Communicable Disease Prevention Plan

Fulford Elementary School REVISED COVID-19 Safety Plan

Fulford School

Communicable Disease Prevention Plan

September 2022

Key Elements of this Plan:

  • Everyone must stay home when sick and use Thrive Health to guide them in isolation and recovery timelines.

  • Handwashing and respiratory hygiene remain important measures.

  • Merv13 ventilation and daily cleaning protocols in schools

  • Vaccines remain as important tools to protect against many serious communicable diseases.

  • The Provincial Health Officer or local Medical Health Officers may issue temporary provincial, regional or local recommendations or orders of additional prevention measures during times of increased communicable disease risk.

Schools are required to have a Communicable Disease Prevention Plan. This prevention plan focuses on reducing the risk of transmission of communicable diseases including Covid. This plan has on-going measures (hand hygiene, cleaning) and additional measures to be implemented as advised by public health.

Vaccines

Vaccines are the most effective way to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 in schools and communities. Public health strongly encourages all eligible students and staff to be fully vaccinated (i.e., receive 2 doses) to protect themselves and those around them, including those who are not eligible to be vaccinated.

Personal Protection Equipment:

Students and Staff:

Masks are optional to those students, staff and visitors who choose to wear them. Wearing a mask is a personal choice that will be respected. The school has masks available to those who request them.

Space Arrangement:

Schools will use classroom and learning environment configurations that best meet the learners needs and educational approaches, though we will still consider implementing strategies to help create space between people. Students and staff will be mindful of respecting others’ space.

Hand Hygiene (taught and reinforced):

  • Rigorous hand washing with soap is the most effective way to reduce the spread of illness; hand sanitizers will be utilized when handwashing is not feasible. Soap and water must be used when hands are visibly soiled.

  • Handwashing routines are built into our daily schedule (eg. before and after eating, after using shared equipment, coming in after recess, etc.)

Respiratory Etiquette:

  • Cough or sneeze into elbow, sleeve or a tissue.

  • Throw away used tissues and immediately perform hand hygiene.

  • Refrain from touching their eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.

  • Refrain from sharing any food, drinks and unwashed utensils.

Stay Home When Sick:

  • Staff, students, or other persons who are exhibiting new symptoms of illness (including symptoms of COVID-19 or gastrointestinal illness) should stay home and follow the BCCDC guidance.

  • Families and staff must assess themselves daily for symptoms of illness following the BCCDC guidelines; use the Thrive Health self-assessment tool to perform daily health checks.

  • If staff or students develop symptoms at school and is unable to participate in regular activities, they will be supported to go home until their symptoms have improved. Appropriate infection control precautions will be taken while the person is preparing to leave the school, including use of appropriate hand hygiene and cleaning/disinfection of surfaces.

  • If a person tests positive for Covid, they should follow the BCCDC guidelines for isolation and returning to school.

Student Transportation

Buses

  • Bus driver and students in Kindergarten to Grade 12 are not required to wear a mask, but may choose to do so.

  • If a child is sick they must not take the bus or go to school.

  • Students should clean their hands before and after taking the bus.

  • Buses will be cleaned and disinfected daily.

Music Education:

  • Adults and students in Kindergarten to Grade 12 are no longer required to wear a mask during music classes, including while singing.

Physical and Health Education/Outdoor Programs:

  • Students will practice proper hand hygiene before and after participating in physical activity and shared equipment use.

Cleaning Protocols:

The following protocols mitigate the risks and potential exposure to viruses:

  • General cleaning and disinfecting of the premises to occur once/24 hour period.

  • Cleaning and disinfecting of frequently touched surfaces (eg. door knobs, hand rails, etc.) to occur once/24 hour period.

  • Visibly dirty surfaces to be cleaned and disinfected.

  • Garbage containers to be emptied daily.

Ventilation

  • All schools have upgraded the HVAC filters to MERV 13

  • Where possible, we open windows and doors when weather permits; this will not negatively impact the HVAC system

First Aid:

  • Adults providing first aid will wear gloves for personal protection.