Prevention/Mitigation

Communication

1) The school nurse has reviewed illness prevention steps with all students to encourage regular hand washing, use of hand sanitizer, personal health monitoring, common symptoms, early self-reporting of symptoms, the importance of staying home for the duration of an illness, etc.

2) Staff members have been provided with an overview of the precautions outlined above to help prevent illness both for themselves and the students. Teachers are encouraged to send students to the office who exhibit symptoms.

3) Parents have been informed via the school web site of general precautions taken at school. The web site is updated regularly with timely reminders and new information, advice or directives which may become available. This plan, along with appropriate resources will be provided to parents for their reference.

4) Stakeholders within the community may access timely information related to the this plan, and any related situation, by way of the school web site.

Action

1) Parents are urged to inform the school of any health issues which may arise involving students, report symptoms when students are ill, and keep students at home for the duration of an illness.

2) The cafeteria and classrooms are equipped with regularly filled hand sanitizer dispensers.

3) Antibacterial soap and disposable hand towels and are available in all restrooms.

4) Student attendance is carefully monitored by the school and by local health officials.

5) Indoor athletic facilities (locker rooms, weight room, etc.) are sanitized regularly.

Preparedness

Communication

1)  Ongoing communication has been established with local health authorities.

2) The school nurse and selected staff members have been appropriately trained for pandemic response and receive periodic updates as new information becomes available.

3) Staff members have been trained in general crisis response.

4) Student and staff emergency contact information is readily available.

5) Parents can be alerted to any emergency by way of the school web site and local media.

Action

1) Parents are encouraged to have an adequate a supply of  appropriate fever-reducing medication (e.g., Tylenol/Motrin) and electrolyte replacement fluids (e.g., Gatorade, Pedialyte) on hand.

2) Parents are urged to formulate a contingency plan for the supervision of any student who needs to remain home during an illness, if needed.

3) Substitute teachers and staff are available, if needed, for a health event affecting staff members.

4) Limited space is available to isolate students who become ill at school until parents can pick them up or they can be otherwise safely dismissed.

5) Procedures are in place to post homework and other assignments on the school web site in the case of an event that necessitates the closing of school for an extended period of time.

Response

Communication

1) The local media and the school web site will serve as the primary means of communication with parents during a health event.

2) In the case of a health event, the general health status of students and staff will be communicated to and closely monitored with the assistance of appropriate health authorities.

Action

1) Preliminary advice dictates that the school will typically remain open in the case of a health event. In making such a decision, however, the school will consult with and defer to appropriate authorities according to the Modifications section of this plan.

2) Plans are in place for individual hard surface (desk) sanitation by students prior to each class should an outbreak occur in which such steps are advised.

3) Masks are available in the school clinic for any student believed to be symptomatic and any adult entrusted with the student’s care. Other health emergency supplies are on hand.

4) If staff members who are responsible for decisions and necessary communications, including web site postings, become ill; those duties will pass on to another predetermined staff member.

Recovery

1) This plan encourages ongoing teaching and learning during a health event or, if circumstances dictate, a timely return to teaching and learning as soon as possible following an event.

2) Communications with local health authorities will be maintained following any event.

3) Parents are urged to closely monitor student health and report symptoms following an illness. 

4) Parents will be notified of intended actions following an incident.

Modifications

The school consults with, seeks advice from, and defers to public health agencies at all levels, as well as the State Department of Education and the Office for Education of the Diocese of Columbus, in order to promote health, respond to events and emergencies, and modify plans and procedures according to the best available advice, polices, regulations and guidelines.

Summary

1.  Students, staff and all others should take the proper steps to prevent illness.

2. Parents should monitor student health, keep students home who become ill and report symptoms to the school when reporting absences.

3. Staff members should familiarize themselves with the provisions of this plan. 

4. If an outbreak occurs, the goal is for the school to remain open and the teaching and learning process to continue, unless we are advised to do otherwise.

A. Students and staff who become ill are to remain at home for the duration of the illness. This includes excluding students and staff from activities outside of school.

B. After a student is absent for more than one day, assignment lists will be available for pickup in the office after school daily.

C. Students are encouraged to complete work only to the extent that the illness permits.

D. Upon return to school after an illness, students must meet with teachers to develop a plan to compete any missed work.

5. If circumstances warrant and prevailing advice dictates, school will be closed; however the teaching and learning process will continue to the extent possible remains.

A. For the duration of the closing, unless advised to do otherwise, teachers will forward assignment lists to the designated staff member.

B. Students who are healthy enough to complete their work can access assignments through the school web site on a regular basis.

C. Other communications for parents and students will be posted on the school web site.

The school will return to typical routines as soon as possible.

D. Upon resumption of normal routines, teachers will outline a plan with each class whereby students may catch up on any work missed during the closing. 

Resources/Information:  www.cdc.gov (or ) www.flu.gov