Watervliet City School District has outlined important information for employees reporting to work in school buildings and facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The procedures and practices described promote health and safety for all employees in the “new normal.”
You are responsible for helping with COVID-19 infection prevention efforts by following housekeeping, social distancing and other work practice rules. Procedures may be revised over time depending on existing guidance from agencies such as the CDC, NYSDOH, NYSED, etc.
GENERAL
- Staff members must have an invitation from a direct supervisor or administrator before reporting to a school. Coordinate your visit with the building administrator(s). Be sure the building administrators know your whereabouts in the building to ensure appropriate sanitizing.
- Sign in daily at the front desk of each building.
- Do not come to school if you are not feeling well.
- The school district is currently operating with essential staff only.
- No visitors are allowed into buildings at any time, unless deemed essential.
Contacts
Assistant Superintendent Donald Stevens is the district’s Site Safety Monitor whose responsibilities include continuous compliance with all aspects of the Watervliet City School District safety plan.
Assistant Superintendent Donald Stevens, Elementary School Principal Kelly Webster, and Junior/Senior High School Principal Ryan Groat will assess and review Wellness Self Screening responses daily and maintain documentation of the Wellness Self Screening program.
Assistant Superintendent Donald Stevens will maintain logs of persons in the school district that have close contact. Logs will be kept in the assistant superintendent’s office.
Business Manager Keith Heid can be contacted regarding information on cleaning and disinfection schedules, and cleaning products used.
Elementary School Principal Kelly Webster and Junior/Senior High School Principal Ryan Groat can be contacted to request protective equipment (e.g. face masks) or hand sanitizer.
PEOPLE
Physical Distancing
- You MUST maintain a safe physical distance, which is a minimum of three (3) feet from others.
- If the safety or core function of the work activity requires a shorter distance, and personnel are less than three (3) feet apart from one another, personnel must wear acceptable face coverings.
- The total number of occupants is limited to no more than 50% of the maximum occupancy at any given time for a particular area as set by the certificate of occupancy.
- Tightly confined spaces (e.g. elevators, stairwells) will be occupied by only one individual at a time.
- Lobby seating areas, office waiting areas, etc. are temporarily closed.
- There can be no gathering at any time; spread out, maintain physical distance and enter/exit the buildings individually.
- In-person gatherings should be limited, as much as possible. Use tele- or video-conferencing whenever possible.
- Essential in-person gatherings should be held in open, well-ventilated spaces with appropriate social distancing maintained and protective equipment worn among participants.
- The school district has workstations that restrict the number of employees in all offices. Individuals are at least six feet apart in all directions. Individuals will not share workstations without cleaning and disinfection between use. When distancing is not feasible between workstations, face coverings will be required.
- All classroom desks are at least three (3) feet apart in all directions.
PLACES
Protective Equipment
- You must have a mask/face covering ON YOUR FACE when in the same space as others.
- Face masks must be worn at all times (e.g. travel through spaces and hallways, in bathrooms) unless you are safely working in your work space away from others.
- Masks, hand sanitizer and/or gloves are available in both buildings.
Hygiene and Cleaning
- Frequently wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. When soap and running water are unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand rub with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands that are visibly soiled.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Practice good respiratory etiquette. Cover your cough, sneezes with a tissue, and discard it in a closed container.
- Avoid sharing objects with others. Do not share desk spaces, computers, telephones, etc. If sharing of items must occur; sanitize them before and after use.
- Leave personal items at home unless absolutely necessary.
Communication
- Signs and postings have been placed at the building entrances, which describe wellness reporting requirements and general work practices.
- COVID-19 notifications from the CDC are posted in each office, in kitchens, at the bus garage, in hallways, in bathrooms and at building entrances. Notifications include:
- How to Safely Wear and Take Off a Cloth Face Covering
- Symptoms of Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- Stop the Spread of Germs
- Please wear a cloth face covering.
PROCESS
Isolation upon identification of sick employees
- If you feel sick, please contact your direct supervisor and follow district protocol.
Contact tracing and disinfection of contaminated areas
- The school district will maintain a continuous log of every person in each building, including employees and visitors, who may have close contact with other individuals in the district; excluding deliveries that are performed with appropriate PPE or through contact-less means.