Considerations for In-Person School During COVID-19

As summer winds down, most schools are working through decisions about how classes will be held starting this fall. For those who have opted for in-person classes, there are several measures that you can take to help protect your students and staff.

To ensure your school is in compliance with state and local regulations on this topic, be sure to check with and follow the guidelines from your state’s Department of Education and local school districts, as well as your state’s Department of Public Health.

Health Screenings

• Remind parents or legal guardians that students should stay home if they are exhibiting any COVID-19 symptoms.
• Parents, legal guardians and students should perform a daily self-assessment to ensure the student does not have a temperature or any other COVID-19 symptom.

Modified Classroom Layouts

• Reduce class size, when possible.
• Space seating at least six feet apart.
• Have all desks face the same way so no students face one another.
• Use physical barriers where applicable.
• Provide physical guides (like tape on floors) designating one-way routes in hallways to minimize physical contact.

Reduce Shared School Supplies

• Have each student maintain their own school supplies.
• Adapt drinking fountains to fill water bottles and have each student bring and use their own water bottle.

Minimize School Gatherings

• Consider holding all student gatherings (assemblies, back-to-school nights, performances, etc.) virtually.
• Hold virtual staff meetings when possible.

On-Site Food Services

• Create physical space between students when eating.
• Consider a staggered lunch schedule to reduce crowding.
• Consider serving pre-packaged food instead of using a cafeteria line (keep student allergies in mind).
• Use disposable food service items when possible.
• Disinfect surfaces after food contact.

Increase Sanitation

• Encourage regular handwashing and the use of hand sanitizer.
• Thoroughly clean and disinfect classrooms daily.
  
  • Clean high touch fixtures, such as handrails, light switches and door knobs, multiple times throughout the day.

Transportation

• Review bus routes and decrease the number of students per bus to encourage social distancing.
  • When social distancing is not possible, consider having students wear masks.
  • Clean and disinfect buses following each trip (before and after school).

Staffing

• Develop a plan for screening staff upon arrival to the school each morning.
• Plan a response for staff that exhibit symptoms or test positive.
• Develop and plan for additional substitute teachers in the event of increased absenteeism.

Additional Resources

• CDC Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting: Public Spaces, Workplaces, Businesses, Schools and Home
• Considerations for K-12 Schools: Readiness and Planning Tool