Recommendations & Requirements

Build and send back to school communications to all relevant stakeholders (i.e., parents or guardians, school staff) and include updates across all workflows.

Engage school leaders in a budgeting exercise to help them plan for changing enrollment patterns, new staffing needs, and resource constraints or additional dollars.

Create master teaching schedules, student and faculty arrival/dismissal schedules, bus schedules, lunch schedules for staff and students, and bell schedules with safety protocols in mind.

Audit necessary materials and supply chain for cleaning and disinfection supplies.

Note: In phases 4 and 5, this is strongly recommended before school reopens.

Audit any additional facilities that the district may have access to that could be used for learning.

Note: In phases 4 and 5, this is strongly recommended before school reopens.

Alert school-based custodial and infection control staff of any changes in recommended cleaning guidelines issued by OSHA and/or CDC. It is expected that this guidance will be updated in real-time based on the status of community spread across local geographies.

Note: In phases 4 and 5, this is strongly recommended before school reopens.

Encourage schools to provide advanced training for custodial staff.

Note: In phases 4 and 5, this is strongly recommended before school reopens.

Audit all school buildings with a focus on:

• How many classrooms are available;
• The size of each classroom;
• Additional spaces that are available (e.g., gym, lunchroom, auditorium); and
• The ventilation in each classroom."

Note: In phases 4 and 5, this is strongly recommended before school reopens.

Maintain facilities for in-person school operations.

• Check HVAC systems at each building to ensure that they are running efficiently.
• Air filters should be changed regularly.
• Custodial staff should distribute wastebaskets, tissues, and CDC-approved soap to every office and classroom so that these materials can be used upon entry and exit into any discrete location and during travel between sites.
• Signage about frequent handwashing, cough etiquette, and nose blowing should be widely posted, disseminated, and encouraged through various methods of communication.
• Custodial staff should follow guidance from the CDC about the use of facial coverings and special respirators at use when performing cleaning duties."

Note: In phases 4 and 5, this is strongly recommended before school reopens.

Procure level-1 facial coverings, including those with a transparent front, for preK-5 teachers, low-income students, and students with special needs.

Note: In phases 4 and 5, this is strongly recommended before school reopens.

Activate school cleaning and disinfection protocols according to the CDC School Decision Tree. Custodial staff should wear surgical masks when performing cleaning duties.

Note: In phase 4, this is strongly recommended if schools are instructed to close in-person.

Survey families to collect information about the numbers, types, and condition of devices used in their homes to support remote learning.

Note: In Phase 4, this is strongly recommended before schools reopen.