Recommendations & Requirements - Continuity of Learning Essentials

Recommendation Group Safety Protocols

Recommendation Group Categories HygienePersonal Protective EquipmentResponding to Positive TestsScreening students
Recommendation/Requirement
Schools are closed for in-person instruction.
- Phases 1-3:
  Required
- Phase 4:
  Not applicable
- Phase 5:
  Not applicable
Recommendation Group Safety Protocols

Recommendation Group Categories Spacing and Movement
Recommendation/Requirement
School buildings may continue to be used by licensed child care providers, if providers follow all emergency protocols identified by the state.
- Phases 1-3:
  Required
- Phase 4:
  Not applicable
- Phase 5:
  Not applicable
Recommendation Group Safety Protocols

Recommendation Group Categories Spacing and Movement
Recommendation/Requirement
School employees and contractors are permitted to be physically present in school buildings for the purposes of conducting basic school operations, including remote live instruction, as determined by school administrators.
- Phases 1-3:
  Required
- Phase 4:
  Not applicable
- Phase 5:
  Not applicable
Recommendation Group Safety Protocols

Recommendation Group Categories Spacing and Movement
Recommendation/Requirement
Space desks six feet apart in classrooms. Class sizes should be kept to the level afforded by necessary spacing requirements.
- Phases 1-3:
  Not applicable
- Phase 4:
  Strongly recommended
- Phase 5:
  Recommended
Recommendation Group Safety Protocols

Recommendation Group Categories Spacing and Movement
Recommendation/Requirement
In classrooms where large tables are utilized, space students as far apart as feasible.
- Phases 1-3:
  Not applicable
- Phase 4:
  Strongly recommended
- Phase 5:
  Recommended
Recommendation Group Safety Protocols

Recommendation Group Categories Spacing and Movement
Recommendation/Requirement
As feasible, arrange all desks facing the same direction toward the front of the classroom.
- Phases 1-3:
  Not applicable
- Phase 4:
  Strongly recommended
- Phase 5:
  Recommended
Recommendation Group Safety Protocols

Recommendation Group Categories Spacing and Movement
Recommendation/Requirement
Teachers should maintain six feet of spacing between themselves and students as much as possible.
- Phases 1-3:
  Not applicable
- Phase 4:
  Strongly recommended
- Phase 5:
  Recommended
Recommendation Group Safety Protocols

Recommendation Group Categories Spacing and Movement
Recommendation/Requirement
Family members or other guests are not allowed in the school building except under extenuating circumstances determined by district and school officials.
- Phases 1-3:
  Not applicable
- Phase 4:
  Strongly recommended
- Phase 5:
  Not applicable
Recommendation Group Safety Protocols

Recommendation Group Categories Spacing and Movement
Recommendation/Requirement
Post signage to indicate proper social distancing.
- Floor tape or other markers should be used at six-foot intervals where line formation is anticipated.
- Provide social distancing floor/seating markings in waiting and reception areas.
- Post signs on the doors of restrooms to indicate proper social distancing and hand hygiene techniques.
- Phases 1-3:
  Not applicable
- Phase 4:
  Strongly recommended
- Phase 5:
  Recommended
Recommendation Group Safety Protocols

Recommendation Group Categories Spacing and Movement
Recommendation/Requirement
Adult guests entering the building should be screened for symptoms, wear a facial covering, and wash/sanitize hands prior to entering. Strict records, including date and time, should be kept of non-school employees or other visitors entering and exiting the building.
- Phases 1-3:
  Not applicable
- Phase 4:
  Strongly recommended
- Phase 5:
  Not applicable
Recommendation Group Safety Protocols

Recommendation Group Categories Spacing and Movement
Recommendation/Requirement
If a classroom has windows that can open, they should be open as much as possible, weather permitting. Considerations should be made for students with allergy-induced asthma.
- Phases 1-3:
  Not applicable
- Phase 4:
  Recommended
- Phase 5:
  Recommended
Recommendation Group Safety Protocols

Recommendation Group Categories Spacing and Movement
Recommendation/Requirement
As able, “specials” (like art, music, and library) should be brought to the classrooms instead of having students move to different locations.
- Phases 1-3:
  Not applicable
- Phase 4:
  Recommended
- Phase 5:
  Recommended
Recommendation Group Safety Protocols

Recommendation Group Categories Spacing and Movement
Recommendation/Requirement
If all students cannot fit in the classroom space available, a school may consider implementing a staggered school schedule that incorporates alternative dates of attendance or use of virtual teaching. If a staggered school schedule is adopted, schools should partner with community organizations to identify safe spaces where children can engage virtually, especially if family members work and children cannot be home alone.
- Phases 1-3:
  Not applicable
- Phase 4:
  Recommended
- Phase 5:
  Not applicable
Recommendation Group Safety Protocols

Recommendation Group Categories Spacing and Movement
Recommendation/Requirement
Efforts should be made to keep six feet of distance between people in the hallways. Staggered movements at incremental intervals should be used if feasible to minimize the number of persons in the hallways as able.
- Phases 1-3:
  Not applicable
- Phase 4:
  Recommended
- Phase 5:
  Recommended
Recommendation Group Safety Protocols

Recommendation Group Categories Spacing and Movement
Recommendation/Requirement
Have staff monitor arrival and dismissal to discourage congregating and ensure students go straight from a vehicle to their classrooms and vice-versa.
- Phases 1-3:
  Not applicable
- Phase 4:
  Recommended
- Phase 5:
  Recommended
Recommendation Group Safety Protocols

Recommendation Group Categories Spacing and Movement
Recommendation/Requirement
Where possible, physical education should be held outside and social distancing of six feet should be practiced.
- Phases 1-3:
  Not applicable
- Phase 4:
  Recommended
- Phase 5:
  Not applicable
Recommendation Group Safety Protocols

Recommendation Group Categories Spacing and Movement
Recommendation/Requirement
Boarding schools should seek guidance from MDHHS regarding spacing, movement, and facility access.
- Phases 1-3:
  Not applicable
- Phase 4:
  Recommended
- Phase 5:
  Recommended
Recommendation Group Safety Protocols

Recommendation Group Categories Spacing and Movement
Recommendation/Requirement
Flow of foot traffic should be directed in only one direction, if possible. If one-way flow is not possible, hallways should be divided with either side following the same direction.
- Phases 1-3:
  Not applicable
- Phase 4:
  Recommended
- Phase 5:
  Recommended
Recommendation Group Safety Protocols

Recommendation Group Categories Screening studentsSpacing and Movement
Recommendation/Requirement
Entrances and exits should be kept separate to keep traffic moving in a single direction.
- Phases 1-3:
  Not applicable
- Phase 4:
  Recommended
- Phase 5:
  Recommended
Recommendation Group Safety Protocols

Recommendation Group Categories Screening students
Recommendation/Requirement
Every school should identify and designate a quarantine area and a staff person to care for students who become ill at school.
- Phases 1-3:
  Not applicable
- Phase 4:
  Strongly recommended
- Phase 5:
  Strongly recommended
Recommendation Group Safety Protocols

Recommendation Group Categories Screening students
Recommendation/Requirement
Students who become ill with symptoms of COVID-19 should be placed in an identified quarantine area with a surgical mask in place until they can be picked up. Identified school staff caring for these children should wear a surgical mask, with the exception of students with special needs requiring aerosolized procedures in which an N95 mask is required.
- Phases 1-3:
  Not applicable
- Phase 4:
  Strongly recommended
- Phase 5:
  Strongly recommended
Recommendation Group Safety Protocols

Recommendation Group Categories Screening students
Recommendation/Requirement
Symptomatic students sent home from school should be kept home until they have tested negative or have completely recovered according to CDC guidelines.
- Phases 1-3:
  Not applicable
- Phase 4:
  Strongly recommended
- Phase 5:
  Strongly recommended
Recommendation Group Safety Protocols

Recommendation Group Categories Screening students
Recommendation/Requirement
Staff should conduct daily self-examinations, including a temperature check, prior to coming to work. If they exhibit any respiratory or gastrointestinal symptoms, or have a temperature of 100.4 or greater, they should stay home.
- Phases 1-3:
  Not applicable
- Phase 4:
  Strongly recommended
- Phase 5:
  Recommended
Recommendation Group Safety Protocols

Recommendation Group Categories Screening students
Recommendation/Requirement
Strict records, including date and time, should be kept of non-school employees or other visitors entering and exiting the building.
- Phases 1-3:
  Not applicable
- Phase 4:
  Not applicable
- Phase 5:
  Strongly recommended
Recommendation Group Safety Protocols

Recommendation Group Categories Screening students
Recommendation/Requirement
A monitoring form (paper or electronic) for screening employees should be developed.
- Phases 1-3:
  Not applicable
- Phase 4:
  Recommended
- Phase 5:
  Not applicable