Ignite Learning Center - Health & Safety Plan / School Year 2020-2021
Since we are classified as a Non-Public/Non-Licensed School by our Department of Education we are only ‘strongly recommended’ to develop a Health & Safety Plan prior to the beginning of our upcoming school year as opposed to a mandated plan for all public schools within Pennsylvania. However, a document outlining our desired actions to maintain a safe and healthy environment for all connected with Ignite is a very desirable effort. Therefore, the points of concern are addressed below:
A Lead Individual or Position should be identified with the responsibility to carry out the plan.
Basic materials and or added support needed should be listed to carry out the noted requirements.
Any professional development required needs to be noted in connection with staff, students, or others who may attend ILC functions.
Cleaning, Sanitizing, Disinfecting, and Ventilation
How will we ensure the building is cleaned and ready to safely welcome staff and students?
The week prior to the opening of school, the custodial staff will clean and sanitize not only the ILC class area, but also areas used by staff and students within the OnFire building.
How will we procure adequate disinfection supplies meeting OSHA and CDC requirements for COVID-19?
The Administrative Manager of OnFire shall seek out approved sanitation products via OSHA and CDC websites and supervise the custodial staff in securing and using the approved products for cleaning and sanitizing purposes.
How often will we implement cleaning, sanitation, disinfecting, and ventilation protocols/procedures to maintain staff and student safety?
The student classroom area shall be disinfected by using hospital grade (CDC recommended) cleaner at the close of each day or prior to the next use of the area by students or staff.
High-touch points will be cleaned and disinfected no less than two additional times per day within the students/staff normal use areas. This process can be completed via student participation.
Designated bathrooms for ILC use shall be cleaned twice during each school day.
What protocols will we put in place to clean and disinfect throughout the school day?
The Administrative Manager shall maintain a log making record of each cleaning application by day and time completed. This log shall be reviewed every other day by the Executive Director of OnFire and take corrective action if the record of cleaning does not correspond with statements within this ‘Plan’.
Additional cleaning materials will be available for the teacher to use as needed.
Who will be trained on proper cleaning, sanitizing, disinfecting, and ventilation protocols? How and when will they be trained?
The Custodian, Administrative Manager, ILC Supervisor/Teacher, and students of ILC shall all be educated as to the acceptable cleaning/disinfecting methods. This shall be completed prior to the week preceding the opening of school via following CDC guidelines.
Social Distancing and other Safety Protocols
How will the classroom be organized to mitigate the spread?
Student ‘offices’ shall be organized so that each student, while being seated in their office, shall all face in a common direction.
What policies and procedures will govern use of other communal spaces within the building?
The affected social area used for student group sessions and for ‘break’ relaxing shall be cleaned/disinfected after each use either by a group or individual.
If engaged in an activity within the gym area… this is a mask free zone… but any equipment must be checked out from and returned to the cafe counter. Staff must sanitize equipment after use.
The cafe area may be used for lunch breaks, but proper distancing is required (6 feet / 2 arm lengths between individuals) or a face mask will be required. The used area shall be thoroughly cleaned following its use.
Restroom use is limited to a designated location and only one person excused at a time per restroom. Washing hands at the conclusion of the visit is mandatory.
What hygiene routines will be implemented throughout the school day?
An approved hand sanitizer station shall be located at the ‘head of the stairs’ to the ILC area. All persons must thoroughly disinfect their hands at the provided sanitizing station both leaving and returning to the ILC area.
Students will be reminded and provided time to frequently wash and/or sanitize their hands. There will be numerous discussions per week on proper ways to limit exposure to COVID-19 such as hand washing, social distancing, avoid touching eyes, face, mouth, etc.
Reminder signs shall be posted near entry doors to ILC/OnFire on how to stop the spread of germs and contain healthy hygiene practices.
Signs will be posted on entry doors about expectations for symptom self-screening.
What visitor and volunteer policies will be implemented to mitigate spread? Field trip practices?
Only people deemed ‘essential’ will be considered for entry into ILC/OnFire buildings. The Executive Director of OnFire or Principal of Ignite Learning Center will make the ‘essential’ determination.
No one other than ILC & OnFire staff shall be a part of student activities. Normal monthly field trips will not take place during the restricted schooling period. However, class activities outside of the normal school building such as nature studies, hiking in park land or similar activities which allow for proper social distancing are encouraged.
How will we allow use of common areas and materials?
Students will be allowed use of ILC common areas if proper social distancing of at least 6 feet (2 arm lengths) or a face mask is worn. There will be no sharing of personal items such as cell phones or computer-based games.
Board games will be allowed if monitored by a staff member. Hands must be sanitized before and after the game, a mask must be worn the entire time, and the game must be sanitized after use.
Monitoring Student and Staff Health
How will we monitor students, staff, and others who interact with each other to ensure they are healthy and not exhibiting signs of illness?
The Principal and Supervisor/Teacher shall establish a system to allow staff and families to self-report to the school if they or their student have symptoms of COVID-19, a positive test for COVID-19, or had a close exposure to someone with COVID-19 within the last 14 days in a manner that is consistent with applicable law and privacy policies, including HIPAA and FERPA.
Where, to whom, when, and how frequently will the monitoring take place?
Students: Parents/Guardians will screen students at home before each school day. Students exhibiting one or more symptoms will not be sent to or brought to school. Students with symptoms at school will immediately be isolated in a specific area, from the class until such time that they are excused with parent/guardian collecting or providing permission to release the student for departure for home isolation.
Staff: Will self-screen at home prior to departing for school each day. Staff exhibiting one or more symptoms will be required to remain home.
Students/Staff: Anyone who’s had significant exposure to someone who’s tested positive with COVID-19 must self-report this information to the Principal.
What is the policy for quarantine or isolation if a staff, student, or other member of the school community becomes ill or has been exposed to an individual confirmed positive for COVID-19?
A member of our school community that becomes ill must not consider returning as a member of our school community until all symptoms are gone for 72 hours.
A member of our school community who has been exposed to an individual confirmed positive for COVID-19 must remain in self-isolation for a minimum of 14 days prior to returning to our school community.
Which staff will be responsible for making decisions regarding quarantine or isolation requirements of staff or students?
The Executive Director of OnFire and the Principal of Ignite Learning Center will determine the need for staff/students in regard to isolation from our school community.
What conditions will a staff or student who is confirmed to have COVID-19 need to meet to safely return to school? How will we accommodate staff who are unable to return?
All members of our school community who have/had COVID-19 may not be considered for in-person-school status without a doctor’s written statement clearing that individual to join the general society without fear of exposing others.
Staff members who are unable to return to ILC, must dialogue with the Executive Director.
How will we determine which students are willing/able to return? How will we accommodate students who are unable or uncomfortable to return?
All members of our school community who have/had COVID-19 may not be considered for in-person-school status without a doctor’s written statement clearing that individual to join the general society without fear of exposing others.
Students who are unable to or are uncomfortable with returning to in-person-school status, will be assessed by the ILC Supervisor/Teacher and Principal and a home study program will be developed in order that the student will be provided the opportunity to maintain learning at their established level.
When and how will families be notified of confirmed staff or student illness or exposure?
Communication with families will be completed by the end of the day when we are alerted about any staff/student confirmed to have tested positive for COVID-19 or has been exposed to a confirmed case. This shall be done by text, phone call, or email depending on what is noted as the preferred means of contact by each period to be notified.
Other Considerations for Students and Staff
What is our policy regarding face coverings for staff? What is our policy for students and masks?
Students shall wear a mask upon entering the OnFire building and throughout the day except when they are within their ‘office’, physical activity within the gym area, eating or drinking while observing social distancing. The mask may be removed during the use of the restroom and may be removed once they leave the OnFire building.
Staff members of ILC or OnFire must wear a mask upon entering the building and throughout the day except when students are all within their ‘office’, participating in physical activity within the gym area, eating or drinking while observing social distancing, alone in a room, or when you are 6 feet / 2 arm lengths away from another individual. The mask may be removed during the use of the restroom and may be removed once they leave the OnFire building.
What special protocols will we implement to protect students/staff that are noted as ‘higher risk’ for severe illness?
A personal education plan will be devised in which an emphasis on homebound instruction is emphasized.
How will we ensure enough substitute teachers are prepared in the event of staff illness?
An expanded approved ‘sub’ list will be generated through the use of volunteers from the community. Also, staff members of OnFire may be used in short notice situations.
What will be our restroom use policy?
One student (boy/girl) at a time will receive restroom privilege.
What will be our lunch time practice?
Lunches are to be eaten within the cafe area of OnFire with social distancing (6’) prevailing. Following lunch, each student will sanitize the area in which they occupied to eat prior to engaging in any other activity.