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2020-2021 COVID-19 Traditional Learning Option
General GuidelinesThe following is based on information within Georgia’s Path to Recovery for K-12 Schools. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or detailed list of expectations, but will provide an overview of the anticipated guidance for re-entry to the traditional setting on August 5, 2020.
We know how important it is for our students and staff to come back to school. We also understand that we are in the midst of a pandemic and realize that some parents will choose the Virtual Learning Option. Both the traditional and virtual models are extremely important to our school district, and we will keep the safety of our students and staff at the forefront of all of our decisions. The partnership between the school and the parent is more important now than ever before. By supporting one another and increasing communication, we can make the best decisions for our students, staff, and community.
The principal and the school nurse will be the school’s main COVID-19 point of contact. Periodic random temperature checks and health screenings of students and staff will be conducted prior to school starting and throughout the day. Students and staff with COVID-19 symptoms or a temperature of 100.4°F and above will be immediately isolated and sent home. The Effingham County Nurse Coordinator will notify local health officials immediately for guidance on next steps, including closures. Measures will be taken to ensure student and staff privacy
Traditional School Topics / Procedures
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All Students Prior to Departure from Home
- Check student’s temperature (this will help tremendously)
- Teach and reinforce proper hygiene measures to follow throughout the day (handwashing, covering coughs/sneezes, and face coverings)
- No sharing of personal belongings
- Make sure your student has hand sanitizer in their possession (remind to use frequently)
- Remind student to report to the nurse if they feel ill
- Remind student to keep hands away from their mouth and not to touch others
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Transporting Students (Bus)
- All buses will be deep cleaned before the school year starts.
- COVID-19 posters will be placed at the front of each bus in plain view of all students. Reminders for students will be reinforced via signage and bus driver communication with students.
- Every bus will be equipped with disinfectant and will be disinfected after each route.
- Each bus will have hand sanitizer stations located at the entrance for students to use as they enter and leave the bus.
- Although many buses have air conditioning, drivers will partially open select windows of all buses to allow free flow of fresh air.
- Students are highly encouraged to wear masks while riding the bus.
- The bus driver will utilize spaced seating (to extent practicable).
- Brett Martin, the school district’s Transportation Coordinator, is currently developing an action plan for each bus driver to follow on a daily basis, as well as a plan to follow if a student exhibits COVID-19 symptoms.
- Students will be asked to keep their hands to themselves and face forward throughout the trip to school and home.
- Parents MUST sign up for bus transportation online to ensure an accurate count of students riding each route. Please follow this link to update your students' bus ridership status. https://www.effinghamschools.com/busInfoUpdate
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Car Riders / Walkers
- Remind student(s) of proper hygiene measures to follow throughout the day.
- Remind student(s) to use hand sanitizer stations as they enter the building. (staff will be present to help as well)
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Student Drivers
- Once parked on campus, exit the vehicle and report to your designated area in the building. (use hand sanitizer stations as you enter the building)
- Be aware of any passengers’ potential exposure to COVID-19 and limit as much risk as possible
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Students Entering The Building
- A staff member will be present to make sure students use the hand sanitizer stations as they enter the building
- Random temperature checks will be conducted as students enter the building
- Students will be reminded to socially distance at least 6 feet where applicable
- As students enter the building, report to the designated area immediately
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Visitors
- Nonessential visitors, volunteers, and activities involving external groups or organizations will be limited.
- Parents or visitors needing to see the Principal or other staff member will be required to wait in a designated area (temp checked / masks and sign in required)
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Classroom Setting
- Staff will teach and reinforce good hygiene practices such as handwashing, covering coughs, sneezing, and face coverings
- Frequent handwashing breaks will take place daily in all elementary schools where students will be required to wash their hands for a minimum of 20 seconds
- Middle and high school students and employees will be reminded to wash their hands throughout the day for a minimum of 20 seconds
- Staff members will be required to wear masks or shields while moving throughout the building
- Students are encouraged to wear masks
- Classroom desks and door handles will be cleaned and disinfected between each class
- Based upon classroom configuration and to the extent possible, student desks will face in the same direction and students seated at tables will sit on the same side
- Staff will clean/disinfect touched surfaces frequently (between classes)
- Keep students’ personal items separate as much as possible.
- While sharing of objects in classrooms is discouraged, any shared objects will be cleaned/disinfected after each use.
- Group work should be limited
- The school will provide soap and hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, paper towels, and no-touch trash cans. Some classrooms have sinks within the room to accommodate hand washing
- Each classroom will be equipped with hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol)
- Students should follow the flow path provided by the teacher when entering or leaving the classroom
- Administrators will use the master schedule to balance student numbers as much as possible - remove unused desks in classrooms: maximize social distancing to the extent practicable
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Restrooms
- All restrooms should be disinfected after each transition
- Soap and towel dispensers should be checked after each transition to ensure that adequate soap and towels are available
- Students should report issues in regards to restrooms to their teacher or other staff member
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Water Fountains
- All water fountains (upward spouts) will be covered or disabled
- Students must only use bottle fillers to obtain water
- Students are encouraged to bring water bottles from home or purchase from water machines within the buildings (middle and high school)
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Serving Meals
- Breakfast and Lunch procedures will be developed at the school level in cooperation with the Principal, Cafeteria Manager, and the district’s School Nutrition Coordinator
- All cashiers must be behind a window or Plexiglas
- School Nutrition Staff Members will wear masks for the safety of students and staff
- All serving lines must be sanitized after each breakfast and lunch serving times
- To ensure the safety of children, to the extent possible, students may eat in classrooms or in cafeteria with spaced seating
- Principals may choose to use other areas as well (gymnasium / commons / outside (weather permitting), etc.
- General USDA Federal Guidelines will be in place as well
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Locker Rooms / Weight Room
- All locker rooms must be disinfected after each class change
- All weight room equipment must be disinfected after each use
- Students will not be required to dress out until further notice
- Teachers will have activities during PE outside weather permitting
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Transitioning (class change / departure)
- Non-essential student movement throughout the school day will be limited
- Staff will clean/disinfect touched surfaces frequently (between classes)
- Class Change - Principals will have an individual school plan for class change and other transitioning periods
- Principals will consider some of the following as they develop the school’s individual plan:
- Additional time for transitions
- Flow paths to keep students separated and minimize congregation
- Allow for restroom break and handwashing
- Designated areas (hall lanes) to use, etc.
- Principals will do their best to keep students separated (to extent practicable)
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Recess
- Outdoor recess will be continued, but the number of students gathered in one area will be limited
- Some playground equipment may be prohibited for student use
- After recess, students will be required to wash hands for a minimum of 20 seconds
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Open House
- Open House will be modified, and further information will be released by July 17, 2020
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Athletics
- The school district will follow Georgia High School Association guidelines for sporting events and practices
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Large Group Gatherings at School (PTO / Booster Clubs / PLC’s, etc.)
- The school district will abide by the maximum number of people allowed to congregate as defined by the Governor’s current statewide Executive Order
- Virtual meetings will be used when possible to protect the safety of students, staff, and community
- Masks will be required at all face-to-face group meetings
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When a Student, Staff Member, or Visitor becomes sick at school
- The school principal and nurse will identify an isolation room or area to separate anyone who exhibits COVID-lilke symptoms
- School nurse will use standard and transmission-based precautions when caring for sick people
- School nurse will assess the health risk based on the COVID-19 questionnaire and utilizing typical medical protocols for diagnosis
- School nurse will contact the parent of a sick child
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School Principal is notified of a Positive Covid-19 Case
- In cooperation with the Department of Public Health, school district leaders are developing a flow chart to follow. More information will be forthcoming.
Last Modified on August 21, 2020
