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TSBVI Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Service Plan

Effective August 19, 2022

In an effort to promote the health and safety of our students and employees, and because COVID-19 is still present in our community, the following prevention measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 will be in place at TSBVI during the upcoming school year. We recognize that many of our staff and students have underlying medical conditions and encourage consultation with their healthcare providers as needed. The following updates replace recommendations in TSBVI’s previous guidance documents.

Specific prevention strategies that are recommended to reduce the spread of COVID-19 include:

  • Getting vaccinated for COVID-19 and flu per APH and CDC recommendations and when eligible. Vaccines can be found in your community by visiting the Department of State Health Services vaccination website.
  • Staying home if sick or having symptoms of infectious illness, such as flu or COVID-19 (unrelated to a known or previously diagnosed medical condition).
  • Isolating if you test positive or are diagnosed with COVID-19.
  • Regularly washing hands or using hand sanitizer, as well as covering coughs and sneezes.
  • Cleaning and disinfecting to promote a healthy environment.

1. Screening and Symptom Monitoring

  • COVID-19 symptoms include fever greater than 100 degrees, sore throat, new uncontrolled cough that causes difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, new onset of headache, loss of taste or smell, chills, shaking, shivering, congestion or runny nose (that is not related to allergies), significant muscle or body aches or fatigue.

Students

  • Temperatures will be taken if a student feels or appears to be ill while on campus or at Weekends Home stops.
  • Families should continue to monitor their students for signs of illness, and students should be kept at home when they are sick.

Employees

  • Employees who have COVID-19 symptoms should complete the self-screening tool. Reminder – The questions on the QuickScreen tool are for new symptoms that are not related to other chronic medical conditions or other currently diagnosed medical conditions the employee may have.
  • Employees should still self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms. Just like before COVID-19, employees should stay home when they are sick.

2. Isolation

  • Staff and students who receive a positive test must isolate for 5 days following the date of the test if asymptomatic or the date of the symptom onset.
  • Staff and students who are 5 days past positive test or symptom onset, and fever free for at least 24 hours (without fever reducing medication) with improved or no symptoms, may return to campus. Masking is highly recommended for 5 additional days whenever around others.
  • Student isolation for 5 days is a requirement of the Department of State Health Services (DSHS).

3. Masking/Face Covering Recommendations

  • When our community is within a high level of community spread, APH strongly recommends that all individuals in schools mask when indoors.
  • If worn, masks or face coverings should fit snugly over an individual’s nose and mouth.
  • Masking is a personal choice and should not be considered indicative of whether or not an individual is vaccinated.
    • TSBVI students, employees, and families are encouraged to respect the personal decisions of others relating to wearing a mask or face covering.

4. Frequent Hand Washing, Covering Coughs, and Sneezes

  • Throughout the day, students and employees should regularly clean hands by using soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Suggested times to perform hand hygiene include when entering a room, prior to eating, after using the restroom, or after coughing or sneezing.
  • Cover your cough and sneeze with a tissue. If you don’t have a tissue, use your elbow. Wash your hands after.

5. Cleaning Regularly and Disinfecting as Necessary

  • High touch surfaces such as desk tops, door knobs, railings, and restrooms will be cleaned throughout the day and all additional areas throughout the campus on a routine basis.
  • If a positive case of COVID-19 is identified on campus, areas impacted will be cleaned and disinfected but will remain open.
  • All cleaning and disinfectant supplies or chemicals must be screened to ensure the effectiveness of their ability to destroy COVID-19 and other viruses, as well as to avoid harmful vapors. Only TSBVI approved cleaning products will be used and must be kept out of reach of students.

6. Preparing for When Someone Gets Sick

  • Students who are ill will be assessed by a Health Center nurse and a determination will be made if the student needs to go home, based on the student’s symptoms and medical history.
  • Students experiencing COVID-19 symptoms will be monitored by the Health Center. Parents or legal guardians will be notified and are expected to make arrangements to immediately pick up their student from TSBVI.
  • Employees who are ill should notify their supervisor and make immediate arrangements to go home. If COVID-19 is suspected, Cheryl Williams, HR Director, should also be notified.
  • Students and employees who are positive for COVID-19 will isolate at home for the designated period established by the CDC (updated 8/11/2022) and the Department of State Health Services.

7. Close Contacts and Notification

  • If a positive case of COVID-19 is identified in a TSBVI student or employee, who has recently been on campus, close contacts will be identified and notified via email.
  • TSBVI will provide virtual learning options (asynchronous and/ or synchronous) for students who are in isolation due to testing positive for COVID-19.
  • TSBVI will notify Austin Public Health if a positive COVID-19 case is identified for a person who has been on campus.

8. COVID-19 Testing

  • Depending on the availability of rapid antigen tests and if the appropriate consent has been provided by the family or adult student, COVID-19 rapid tests may be administered by the Health Center to students identified as having potential COVID-19 symptoms.
  • Individuals identified as a close contact to a positive case on campus may choose to seek testing elsewhere. On occasion, rapid tests may be given on campus for these individuals if consent is provided and tests are available.

9. Behavioral Health

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is normal for people to feel more stress in their lives. The following are suggestions and resources for students and staff for practicing self-care:

  • Maintaining social ties
  • Practicing relaxation and meditation
  • Exercising
  • Disconnecting from the media
  • Getting good sleep
  • Eating healthy foods
  • Getting 10–20 minutes of sunshine a day
  • Finding purpose and joy

Employees and their household members can also contact the Employee Assistance Program for support.

10. Improving Ventilation

  • In September 2020, TSBVI upgraded all of our HVAC air filters to MERV 13, which is a higher level of filtration than we previously had in place. These filters are replaced monthly to ensure efficacy.
  • TSBVI has created multiple outdoor eating and learning spaces on campus to utilize fresh air whenever possible.

11. References