Portland Forest School
COVID SPECIFIC
Communicable Disease Management Plan for 2022/ 2023
Prepared by:
Elaine Kinchen – Portland Forest School Vice Principal
Reviewed by:
Rachel Sip – Portland Forest School Principal
Oliver Hayes – RN, BSN CEN Consultant
Portland Forest School is a unique educational institution that seeks to meet students academic and educational needs while connecting them to the earth, community and a sense of purpose. Portland Forest School is committed to fostering immersive educational experiences in an outdoor environment. As we face numerous challenges as a society and a community; fostering our students’ independence, resilience, and perseverance outside of four walls is more important than ever. We want to reaffirm our commitment to our mission of education and nature connection as we look to the coming 22-23 school year. To see all immunization data for our school, county and state; visit The iInteractive Immunization map for up to date information.
Communicable disease management plan overview 3
Shared School Spaces and Transportation 3
Forest School Spaces, Events, and Visitors 3
Health and Wellness and Medical Exclusions 4
Communication about infections: 10
Health Authority Contact information To report possible COVID-19 11
Communicable disease management plan overview
Our Learning Plan
Our school has very small class sizes compared to most public or private schools in the district. Most of our school time is spent outside of a physical building. Having school outdoors allows students a chance to move, socialize and learn in a safer environment with more air circulation and a lower rate of transmission of many communicable diseases. When in the field we will follow CDC recommendations for outdoor safety. Students’ supplies will need to be checked by families daily to make sure that they have the things that they need when out in the field. Handwashing stations, and hand sanitizer will be provided and used frequently even when away from the school building.
Shared School Spaces and Transportation
Shared spaces are limited and when possible are assigned restrooms to use as a single cohort. Hand sanitizing stations will be available in each classroom. Entrances, exits on campus will be limited and hand sanitizer will be available at entrances. Younger students will use individual cubbies for belongings to minimize cross contact and help maintain social distancing. Student gear will be clearly labeled with the students name. Students will be asked to provide their own food and sharing will not be allowed. Students must bring a reusable water bottle from home and filling stations will be available.
Transportation
Forest school will follow all applicable guidelines for consistent seating and CDC cleaning recommendations for vehicles, restrooms, classrooms and any other spaces that students and staff interact with. If current county transmissions levels are “MODERATE” to “HIGH” then Transportation will be masked with windows open weather permitting. Students will travel in their cohorts.
Forest School Spaces, Events, and Visitors
Prior to the start of school we will communicate with families any new drop off and pick up procedures that will need to be implemented. Signage and more information will be available before the Fall term begins. If current county transmissions levels are “MODERATE” to “HIGH” students and Visitors will be asked to wear masks indoors.
Distance Learning
Portland Forest School will continue to work in collaboration with directives from the Governor, County and state Health Authorities to adhere to any and all state orders and/or recommendations regarding the safety of in person schooling. If required by the state or county, or if there is substantial risk of contagion the Forest School will switch to our distance learning curriculum. Distance learning will still be graded and meet the Oregon Common Core standards as well as designed to include hands-on lessons and have students outside daily. We are committed to equity in our school community. If distance learning is necessary, families can let us know if they have connectivity or technology needs so that the school can provide assistance.
Health and Wellness and Medical Exclusions
Please make sure that students are not sick before arriving to school. Students may not attend school if they have tested positive for COVID within 5 days, or have 2 or more primary symptoms: Fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea
Isolation
In the building we will have areas identified for those who need to be isolated for any period of time. Parents or emergency contacts will be expected to pick up any isolated student within 30 minutes of receiving a call. Enhanced cleaning and sanitizing will be conducted for all high-touch surfaces. We will increase the circulation of outdoor air within the buildings as much as possible. Any concerns of a person in the building operating outside of these protocols should be immediately reported to school administration. Safety concerns or feedback can be sent to Ian@trackersearth.com.
COVID-19 Addendum
Before School begins:
For students & Guardians
- Communicate to parents health screening guidelines
- Communicate requirement for staff not to work, and guidance to parents not to bring their children to school, if they or anyone in their household have recently had an illness with fever or a new cough, diarrhea, runny nose and sneezing, and any new loss of taste or smell. They should remain home for at least 5 days after illness onset and until 24 hours after fever is gone, without use of fever reducing medicine, and COVID-19 symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath, and diarrhea or other GI upset that is consistent with COVID-19) are improving. Staff or students who have a cough that is not a new onset cough (e.g. asthma, allergies, etc.), do not need to be excluded from school.
- Communicate mask and social distancing policy based on state guidance and best practices as identified by LPHA.
- Mask policy – required on transportation and in indoor areas if the current county transmission level as identified by CDC is at moderate to high levels.
- Make sure that we have correct health information about incoming students including all immunization records, emergency contact information and pertinent health records.
- Prior to the start of school a letter to the families outlining all policies and procedures involving infection control measures will be shared with the school community. Updated communication will be shared at least monthly.
For Staff
- Provide info and training on PPE and school protocols and when to stay home.
- Include PPE guidance and PPE removal
- Sanitize hands before putting on face masks and shields and after removing them
- Include PPE guidance and PPE removal
- Train staff in all guidelines covered in this document including training around screening, handwashing, proper use of PPE, social distancing cleaning procedures and sick policy. See CDC guidance on masks
For Facilities
- Order and confirm adequate supplies of PPE
- School to provide spare masks for students and adequate quantities of masks, gloves and optional face shields for all teachers and floating staff.
- EPA approved Cleaning supplies
- Hand sanitizer for building and teachers
- Post signs for proper hand washing, cough etiquette, mask rules (in case social distancing can’t happen).
- Classrooms will be rearranged to provide the maximum amount of airflow and ventilation per student in each classroom.
- School population with teachers/ administration and students is not to exceed 100 people.
During School:
For Students & Guardians
- Students showing any signs of communicable disease will be immediately quarantined and sent home. All health information will remain confidential.
- Anyone with a temperature of 100.4 or higher or any other covid like symptoms ( new cough or shortness of breath, chills or shaking, muscle pain, headache, vomiting diarrhea, sore throat or new loss of taste or smell) will need to leave the building and may not return to school until cleared to by CDC quarantine and isolation practices.
- If you will not have a test to determine if you are still contagious, you can return to school after these three things have happened:
- You have had no fever for at least 24 hours of no fever without the use of medicine that reduces fevers AND
- Other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved) AND
- At least 5 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared.
- If you will be tested to determine if you are still contagious, you can return to school after these three things have happened:
- 5 days since your positive test or symptoms started have passed AND
- You no longer have a fever (without the use of medicine that reduces fevers) AND
- Other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved)
OR
- You received two negative tests in a row, 24 hours apart. Your doctor will follow the CDC guidelines.
- If you have been tested and determined not to have contracted COVID-19, you should stay home until at least 48 hours after you are free of fever, or signs of a fever without the use of fever-reducing medications.
Other Guidelines
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- Students will spend approximately 85% of each school day outside in either parks, public lands and recreation sites, or private outdoor spaces.
- Students will be masked inside if county transmission levels are “MODERATE” to “HIGH”, or for 10 days within a cohort if there was a positive exposure in class.
- Students will eat meals socially distanced outside whenever possible.
Isolation and visitors
- In the event of signs of illness families will be asked to immediately pick up their student. Student will be kept isolated from other students until they are picked up by guardians. If the student is positive and there was in class exposure we will ask the class to mask when inside for 10 days following the exposure to minimize in class transmission and student absences.
For Staff
- Staff may not come to work if they are feeling sick, have been exposed to any contagious communicable disease. Staff exhibiting symptoms will be required to quarantine following CDC isolation and quarentine guidance. before returning to work.
- We will provide staff with all appropriate PPE related to their job duties including face coverings and disposable gloves.
- Staff will be provided with hand sanitizer, water and soap to facilitate handwashing
- At the start and end of each school day
- After sneezing or coughing
- Before and after eating
- After using the restroom
- Staff will not provide any food to students or allow food sharing during school
For Facilities
- Surfaces will be cleaned in accordance with EH&E Guidelines using EPA approved cleaners.
- All classroom areas, high touch areas, bathrooms, sinks, water filling stations will be cleaned each day following CDC guidance by staff in appropriate PPE.
- There will be weekly deep cleaning done of the building.
- Closed building spaces will be outfitted with MERV 3 HEPA air filtration devices.
- Doors and windows will be open whenever possible to facilitate ventilation.
Transportation –
- In between uses during the day vehicles will be cleaned according to CDC guidelines
- Students will be masked on vehicles during times of “MODERATE” to “HIGH” county transmission, or if there has been an in class positive case in 10 days.
- Windows will remain open to increase ventilation
In the Event of Illness:
Definitions
Presumptive case: When you have been exposed to someone with a positive coronavirus test AND you have symptoms of cough, fever, or shortness of breath.
Quarantine: When you stay away from other people for a period of time when you may become sick with an infection, even if you have no symptoms.
Fever free: A temperature less than 100.4 F AND not using fever-reducing medicine (e.g. Tylenol)
The Portland Forest School for all Students and Staff follows CDC isolation guidance for Families and staff:
- Anyone showing any signs of communicable disease will be immediately quarantined and sent home. All health information will remain confidential.
- Anyone with a temperature of 100.4 or higher or any other covid like symptoms ( new cough or shortness of breath, chills or shaking, muscle pain, headache, vomiting diarrhea, sore throat or new loss of taste or smell) will need to leave the building and may not return to school until cleared to by CDC quarantine and isolation practices.
- If you will not have a test to determine if you are still contagious, you can return to school after these three things have happened:
- You have had no fever for at least 24 hours of no fever without the use of medicine that reduces fevers AND
- Other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved) AND
- At least 5 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared.
- If you will be tested to determine if you are still contagious, you can return to school after these three things have happened:
- 5 days since your positive test or symptoms started have passed AND
- You no longer have a fever (without the use of medicine that reduces fevers) AND
- Other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved)
OR
- You received two negative tests in a row, 24 hours apart. Your doctor will follow the CDC guidelines.
- If you have been tested and determined not to have contracted COVID-19, you should stay home until at least 24 hours after you are free of fever, or signs of a fever without the use of fever-reducing medications.
For Students & Guardians
- If a student misses school OR is sent home sick we will call guardians to check on students and follow up on health. If COVID-19 is suspected or confirmed we will notify the class and request that the class is masked when indoors for the next 10 days. Students will be given time to make up missed work and will not be penalized for late work from that period. Teachers will assist in making sure that students receive any notes or work that was missed because of mandatory quarantine time.
- Any child or staff member with one of the following symptoms should be sent home and quarantine for a minimum of 24 hrs:
- fever (greater than or equal to 100.4F)
- cough, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing.
In the absence of fever or respiratory symptoms, anyone with two of the following should be excluded: chills or shaking, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, or new loss of taste or smell.
Lastly, following general recommendations for any school or school setting, anyone (staff or child) with vomiting or diarrhea should not participate until at least 24 hours after symptoms stop.
For Staff
- If a staff member stays home sick they will be contacted to confirm what symptoms of illness they have. If COVID-19 is suspected or confirmed we will notify families of any in class exposure and ask for indoor masking for 10 days.
For Facilities
- An area will be designated at indoor facilities for supervised isolation of suspected illness. Supervising staff is required to wear full PPE (eye protection, mask and gloves) and follow CDC protocol in removing PPE after the student is picked up by guardians.
- Staff will be equipped with an additional full set of PPE for monitoring students in isolation, as well as for changing into after monitoring students in isolation.
- After pick up, isolation area must be cleaned and disinfected following EH&E Guidelines
Communication about infections:
Reporting Confirmed Cases
- Report of Confirmed COVID-19 case from public to school staff
- Staff informs Admin team. Staff does not disclose to other staff or public
or
- Admin reports to Local Public Health Authority (LPHA) or Local Public Health Authority reports a confirmed case to school admin
- Admin obtains details on confirmed case including date of test, date of onset of illness, last known exposure at school, disposition (hospitalized, etc.) and public health recommendations.
- *OAR 333-003-0050 authorizes school districts to release individually identifiable information to LPHA relative to an impending public health emergency, anyone exposed to a communicable disease, or a reportable disease or condition of public health importance
- RN, administration, and PIO collaborate on school/district communication
- Principal notifies staff of confirmed details and exposures
- Admin obtains details on confirmed case including date of test, date of onset of illness, last known exposure at school, disposition (hospitalized, etc.) and public health recommendations.
Confirmed Case Response
- Work with LPHA to determine next steps and if temporary closure is warranted
- As coordinated with LPHA and RN, increased surveillance or monitoring may be designated in specific buildings or cohorts
- Employ applicable enhanced disinfection procedures
- Disinfect classroom(s)
- Disinfect common spaces
- Disinfect High touch surfaces
- If someone is confirmed sick or carrier of contagious illness: The administration will contact the parents or guardians of the other students in the class to alert them of the situation via telephone and email. If the sick student has siblings in school, the same action plan will be following for other potentially affected classes.
- In the case of a vaccine preventable illness, immunization records will be consulted and if shared with appropriate health authorities.
- The principal will remain in contact with the parents of the affected class until the symptomatic staff/student is either back to full health and non-symptomatic.
- If someone reports illness after a school session The Principal will contact the parent of the other students and/or affected staff member(s) of the class to alert them of the situation via telephone. If the sick student had siblings in school, the same action plan will be followed for other potentially affected classes. Parents of students will be notified after initial test results are known.
Communication Chain:
Portland Forest School Administration
Principal Rachel Sip 971-570-1356
Vice-Principal Elaine Kinchen 503-964-0158
Forest School Main Main # 503-858-8423
Health Authority Contact information To report possible COVID-19
Portland
Multnomah Contact 619 NW 6th Avenue, 7 th Floor 503-988-3674
Portland, Oregon 97209 Fax: 503-988-3676
Clackamas Contact 2051 Kaen Road, Suite #367 503-742-5300Oregon City, OR 97045 FAX 503-742-5352