Back to School Plan
HEALTH & SAFETY OF STUDENTS AND STAFF
Based on recommendations outlined by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Castle High School (CHS) is committed to working as diligently as possible to ensure the safety and well-being of all our students, faculty and staff. Because this is a new, never-before-seen virus, there are still many unknowns regarding the characteristics of this contagion; however, we will be closely monitoring local, state, and federal guidelines and recommendations as it relates to best practices in the midst of the current Covid-19 pandemic.
General Expectations to Aid in Minimizing the Risk of Infection
All students, staff and visitors have a shared responsibility to prevent the spread of illness when they are aware of or suspect that they have contracted a communicable disease. It is imperative that all members of our school community remain committed to the safety policies and procedures listed here and future communications to help keep students, staff, faculty and our families safe. This can be done by observing the following protocols:
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Social Distancing
Based on the ‘blended’ instructional model that will be used at CHS, we do not expect to have more than half the student population on campus at any given time. That being the case and in an effort to minimize the risk of Covid-19, the following recommendations will be implemented:
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While in school, a physical distancing (ideally, at least 6 feet ) of separation between and among students and staff members in meeting spaces and in outside environments.
Personal Protective Equipment
It is recommended by the CDC and state public health agencies that all individuals entering campus (students, employees, campus visitors, etc.) have and actively wear their own cloth or similar facial mask; covering the mouth and nose. This will be extremely important when maintaining the proposed 6 foot distancing may be difficult or impossible. An individual may request an exemption for wearing a mask due to a medical condition with a signed note from a licensed healthcare provider (i.e. U.S. licensed physician, APRN, or PA) who is treating the individual for that condition.
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Chapter 19 regulations will be implemented for students who refuse to wear a mask. Refer to the CDC’s “Additional Considerations for the Use of Cloth Face Coverings Among K12 Students.'
Each classroom, office and auxiliary space on campus will have a minimum of:
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Hand sanitizer
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EPA approved spray disinfectant for hard surfaces
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Sanitizing wipes
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Paper towels
Campus and Classroom Cleaning Routines
CHS classrooms and the campus in general will be cleaned throughout the week with a weekly deep cleaning taking place to include surfaces frequently touched by multiple people.
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Universal Expectations Mitigation Strategies (Required for In-Person and Blended Learning)
Regardless of the level of community transmission, all schools shall use and layer mitigation strategies as provided or and updated in guidelines for schools from the CDC, DOH, and the Department's Return to Learn School Reopening Plan: Health and Safety Handbook. These strategies include, but are not limited to:
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Core Essential Strategies to be implemented in every situation:
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Staying home if unwell and go home if become unwell at school
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Consistent masking
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Hand hygiene
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HOW CAN YOU HELP REDUCE ANY SPREAD OF THE VIRUS?
The CDC has published several strategies to encourage behaviors that reduce the spread of Covid-19. Some of those strategies are listed below:
Stay at home when appropriate
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If anyone in your household has been notified by the State Health Department that they were in contact with an individual infected with COVID-19, or if a student is feeling sick; it is encouraged that the student stay at home and contact the School’s Health Nurse.
Good hygiene and mask protocols
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Practice and reinforce good hygiene practices at home, in particular, the importance of frequent handwashing. When washing hands, ensure this is done with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
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When hand washing is not possible, hand sanitizer can be used.
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When there is a need to cough or sneeze, always cover with tissue or into the bend of your elbow.
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Used tissues should be immediately thrown away and hands washed with soap and water as outlined above. If soap and water is not available, hand sanitizer can be used.
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A mask or cloth face covering should be worn at all times. The mask or face covering should be touched as little as possible.
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Cloth face covering should be washed on a regular basis.
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It would be a good practice to limit the items your child brings onto campus each day and reinforce policies around the sharing of food, supplies and other items with other students.
Use Caution when using Hand Sanitizers
All hand sanitizers use alcohol as the primary base. Alcohol is a very flammable substance, as such, all hand sanitizers should be used with caution around any form of open flames.