Overview

This mitigation plan is a living document that will be modified as health circumstances, guidance, and conditions shift within our communities, the state and nation. Throughout our planning, every effort is being made to ensure the health, wellness, and safety of our students, parents and staff.

During the facility’s closure a complete cleaning and disinfection procedure was conducted by our contracted janitorial service.  This service will continue vigorous nightly cleaning and disinfection procedures upon the reopening of the facility.

The administration is responsible for overseeing the implementation of this Plan and setting a good example by following the Plan at all times.  This involves practicing good hygiene and schoolwide safety and prevention practices.  The administration will ask for and monitor the same behavior from all employees.

This Plan is based on the information available from the CDC and the State of NJ, and may be changed and amended based on further information. Please see https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/index.html

Healthy Hygiene Practices

  • All staff are trained in healthy hygiene practices so they can teach these to students.
  • Hand washing strategies include washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not available and hands are not visibly dirty, students/staff will use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
  • CDC offers several free hand washing resources that include health promotion materials, information on proper hand washing technique, and tips for families to help children develop good hand washing habits.
  • Adequate supplies (e.g., soap, paper towels, hand sanitizer, tissues) to support healthy hygiene practices will be available.

Signage and Information

Signs will be posted in highly visible locations (e.g., school entrances, restrooms) that promote everyday protective measures.

COVID Symptoms/ Response/Return Policy

Students or staff members may be asked to be medically excluded should they exhibit one or more of the symptoms of COVID-19, based on CDC guidance, that is not otherwise explained: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html

  • A fever of 100° F or greater (without a fever reducer medication)
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Chills
  • Repeated shaking with chills
  • Muscle pain
  • Headache
  • Sore throat
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Fatigue
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

No person may return to the facility until 72 hours after the last symptom has passed, without fever reducing medications. *updated 11/17/2020

If a child becomes ill while at school s/he will be appropriately isolated and kept separate from well students and staff until they can leave. Please make sure your emergency contact person is local in the event you cannot be reached or pick up your child in a timely manner.

Students and staff will be asked to leave or not come into the school if they or a member of their immediate household test positive for COVID-19.

Families are expected to report any known exposures to COVID-19 positive individuals to the school.

If the school becomes aware that an individual at our facility tests positive for COVID-19, we will immediately notify local health officials, staff, and families of a confirmed case while maintaining confidentiality.

Travel

Any attendees who have recently traveled out-of-state that have been included in the travel advisory list will need to affirm with staff that the child has abided by the 14-day quarantine.

Please see an up to date list at :  https://covid19.nj.gov/faqs/nj-information/travel-information/which-states-are-on-the-travel-advisory-list-are-there-travel-restrictions-to-or-from-new-jersey

COVID Safety Procedures

  • All students and staff members will be screened and their temperature will be logged upon arrival. Full-day children will have their temperature checked and logged again after lunch.
  • Classroom capacity will be limited to no greater than 50%.
  • Face coverings will be worn by all staff and students over the age of 2, unless a physician’s note states that a child cannot wear a face-covering due to a medical condition. Two age-appropriate face coverings are required for students over the age of 2 years, supplied by parents. These coverings need to be washed daily by the family.

The school will supply extra face coverings if needed.

  • Children will remain in their classrooms for lunch and will not share playground time with any other class.
  • All playground equipment will be disinfected after each use.
  •  Students will be discouraged from sharing items that are difficult to clean or disinfect.
  •  Each student’s belongings will be kept separated from others’ and in individually labeled containers, cubbies, or areas.
  • Adequate supplies will be available to minimize sharing of high touch materials to the extent possible (e.g., assign each student their own art supplies, equipment) or limit use of supplies and equipment by one group of children at a time and clean and disinfect between use. Work materials will be disinfected after each use.
  • Each child will be provided their own work rug and work space that will be disinfected several times a day.
  • Plexiglass barriers separate sinks and urinals.
  • No lunch or snack will be provided by the school at this time.
  • Each program will have its own entry and exit point, and individual playground time.
  • Activities will be held outside when possible.
  • Physical distancing (6 feet) will be practiced, modeled, and encouraged in an age-appropriate manner.  Staff will model and instruct as needed.
  • Children’s naptime mats will be spaced out at least 6 feet from each other.  Children will be placed head-to-toe instead of face-to-face.
  • Physical guidelines will be provided to promote social distancing throughout the school.
  • There will be no field trips.
  • No parents/visitors will be allowed into the building without an appointment.
  • All Open House tours will be virtual.

Ventilation

Ensure ventilation systems operate properly and increase circulation of outdoor air as much as possible, for example by opening windows and doors. Do not open windows and doors if doing so poses a safety or health risk (e.g., risk of falling, triggering asthma symptoms) to children using the facility.

Cleaning and Disinfecting

  • CDC cleaning and disinfecting protocols will be followed.
  • Routinely clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that are frequently touched (e.g., doorknobs, light switches,  sink handles, countertops).
  • Provide EPA-registered disposable wipes to teachers and staff so that commonly used surfaces (e.g., keyboards, desks, remote controls) can be wiped down before use.
  • Ensure adequate supplies to support cleaning and disinfection practices.
  • Montessori Material will be cleaned after each use.
  • Daily school-wide cleaning and disinfection by Professional Cleaning Service.