Fullerton School District
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Coronavirus - (Covid-19)
School Guidance Information
Fall 2020 - 2021
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School Reopening Safety Plan
In Accordance with
California Department of Public Health
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Effective Date: August 14, 2020
A Note from the Superintendent Dr Bob Pletka:
The Fullerton School District and its dedicated staff continue to monitor this evolving public health crisis of COVID-19.
In preparing this document, we worked with public health experts, employee groups, child psychologists, and parents throughout the Fullerton School District to create a safe learning environment for your child that we believe will make you feel assured as your student returns this Fall. We ask that you participate in this process by staying informed through monitoring our Blackboard Connect Messages, District Website, and social media postings.
We will continue to respond in a timely and transparent manner to all questions. We strive to make every effort to keep our students, staff, and community safe - if we have missed or failed to recognize a safety concern - please contact Laurie Bruneau at (714) 447-7400 or email laurie_bruneau@myfsd.org to report or request additional information.
It is with great care as a parent myself that I will continue to work daily to ensure your child receives the best education under the best health and safety conditions we can provide.
Thank you for your continued support.
Robert Pletka, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Introduction
California School Districts are expected to follow a series of public health, education, and state/federal health guidelines to ensure a safe reopening for students and staff.
The Fullerton School District (FSD) will follow the safety and health guidelines set forth by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) published for Schools and School Based Programs on August 3, 2020. The following interpretation of these guidelines is intended to inform Parents, Staff, and Community of FSD’s efforts to ensure a safe return for all.
These safety measures taken by the Fullerton School District have been approved by the Fullerton School District board of Trustees on July 20, 2020. FSD will continue to monitor and adjust this safety plan as new information emerges from our local health care agency.
Covid-19 Industry Guidance Schools and School Based Programs
This document is intended to inform you of those guidelines and to share with you what you can expect for your child at the beginning of the 2020/2021 school year. Every effort is being made to keep your student(s) and our FSD staff safe using the CDPH guidelines.
CDPH Health and Safety Guidelines the Fullerton School District will follow: 1) General Measures 2) Promoting Healthy Hygiene Practices 3) Face Coverings 4) Ensure Teacher and Staff Safety 5) Intensity Cleaning, Disinfection, and Ventilation 6) Implementing Distancing Inside and Outside the Classroom 7) Limited Sharing 8) Training All Staff and Educate Families 9) Check for Signs and Symptoms 10) Planning for When a Staff Member, Child, or Visitor is Sick 11) Maintaining Healthy Operations 12) Considerations for Reopening and Partial or Total Closure |
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The Fullerton School District will continue to communicate, monitor, and act upon information from state and local healthcare authorities and the Orange County Department of Education. The information described in this guidance document is based on the best available public health data at this time, international best practices, and the practical realities of managing school operations. These practices are subject to change based on the information as it continues to be released and updated. We are committed to working with our partner health and educational agencies to ensure we have the latest information to make health, safety, and instructional decisions in a timely manner.
Fullerton School Districts will:
The Fullerton School District will continue to educate and promote consistent use of hygiene practices for our students and staff to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Schools and departments will display reminders throughout common areas to include classrooms, nurse offices, kitchens, and restrooms. These postings will remind students and staff about the recommended CDC practices for effective hand washing and respiratory etiquette. Most classrooms are equipped with sinks, soap, and paper towel dispensers to ensure that students have to access hand washing facilities throughout the day. In the absence of sinks, there are portable handwashing stations located throughout the campus. Students and staff will also find hand sanitizing stations throughout the campus when there is no immediate access to hand washing facilities. Students under the age of 9-years will have supervision while using the hand sanitizer station. |
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Fullerton School District will:
Links used to inform students and staff about safety and healthy hand hygiene:
Wash Your Hands - Fullerton School District (Parks Junior High)
Hand-washing for Adults and Older Students
Hand-washing Recommendations - Center of Disease Control (CDC)
Fullerton School District will require use of face coverings according to CDPH guidelines for all employees, students, and visitors unless they have been identified as exempt due to medical reason and/or age. Every effort will be made to ensure consistent use of facial coverings particularly in indoor environments, on school buses, and areas, where physical distancing alone is not sufficient to prevent disease transmission. In limited situations where a face covering cannot be used for pedagogical or developmental reasons, a face shield will be used instead of a cloth face covering and physical distancing will be required – plexiglass barriers may also be used to add an additional layer of safety.
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Fullerton School District will:
Links used to provide guidance for students and staff using face coverings:
California Department of Public Health - Facial Covering Guidelines - 7/17/2020
Fullerton School District - Safe Reopening Policy - Facial Covering Guidelines
CDC Guidelines on Face Coverings - Proper Use (Video Demo)
The Fullerton School District will ensure that all staff are supported by developing safety procedures according to their area of responsibility or likelihood of possible transmission. Staff will be offered daily temperature monitoring, regular COVID-19 testing, safety training, protective equipment, access to personnel hygiene supplies for handwashing, protective barriers/shields, or other devices intended to support their individual job classifications or work environment.
Fullerton School District will:
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The Fullerton School District is committed to providing a safe learning environment for their students and employees and it begins with school cleanliness, regular disinfecting, and proper ventilation.
In response to COVID-19, FSD has increased our custodial schedules to include daily cleaning and disinfecting of classrooms, buses, offices, restrooms, and playground equipment. We will be adding additional staff to support and maintain this cleanliness standard. With the prolonged FSD shut-down, sinks and water fountains will be purged prior to the reopening of schools to ensure that all water systems are free from Legionnaire disease or any other diseases associated with standing water. |
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The heating ventilation air conditioning (HVAC) system will have regular changes of the filters that have a MERV 13 rating. These systems will be turned on two (2) hours prior to students and staff arriving into the room to increase outside air circulating into the classroom. Staff may also open windows and doors providing that if doing so don't pose a safety or health risk for students inside the room.
Student tablets and laptops (devices) will be sanitized periodically by the use of an ultra violet (UV) light cabinet. If a student's device needs to be repaired, a staff member will sanitize these devices prior to reissuing using this approved method.
Fullerton School District will:
Links regarding methods and products used to support a clean and safe learning environment within the FSD:
Fullerton School District - Safe Reopening Policy - Approved Disinfecting and Cleaning Supplies
Guidance for Reopening and Cleaning and Disinfecting of Schools - (CDC)
UV Sanitation Cabinet for Students Tablets
Static Sprayer Used to Disinfect Classroom and Deep Cleaning
Cleaning for Teachers and Office Instructions - General Instructions for Safety
The Fullerton School District has implemented social distancing practices throughout the District for all students and staff occupying classrooms, buses, restrooms, office spaces, cafeterias, staff lounges, or other areas where school activities are taking place. Where at all possible, students, staff, and community interactions will be conducted with 6-feet of distance between each individual. |
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During School Arrival and Department - the Fullerton School District will:
Classroom Space - the Fullerton School District will:
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Non-Classroom Space - the Fullerton School District will:
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Schools and staff will limit sharing of common items to avoid cross contamination between students and staff.
The Fullerton School District will:
The Fullerton School District will train staff on safety precautions necessary to reduce the likelihood of contracting COVID-19. Staff will receive training that will include Fullerton School District’s internal procedures on protecting students and staff from illness. Additionally, this Information will be made available to parents and the community.
The Fullerton School District will:
Links to access information for training staff and Fullerton School District families.
Handwashing and Age-Appropriate Information on Handwashing and Coughing (CDC)
Schools and Childcare Information on COVID-19 - Center of Disease Control (CDC)
Parent Checklist and COVID-19 - Center of Disease Control (CDC)
Guidance for Face Coverings - California Department of Public Health
The Fullerton School District will make every effort to ensure that students and staff remain safe and healthy throughout the school year. All FSD schools, including the District Office, will use temperature checking as a health screening measure to ensure a safe learning environment and workplace for all. Health screenings will be used as a temporary measure during the COVID-19 pandemic until further notice.
***The health screening protocols will be implemented in a consistent and discreet manner to avoid identifying individuals who may or may not have suspected symptoms. In the event a student or staff exhibits symptoms suspected of COVID-19, they will be directed to consult with their personal doctor and the Orange County Public Health Department.” Bullying or disrespectful behavior towards anyone associated with the COVID-19 pandemic will not be tolerated. ***
FSD will work with students, parents, and staff for a safe transport home or to a healthcare facility when a student or staff member exhibits any of the following systems:
Fever greater than 100 degrees or higher, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, or loss of taste or smell. For serious injury or illness, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, confusion, or bluish lips of face, staff will call 9-1-1 without delay.
The Fullerton School District will:
Although it appears that children are not as impacted by the COVID-19 virus, FSD will extend the health screening protocols to our students. Upon arrival to school each morning, students will be screened at the entrance for a temperature. The screening will take place by a trained staff member using a non-touch temperature device. If students appear to be exhibiting symptoms or temperature exceeding 100.4 degrees, they will be asked to enter a separate area discreetly away from others in order to hydrate and receive a secondary temperature screening. This area is called the “Hydration” tent and will be supervised by a trained staff member. |
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FSD realizes there is a natural temperature variation between individuals, so providing a secondary screening, including providing hydration (water), will provide another level of screening to rule out any false readings.
*** FSD requests that in the event you are not certain whether your child is ill or has a temperature that exceeds 100.4 degrees. - please do not give them fever-reducing medication and allow them to go to school. This request is not new to FSD, but we need a more strict adherence to this to protect the health of ALL students and staff during the COVID-19 Pandemic. If you are uncertain and need support as to what your options maybe - please contact your school office to speak with the school nurse. Parents should consider taking their child’s temperature every morning at home prior to bringing their child to school to ensure that they do not have a fever. ***
Health screening and monitoring efforts for FSD staff:
Daily Health and Wellness Program District Guidance and Log - July 21, 2020.pdf
Testing Schedules for Staff - PCR Testing for COVID-19
The Fullerton School District will be providing an area, separate from other students and staff, for students and staff who are experiencing a temperature or other systems that may be related to COVID-19. If this occurs at a school site, the individual will be asked to wear a mask and be separated but supervised into an area away from others until they can be transported home or to a healthcare facility. In the event Fullerton School District is notified of a confirmed positive, the California Department of Health (CDPH) requires FSD to notify the Orange County Healthcare Agency.
FSD will advise any staff, student or family not to return to school until they have met the CDC criteria to discontinue home isolation or quarantine. The District may require staff or students to remain home for a total of 14 days depending on when the initial symptoms started or if they have been exposed to someone who had a confirmed positive result. Each case will be determined individually but handled according to the CDC guidelines. Exposure is defined as coming in contact with someone where it was not possible to maintain a six (6) foot distance for 15 minutes or longer.
Additionally, FSD will confidentially notify all staff and families that may have been in contact with this individual. The confidential notification and/or reporting will be initiated through the Fullerton District Office and will be in accordance with the Student Privacy and FERPA laws.
FSD will close all areas (office, classroom, or bathroom) where this individual may have been in contact prior to their illness confirmation. When possible, FSD will wait 24-hours before cleaning and disinfecting the area. Staff will follow CDC guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting these areas including wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment to ensure their safety and that of others.
Students and staff may be asked to provide a medical note indicating that all medical conditions have been resolved.
The Fullerton School District will:
Links to access information on what to do in the event of a confirmed illness and FSD health screening protocols.
Student Health Service Information - FSD Website
Release Information to HealthCare Agency - Student Privacy and FERPA
What to Do If You Are Sick - CDC Guidelines
Guidelines for Isolation vs. Quarantine - CDC Guidelines
Healthcare Resources for Underinsured Families
Handling a Workplace Outbreak - California Department of Public Health
Orange County Testing Locations
The Fullerton School District will strive to ensure healthy operations are maintained for both staff and students. FSD will work with the Orange County HealthCare Agency and other agency partners to ensure that we are continuing to monitor and respond to any developments that may impact our students and/or staff. We will meet regularly as a management team to ensure that all protective measures are being implemented and all the necessary resources are being utilized.
The District will ensure that students, including students with disabilities, have access to instruction when out of class, as required by federal and state law. We will offer distance learning based on the unique circumstance of each of our students.
The Fullerton School District will:
Fullerton School District will continue to consult with Orange County HealthCare Agency in the event of the need to close a school or office as a result of a COVID-19 outbreak.
The Fullerton School District will:
Links to information on how FSD will work within a framework of local agencies in the event of a possible school closure or to open in-person learning.
CDPH - Guidelines for a Safety In-Person Learning - 7/17/2020