SAFE REOPENING OF SCHOOLS

GUIDANCE FOR STAFFFOR THE

1. All staff who arrive at the school must wear a mask covering their nose and mouth.

2.  All staff MUST be screened (temperature check, interview when necessary) upon entry of the school. 

3. Any staff member who is found to have an elevated temperature 100°F (or 37.7°C) or higher must have their temperature rechecked after 15 minutes. If the individual’s temperature remains elevated he/she will not be permitted onto the compound.

4. Visitation to the school compound by non-education personnel is discouraged at this time. All visitors who do not have urgent concerns should call or email the school.  

 

Screening upon Entry to Schools

1. Principals will ensure that staff, students, and parents/guardians are aware of the following through email, newsletters and other electronic means:  • system of timetabling and days when

students are not required to be at school • times for scheduled break and lunch • policy for personal hygiene  • drop-off and pick-up policies of the school

Communication

Parents

StaffNew school policies in response to COVID-19

SCHOOL NEWS

WHAT’S NEW AT

SCHOOL

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1. Physical distancing of ideally six (6) feet but no less than three (3) feet must be maintained in all spaces and at all times during the school day. 

2. Signage reinforcing, physical distancing, good hand and respiratory hygiene must be displayed in all communal areas throughout the school.

3. Breaks and other movements should be staggered to ensure that all persons adhere to the physical distancing protocol and hand hygiene practices. 

4. Teachers should, as needed, allow periods where children can remove their masks. This should only be permitted is physical distancing (3-6 feet) can be facilitated.

5. Whole school assemblies are not recommended. However, alternatives can be considered which allow for no contact or where physical distancing can be maintained.

6. Where appropriate, teachers should allow students to eat their meals at their desks/tables in class or should be given pre-packaged meals for take-away.

Physical Distancing

6ft

1. Teachers are permitted to wear face shields

while teaching and maintaining no less than

three (3) feet physical distance.  

2. Teachers may consider using masks with a

see-through covering over the mouth (and

nose) when teaching young students or

students with disabilities for improved

communication.  

3. School nurses and delegated staff must

use the requisite PPE (surgical masks,

reusable face shield, hooded face shield,

gloves, and/or gowns) in specific health

services situations to include attending to

or monitoring anyone exhibiting respiratory

or flu-like symptoms where it is not possible

to maintain the recommended physical

distance.  

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

2 x 2 = 42 x 3 = 6

1. All staff will be encouraged to:Wash hands with soap and water, lathering for at least

20 seconds.  Use hand sanitisers (70-90% minimum alcohol) where

washing of hands is not possible. Refrain from touching eyes, noses and mouths. 

2. Hand washing should occur: Upon entering the school compound   Before entering the classroom;  Before and after snack and lunch;  Before and after using the bathroom;  Taking a student to the bathroom / helping a student with

toileting;  After sneezing, wiping or blowing nose;  After using shared items or surfaces (e.g. telephones,

electronic devices, keyboards, computer mice, musical instruments, tools, desks or table tops);  

When hands are visibly soiled.  

3. Hand sanitisers should be placed in strategic locations on the school compound and monitored for refill as necessary. 

PLEASE SANITISE HANDS

ON ENTERING CLASSROOM

Hand Washing

1. Staff, if they must remove their masks, should cover their mouths and noses with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and immediately dispose of the used tissue in the nearest available bin. Hands should be washed or sanitised immediately after.

2. If no tissue is available, using the flexed-elbow technique (that is, using the inside of the elbow or sleeve to cover the mouth and nose) is preferable to using the hands.  

 

Respiratory Etiquette

Dealing with suspected cases7

1. Staff members MUST stay at home when they are sick. Any staff member absent from school due to suspect COVID-19 symptoms shall not return to school without a physician’s note.

2. Any staff member who is a close contact of a confirmed case, must follow the directives of the Quarantine Authority.

3. If a staff encounters a student with an elevated temperature, the student should be taken to the isolation space/room and their parent/guardian notified to allow for collection. Students should be collected within the hour of notification.

4. Should a staff member display signs or symptoms of the common cold or flu while at school, included an elevated temperature, that person should immediately seek permission to return home, following the established protocols of the school.

5.  In the event that a staff is found positive with COVID-19 or was exposed to a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19, the school MUST refer the matter to the Public Health

In the Event of Sickness

1. Any physical or extracurricular activity by staff on the school’s compound should follow the physical distancing protocol and the sanitisation regimens for hands, sporting and other equipment. Where possible, events should be held outdoors. 

2. There should be no fund-raising social activities planned that include the attendance of the general public including parents (e.g. School cake sales, barbecues, fetes, Open day etc.). 

3. School programmes and other cultural development showcases may be held via online streaming platforms.

4. The use of buildings for meetings by clubs and organisations should be limited. Where possible, groups should also explore online platforms to hold regular sessions/meetings. 

5. If physical meetings are necessary, individuals should meet in small groups outdoors or large auditoriums. Face shields and/or masks along with hand sanitising are mandatory.

Extra and Co-curricular Activities

SCHOOL COMMUNITY

MEETING

1. Administrators should make provisions for an orientation session at each class or grade level to explain the new processes to students and the importance of adherence. 

2. Teachers should conduct readiness assessments during the first two weeks of the term to assess students’ grade level competencies, to determine learning gaps and remediation measures. 

3. Students should be allowed to share how COVID-19 has affected or impacted their lives and give them an opportunity to ask questions and express concerns with the guidance of the Counselling Unit. 

4. Students should be reminded during home room/ class prayers of measures to mitigate against the spread of COVID-19 and their role as students. This should include opportunities for students to demonstrate expected hygiene etiquette, practice handwashing, etc. 

5. Teachers should engage students in activities to reinforce tolerance and empathy for persons afflicted rather than stigma and discrimination against those affected. 

Student/Teacher Support

6. Teachers should also avail themselves for psychosocial support as needed. 

7. Teachers should engage social services as necessary for students and their families who may facing undue hardships (lack of food for example).

8. Teachers should use data captured by curriculum survey to determine students who require immediate intevention by schools with the assistance of Education Officers, Curriculum in an effort to address their needs.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Ministry of Education, Science and Technology

Queen Elizabeth Highway, St. John’s, Antigua & Barbuda

Tel: 492-0192 / 468-3000 | Email: education.gov.ag