Planning To Reopen - Our Schools, DESE Protocol, Multiple Cases In School District

8/24/2020 (Permalink)

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has worked closely with Governor Baker's administration, public health officials, and community leaders to develop guidelines to follow should a specific COVID-19 scenario arise in a school district. As parents face the difficult decision about if and how their child will return to school this fall we believe it is critical for parents to understand the totality of any potential risks that exists and know in advance what the contingency plans are. The Massachusetts DESE has issued guidance for schools, districts, and individualized education program teams that identifies potential scenarios along with case specific protocols for responding to each specific COVID-19 scenarios.

NOTE: COVID-19 is highly transmissible. Individuals should follow these universal precautions regardless of the extent of mitigation needed:

1. Follow healthy hygiene practices
2. Stay at home when sick
3. Practice social distancing 
4. Use a cloth face covering (with some exceptions) in community settings when physical distancing cannot be maintained.

The current state of the COVID-19 pandemic is continually evolving. What is true today may not be tomorrow. At this time, the evidence suggests schools have not played a significant role in COVID-19 transmission and that children, particularly younger children, are less likely than adults to be infected with COVID-19.

As always, work with your local health officials to determine a set of strategies appropriate for your community’s situation.

(See our Planning to Reopen series of blogs for more information regarding CDC, EPA, FDA, Mass EEA, Mass DESE, and OSHA safety requirements). To review the administration's reopening guidance from the state click here. To view Governor Baker's full report click here).

Protocol: Presence OF Multiple Cases In The School or School District

According to the Massachusetts DESE the following protocols should be inplace and executed upon should multiple cases of COVID-19 arise within  a school system or school district.

1. If there is more than one confirmed COVID-19 case (students or staff) in the school at one time, or if there is a series of single cases in a short time span, school leaders and the superintendent should work with the local board of health to determine if it is likely that there is transmission happening in school.
2. For each individual case, FOLLOW STEPS UNDER: “Protocol: Student or staff tests positive for COVID-19.” (see our previous blog) Note that when there is one isolated case, the student’s close contacts will need to stay home and be tested, not the whole school.
3. When there is suspected in-school transmission beyond one cohort or a small number of cohorts, school and district leaders must consult with the local board of health as to proposed next steps. These steps should include a review of the specific COVID-19 public health metrics for the municipality and could lead to, for example:
   1. making a decision to close part of the school or the entire school for a short time (e.g. 1-3 days) for an extensive cleaning or other facility mitigation,or 
   2. OR - making a decision to close the school partially or fully for the longer duration of a 14-day quarantine period.
4. Should there be circumstances where there are multiple cases in multiple schools, school and district leaders must consult with the local board of health as to proposed next steps. These steps should include a review of the specific COVID-19 public health metrics for the municipality and could lead to: 
   1. making a decision to a shut down the district for a short time (e.g. 1-3 days) for an extensive cleaning or other facility mitigation
   2. OR making a decision to shut down the district for the longer duration of a 14-day quarantine period.
5. Before a final decision is made on a school or district closure, the superintendent must consult with DESE for further guidance.
   1. Russell Johnston, Senior Associate Commissioner, Russell.Johnston@mass.gov, 781-605-4958.
   2. Anne Marie Stronach, Senior Advisor to the Commissioner – Rapid Response, Anne.marie.stronach@mass.gov, 781-873-9514.
6. If the decision is made to close for some number of days, the school and/or district should send clear information and instructions to families and staff:
1. Informing them that it is possible COVID-19 is being transmitted in the school and/or district
2. Noting that there may be more potential cases that are not yet symptomatic
3. Recommending students quarantine and not have contact with others
4. Reminding families of the importance of not having contact with higher-risk individuals (e.g., grandparents)
5. Reminding families of the list of COVID-19 symptoms for which to monitor
6. Ensuring that remote learning is immediately provided to all students
7. Before bringing students back to school:
1. Check inventory levels of needed supplies (e.g., disposable masks, soap, hand sanitizer, cleaning products); re-order replacement inventory
2. Consider a school-wide refresher training on the importance of correct hygiene procedures (masks, physical distance, handwashing)
3. Reiterate the critical nature of masks, physical distancing, and hand hygiene when students return to school

Protocol: Presence Of Significant Number Of New Cases In A Municipality

According to the Massachusetts DESE the following protocols should be inplace and executed upon should a significant rise in the number of new cases of COVID-19 occur within municipality.

1. In the case of significant municipal outbreak, as determined by the local board of health or DPH, the superintendent and school leaders must consult with the local board of health to determine whether it is appropriate to close a specific school, schools, or an entire district.
2. Again, before a final decision is made on a school or district closure, the superintendent must consult with DESE for further guidance.
   1. Russell Johnston, Senior Associate Commissioner, Russell.Johnston@mass.gov, 781-605-4958.
   2. Anne Marie Stronach, Senior Advisor to the Commissioner – Rapid Response, Anne.marie.stronach@mass.gov, 781-873-9514.

Protocol: State-wide Changes To Reopening Phases

According to the Massachusetts DESE the following protocols should be inplace and executed upon should any change in the Commonwealth's Reopening Phase plan occur.

1. Governor Baker has announced that the Commonwealth will remain in Phase 3 of Reopening Massachusetts in significant part to help support an overall environment for the safe return to our schools for as many students, staff and teachers as possible.
2. If Massachusetts moves back into a prior phase, or further changes are made in Phase 3, DESE (in consultation with the Massachusetts COVID-19 Command Center) will communicate with school districts and schools to determine whether in-person school should continue. As the transmission of the virus can vary due to local circumstances and actions, these potential recommendations may be by locality, region or statewide.

NOTE: According to Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education areas of the school visited by the COVID-19 positive individual must be closed off and/or cleaned and disinfected. The area can be used 12 hours after cleaning/disinfecting has occurred.

While the administration continues to work with communities to implement best practices and protocols for reopening our schools we will continue to share with you guidance from the CDC, EPA, FDA, Mass EEA, Mass EEC, Mass DESE, and OSHA and the Governor's office to follow as we prepare for the new school year.

Also, we at SERVPRO of Newton/Wellesley know that not every community has access to the resources necessary to meet the strict cleaning guidelines to ensure a safe environment for our children. For those communities, we are here to help!

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned

The Disaster Remediation Teams at SERVPRO of Newton/Wellesley are specialists in cleaning services and we adhere to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards. We are prepared to clean and disinfect your schools, according to protocols set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We have years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go beyond the scope of work of "normal daily cleaning". Call SERVPRO of Newton/Wellesley today for a free consultation - (617) 332-9000.

All of us here at SERVPRO of Newton/Wellesley want you and your loved ones to stay safe and know that we will make it through this together! Rest assured, we will continue to do our best to keep you up-to-date and informed!