Hillsdale Elementary’s plan and protocols for the safe reopening of school are outlined in the presentation linked here.
HILLSDALE SAFE SCHOOL REOPENING PLAN
Please contact the school administration with questions or concerns.
Hillsdale Condensed Reopening Plan
Communication and training
The following documents were used to provide guidance; USBE Reopening Requirements and Recommendations, Governor’s Office Phased Guidelines v4.7, Leavitt Partners Mitigating Risks Framework, and Granite School Districts’ COVID Response Phases.
The GSD communications department will send out information to parents indicating how they can access both the district’s plan and each school’s individualized plans in their preferred/primary language. This information will be posted to the Hillsdale Elementary website and social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter). Blackboard will be used to email, phone, and text information.
School Staff will meet to discuss plan on July 20, 2020. Staff will have digital access July 17, 2020.
Teachers and staff will be trained on plan during the first week back for teacher contracts: August 13-21.
Administrators, teachers, and staff will provide clear guidance/training for expectations/procedures to students the first few days of school. They will continue to reinforce teach and re-teach throughout the school year.
Each School LEA (Principal & Assistant Principal) will be the point of contact for questions or specific concerns
Accommodating Individual Circumstances (e.g., High-Risk, Personal Decisions)
Create a process for students/families and staff to identify as high risk1 for severe illness due to COVID-19 and have a plan in place to address requests for alternative learning arrangements For those students/families that would prefer to participate in distance learning they may fill out a form letting the school know their desire to do so and we will accommodate their request.
Staff that identify as high risk may reach out to our Human Resource Department and the district will provide reasonable accommodations.
Systematically review all current plans (e.g., Individual Healthcare Plans, Individualized Education Plans or 504 plans) for accommodating students with special healthcare needs and update their care plans as needed to decrease their risk for exposure to COVID-19
School Schedules
Granite School District has three schedules that they are prepared to implement depending on what may be happening due to the virus. The three schedules are Regular, Modified, and Dismissal.
With the regular schedule students K-12 will be allowed to attend every day using the board approved school calendar with increased safety and mitigation measures in place. We plan to use this schedule most of the time. The only time we would utilize another schedule for an individual class, grade, school, or the district, is if we were recommended to do so by the Health Department, the Governor’s office, or the USBE.
If families would like to elect to keep their children home and participate in distance learning, they can do so by notifying the school. Distance learning will be a quarter (or longer) commitment.
If it is deemed necessary that we reduce the number of students that are attending school, we will utilize a modified schedule. On a Modified Schedule, schools would operate on a split A/B schedule M-Th (Half the students in a class will come on Monday/Wednesday and half on Tuesday/Thursday.) Students not receiving face to face instruction will utilize distance learning or paper-based modules. On Fridays, all students will receive distance learning. Teachers will use Fridays for planning, small group meetings, and interventions. Students would be divided alphabetically K-12 so students in the same families can be on the same schedule. Accommodations will be made on a case-by-case basis.
The third schedule would be a dismissal. We would only utilize a dismissal for a class, grade, school, or the district in the event of an outbreak and in consultation with the Health Department.
These schedules allow for optimal flexibility and are aligned K-12 to best accommodate the students and families we serve. Any of these schedules may be done district wide or on an individual school basis. The district, or an individual school, grade, or class, could be on any one of these schedules regardless of what color phase the state, county, or city is in.
Monitoring Incidents
We will adopt the new Utah School Nurse Association (USNA) protocol for symptom monitoring.
• These protocols will be emailed to all GSD staff.
• School nurses will verify each site administrator has the protocols and answer questions.
Principals will review these protocols in opening staff meetings.
Containing Potential Outbreaks
Hillsdale has established a sick room as well as an isolation/quarantine room for suspected exposure. All suspected cases of COVID-19 will be reported to the school administrator who will contact the school nurse. The school nurse will then work with the local health department to verify positive cases, provide information for contact tracing, and to establish next steps recommendations for the school (i.e. patron and staff communications, enhanced cleaning in designated areas, prevention education, and determination of other actions needed to prevent an outbreak).
Transition Management Preparation
The school administration will work with their supervisor/director and the school nurse for guidance in communication to students, faculty, and patrons
Mitigating Tactics for Specific School Settings
Classrooms
Isolate Symptoms:
• Students will have assigned classroom seat, as well as assigned seat when working at a table for small group instruction to support contact tracing.
Minimize Outbreak Probability – Group Size:
• The same students, teachers and staff will interact with each classroom group to the greatest extent practicable.
Physical Distancing – Movement, Proximity, & Congestion:
• Space between seating and desks will be maximized (acknowledging that 6 feet of distance between desks is not feasible for most Utah classrooms).
• Classroom seating will be in spaced out in columns and rows rather than group seating.
• Nonessential furniture and equipment will be moved out of classrooms to increase distancing footprints.
Respiratory Output:
• Students will wear face coverings when engaged in contact longer than 15 minutes within 6 feet.
• Students will sit facing forward.
Physical Hygiene/ Touch:
• Students will wash/sanitize hands and desk regularly.
• Students will have personal supplies rather than shared supplies.
• Students will be separated through other means, such as plexiglass barriers, if practicable.
Transitions
Isolate Symptoms:
• Transitions will be limited and/or staggered to support contact tracing and minimize interactions with multiple groups.
Minimize Outbreak Probability – Group Size:
• Transition time will be increased and coordinated by teaching teams.
• Students will walk on the right side of the hall, allowing for the smooth flow of foot traffic.
• Students will be excused/released in small groups rather than whole class/large groups.
Physical Distancing – Movement, Proximity, & Congestion:
• High traffic areas will be identified, and floor markings or signage will be used to direct traffic.
• The congregation of students will be monitored and minimized.
• Students will use lockers only with physical distancing (no congregating unnecessarily). Backpacks will be allowed to be stored on student classroom chairs to hold personal supplies.
• Students will walk with outstretched arm’s length spaced between.
Respiratory Output:
• Students and staff will wear masks during transitions.
Physical Hygiene/ Touch:
• Students will be taught to limit physical contact and keep hands and feet to themselves.
• Student and staff will practice hand hygiene routines (i.e., hand washing or sanitizer) before and after transitions.
• Water bottles and personal use cups will be used to minimize the use of water fountains when at all possible.
• Classroom doors will be propped open to reduce touch.
• High-touch surfaces will be cleaned/sanitized regularly.
Entry/Exit Points
Isolate Symptoms:
• Safety protocols will be established and communicated to parents for drop-off/pick-up of students.
Minimize Outbreak Probability – Group Size:
• No nonessential visitors or volunteers.
Physical Distancing – Movement, Proximity, & Congestion:
• Parents will stay in vehicle when dropping off students.
• School office and lobby will have clearly marked enter and exit doors, as well as social distancing signage to encourage social distancing.
• Multiple points of entrance and egress will be utilized to avoid clustering at single points of entry.
Respiratory Output:
• Visible signs will be posted informing all adults of the expectation of wearing a mask while on school campus.
• Students and staff will wear masks.
Physical Hygiene/ Touch:
• Doors will be propped open and/or held open by one individual to reduce touch.
• Hand sanitizer and hand washing stations will be available upon entry/exit of school.
• High-touch surfaces will be cleaned/sanitized regularly.
Transportation
*Hillsdale does not have school buses to transport students to/from school. In the event of a field trip experience:
Isolate Symptoms:
• Seats will be assigned to support contact tracing.
Minimize Outbreak Probability – Group Size:
• One grade level will ride bus at a time.
Physical Distancing – Movement, Proximity, & Congestion:
• Protocols will be established for boarding and exiting the bus (for example, first on the bus to the back of the bus and last off).
Respiratory Output:
• Students and staff will wear masks.
Physical Hygiene/ Touch:
• PPE will be provided for bus drivers.
• Bus will be cleaned and sanitized regularly.
• Student and staff will practice hand hygiene routines (i.e., hand washing or sanitizer) before and after riding buses.
Restrooms
Isolate Symptoms:
• Restrooms will be designated for use by grade level and/or hall.
Minimize Outbreak Probability – Group Size:
• Staff will develop systems to reduce simultaneous, multiple users and thus reduce contact with others.
• Staff will be more lenient regarding the use of restrooms during class time to enable better social distancing.
Physical Distancing – Movement, Proximity, & Congestion:
• The number of individuals in a restroom will be monitored and minimized.
• Students will be taught to be quiet, quick, and clean in restrooms.
• Signage will be hung to encourage physical distancing.
Respiratory Output:
• Restrooms will have proper airflow and ventilation.
• Staff and students will wear masks.
Physical Hygiene/ Touch:
• Students will be taught proper hand hygiene.
• Signage will be hung in each restroom regarding proper hand hygiene.
• Schedule will be maintained for cleaning high-touch areas (e.g., faucets, paper towel dispensers, door handles).
• PPE (gloves, masks) will be available for staff providing support in restrooms.
• Custodian will receive training regarding proper cleaning protocols for COVID-19.
• A rotating restroom monitor will check restrooms frequently to check soap and paper towel dispensers.
Lunch/Cafeterias
Isolate Symptoms:
• Seats will be assigned to support contact tracing.
Minimize Outbreak Probability – Group Size:
• Each grade level will eat at a separate time.
• Students will use scannable lunch cards, not input their lunch numbers in the keypad.
Physical Distancing – Movement, Proximity, & Congestion:
• Floor will be marked with spacing lines and designated serving line flow paths.
• A larger area will be utilized to ensure social distancing.
• Breakfast will be eaten in classrooms.
Respiratory Output:
• Students will wear masks while waiting in line for food.
• Cafeteria will have increased ventilation with use of fans.
Physical Hygiene/ Touch:
• Self-service salad bar will be removed.
• Students will practice hand hygiene routines (i.e., hand washing or sanitizer) before and after meal services.
• Custodian and cafeteria monitors will increase cleaning and disinfecting of high-touch areas.
• Students will use disposable plates, utensils, etc. when possible.
• Students will use paper cups and personal water bottles instead of water fountains.
Large Group Gatherings (e.g. assemblies, performances)
*Hillsdale does not anticipate holding large group gatherings, assemblies, or performances.
Isolate Symptoms:
• Seats will be assigned by grade and class to support contact tracing.
Minimize Outbreak Probability – Group Size:
• Gatherings will be organized with health and safety principles and requirements in place and in consultation with local health departments.
Physical Distancing – Movement, Proximity, & Congestion:
• Multiple assemblies will be held so that each grade level can attend separately.
• Students will sit or stand with social distancing.
• Assemblies will be broadcast to classrooms when possible.
Respiratory Output:
• Students and staff will wear masks.
• Doors will be propped open to increase ventilation.
Physical Hygiene/ Touch:
• Custodian will increase cleaning and disinfecting of high-touch areas.
Physical Hygiene/ Touch:
• Custodian will increase cleaning and disinfecting of high-touch areas.
• Student and staff will practice hand hygiene routines (i.e., hand washing or sanitizer) before and after large gathering.
Unique Courses with Higher Risk of Spread
Isolate Symptoms:
• Seats will be assigned to support contact tracing.
Minimize Outbreak Probability – Group Size:
• Art and other special classes will occur in regular classroom.
• All at risk courses, nonessential assemblies and performances will be canceled.
• Virtual options will be utilized when practicable.
Physical Distancing – Movement, Proximity, & Congestion:
• PE will be held outdoors as weather permits to maximize distancing.
• PE activities and games will support distancing.
Respiratory Output:
• Students and staff will wear masks.
Physical Hygiene/ Touch:
• Students and staff will practice hand hygiene routines (i.e., hand washing or sanitizer) before and after special classes.
Recess and Playground
Isolate Symptoms:
• One grade level at a time will be at recess.
Minimize Outbreak Probability – Group Size:
• School will ensure recess and playgrounds are managed with health and safety principles and requirements in place and, as needed, in consultation with local health departments.
Physical Distancing – Movement, Proximity, & Congestion:
• Students will be taught and encouraged to utilize large play areas rather than playing in congregated groups.
Respiratory Output:
• Students and staff will wear masks if 6 feet of social distancing is not practicable.
Physical Hygiene/ Touch:
• Students and staff will practice hand hygiene routines (i.e., hand washing or sanitizer) before and after recess.
• Custodian will regularly disinfect playground equipment.
Special Education, Related Services, or School Counseling (e.g. School Psychologist, Speech Language Pathologist, etc.)
Isolate Symptoms:
• Student with disabilities will be assigned to designated spaces and seats to support contact tracing and to limit expose to and from others who may be vulnerable or at-risk.
Minimize Outbreak Probability – Group Size:
• Students will remain with the same group of students and reduce group size to the maximum extent practicable.
Physical Distancing – Movement, Proximity, & Congestion:
• Space between seating will be maximized where possible.
• Specialists will identify and use large spaces (auditoriums, gyms, empty school spaces, and outdoor courtyards) to maximize distancing when possible.
• Nonessential furniture and therapy equipment will be moved out of the classrooms (when not in use) to increase social distance possibilities
Respiratory Output:
• Employees will be provided with personal protective equipment and will be required to wear face coverings and/or auxiliary aids for one-on-one contact to ensure students with disabilities have equal access to information.
• Students and staff will wear masks or face shields.
• Specialists will directly teach respiratory hygiene strategies.
Physical Hygiene/ Touch:
• Students and staff will practice hand hygiene routines (i.e., hand washing or sanitizer) before and after special education sessions.
PD/Faculty Meetings
Isolate Symptoms:
• Seats will be assigned to support contact tracing.
Minimize Outbreak Probability – Group Size:
• Administration will ensure meetings are organized with health and safety principles and requirements in place and, as needed, in consultation with local health departments.
• Professional Development and meetings will be limited and/or canceled if not essential.
Physical Distancing – Movement, Proximity, & Congestion:
• Larger space will be utilized to conduct professional development and faculty meetings to ensure social distancing can occur.
• Virtual meetings and/or gatherings will occur when practicable.
• Grade levels or teams will meet in smaller groups when practicable.
Respiratory Output:
• Staff will wear masks.
• Doors will be propped to increase ventilation.
Physical Hygiene/ Touch:
• High-touch areas will be cleaned and sanitized regularly.
• Staff will practice hand hygiene routines (i.e., hand washing or sanitizer) before and after professional development and faculty meetings.
Before/After Student Supervision
Isolate Symptoms:
• Safety protocols will be established and communicated to parents and students for before and after school procedures.
Minimize Outbreak Probability – Group Size:
• No nonessential visitors or volunteers.
• Students should arrive at school no sooner than 8:00am and leave school grounds right after dismissal.
Physical Distancing – Movement, Proximity, & Congestion:
• Students should practice social distancing while waiting for school to begin.
• Each grade level will wait for school to begin in designated area.
• Multiple points of entrance and egress will be utilized to avoid clustering at single points of entry.
Respiratory Output:
• Visible signs will be posted informing all adults of the expectation of wearing a mask while on school campus.
• Students and staff will wear masks.
Physical Hygiene/ Touch:
• Hand sanitizer and hand washing stations will be available upon entry/exit of school.
Drop Off/Pick Up Areas
Isolate Symptoms:
• Safety protocols will be established and communicated to parents for drop-off/pick-up of students.
Minimize Outbreak Probability – Group Size:
• No nonessential visitors or volunteers.
Physical Distancing – Movement, Proximity, & Congestion:
• Parents will stay in vehicle when dropping off students.
• School office and lobby will have clearly marked enter and exit doors, as well as social distancing signage to encourage social distancing.
• Multiple points of entrance and egress will be utilized to avoid clustering at single points of entry.
Respiratory Output:
• Visible signs will be posted informing all adults of the expectation of wearing a mask while on school campus.
• Students and staff will wear masks.
Physical Hygiene/ Touch:
• Hand sanitizer and hand washing stations will be available upon entry/exit of school.
Front Office
Isolate Symptoms:
• Safety protocols will be established and communicated to parents for school office. “If you’re sick, stay home.”
Minimize Outbreak Probability – Group Size:
• No nonessential visitors or volunteers.
• Patrons will be encouraged to call or email with questions instead of physically visiting front office.
Physical Distancing – Movement, Proximity, & Congestion:
• School office and lobby will have clearly marked enter and exit doors, as well as social distancing signage to encourage social distancing.
Respiratory Output:
• Visible signs will be posted informing all adults of the expectation of wearing a mask while on school campus.
Physical Hygiene/ Touch:
• Hand sanitizer and hand washing stations will be available upon entry/exit of school.
• Middle lobby doors will be propped open to decrease touch.
• High-touch surfaces will be cleaned and sanitized regularly.
P/T or SEP Conferences
Isolate Symptoms:
• Safety protocols will be established and communicated to parents. “If you’re sick, stay home.”
Minimize Outbreak Probability – Group Size:
• Meetings will be organized with health and safety principles and requirements in place and, as needed, in consultation with local health departments.
• Virtual meetings will occur when practicable.
Physical Distancing – Movement, Proximity, & Congestion:
• Large space will be utilized to conduct SEP Conferences to ensure social distancing can occur.
Respiratory Output:
• Staff and parents will wear masks.
• Doors will be propped open to promote ventilation when practicable.
Physical Hygiene/ Touch:
• Hand sanitizer and hand washing stations will be available upon entry/exit of school.
• High-touch surfaces will be cleaned and sanitized regularly.
Safety and Fire Drills
Isolate Symptoms:
• Safety protocols will be established and taught to students.
Minimize Outbreak Probability – Group Size:
• Each class will stand in a spaced line outside in specified area.
• Building evacuation time will be increased and coordinated by teaching teams if safe and practicable.
• Students will walk on the right side of the hall, allowing for the smooth flow of foot traffic.
Physical Distancing – Movement, Proximity, & Congestion:
• Students will walk with outstretched arm’s length spaced between.
• When practicing a Lockdown with Cover, students will sit with space between,
Respiratory Output:
• Staff and students will wear masks.
Physical Hygiene/ Touch:
• Students will be taught to limit physical contact and keep hands and feet to themselves.
Patron Meetings
Isolate Symptoms:• Safety protocols will be established and communicated to parents. “If you’re sick, stay home.”
Minimize Outbreak Probability – Group Size:
• Meetings will be organized with health and safety principles and requirements in place and, as needed, in consultation with local health departments.
• Virtual meetings will occur when practicable.
Physical Distancing – Movement, Proximity, & Congestion:
• Large space will be utilized to conduct patron meetings to ensure social distancing can occur.
Respiratory Output:
• Staff and patrons will wear masks.
• Doors will be propped open to promote ventilation when practicable.
Physical Hygiene/ Touch:
• Hand sanitizer and hand washing stations will be available upon entry/exit of school.
• High-touch surfaces will be cleaned and sanitized regularly.
Library/Media Centers
Isolate Symptoms:
• A regular, weekly schedule will be followed to support contact tracing.
Minimize Outbreak Probability – Group Size:
• One class at a time will go to the library.
• Students will utilize library for check-out and check-in of books only.
• Librarian will visit regular classroom for library lessons and shared story time.
Physical Distancing – Movement, Proximity, & Congestion:
• Students will be taught and encouraged to keep distance between them while at library.
• Nonessential furniture and equipment will be moved out of library to increase distancing.
Respiratory Output:
• Students and staff will wear masks.
Physical Hygiene/ Touch:
• Students and staff will practice hand hygiene routines (i.e., hand washing or sanitizer) before and after visiting the library.
• Book place markers will be sanitized between each use.
IEP/Special Ed Meetings
Isolate Symptoms:
• Safety protocols will be established and communicated to parents. “If you’re sick, stay home.”
Minimize Outbreak Probability – Group Size:
• Meetings will be organized with health and safety principles and requirements in place and, as needed, in consultation with local health departments.
• Virtual meetings will occur when practicable.
Physical Distancing – Movement, Proximity, & Congestion:
• Large space will be utilized to conduct IEP Meetings to ensure social distancing can occur.
Respiratory Output:
• Staff and parents will wear masks.
• Doors will be propped open to promote ventilation when practicable.
Physical Hygiene/ Touch:
• Hand sanitizer and hand washing stations will be available upon entry/exit of school.
• High-touch surfaces will be cleaned and sanitized regularly.
Multipurpose Room
*Hillsdale multi-purpose room is utilized for PE classes. In the event of this room being used for a large, group gathering:
Isolate Symptoms:
• Seats will be assigned by grade and class to support contact tracing.
Minimize Outbreak Probability – Group Size:
• Gatherings will be organized with health and safety principles and requirements in place and in consultation with local health departments.
Physical Distancing – Movement, Proximity, & Congestion:
• Multiple assemblies will be held so that each grade level can attend separately.
• Students will sit or stand with social distancing.
• Assemblies will be broadcast to classrooms when possible.
Respiratory Output:
• Students and staff will wear masks.
• Doors will be propped open to increase ventilation.
Physical Hygiene/ Touch:
• Custodian will increase cleaning and disinfecting of high-touch areas.
Physical Hygiene/ Touch:
• Students and staff will practice hand hygiene routines (i.e., hand washing or sanitizer) before and after visiting the multi-purpose room
Hallways
Isolate Symptoms:
• Hallway use will be limited and/or staggered to support contact tracing and minimize interactions with multiple groups.
Minimize Outbreak Probability – Group Size:
• Transition time will be increased and coordinated by teaching teams.
• Students will walk on the right side of the hall, allowing for the smooth flow of foot traffic.
• Students will be excused/released in small groups rather than whole class/large groups.
Physical Distancing – Movement, Proximity, & Congestion:
• High traffic areas will be identified, and floor markings or signage will be used to direct traffic.
• The congregation of students will be monitored and minimized.
• Students will use lockers only with physical distancing (no congregating unnecessarily). Backpacks will be allowed to be stored on student classroom chairs to hold personal items and school supplies.
• Students will walk with outstretched arm’s length spaced between them.
Respiratory Output:
• Students and staff will wear masks in hallways.
Physical Hygiene/ Touch:
• Students will be taught to limit physical contact and keep hands and feet to themselves.
• Student and staff will practice hand hygiene routines (i.e., hand washing or sanitizer) before and after hallway travel.
• Water bottles and personal use cups will be used to minimize the use of water fountains when at all possible.
• Classroom doors will be propped open to reduce touch.
• High-touch surfaces will be cleaned/sanitized after transition periods.
