With the new school year just around the corner, the Springfield Board of Education reviewed COVID-19 protocols from last year and heard recommendations for the upcoming school year.
At the July 28 meeting, Amanda Saucedo, director of health services, provided a recap of 2020-21, noting that 369 staff were triaged with COVID-related concerns; 85 tested positive; 137 were quarantined, 60 of which were from high school related activities, and 78 staff members were tested by the district.
With regard to the student body, the numbers were:
•SHS–485 were triaged; 52 positive cases; 235 quarantined, 118 from school/athletics/extracurricular activities, and 55 were tested by the district;
•Middle School–505 were triaged; 33 tested positive; 207 were quarantined, 95 from school/athletics/extra-curricular activities, and 126 were tested by the district;
•Crissey–198 were triaged; four tested positive; 63 were quarantined, 23 from school/extracurricular activities, and 44 were tested by the district;
•Dorr–415 were triaged; 15 tested positive; 100 were quarantined, 38 from school/extracurricular activities, and 95 were tested by the district;
•Holland–564 were triaged; eight tested positive; 125 were quarantined, 74 from school/extracurricular activities, and 42 were tested by the district;
•Holloway–142 were triaged; 10 tested positive; 63 were quarantined, four from school/extracurricular activities, and 19 were tested by the district.
“In total, 2,678 students and staff were triaged with COVID-related concerns with 207 positive cases,” Ms. Saucedo said.
She noted the largest breakout occurred in the administration building. “Except for the problem in administration, we didn’t see outbreaks in our buildings.”
The health director credited staff for following protocols regarding cleaning, social distancing and the wearing of masks. “Everyone did a really good job.”
Looking ahead to the 2021-22 school year and the recent increase in COVID-19 cases attributed to the more contagious delta variant, Ms. Saucedo recommended continuation of certain protocols. Those include:
•Social distancing–spacing of at least three feet should be maintained in the school setting. “The district did not see any spread with this distancing in spring 2021, she noted, but cautioned that students also wore face coverings.
•Masks–the Centers for Disease Control recommend all unvaccinated students and staff wear masks while indoors. Recent guidance also recommends maintaining face coverings indoors regardless of vaccination status due to the variant’s high transmission, she said, adding, “I recommend masks remain optional while not under a state of emergency.”
•Handwashing–everyone should continue to wash hands frequently and sanitizer should be readily available.
•Symptom management–students with symptoms should remain home until COVID testing is taken and ruled negative before returning to school. Testing is available in the district free of charge.
•Quarantine/isolation–requirements are determined by the health department and are not part of the protocols determined by individual school districts.
•Contact tracing–will be completed by the health department.
•Busing–all students must sit in assigned seats and wear masks while on the bus. When possible, windows should be open a crack to allow for fresh air circulation. Ms. Saucedo said that current public health orders require face coverings on public transportation including school buses.
•Attendance–accurate attendance must be kept daily and seating charts are to be made and followed. Keeping students in groups or pods is highly recommended.
•Cleaning–ventilation should focus on circulating fresh air as much as possible, leaving windows open when possible. Cleaning should be done daily and sufficient to remove potential virus particles from surfaces. Additional cleaning and sanitizing should be done where positive cases or increased sickness has been identified.
•Visitors–should be limited to only essential persons when transmission is moderate to high in the community. If at any time students and staff are required to wear masks, visitors also will be required to do so.
•Food service–social distancing of three feet is recommended if lines are present and when seated to eat. Fully vaccinated staff do not need to distance while eating. Food service no longer needs to serve single-use items or packaged meals. Cafeteria surfaces should be cleaned between lunch periods.
Superintendent Matt Geha plans to send a letter explaining the protocols to parents prior to the start of the school year.
The next board of education meeting will be at 9 a.m., Wednesday, August 11 at the administration building, 6900 Hall Street, Holland, and is open to the public.
–Jane Maiolo
