Health and Safety

Health and Safety

The health and safety of our students, our staff and their families is our top priority. We want students and employees to feel comfortable and safe returning to school campuses. Our reopening plan incorporates recommendations and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and the New York State Education Department (NYSED).

The following protocols and procedures will be in place in all District schools and SCOPE programs for the 2020-2021 school year should in-person schooling resume. Anyone with questions or concerns should contact our COVID-19 Safety Coordinator, Shannon Dantuono, Director of Student Support Services either via email at Shannon.dantuono@northport.k12.ny.us or by phone at 631 262-8546.

For more information about how health and safety protocols and training will be communicated to students, families and staff members, visit the Communication/Family and Community Engagement section of our reopening plan.

To ensure employees and students comply with communication requirements, the Northport-East Northport UFSD will:

• Post signage throughout the buildings to remind personnel to adhere to proper hygiene, social distancing rules, appropriate use of PPE, and cleaning/disinfecting protocols. 
• Establish a communication plan for employees, visitors, and parents/guardians with a consistent means to provide updated information. This will be accomplished through one or more of the following:
  • District website
  • Email
  • Social media
  • Print copy mailings
  • Voice and/or video messaging
  • Traditional media outlets

• Maintain a continuous log of every person, including staff, workers, and visitors, who may have close contact with other individuals at the work site, school, or area; excluding deliveries that are performed with appropriate PPE or through contactless means.

• If a worker or staff member tests positive for COVID-19, the school District will immediately notify state and local health departments and cooperate with contact tracing efforts, including notification of potential contacts, such as workers or visitors who had close contact with the positive individual, while maintaining confidentiality required by state and federal law and regulations.

• The District will work with families to accommodate students who are considered vulnerable to COVID-19.

• The District will engage in the interactive process to address accommodations for staff who are considered vulnerable to COVID-19.

Facility Entry

To ensure all faculty, staff, students, and visitors comply with physical distancing requirements, anyone within the Northport-East Northport UFSD facilities will practice social distancing expectations:

• With the exception of arrival and dismissal, entry and egress in and out of all buildings will be limited to a single location. If applicable, a single point entry and single point of egress will be identified to minimize cross traffic. All entry to the buildings, aside from arrival and dismissal will occur through the main entrance to a check-in point at the greeter’s station. 
• A face covering must be worn by all individuals, students, staff, and visitors on Northport-East Northport UFSD property when social distancing cannot be maintained.
• Proper face covering includes, but is not limited to, a surgical mask, cloth mask, balaclava or bandana and must completely cover the individual's mouth and nose.
• A plastic face shield alone is not an acceptable face covering.
• The District will maintain a minimum one month supply of PPE.

Daily Health Screening

Prior to entering all Northport-East Northport UFSD locations, individuals must complete a daily health screening questionnaire. This questionnaire is accessible through the Northport-East Northport UFSD website at www.northport.k12.ny.us and a QR code is posted at all main entrances that provides a direct link to the survey using an iPhone or android phone. Although filing of the health survey is preferred to be done online, paper copies of the questionnaire for visitors will be available at the greeter’s station in each building. 

Staff

• Staff should complete this screening prior to arriving at work via the electronic submission form.
• Staff will be required to take their own temperature prior to arrival on campus and monitor it throughout the day. Anyone whose health survey responses change from a NO to YES during the day indicating potential COVID symptoms, must contact their supervisor immediately and await further instruction.

Itinerant Staff (Substitutes, Out of District Coaches, Adult Ed Instructors etc.)

• Itinerant staff will utilize a QR Code to complete the survey electronically. Paper copies will be available at the greeter’s desk as well for those itinerant staff members.

Students

• The school buildings will be conducting a temperature check-(check temperature to ensure temperature is below 100 degrees Fahrenheit) for each student every day a student comes to school.
• Parents are asked to screen students weekly before leaving for school or getting on the bus. The health screening survey will be shared directly with parents via either email or text on the days they must be completed. 
• Parents will 1) observe for symptoms outlined by public health officials and keep students at home if they have symptoms consistent with COVID-19; 2) indicate if they have had close contact with a person diagnosed with COVID-19, and 3) indicate that they did not travel to a state or country on the NYS Travel Advisory list (https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/covid-19-travel-advisory) when completing the health screening questionnaire.

Visitors

• Visitors will utilize a QR Code to complete the survey electronically. Paper copies will also be available at the greeter’s desk.
• Visitors will be screened for temperature at arrival to the buildings.

 General Protocols

• Health screening areas will be created where individuals enter the facility when in-person screening must be utilized.
• Lines will be coordinated, if needed to reduce crowding.
• Markings (tape or other) will be placed on the ground to indicate 6ft. lengths to provide for greater social distancing for individuals waiting to be screened, if necessary.

• Only after individuals have been accounted for, cleared through the health screening and wearing proper face coverings, will access to the building be granted.
• Should a person fail the health screening, specific procedures will be followed. Please reference the Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19 Case section for guidance.

Social Distancing

• New York State DOH guidelines mandate that individuals on District premises must maintain social distancing and wear a face covering when social distancing cannot be maintained. The guidelines further strongly recommend that face coverings are worn at all times, except for meals and classroom instruction when social distancing can be maintained.
• All individuals on Northport-East Northport UFSD premises must maintain social distancing and wear a face covering when social distancing cannot be maintained.
• Proper social distancing is defined as a 6ft. separation between individuals. When social distancing is practiced, such as in an isolated office or large meeting space, the individuals may remove their face covering. However in common areas, such as break rooms, hallways or bathrooms, the face covering must be worn. 
• Student and staff work stations will be separated by a distance of at least 6ft. and/or physical barriers will be used in order to achieve proper social distancing.
• The District will ensure 6ft. distance between personnel, unless safety or core function of the work activity requires a shorter distance. Any time personnel are less than 6ft. apart from one another, personnel must wear acceptable face coverings.
• Social distance separation will be encouraged by using tape or signs that denote 6ft. of spacing in commonly used and other applicable areas on the site (e.g., sign in stations in main offices, health screening stations, reception areas).
• In-person gatherings will be limited as much as possible and we will use tele-conferencing or video-conferencing whenever possible. Essential in-person gatherings, such as meetings, will be held in open, well-ventilated spaces with appropriate social distancing among participants. 
• Designated areas for pick-ups and deliveries will be established, limiting contact to the extent possible. All delivery personnel who enter the buildings will be screened according to visitor health screening protocols.

Personal Hygiene

Hand washing - Students and staff must practice good hand hygiene to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Schools should plan time in the school day schedule to allow for hand hygiene.

• Hand hygiene includes:
  • Signage encouraging hand washing and correct techniques
  • Traditional hand washing (with soap and warm water, lathering for a minimum of 20 seconds), which is the preferred method. This can be accomplished by singing the happy birthday song twice.
  • Adequate facilities and supplies for hand washing including soap and water.
  • Use of paper towels or touch-free paper towel dispensers where feasible (hand dryers are not recommended as they can aerolize germs).
  • Use of no-touch/foot pedal trash can where feasible.
  • Extra time will be dedicated to encourage frequent hand washing.

• Students and staff should wash hands as follows:
  • Upon entering the building and classrooms.
  • After sharing objects or touching high touch surfaces.
  • Before and after snacks and meals.
  • After using the bathroom.
  • After helping a student with toileting.
  • After sneezing, wiping, or blowing nose or coughing into hands.
  • Anytime hands are visibly soiled.
  • When hand washing is not feasible, use a hand sanitizer.

• Hand Sanitizer - At times when hand washing is not available or feasible, students and staff may use a hand sanitizer. In order for the sanitizer to be effective it must contain a minimum of 60% alcohol. It should be noted the sanitizers are flammable and students must be monitored and supervised when using these. Using hand sanitizers should include:
  • Signage being placed near sanitizer dispensers indicating soiled hands should be washed with soap and water.
  • Placement of sanitizer dispensers should be near entrances and throughout common areas.
  • Accommodations for students who cannot use hand sanitizer will be made.

• Students, faculty, and staff will be trained on proper hand and respiratory hygiene, and such information will be provided to parents and/or legal guardians on ways to reinforce this at home.

Visitors, Volunteers and Vendor Practices

Visitors and volunteers to the buildings will be limited. Parents/guardians will report to the front reception area and access to the building will be managed by the administration. Those who are admitted access to the facilities will be required to wear face coverings and will have restricted access within the building.

Visitors

• All visitors must be wearing proper face covering prior to entering any building and it must be worn at all times when a 6ft social distance cannot be maintained.
• All visitors check in at the greeter’s desk for temperature screening and to fill out the COVID-19 DAILY HEALTH SCREENING which can be found by scanning the QR Code posted on all doors. The visitors must sign in with their identification through the visitor management system for a visitor badge. This will indicate to all other employees that the visitor has been screened.
• No visitor should enter a building unless necessary. All meetings should be held outside or via virtual means when possible.
• All visitors must sign in and out at the main entrance of each building stating their destination at that building for contact tracing purposes. All visitors should be accompanied by a staff member.
• Should a visitor become ill while on campus, they must alert the staff member they are visiting to report the issue and then immediately seek medical attention.
• The visitor management system by design retains a log of visitors to the building. This information will be relied on as necessary when contact tracing is required.

Vendors

• All vendors must be wearing a proper face covering prior to entering any building and it must be worn at all times when 6ft social distance cannot be maintained.
• All vendors must report to the main entrance of the school building first for temperature screening and to fill out the COVID-19 Health Screening which can be found by scanning the QR Code posted on all doors. The vendors must sign in with their identification through the visitor management system for a visitor badge. This will indicate to all other employees that the vendor has been screened.
• No vendor should enter a building unless necessary for completion of their job. All meetings should be held outside or via electronic means when possible.
• All vendors must sign in and out at the main entrance of each building stating their destination at that building for contact tracing. All vendors should be accompanied by a staff member.
• Should a vendor become ill while on campus, they must alert the staff member they’re visiting to report the issue and then immediately seek medical attention.
• The visitor management system by design retains a log of visitors to the building. This information will be relied on as necessary when contact tracing is required.

Training

The Northport-East Northport UFSD will train all personnel on new protocols and frequently communicate safety guidelines. Training on the precautions listed below will be conducted either remotely or in person. Social distancing and face coverings will be required for all participants if training is conducted in person. Training material is designed to be easy to understand and available to all employees.

The Northport East Northport UFSD will ensure all students are taught or trained how to follow new COVID-19 protocols safely and correctly, including but not limited to hand hygiene, proper face covering wearing, social distancing, and respiratory hygiene. Additional training will be provided in:

• Prevention of the spread of disease by staying home when they are sick.
• Proper respiratory etiquette, including covering coughs and sneezes.
• Avoiding the use of communal objects. ( If communal objects must be used by students or staff, provide information on proper disinfection procedures between use. Examples of communal objects include, but are not limited to, other workers’ phones, desks, offices, computers or other devices, other work tools and equipment.)
• Provide employees and students with up-to-date education and training on COVID-19.
• Risk factors and protective behaviors (i.e., cough etiquette and care of PPE).

Cdc.gov

The following Global Compliance Network online trainings will be one resource used for this purpose:

• COVID-19 Plan, Prepare, and Respond (Educational Institutions)
• COVID-19 Video: Proper Handwashing (CDC)
• COVID-19 Workplace Guidelines

Training for Screeners

The District will identify individuals familiar with CDC, OSHA protocols, and DOH guidelines in each building who will be a trained screener. Screeners will wear appropriate employer-provided PPE, including at a minimum, a face covering, temperature screenings and social distancing. If social distancing or barrier/partition controls cannot be implemented during screening, PPE should be used when within 6ft of the individual being screened.

Training Topics for all Staff and Substitutes

Training is provided by the Global Compliance Network for all staff and substitutes and must be completed and proof submitted to immediate supervisors. Additional resources are listed below:

• Proper hand washing: proper hand hygiene. Promote frequent and thorough hand washing by providing employees, the school community, and visitors with a place to wash their hands. If soap and running water are not immediately available, provide alcohol-based hand rubs containing at least 60% alcohol. Provide training on proper handwashing and hand sanitizer use Cdc.gov
  • Hand washing video
• Proper cough and sneeze etiquette
• Social Distancing
  • Provide training for faculty/staff on how to address close contact interactions with students as part of every day job tasks.
    Cdc.gov

• Operating procedures (varies by building)
  • Entrance into the building
  • Cleaning procedures
  • Sick child pick up
  • Staff who are sick or suspected to be sick
    Cdc.gov

• Proper cleaning techniques
  • Cleaning and disinfecting
    Cdc.gov

• Reopening Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces, Workplaces, Businesses, Schools, and Homes
  Cdc.gov
  Cdc.gov

• Hazard Communication – Right-To-Know
  • Proper use of chemicals and Safety Data sheets
    • Osha.gov
  • No chemicals from home
  • Transfer of hand sanitizer in smaller containers
  • List of disinfectants for use against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)
    • Epa.gov
  • Personal Protective Equipment - PPE
    • Update Hazard Assessment and PPE Selection Worksheet for all identified employees
    • Proper type, use, and size
    • Cleaning and sanitizing of the face covering (if applicable)
    • Provide training for staff and students on wearing, putting on, removing and discarding PPE, including in the context of their current and potential duties
      Cdc.gov

• Use of face coverings (donning/doffing) (cloth vs. surgical)
  • Face coverings don/doff video
  • Youtube.com

Signs and Messages  

Signs will be posted in highly visible locations (e.g., school entrances, restrooms) that promote everyday protective measures pdf icon and describe how to stop the spread pdf icon of germs (such as by properly washing hands and properly wearing a cloth face cover image icon).

When Students Eat in Classrooms

• Train teachers/supervisory staff on food allergies, including symptoms of allergic reactions to food.
• Train all non-food service staff on any meal service-related activities they may be responsible for.
  Cdc.gov

Space Design and Capacities

General Office Areas

• All office work stations will be separated by a distance of at least 6ft and/or physical barriers will be used in order to achieve proper social distancing.
• Additional protective barriers such as polycarbonate screens or strip curtains will be utilized to create a physical separation without hindrance to egress or airflow.
  • Light-transmitting plastics will comply with 2020 BCNYS Section 2606 to mitigate the negative impact of life and safety features of a school.
• Workstations will be reconfigured so that employees do not face each other, or partitions will be installed if facing each other cannot be avoided.
• Face coverings should be worn in these multiple use office settings if social distancing cannot be maintained.
• Visitors must wear face coverings when in these spaces.
• Additional breaks may be allotted to allow individuals time to leave the space to remove their masks, if necessary. Specific determination of these conditions will occur in collaboration with the individual’s immediate supervisor. 
• If necessary, the District will stagger shifts to reduce the number of employees in the worksite at one time.
• The District will discourage employees from congregating during the shift change-over, and from overcrowding at entrances and exits if applicable.
• The District will reduce tasks requiring large amounts of people to be in one area at the same time.
• Employees will be encouraged to use virtual meeting tools, including phone and virtual teleconference in lieu of in-person meetings, whenever possible.
• If in-person meetings are essential, the District must allow for maintenance of social distancing and comply with local, state, and federal guidelines.

Conference Rooms

• Encourage virtual meetings if feasible so as to reduce the need for conference room use.
• If meetings are to occur in person, they will be conducted in an efficient and expeditious manner.
• Social distancing among participants will be required.
• Lingering and socializing before and after meetings will be discouraged.
• If social distancing cannot be maintained, masks must be worn.

Break Rooms and Lunch Rooms

• Break room use will be staggered or discontinued if a minimum of 6 ft. separation cannot be maintained when consuming food or drink.
• Staff are advised to take their lunch and breaks in their private offices or classrooms; in their vehicles or outside throughout the campus, if feasible.
• Staggered break schedules may be utilized to assist with separation concerns.
• If staff must take breaks together, they must do such in a large space or outside, where at minimum 6ft. of separation can occur.
• Amenities that are handled with high contact frequency, such as water coolers, coffee makers, and bulk snack machines will be sanitized frequently.
• Communal meals will not be provided to employees, and food will not be available in common areas where employees may congregate.

Copy Rooms/Areas

• Congregating in copier rooms/areas is discouraged.
• Cleaning supplies will be provided at copier stations.
• Staff are encouraged to wipe down high touch surfaces before and after use.

Elevators

• One person should ride in an elevator at a time. However, in cases where a student with a special need has to ride the elevator, a staff member assigned to that student can ride the elevator simultaneously.
• Students, staff and visitors must wear acceptable face coverings when using elevators.
• High contact areas in the elevators will be frequently disinfected.

Restrooms  

• The capacity of all bathrooms will be monitored to promote social distancing.
• In circumstances where a student must be assisted in the use of the bathroom, the adult present must be wearing all applicable personal protective equipment including a face covering and when medically applicable, the student will be wearing a proper face covering as well.
• Paper towel dispensers will be utilized where feasible. Automatic hand dryers will be disabled.
• Touchless water fixtures will be installed where applicable.
• All water streams in sinks will run for at least 20 seconds.

Hallways/Stairwells

• Where feasible, hallway traffic may be limited to single flow direction.
• Where single flow is not feasible, bi-direction traffic will be permitted.
• Directional flow will be identified by indications on the floor/stairs.
• Social distancing signage will be placed to encourage and remind individuals about adequate distancing in the hallways and stairwells.
• Adequate distancing will be obtained between all individuals through use of signage and instructions.
• All individuals must also allow for adequate space between themselves and others when traveling in the same direction.

Classrooms

• Occupancy in each classroom will be specific and determined based on the ability to maintain social distancing.
• Additional considerations will be taken to account for space utilized for necessary classroom furniture and teaching materials.
• Overall class sizes will be reduced to accommodate social distancing.
• Students, teachers and support staff will wear a proper face covering when social distancing cannot be maintained.
• Students will not be required to wear masks while eating and during mask breaks, but must maintain social distancing while doing so.
• The District will utilize cohorting as a strategy to limit contacts to the extent feasible.
• Where possible, special area teachers and PPS staff will travel to the classroom to provide instruction.
• Items in the classroom will be restricted to those of essential use.
  • Unnecessary furniture will be removed
  • Any soft surfaces that are difficult to disinfect will be removed such as:
    • Area Rugs
    • Soft fabric chairs
    • Cardboard items (boxes, etc.)

Nurses’ Offices:

• All students and staff are required to wear appropriate face coverings while in the nurse’s office.
  • N95 Respirator should be used in situations of suspected COVID-19
  • Nurses must receive proper training and fitting of N95 Respirators prior to use.
• Where applicable, nurse stations have been reconfigured to:
  • Maintain social distancing of no less than 6ft.
  • Create “sick” and “well” zones.
    • Students that have an injury or receive daily medication should be treated separately from students presenting with symptoms of illness.
    • Nebulizer treatments should be conducted in a separate isolated space with adequate air filtration or ventilation.
  • Physical separation will be achieved by utilizing:
    • Individual exam rooms
    • Polycarbonate barriers
    • Retractable dividing curtain walls
• Isolation Room/s
• Individuals presenting with symptoms representative of COVID-19 should be immediately isolated to reduce the risk of transmission.
• A separate room will be utilized where applicable.

Isolation Rooms: Every school will have a designated isolation room that will be used to assess and care for individuals presenting with COVID-19 symptoms. Where applicable, the isolation room will be a separate room from the Nurse’s Office and will have a door in proximity to the exterior.

• The following isolation rooms have been identified in each building:

Reception Areas/ Visitor Management Stations

Visitor Management Stations will remain designated entrances of each building.

• Where a multi- entrance design is used, additional security posts will be instituted.
• These stations will serve as the primary location for accounting for all individuals entering and exiting the building.
• Appropriate measures will be taken to ensure visitors and greeters are protected.
• Polycarbonate or other barriers (greeter’s booth) are positioned to protect all individuals.
• Floor demarcations will be visible and indicate where visitors shall stand to maintain 6ft social distance.
• Reception areas will have seating removed or adequately spaced to provide at minimum of 6ft of separation between people.
• Frequently touched materials such as magazines will no longer be available in reception areas.

Computer Labs

• The use of shared spaces and equipment use will be limited where feasible.
• Blocks of computers will be sectioned off to ensure that social distancing is maintained.
• Tables of computers will be reconfigured so as to not face each other or a polycarbonate barrier will be installed to create a physical barrier.
• Cleaning and disinfection of computer labs and keyboard will be frequent
  • Keyboards should be wiped and disinfected before and after each use.
  • Keyboard covers may be utilized to aid in the cleaning and disinfection process.
• Students should be instructed to wash hands prior to and after touching the keyboards along with other frequently touched surfaces.
  

Library Spaces

• The district will remove all soft covered surfaces that cannot be properly cleaned and disinfected.
  • Bean bag chairs
  • Upholstered couches or chairs
  • Area rugs
• Space will be reconfigured to ensure social distancing.
  • Tables will be limited to one individual at a time, where applicable.
    • Polycarbonate barriers may be installed to create a physical barrier.
  • Desks should be arranged so as to not face each other.
  • Small reading nook use should be discontinued unless:
    • limited to one person at a time.
    • cleaned and disinfected routinely.
  • Borrowing of materials such as books may need to be discontinued if adequate disinfection cannot be achieved. 
  • Creating directional traffic flow patterns between bookcases will ensure social distancing, if feasible.

Engineering Controls

• Alcohol based hand sanitizer will be available in entry areas, corridors, and each classroom that does not have a sink.
• Bathrooms
  • The capacity of all bathrooms will be monitored to promote social distancing.
  • Paper towel dispensers will be utilized where feasible. Automatic hand dryers will be disabled.
  • Touchless soap dispensers locations will be increased.
  • Additional touchless paper towels dispensers have been installed.
  • All faucets will have a minimum run time of 20 seconds.
  • Where feasible, entry doors to gang bathrooms will be left open to reduce the need to touch door handles.
• Vestibules/Reception Areas
  • Polycarbonate or other barriers provide protection for Northport-East Northport UFSD staff and individuals entering the building.
    • Barriers have been designed in accordance with New York State Fire Code
  • Water Fountains
    • As required by New York State Code a potable water supply will be provided per 100 occupants, but not less than one source per floor.
    • To reduce cross contamination the bubbler/drink spout has been removed or disabled where NYSED code compliance is possible.
    • Water fountain use is discouraged, however, automatic/ touchless bottle fill stations are available throughout buildings and are recommended.
    • Automatic/ touchless filling stations have been installed throughout the buildings; additional stations will be installed where necessary.
    • Water fountains and bottle filling stations will be routinely cleaned and disinfected as described in the Cleaning and Disinfection Section.
  • Floor Demarcations
    • All entrances or areas of static wait have floor signage installed allotting for a minimum of six(6) feet of separation between all individuals
    • Floor markings indicating directional traffic flow and social distancing will be added where applicable.
  • Corridor Doors
    • Where practical corridor doors will all be affixed open using electromagnetic hold-open devices to minimize the need to touch doors.
  • Temperature Screening Equipment
    • Hand-held contactless thermometers will be used to screen visitors and students or staff who present with COVID-19 symptoms

Ventilation

The District will ensure sufficient ventilation and fresh air to all spaces of occupancy by means of:

• Medical grade HEPA filtration will be installed in all classroom spaces, nurses’ offices, isolation rooms and multi-person office spaces.
  • HEPA Filters will be able to remove 99.95% of all particles .1 microns multiple times per hour.
• Modifications to the Building Management Systems (BMS) to allow fresh air dampers to introduce more outside air.
• Air handling systems have been inspected for function with higher MERV rated filters.
  • Where applicable, existing filters will be changed to MERV 13 rated filters.
  • Spaces where fresh air is limited due to original building systems, fresh air will be introduced through open windows and doors.
• Fan motor speeds will be reviewed for compliance with NYSED building code for CFMs.
• More frequent maintenance and inspection of the systems will occur to mitigate extra strain on systems.
• Filter replacement schedules will be more frequent.

Cleaning and Disinfection

The District will ensure adherence to hygiene as well as cleaning and disinfection requirements as advised by the CDC and DOH, including “Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfection of Public and Private Facilities for COVID-19,” and the “STOP THE SPREAD” poster, as applicable. Cleaning and disinfection logs will be maintained that include the date, time, and scope of cleaning and disinfection.

Examples of facility types where cleaning and disinfection frequency will be emphasized include:

• Bathrooms
• Athletic training rooms, locker rooms
• Health offices, isolation rooms
• Administrative offices (main office, reception area)
• Frequently touched surfaces in common areas (door handles, elevator buttons, copy machine keypads, etc.)
• Break rooms
• Cafeterias/Kitchens
• Computer labs
• Science labs
• Classrooms
• Maintenance offices and work areas
• Bus Garage
• Buses, other school vehicles
• Libraries
• Large meeting areas (auditoriums, gymnasiums, music rooms)
• Playgrounds (cleaning only)
• Outdoor seating areas (plastic or metal)

Regular cleaning and disinfection of the facilities will occur, including more frequent cleaning and disinfection for high-risk and frequently touched surfaces. This will include cafeteria tables, which should be cleaned and disinfected between each individual’s use. Cleaning and disinfection will be rigorous and ongoing and will occur at least daily, or more frequently as needed.

The District will use long lasting antimicrobial surface protectants on surfaces frequently used where disinfecting between uses is not practicable.

The District will ensure regular cleaning and disinfection of restrooms. Restrooms will be cleaned and disinfected more often depending on frequency of use. 

For more information about how cleaning and disinfection information will be communicated to students, families and staff members, visit the Communication section of our reopening plan.

Disinfectants must be products that meet EPA criteria for use against SARS-Cov-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, and be appropriate for the surface.

Students, faculty, and staff will be trained on proper hand and respiratory hygiene, and such information will be provided to parents and/or legal guardians on ways to reinforce this at home.

The district will provide and maintain hand hygiene stations around the school, as follows:

• For handwashing: soap, running warm water, and disposable paper towels.
• For hand sanitizing: an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol for areas where handwashing facilities may not be available or practical.
• All existing and new alcohol-based hand sanitizers were installed in accordance with FCNYS 2020 Section 5705.5

Suspect or Confirmed COVID Cases & Protocols for Return

• Emergency Response - Students and staff with symptoms of illness must be sent to the health office. A school nurse (Registered Professional Nurse, RN) is available to assess individuals with chronic conditions such as asthma and allergies or chronic gastrointestinal conditions may present the same symptoms as COVID-19 but are neither contagious nor pose a public health threat. Proper PPE will be required anytime a nurse may be in contact with a potential COVID-19 patient.
• Isolation - Students suspected of having COVID-19 awaiting transport home by the parent/guardian will be isolated in a room or area separate from others, with a supervising adult present utilizing appropriate PPE. Multiple students suspected of COVID-19 may also be in this isolation room if they can be separated by at least 6 feet. If they cannot be isolated in a separate room from others, facemasks (e.g., cloth or surgical mask) will be provided to the student if the ill person can tolerate wearing it and does not have difficulty breathing to prevent the possible transmission of the virus to others while waiting for transportation home. Students should be escorted from the isolation area to the parent/guardian. The parent or guardian will be instructed to call their health care provider, or if they do not have a health care provider, to follow up with a local clinic or urgent care center. Other considerations include:
  • Closing off areas used by a sick person and not using these areas until after cleaning and disinfection has occurred;
  • Opening outside doors and windows to increase air circulation in the area.
  • Cleaning and disinfecting all areas used by the person suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19, such as offices, classrooms, bathrooms, lockers, and common areas.
  • Once the area has been appropriately cleaned and disinfected, it can be reopened for use.
  • Individuals without close or proximate contact to the person suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 can return to the area and resume school activities immediately after cleaning and disinfection.
• Notification - the NYS and Suffolk County Health Department will be notified immediately upon being informed of any positive COVID-19 diagnostic test result by an individual in any school facility or on school grounds, including students, faculty, staff and visitors.

Contact Tracing

The COVID-19 Safety Coordinator will notify the Suffolk County Department of Health immediately upon being informed of any student, staff member, or visitor testing positive for COVID-19. In order to assist the Suffolk County Department of Health with contact tracing efforts, the Director of Student Support Services and a team of school nurses have completed the awareness level training in contact tracing from Johns Hopkins University.

To ensure the District is in compliance with contact tracing and disinfection requirements, the Northport-East Northport UFSD will do the following: 

• Have a plan for cleaning, disinfection, and notifying Public Health, in the event of a positive case. In the case of an employee testing positive for COVID-19, CDC guidelines will be followed regarding cleaning and disinfecting the building or facility if someone is sick. Cdc.gov
• Close off areas used by the person who is sick.
• Open outside doors and windows to increase air circulation in the area.
• Clean and disinfect all areas used by the person who is sick, such as offices, bathrooms, common areas, shared electronic equipment like tablets, touch screens, keyboards, remote controls, and copier machines.
• Vacuum the space if needed. Use a vacuum equipped with a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, if available.
• Consider temporarily turning off room fans and the central HVAC system that services the room or space, so that particles that escape from vacuuming will not circulate throughout the facility.
• Workers without close contact with the person who is sick can return to work immediately after disinfection.

Return to School After Illness

The Northport-East Northport UFSD has established protocols and procedures, in consultation with the local health department(s), about the requirements for determining when individuals, particularly students, who screened positive for COVID-19 symptoms can return to the in-person learning environment at school. This protocol includes:

1. Documentation from a health care provider following evaluation
2. Negative COVID-19 diagnostic test result
3. Symptom resolution, or if COVID-19 positive, release from isolation

The district will refer to DOH’s “Interim Guidance for Public and Private Employees Returning to Work Following COVID-19 Infection or Exposure” regarding protocols and policies for faculty and staff seeking to return to work after a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 or after the faculty or staff member had close or proximate contact with a person with COVID-19.

The district requires that individuals who were exposed to the COVID-19 virus follow the CDC recommendations for quarantine. The discharge of an individual from quarantine and return to school will be conducted in coordination with Suffolk County Department of Health. 

School Closure Considerations

When a person has been identified (confirmed) or suspected to be COVID-19 positive; the process in the District will include:

• Having school administrators collaborate and coordinate with Suffolk County Department of Health to make school closure and large event cancellation decisions.
• Establishing a plan to close schools again for physical attendance of students, if necessary, based on public health guidance and in coordination with Suffolk County Department of Health.
• Developing a plan for continuity of education, essential services, and meal programs and establishing alternate mechanisms for these to continue.
• Implementing, as needed, short-term closure procedures regardless of community spread if an infected person has been in a school building. If this happens, CDC recommends the following procedures:
  • Closing off areas used by ill person(s) and locking off area(s), signage can also be used to ensure no one enters the area.
  • Opening outside doors and windows to increase air circulation in the area.
  • Custodial staff will clean and disinfect all areas (e.g., offices, bathrooms, and common areas) used by the ill person(s), focusing especially on frequently touched surfaces.
  • Communicating as soon as possible with staff, parents, and students.
• Using DOH guidance/procedures for when someone tests positive.
  • In consultation with Suffolk County Department of Health, school officials will consider whether school closure is warranted and period of time (prior to re-opening) based on the risk level within the specific community as determined by the DOH.
  • In accordance with guidance for quarantine at home after close contact, the classroom or office where the COVID-19-positive individual was based will need to close temporarily as students or staff quarantine.
  • Additional close contacts at school (outside of a classroom) should be considered for quarantine at home depending on the situation.
• Reopening and closing of schools could also occur by region due to Governor’s Orders according to the following metrics:
  • Schools will reopen if a region is in Phase IV and the daily infection rate remains below 5% using a 14-day average
  • Schools will close if the regional infection rate is greater than 9% using a 7-day average after August 1, 2020
• Thresholds for school closings will be determined on a case-by-case basis dependent on the numbers of those infected or impacted by the virus (school closures may be a response).
• Buildings may ultimately consider closing if required cleaning products and PPE are not available.