2021-2022 Covid-19 Operations Plan
March 5 Update
The Del Valle ISD Board of Trustees requested for the Superintendent to gather Covid-19 data specific to the Del Valle community. The Board will review and discuss the data at the March 22 board meeting.
Del Valle ISD will ensure all staff, resources and supplies are prepared for opening school, including but not limited to assigning sufficient staff to carry out re-opening, ensuring proper training and stocking inventory of necessary supplies, such as personal protective equipment (PPE).
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides guidance, recommendations, and resources to assist with plans and protocols for health and safety. For the 2021-2022 school year, Del Valle ISD will implement health and safety plans that include:
- Ensuring adequate supply inventory (e.g., PPE, cleaning supplies, hand sanitizer, etc.)
- Cleaning with products approved by governing authorities and per guidelines from the Environmental Protection Agency
- Ensuring compliance with CDC, Health and Human Services, the Texas Education Agency and other jurisdictional policies
- Providing communication of procedures and expectations upon entering facilities and throughout buildings
District Covid Response Team
Steven Alves, Executive Director of Maintenance and Operations
Jonathan Harris, Chief Compliance, Governmental, and Community Relations Officer
Kathleen Stanton, Director of Health Services
Suzi Wallace, Executive Director of Human Resources
Christopher Weddle, Executive Director of Communications
Denise Velasquez, District Parent Community Liaison
Members of this team will be notified immediately of any positive COVID cases. This will allow for an immediate response to ensure that all appropriate procedures and communication are in place.
- Protocols for Screening and Isolation
- Protocols for Personal Protective Equipment
- Protocols for Campus Visitors
- Protocols for Disinfecting and Hand Sanitizing
- Protocols for Cleaning and DisinfectingÂ
- Protocols for Library, Gym, and Common AreasÂ
- Protocols for Classrooms
- Cleaning after a Positive COVID-19 Case on a Campus
- School Arrival and Dismissal
- Transportation COVID-19 Protocol (Bus, Parent Drop-off, Walker)
- Protocols for Cafeteria and Food Service
- Use of Water Fountains
- Recess
- Elementary Specialized Classroom Areas
- Secondary Specialized Classrooms and Extracurriculars
- Guidelines for School Events
- Hallways and Passing Periods
- Emergencies and Drills
Protocols for Screening and Isolation
General
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All students, staff and visitors should self-monitor their own health.
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All students, staff and visitors will be screened upon entry to a district building using a non-invasive touchless thermal camera system and or a touchless thermometer.
Staff
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Staff should self-monitor their own health daily prior to entering a Del Valle ISD building, and the district may require further screening of employees at any time based on current state and federal guidelines.
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Staff who are ill should follow normal leave protocols outlined in the employee handbook.
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Staff who receive a positive Covid-19 test should email information to covid19@dvisd.net.
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Employees with a positive test should wear a mask and self isolate for 10 days following positive test result or onset of symptoms. Following the 10 days the employee may return to school when symptoms improve and when fever- free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication.
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All visitors and district personnel will sign in at each campus.
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On campus, in-person meetings should be held only when necessary. This includes staff meetings, PLC meetings, grade level meetings, etc.
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When in-person meetings are necessary, social distance protocols should be followed. Staff members should remain 6 feet apart and are asked to wear a mask.
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Staff members should maintain 6 foot social distance guidelines when eating lunch.
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Staff members should be mindful of off-campus activities that may place individuals at risk.
Student
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A parent or guardian should monitor their children for COVID-19 symptoms each day prior to sending them to school. Parents should take their child’s temperature daily.
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Additional screening may be conducted during the school day.
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Parents should ensure they do not send a child to school if they are ill or receive a lab-confirmed test for COVID-19.
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Parents of students with a positive Covid-19 test should email information to covid19@dvisd.net
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Staff, students, or visitors should not enter campuses or district buildings if any of the following conditions apply to the individual:
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The individual is sick with symptoms that could be COVID-19.
Symptoms to watch for:
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99.6 F or higher for adults (per City of Austin Order),
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100.0 F or higher for children (per Texas Education Code and recommended by Austin Public Health Guidelines.)
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Cough
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shortness of breath/difficulty breathing
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chills, muscle pain
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headache, sore throat
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fatigue, congestion/running nose
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nausea/diarrhea
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new loss of sense of taste or smell
Students and Staff Screening
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All students and staff will have their temperature checked upon entering DVISD facilities. Campuses will have a thermal imaging camera to assist with taking temperatures along with touchless thermometers.
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Students who exceed the temperature threshold will be referred to the school nurse.
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Teachers will monitor students and refer them to the nurse if symptoms are present during the school day.
Return to School Protocols
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Students and staff who have tested positive for COVID-19 or who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 will be permitted to return to school when:
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10 days have passed since symptoms began, and
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They are fever-free for at least 24 hours without using fever-reducing medication;
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Protocols for Personal Protective Equipment
Del Valle ISD asks all students, staff, and visitors to wear a mask in district buildings. Masks include non-medical grade disposable face masks, cloth face coverings (over the nose and mouth).
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Each campus also has a supply of portable plexiglass units that can be utilized for staff meetings or in areas with higher levels of interaction.
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Elementary campuses will have plastic desk shields for all students.
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Middle and high school students can request desk shields.
Protocols for Campus Visitors
Campus staff should consider utilizing virtual meeting options to limit campus visitors. Parents should contact the school via e-mail and phone to communicate with school personnel. Access to the campus by parents will be limited to the front office and will be subject to additional screening procedures and PPE requirements listed below.
Visitor Screening/PPE Requirements
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All visitors will be subject to screening by way of a symptom screening form before entering any Del Valle ISD facility.
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Visitors will also be subject to a temperature check from the thermal scanner.
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Organizations with Memorandum of Understandings (MOU) with the district are permitted to have employees or volunteers in district buildings.
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Other volunteers are not allowed to visit campuses until we reach Stage 2 (including mentors, college representatives, guest speakers, etc.). Additional protocols will be released at that time.
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Virtual tools are highly recommended to conduct meetings such as PTA meetings, ARDs, LPAC, etc.
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If visitors have COVID-19 symptoms, or are lab confirmed with COVID-19, they must remain off campus until they meet the criteria for re-entry.
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All individuals entering the building are asked to wear face coverings.
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Visitors should stand behind the shield guard installed at reception desks.
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Any individuals permitted to proceed beyond the reception area must follow all safety and campus protocols.
Protocols for Disinfecting and Hand Sanitizing
Frequent disinfection and hand sanitization will ensure health and wellness of students and staff. Students will receive reminders of the importance of hand sanitization during morning announcements and from their teachers throughout the day.
Hand Washing/Sanitizing Expectations
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Hand sanitizer will be available at the main entry to the campus, in classrooms, in the cafeteria and in common areas throughout the campus.
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Paper towels will be provided near all doors to use for all high-touch areas.
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Staff and students will be expected to regularly wash or sanitize their hands.
Requirements for hand washing and/or use of Del Valle ISD-provided hand sanitizer:
Elementary & Secondary
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All teachers and students will be receiving training on sanitizing protocols.
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Provide hand sanitizer upon entry to classroom and periodic teacher reminders during instructional day.
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Habitual and thorough hand washing after recess, before eating and following restroom breaks.
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Touchless sanitizer dispensers are available in hallways at transition and high traffic areas.
Disinfecting Expectations
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Staff, including classroom teachers, will have access to disinfectant solutions to sanitize high-touch and working surfaces and shared objects frequently.
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Staff will limit the use of shared supplies when possible.
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Classroom supplies such as paper, pencils, pens, glue, scissors, etc. should be designated to an individual student and not shared by multiple students.
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If they are being shared, calculators must be disinfected after each use.
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Protocols for Cleaning and DisinfectingÂ
Frequent cleaning and disinfection will support a healthy learning and work environment for students and staff. This includes attention to air quality. Currently the standard air filter for HVAC units in the district are Merv 8 filters. These filters are being replaced with Merv 13 filters, in units with capacity to operate with the improved filters. This represents a significant increase in the filtration capacity of the systems.
General Restroom Guidelines
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Campuses should limit number of students who enter the group restrooms as much as possible. Campuses should designate a restroom monitor. Monitors will notify custodians if additional cleaning of restrooms is needed.
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Elementary campuses should consider the scheduling of whole class restroom breaks to eliminate co-mingling of students across various classes and to ensure teacher monitoring of social distancing guidelines.
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Custodial Staff will disinfect student and staff restrooms in the common areas 4 times per day.
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Custodians will disinfect the restrooms prior to student arrival, after morning arrival of students, immediately after lunch and prior to dismissal.
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A full cleaning of all restroom facilities will occur after students have departed.
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Staff and students must wash hands with soap and water prior to exiting the restroom.
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Campuses will print, laminate, and post visuals indicating proper handwashing techniques and social distancing to consistently reinforce this practice.
Protocols for Library, Gym, and Common AreasÂ
Common areas include spaces that are used for meetings and collaboration. This includes computer labs, flexible spaces, conference rooms and other meeting rooms.
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Custodial staff will sanitize common areas mid morning and mid afternoon.
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Staff using common area space are responsible for wiping down surface areas prior to use by students.
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All students and staff should use hand sanitizer when entering and exiting common areas.
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Library, gym and common areas should have limited usage except for the regularly scheduled classes and events.
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Campuses will develop schedules and follow protocols for the use of common areas.
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Number of students in a common area will be based upon social distancing practices.
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Campuses will print and laminate visual reminders to be displayed for social distancing throughout common areas. Informational graphics and markers will be posted to help with 6 ft. social distancing.
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The use of virtual meetings/videoconferencing is preferred when possible, including PTA meetings, ARDs, LPAC, booster club meetings and events.
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If meetings must be held in person, all social distancing protocols should be implemented:
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Ask all attendees to wear a facial coverings
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Six-feet social distancing when possible
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Limiting the sharing of materials/supplies
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Use of counter / desk shields for face to face meetings
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Protocols for Classrooms
Elementary Classrooms
Each classroom will be provided with a refillable sanitizer pump bottle, alcohol wipes, and a disinfecting spray.
Teachers and Student Responsibilities
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In elementary classrooms in which students do not switch classes, teachers will, at a minimum, wipe down student desks and high touch surfaces (counter, door knobs) prior to leaving the classroom for recess breaks and prior to lunch.
Custodial Staff Responsibilities
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Custodial staff will disinfect all classroom surfaces with a disinfectant spray at the end of each day. This will include using a disinfectant spray on the desk shields that are used by individual students.
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Restrooms within elementary classrooms will have surfaces disinfected 2 times during the school day by the custodial staff and also after school.
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This will be done mid morning and mid afternoon.
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An additional cleaning will be completed after school.
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Each classroom will be provided with desk shields.
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Desk shields will be sprayed with a disinfectant at the end of each day by custodial staff.
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Sanitizing wipes are available in each classroom if shields need to be disinfected during the school day.
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Secondary Classrooms
Each classroom will be provided with a refillable sanitizer pump bottle, alcohol wipes, and a disinfecting spray.
Teachers and Student Responsibilities
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In elementary or secondary classrooms in which students move from one classroom to another, teachers and/or students will use an alcohol wipe to disinfect surface areas to include desk tops, counters, and doorknobs. This will be done during the passing period.
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Staff and students will have access to disinfecting items to sanitize working surfaces, shared objects, and high-touch areas after use and during breaks in instruction.
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Desk shields are available upon request.
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The cleaning of desk shields will be a campus decision.
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Desk shields may be left in the classroom and disinfected by teachers/students during passing periods.
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Desk shields may be transported with the student from class to class and returned to a designated classroom at the end of the day for sanitization.
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Custodial Staff Responsibilities
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Desk shields will be sprayed with a disinfectant at the end of each day by custodial staff.
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Sanitizing wipes are available in each classroom if shields need to be disinfected during the school day.
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Cafeterias will be disinfected by custodial staff between lunch periods.
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Every 90 days DisNFex will be used on all classrooms will be sanitized with a long lasting solution that remains on surfaces for an extended period of time.
Front Office and Nursing Staff
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Front office staff will disinfect desk surface areas with a sanitizing wipe after each visitor a minimum of 10 times per day.
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Nurses will be required to sanitize and clean the nursing station throughout the day.
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Custodial staff will complete a full cleaning at the end of each day.
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Counter shields must be used at the front desk area.
Standard Classroom Procedures
Classroom protocols and procedures will include expectations regarding not sharing school supplies, social distancing, group work, and hand washing or sanitizing, etc. Teachers will ensure high-touch areas in the classroom are sanitized throughout the day. All classrooms will be outfitted with:
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A seating chart: It is imperative that all classrooms have a seating chart in place. Should a student test positive for Covid 19, this will allow for appropriate contact tracing.
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Visual reminders of distancing requirements will be in all classrooms marking off areas for common spaces and distancing best practices.
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Refillable alcohol-based hand sanitizer stations.
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Access to disinfectant to sanitize working surfaces.
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Desk shields for each student
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Student desks (or seats at a table if tables are used) will be spread out as much as possible. If possible, students' desks will face the same direction rather than facing each other.
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Whenever possible throughout the day, students and staff will remain six feet apart.
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Classrooms will reduce the amount of manipulatives that will be shared amongst students. As feasible, each student should be assigned their own supplies.
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Any supplies that must be shared, must be made of easily cleanable surfaces and disinfected between uses. Example: calculators
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Classroom materials that cannot be disinfected such as magazines, books, etc., will be limited for use by one person only.
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Whenever possible, students and staff will maintain consistent groupings of people to minimize the spread of the virus.
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Technology should be utilized when students are involved in collaborative work.
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Group or pair work can be implemented while maintaining physical distancing.
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In classroom spaces that allow it, consider placing student desks a minimum of six feet apart when possible.
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In classrooms where students are regularly within six feet of one another, schools should plan for more frequent hand washing and/or hand sanitizing and should consider whether increased airflow from the outdoors is possible.
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The use of outdoor space for learning will be considered when possible. Classroom groups working outside will maintain social distancing from other classroom groups.
Cleaning after a Positive COVID-19 Case on a Campus
- If a classroom or facility is closed due to COVID-19, a quaternary disinfectant, which is recommended for use on the virus that causes COVID-19, will be used to disinfect.
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The area will be closed for 24 hours with windows open when feasible.
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All surfaces will be disinfected and soft surface areas removed from the area.
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Custodial staff will disinfect classrooms, restrooms, athletics, fine arts areas, and all additional areas throughout the school facility following the report of a positive case.
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Additional guidance will be provided to the campus by the Covid Response Team.
School Arrival and Dismissal
Arrival:
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When possible, separate entrances will be utilized for car riders, bus riders, and walkers.
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All students should remain 6 feet apart.
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All staff will be utilized for duty to maintain a line of sight in hallways and distancing of hallway cohorts. Students will go straight to the designated areas set by each campus.
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All individuals entering the facility will complete a temperature check through the thermal imaging process and or the touchless thermometer. (Refer to screening protocols for next steps.)
Dismissal:
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Campus should consider staggered dismissal groups. Staggering the groups of walkers, car riders, bus riders or grade level will help manage student movement in the building and decrease the risk of potential crowding outside at dismissal time.
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Sanitizer stations will be placed at each exit and students will be encouraged to sanitize hands prior to exit.
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Sibling connections at elementary campuses will be done outside the building.
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When possible, separate exits will be utilized for car riders, bus riders, and walkers.
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Parents picking up students during the day will be required to call ahead so that students can be sent or accompanied to parent vehicles upon arrival.
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Office staff will sign the student out, documenting both the time the student left the building, as well as the time the parent requested for early dismissal.
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Transportation COVID-19 Protocol (Bus, Parent Drop-off, Walker)
The Del Valle ISD Transportation Department offers the following guidance to parents and caregivers regarding school bus transportation for daily bus routes as well as field trips. Although the district is implementing the safety protocols and disinfecting efforts described below, families are encouraged to drop students off, carpool or walk with their student to school to reduce possible exposure on buses. |
The District asks all drivers and students to wear masks while on the school bus. Students will physically distance as possible on school bus. General Education/Special Needs/Shuttle Loading and Unloading Procedures Bus Stop Expectations
Morning Boarding Bus Procedures
Unloading at Campus
Afternoon Campus Boarding Bus Procedures
Unloading at Bus Stop
Bus Disinfecting Protocol Between each AM & PM Campus drop-off
Bus Disinfecting Process
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Bus Arrival & Dismissal |
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Dismissal
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Walkers |
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Car Riders |
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Teacher/Staff |
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Bike Rack |
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Parent |
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Teacher/Staff |
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General Building Arrival |
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Parent |
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Teacher/Staff |
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Protocols for Cafeteria and Food Service
Cafeteria - Breakfast and Lunch
Based on building capacity and student enrollment, campus administration will determine areas that may be utilized for lunch. These areas could include classrooms, PODS, or other large areas within the school building. General cafeteria protocols are listed below but also will be structured by campus administration to meet specific campus needs.
(Note: Cafeterias have been measured and all campuses have the appropriate capacity for cafeteria lunches. Lunch will not be provided in the classroom, so as to provide duty free lunches for teachers).
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Assigned staff will monitor the cafeteria and hallways to promote social distancing practices.
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Cafeteria capacity will be based on current guidelines.
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Posted signage and staff will encourage social distancing and traffic patterns in the cafeteria.
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Microwaves will not be provided in the cafeteria due to the opportunity for cross contamination with a high-touch device.
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Hand sanitizing stations will be available at entrances and exits of the cafeteria. No third-party food deliveries will be accepted at any campus.
Seating & Directions |
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Teacher/Staff |
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Meal Information: The Del Valle ISD Food and Nutritional Services Department will follow all Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) regulations. |
Use of Water Fountains
Use water fountains to refill water bottles or disposable cups.
Water Fountain Usage |
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Parent |
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Recess
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Administrators provide training for staff on guidelines and procedures associated with outdoor play and student activities.
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Administrators will develop a schedule for students to access the playground equipment.
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Playgrounds will be sprayed with a disinfectant each evening.
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Teachers will monitor students to ensure safety guidelines are followed.
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Campuses will limit the number of students per recess group.
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Staggered schedules and classroom groups will be utilized.
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Allow small groups of students to play together.
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Develop structured games that take into account social distance protocols.
Guidelines for Outdoor Play |
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Elementary Specialized Classroom Areas
Elementary Specials |
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Music |
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PE |
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Art |
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Library |
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Secondary Specialized Classrooms and Extracurriculars
All extracurricular practices and contests will be conducted following safety protocol provided by guidance from DVISD Athletics, UIL and TEA. This will include COVID-19 screening, group sizes, sharing & sanitizing of equipment, locker room usage, etc.
Secondary Specialized Classrooms and Extracurricular Programming |
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Physical Education |
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Fine Arts |
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Guidelines for School Events
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Hallways and Passing Periods
Classroom Transitions, Hallways & Lockers |
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Elementary |
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Secondary |
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Emergencies and Drills
Del Valle ISD will continue to follow the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) and its emergency actions of Lockout, Lockdown, Evacuate and Shelter.
Emergency Evacuation Protocols |
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Note: this process can be implemented for other drills or campus activities where reducing hallway load is needed. After each drill, staff and students will be reminded that in an actual emergency, they must exit/evacuate without delay and without a staggered exit/evacuation.
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