Health Practices and Protocals
Students and staff have been educated in the new expectations regarding policies and protocols to reduce the spread of COVID-19 via a District-wide PowerPoint Presentation with the building School Nurse available to answer any questions. The District wants one consistent message for all grade levels regarding:
• Infection Control
• Ways to Stop the Spread of COVID19
• Frequent Hand Washing
• Respiratory Etiquette (Cover your Cough)
• Wearing of Masks or Face Coverings to totally cover nose and mouth
• Social Distancing
• Classroom Arrangement and Cohorting
• Hallway Usage
• Traveling on Buses • Enhanced Cleaning and Disinfecting
Hand Washing
Frequent hand washing is one of the most important things to do to stop the spread of germs and stay healthy. Proper Hand Washing techniques will be reviewed with all staff and students at the beginning of the school year, reviewing the five steps to proper hand washing.
1. Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
2. Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Be sure to lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
3. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
4. Rinse hands well under clean, running water.
5. Dry hands using a clean towel or air dry them.
• If soap and water are not readily available, hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol will be available in every classroom and throughout the building that can be used (for staff and older children who can safely use hand sanitizer).
• Children will be supervised when using hand sanitizer.
• Students and staff members must wash hands or use hand sanitizer o before and after meals or before and after recess or after using the toilet or assisting a student with toileting o after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
• Cough/sneeze into sleeves, preferably into the elbow. When using a tissue, discard it properly and clean/sanitize hands immediately.
• Avoid touching the face, particularly eyes, nose, and mouth because these are the entry points for the virus.
Classroom Arrangement
• Desks will face in the same direction.
• Social distancing will be maximized.
• Students will sit on the same side of a table maximizing social distancing.
• Extra furniture and rugs will be removed from the classroom.
• Space will be maximized between students and teacher.
• Students and teacher will wear masks.
• Markings/Decals will be installed to illustrate social distancing in classrooms and hallways.
• Classrooms will be cleaned and disinfected according to guidance for CT DPH.
• Classrooms will be supplied with soap, hand sanitizer, towels, tissue.
• Hand sanitizer will be available.
• Water fountains will remain inoperable.
• Students and staff will be encouraged to bring their own water bottles.
• Students and staff members can fill from one of our water fill stations instead of using the water fountain.
• Single use drinking cups will be provided as needed.
Bathrooms
• Bathroom doors will be propped open when consistent with fire code and privacy considerations.
• Disposable towels will be used, no air dryers.
• No touch trash bins will be used.
• A schedule will be developed for classroom cohorts to utilize bathrooms at designated times to ensure social distancing.
• Additional cleaning of high traffic areas will be implemented on a consistent basis.
• When possible, limit student trips to the bathroom during the school day.
• Instruct students in ways to maximize social distancing in multi-stall shared bathrooms.
• Increase cleaning and disinfecting of bathrooms throughout the school day.
Cohorts
• A cohort is defined as a group or team of students and educators with consistent members that stay together throughout certain periods of the school day. The purpose of the cohort model is to limit the number of students who are exposed to COVID-19 if there is community transmission in the school and assist with effective contact tracing. While there is no definitive numerical restriction on cohort size, cohorts should be kept as stable as practicable (Connecticut State Department of Education).
• Each elementary school and the middle school will establish stable cohorts within their school population.
• Due to the schedule and number of classes at the high school, assigning cohorts will not be a feasible strategy to implement without significant disruption to student learning. Rockville High School shall focus on other strategies to limit the possible spread of COVID-19.
High School Procedures
• A block schedule will be implemented to reduce the number of passing times per student.
• In order to avoid congregation in the hallways, students shall not be assigned lockers.
• Students will carry all belongings in a backpack or other bag.
• During passing time, students will follow physical guides on the floors, sidewalks, and walls, to ensure social distance is maintained in all hallways.
• Where feasible hallways will be one way. If not feasible, the hallway shall be split into two lanes for flow in either direction.
• Students will carry all belongings in a backpack or other bag.
Middle School Procedures
• Students will be assigned to cohorts for their school days.
• Cohorts should remain in their classroom setting and should not mix with other cohorts during the school day.
• Students shall not be assigned lockers and will be able to travel with backpacks or bags if needed.
Elementary School Procedures
• Assigned classes will serve as the basis of cohorts.
• Cohorts should remain in their classroom setting as much as possible during the school day.
• “Specials” teachers will rotate to each classroom rather than having students travel to them. If weather permits, specials can be held outside when feasible.