Overbrook School for the Blind Health and Safety Plan Overview
Overbrook School for the Blind's health and safety plan overview discusses the re-opening strategy, participation format, important dates, gratitude for patience, and the current plan developed in line with CDC, PA Department of Health, and PA Department of Education guidelines. The focus is on providing quality education while prioritizing the safety of students and staff amidst the evolving COVID-19 situation.
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HEALTH AND SAFETY PLAN OVERBROOK SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND
INTRODUCTION: OVERVIEW School Re-opening: Jackie Brennan, Superintendent Ultimate goal to resume normal school operations as soon as conditions allow. Initial re-opening seeks to provide the best educational programming that a commitment to safety allows. Seek advice from medical providers. We honor parent choice Modified as conditions change Health and Safety Plan: Angie Williams, Director of Health and Safety Required by PDE Steps taken to limit spread of Covid-19 Posted on OSB website Modified as conditions change
INTRODUCTION: PARTICIPATION FORMAT Ask Questions in Chat Answers derived from Health and Safety Plan addressed in last hour Questions not reflected in Health and Safety Plan will be preserved and answered later (either in updated versions or separately) After the Zoom meeting, send Questions and Comments to healthandsafetyplan@obs.org This Zoom meeting will be recorded Be aware: Private messages are viewable on the recording
INTRODUCTION: IMPORTANT DATES Monday, Aug 3: Health and Safety Plan posted on website Wednesday, Aug 5: Parent Town Hall @ 6:30p Wednesday, Aug 12: Deadline for Parent Election of Virtual or Face-to-Face Option Please direct any questions to school administration or via healthandsafetyplan@obs.org ESY providers and other teachers are learning the Health and Safety Plan as well
INTRODUCTION: THANK YOU Your patience has been tested since March Parents and Staff have adapted to unforeseeable conditions You have been patient with us
RE-OPENING OUR SCHOOL: OUR CURRENT PLAN This plan was developed using the guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the PA Department of Health and the PA Department of Education, input from staff, families, and our Pandemic Planning team. As the situation with Covid-19 continually changes, we will continue to monitor these sites and adjust or change our plan as needed throughout the school year. The safety of your children and the staff is our priority as we work to provide quality instruction for all students.
RE-OPENING OUR SCHOOL The first 2 weeks of school will be Distance Learning for all Students. Staff will be on campus during this time to provide distance learning and classroom set up. Overbrook School for the Blind plans to offer families the choice of either attending classes on campus Monday Thursday with Distance Learning on Fridays. OR 5-days a week Distance Learning Parents will commit to one of these programs for a set period of time (at least through the 1stquarter ending Oct 30). Our program offerings will be evaluated during this time period to determine next steps. Staff, students, and families should be prepared for a flexible school year plan based on what is happening with COVID-19.
DATES FOR STAFF AND FAMILIES August 12: Parents/Guardians must decide which option they select for their child: on-campus or distance learning Staff will return on September 1 as planned September 1-3: Staff days will be used for training and for setting up distance learning schedules and plans The following 2 weeks, September 8 -18, staff will provide distance learning to all students, set up their classrooms to allow for social distancing, and practice and review new protocols to be used when students are on campus September 21: Students return to campus Oct 30: First quarter ends; determine next steps for on-campus or distance learning options
PROGRAM OPTIONS Parents will need to determine which format, on campus or distance learning, they want for their child by August 12 This decision will remain in place until the end of 1stquarter (Oct 30) or if we determine a change in programming is needed due to Covid 19 Staff will either be implementing the on-campus with 1 day of distance learning or the 5- day distance learning program Staff assignments will be determined based on the number of students in each option
ON CAMPUS PROGRAM All staff and students will be screened each morning There will be multiple screening stations set up around campus PPEs for staff will be provided Families must supply masks for their children Please do not send your child to school if he/she has any symptoms of illness You must have someone available to pick up your child if we determine s/he needs to leave due to possible illness You must supply up-to-date contact information More Health and Safety information will be provided later in this presentation
ON CAMPUS PROGRAM Students will come to school Monday -Thursday Fridays will be a virtual distance learning program Students will remain in the classroom all day Students will eat in their classrooms The start of special subjects will be delayed, and each subject will be evaluated to determine implementation Therapists and O&M Specialists will work in teams assigned to classrooms to limit interactions throughout the school, services may be face-to-face or virtual depending on the situation; amount of time may need to be adjusted based on staggered start times, dismissal times, and virtual day Staff will be assigned for morning and afternoon bus duty; student drop off and pick up times will be staggered, multiple locations will be used to limit numbers during this time
VIRTUAL PROGRAM Students will participate 5-days a week Attendance will be taken An adult must be present to assist if this is needed Families must have needed equipment/technology access, please let us know if you need assistance with this Formats to be used: Zoom, Google Classroom
HEALTH & SAFETY MONITORING STUDENT AND STAFF HEALTH All staff and students (parents) will conduct self-monitoring assessments daily prior to reporting to Overbrook Parents must be on the alert for signs of illness in their children and keep them home when they are sick Staff and Students will be Screened upon arrival. Health screenings will include daily temperature checks prior to entry. Persons with a fever of 100.40 (38.00C) or above or other signs of illness will not be admitted to the facility Staff and parents should talk to their own and their children s healthcare providers about their individual risk factors for Covid-19 and the risks of working at or attending a childcare facility
HEALTH & SAFETY WATCH FOR SYMPTOMS People with Covid-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have Covid-19: Fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion, runny nose, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea This list does not include all possible symptoms. CDC will continue to update this list as we learn more about Covid-19. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html
MONITORING OF STUDENTS & STAFF TO ENSURE THEY ARE HEALTHY AND NOT EXHIBITING SIGNS OF ILLNESS Any student or staff member with temperature >100.4 or displaying Covid-19 symptoms will be sent home immediately. All Healthcare Professionals caring for a sick child or staff member who presents with Covid-19 symptoms will use Standard and Transmission-Based Precautions and wear proper PPEs
ISOLATING OR QUARANTINING STUDENTS, STAFF, OR VISITORS IF THEY BECOME SICK OR DEMONSTRATE A HISTORY OF EXPOSURE Student: If the student can be safely transported to another location, he or she will be escorted to a designated isolation room. Currently we have identified two isolation rooms Depending on how severe their symptoms are, a nurse will assess the student and determine if he or she should go home or be taken to a healthcare facility If a separate room is not available or accessible, a designated cot or crib that can be kept at least 6 feet apart from all other children, will be used
ISOLATING OR QUARANTINING STUDENTS, STAFF, OR VISITORS IF THEY BECOME SICK OR DEMONSTRATE A HISTORY OF EXPOSURE Staff: Staff who develop symptoms of Covid-like will be sent home immediately when possible Health Services must be contacted to evaluate the severity of their symptoms 911 will be called if a person is unstable and or requires emergency treatment Staff members who need to wait on campus for transportation will be directed to wait in a designated isolation room
FACILITIES CLEANING, SANITIZING, DISINFECTING AND VENTILATION The School s Cleaning Protocol will be elevated in order to combat the spread of Covid- 19. We will use a three-pronged approach that provides for continuous cleaning throughout the day. This will include: OSB Housekeeping Staff working dayshift and cleaning 9 AM to 5 PM All other OSB Staff augmenting the work of housekeeping during the day Contracted Cleaning Staff cleaning after hours, electrostatic disinfection every evening
FACILITIES CLEANING, SANITIZING, DISINFECTING AND VENTILATION Housekeeping: Cleaning/disinfecting the common area bathrooms every 2 hours Cleaning/disinfecting common areas and high touch areas throughout the day: Entrances, hallways, changing rooms, conference rooms, the cafeteria, stair wells, handrails, doors, and handles Trash and Diaper removal throughout the day: Trash in common areas and in changing rooms will be removed multiple times per day. Classroom trash can be removed during the day upon request
FACILITIES CLEANING, SANITIZING, DISINFECTING AND VENTILATION Classroom Staff: Clean commonly touched areas at a minimum before and after lunch, and at the end of the day Staff will immediately clean surfaces and objects that are visibly soiled. If surfaces or objects are soiled with body fluids or blood staff will use standard precautions to avoid contact with the fluid. Housekeeping must be contacted to clean large soiled areas Classrooms must be clutter free at the end of each day to allow for a thorough cleaning by the night crew
FACILITIES CLEANING, SANITIZING, DISINFECTING AND VENTILATION Training: Staff will receive training on how to properly clean classrooms, work areas and common areas (restroom, changing rooms, hallways, conference rooms, etc.) OSB will use hydrogen peroxide cleaners in the classrooms because they are an effective and safe product, and they are safe for toys
CONTRACTED CLEANING SERVICE Each evening contracted service crew perform thorough cleaning/disinfecting of all classrooms, offices, bathrooms, elevator cabs, conference rooms, common areas, changing rooms, etc. Carpets vacuum all carpets and remove embedded soil and dirt daily. Shampoo halls weekly. Shampoo classrooms as requested. Hard floors mop all floor surfaces daily. Wet mop stairwells weekly. Buff hallway tile weekly. Cafeteria clean and disinfect tables and chairs, mop all floor surfaces, vacuum all carpets and buff floors monthly. Electrostatic cleaning will be done nightly. This process uses a disinfecting mist to sanitize covered surfaces and objects.
SAFEGUARDS Barriers: OSB reopening guidance includes the use of the following Safety precautions tailored to the specific activity and setting. To ensure that everyone has access to protective equipment, OSB will provide needed Personal Protective Devices for employees and students Masks - Block the virus from spreading from infected persons by wearing masks. You must avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Practice good respiratory etiquette, including covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or shoulder OSB requires all persons over the age of 2 years old to wear a face mask that covers the mouth and nose at all times while on school property, including inside school vehicles. Masks incorporating valves are not allowed
MASK EXCEPTIONS Exceptions to mask requirements will be made if wearing a mask is not possible due to medical conditions, disability impact, or other health or safety factors. Face shields will be a viable alternative to masks for those with medical, behavioral or other conditions precluding them from wearing masks Employees - Employees who have a health condition that prevents them from wearing a mask, will be asked to provide documentation from a licensed medical provider stating that the person is exempt from wearing any form of face covering. In these instances., OSB may implement safe options such as face shields, job reassignment, etc Students - OSB will work with parents/guardians to identify those individual students who are exempt from wearing a mask. We are not requiring medical documentation for students who are unable to wear a mask
FACE SHIELDS Others Visitors and Vendors who are not able to wear a face mask or face covering, must contact the Director of Health and Safety prior to coming to campus to make arrangements for a safe option; otherwise, access will not be granted The use of face shields with face masks help to prevent respiratory droplets expelled by one person to another. Any person engaging in activities which place them at risk of coming in contact with body fluids must use a face shield OSB will provide face shields to employees who need them Clear physical barriers will be installed in reception areas, school front offices and workspaces where face-to-face interaction occurs
GLOVES / GOWNS Gloves and Gowns should be worn by any person engaging in activities that place them at risk of coming in contact with body fluids. OSB will provide staff with disposable gloves and gowns Use disposable gloves and gowns when touching or having contact with blood, stool, or body fluids, such as saliva, mucus, vomit, and urine After using disposable gloves and gowns throw them out in a lined trash can Do not disinfect or reuse the gloves or disposable gowns It is mandatory for employees to dispose of gloves and gowns between each encounter; use a new set of gloves and a new gown for each student Gloves must be removed after each task and hand washing must be done
SOCIAL DISTANCING AND OTHER SAFETY PROTOCOLS Classroom/learning spaces will be organized to allow maximum space between students in order to mitigate spread. Desks, mats, chairs will be strategically placed to allow for six feet distance between students when possible Dividers and face shields will be utilized when social distancing is not feasible. Plexiglass screens and or other physical barriers will be used as an alternative Maintenance making 25 room dividers, purchased over 100 portable plexiglass dividers, over 2000 face shields, 1500 boxes of gloves gowns, over 10,000 facemask (some transparent facemask and child size) Exceptions Student involvement that requires close contact. Additional PPE s to include gowns, gloves, and face shields may be required.
SOCIAL DISTANCING AND OTHER SAFETY PROTOCOLS Limit Movement employees and students must limit traveling throughout the campus, and only do so when it is necessary for school-related business purposes OSB will designate access points as entry and exit only during bus loading and unloading. Teachers lounges and other gathering areas will be closed off Floor or space markers and other directional signage are used to honor social distancing recommendations. Postings, floor markings, signages, and verbal recordings are situated throughout campus to include classrooms, hallways and offices, requiring people to maintain a 6 feet distance from one another
SOCIAL DISTANCING AND OTHER SAFETY PROTOCOLS: CAFETERIA BREAKROOMS - LOUNGES All students will eat snacks and lunch in the classrooms All students and staff will wash/ sanitize hands prior to eating and after eating The same group of students will stay in the same classroom throughout the day with the same teacher and will not mix with other students to the extent feasible Food service will prepare meals for individual students and deliver these to the classrooms Food service will prepare a limited selection of food for staff to purchase The student and staff dining halls will be available for staff use with markers to restrict seating for social distancing and reduce capacity Picnic tables will be placed outside to encourage outdoor dining
STAGGERING THE USE OF COMMUNAL SPACES AND HALLWAYS Additional Changing rooms will be provided to limit use in shared space Students use of hallway lockers will be limited Student and staff travel will be limited Travel will be one way at the beginning and end of the day. Throughout the day, this is not possible, so staff will need to check the hallways and make sure that they are clear before allowing the students to leave the classroom
TRANSPORTATION Transportation Liaison and Coordinator continually communicate with various transportation providers and school districts to plan for fall re-opening addressing: Student temperature checks and symptom screening Assigning student seating on buses/vehicle Verifying the systematic procedures to board and exit the bus are established and reviewed with each transportation provider Confirming that staggered arrival and dismissal times are scheduled per bus/vehicle Assigning school instructional staff to each student to escort them to and from the bus
TRANSPORTATION At dismissal time, students will remain in small classroom groups, utilizing outdoor space weather permitting, and as appropriate for the student Bus Groups will be announced at dismissal time to eliminate the end of the day gathering of students
HAND HYGIENE Students and staff will wash their hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer upon arrival, before and after sharing materials and/or equipment and before dismissal Maintenance installed additional sinks throughout campus and in classrooms, and hand sanitizer will be provided in all buildings OSB mandates employees wash their hands with soap and water before and after using the restrooms Employees must wash their hands before and after student contact; it is imperative that employees wash their hands in between contact with different students
THANK YOU Send additional questions and comments to: healthandsafetyplan@obs.org
