Reopening Plan Update for Englewood Schools - Ensuring Health and Safety
Englewood School District's updated reopening plan focuses on ensuring continuity of services and prioritizing health and safety measures. Key highlights include vaccination requirements, communication protocols, masking guidelines, transportation regulations, and social distancing practices. The plan emphasizes collaboration with stakeholders and adherence to state mandates to safeguard the well-being of students, staff, and visitors.
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Reopening Plan for Englewood Schools Update 10/28/2021 1
Plan for Reopening: Ensuring Continuity of Services The Englewood School District has developed the following plan to return students to full day instruction. The protocols established in this document have been developed with feedback from stakeholders along with considerations provided by the NJDOE and NJDOH through The Road Forward: Health and Safety Guidance for the 2021-2022 School Year. The guidance from The Road Forward replaces mandates set forth in Executive Order No. 175. Mask requirements are a result of Executive Order 251. This document will be fluid as new guidelines and mandates may be established as the year progresses. All changes to the document will be communicated with all stakeholders in a timely manner. 2
General Health and Safety Guidelines VACCINATIONS Per Executive Order 253: All school staff must be fully vaccinated by October 18, 2021 or be subject to COVID-19 testing at a minimum one to two times per week. COMMUNICATION Communication between the community and district will continue to occur in a timely manner. The district will maintain close communication with the Bergen County Board of Health. Every week the NJDOH provides information on COVID-19 transmission at the regional level. This data is observed carefully and can have an impact on our plan. Again, any changes to the plan as a result of regional transmission rates will be communicated. This data is usually posted every Thursday of the month and can be found on the NJDOH CDS COVID-19 website. The Englewood School District will continue to share information with all stakeholders regarding locations, dates, times and contact information for vaccination clinics as they become available to the district. 3
MASKING Per Executive Order 251, which went into effect on August 9, 2021, all students, educators, staff and visitors will be required to wear face masks indoors for the start of the 2021-2022 school year. Masks and/or other barriers do not preclude an individual from being identified as a close contact to a COVID-19 case. Per Executive Order 253, Individuals seeking a medical exemption from mask wearing pursuant to certain exceptions outlined in Executive Order #251 for all public, private, and parochial preschool programs and elementary and secondary schools, including charter and renaissance schools, will be required to produce written documentation from a medical professional to support that exemption. Self-attestations and parental attestations are not sufficient All notes will be reviewed by our school physician. Mask breaks will be provided to students to the greatest extent possible throughout the school day. 4
Transportation Per the CDC s Federal Order, passengers and drivers must wear masks on school buses operated by public and private school systems. SOCIAL DISTANCING & COHORTING To the greatest extent possible, students will be maintaining three feet of distance between classmates in classroom settings. Desks will face the same direction in rows. Small group instruction (such as guided reading) may take place within the classroom and may be dependent on the COVID-19 Activity Rate within our region. 5
Lunch/Recess During lunch, students will be socially distanced to the greatest extent possible and be assigned to specific tables and seats. Lunch tables will be spread out to maximize space. Lunch will be provided to all students free of charge. Lunch count will be taken during homeroom each day. Cafeteria tables will be disinfected throughout the day. When possible, outdoor space will be utilized for lunch. LOCKERS Students will have access to lockers at the start of the 2021-2022 school year. Each day students should bring what they need in their backpack. We will reevaluate the use of lockers as the year progresses. Restrooms Same procedure as last year will be followed. Each classroom will have two cones. One for the girls room and the other for the boys room. If a cone is already in the hallway the student will wait until that student retrieves their cone. This will further help maintain social distancing. 6
Hand Hygiene and Respiratory Etiquette Each classroom teacher will have a supply of hand sanitizer which will be administered to students each time they enter the room. The hand sanitizer used by staff contains 80% alcohol and meets CDC guidelines. Students are permitted to use their own hand sanitizer if they choose. Staff will review with students the appropriate procedure to cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue if not wearing a mask. Cleaning, Disinfection and Airflow CLEANING AND DISINFECTING EPSD will continue to be thoroughly cleaned daily. This will include: Routinely cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and objects that are frequently touched. This may include cleaning objects / surfaces not ordinarily cleaned daily (e.g., doorknobs, light switches, classroom sink handles, countertops). Clean with the cleaners typically used. Electrostatic spray will be used frequently during the day and in the evenings. 7
Cleaning, Disinfection and Airflow Continue: LIMITED USE OF SHARED SUPPLIES EPDS will work to limit the sharing of high-touch materials or limit the use of supplies and equipment by one group of students at a time and clean and disinfect routinely and preferably between use. Hand hygiene practices will be implemented between use of shared items. IMPROVING AIR FLOW We will bring in as much outdoor air as possible into the classrooms. While students are present in the room, ventilation systems or air conditioning units must be running. Windows should also be open, when possible, to maximize air circulation. Air conditioning units, ventilation systems and windows will be evaluated to determine if upgrades or additions are required. Indoor air quality assessment will be completed over the summer. 8
Screening, Exclusion, and Response to Symptomatic Students and Staff Definition of COVID-19 Compatible Symptoms NJDOH recommends that students with the following symptoms be promptly isolated from others and excluded from school: At least TWO of the following symptoms: fever(measured or subjective), chills, rigors(shivers), myalgia(muscle aches), headaches, sore throat, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, congestion or runny nose; OR At least ONE of the following symptoms: cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, new olfactory disorder, or new taste disorder. For students and staff with chronic illness, only new symptoms or symptoms worse than baseline should be used to fulfill symptom-based exclusion criteria 9
Parental Screening Parents should monitor students carefully for signs of illness each day. Students who are sick should not attend school. If a child is showing signs of illness, parents should contact the school immediately, keep their child home and contact their healthcare provider. Response to Symptomatic Students and Staff in the School Setting If a student or staff member becomes ill during the school day, they will be isolated in a designated room until they can leave the building. Staff who must supervise students waiting to get picked up must maintain social distancing. Any person sent home with COVID-19 compatible symptoms should also see their healthcare provider. Positive cases will be reported immediately to the Bergen County Board of Health. 10
Exclusion Criteria For persons who have COVID-19 Compatible Symptoms or who test positive for COVID-19 the following exclusion criteria is to be followed: Ill individuals with COVID-19 compatible symptoms who have not been tested or individuals who tested positive for COVID-19 should stay home until at least 10 days have passed since symptom onset and at least 24 hours have passed after resolution of fever without fever reducing medications and improvement in symptoms. Persons who test positive for COVID-19 but who are asymptomatic should stay home for 10 days from the positive test result. An alternative diagnosis (including a positive strep test or influenza swab) without a negative COVID-19 test is not acceptable for individuals who meet COVID-19 exclusion criteria to return to school earlier than the timeframes above. Exclusion criteria for individuals who are close contact of persons who tested positive for COVID-19 may be considered for a reduced exclusion period based on the following community transmission levels: High (orange) or Very High (red) exposed close contacts should be excluded from school for 14 days. Moderate or Low (yellow or green) exposed close contacts should be excluded from school for 10 days (or 7 days with negative test results collected at 5-7 days). 11
Exclusion Criteria Continue: Exposed close contacts who are fully vaccinated and have no COVID-like symptoms: Do not need to quarantine, be excluded from school, or be tested following an exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. Should still monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days following exposure If they experience symptoms, they should isolate themselves from others, be clinically evaluated for COVID-19, including SARS-CoV-2 testing and inform their health care provider of their vaccination status at the time of presentation to care. Unvaccinated siblings of a student who has symptoms and meets COVID-19 Exclusion Criteria should be excluded from school until the symptomatic individual receives a negative test result. If the symptomatic individual tests positive, the sibling will need to quarantine. 12
In the k-12 indoor classroom setting, the close contact definition excludes students who were within 3-6 feet of an infected student (laboratory-confirmed or a clinically compatible illness) where both the infected student and the exposed students(s) correctly and consistently wore well-fitting masks the entire time. This exception does not apply to teachers, staff or other adults in the indoor classroom setting. International Travel International travelers who are not fully vaccinated should get tested with a PCR test 3-5 days after travel AND stay home and self-quarantine for a full 7 days after travel, even if they test negative. If testing is not completed post-travel, individuals should self-quarantine for 10 days. International travelers who are fully vaccinated should also get tested with a PCR test 3-5 days after travel, self-monitor for symptoms, and isolate and get tested if symptoms develop. 13
Remote Instruction/180 Day Requirement Schools must be in session for 180 days to receive state aid. EPSD will offer virtual or remote instruction which is commensurate with in-person instruction to the extent possible for students who have been quarantined. Instruction for these students will continue through TEAMS/meet and Zoom. Students will complete work during the day via TEAMS. This work will be aligned to what is happening within the classroom. Teachers will be made available after school to provide instruction and/or support. The students who are quarantined need to log into these sessions each day they are out of school. The links will be shared by the team leaders so students have all of the information they need to keep up with in person classes. The only students who may participate in remote learning are those who have been quarantined. After school learning sessions will run Monday - Thursday. Specific times will be shared out by the Teacher. In circumstances when school facilities remain open and in-person instruction continues in those classrooms that are not required to quarantine, those days in session will also count towards the district s 180-day requirement in accordance with NJSA 18A:7F-9. When school is closed due to a declared state of emergency, declared public health emergency, or a directive and/or recommendation by the appropriate health agency or officer to the institute of public-health related closure, days of virtual or remote instruction commensurate with in-person instruction will count towards the district 180 days requirement. 14
Technology All students will have a district assigned device. Students will not share devices. All students will take devices home nightly. For families in need, the district has access to smart spot WIFI devices for home use. Instructional staff members have access to district devices for use at home as needed. All students will be provided with email accounts. Sudden Remote Learning for In-Person Students At some point, students may need to transition from on-site learning to remote learning. Situations that may cause a change to remote learning: o Executive Order from the Governor o Local outbreak of COVD-19 requiring closure of school building o Staffing issues if the district cannot safely provide for student health and/or supervision o Individual classes may need to switch to remote learning pending the review of suspected COVID-19 exposure o Determinations to close on-site instruction will be made in consultation with the Bergen County Health Department Families and staff will need to be prepared to change to remote learning with little notice. The district will make announcements regarding remote learning days via Instant Alerts on Genesis or Thrillshare . 15
Sports and Clubs Extracurricular activities will begin this fall as regularly scheduled. Masks will be optional for all after school activities. When traveling to other districts for away games; players, coaches and spectators must follow the guidelines established by the host district. Masks will be required on buses transporting students to and from games and practices. School Lunch Program During Remote Learning School lunches will be available to eligible students each day the district is engaged in virtual instruction. Parents/guardians of eligible students will be contacted by the school district and inquire if the parent/guardian would prefer to come to Middle School to pick-up meals or have meals delivered to them by district personnel using a district owned vehicle. 16
Quarantine Memorandum In class mask on: Student positive 3 feet or less must quarantine 10 days or 5 7-days negative PCR test. Indoor masking for all students, staff, teachers, and visitors to K-12 schools, regardless of vaccination status. This chart was developed with the assistance of the Bergen County Health Department, and it goes into effective when we have a positive case of Covid- 19. Staff positive 6 feet of physical distance or less 15 minutes must quarantine 10 days or 5 7-days negative PCR test. Quarantine monitor symptoms: Watch for fever (100.4 F), cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19. In class mask off for more than 15 minutes: Students/Staff within 6 feet of physical distance exposed to a positive -Must quarantined 10 days or 5-7 days negative PCR test. School bus with mask on within 3 feet of physical distance or 15 minutes or more: Must quarantined 10 days or 5-7 days negative PCR test. Student mask off with 6 feet of physical distance or 15 minutes or more: Must quarantined 10 days or 5-7 days negative PCR test. Vaccinated student or staff Do not have to quarantine when expose to a positive case but must monitor symptoms. Travel in Country: Vaccinated -Do not quarantine -monitor symptoms Non-vaccinated -Quarantine After day 10 without testing After day 7 after receiving a negative PCR test result (test must occur on day 5 or later) Out of the Country: Vaccinated- PCR test results only Non-vaccinated -Quarantine result (test must occur on day 5 or later) After day 10 without testing After day 7 after receiving a negative PCR test Please be patient with the quarantine and contact tracing requirement for isolating students until we know for sure who has been in contact with the positive case and the Health Department has been consulted. We will notify the affected parties as soon as the information becomes available. Thank you. 17
