COVID-19 Health Response Handbook – Launch to Learning 2020-21

In this time of uncertainty, we know school is a place of comfort and consistency for our students. It is important to us that we provide clarity regarding LISD’s COVID-19 Health Response Plan so campus staff may design protocols to protect the safety and health of our students and staff. Campus leaders will work with their staff to ensure the implementation of these guidelines throughout the school year.

● Ensure Classroom and Campus Health and Safety Guidelines
● Practice Social Distancing and Student Health
● Provide Clear Structures to Support Academic Growth

Visitor limitations will help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and reduce the risk of exposure to our staff and students. All campus approved visitors must complete a health screening and wear appropriate facial coverings before entering the building. Only parents and guardians that have completed screening will be allowed past the front office for scheduled appointments. The campus will need to limit the number of visitors based on social distancing guidelines.

Building access will be limited to 5:30 p.m., except for after school care, in order to allow for the cleaning necessary to protect staff and student health.

Leander ISD will discontinue staff and student travel to conferences, workshops, and non-UIL contests until further notice unless pre-approved by the Campus Activities and Support Area Superintendent, John Graham, or Sr. Executive Director, Jody Hormann. Budgets for travel have been removed. Employees shall not travel together within the district or in personal vehicles (except for Transportation employees as required by their job).

If traveling out of state, will a student be required to quarantine before returning to in-person learning?
It will depend on what the Country Transmission Level is that they are traveling to. We will follow the local, state, and federal recommendations/guidelines.

Sanitation of classroom and workspaces will take place throughout the school day and each evening after the dismissal of students. LISD campus and district leaders will provide appropriate signage to indicate a room that requires sanitizing and disinfecting. Teachers meeting in teams or visiting other classrooms shall wear facial coverings, wash their hands, and have appropriate social distancing. Employees are asked to disinfect their own personal workspaces with district-provided materials throughout the day, giving special attention to commonly touched surfaces. This includes:

● Door handles
● Personal desk area
● Technology spaces
● Commonly used surface spaces

There will be limited access to certain workspaces to reduce exposure to risks and ensure employee safety. Workspace usage is as follows:

Capacity – Campus staff will self-monitor the number of employees gathered together. 

Conference Rooms – Conference rooms that cannot provide adequate social distancing should not be used. Signage indicating capacity limits will be placed on conference room doors. Meetings will use a virtual option when possible, even for employees in the office or school. 

Breakrooms or Teacher Lounge/Multipurpose Room – Social distancing will be enforced in this area at all times. Shared appliances, such as Keurig machines, refrigerators, and microwaves, will be sanitized after each use. Disposable utensils, plates, cups, etc. should be used as much as possible.

Copy Room – The number of staff allowed in a copy or workroom will be limited to ensure social distancing. Signage indicating capacity will be posted. Materials will be provided to help self-clean after each use.

The safety and health of our employees and students is our top priority. In addition to the thorough cleaning of the office and school before employees and students return, the cleaning steps outlined below are to be taken to disinfect workplace surfaces, chairs, tables, etc. to protect employees and reduce the risk of spread of infection. We will require employees to maintain this safety standard by continuously cleaning and disinfecting based on the frequency stated below.

General measures should be followed regularly. The Custodial staff will clean all instructional and common areas and will disinfect every night, starting right after the building becomes unoccupied. 

The added measures of deep cleaning happens when an employee or student is identified as showing symptoms of COVID-19 based on the campus nurse’s assessment or a positive test has been reported. The District Nurse will communicate immediately with the Custodial Department with the area(s) identified to be cleaned and disinfected. The area will be maintained unoccupied and open for air circulation after disinfection. 

District and campus leaders will establish a protocol to ensure each campus has an adequate supply of soap, disinfectant, hand sanitizer, paper towels, and tissues.
District and campus leaders will establish a protocol to ensure each campus has an adequate supply of gloves and other protective gear.
Electronic screening materials and touchless thermometers available for staff and student health checks, based upon availability and District protocol.

Social distancing protocols, sanitizing, and the wearing of facial coverings will be implemented on school buses to protect student safety.  

Social Distancing – Students who do not live in the same household will be seated at least six feet from other students on the bus (in most cases, this will mean one student per row, on opposite sides of the bus). 

The seat directly behind the driver should be left empty for distancing purposes.

Whenever possible, windows will be opened to improve airflow by allowing outside air to circulate in the bus.

Facial coverings will be worn and hand sanitizer used prior to boarding the bus. 

Buses will be thoroughly cleaned after each bus trip, focusing on high-touch surfaces such as bus seats, steering wheels, knobs, and door handles. A log of cleaning will be submitted to the route supervisor at the end of each route.

When students are loading and unloading, the campus administration will ensure social distancing.

NOTE:  All student COVID-19 related concerns should be addressed with the campus nurse.

Parents are asked to health screen their children prior to coming to school each morning.  Students should stay home if they have any indication of symptoms. This includes a procedure by which adults will complete a Google Form accessed through a QR code at the entrance of the school. Students will complete a screening through a pending app that will be shared later this summer.

Questions related to COVID-19 symptoms include:
● Cough
● Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing 
● Chills
● Repeated shaking with chills
● Muscle pain
● Headache
● Sore throat
● Loss of taste or smell
● Diarrhea
● Feeling feverish or a measured temperature greater than or equal to 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit
● Known close contact with a person who is lab-confirmed to have COVID-19

By coming to school, you are attesting that you confidently answered “NO” to ALL of the above questions and have a very low risk of carrying or spreading COVID-19. If you answered “YES” to ANY of the above questions, you are to stay home.  All screening information will be kept confidential by the campus administration and the campus nurse.  

When a student displays symptoms of COVID-19, the school nurse will assess and determine if and when a student needs to be sent home.  

Students who are sick will maintain a face covering, move to a separate sick room, and should be picked up within an hour from contacting the student’s parent or guardian.  

Staff/teacher displaying COVID-19 symptoms or has a confirmed case must follow district protocols. 

Campus COVID Team will identify those who have been in close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 positive or symptomatic individual. Those individuals will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days from their last exposure to that individual.
During that 14 day quarantine, the student will take part in virtual learning.

Personal communication will be provided to the parents of students who came in close contact with a COVID-19 positive student or staff member.

District communication will be provided to the parents of all students who were in the classroom with a COVID-19 positive student or staff member.

Students who have tested positive for COVID-19 will be required to provide a doctor’s release before returning to school.  

The classroom or area will be disinfected once unoccupied.

COVID TEAMS

Campus: Principal, Assistant Principal, School Nurse
District:  Executive Director of Campus Support, Director of Risk Management, District Nurse

Teams will collaborate and discuss the health status of a positively tested student, communicate to students, staff, and parents, review contact tracing protocol, and make the appropriate decisions to reduce the spread of illness.  
Teams will Identify a location where a student who is exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 will be taken to isolate them from others until the individual can be picked up from school.

IMMEDIATE ACTION AFTER NOTIFICATION

STEP ONE: Assistant Principal
● Verify attendance dates for the sick student from the class schedule. 
● Identify those who have been within six feet of the individual for 15 minutes or more at any time within 48 hours before the individual’s onset of symptoms until the individual has left school property. Those individuals will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days from their last exposure to that individual (exception: School Nurse wearing appropriate PPE).
● Implement CDC Guidelines for Cleaning Protocols
– Open classroom/office doors to increase circulation, when possible.
– Clean all areas, surfaces, and equipment used by the person who is sick.
– Vacuum the space only when unoccupied.
● Remind teachers/staff that were in direct, prolonged contact with the sick individual to contact Colleen Corrigan in Human Resources ASAP and follow district protocols.
● Communicate the information below to the impacted classroom teacher(s) and include/cc Corey Ryan, Matt Mitchell, Darla Humes, Cristin Wicketts, and Area Superintendent in the communication that goes out.

STEP TWO: Classroom Teacher and Assistant Principal
Classroom teacher(s) will compile a parent email list and send out the statement below as notification of a positive COVID-19 test and include/cc Corey Ryan, Matt Mitchell, Darla Humes, Cristin Wicketts and Principal in the communication that goes out.
Assistant Principal will personally notify every parent/guardian of students in close contact with an individual that tested positive for COVID-19. Quarantine procedures will be provided. 
Assistant Principal will communicate with Area Superintendent, Principal, and Risk Management upon completion of contact tracing protocol and facility sanitization.
Assistant Principal will submit the names of identified infected class, to the campus nurse who will communicate and coordinate with Travis/Williamson County Health Department.

STEP THREE: Assistant Principal
Assistant Principal will send a Return to Class communication to all staff/families and include/cc Corey Ryan, Matt Mitchell, Darla Humes, Cristin Wicketts, and Principal in the communication that goes out.

Social distancing, defined as keeping a safe distance of six feet when contact is longer than 15 minutes, is an effective way to prevent potential infection. Efforts should be made to avoid close contact.

Close contact, defined as direct exposure to infectious secretions (e.g., being coughed on while not wearing a facial covering) or being within six feet of the individual for a cumulative duration of 15 minutes, while not wearing a facial covering, within 48 hours before the individual’s onset of symptoms. Those individuals will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days from their last exposure to that individual. (exception: School Nurse wearing appropriate PPE).

LISD employees, students, parents, and visitors will practice and model maintaining social distance in all settings and avoiding close, sustained contact with others. Additionally, staff will ensure:

Arrivals should be staggered and separated between entry points to avoid crowding in the hallways. This may interrupt instructional time.

Students will be dropped off and enter the school building without visitors.

Campus principals will provide a plan for students to find their classrooms.

Staff on duty assisting students entering vehicles, busses, daycare vans, etc. will wear face coverings and gloves.

Dismissal procedures should be staggered and separated between entry points to avoid crowding in the hallways.  

Parents will need to minimize visits inside the school building for only essential needs to reduce the number of individual interactions. (e.g., have parents drop off and pick up students outside the school rather than inside). 

If parents need to pick up their child early from school, they will need to properly self-screen, wear a mask, etc. 

Parents should maintain social distancing when arriving at the campus. 

Staff on duty assisting students entering vehicles, busses, daycare vans, etc. will wear face coverings and gloves.

Schools will implement one-way hallways whenever possible to limit traffic in a given area.

Transitions between classes should be staggered to avoid student to student close contact. When possible, the teacher should rotate to the student location (Elementary).

Teach and reinforce hallway transition procedures. 

Consider campus bathroom practices to minimize the number of students in the bathroom at the same time.  

● A teacher may choose to take the entire class for a restroom break at once and monitor distancing.
● Restroom use for portable buildings will allow for two students at a time to allow for use of the buddy system moving from portable to main building. Assign regular buddies to limit exposure to multiple partners.
● Place posters at handwashing stations near restrooms.
● Minimize the amount of students handwashing at the same time. 

Transitions to and from breakfast and lunch should be staggered to ensure social distancing within lines and at tables. This may require some students to have lunch in the classroom or outside.

Procedures for accessing classroom lockers and cubbies should be staggered and separated to allow for appropriate distancing.

Facial coverings provide a barrier to viruses to protect themselves and others. These will be worn during arrival, dismissal, transitions, and within classrooms. Facial coverings must be worn over the mouth and nose, and the face-covering must be made out of material that adequately blocks the transmission of air and droplets. 

Washing your hands regularly is a highly effective defense against any virus. Please note that social distancing should still be practiced even with the use of gloves and facial coverings.

In addition to using facial coverings: 

● Campus and classroom procedures will determine regular procedures throughout the day for students and staff to wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Students and staff may use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
● Students and staff should be reminded to avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth.
● Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow during any time facial coverings are not worn.

Bringing or sharing refreshments during meetings is not allowed in order to limit risk. Food delivery for students and staff, as well as personal package delivery, is not allowed.  Should a student leave their lunch at home, the parent should contact the school to follow campus procedures.

Ensuring student health during meal times will be necessary through social distancing and cleaning procedures. All students will be socially distanced within the cafeteria to the greatest extent possible. The meal will be served to the student. Salad bars will no longer be self-serve. Most secondary options will be prepackaged with hot and cold entrée selections available. Campus leaders will also prepare the markings of social distancing in the cafeteria and service lines.

BREAKFAST
● Students will wash/sanitize hands before entering the cafeteria and after breakfast and lunch.
● No self serve options. 
● Tables will be spaced at maximum capacity with the goal of social distancing. 
● Utilize 50% of table capacity for student use.
● Utilize paper sack breakfast as an option if social distancing can’t be done in the cafeteria.   

LUNCH (in the cafeteria)
● Students will wash/sanitize hands before entering the cafeteria.  
● The schedule will incorporate social distancing within serving lines.
● Tables would be sanitized between uses (need a 5 min break in between). 
● Utilize 50% of table capacity for student use.
● No self serve options. 
● Tables will be spaced at maximum capacity with the goal of social distancing. 
● Mark the floor with distancing for students to stand on upon entry of the cafeteria line. 
● No visitors at lunch, see visitor guidelines. 

Campuses will work collaboratively with CNS to decrease the time students are in
line deciding what they want for lunch. (Ex: google form, circled choices, Nutrislice Mobile App.)  

Campuses will work collaboratively with CNS to determine the best process to get students through the line with maximum efficiency (ex: scanning barcodes on cards or a roster). 

● One grade level maximum recommended per playground at one time.  Any use of high touch surfaces should involve cleaning between classes.
● Students will be required to wash/sanitize their hands before going to recess and upon entering the classroom/building. 
● We will have students spread out to maximum capacity during recess. 

Student seating/desks will be spaced apart to the greatest extent possible within the classroom. Large spaces, such as the school gym, may be converted into classroom spaces to provide greater social distancing. Campus leaders and the principal will be responsible for implementing these guidelines and communicating them to parents. Additionally, Leander ISD will comply with the latest social distancing, health, and hygiene recommendations set forth by the Texas Education Agency and coordinated with the local health department. Campus leadership teams will work to ensure the following within each instructional space.

● Space seating/desks to ensure social distancing as much as possible.
● Turn desks to face the same direction, or have students sit on only one side of tables, spaced apart.
● Remove unnecessary furniture from the classroom to help aid social distancing.

Specials 
● Specials group rosters are constructed to increase tracking opportunities
● Utilize outside space, as weather appropriate, to increase social distancing
● Promote games and activities which do not require physical contact with other students
● If balls/equipment is used, sanitize after use prior to a new group
● Require students to wash hands/hand sanitizer before and after specials
● For art class, students do not share manipulatives, resources (brushes, clay, scissors, glue sticks, etc.)
● Performing Arts does not engage in vocal singing/instrumentation activities which conflict with TEA Public Health guidance.
● When possible, the teachers should rotate into a student classroom location to minimize student movement

Locker-Rooms
Campus leaders will work with PE and Athletics staff to ensure locker room protocols maintain six feet of distance when contact is 15 minutes or longer and appropriate post-student group sanitation of high touch surfaces.

Campus leaders will establish the maximum capacity for the facility that allows for social distancing and post the maximum capacity sign on the door. Supplies will be provided to employees to sanitize after themselves in staff only restrooms. Campus leaders will work with staff to establish hallway access and restroom protocol that ensures social distancing. Water fountains will not be accessible, but access to water bottle filling will be made available. Parents are encouraged to send their students to school with a refillable water bottle each day.

Students will receive support as outlined in their IEP, 504 plan, or RtI plan to the fullest extent possible. We will work with families to communicate plans for service delivery and to seek feedback about services. Staff will follow CDC and LISD safety guidelines and be mindful of limiting contact, sanitizing procedures, and social distancing.  Principals will need to consider Master scheduling options: consider/discuss with Special Programs team the possibility of grouping students in classes (as appropriate for students and staff) to limit contact of Sprog staff with multiple classes, dividing support staff when possible in order to serve specific grade levels, and the location of services (in neighborhoods, open spaces or classrooms close to general education setting). Support staff will sanitize in between groups/classrooms and wear a facial covering if social distancing of 6 ft. is not instructionally possible.

Below you will find a brief description of infection control measures that were prepared in collaboration with the Leander ISD Health Services Department, local, state, and federal public health departments. These measures will be practiced to prevent the spread of infection and break the chain of infection. 

Healthy Hygiene Practices 
Ensure optimal healthy hygiene practices, including handwashing or the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers, to prevent infections and reduce the number of viable pathogens that contaminate the hands. Handwashing is the single most effective infection control intervention (CDC). Hand sanitizing dispensers will be located throughout the campus Students, staff, and volunteers will be encouraged to wash hands/use hand sanitizer often:

Encouraging Preventative Measures 
Preventative measures signs will be posted in high-traffic areas that will educate students and staff and serve as reminders of ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19.  

Will UIL sports be allowed in the coming school year? If so, what restrictions will be in place?
Fall sport start dates were released by UIL sports on July 21. To view the updates in detail, please visit https://www.uiltexas.org/policy/covid-19. Similar to summer strength and conditioning activities, practices and contests will follow protocols established by UIL, TEA, and Leander ISD. In-season and off-season activities will follow the most current guidelines available. Per UIL guidelines, attendance at scrimmages and games for spectators is limited to 50% capacity. Ticket sale information will be released in the coming weeks.

How will Physical Education (PE) classes work?
Whenever possible, PE classes will be held outside and utilize as much social distancing as instructionally possible. Hand sanitizing and hygiene practices will be utilized at the beginning and end of class. Specific guidelines appropriate to age will be shared with teachers prior to the beginning of the school year.

How will social distancing be implemented in extra-curricular activities?
These guidelines are under development and will follow the pending guidance of the Texas Education Agency and the University Interscholastic League.

Will facial coverings be required of staff and students?
Yes. The Governor’s Order on July 2nd requires facial coverings, such as masks, for staff, and all students while on school buses and in common areas, hallways, restrooms, and other areas where 6 feet of distancing cannot be maintained.
Students under 10 years old may be allowed to remove their facial covering based on classroom protocols being established by the District. Expectations for the use of facial coverings will be appropriate to age and need.

Will the use of facial coverings be enforced?
Failure to wear a facial covering will be a dress code violation. Campuses will have a stock of disposable masks to provide students a mask if a student fails to bring a mask to school, or if a student’s mask is no longer clean and safe to properly wear.

Will the district provide facial coverings or gloves to students and staff?
Campuses will be provided a supply of masks and gloves for staff and students unable to provide their own.

How will students who need breakfast/lunch acquire access when they are attending virtual empowered learning that day? Will there be locations for families to pick up food?
Virtual learners will be provided the opportunity to pick up meals at designated sites. Additional information will be provided on the menu, ordering processes, and pick up locations in the near future.

In order to prevent potential exposure to infectious diseases for vulnerable students receiving other medical treatments, all student visits to the Campus Clinic will follow campus procedures. When possible, care may be provided in the classroom. 

If a staff member believes a student needs to be seen in the clinic:

Staff will be asked to call or radio the Campus Nurse with a request for an ill student visit.

Nurse will prioritize the student for a visit and direct them to the campus designated “well” or “sick” clinic area based on symptoms. 

Students will independently walk to the campus clinic unless it is unsafe to do so or considered an emergency. 

If it is an emergency, 911 should NEVER be delayed. Activate EMS and delegate as appropriate.

First aid to the degree possible, should be handled by the student and in the classroom to prevent office congregation and possible cross exposure.  
The following recommendations are:

1. All classrooms will be stocked with limited first aid supplies. 
2. To the extent possible, students provide self-care with staff direction and physical distancing.
3. Teachers will be able to consult over the phone with the campus nurse if guidance is needed. If it’s determined that care cannot be done in the classroom the student will be sent to the designated “well” clinic area for care.

Teachers are encouraged to contact the campus nurse prior to sending the student to the clinic if they are uncertain or need guidance about student care. Ideally, teachers will consult with the campus nurse over the phone prior to sending students to the clinic. If a student arrives at the clinic prior to a phone consultation, they will be expected to wait in the designated clinic waiting location on campus until the campus nurse or principal delegated trained staff member can get to them. 

● Minor Toothache / Primary Tooth comes out
● Small paper cuts, abrasions, picked scabs.
● Localized bug bites. (no HX of allergy)
● Minor headache or fatigue with no other symptoms.  
● Mild stomach ache or nausea.  
● Readily controlled nosebleeds, where the student can deliver self-care.
● Anxiety/stress/psychological issue- try calming techniques and/or contact the school counselor.

Paper cuts, small abrasions, picked scabs
– Wash hands.
– Direct to the classroom first aid kit to wash and apply band-aid if needed.
– Wash hands.
Minor headaches and/or fatigue & student is not acting ill in the classroom, especially immediately after lunch or recess
– Encourage snack or drink water.
– Apply cool water to the face and neck.
– Rest 30 minutes.
– If worsening, contact the nurse for a clinic visit.
Mild indigestion and/or upset stomach especially immediately after lunch or recess
– Allow to use the restroom.
– Drink water.
– Rest 30 minutes.
– If worsening, contact the nurse for a clinic visit.
Localized bug bite (no known Hx of allergy) 
– Apply a cool damp paper towel.
Clothing or Glasses repair
– Email or call the campus clinic to determine what supplies are needed.
– Soiled underwear or clothing
– Classroom teachers need to encourage parents to keep supplies and multiple – changes of clothing in all student backpacks.
– Students may be directed to self-clean up and discard fecal contaminated clothing in a double bag by a first aid provider, paraprofessional, or IA.
– If the student needs to be sent home for hygiene, the parent/guardian may be contacted by the teacher, staff, or campus nurse.

As students return, the primary goal will be to support the whole child. The LISD Health Services Department and Counselling Department will work closely together to identify ways to support students appropriately.  

To the degree possible, make every effort to identify ways that medications may be taken at home, instead of during school hours. The following steps should be taken to ensure the safety of all students and minimize office clustering.

1. A letter should be sent home to all parents explaining that students that must take medication during school will need to make an appointment prior to the start of school to bring the medication in so that delivery time may be staggered. 
2. Any nebulizer medication delivery must be converted to an inhaler with a spacer to avoid Aerosolized Transmissible Diseases (ATD) of COVID-19 (Taras, 2020). The school nurse will work with the primary care physician and parents. 
3. Parents will bring in the medication coupled with the completed and signed LISD Medication Request Form and /or orders to the campus nurse.
4. Follow district policy for student medication(s) required to be given during the school day and appropriate. 
5. Stagger student times of coming into the designated “Well” room for medication administration.  Social distancing reminders will be placed on the floor to remind students to keep their distance. 

1. Make an appointment with the school office or wait in line, while maintaining social distancing to drop the medication off at the school. 
2. Medication must be delivered to the school by the parent/guardian or another responsible adult.
3. Medication must be in your student’s original, pharmacy-labeled container, or a sealed over-the-counter container.
4. All liquid medication must be accompanied by an appropriate measuring device.
5. Any tablets requiring partial doses (1/2 or 1/4) must be sent to the school already cut.

1. Medication must be picked up by the parent/guardian or another responsible adult.
2. Any medication that has not been picked up by the end of the school year will be appropriately disposed of.

Please note the healthcare services discussed below do not include a full encompassing list of health services offered/provided by LISD. The mentioned services are examples of commonly provided care. If a specific healthcare service is not mentioned or is mentioned without a detailed explanation and there is a need for further discussion in order to support a specific student need, please do not hesitate to reach out to the campus nurse to schedule a time to discuss further.

Asthma Care
Please note; during COVID-19, nebulizer use is discouraged since nebulizers aerosolize medication. The Campus Nurse will work with the student’s parent/guardian and health care provider to switch to an inhaler with a space chamber. 

Aerosol Generating Procedures (AGP) are those that are more likely to generate higher concentrations of infectious respiratory aerosols than coughing, sneezing, talking, or breathing.  These procedures potentially put healthcare personnel at an increased risk for pathogen exposure and infection. 

Diabetes Care
In the event that a child needs supervision and management by a member of the school health team, he/she should be permitted to report to the well-child area (where other students report for medication administration, first aid, etc.) when needed.  

Diapering
G-Tube Feedings
Catheterization Care
Oral / Nasal / Pharyngeal Suctioning and Tracheostomy Care
Daily Living Assistance (ADL) such as Feeding or Toileting 

To help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and reduce the potential risk of exposure to our employees and students, employees are required to follow the LISD Employee Protocols – Return to Work which discusses social distancing, facial coverings, and sanitizing requirements. Additionally, all employees will be required to conduct daily health screenings as outlined on the second page in the LISD Employee Protocols – Return to Work document. All employee screening information will be kept confidential by district staff and Human Resources. 

An employee may be eligible for up to 10 days of paid leave (outside of their regular annual leave granted by LISD) for the following reasons:

● Employee is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and is seeking a medical diagnosis
● Employee has been advised by a healthcare provider to self-quarantine related to COVID-19 and has provided the documentation to HR

An employee may be eligible for up to 10 days leave at ⅔ pay to care for a family member that is diagnosed with COVID-19.

An employee may be eligible for up to 12 weeks of paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave at ⅔ pay if caring for his or her child whose school or place of care is closed (or child care provider is unavailable) due to COVID-19 related reasons.

Should an employee be eligible for any of these leaves, HR will code these into AESOP directly.

NOTE:  An employee who experiences multiple instances of symptoms, testing, or quarantine is only allowed a maximum of 10 days of paid leave per federal law.  If additional time is needed, the employee will be required to use their personal accrued leave or go into leave without pay as they would with any other illness.

Will tests be provided at no cost when students and staff are tested positive?
Currently, if an employee or student is exposed they are encouraged to get tested based on their healthcare provider’s guidance. Most insurance covers the cost of the actual test (doctor office and urgent care visit fees would be covered based on their insurance plan design – deductibles would need to be met and then coinsurance). Multiple tests would still be covered the same as the initial test.

Will front line teachers/staff be receiving hazard pay?
Currently, LISD is not paying hazardous duty pay for teachers.

Presented remotely to ensure understanding and preparedness to align with this manual.

Chiefs and department directors will provide specific training to all staff on LISD Employee Protocols and other information in this Handbook to ensure expectations and requirements are clear to staff.

Align local protocols and procedures with this manual; meeting areas must adhere to social distancing protocols or present via digital platforms such as Zoom.

Disinfection methods, comprehensive cleaning training.