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ED COVID-19 Handbook. Volume 1: Strategies for Safely Reopening Elementary and Secondary Schools. Revised April 2021.
United States. Department of Education. Office of Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development.
Federal Publication/Policy
Technical Report
23 p.
Public Domain
Published: April 2021
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue SW
Washington, DC 20202
Tel: 800-872-5327
Fax: 202-401-0689
TDD/TTY: 800-437-0833
Available From:http://www.ed.gov
Download: https://www2.ed.gov/documents/coronavirus/reopening.pdf
This updated federally funded handbook is designed to assist elementary and secondary schools in safely reopening schools during the COVID-19 pandemic. The updated handbook revises physical distancing recommendations to reflect at least 3 feet between students in classrooms and provides clearer guidance when a greater distance is recommended, and removes recommendations for physical barriers. Volume 1 begins by explaining the Biden-Harris Administration strongly believes that returning to in-person learning as soon as possible is essential for all students and families, that students in underserved communities face unique challenges, and that to reopen safely schools need sufficient resources and strong State and local public health measures that everyone follows. The following section summarizes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) operational strategies and steps for safe school reopening. The CDC K-12 Operational Strategy emphasizes the importance of using a combination of layered prevention strategies to avoid COVID-19 transmission in schools, including universal and correct wearing of masks, physical distancing, handwashing and respiratory etiquette, cleaning and maintaining healthy facilities, and contact tracing in combination with isolation and quarantine. Steps for reopening plans or for continuing openness are explained: analyze community data to determine appropriate in-person learning approaches, require universal masking, plan the use of space, collaborate with public health officials in compliance with applicable privacy laws, improve facility cleaning and ventilation, and determine the format for sports, extracurricular activities, and school events. The handbook then provides recommendations for masking practices, physical distancing, cohorting/podding and staffing considerations, transportation, encouraging families and staff to check for symptoms at home, handwashing and respiratory etiquette, safety considerations related to music, arts, and athletics programs, and supporting ongoing engagement with educators, families, and the school community.
Keywords:
COVID-19; DISASTER PLANNING; DISASTER RESPONSE; SCHOOLS; CHILD SAFETY; ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT; COMMUNICABLE DISEASES; CHILD HEALTH; PREVENTION PROGRAMS; PREVENTIVE HEALTH SERVICES; SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS; LOW INCOME FAMILIES