Health & Safety

Social Distancing

● In addition to performing health screens as described above, ALH will socially distance students and staff at all times while on school property. This includes in classrooms, the cafeteria (Union), hallways, and outside the school. ALH has revised arrival, dismissal, and hallway procedures to reduce congregation and maintain social distancing.

● Building Occupancy:

○ Per our Daily Synchronous Model, ALH is reducing student occupancy in the building.

● Classroom Occupancy:

○ Classroom occupancy will be reduced to 2-12 students per classroom. Students participating in in-person instruction will be seated 6 feet apart in classrooms. Signage and floor stickers will be placed in each classroom to assist in social distancing. Unused desks will be removed from the classroom to reduce seating confusion.

● Arrival & Dismissal:

○ Student and staff arrival will be staggered.

○ Staff will be required to enter the building prior to students.

○ Families will be encouraged to drop off and pick up students so that students can avoid using public transportation.

○ Students will not be permitted to enter the building until classrooms are staffed by ALH staff.

○ Student access to the building will begin at 7:30am via two socially distanced lines. Additional staff will be assigned to monitor lines.

■ Students will proceed to their scheduled class, after successfully passing the health screen.

■ Students failing the health screen will be escorted to the isolation area.

○ Students will dismiss at staggered times between 2:50 PM – 3:00 PM

■ The Isolation Room will dismiss at 2:50 PM via the Isolation Area entrance.

■ Rooms 201-2017 & 215-218 will dismiss via the Main Entrance at 2:50 PM & 2:51 PM (after Isolation Area clears)

■ Rooms 208-214 will dismiss via the Main Entrance at approximately 2:55 PM.

                     ■ The first floor, 102G, and Main Office will dismiss via the Main Entrance no later than                        3:00 PM.

                     ■ Designated staff will verbally inform teachers when it is safe to dismiss their                                       classrooms.

                    ■ Students requiring retrieval of personal items will report to the Student Union and                             dismiss after obtaining their personal items. 

■ After school activities, including in-person Flex will be suspended. Flex will be remote. Students may participate in Flex on days they are learning remotely.

● Hallway Procedures:

○ ALH’s schedule requires students to transition between classes. The following steps have been taken to ensure social distancing in the hallways.

■ Students will be required to walk in designated lanes and maintain social distancing. Additional staff will monitor the hallways to ensure compliance.

■ Access to bathrooms will be via the school’s hall pass system. Bathroom access will be restricted to no more than 3 individuals in multiple use bathrooms.

● Cafeteria / Union:

○ Lunch will continue to be served in the Union.

○ Union capacity will be reduced to no more than 36 students per meal period.

○ Round tables will be replaced by desks that will be spaced 6 feet apart.

○ Additional staff will be assigned meal duty to ensure social distancing in the Union and hallway.

● Other Considerations: To further maintain social distancing:

○ All classrooms and offices (whether occupied or unoccupied) will remain locked.

○ Locker use will be suspended.

○ Large events, such as the Family BBQ and assemblies, will be suspended until further notice.

○ Internal staff meetings will be held via phone or video conferencing when social distancing guidelines cannot be met.

○ To the extent possible, school business with external community members (such as parent meetings, district office meetings, etc.) will occur via phone or video conferencing.

○ Families will be encouraged to drop off / pick up students.

Use of Barriers/Partition Controls for conducting temperature screenings

• To ensure staff safety and safe distancing, thermometers will be non-touch and wall mounted. Individuals will be required to walk up to the thermometer to have their temperature taken. Thermometers will be programmed to sound when an individual has a temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
• As noted above, individuals will with a temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher will be not be permitted to enter the building.

Use of Personal Protective Equipment when Barriers/Partition Controls are not available

• Refer to “Use of Barriers/Partition Controls for conducting temperature screenings” and “Social Distancing” sections.

Aerosol Generating Procedures

• If needed, respiratory treatments will be administered by the Nurse.
• Proper PPE will be provided to the Nurse to conduct these treatments since the treatment can result in aerosolization of respiratory secretions.
• The Nurse will be provided with the following PPE to conduct these treatments:
  • Glove
  • N95 or surgical facemask or face shield
  • Eye protection
  • Gown
• Treatments will be conducted in the Nurses’ office.
• The Nurse’s office will be cleaned after each procedure.
• Per CDC recommendations, during the COVID-19 pandemic that respiratory medications utilizing metered dose inhalers (MDI) with a spacer or valved holding chamber be used over nebulizer treatments whenever possible.
• Nebulizer treatments will be reserved for children who cannot use an MDI (with or without spacer or valved holding chamber).

Management of Ill Persons / If Students or Staff become Ill with Symptoms of COVID-19 at School

In alignment with guidance from the CDC, and the NYSDOH, ALH will implement procedures for the 2020-21 school year that address both the identification of symptoms and potential/confirmed cases of COVID-19. The CDC list of COVID-19 symptoms:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

ALH will maintain up to date information from the CDC of all COVID-19 related symptoms and emergency warning signs and make such information available to students, families, and staff. In addition, ALH will make staff aware of the symptoms of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) associated with COVID-19 which is a serious condition associated with COVID-19 in children and youth.

As detailed in the “Health Questionnaire / Screening Section,” students and staff that display any of these symptoms at point of entry will not be permitted access to the school. Staff will be sent home and students will be isolated until dismissed by their parent/guardian.

Individual with Symptoms at Home

• If a student or staff member screens positive for a symptom of COVID-19 at home, prior to leaving for school, the individual cannot report to school.
• The staff member or parent/guardian of the student must contact the Main Office and report the symptom.
• In accordance with the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) September 2020 PreK-Grade 12 COVID-19 Toolkit, the staff member or parent/guardian will be required to contact their Healthcare Provider or local health department so that the symptoms can be assessed.
  • ALH staff with COVID-19 symptoms must contact a healthcare provider OR obtain a COVID-19 Test within 48 hours of symptom onset. Staff that do not obtain a COVID-19 test or contact a healthcare provider within 48 hours are subject to disciplinary action.
  • Students and staff that do not contact a healthcare provider or obtain a COVID-19 test within 48 hours of symptom onset will be deemed COVID-19 positive and reported to the local health department.
• The Healthcare Provider will inform the staff member or parent/guardian of their next steps.
  • ALH will monitor the staff member or student in accordance with the NYSDOH September 2020 PreK-Grade 12 COVID-19 Toolkit.

Individual Exposure to COVID-19

• Should a member of the ALH community member or building visitor report that they have been exposed to COVID 19, ALH will confirm the exposure level.
• Specifically ALH will identify if:
  • The individual has been designated as a direct contact of someone testing positive for COVID-19 by the DOH.
  • The exposure is with someone who has COVID-19 symptoms but has not received a COVID-19 test.
  • The exposure is with someone who is waiting for a COVID-19 test and is a member of the same household.
  • The individual traveled internationally or to a state with high transmission rates as detailed here: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/covid-19-travel-advisory
• Individuals designated as a direct contact of someone testing positive for COVID-19; or is exposed to someone who is waiting for a COVID-19 test and is a member of the same household; or has traveled internationally or to a state with high transmission rates will not be permitted to come to school.
  • ALH will monitor individuals in accordance with NYSDOH September 2020 PreK-Grade 12 COVID-19 Toolkit.
• Should a member of the ALH community or building visitor test positive for COVID-19, ALH will comply with all directions and guidance provided by the DOH and follow all steps as outlined in the Confirmed or Suspected Case Section.
• ALH will notify the school community if there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 within the school and, when appropriate, if there is a suspected case of COVID-19 within the school community.

• In accordance with the NYSDOH, students and staff cannot report to school and must remain in isolation while a member of the household is awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test.

Individuals with Symptoms In School

• Should students and staff present the above COVID-19 symptoms while at school, or at point of entry after waiting in a school line, the individual will be immediately isolated and evaluated by the Nurse. Note: Common sense must be used when identifying symptoms. For example, if a student is consuming water and it “goes down the wrong pipe”, that student will cough until the issue subsides. In this instance, a student would not need to be sent to the Nurse.
• School staff are required to call the Nurse prior to sending a student with the above symptoms to the health office. It is imperative that the Nurse, or designee, be aware of a possible COVID-19 issue with a student so that they can properly isolate the student and obtain the proper PPE.
• Reports will be made in compliance with FERPA, and Education Law 2-d.
• Students and staff with COVID-19 symptoms will be dismissed and be required to see a Healthcare Provider. Refer to “Return to School After Illness” section for information on when students or staff with symptoms of COVID-19 may return to the building.
  • ALH staff with COVID-19 symptoms must contact a healthcare provider OR obtain a COVID-19 Test within 48 hours of symptom onset. Staff that do not obtain a COVID-19 test or contact a healthcare provider within 48 hours are subject to disciplinary action.
  • Students and staff that do not contact a healthcare provider or obtain a COVID-19 test within 48 hours of symptom onset will be deemed COVID-19 positive and reported to the local health department.
• Students that cannot immediately leave the building will remain in the isolation area until they can be dismissed by a parent/guardian.
  • If a parent/guardian cannot be immediately reached, an emergency contact will be contacted.
• The following information will be provided to students (parents/guardians) and staff:
  • CDC’s Stay Home When You Are Sick guidance.
  • Emergency warning signs of COVID-19.
  • Requirement to follow up with health care provider.
  • NYSDOH September 2020 PreK-Grade 12 COVID-19 Toolkit.
• Assessments will occur privately in the Nurse’s office. The assessment may take place in an alternate location should the Nurse’s office not be available or travel to the Nurse’s office will create risk for greater exposure.
  • Students or staff needing to see the Nurse while an assessment is occurring will be required to wait in an alternate location where social distancing can be maintained.
  • The Nurse and other staff assessing or providing care to ill students will be provided with PPE as outlined in the PPE section.
• ALH will call 911 for emergency transport for any student or staff member showing any of these emergency warning signs of MIS-C or COVID-19 or other concerning signs:
  • trouble breathing
  • pain or pressure in the chest that does not go away
  • new confusion
  • inability to wake or stay awake
  • bluish lips or face
  • severe abdominal pain
• ALH will follow health department guidance regarding the appropriate notification to the school community. The purpose of the notification is to inform the impacted individuals of a potential or positive case of COVID-19 and the next steps the individual should take.
• ALH will clean and disinfect all involved spaces (per NYSDOH and CDC guidelines).
• If guidance cannot be obtained by the health department, ALH will close the building and transition all students to remote learning. ALH will remain closed until the school has received guidance from the ACHD or local health department and the school has been cleaned and disinfected (per NYSDOH and CDC guidelines).

Confirmed or Suspected Case

If ALH receives notification of a suspected case of COVID 19, the school will require the student or staff member suspected of contracting COVID-19 to remain out of the building and the school with collaborate with the ACHD or local health department to determine the appropriate steps to take.  Staff members suspected of contracting COVID-19 will be required to provide a negative COVID-19 test before returning to the school.

The following actions will be taken if ALH receives notification that a student, staff, or visitor has tested positive for COVID-19:

• Follow all guidance outlined in the NYSDOH September 2020 PreK-Grade 12 COVID-19 Toolkit and any additional guidance provided by the local health department.
  • If guidance cannot be obtained by the health department, ALH will close the building; students will transition to fully remote learning; staff will work remotely; the building will remain closed until guidance is provided by the health department.
• Identify when or if the individual was present in the building.
• Validate the positive test with the Albany County Health Department (or other local health departments).
• Report a confirmed positive test on the COVID-19 Report Card.
• In collaboration with the local health department, interview the individual with the confirmed to gather contact information.
• If the individual was present in school or had direct contact with a person who is present in school.
  • Close the school building and transition to fully remote learning for at least 14 days (as outlined in the School Closure’s section).
  • Transition students to fully remote learning for the duration of the building closure.
  • Staff will work remotely until the building has been cleaned (per NYSDOH and CDC guidelines) and the staff member has presented a negative COVID-19 test.
    • Staff will not be permitted to enter the building and are subject to disciplinary action) if they have not presented a negative COVID-19 test upon the re-opening of the building.
  • Clean and disinfect all involved spaces (per NYSDOH and CDC guidelines). Note the school building will remained closed until the school has been cleaned and disinfected (per NYSDOH and CDC guidelines).
• ALH will follow health department guidance regarding the appropriate notification to the school community. The purpose of the notification is to inform the impacted individuals of a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19 and the next steps the individual should take.

Return to School after Illness

• ALH will comply with the NYSDOH September 2020 PreK-Grade 12 COVID-19 Toolkit guidance for allowing a student or staff member to return to school after exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 and/or testing positive for COVID-19.
• If a student or staff member presents COVID-19 symptoms ALH will permit a student or staff member to return to school under the following conditions:
  • A healthcare provider provides a diagnosis and signed document explaining the alternate diagnosis of a known chronic condition with unchanged symptoms, or a confirmed acute illness (examples: laboratory-confirmed influenza, strep-throat) AND documentation that COVID-19 is not suspected; OR
  • Documentation of a negative COVID-19 test result and the individual’s symptoms are improving and the individual is fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medicines; OR
  • The individual has remained in isolation at home for at least 10 days since the date of first symptoms, the symptoms are improving, the individual has been fever-free for at least 72 hours without use of fever reducing medicines, and the individual has been released from isolation by the local health department.
• If a student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19 the individual cannot return to school until:
  • The local health department has released the individual from isolation, which is typically:
    • 10 days after symptom onset; AND
    • Symptoms are improving; AND
    • The individual is fever-free for at least 72 hours without use of fever reducing medicines; AND
    • The individual has provided the school with a negative COVID-19 test.
  • In accordance with the NYSDOH, students and staff cannot report to school and must remain in isolation while a member of the household is awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test.

Contact Tracing

• • ALH will notify the state and county health departments immediately upon being informed of any positive COVID-19 diagnostic test result by an individual within school facilities or on school grounds, including students, employees and visitors; and when deeming a student / staff member positive as detailed in the NYSDOH September 2020 PreK-Grade 12 COVID-19 Toolkit.
  • ALH will assist with contact tracing by: 
    • Keeping accurate attendance records of students and staff members. 
    • Ensuring student schedules are up to date. 
    • Keeping a log of any visitor that includes date and time, and where in the school they visited. 
    • Assisting the county health department in tracing all contacts of the individual in accordance with the protocol, training and tools provided through the NYS Contact Tracing Program. 
  • Per the CDC, close contacts are defined as individuals who were within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes starting from 2 days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic patients, 2 days prior to specimen collection) until the time the patient is isolated.  To the extent possible, ALH will assist NYS Contact Tracers in identifying individuals that meet this criteria should there be a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the school. 
  • Should contact tracing need to occur, ALH will maintain confidentiality as required by federal and state laws. ALH will seek guidance from local health officials to determine who is to be excluded from school based on contact. 
  • To further assist with contact tracing, ALH will promote the NYS Contact Tracing Program by posting information about what to do if an individual is contacted by a Contact Tracer.  ALH will also have on hand copies of the NYS Contact Tracing Worksheet for employees and families to complete should the need for contact tracing arise. 

Cleaning and Disinfection

• ALH will continue routine cleaning during day and evening hours.
• ALH will frequently disinfect common touch areas throughout the business day: bathrooms, railings, door handles, desks, etc.
• ALH will be providing staff with disinfecting products, protective equipment, and training on how to clean their individual workspace.
• Staff will be required to clean their individual workspace (desk, phone, white boards, etc.) at the conclusion of their shift. High traffic areas will require increased cleaning.
• ALH is considering multiple in-person instruction models and identifying how support staff will assist in the cleaning of individual desks after each use.
• ALH will purchase Nanoseptic self-cleaning materials that can be placed on high touch areas (door handles, railings, etc.).
• The School Business Administrator will maintain cleaning logs and coordinate cleaning schedules with external custodial services