Q. What is the most recent guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) about schools reopening?
A: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/reopening-schools.html

Q: If there is a COVID-19 diagnosis in a school building, what will happen?
 A: If a CLSD student or employee is diagnosed with COVID-19, the district will work with local health officials to determine the appropriate next steps. In general, these steps may include the following:

• Individual Impact: Quarantine vs. Isolation (See handout)
  If an individual tests positive with COVID-19, they will need to be “isolated” for 10 days from the positive test.  If an individual is in direct contact with a person, who tests positive and had symptoms, the direct contact person will be quarantined for 14 days.  If someone comes into contact with a direct contact person, that secondary contact is not impacted and will not be quarantined.  Direct contact is anyone who is within 6 feet or in a contained environment (e.g. school bus), with the positive case, for more than 15 minutes. Face masks should be worn to help prevent the spread.  A face mask will not preclude someone from being in contact, but if worn will help the health department determine the level of contact between the individuals.  If a staff member is quarantined, due to a positive case at school, they will need to stay at home for the duration of the 14 days.   This time in quarantine is not considered sick time.  Therefore, the staff member does not use their sick days during this timeframe. 
• Building Impact: This may require a building to temporarily shift to a remote learning environment. Because each case is unique, we will communicate through our all-call phone system, email, and Facebook with any time-sensitive announcements regarding any needed changes for a school day.
• Sharing Information:  In this situation, we will maintain the privacy of individuals, but will share extensive communication regarding exposure or potential exposure to allow families and staff to make informed decisions.  Key details, such as names and contact information will be shared with the Summit County Health Department so they can complete the required contact-tracing steps and procedures.
• Sanitizing Areas:  The district will take immediate action to deep-clean and disinfect any areas impacted.
  
  

Q:  Will Social Distancing be expected?

A: Students and staff are encouraged to maintain six feet of social distancing in indoor and outdoor settings as much as possible. Classrooms have been set up to follow the health and safety guidelines in our approved plan. Classroom seating has been revised to maximize distancing between students. Desks have been rearranged so that students are all facing the same direction.

Schools will use signage to remind students and staff to maintain appropriate social distance throughout the building and when interacting. 

Q: Will Handwashing and Sanitizing be a priority?

A: Yes.  Students will participate in observed handwashing/sanitizing at regular intervals. Schools will have supplies of hand sanitizer stations to allow for frequent sanitizing.  These stations have been placed throughout the building.  In addition, every classroom and office area will also be supplied with hand sanitizing supplies.

Q: Will Personal Protective Equipment be provided for staff and students?

A: Coventry Schools has purchased several different items to help keep the staff and students safe.  These items include masks, face shields, thermometers, gloves, hand sanitizer and disinfectant spray to help maintain a safe environment.  We will to continue to monitor the PPE needs throughout the year to ensure schools have an appropriate supply to maintain a safe environment.

Students will receive at least two cloth masks.  In addition, disposable masks will be on hand to give to any student who forgets or does not have a mask.   Students will be required to wear masks on the bus.  So, disposable masks will also be available on the school buses for any student who does not have one. 

Q: Will students or staff who have a medical reason to not wear a mask still be required to wear one?
A: Students who have medical exemptions regarding facial coverings will not be expected to wear masks. These students must have a completed exemption form on file, along with proper medical documentation. A exemption request form and information can be found on the in-person webpage. 

Q: Is it okay to wear the same mask daily? Or do children & teachers need a different mask each day?
A: Yes, if it is washed and dried after each day. Masks should be laundered on a daily basis (this can be in a sink with soap and water or in a washing machine).

Q: Does the district have a Facial Coverings policy?
A: Yes.  At this time, all adults and students are required to wear masks (cloth face coverings) when on school grounds, with the exception of time for eating or other designated “mask breaks” that would take place during the day.  Masks will also be required for students riding the bus to/from school and while participating in clubs/after school activities.   (Please see the district’s Facial Coverings policy for more details and guidelines).  

Face masks are an additional step to help slow the spread of COVID-19 when combined with everyday preventive actions and social distancing in public settings.

Please follow these rules from the CDC when wearing a mask:

• Wash your hands before putting on your face covering
• Put it over your nose and mouth and secure it under your chin
• Try to fit it snugly against the sides of your face, while making sure you can breathe easily
• Don’t put the face covering around your neck or up on your forehead
• Don’t touch the face covering, and, if you do, wash your hands or use hand sanitizer to disinfect?

How to safely remove a face covering:

• Untie the strings behind your head or stretch the ear loops
• Handle only by the ear loops or ties
• Fold outside corners together
• Place covering in the washing machine
• Be careful not to touch your eyes, nose, and mouth when removing and wash hands immediately after removing.

For more information, view the CDC‘s guidelines for wearing masks.

The middle school’s system meets the modern standards for efficiency, but does face a unique challenge.  This challenge involves an opportunity to improve classroom’s air flow.  The classrooms, and areas with uninvents, are fully equipped to bring fresh air into the rooms.  However, the vents that provide opportunities for air to exit the rooms were covered up during a previous renovation.  To correct this issue, the district’s maintenance team has equipped each room with proper ventilation. This will allow the stale air to exit the rooms.  

In addition, utilizing COVID Care funding, the district is purchasing and installing ionization systems.  These systems will be installed in key locations throughout the building.  The ionization systems are not required, but will provide the best opportunity to mitigate viruses, and allow us to for clean and recycle air within the building.