Health and Safety
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Health and Safety
The health and safety of our students, our staff and their families is our top priority. We want students and employees to feel comfortable and safe returning to the school campus. Our reopening plan incorporates recommendations and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), New York State Reopening Guidance for Religious and Independent Schools, the Religious Services Guidelines on the New York Forward website and the New York State Education Department (NYSED).
The following protocols and procedures will be in place for the 2020-21 school year should in-person schooling resume. Anyone with questions or concerns should contact our COVID-19 safety coordinator Mrs. Goyer at agoyer.shs@gmail.com or 518-274-3655.
For more information about how health and safety protocols and training will be communicated to students, families, and staff members, visit the Communication/Family and Community Engagement section of our reopening plan.
Health Checks
The school has developed resources to educate parents/guardians and staff members regarding the careful observation of symptoms of COVID-19 and health screening measures that must be conducted each morning before coming to school. The resources include the requirement for any student or staff member with a fever of 100.0°F or greater and/or symptoms of possible COVID-19 virus infection to not come to school. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) list of Coronavirus symptoms was used to develop these resources.
Sacred Heartwill implement the following practices to conduct mandated health screening:- Daily temperature checks and completion of the screening questionnaire provided in the New York Forward Pre-K to Grade 12 School Guidelines for staff, contractors, vendors, and visitorsprior to being allowed into the school portion of the building.
- Daily temperature check for all students prior to entry to the building. Completion by parents/guardians of the screening questionnaire for students every day. Families who do not complete the online survey will need to complete it in person while dropping their child/children off. If a family does not complete the survey and uses TSL before care or child/children take the bus, the parent/guardian will be contacted via phone and email to complete the survey.
- We are utilizing a secure online platform for families to complete these self-assessment checklists. (updated 9/17/20)
- Students who have a temperature of 100.0°F or greater or have a positive response to a screening question will not be allowed to enter the building and will be sent home with the parent/guardian who has brought them to school. No parents/family members will be allowed into the school building at this time.
- Parents should call the main office at 518-274-3655 or email Mrs. MacLasco at jmaclasco.shs@gmail.com if their child is sick. If your child is sick, please keep them home.
- After check in, Mrs. MacLasco and/or Mrs. Snyder will review the incoming screening reports to make sure they are completed. (updated 9/17/20)
- The school nurse, Mrs. Goyer, or Mrs. MacLasco should be notified if an individual experiences any COVID-19 symptom later in the day.
- Faculty and staff will be temperature screened and complete their self-assessment (either online or on paper) at the main office before they will be allowed to enter the school portion of the building. Faculty and staff will maintain social distancing and wear masks while waiting their turn.
- Students will be maintaining social distancing while waiting for their screening.
- Staff who will be performing temperature screenings will be training on how to use a thermometer and what to look for when screening a child.
- Staff will wear a mask while conducting temperature checks. (updated 9/17/20)
- Visitors will only be allowed into the school portion of the building if they are specifically working with a student (OT, PT, Title I, counseling).
- Parishioners into the building for Mass will need to be screened according to the parish’s regulations for screening.
The school will emphasize healthy hygiene practices for students and staff by providing initial and refresher education in hand and respiratory hygiene, along with providing adequate supplies and time for frequent hand hygiene. Signs will be posted throughout the school (e.g., entrances, restrooms, cafeteria, classrooms, administrative offices, auditorium, custodial staff areas), and regular messaging will be shared with the school community. Signage will be used to remind individuals to:- Stay home if they feel sick.
- Cover their nose and mouth with an acceptable face covering when unable to maintain social distance from others or in accordance with any stricter policy implemented by the school.
- Properly store and, when necessary, discard PPE.
- Adhere to social distancing instructions.
- Report symptoms of, or exposure to, COVID-19.
- Follow hand hygiene, and cleaning and disinfection guidelines.
- Follow respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette.
Students and staff must carry out the following hand hygiene practices.- Wash hands routinely with soap (any kind) and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Dry hands completely after washing, using paper towels to dry hands if available instead of a hand dryer.
- If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol. Hand sanitizer should be rubbed on the hands until it is completely absorbed. DO NOT dry hands if sanitizer is used.
- Before and after eating (e.g. snacks and lunch).
- After going to the restroom or after assisting a student with toileting.
- After using a tissue.
- Before and after using shared materials.
- Before and after putting on or taking off face masks.
- After coming in from the outdoors.
- Anytime hands are visibly soiled.
The COVID-19 virus spreads from person to person in droplets produced by coughs and sneezes. Therefore, the school will emphasize the importance of respiratory hygiene.
Students and staff must carry out the following respiratory hygiene practices.- Cover a cough or sneeze using a tissue. If a tissue is used, it should be thrown away immediately.
- If you don’t have a tissue when sneezing or coughing, sneeze into your elbow.
- Wash your hands after sneezing or coughing.
- Face coverings are protective. Wearing a face covering will keep the respiratory droplets and aerosols from being widely dispersed into the air.
Social Distancing
The school has developed a plan with policies and procedures for maintaining social distancing of all students, faculty, and staff when on school facilities, grounds, and transportation.- Students, faculty, and staff will maintain social distancing of at least 6ft on school grounds and within the building whenever possible. Hallways and stairwells will be marked with signs to show where students/teachers should stand while walking in the hall to maintain social distancing.
- Marks will be made outside on the pavement for students to know where to line up to maintain social distancing.
- Classrooms will be marked with boxes on the floor so students know where desks should stay within their 6ft space to maintain social distancing.
- Students will wear face coverings both inside and outside the building. Students may remove their face covering at their desk if they are socially distant at least 6ft. Students may also remove their masks while eating and during physical activity (if at least 6ft of social distancing is maintained during the activity). In some cases, teachers may require students to wear masks at their desks (Example: during specials).
- Students will be provided with a breakaway lanyard for their mask when not in use. Students may also bring an item from home to hold their mask when not wearing it.
- Teachers and teaching assistants will need to wear masks both inside and outside the building. Teachers and teaching assistants may remove their mask while maintaining a social distance at least 6ft away from students, at their desk at least 6ft away from students, and while they are eating. Face shields will also be provided to faculty and staff.
- Additional PPE will be available for all students, faculty, and staff should the need arise. If social distancing of 6 feet cannot be maintained, proper face coverings must be worn, especially in common areas such as hallways or school buses. For those medically unable to wear face coverings, face shields or bandanas will be acceptable to wear.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Face Covering
Students, staff and visitors to our school will be expected to wear face coverings indoors and outside, including on the school bus, when six-foot physical distancing is not possible. Students will be allowed to remove face coverings during meals, instruction, and for short breaks so long as they maintain appropriate social distance. Students who are unable to medically tolerate a face covering will not be required to wear one.
Because students and staff will need to be prepared to wear a face covering if another person unexpectedly cannot socially distance, they will be required to wear a face covering in all common areas (e.g., entrances and exits) and when traveling around the school.
Students will be asked to bring their own face covering from home. We will not have a mask to match our uniform, however, masks fabrics should be appropriate for school and preferably in a solid color. Please refrain from masks patterns that may distract other students. Students Styles does have masks that will match the Sacred Heart uniform. Face coverings will be provided to students and staff, if needed, at no cost. Acceptable face coverings for COVID-19 include, but are not limited to, cloth-based coverings and surgical masks that cover both the mouth and nose.
An employee is allowed to wear their own acceptable face covering if they choose. Employees with healthcare provider documentation stating they are not medically able to tolerate face covering will not be required to do so.
Face coverings may be challenging for students (especially younger students) to wear in all-day settings such as school, so there may be periods of time when masks are not worn.
Face coverings should not be placed on:- Children younger than 2 years old
- Students where such covering would impair their health or mental health, or where such covering would present a challenge, distraction, or obstruction to education services and instruction
- Anyone who has trouble breathing or is unconscious
- Anyone who is incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the cloth face covering without assistance
- The proper way to wear face coverings
- Washing hands before putting on and after removing their face covering
- Proper way to discard disposable face coverings
Management of Ill persons, Contact Tracing and Monitoring
The school requires students, faculty, or staff members who develop COVID-19 symptoms during the school day to report to the nurse’s office. If there are several students waiting to see the school nurse, students must wait at least 6 feet apart. The school has designated areas to separate individuals with symptoms of COVID- 19 from others until they can go home or to a healthcare facility, depending on severity of illness. One area will be used to treat injuries, provide medications or nursing treatments, and the other area will be used for assessing and caring for ill students and staff. Both areas will be supervised by an adult and have easy access to a bathroom and sink with hand hygiene supplies.- Students who develop symptoms during the day will be isolated at the isolation center in the school. (updated 9/17/20)
- Families will be notified immediately, and the student will need to see a doctor and/or get a COVID-19 test with results before returning to school.
- Faculty and staff would leave as soon as possible and would not be able to return until being seen by a doctor and/or get a COVID-19 test with results before returning to school.
- The principal’s office will be used as an overflow room for non-symptomatic students (cuts, ice packs, etc.) if an individual is suspected of COVID-19 in the nurse’s office, or in the isolation center. (updated 9/17/20)
- Nurse’s office and/or isolation center would be sanitized and have a deep cleaning after a symptomatic person has spent time in there. (updated 9/17/20)
School health office cleaning will occur after each use of cots, bathrooms, and health office equipment (e.g., blood pressure cuffs, otoscopes, stethoscopes). Health office equipment will be cleaned following manufacturer’s directions.
Disposable items will be used as much as possible (e.g., disposable pillow protectors, disposable thermometers, disposable thermometer sheaths or probes, disposable otoscope specula).
Aerosol Generating Procedures
Respiratory treatments administered by nurses generally result in aerosolization of respiratory secretions. These aerosol generating procedures (AGPs) potentially put healthcare personnel and others at an increased risk for pathogen exposure and infection. The district requires the following PPE to be worn during AGPs: gloves, N-95 or a surgical mask with face shield, eye protection and a gown. PPE will be used when: suctioning, administering nebulizer treatments, or using peak flow meters with students who have respiratory conditions.
Treatments such as nebulized medication treatments and oral or tracheostomy suctioning will be conducted in a room separate from others with nursing personnel wearing appropriate PPE. For nebulizer treatments, if developmentally appropriate, the nurse will leave the room and return when the nebulizer treatment is finished.
Cleaning of the room will occur between use and cleaning of the equipment should be done following manufacturer’s instructions after each use.
If Students or Staff become Ill with Symptoms of COVID-19 at School
The school requires students or staff with a temperature, signs of illness, and/or a positive response to the questionnaire to be sent directly to a dedicated isolation center where students are supervised, prior to being picked up or otherwise sent home. Students will be supervised in the isolation center while awaiting transport home and will be separated by at least 6 feet. Students will be escorted from the isolation center to their parent/guardian. Students or staff will be referred to a healthcare provider and provided resources on COVID-19 testing. (updated 9/17/20)- Upon arrival-students will be sent home with a parent/guardian if exhibiting symptoms or having a temperature of 100.0 F or higher.
- Faculty and staff will be sent home if presenting symptoms upon arrival.
- If a student displays symptoms during the day, the student will be isolated in the isolation center, and parents/guardians will be notified immediately to come and pick up their child. (updated 9/17/20)
- Parents/guardians will come to the Spring Avenue parking lot. The parent will call the school to let them know they are here. The nurse, or office staff, will walk the child out of the building, using the gym doors near the playground to the parking lot. Identification of parent/family member will be verified by personnel before a child is released. (updated 9/17/20)
- Faculty who display symptoms during the day will be immediately asked to leave and principal or other school designated personnel will cover the class until the end of day.
The school has established protocols and procedures, in consultation with the local health department(s), about the requirements for determining when individuals, particularly students, who screened positive for COVID-19 symptoms can return to the in-person learning environment at school. This protocol includes:- Documentation from a health care provider following evaluation
- Negative COVID-19 diagnostic test result
- Symptom resolution, or if COVID-19 positive, release from isolation
Sacred Heart requires that individuals who were exposed to the COVID-19 virus complete quarantine and have not developed symptoms before returning to in-person learning. The discharge of an individual from quarantine and return to school will be conducted in coordination with the local health department.
COVID-19 Testing
The following is Sacred Heart’s procedure when working with an individual who may be exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms. These protocols were created from the document released by the NYS Department of Health, New York State Education Department, and consultation with the Rensselaer County Department of Health.- Sacred Heart will keep self-assessment and sign in sheets to be able to give to the Rensselaer County Department of Health in the event of a positive COVID-19 test for contract tracing.
- Any individual who answers “yes” to any of the questions on the self-assessment questionaire/checklist will not be allowed to enter the school portion of the building. (updated 9/17/20)
- Individuals will need to be seen by a doctor if exhibiting any of the symptoms of COVID-19.
- If a doctor determines that an individual does not have COVID-19 based on a doctor’s assessment, the individual will need to provide a doctor’s note before being allowed back into the building.
- Individuals who need a COVID-19 test will not be allowed back into the building until they receive the results of that test.
- Individuals with potential symptoms of COVID-19 who test negative may return to school with a copy of their negative test results.
- Individuals who test positive will not be allowed back into the building until the following are completed:
Rensselaer County Department of Health or County Health Department of Residence (update 9/17/20) has released the individual from quarantine and
3 days since the individual has had a fever; and
3 days since symptoms improve including cough and shortness of breath; and
The individual has had a negative COVID-19 test with documentation provided.- Students will be able to distance learn while at home resting and recovering.
- Individuals who are determined by the Rensselaer County Department of Health to be a contact of an individual who has tested positive will need to follow a 14-day quarantine period regardless of a negative test result.
The Rensselaer County Department of Health. Their number is 518-270-2655. Individuals who need a COVID-19 test should contact their doctor or call one of the testing sites. Testing site information can be found on the Rensselaer County Department of Health website at www.rensco.com/departments/public-health/
Contact Tracing
Sacred Heartwill notify the state and local health department immediately upon being informed of any positive COVID-19 diagnostic test result by an individual within school facilities or on school grounds, including students, faculty, staff, and visitors.
To assist the local health department with tracing the transmission of COVID-19, the school has developed and maintained a plan to trace all contacts of exposed individuals in accordance with protocols, training, and tools provided through the New York State Contact Tracing Program.
The school may assist with contact tracing by:- Keeping accurate attendance records of students and staff members
- Ensuring student schedules are up to date
- Keeping a log of any visitor which includes date and time and where in the school they visited
- Assisting the local health departments in tracing all contacts of the individual in accordance with the protocol, training, and tools provided through the NYS Contact Tracing Program
Confidentiality must be maintained as required by federal and state laws and regulations. School staff should not try to determine who is to be excluded from school based on contact without guidance and direction from the local health department.
For more information about how COVID-19 containment efforts will be communicated to students, families, and staff members, visit the Communication/Family and Community Engagement sectionof our reopening plan.
School Closures
A closure refers to contingency plans, protocols, and procedures for decreasing the scale or scope of in- person education and/or closing the school. The school will collaborate with the local health department to determine the parameters, conditions or metrics (e.g., increased absenteeism or increased illness in the school community) that will serve as early warning signs that positive COVID-19 cases may be increasing beyond an acceptable level.
The following conditions may warrant reducing in-person education or closing at Sacred Heart. In deciding upon a closure, this will be done in consultation with the Rensselaer County Health Department. Such conditions may include:- Schools will close if the regional infection rate rises over 9% after Aug. 1. Schools will close if the 7-day rolling average of the infection rate is above 9%.
- Schools in regions in Phase 4 can reopen if the daily infection rate remains below 5 percent using a 14-day average, unless otherwise directed from the LOCAL (insert county) health department.
- If the infection rate rises about 9%, schools must wait until the 14-day average is below 5%.
- Once schools open at Phase IV below 5% for a 14-day rolling average, schools can remain open even if the rate continues to rise about 5% until it reaches 9% for the 7-day average.
- School will be notified by the Rensselaer County Department of Health on the situation.
- School administrators should consider closing school if absentee rates impact the ability of the school to operate safely.
- Schools may choose to modify operations prior to closing to help mitigate a rise in cases. If infection rates are rising above 5%; consider modifying school operations for medically vulnerable students and staff if they are participating in in-person activities.
- Schools should consult their school nurse and the local department of health when making such decisions. (updated 9/17/200)
- Teachers are to create an emergency kit list for themselves and the students to be ready at a moment’s notice.
- Classes would be distant learning and faculty/staff would be working from home until the closure is lifted by the Rensselaer County Department of Health or Governor Cuomo (in the event of a region wide or statewide shut down).
- While distance learning during a school closure, students would follow their quarantine schedule, which will be released to families before the start of the school year.
- Mrs. Goyer and Mrs. MacLasco would come to the building 2 days a week to check on mail, phone calls, etc.
- Our website would be updated with the latest information on a closure
- Our school closure would also be posted using our school closings network for the public to know.
- The entire building would be closed with no access except for office staff, building/maintenance, and cleaners.
- Teachers will train students during the month of September on how to access Google Classroom so that they can be better prepared to learn online.
Cleaning and Disinfecting
The school will ensure adherence to hygiene and cleaning and disinfection requirements as advised by the CDC and DOH, including “Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfection of Public and Private Facilities for COVID-19,” and the “STOP THE SPREAD” poster, as applicable. Cleaning and disinfection logs will be maintained that include the date, time, and scope of cleaning and disinfection.
Examples of facility types where cleaning and disinfection frequency will be distinguished include:- Bathrooms-High touched areasseveral times a day; deep cleaning each evening
- Athletic training rooms, locker rooms-Not applicable at Sacred Heart
- Health offices, isolation rooms-High touched areas several times a day; deep cleaning each evening
- Administrative offices (main office, reception area)-High touched areas several times a day; cleaning each afternoon
- Frequently touched surfaces in common areas (door handles, elevator buttons, copy machine keypads, etc.)-High touched areas several times a day; copy machines will be wiped down after each use
- Breakrooms-Items in the break room will be wiped down after each use; staff will wipe down the area they used before leaving. Occupancy will be reduced to 50% capacity
- Cafeterias/Kitchens-Kitchen cleaning after meals have been distributed; cafeteria will be cleaned after each use and deep cleaned each evening
- Computer labs-At this time, we will not be using our computer lab
- Science labs-At this time, we will not be using our science lab
- Classrooms-Teachers will be responsible for wiping down high touched surfaces throughout the day; deep cleaning each evening
- Maintenance offices and work areas-Not applicable at Sacred Heart
- Bus Garage-Not applicable at Sacred Heart
- Buses, school vehicles--Not applicable at Sacred Heart
- Libraries-Tables will be wiped down after each use, deep cleaning each evening
- Large meeting areas (auditoriums, gymnasiums, music rooms)-Cleaning will take place after each class (if room is used), deep cleaning of the rooms each evening
- Playgrounds (cleaning only)-After each class uses the equipment
- Outdoor seating areas (plastic or metal)-Seats will be wiped down after each use
The school will provide and maintain hand hygiene stations around the school, as follows:- For handwashing: soap, running warm water, and disposable paper towels.
- For hand sanitizing: an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol for areas where handwashing facilities may not be available or practical.
- Accommodations for students who cannot use hand sanitizer will be made.
Sacred Heartwill ensure regular cleaning and disinfection of restrooms. Restrooms should be cleaned and disinfected more often depending on frequency of use.
For more information about how cleaning and disinfection information will be communicated to students, families, and staff members, visit the Communication/Family and Community Engagement section of our reopening plan.
Vulnerable Populations/Accommodations- We recognize that some students and staff members are at an increased risk for severe COVID-19 illness, live with a person who is at an increased risk, or simply do not feel comfortable returning to an in-person educational environment. It is our goal to provide reasonable accommodations that ensure these individuals are able to safely participate in educational activities.
- Families who feel that their child/children fall into this vulnerable population will have the option to have their child/children distance learn until they feel it is appropriate for their child/children to return to school. Families will be able to decide each quarter whether they want to continue distant learning or return to in-person learning.
- Modification will be made including (but not limited to): having clear masks and face shields to help individuals with hearing impairment or loss, for language services, and for students in our early education programs. Teachers will also be able to remove their masks when at least 6ft apart from an individual.
Visitors on Campus
No outside visitors or volunteers will be allowed on the school campus, except for the safety and well-being of students. Those individuals who are providing services for a student (OT, PT, Title I services, counseling) will report to the main office to be temperature checked and fill out a self-assessment form before being allowed into the school building. Parents/guardians will report to the front office and not go beyond unless it is for the safety or well-being of their child. Essential visitors to facilities will be required to wear face coverings and will be restricted in their access to our school building.
Visitors must follow all safety protocols as listed above.