Testing
By testing weekly, we can find infections early, isolate them, prevent outbreaks and keep kids in school. In fact, recent research shows that once-a-week testing in schools can lead to a 60+% reduction in infection transmission.
Vaccinations
Everyone age 12 and up is now eligible for the Pfizer vaccine. While CCSD is not requiring anyone to take the vaccine at this time, we do recommend that families consider it. Pfizer requires 2 different day doses. We recommend using covid19.nj.gov to find convenient vaccination locations.
Facilities Preparation & Supplies
Front Desk
- The front desk shall have a hand sanitizer station and extra masks available.
Hand Sanitizer Stations
- Every school will have at least one hand sanitizer station near every entrance door into the school.
Required Signage
The following signage will be posted in every school to remind students, staff, and families about safety protocols and practices:
- Visitor Entry Requirements
- Student Admission Procedures
- Masks Required in Hallways
- Social Distancing Reminders
- School Quarantine Designated Area
- Handwashing Procedures
- Floor tape (Social Distancing cues)
School Doors
- Doors should be propped open as often as possible.
- Stairwell doors cannot be propped due to fire safety compliance.
- Doors used for student entry and exit should be propped open during morning arrival and dismissal.
Desk Spacing & Positioning
- All desks must be 3 feet apart to the maximum extent possible and when feasible face the front of the room.
Cleaning Station
- Each classroom should have disinfectant wipes or spray.
- Teachers are not expected to deep clean their classroom, however, they are expected to disinfect using a spray bottle or wipes.
- All classroom cleaning supplies must be kept locked and out of reach of students.
Hand Sanitizer Station
- Each classroom shall have hand sanitizer available (bottle or stand alone units).
Ventilation – Classrooms with Central Air Conditioning
- CDC approved air filters will be used centrally (these filters help prevent COVID-19 transmission).
- Air filters will be changed monthly.
- The Building Engineer will run the HVAC system at maximum outside airflow for 1-2 hours before and after occupied times.
Ventilation – Non-central Air Classrooms
- Increased fresh air ventilation helps prevent virus transmission.
- Therefore, teachers shall run the air conditioner unit in their room to circulate fresh air into the classroom continuously.
- The air conditioning unit should be placed in a mode that enables fresh air to be pumped into the room (rather than recirculated air).
- If a teacher is uncertain how to do so, contact the building engineer.
- Teachers can also open windows at their discretion.
Materials Management
- The CDC’s current guidance is that surfaces are not a viable transmission route for covid. High-traffic areas such as doorknobs will be cleaned on an accelerated cleaning schedule.
Cleaning Protocols
It is everyone’s responsibility to vigilantly maintain a clean and safe environment for each school.
Policies for Students, Staff, Parents, Visitors
Masks / Face Coverings
- All students, staff, and guests must wear a mask indoors to enter the building and throughout the day except for breaks (Ex. eating, drinking, where proper social distance is maintained and if one is alone in a space). Please use a common sense approach to managing masks and breaks.
- The front desk will provide a mask to guests if they do not have one.
- Parents are asked to send students to school with a mask.
- A “Mask or “Face covering” means a covering of the nose and mouth that is secured to the head with ties, straps, or loops over the ears or is wrapped around the lower face.
- Neck gaiters, bandannas, and similar masks are not acceptable. Masks with only one layer of fabric are not acceptable. Acceptable masks include but are not limited to:
- Cloth masks with two or more layers
- Surgical masks with three layers
- N95 or KN95 masks with no valves (masks with valves to release air are not protective according to CDC)
Mask Breaks
- Teachers can provide breaks at least once per classroom period of no more than 10 minutes, ideally with as much space as possible between students.
Student Non-Compliance with Social Distancing/Mask Use
- Schools should devote time at the beginning of the school year to ensuring students understand the science behind why mask-wearing and social distancing is important.
- Schools should establish a normed language for reminding members of the school community to follow safety guidelines.
- If a student is not complying with social distancing or wearing a mask, staff should remind the student of the safety expectation and rationale.
- Staff should model what it looks like to meet expectations (Ex.: demonstrate proper mask-wearing and/or outreached arms to show what appropriate social distancing looks like).
- If a student is not wearing a mask, the student should be provided with a mask.
- Staff should provide positive reinforcement to students for accepting the redirection and complying with the health and safety guidance.
- Students who refuse to comply with social distancing and/or mask-wearing,
despite all of the above steps taking place, should be referred to the dean.