Health & Safety

• The Superintendent of Schools has been identified as the district COVID-19 Program Coordinator.
• The Director or Principal at each site has been identified as the site COVID-19 Program Coordinator.

The site COVID-19 Program Coordinator will be responsible for ensuring all building staff are made aware of current operational procedures and future updates.  District staff, under the direction of the Superintendent, will provide training and other information to all staff as part of orientation for new staff, at the beginning of the school year, and as needed throughout the calendar year.

Social distancing (also called physical distancing) means keeping space between yourself and other people outside of your home. Social distancing is a critical tool in decreasing the spread of COVID-19. Sites should create as much space between individuals as possible, recognizing that it is not always feasible to have 6 feet of social distancing during primary instructional time in the classroom. All employees must maintain a minimum of 6 feet between themselves and other people. When social distancing is not possible, such as walking in hallways and common areas, employees must wear a face covering. Refer to the following section regarding face coverings. 

Please Note: If you have been in close contact (within 6 feet for greater than 15 minutes, with or without a face covering) with anyone who has been instructed to isolate due to illness or positive test, you will be required to self-quarantine. 

• Work areas should be spaced to maintain a minimum of 6 feet. If social distancing is not possible due to limited space or job duties, employees should discuss other options with their supervisor. 
• Classroom Capacity will be determined for each individual instructional area based on guidance from the state fire marshall and other recommended guidance.  Alternative instructional spaces will be identified at each site to promote social distancing practices.  Classroom capacity includes all students and school personnel expected to be present in the instructional area.
• Do not exceed group size limits established by the Minnesota Department of Health for in-person meetings and gatherings. Use virtual meetings, whenever possible.
• Waiting areas should provide 6 feet of spacing between available seats.
• Markings at building entrances and service counters indicate directional flow and spacing for social distancing.
• Clear protective barriers will be installed at service counters and work areas without 6 feet of spacing.
• Signage will be posted in all district buildings promoting social distancing, use of face coverings, practicing good hygiene habits, and staying home when sick.  
• If there is an interaction or process where it is difficult to maintain social distancing, consider the following:
  • Is this an essential activity/interaction?
  • Is there another way to complete the task with adequate social distancing?
  • Are there physical barriers or processes that could be used to reduce risk of virus transmission?
• If you are unable to determine an approach with proper social distancing or protective barriers, the activity/interaction should not be held. Consult with your site COVID-19 Program Coordinator for further consideration.
   

The District will follow the current recommendations from MDH/MDE regarding face coverings and social distancing protocols for students, staff, and visitors. Employees and visitors are expected to wear face coverings in district buildings. See MDH guidance on the use of face coverings and the ISD 477 Mask FAQ for further info. Employees will be issued one cloth face mask and one face shield at the beginning of the school year, but limited numbers will be available at all district buildings for employees or visitors who need additional face coverings. 
 
Students, employees and visitors are expected to wear a face covering:

• Upon entering a district building
• When walking in common areas like lobbies, hallways, bathrooms, kitchens, and cafeterias
• When unable to maintain minimum social distancing of 6 feet.
• Masks may be temporarily removed in accordance with executive order 80-21. 

Employees who are unable to wear a face covering due to a medical condition or their job duties should speak with their supervisor regarding alternatives and provide medical documentation of exemption, before returning to work.

Employees who serve students with sensory or cognitive needs whose instruction or safety would be negatively impacted by the use of a face mask, will use a face shield.  The identification of individual student needs will be determined through an IEP or 504 team meeting.  
 
Visitors to district buildings will be asked to wear a face covering. If they choose not to wear a face covering, they will be asked to meet at a location where a barrier is available for interaction with others.

Basic infection prevention measures are in effect in workplaces at all times. Staff, students and visitors are instructed to wash their hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water frequently throughout the day, but especially at the beginning and end of the day, prior to any mealtimes and after using the restroom. All Staff, students and visitors are required to wash or sanitize their hands prior to or immediately upon entering the facility. Hand-sanitizer dispensers are at main building entrances, common areas, and classrooms.

Staff, students and visitors are instructed to cover their mouth and nose with their sleeve or a tissue when coughing or sneezing, and to avoid touching their face, particularly their mouth, nose and eyes, with their hands. Staff, students and visitors should wash or sanitize their hands immediately afterward.

Hygiene etiquette will be communicated to staff and students on a regular basis in various forms including posters, videos, and physical modeling.

Hygiene supplies provided by ISD477, including hand sanitizer, will meet all required safety requirements.  Custodial staff will monitor the availability of hygiene supplies at least once daily.  School staff who identify that cleaning supplies need to be replaced will notify building custodial staff by phone.
 

All staff will assist with cleaning and disinfecting their personal work spaces and instructional spaces, as well as shared surfaces and objects, on a daily basis. Cleaning and disinfecting supplies are provided for employees to use in accordance with product labels. The school district’s custodial department will implement additional disinfection procedures to ensure the building is ready for students each day. Custodial staff will use a variety of equipment and supplies to clean areas and surfaces following recommended guidelines related to ventilation and usage procedures.  When not in use, cleaning materials and equipment will be properly stored away from children. All chemicals used will support disinfection of surfaces. These chemicals will be those normally used in the school setting. Extra attention will be given to high-touch surfaces.

Custodial staff will clean and disinfect the following high-touch surfaces and objects at least daily (or more, depending on use):

• Door knobs and handles
• Handrails
• Lunchroom tables and chairs
• Countertops
• Light switches
• Handles on equipment
• Push-buttons on vending machines and elevators
• Restrooms

All staff will be provided with cleaning supplies for their work or instructional area.  Sharing of supplies will be avoided.  Specific procedures for requesting additional supplies will be identified for each site.  

Staff will implement the following procedure when exiting their work space at the end of their work day or shift:

• Spray all hard surfaces and allow to air dry.
• Wipe down electronics including phones with provided disinfecting wipes.
• Spray face shield and gowns (as applicable) and allow air to dry.
• Self-launder mask following recommended guidelines.
• Place garbage can(s) outside of room.
• Leave the door open to indicate that your work space/classroom has been vacated for the day and has been sanitized.
   

Regular screening for symptoms and ongoing self-monitoring throughout the school day can help to quickly identify signs of illness and help reduce exposure. 

When guidance is finalized for the 2020-2021 school year additional best practices and protocols will be issued for student drop-off and pick-up. As of July 20th, Princeton Public Schools will utilize passive screening practices at all sites, but may include onsite screening when necessary. 

• Each morning, parents are encouraged to review health screening information with their child. 
• There are designated doors for entering and exiting the building. 
• All visitors enter the and electronically sign our visitor management system, while practicing social distancing. 
• Building staff will direct the visitor, as appropriate. 
• Hand sanitizing options are available for visitors/students to use as they enter the building. 
• If medications need to be dropped off, they will need to be in a sealed bag with medical providers orders and our form giving permission. 
• Ideally, the same parent or designated person should drop off and pick up the student (s) every day. 
   

The district follows all industry guidance recommendations. Fresh air recirculation and ventilation are properly maintained and monitored. Building mechanical systems are regularly evaluated to provide proper ventilation and healthy indoor air quality that meets EPA and ASHRAE standards. The district will alter as many settings as possible to promote the intake and circulation of fresh air in the school building while maintaining all code and standards that apply to public schools. 

• Water Fountains - Water fountains will be shut off and students will be encouraged to utilize a water bottle to remain hydrated. Touchless bottle fillers are located throughout the school building. 
• Restrooms - Staff will work to stagger restroom breaks for students so as to limit the number of occupants at any given time.