Return to School Buildings
Health Plan Implementation Guide for PWCS Administrators
Overview
The implementation of this plan relies heavily on collaboration between the School Health Response Team (SHRT) and the Office of Student Services. Attendance at monthly SHRT meetings is essential to ensure consistent implementation of health protocols across the Division.
STAFF SURVEILLANCE
STUDENT SURVEILLANCE
Health Protocols for Student and Staff Illness and Close Contact - UPDATED 4/19/2021
Preview of Surveillance Form Questions
REMEMBER - ALL SURVEILLANCE FORM ENTRIES MUST BE MADE AT THE LINKS ABOVE.
PPE Update - November 2, 2020
Training for Staff Members
Local Public Health Conditions
Important Points:
Monitoring of Health Conditions: Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) staff is charged with monitoring local public health conditions to determine the safety of school operations. We will do this by monitoring the Virginia Department of Health COVID-19 dashboard and through frequent consultation with the Prince William Health District.
Ensure SHRT members attend monthly meetings to receive public health updates.
Planning to Reopen
Important Points:
Health Monitoring: When a student or staff member reports being ill with symptoms of COVID-19, that are new and not related to another health condition, or has said symptoms while at work or school the school nurse (for students) or administrator (for staff) will be asked to complete a surveillance form.
Click here for the Student Surveillance Form - Completed by School Nurse
Click here for the Staff Surveillance Form - Completed by an Administrator
Communications: Members of the SHRT will attend monthly meetings and will serve as the conduit for sharing information with school or office staff about required training and other important communications. Staff in the Office of Communications will continue to push out frequent, relevant communication to all PWCS stakeholders.
Physical Distancing: If possible, six feet of physical distancing should be maintained at all times. When that is not possible, three feet of physical distance should be maintained.
Face Coverings: Students and staff must wear face coverings when six feet of physical distancing is not possible.
Health Screenings: Students, with the assistance of their parent/guardian, will complete a daily health screening before boarding a school bus or reporting to school. Staff will complete an employee attestation when reporting to work.
Click the link below to access the current Health Screening questions and all required translations for students and parents. As you can see, this document will guide parent/guardian next steps. Please note that at this time we are not collecting health screening data for students.
DAILY HEALTH QUESTIONNAIRE (ENGLISH AND ALL TRANSLATED LANGUAGES) (updated February, 2021)
Medical Grade PPE for Health Staff: All principals will receive direction about the supplies they are required to order for their school health staff members. Other staff members who may need to wear medical grade PPE will be identified by the Office of Risk Management and provided PPE as deemed appropriate and according to the Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH) standards.
- Ensure that the SHRT team has a system to monitor medical grade PPE and re-order from the PWCS Warehouse as needed.
- Ensure administrators are aware of the surveillance requirements.
- Consider classroom set up for physical distancing.
Promoting Behaviors that Reduce Spread of COVID-19
Important Points:
Education/Training: Use the Return to Work Guide for Supervisors to educate staff members and review PWCS FAQ's frequently. Students and families will view the "Return to School Safely" video as part of the onboarding process.
Supplies: Custodial leaders will receive information about ordering appropriate supplies in accordance with CDC guidelines.
Signage: Facilities services will provide signage to all schools.
Food Services: Food services staff will be fully trained on new protocols prior to the opening of school. Food deployment will vary based on school design.
Sports and Other Recreational Activities: Schools must follow relevant phase guidance with regards to gathering limits in communal spaces and outdoors.
VDH Parent/Guardian Guide to Health Protocols
1. Coordinate with your custodial manager to ensure adequate supplies are on hand.
2. Post signs in visible places throughout the building.
3. Coordinate with your food services manager to create a feeding plan that will work for your building.
4. Work with your Associate Superintendent to determine which sports and activities can be held.
Return to Work Employee Training Guide
Maintaining Healthy Environments and Operations
Important Points:
Hygiene Practices: Facilities services staff will train all custodians in the use of approved disinfectants and cleaning protocols.
Ventilation Systems: Building engineers will coordinate with staff from the Office of Facilities Services to ensure ventilation systems are operating properly and mantained.
Water Systems: Water management protocols and flushing of water systems is being overseen by the Office of Facilities Services. Building engineers will be provided information as needed.
Gatherings and Field Trips: Schools must follow relevant phase guidance with regards to gatherings and field trips.
1. Coordinate with your Building Engineer and staff in the Office of Facilities Services should questions arise.
2. Coordinate with your Associate Superintendent when planning gatherings and field trips.
Protecting Vulnerable Individuals
Important Points:
High Risk Populations: Staff has completed surveys and those at higher risk of severe illness are working with staff in the Office of Benefits and Retirement Services.
Sick Leave Policies: The "Return to Work Guide for Supervisors" contain protocols for use of leave during the pandemic.
Return to Class for Students: Student Health Services staff will coordinate with school nurses to ascertain written documentation as needed.
Return to Work for Employees: Employees are expected to work with their medical provider to obtain clearance to return to work. The Office of Benefits and Retirement Services will provide guidance to employees.
1. Review the "Return to Work Guidance for Supervisors."
2. Consult with your school nurse about student's returning to school.
Preparing for When Someone Gets Sick
Important Points:
Isolation Rooms: Each school will have a designated location and supplies for the room.
Cleaning and Disinfection: The Office of Facilities Services has established cleaning protocols for enhanced cleaning and disinfection.
Communications Plan: When a student or staff surveillance form is submitted, the appropriate Director (Student Services or Benefits and Retirement) will be notified and will coordinate with the Office of Communications to support any needed community notification.
1. Designate your isolation room.
2. Alert custodial staff if a student or staff member becomes sick during the school day with symptoms of COVID-19 which are new and not related to another health condition.
3. Ensure that you submit the required surveillance forms.
Planning to Close Down if Necessary, Due to Severe Conditions
Important Points:
Closure: The Pandemic Team in consultation with the Superintendent, School Board, and the Prince William Health District will make decisions about reductions to in-person classes and school and Division closures.
1. Ensure that your submit the required surveillance forms.
2. Contact your Associate Superintendent should concerns or questions arise.