Orange County Public Schools

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Help Protect Yourself and Others

• Face masks are mandatory for all adults while inside OCPS buildings or vehicles and in the presence of antoher individual.
  • This includes all employees, visitors, volunteers, vendors, and adult post-secondary students
  • Face masks are not required outdoors or during activities requiring intense physical exertion in indoor spaces

• The following types of masks are acceptable for wear:
  • Commercially produced, disposable masks
  • Reusable, cloth masks
  • Masks with clear panels
    
    
• Face masks must cover both the nose and mouth and comply with the dress code (cannot contain questionable language or symbols).

• Face masks with exhalation valves or largely made of porous material, neck gaiters, and neck buffs are not permitted.

• Face shields may be worn in conjunction with, but not in lieu of a mask.

• Face masks will be made available at district facilities.

• Students are not required to wear face masks but are strongly encouraged to do so.

• Employees must submit exemption requests through the district's ADA office.

• Individuals should be reminded to:
  • Not touch their masks
  • Wash their hands frequently
  • Clean reusable cloth masks regularly

• Disposable gloves should be replaced with handwashing or hand sanitizer unless required to perform job duties.

Hygiene Protocols

Hand Hygiene

Handwashing is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your family from getting sick.

After you have been in a public place and touched an item or surface that may be frequently touched by other people, such as door handles, tables, counter tops, chairs, sinks, shared pens, elevator buttons and microphones. Always wash or sanitize your hands before touching your eyes, nose, or mouth because that's how germs enter our bodies.

• You can help yourself and others stay safe, especially during these key times when you are likely to get and spread germs:
• After entering a building or school
• Before, during and after eating food
• Before and after handling papers that are not your own
• Before and after treating a cut or wound
• Before taking medication
• After using the restroom
• After blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing
• After handling your cellphone that has been placed on a table or other area that is not your own
• After touching a recycle or garbage can


• Steps to Wash Your Hands the Right Way:
• Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
• Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers and under your nails.
• Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the "Happy birthday" song from beginning to end twice.
• Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use district approved hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol can be used (for staff and older children who can safely use hand sanitizer).
• Contact your Custodial Services Area Manager to acquire additional handwashing supplies.

Health Monitoring
Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms

Health monitoring and recognizing the signs and symptoms are crucial to help reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19.

• Encourage staff and students planning to enter the school environment to self-screen before coming on-site.
• Do not attempt to enter the school if any of the following are present:
  • A temperature of 100.4° F or higher
  • Symptoms of COVID-19
  • Under evaluation for COVID-19 (for example, waiting for the results of a viral test to confirm infection)
  • Diagnosed with COVID-19 and not yet cleared to discontinue isolation

Absenteeism and Academic Continuity
Monitor and Plan for Absenteeism

Monitor absenteeism of students and employees, cross-train staff, and create a roster of trained backup staff to use in case of excessive employee absences due to illness.

• Review the usual absenteeism patterns at your school among both students and staff.
• School administrators should alert Professional Standards and local health officials about large increases in student and staff absenteeism, particularly if absences appear due to respiratory illnesses (like the common cold or the "flu," which have symptoms similar to COVID-19).
• Review attendance and sick leave policies. Encourage students and staff to stay home when sick, even without documentation from a doctor.
• Identify critical job functions and positions, and plan for alternative coverage by cross-training staff within job description or classification.
• The district will provide further direction in the event a school or classroom needs to pivot to digital learning in order to support academic continuity. 
• For individual students who may need to isolate or quarantine, schools will follow normal procedures for sick students.

Operational Guidance - Schools
Promote Safety and Preventative Measures

Continue encouraging measures to reduce the transmission of infectious diseases.

• Buses
  • Buses will be cleaned or disinfected as needed.
  • Select bus windows should be lowered to improve air circulation.
  • If a student becomes ill during the say, he/she must not use group transportation to return home.
  • Contact your Transportation Area Manager for additional transportation guidance or resources.
    
    
• Classrooms
  • Classrooms will be cleaned or disinfected as needed.
  • Hand sanitizer is available as individuals enter the classroom.
  • Shared object use is discouraged without proper hand hygiene.
    
    
• Common Areas
  • Common areas will be cleaned or disinfected as needed.
  • Ensure bathrooms are stocked with proper handwashing products.
  • Existing plexiglass may remain in place.
    
    
• Visitors and Volunteers
  • Visitors and volunteers are allowed on campus; encourage visitors to self-screen for COVID-19 symptoms prior to coming onsite.
    
    
• Meetings
  • Virtual meetings are permitted when requested by parents or guardians.
  • In-person meetings require documentation indicating attendance and seating locations (seating charts).

• School Clinics
  
  • Staff and students with COVID-19 symptoms will immediately be taken to the Sick Room.
  • Encourage staff and students planning to enter the school environment to self-screen prior to coming onsite. Do not attempt to enter the school if any of the following are present:

• Symptoms of COVID-19
• A temperature of 100.4° F or higher
• Under evaluation for COVID-19 (for example, waiting for the results of a viral test to confirm infection)
• Diagnosed with COVID-19 and not yet cleared to discontinue isolation 

Operational Guidance -Administrative Sites
Promote Safety and Preventative Measures

Sick employees should follow CDC-recommended steps.
Employees should not return to work until the criteria to
discontinue home isolation are met, in consultation with
healthcare providers.

• Offices
  • Reinforce guidance that sick employees stay home.
  • Maintain a clean and sanitary workspace.
  • Practice good hand hygiene throughout the workday.
    
    
• Vehicles
  • Regularly clean and disinfect high touch surfaces in the vehicle.
    
    
• Shared Equipment
  • Equipment (copiers, microwaves, phones tools, etc.) should be cleaned and disinfected regularly.
    
    
• Common Areas
  • Common areas will be cleaned or disinfected as needed.
  • Bathrooms should be stocked with proper handwashing products.
  • Provide hand sanitizer in strategic locations.
  • Existing plexiglass may remain in place.
    
    
• Visitors and Volunteers
  • Visitors are allowed at facilities; encourage visitors to self-screen for COVID-19 symptoms prior to coming onsite.
    
    
• Meetings
  • Virtual meetings are allowed when  possible.
  • In-person meetings require documentation indicating attendance and seating locations (seating charts).

1. Exposed* to COVID-19 positive case
   •  Asymptomatic
     • Individual continues to work or attend class if they remain asymptomatic
   • Symptomatic
     • See Section 2
       
       
2. Symptomatic or COVID-19 positive
   • Return after
     • Individual receives a negative test and is asymptomatic
     • 5 days have passed since symptom onset or positive test result, the individual has had no fever for 24 hours, and the individual's other symptoms are improving; individual should wear a mask for 5 days after return

*Per CDC, exposure is close contact of 6 feet or less for 15 minutes or more.  Contact at greater than 6 feet or for less than 15 minutes is generally not sufficient to transmit the virus.

Return Recommendations for Pre-K - 12 Students

2021-22 SCHOOL YEAR
PROTOCOLS FOR CONTROLLING COVID-19

01 PAUSE Be surgical, not sweeping.  Quickly assess and limit the impact.

02 STAY If you feel sick or see symptoms of sickness, stay home or send home.

03 CLEAN Schools will continue to encourage routine cleaning of classrooms and high-traffic areas.

04 WASH Students will continue to be encouraged to practice routine handwashing throughout the day.

COVID-19 SYMPTOMATIC DECISION TREE

Protocol for students:

1) Exposed* to COVID-19 positive case

• Asymptomatic
  • Parent's Choice
    • Student remains in school if they remain asymptomatic

    OR

    • Student quarantines up to 7 days (no more than 7 days) since the date of exposure to positive individual

2) Symptomatic or Covid-19 positive

• Return after

• Student receives a negative test and is asymptomatic

OR

• 10 days have passed since symptom onset or positive test result, the student has had no fever for 24 hours and the student's other symptoms are improving

OR

• Student receives written permission from a healthcare provider to return to school

*Per CDC, exposure is close contact of 6 feet or less for 15 minutes or more.  Contact at greater than 6 feet or for less than 15 minutes is generally not sufficient to transmit the virus.

Updated:  September 22, 2021

Reporting COVID-19 Cases

• If a student/visitor tests positive for COVID-19 or an employee tests positive, shows symptoms, or has been in close contact with COVID-19 (even if they are vaccinated) the following shall be completed:
  • The supervisor/administrator will complete the COVID-19 Case Management Intake Form.
  • The OCPS COVID-19 Task force will coordinate with FDOH-Orange to ensure the proper actions are taken.
• If any individual tests positive, or comes in close contact, or shows symptoms of COVID-19 the supervisor/administrator should coordinate with Custodial Services to disinfect areas in need.

Information to Support FDOH Contact Tracing
What is Investigative Case Support?

FDOH uses contact tracing to track COVID-19 exposures. Contact tracing is a highly scientific process, requiring specialized training. To assist FDOH contact tracing, OCPS will use investigative case support.

• Professional Standards and/or Student Health Services may request certain documents and information to support the FDOH contact tracing investigations.
• Information required to confirm a positive case.
  • Individual's Name
  • Date of Birth
  • Hard or electronic copy of COVID-19 testing results, if possible, or name and address of agency that conducted the testing
• Information to assist in tracing close contacts:
  • Classroom seating charts or workspace details
  • Individual class or work schedules
  • List of individuals who were within 6 feet for 15 minutes or more of the affected individual
  • Bus information

COVID-19 Vaccine and Testing
Information for Students and Staff

For current information on vaccines and testing, please visit:
www.floridahealth.gov
www.ocfl.net/vaccine
www.ocps.net

• COVID-19 testing and vaccines are readily available to the public.
• Eligibility for the vaccine continues to be updated regularly by the CDC and other public health organizations.
• OCPS, in conjunction with FDOH-Orange, is hosting vaccine events on school campuses.
• Individuals who receive the COVID-19 vaccine may have a different quarantine length if they have come in close contact with COVID-19.
  • Individuals should contact FDOH to determine their level of exposure and vaccination which will dictate the need to quarantine.

The following includes resources where additional information on COVID-19 can be referenced.

• Orange County Public Schools COVID-19 Vaccine Information
• Florida Department of Education-Emergency Response
• Florida Department of Health in Orange County
• Centers for Disease Control

Additional Resources
District Contact Numbers and Helpful Tools

For any additional guidance and resources, please contact the appropriate district office. If you are unsure who to contact, call the district's main telephone line or email [email protected]

District Main Line: 407.317.3200

Employee Hotline: 407.250.6269

General Inquiries: [email protected]

District Website: www.ocps.net