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Healthsafety

This document provides information from the BMRSD about health and safety protocols for returning to school during the COVID-19 pandemic. It discusses COVID-19 symptoms, how it spreads, prevention strategies like hand washing, mask wearing and physical distancing. It outlines what to do if a child is ill, how to properly wear and care for masks, and quarantine/isolation procedures. Parents are asked to complete daily health screenings and sign agreements regarding pick up of sick children to help prevent spread.

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152 views

Healthsafety

This document provides information from the BMRSD about health and safety protocols for returning to school during the COVID-19 pandemic. It discusses COVID-19 symptoms, how it spreads, prevention strategies like hand washing, mask wearing and physical distancing. It outlines what to do if a child is ill, how to properly wear and care for masks, and quarantine/isolation procedures. Parents are asked to complete daily health screenings and sign agreements regarding pick up of sick children to help prevent spread.

Uploaded by

api-346614972
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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BMRSD Coming Back into School:

Parent/Guardian COVID-19
Health & Safety Information
September 2020

Staying healthy
Staying safe
WHAT IS COVID-19?
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause illness
ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases.
COVID-19 is caused by a novel coronavirus; this means it is a
new strain that has not been previously identified in humans.
Symptoms of COVID-19
● Fever (100.0° F) or chills Wide range from
ASYMPTOMATIC to SEVERE,
● Cough (new)
appearing 2-14 days (2-5 typically)
● Shortness of breath or difficulty
after exposure.
breathing
● Fatigue (when in combination with
other symptoms)
● Muscle or body aches
● Headache (when in combination
with other symptoms)
● Sore throat
● New loss of taste or smell
● Congestion or runny nose (when in
combination with other symptoms)
● Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
COVID- 19 is mainly spread from person to
person via respiratory droplet between people
who are in close contact of an infected individual
(less than 6 feet) for 15 minutes or more.
How does COVID-19 spread
Currently, there is no available vaccine or
curative treatment, so the best preventative
strategy is to avoid exposure.
So far, children appear to be much less affected by
COVID-19. Children with pre-existing illnesses
may have different risks, if you have concerns
about your child, please discuss this with your
child’s healthcare provider.
● Proper hand washing has always been and will continue to
always be the #1 way to stay healthy.
● Viruses do not have feet or wings – they need us to be the
vector to introduce them into our body – most of the time
that is done by putting our hands near our face.
Adults touch their face an
average of 20 times an hour
Ways to protect ourselves & others
● Wash your hands often
● Keep hands away from
face
● Wear a clean mask -
properly
● Practice physical
distancing
● Stay home if you are
sick
● Cover coughs and
sneezes
● Clean and disinfect high
touch surfaces
Proper hand washing
Proper use of hand sanitizer
AND we need to wear a mask
The right way
The not so right way
Why do we wear masks?
● Masks are effective in helping to slow the spread of COVID-19
if used in addition to regular hand washing and physical
distancing.
● Masks help to prevent asymptomatic people from transmitting
the disease unknowingly.
● Masks may help to remind you not to touch your face.
Bandana masks are NOT permitted
Maintain physical distancing
Influenza Immunization
● Required by the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts and the
Department of Public Health.
● All students from Pre-K through
12th grade.
● Documentation must be provided
to your school nurse by December
31, 2020 for the 2020-2021
influenza season.
● Applicable to all methods of
learning - in person, hybrid, and
remote.
● Any questions or concerns
regarding the vaccine, please
speak with your child’s healthcare
provider.
Each day before sending your child to
school, you must complete this
checklist.
The school must have the
signed parent/guardian
agreement.
What needs to happen?
● Parent/guardian must provide an updated and thorough contact list
in the event the child becomes ill and needs to be sent home.
● Parent/guardian or emergency contact must be available to pick up
the child within 30 minutes of notification from the nurse.
● Medication must be given to the nurse before school starts if
possible.
● Parent/guardian must complete the daily screening checklist.
● Parent must complete and sign the parent/guardian
agreement.
● Child should have at least two masks with them every day and
also a bag or container to store mask during mask breaks,
snack, and lunch if they choose.
● BMRSD asks that all nuts, including peanut and tree nuts, be
eliminated from all snacks and lunch.
● Parents should apply sunscreen and bug spray at home if they
choose.
WHAT TO DO IF YOUR CHILD IS ILL

● DO NOT SEND THEM


TO SCHOOL

● CALL THE NURSE TO


DISCUSS NEXT STEPS
Seeing the Nurse

● Will look different.


● Teachers must call the nurse first before a student can
be seen.
● Minor, non-urgent issues should be handled in the
classroom.
● Non-urgent issues may need to wait until the nurse is
available. Emergencies, evaluation of COVID
symptoms, and daily medication administration will be
prioritized.
● Students will not be able to use the health office
bathroom, unless sick or a medical necessity.
WHAT HAPPENS IF MY CHILD GETS
SICK AT SCHOOL?
● Nurse will evaluate the student.
● Parents/guardians will be contacted for more information and
dismissal/pick up if necessary.
● Student will remain in the medical waiting room until
dismissed.
● Student will be accompanied to the designated exit by the
school nurse to meet parent/guardian.
● If a student is dismissed due to illness, prior to return to
school the student must be evaluated by a health care
provider and follow the COVID-19 and school illness
management protocols.
○ PCR testing is required for any student with symptoms
of COVID-19 to return to school (DESE 8/2020)
○ documentation from healthcare provider is required
to return to school
Quarantine and Isolation
Quarantine: Isolation:

Limits movement with potential Separates those infected with the


or confirmed exposure. Watch virus, with positive test results
for symptoms and check including antibody, whether
temperature. Avoid others. symptomatic or not, at home away
from others.
Contact tracing will require
close contacts to When can Isolation end?
self-quarantine for 14 days If symptomatic:
even if they test negative. ● At least 10 days since symptom
onset &
Travelers into MA may be ● Fever-free for 24 hours without
required to self-quarantine for medication &
14 days if they don’t have a ● Improvement in symptoms
negative COVID-19 test result. If asymptomatic:
● 10 days if remains symptom
free
Different COVID-19 Scenarios
If not tested: Must self-isolate for 14 days from symptom onset.

If the testing is positive: Must self-isolate. May return to school at least 10 days
from symptom onset AND 24 hours fever free without the use of fever reducing
medications AND improvement of symptoms. If asymptomatic, may return 10 days
after the date of the positive test.

If the testing is negative: See healthcare provider for evaluation and alternative
diagnosis. May return to school in accordance with existing school illness
management protocol - 24 hours fever free without the use of fever reducing
medications AND improvement of symptoms AND any specific illness management
per the healthcare provider. Must have proof of negative test AND doctor’s note
stating alternative diagnosis.

If no alternative diagnosis provided: Must remain at home for at least 10 days


from symptom onset AND 24 hours fever free without the use of fever reducing
medications AND improvement of symptoms.

Close contacts: Must self-quarantine for 14 days. All close contacts should be
tested. However, a negative test does not shorten the length of the quarantine. It the
test is positive, follow guidelines for a positive test.
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE

DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD


TO SCHOOL IF THEY ARE
FEELING ILL
Health and Safety Guidelines
BMRSD COVID 19 Handbook
Appendix (add link)

COVID-19 School and Community


Resource Library

Massachusetts School Immunization


Requirements 2020-2021

National Traumatic Stress Network


(NTSN) Parent/Caregiver Resources
Additional BMRSD Resources
● Things You Can Do To Prepare For Returning
To School
● Wearing Masks at School
● Things to Know About Wearing a Face
Covering
● Mask Wearing
● When a student is symptomatic or a close
contact
● Student Daily Screening
● Student/Family Protocol for Home Monitoring
Illness During COVID-19
● COVID-19 Parent/Guardian Agreement
Video Resources
English Versions:
● Washing Your Hands
download a copy.

● Wearing Cloth Face Coverings


download a copy

● Staying Home When you are Sick


download a copy.

Spanish Versions:
● Washing Your Hands: Spanish
download a copy.

● Wearing Cloth Face Coverings: Spanish


download a copy.

● Staying Home When you are Sick: Spanish


download a copy.
STAY HEALTHY ~ BE SAFE
If you have any questions, please contact:

District Nurse Leader: Karen Young, BSN, RN, NCSN

[email protected]

or your building school nurse:

BMRHS: TBD

FWHMS: Sue Wiegers ([email protected])

JFK/AFM: Lauren Grant ([email protected])

Tracy Dullea-Juliano ([email protected])

MES: Mary Boratyn ([email protected])


References
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)
www.cdc.gov
Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH)
www.mass.gov
Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (DESE)
www.doe.mass.gov
World Health Organization (WHO)
www.who.int
National Association of School Nurses (NASN)
https://www.nasn.org/nasn/nasn-resources/practice-topics/
covid19

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