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Health and Safety Procedures

As we prepare for all students to return to our buildings for the 2022-2023 school year, we  established several processes aimed at reducing risk of exposure to our staff, students and community. Our Standard Operating Procedures are located on the system website.

Universal Precautions

COVID-19 is a respiratory disease spread through respiratory droplets. Following universal precautions has proven to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 drastically.

  • Strongly suggest those who are eligible obtain the COVID-19 vaccination.
     
  • Take care of your personal protective equipment (PPE). Keep it clean and disinfected along with discarding it when it becomes unserviceable or reaches the end of its life cycle.
     
  • Where possible, maintain a safe distance when having conversations and meetings.
     
  • Practice good hand hygiene.

Disinfecting and Sanitizing Classrooms

During the summer of 20221, each facility was thoroughly cleaned. . Operations and maintenance staff conduct an inspection of every CCPS   building and school before staff and students return to school for the fall. The inspection  ensured that exhaust fans in restrooms, kitchens and locker rooms are operational and air filter changes occur as scheduled.

Touch points and surfaces are cleaned and disinfected daily. Restrooms are thoroughly cleaned each night and have periodic cleaning during the day. Each facility has alcohol-based hand sanitizer dispensers available in common areas and all classrooms have wall-mounted hand sanitizer dispensers.

Each classroom has disinfectant spray, paper towels and hand sanitizer. The bottle of disinfectant  can be used to clean hard surfaces at the staff member’s discretion.

When the hand sanitizer or disinfectant is running low, staff should contact the designated school personnel who will order additional supplies from central office.

Other preventative measures taken by CCPS include:

  • Ensuring exhaust fans in restrooms, kitchens and locker rooms are operating.
     
  • Routine filter changes for HVAC systems.
     
  • Routine flushing of water lines to prevent the transmission of diseases with the decrease in water usage during the closures.
     
  • Posting signs in common areas and restrooms that promote safe social distancing along with good hygiene practices.

Student and Visitor Masks

Use of face coverings in schools are optional in all school buildings.

Visiting the Nurse

Outside of life-threatening emergencies, teachers must consult with the nurse by telephone prior to sending a student to the nurse.

Diagnostic and Screening Testing

Children who feel sick SHOULD NOT come to school.

Health Equity

CCPS is committed to promoting health equity for groups disproportionately affected by COVID-19. Action steps will include:

  • Exploring the causes for disparities in evidence-based health strategies in our youth
     
  • Strive to address the root causes of health and educational disparities in our youth
     
  • Identifying groups at high risk for being disproportionately affected by COVID-19
     
  • Providing information about COVID-19 symptoms, incubation periods, and exposure to students and their families
     
  •  Targeting resources (such as providing masks, thermometers, COVID-19 testing and vaccine information) to these groups
     
  •  Collaborating with our health partners to serve our youth at high risk
     
  • Monitor the outcomes of our efforts to address the health and educational disparities in our youth

Staff Illness

Staff who are ill or not feeling well should NOT report to work.

Vaccinations

CCPS encourages all staff and students to speak to their medical provider to determine if they are eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations. Since January 2021, CCPS has worked with the Maryland Department of Health to link staff to vaccination appointments. More than 3,900 CCPS staff members have secured vaccination appointments. CCPS has hosted multiple vaccination clinics for staff, students and community members at school sites, including clinics at meal distribution sites and new teacher orientation. Staff who obtain a COVID-19 vaccine appointment during work hours will be granted up to two (2) hours of administrative leave.