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Health & Safety Guidelines

Health & Safety Guidelines
Health & Safety Guidelines
In accordance with TEA guidelines, all staff, students and visitors will be required to complete a health screener before entering the building to verify the absence of COVID-19 related symptoms and that they have not been in contact with anyone who has tested positive within the last 14 days. Staff, students and visitors can complete the digital health screener or complete a paper copy of the screener in the front office of each campus.
No, we will not be taking temperatures of students as they enter the building.
Every classroom will have hand sanitizer available. In addition, sanitizer stations will be placed at all building entrances and throughout the hallways. Sanitizer use will be supervised at the elementary level to ensure student safety. 
Health screener submissions will be checked daily to determine if an individual must be sent home and when they are allowed to return according to criteria established by TEA. In addition, there will be specific information delivered to impacted individuals, buildings and general communication to the campus as required by TEA. Information about the number of current open cases on each campus will be found on the District COVID-19 Active Case Dashboard.
Any student who presents with symptoms during the day will be screened by the campus nurse and, if needed, moved to the identified isolation area on campus to wait for parent/guardian pick up. The Comal ISD Case Management Process will be implemented which includes communication to parents about criteria to return to the building as well as communication to the campus community. 
Comal ISD will apply TEA guidelines as part of the COVID-19 Case Management Process. Once a case has been confirmed that impacts the campus, all staff and families will be notified of the case.
 
Individuals who have had close contact with someone who has a lab-confirmed case must stay home for the virus incubation period of 14 days before returning. They will then be screened for symptoms before being allowed back on campus following the 14 day period.
 
If an individual develops symptoms during that time, they should seek medical attention and inform their doctor of their status as a close contact to a lab-confirmed individual. They will still be required to remain off campus for the duration of the 14-day incubation period as COVID-related symptoms may begin to develop or worsen at any point during that timeframe, despite receiving a negative test result.
 
It is possible that dividers may be used in some locations, but we are not planning to place plexiglass between all desks. Classrooms will be set up in way that maximizes the available space in the room to allow for as much distance as possible. If it is not possible to maintain 6 feet of distance, desks will all face the same direction. 
Yes, teachers will spray down desks, tables and other commonly touched surfaces with a peroxide-based cleaning solution that dries in five minutes between each class period and at the end of each day. All products used are safe and meet CDC specifications. 
Classrooms will be set up in way that maximizes the available space in the room to allow for as much distance as possible. If it is not possible to maintain 6 feet of distance, desks will all face the same direction. 
Each campus will work at least two scheduled hand washing times into their normal daily schedule. In addition, hands will be washed before and after eating; after exercise, PE or Athletics class; when returning indoors from recess and after restroom use. Hand sanitizer will be readily accessible throughout the building and used when moving between classrooms, when entering the building, after using shared classroom items, and when entering or leaving common spaces such as the library or cafeteria.
In addition to having staff actively monitoring hallways, entrances and exits during all transition times, schedules will be adjusted to stagger release into hallways to avoid congestion, social distancing reminders will be placed throughout the campus to remind students to maintain 6 feet of separation, and line up areas (cafeteria checkout, library, etc.) will be marked in 6 feet increments.
Face Coverings
Face coverings must be worn in accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order:  
 
    • All staff will be required to wear a face covering or face shield when distancing measures cannot be maintained. 
    • All students for whom it is developmentally appropriate, regardless of age or grade, are required to wear a face covering when social distancing requirements cannot be maintained.  
    • All visitors must wear a face shield or face covering when social distancing cannot be maintained 
 
As with all our health and safety guidelines, plans are subject to change with any updated state and local requirements that may be issued. 

 

While the use of a face covering does not eliminate someone from being considered a close contact with the positive individual, it does minimize the risk of viral spread on campus which reduces the number of positive cases we will see stem from exposure on campus. Face coverings are critical in common areas of the building where an individual may cough or sneeze, and another individual may come in contact with respiratory droplets. When combined with frequent cleaning practices and good hand hygiene practices, face coverings are our best defense in keeping our schools open.
Yes, in accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order all staff members will be required to wear a face covering when social distancing (i.e., 6ft of separation) is unable to be maintained. 
A supply of face coverings will be available for staff and students who may forget theirs at home, but staff and students will be encouraged to supply their own. 
We realize that enforcement will be difficult. However, we believe that everyone taking a sense of ownership in and engaging in the wearing of face coverings will allows us to have on-campus instruction consistently. 
In accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order, there are exemptions for medical conditions or disabilities that prevent them from safely wearing a face covering. 
TEA has defined face coverings as any non-medical or medical grade disposable face mask or cloth face covering that covers the mouth and nose. Full-face shields that protect the eyes, nose and mouth and extends below the chin may be use in addition to a cloth face covering, but not as a replacement for the cloth face covering.
As new guidance and orders are provided by the State, Comal ISD will review these and make any adjustments as needed given the current situation. 
Students will be allowed to remove face coverings at any time that social distancing can be maintained, when eating or drinking, or when actively exercising.
Face covering and distancing guidelines are dictated by the Texas Education Agency and based on guidance from the Texas Department of State Health Services. School districts are required to comply with these measures until changed or removed by the appropriate state agency.