Health and Safety Plans

Each school entity must create a Health and Safety Plan which will serve as the local guidelines
for all instructional and non- instructional school reopening activities. As with all emergency
plans, the Health and Safety Plan developed for each school entity should be tailored to the
unique needs of each school and should be created in consultation with local health agencies.
Given the dynamic nature of the pandemic, each plan should incorporate enough flexibility to
adapt to changing conditions.

Mt. Lebanon School District Health and Safety Plan 3.0

The decision to resume athletics and activities, including conditioning, practices and games, is within the discretion of a school entity’s governing body.  Each school entity must develop and adopt an Athletics & Activities Health and Safety Plan aligning to the PDE Preliminary Guidance for Phased Reopening of Pre-K to 12 Schools prior to conducting sports-related activities with students.

Mt. Lebanon School District Athletics & Activities Health and Safety Plan 4.0

 

As our students begin to prepare to return to school, our number one priority is their health and safety.  We ask that all parents/guardians and students read the following information PRIOR to coming to school to help decrease the risk of spreading any type of virus:

All students need to complete a self screening and answer the following questions before coming to school each morning:

Do you have any of these symptoms that are not caused by another condition? 

• Fever temperature 100 degrees or above

• Chills

• Cough

• Shortness of Breath or Difficulty Breathing

• Fatigue

• Body Aches

• New Onset Loss of Taste and or Smell

• Sore Throat

• Congestion

• Nausea or vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Headache
• Have you been exposed to or close contact with a COVID positive person?
• Have you travelled outside of the United States within the past 14 days?

• Have you had a positive COVID-19 test for an active virus in the past 10 days? 

• Within the past 14 days, has a public health or medical professional told you to self-monitor, self-isolate, or self-quarantine because of concerns about COVID-19 infection? 

If your child has any of the following symptoms, please keep your child home and notify your child’s nurse immediately as these indicate a possible illness that may decrease the student’s ability to learn and also put them at risk for spreading illness to others.

Staying home when ill is one of the most effective ways to minimize the risk of transmission of contagious illnesses.

Mt. Lebanon School District Health Services Department utilizes the Allegheny County Health Department “Guide to Infectious Diseases for Schools and Daycare Centers” when determining if a child should be sent home for illness or disease and when a child should return to school after an infectious illness.

We ask that if your child is experiencing any of the following symptoms, that he/she should remain home until meeting the requirements to return to school:

SYMPTOMS:

• Fever - 100 degrees or above

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Any Contagious Illness - such as: but not inclusive:

  • Strep throat

  • Conjunctivitis (pink Eye)

• Undiagnosed Rash

• New onset Loss of Taste and or Smell

• Difficulty Breathing

• Shortness of Breath

• Cough

• Generalized fatigue

• Body Aches

• Chills

• Sore Throat

• Congestion

• Not feeling well that the student is unable to function or concentrate at school

SYMPTOMS REQUIRING IMMEDIATE SEND HOME AND REFERRAL FOR POSSIBLE COVID-19 TESTING:

1 or more of the following:

• New Onset Cough - not Asthma or Allergy related

• Fever 100.4 or above

• Shortness of breath

• Difficulty Breathing

• New onset loss of Taste and/or Smell

2 or more of the following;

• Chills

• Muscle pains/aches

• Headache

• Sore Throat

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Extreme Fatigue

• Congestion/Runny Nose

SYMPTOMS THAT MAY NOT BE CONSISTENT WITH COVID-19 BUT REQUIRES ABSENCE AND/OR PICK UP FROM SCHOOL: (not inclusive)

• Fever of 100 -100.4 or above

• First 24 hours of an antibiotic  treatment for a contagious illness

• Undiagnosed Rash and/or untreated rash or skin condition

If your child is sent home with any of the above , the following will need to occur before he/she will be able to return to school:

• Providing the nurse with a negative COVID-19 test result (if applicable)

  • If sent for a COVID test - your child MUST remain home until the results of the test are returned and reviewed by the nurse.

• Physician’s note that states an alternate diagnosis for the COVID-like symptoms

• He/she staying home minimum of 24 hours symptom free if NOT COVID-19 related with physician’s note

The direct contact for any illness/COVID or injury related questions or reporting of symptoms should be your child’s school nurse.  

 

 

Allegheny County Health Department Frequently Asked Questions: COVID-19 Exposure at School or Child Care PDF  (Updated 8/21/2020)

What is COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019)? 

COVID-19 is the respiratory illness caused by a new coronavirus. The name, COVID-19, stands for corona (CO), virus (VI), disease (D), and 2019 (19).  
 
People with COVID-19 report a wide range of symptoms, from mild symptoms to severe illness. After exposure to the virus, it can take 2 to 14 days to develop symptoms. The average time is about 5 to 7 days. Up to 40% of people with the virus may have no symptoms or very mild symptoms.  
 
Symptoms of COVID-19 include:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea 

For more information on symptoms, please consult the CDC guidelines at:   https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html or the Allegheny County Health Department website: https://www.alleghenycounty.us/coronavirus 

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Who is a “close contact”?  

The CDC defines a close contact as someone who:  

• was within 6 feet of someone who has COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more
• provided care at home to someone who is sick with COVID-19
• had direct physical contact with the person (hugged or kissed them)
• shared eating or drinking utensils
• was sneezed, coughed, or somehow got respiratory droplets on them  

You are still considered a close contact even if you were wearing a mask while you were around someone with COVID-19. Masks are meant to protect other people in case you are infected, and not to protect you from becoming infected. There may also be some personal protection from mask wearing as well.  
 
Because children and staff in a classroom spend many hours together indoors, we consider those who spend the day together in a classroom as close contacts.  

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What does a “close contact” of a someone who has COVID-19 have to do?

• Close contacts must remain at home (self-quarantine) for 14 days from the last date they were in close contact to the person with COVID-19. That is because it can take 14 days to develop symptoms after exposure.
• You should not have visitors to your home.  
• If you need any support (example, food, housing, medications, support) in order to remain in quarantine or isolation, please call 211.  
• You should monitor for symptoms, and you should contact a health care provider if you develop symptoms to get tested.  
• If a close contact would like to be tested for COVID-19, they should contact their healthcare provider to schedule a COVID-19 test. It is best to schedule the test about a week (5 to 7 days) after exposure; this is the most likely time to find the virus if it is there. If you are not able to schedule a test through your healthcare provider, or do not have a healthcare provider, please visit https://bit.ly/ACTestingSiteMap or www.alleghenycovidtesting.com to find a testing site.  
• If you need transportation to a testing location, please call 211, follow the prompts to COVID. The Health Department has resources available for people who do not have transportation to a testing site.
• Please note - a negative result before end of the 14-day quarantine period does not rule out possible infection. By self-quarantining for 14 days, you lower the chance of possibly exposing others to COVID-19. 

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If you were a close contact and got tested, what should you expect after you get the results? 

Stay home until you get results  
 
If your test is positive for COVID-19:

• Please let the school nurse know as soon as you receive the positive result.  
• In accordance with CDC guidance, a person who has COVID-19 must remain home in isolation until all of the following are true:  
  • At least 10 days have passed since the onset of symptoms AND  
  • Until fever-free off anti-fever medications for 24 hours AND  
  • Symptoms are improving.  

Note: The COVID-positive individual does NOT need a repeat COVID-19 test or a doctor’s note in order to return to the school

• You will receive a call from the Allegheny County Health Department to provide more information and to answer any questions.  
• The Health Department will work with you and the school nurse to determine who are your close contact and then reach out to them to quarantine, monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 and get tested. 

If your test is negative:  
If your test is negative, you still need to continue the 14-day quarantine. This is because sometimes the tests are wrong, and the best way to make sure you do not spread the virus is for you to stay home for the full 14 days. If at the end of 14 days you have not had any symptoms and the test was negative, you may return to the school.   

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What is the difference between isolation and quarantine? 

• Isolation separates sick people with a contagious disease from people who are not sick. Quarantine separates and restricts the movement of people who were exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick. 
• You should not leave isolation until you meet the CDC criteria outlined above.  
• A quarantine should last 14 days since the last possible day of exposure. 

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What happens in the school if a student or staff member has symptoms that could be COVID-19 (a COVID-like illness)?  

The person with symptoms can return to school when:

• COVID-19 testing was completed and was reported as negative, and the person meets the school’s normal criteria for return after an illness  

        OR  

• A health care provider has evaluated the person and documented an alternative diagnosis and confirmed that the person may return to school.  

OR  

• COVID-19 testing was not done and all of the following are true:
  • At least 10 days since the onset of symptoms AND  
  • Fever-free off anti-fever medications for 24 hours AND
  • Symptoms are improving.  

Note: Repeat COVID testing is not required to return to the school.  

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If someone in the household was a close contact, does everyone in the household have to quarantine?  

If no one in the household is showing symptoms of COVID-19, then only the person who was identified as the close contact has to quarantine.
 

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What can we do to prevent COVID-19? 

There are simple things you and your family can do to prevent the spread of COVID-19.  

These include:

• Wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer frequently
• Wear masks that cover your nose and mouth in public  
• Keep at least 6 feet from others
• Limit trips outside the home to essential travel (for example work, school, groceries, medical and dental appointments)
• Avoid closed areas with many people   

If you have questions about COVID-19 in general, COVID-19 in schools, or need community resources, please call 211 and follow the prompts for these areas.    

Handwashing is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of any virus and avoid getting others sick.

It is especially important to wash your hands frequently with soap and water while scrubbing the palms, back of hands, in-between fingers and underneath the fingernails. Be sure to lather for at least 20 seconds or more and dry your hands with a clean towel or air dry them.

You can help yourself and your loved ones stay healthy by washing your hands often, especially during these key times when you are likely to get and spread germs:

• Before, during, and after preparing food

• Before eating food

• Before and after caring for someone at home who is sick with vomiting or diarrhea

• Before and after treating a cut or wound

• After using the toilet

• After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet

• After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing

• After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste

• After handling pet food or pet treats

• After touching garbage

• After you have been in a public place and touched an item or surface that may be frequently touched by other people, such as door handles, tables, gas pumps, shopping carts, or electronic cashier registers/screens, etc.

• Before touching your eyes, nose, or mouth because that’s how germs enter our bodies.

Washing Your Hands Video (Click the image to watch)

 

All students are expected to wear face coverings per Governor Wolf’s state mandate, unless the nurse has an order from the student’s licensed healthcare provider.

The use of face coverings is one of the important ways to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.  

Face coverings are meant to protect other people in case the wearer is unknowingly affected but does not have symptoms.  Face coverings are not Personal Protective Equipment.  

CDC does not currently recommend use of face shields as a substitute for masks.

• Face Covering must over your face and nose

• Must be secured on face

• Be worn inside and outside of the school setting

• Only be removed to eat or drink 

  • If removed - must maintain 6 foot of physical distancing - while mask is off

• Mask breaks MUST be limited to:

  • NO longer than 10 minutes in duration

  • Physical distancing of 6 feet must be maintained if on mask break

• Change face covering if current one soiled

• Do NOT share a face covering

• Do Not touch the front of your face covering

• Do NOT put around your neck or on your forehead

Properly Wearing and Replacing Face Coverings

Wear your Mask Correctly

• Wash your hands before putting on your mask

• Put it over your nose and mouth and secure it under your chin

• Try to fit it snugly against the sides of your face

• Make sure you can breathe easily

 

 

 

 

Removing Masks

• Take Off Your Mask Carefully - ONLY to Eat- Drink - for mask Break or when soiled
• Untie the strings behind your head or stretch the ear loops
• Handle only by the ear loops or ties
• Fold outside corners together
• Place mask in your paper bag or baggie - carefully
• Be careful not to touch your eyes, nose, and mouth when removing 
• Wash hands immediately after removing.
• To Replace mask - follow How to wear mask above
   

How to wear a Face Mask Video (Click the image to watch)

 

As our students begin to prepare to return to school, our number one priority is their health and safety.  Unfortunately, COVID has changed how we must operate, and we are asking for your help in decreasing the number and frequency of non-essential student visits to the nurse’s office.  Reducing visits to the nurse’s office limits your child’s unnecessary exposure to possible germs.   

We are asking  for your child to carry their own:

• Paper bag or baggie labelled with their name on it - to put their mask in for mask breaks

• Chap-stick  

• Small bottle of hand lotion

• Wax for their braces, but remind them not to share.  

• Change of clothes in their backpacks as accidents do occur. 

• Water Bottle

 Students will be discouraged from visiting the nurse for these non-essential reasons. 

To further limit exposure, teachers will be keeping basic first aid supplies in their classrooms (band aids, antiseptic wipes, gauze, gloves) to treat minor scrapes and scratches.

Please continue to reinforce healthy hygiene habits such as hand washing, coughing into the elbow, and not touching the eyes, nose, or mouth.

Thank you for your support and please reach out for any questions or concerns.

It is of vital importance that the Emergency Medical Contact/Release Information for each of your children is updated in the Dashboard.
Please note the following to update your contact information in the Dashboard:

• You must go in under the parent/guardian’s Dashboard account, not the student’s

•   Emergency Medical Contact/Release Information is located under the “Account Preferences” tab

•  Please include parents/guardians (in priority order) as part of your four contact options if you wish to be contacted.

•  Please enter this information for each student – you may utilize the “Copy From” feature to expedite the process.

• If you have completed this information in a previous year, please review it every school year and even if there are no changes, click the submit button at the end of the page.  This will complete the process and the information will be saved.  Also, please click the submit button any time you need to make a change to any of the information.

• Students with more than one parent account or those that do not have access to a computer will need to complete a hard copy of the Emergency Medical Contact/Release Information sheet.  Please contact your child’s health office for a copy of this.

• Please contact your child’s nurses office for any issues, concerns or if you will need a hard copy of the Emergency Medical Contact/Release Information Sheet.

 Thank you for your assistance in following through on this vital part of your child’s health record.  Please feel free to contact your building secretary for assistance with a Dashboard account and your building certified school nurse if you have a medical concern regarding your child/ren.

A District communication (email and posting on the District web-site) will be sent to the school community should an employee or student be confirmed with COVID-19; any relevant school closure information or subsequent adjustments to the Health and Safety Plan would be included in that communication.