at the times specified by the

class teaching schedule

-The virtual learner will only be able to see the classroom teacher, other virtual learners and

areas of the classroom where direct instruction is taking place (Smartboard, Whiteboards, etc)

-The Virtual Learner will have direct instruction, independent practice, and the ability to

collaborate with other virtual learners via the virtual platform.

-Practice work, homework and assessments will be submitted electronically and will all have

due dates established by the classroom teacher.

-Students will be able to use school technology and will receive the same workbooks and

textbooks as in-person learners to be successful.

-Students will participate virtually in Class Masses and other school events.

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-All classes including Specials (streaming of Physical Education will depend on the

curriculum for the day; however, assignments will be shared) will be livestreamed.

-Parents of students choosing Virtual Learning acknowledge that the ABVM Plan was written

for In-Person delivery of support and understand that the ABVM Plan may need to be

rewritten to reflect the Virtual Learning model. ABVM is committed to supporting all

learners, but Virtual services may require ABVM Plans to be rewritten.

-Parents choosing the Virtual Learning model are committing to this model for six weeks.

After four weeks, a survey will go out to all parents with the option to choose a different

model.

-Assumption BVM will evaluate the need to offer a Virtual Learning model every trimester.

This evaluation will be based on the guidelines and directives set forth by the Archdiocese of

Philadelphia, PA Department of Education, Chester County Health Department, and best

practices of local school districts.

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AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

Our School building is regularly used by various groups and activities after school

hours. During the Coronavirus, these activities have been curtailed or modified. Our students

have experienced significant challenges since the shutdown on March 13, 2020. Where

possible, keeping as many after school activities running will help our students. However, it is

the decision of Assumption BVM Parish to have school classrooms used for Assumption BVM

School students at this time. Limiting the number of people entering the building may help

protect our students, teachers and staff."

-Access to ABVM School classrooms will be limited to students, staff, and essential visitors

and volunteers. In-person gatherings, events, and extra-curricular activities in the Parish

Center will be suspended until Governor Wolf allows for in-door gatherings of 100 people or

more.

-Assumption BVM After School Activities will continue to be limited to Assumption BVM

Students only and may need to be modified to meet social distancing guidelines and will

adhere to the cleaning practices adopted by Assumption BVM during the regular school

hours.

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CARES

It is integral for our school to provide a CARES program, especially during the current

circumstances. CARES is an offshoot of the regular school day; thus, all procedures in place for

the school will be adhered to during the CARES program.

- Employees will follow the same health check protocols as teacher and staff.

-CARES students will report to the Parish Center to designated areas.

-Students will remain in a cohort model when feasible.

-Materials will be sanitized daily.

-Students are responsible for providing their own snacks and beverages during time in

CARES.

-All operational guidelines put into place in the school (e.g. movement through the building,

recess, etc.) will be practiced during CARES sessions.

- If the CARES room is a room used during the school day, it will be sanitized prior to student

entry for the CARES program.

-Materials used by CARES students on a regular basis need to be sanitized daily.

- Hand washing and sanitizing will be done on a regular basis by students and staff.

-The CARES program will comply with any emergency actions and resulting decisions that

occur during the school day.

-Dismissal of CARES students will occur one at a time and will follow the early dismissal

model. Parents/Authorized Person will call the CARES program once parked in the lower lot

and staff member will walk the student and his or her belongs to the parent/authorized person.

-Sign-out will be electronic.

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PRE-K

The need for careful strategic planning has become a reality in the “new-normal” circumstances

including the pandemic-related quarantines especially with our youngest of learners. Physical

presence in the classroom allows time for students to develop spiritually, academically, socially,

emotionally, and physically. A sense of happiness will continue to permeate across the school

starting with our Pre-K environment.

*Arrival

- Daily health screenings that include taking a child’s temperature and completing a health

checklist/questionnaire will be conducted and submitted by parents before coming to school.

(Using an App is the goal)

-Parents can choose to drop off in Car line or walk their child to the Parish Center doors.

-Parents of Pre-K students opting to walk their child to the Parish Center doors may do so at

8:00am and will be met by a staff member. The student will be escorted to class by a

faculty/staff member.

*Classroom

-Teacher will wear a face shield at all times with the option to wear a mask.

-Students will be socially distanced six feet when feasible using a variety of methods including,

but not limited to small desks, designated seating at tables, and markings on the floor that are

inviting and child oriented.

-Parents have the option to have their child wear a mask (face covering) all day, but when able

to socially distance or be protected by a clear barrier, the school will not require the mask.

-Direct Instruction, Small and Gross Motor Skills, Creative Play, and Application of Skills will

all continue to be part of our Pre-K curriculum.

-Hand washing and other good hygiene practices will be part of the daily routine.

-Sharing of supplies will occur only when necessity dictates and those supplies will be cleaned

between use.

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-Classroom toys/manipulatives will be cleaned daily and strategically used to minimize the

number of children in contact with them in the course of a day.

*Lunch

-Students will wash their hands before and after lunch and will sit socially distanced

-Lunch Volunteers are greatly needed for this age group

*Recess

-Students will play in their cohort and creative play will be organized for them to minimize

contact when feasible

*Dismissal

-Half Day students will be escorted to Parish Center doors by a teacher or staff member.

Students will be dismissed one at a time with parents remaining in their cars.

-Full Day students will follow school’s dismissal procedures

*All school policies and practice as it pertains to this document and the school handbook

will also be applied to our Pre-K students

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PLAYBOOK

Guidance used to Address COVID Cases

Assumption BVM School will make efforts to monitor the health of faculty, staff and students;

although, it is not required or suggested by the CDC. Specifically, they suggest schools and

Child Care programs are not expected to screen children, students, or staff to identify cases of

COVID-19. If a community, or specifically school, has cases of COVID-19, local health

officials will help identify those individuals and follow up on next steps.

If teacher, staff or volunteer has a confirmed case of COVID-19

1. Notify the local health officials – ask for guidance

2. Dismiss the staff or volunteer for 2 to 5 days until health officials can determine next step

3. Consider dismissal of cohort, related to the suspected case of COVID-19, according to

health official guidance

4. Discourage the cohort from gathering

5. Communicate to faculty, staff and families that there was a confirmed case – without

using a name or identifying information of the person(s) involved.

6. Close off the potentially infected area for 24 hours and clean the areas that may have been

infected by the identified case of COVID-19.

7. During the initial 2 to 5-day period, evaluate if any other cases related to the case were

identified and decide to extend or end the cohort dismissal.

8. The faculty, staff, or volunteer can return after the following conditions have been met:

o 3 days with no fever and

o Symptoms improved and

o 10 days since symptoms first appeared

If a student has a confirmed case of COVID-19

1. Notify local health officials to ask for guidance.

2. Dismiss the student(s) for 2 to 5 days until health officials can determine next steps.

3. The individual should be comforted in the ST. Raphael Room until a parent or guardian

can come and take them home.

4. Consider a dismissal of cohort related to the suspected case of COVID-19 using health

official guidance for this.

5. Discourage the cohort from gathering during the initial period and the situation has been

evaluated.

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6. Communicate to faculty, staff and families that there was a confirmed case. Name or

identifying information of the student with COVID-19 is not permitted.

7. Close off area the person was in and wait 24 hours. Clean areas related to the identified

case of COVID-19.

8. During the initial 2 to 5-day period, evaluate if any other cases related to the case were

identified and decide to extend or end the cohort dismissal.

9. The student can return after the following conditions have been met:

o 3 days with no fever and

o Symptoms improved and

o 10 days since symptoms first appeared

If a teacher, staff or student has a suspected case of COVID-19 or is demonstrating

symptoms.

1. Immediately separate the teacher, staff or student with COVID-19 symptoms (such as

fever, cough, or shortness of breath) at school. The individual will be comforted in the ST.

Raphael Room until a parent or guardian can come and take them home. Individuals who

are sick should go home or to a healthcare facility depending on how severe their

symptoms are. CDC guidance for caring for oneself and others who are sick should be

followed.

2. Call for home transportation, if necessary.

3. Can return when:

1. 3 days with no fever and

2. Symptoms improved and

3. 10 days since symptoms first appeared or,

4. or if cleared by a medical professional.

2. If case is confirmed, please see aforementioned section (confirmed case of COVID-19)