ONE PURPOSE, ONE VISION, ONE VOICE
Solano County Office of Education
Considerations for Reopening Schools During COVID-19 Pandemic A collaborative resource created in partnership with Solano Public Health and other California County Offices of Education guidance documents.
Updated 07-07-20 • •
Advocate Equity & Access for Every Child
Solano County Office of Education’s Guiding Principles • •
Foster a Growth Mindset
Serve & Support
Work with a Collaborative Spirit
Lead Positive Change
Preparing for the 2020-21 School Year Working together to keep Solano school staff and students healthy
Contents Introduction 3 Background & Current Status Ongoing Guidance from Solano Public Health
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Timing Considerations for Schools
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Scheduling Considerations
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Planning for Supplies
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Communication & Stakeholder Engagement
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Facilities, Custodial & Sanitation Considerations
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Illness Prevention Procedures & Protocols
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Fiscal Considerations 7 Meal Service 7 Collaboration with Employee Group
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Instructional Considerations 8 Scheduling Ideas Being Shared Across the State
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Appendix A: Other Resources
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Appendix B: Planning Tool
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COVID-19 Considerations for Schools
Solano County Office of Education
Introduction The Solano County Office of Education is committed to supporting Solano schools and other county agencies throughout the emergency response to COVID-19 in California. This document, provided by Solano County Office of Education (SCOE), is a collaborative collection of considerations, ideas, information, and guidelines to support Solano school districts in developing district plans for re-opening schools for the 2020-21 school year. Solano County Office of Education has partnered with Solano County Public Health in developing this guidance, and has included some highlights from other California COE documents as well.
Collaboration Across Solano County Solano County Office of Education is working with districts and coordinating job-alike groups to collaborate, problem-solve, and share plans across the County to prepare for the next school year.
California Department of Education (CDE) Guidance CDE has created a guidance document for reopening public schools.
More specific recommendations for schools will be provided by Solano Public Health through Solano County Office of Education before the reopening of schools. However, the State may release guidelines at a later date that may differ from current local plans, and schools will need to make adjustments accordingly.
Background & Current Status State Indicators
Stages of Recovery
Governor Gavin Newsom also unveiled a progress report, report card, and California’s Roadmap to Modify the Stay-at-Home Order, which outlined six indicators the state would consider when modifying the Stay at Home order issued March 16, 2020.
On April 28, Governor Newsom announced four Resilience Roadmap Stages based upon current science, health and data, that California would use to guide its gradual reopening process. The four stages are:
They include: 1. Ability to test, contact trace, isolate, and support those exposed 2. Ability to protect those at high risk for COVID-19 3. Surge capacity for hospital and health systems 4. Therapeutic development to meet the demand 5. Ability of businesses, schools, and childcare facilities to support physical distancing 6. Determination of when to reinstitute measures like Stay-at- Home order if necessary
Stage 1: Safety and Preparedness Stage 2: Lower Risk Workplaces Stage 3: Higher Risk Workplaces Stage 4: End of Stay at Home Order Solano County has released a Roadmap to Recovery plan and Health Order with ongoing updates. Updates regarding current COVID-19 status for Solano County can also be found on the Roadmap to Reopening page of the county website.
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COVID-19 Considerations for Schools
Solano County Office of Education
Ongoing Guidance from Public Health Coordination and collaboration across various Solano agencies is a critical part of keeping community members informed with factual and current information. As new information becomes available, Solano Public Health, the California Department of Public Health, and the Solano County Office of Education will provide updated guidance to Solano school districts and community members.
Planning for Supplies
Solano County Office of Education will continue to serve as the liaison to Solano schools throughout the COVID-19 emergency response as requested by the Solano County Office of Emergency Services.
Timing Considerations for Schools Timelines & School Activities
Scheduling
Identification of activities, and the order in which they would be reinstated in phases, will be important.
Consider developing a continuum of strategies for implementation when social distancing is required.
Phases
Schools will need to consider:
Consider creating plans to restore operations in phases. Districts may want to align timelines and phases with the Governor’s Resilience Roadmap Stages.
• altering bell schedules
Postponed daily activities Playground use, recesses, lunch service, P.E. etc. may need to be introduced back into the daily schedule in later phases. Transportation Drop-off times and procedures for parents and busses may need to change. Consider what protocols and practices will need to be implemented to maintain social distancing and illness prevention for student transportation. Events & Student Activities Parent and student orientations, sports, club activities, etc. may need to be adjusted, limited, postponed, or canceled.
• staggering start times • creating multiple recess and lunch periods • creating multiple meal distribution points • implementing a block schedule, in secodary schools, to reduce student movement during the day and cross contamination of classrooms. Remember to maintain social distancing standards.
Schools should be well stocked in: • soap • paper products • disinfectant wipes and solutions • gloves • masks • hand sanitizers Each classroom should remain stocked with these supplies. Other items to consider: • Touch-free hand sanitizer stations •
No-touch thermometers
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Plexiglass for high-traffic areas
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Additional equipment for technology needs
Medical Tracing If Solano Public Health requires protocols for medical tracing, it may be necessary to keep students in continuous cluster groups. Handwashing Scheduling hand washing upon arrival, before and after meals or snack time, before and after going to the restroom, and regular intervals throughout the day may be helpful in illness prevention and mitigating parent concerns.
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COVID-19 Considerations for Schools
Solano County Office of Education
Communication & Stakeholder Engagement Considerations Schools and county agencies are faced with addressing two facets of the COVID-19 pandemic in communication strategies: 1. Needs, protocols, and processes directed at managing illness prevention/mitigation and over all public health 2. Needs, protocols, and processes directed at managing public perception and concerns Other strategies and considerations: •
Infographics may be helpful in concisely explaining phases, reasoning, and actions to families.
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Proactively sharing data and factual information long before schools starts, may ease parent fears by helping them gain a clear understanding of prevention strategies, reasoning, current status, recommendations, etc.
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Consider prominent, simple and concise signage for
illness prevention, etc. around facilities. •
Consider a robust campaign to update parent contact information. Also, how will schools communicate with parents of incoming kindergarteners?
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Continue to develop communications in the event of a staff member or student exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, possibly including notification to public health, specific notifications and steps taken for the involved cohort, specific notifications steps taken for school site, and communications with staff and families.
Facilities, Custodial & Sanitation Barriers- Consider the installation of physical barriers or plexiglass in hightraffic reception areas, workspaces, cafeterias, nurse stations etc. where the environment doesn’t lend itself to social distancing. Object placement- Identify all locations and times where students are in close contact with each other and create strategies to rearrange furniture, prohibit use of furniture, or restructure those locations and activities. Floor markers- Mark spaces for waiting lines at least six feet apart in all directions. PPE- Consider protocols to routinely stock, inventory, and replenish Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Stocking supplies- Disinfectant wipes, gloves, hand sanitizer, soap, and paper towels for hand sanitation should be widely accessible and stocked daily. Have sanitizing solution should be placed in every classroom and office space.
Sanitizing surfaces- Identify and schedule frequent disinfection of high-touch surfaces. Wipe down phones between uses. Follow labeling instructions for cleaning products as well as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance for schools and childcare centers. All hands on deck- Consider temporarily engaging all employees in cleaning and disinfecting procedures for common areas, not just custodians, with appropriate training provided. Equipment- Play structures, big toys, and other play equipment may need to be restricted or wiped down before/ after use. Path of travel- Use of specific facilities may need to be defined for each cohort. i.e. entrances, restrooms, paths of travel, etc. to ensure no mixing of cohorts. Signage- consider prominent, simple and concise signage for protocols, reminders, etc. around facilities.
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COVID-19 Considerations for Schools
Solano County Office of Education
Illness Prevention Procedures & Protocols In coming months, specific safety protocols may be recommended or required as
appropriate by Solano Public Health. This may include daily health screenings, temperature checks, restroom use procedures, paths of travel, cohorts, social distancing, PPE, etc. Contact Tracing and Responsiveness
Solano Public Health may need to test, trace, track and respond to students, staff and family members who may exhibit symptoms of and/or test positive for COVID-19. Swift responsiveness to potential exposures to cohort members are critical to our ability to support on-going classroom-based instruction. Under certain circumstances, expediting testing and tracing for students, and staff would be a priority. Stable Cohorts Solano Public Health and the CDC may recommend stable cohorts of students and staff, that minimally interact with other groups of students. This structure helps to mitigate the spread of germs, enables health providers to trace contacts in the event of an infection, and isolates the need for potential closures. Site administrators and teachers would need to coordinate scheduled activities to ensure that cohorts are not mixed. The use of cohorts may be part the social distancing practice for students. Six-Foot Social Distancing Consider ways to space desk and other workstations six feet apart from each other when possible. Staff Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Staff may be advised or may choose to wear PPE including masks, face shields, and gloves, especially when cleaning and disinfecting. Hand washing stations or hand sanitizer should be made readily available to staff at all times. Solano County Office of Education will be a distribution site for limited PPE supplies provided by the state to Solano school districts and charter schools.
Prominent Signage
Face Coverings California may require that staff and students wear face coverings at school, with exemptions for individuals based upon specific needs. Scheduled Handwashing Public Health may recommend scheduled handwashing or hand sanitizer application upon arrival, before and after meals or snack time, before and after going to the restroom, and regular intervals throughout the day. Consider designating a space where students or staff presenting with symptoms would stay while waiting to go home.
Concise & clear protocol signage will help students, staff, & parents maintain prevention practices. 6
COVID-19 Considerations for Schools
Solano County Office of Education
Fiscal Considerations The economic impacts of the pandemic may have significant and lasting impacts on school districts. Decrease in revenues- State tax revenues may fall well below those of previous years with reductions in K-12 school funding likely. Changes in enrollment- Overall school district enrollment may decline due to economic factors and parent concerns. Parent demand for enrollment in distance learning programs may increase as many may perceive them as a safer and more stable alternative to classroom-based instruction while COVID-19 is in circulation. Increased meal service demandSchool nutrition programs may be needed by more students and may become a more significant portion of
their access to food. Accommodations to provide continued access to meals for children who are ill or required to self-isolate may be necessary until COVID-19 is controlled.
Alternative locations for eatingPlaces for students to eat should be identified and considered in order to support the possibility of cohorts in social distancing.
Meal Service Logistics
Health checks for staff- Protocols to support careful health monitoring of student nutrition staff should be considered.
Schedule & food distribution sitesSchools should consider solutions like staggered lunch and breakfast service, meal distribution to classrooms, or multiple locations to avoid lines. Physical barriers- Plexiglass or barriers may need to be installed. Box meals- Continuing the practice of pre-packed boxed meals should be considered. Multi-meal distribution- Districts may need to continue to provide multiple meals at one time for students if school schedules are adjusted.
Collaboration with Employee Groups Collaborate with employee associations well in advance when developing plans that impact the work of their members. Discussion may include topics like, varied scheduling, the possibility of recorded or broadcasted instruction, temporary practice of all staff helping to sanitize, etc.
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COVID-19 Considerations for Schools
Solano County Office of Education
Instructional Considerations Continue to include instructional adaptations that incorporate social distancing and online alternatives. Also include special accommodations for staff and students who are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19. Those who may be sick, must self-isolate, and those who lack internet access will also need instructional accomodations.
Expanded Opportunities for Social-Emotional Supports & Interactions with Caring Adults A critical component of public education is the opportunity for students to interact with caring adults, and the relationships and connectivity that result from these interactions. Social emotional learning is equally important to academic achievement, especially for younger children.
Consider the precautions necessary to protect students with special needs relative to the threat posed by COVID-19. • • •
What does a free and appropriate education look like for students who are immunosuppressed or who have significant health challenges? What special procedures will be necessary to protect students in classrooms that serve severely handicapped students? Ensure the capacity to provide home and hospital instruction (Education Code Section 48206.3) via the internet (Zoom or other means) to assist students who are ill, under quarantine, or in selfisolation.
Create plans to assess and respond to the uneven outcomes created by school closures. • •
What formative assessment tools can we use to understand the individual and collective needs of our students? What is our plan to accelerate learning and close gaps once school reopens?
Develop a continuum of distance learning options that may need to be developed should school be interrupted again in 2020-21. •
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Consider more independent study programs as an alternative for parents who want this option. Include a variety of options that allow students in independent study programs to participate in campus life (electives, sports, dances, etc.). Consider the use of learning centers to support student learning with weekly in-person and virtual appointments for support. Consider interactive distance learning (via classroom webcast) as a means of providing instruction for students who cannot physically participate in classroom instruction.
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COVID-19 Considerations for Schools
Solano County Office of Education
Scheduling Ideas Being Shared Across the State Options to blend classroom and distance learning offered by other California school districts and county offices of education.
Option 1 • Limit the number of students on
campus to 50% of normal.
• Divide all classes into two
equal groups: one would come to school on Monday and Wednesday, the other on Tuesday and Thursday.
• All teachers provide each
group with two days of direct instruction and support, and three days of assignments to complete at home each week.
• Secondary schools could also
implement a block schedule to reduce passing periods and lower the frequency of touches in each classroom.
• Have teachers change
classrooms, students would stay in the same classroom/cohort.
• Provide take-home meals for
each eligible student before they leave each day.
Option 2 • Limit the number of students
on campus to 20% of normal.
• All classes are divided into
five equal groups: one for each day of the week.
• All teachers provide each
group with one day of direct instruction and support, and four days of assignments to complete at home.
• Provide take-home meals for
each eligible student before they leave each day.
• Use Friday for teachers
to provide individual or small-group support by appointment or to prepare packets for the next week.
Option 3 • For districts that can provide
universal internet access, pair Option 1 or 2 with a classroom webcast to provide direct instruction five-days per week.
Option 4 • Districts may opt for an AM/PM
minimum-day schedule with a waiver filed with CDE to waive the state minimum number of minutes.
Option 5 • Districts may opt for a blended
learning program that alternates students between on-campus and distance learning each day/ week.
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COVID-19 Considerations for Schools
Solano County Office of Education
Appendix A - Other COVID-19 Guidance Resources Solano County Office of Education • COVID-19 Resources for Educators web page • COVID-19 Building Signage Samples California Department of Education (CDE) • Coronavirus Response and School Reopening Guidance • School and Child Care Meals • School Meals- What's New Solano County Public Health (SPH) • COVID-19 Updates and Resources • COVID-19 Guidance for Childcare Providers • Solano County Roadmap to Recovery • Solano County Health Order • Updates to the County Health Order California Department of Public Health (CDPH) • COVID-19 Industry Guidance: Schools and School Based Programs • School Guidance on COVID-19 • Order of the State Public Health Officer Center for Disease Control (CDC) • Considerations for K-12 Schools: Readiness and Planning Tool • Considerations for Schools • Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Facility • Decision Making Tree for Schools
California School Boards Association (CSBA) • Reopening Schools in the Time of COVID-19 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) • EPA Certified Disinfectants for COVID-19 • 6 Steps for Effective Disinfectant Use Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) • School Reopening Guidance Document Comparison National and Global Organizations American Enterprise Institute Blueprint for Back to School - Summary & Full Report American Academy of Pediatrics Guidance on Reopening Schools and Planning Considerations American Federation of Teachers Blueprint for Reopening Schools and Plan to Reopen Schools United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Org. School Reopening document Other Information for Staff Training and Protocols • Healthy Schools Act • CDPR: California School & Child Care Integrated Pest Management (IPM) • CDC: Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Patients with Suspected or Confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Healthcare Settings • CDC: People Who Are at Higher Risk for Illness
Appendix B - School Reopening Planning Tool Included here is a sample reopening planning tool that assists with coordination of staffing and logistics on district, school, and classroom levels.
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