Purpose:
To examine and plan for student and staff health issues related to on-site learning during
Covid-19 educational restructuring, specifically:
- Response to positive Covid-19 test (staff or students)
- Response when staff or student display symptom(s) on site.
- Health Screening of Staff and Students
Workgroup Roster:
- Ken Turcotte: Executive Director of Student Support
- Kathy Chavez: administrative office professional, RES
- Dr. Empress Hamilton: physician
- Dr. Sasha Cavanaugh: physician
- Cate Fairhead: R.N., OSD nursing department chair
- Sarah Kappert: R.N., CES school nurse
- Sammy Berg: R.S., Thurston County Public Health Department (consult)
Summary:
Thurston County Public Health will manage the notification and tracking of any positive Covid result. They will contact the District and determine the appropriate level of response - including “safe to return”.
If staff or students display symptoms on site: each building should have an identified “quarantine area” suitable to have at least two individuals socially distanced (along with supervising staff). Should be able to exit without going through the main building.
Supervising staff in the quarantine area should have full PPE - mask (N95?) eye covering, smock, shoe coverings.
Staff/Student Screenings:
Guidance continues to evolve re: the efficacy of symptom checks. Symptom checks fail to accurately identify pre- or asymptomatic students.
CDC does not currently recommend universal symptom screenings, but does provide guidelines for possible home symptom checks which could inform attestations by caregiver.
Could attestation be in the form of a weekly (e.g.) affirmation by parent stating that they recognize the symptoms and will not send if symptoms are present?
Staff could utilize the symptom check/attestation provided by Thurston County when signing in. Signature indicates that staff do not have the symptoms (or contact history) listed on the posted attestation.
Moving Forward:
- Method of attestation for students (skyward app? – might create an unnecessary step); tear off sheets for families? Long term attestation?
- Method of screening for non-attest students..
- Specific PPE recommendations for staff monitoring quarantine room
- Nurses and physicians present suggest purchase of pulse/oxygen monitors (minimal cost) for each building.