COVID-19 Support

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December 9th ARP ESSER Resources

On December 9th. Plainfield Public Schools hosted an ARP ESSER community presentation. The Community Presentation can be found here: ARP ESSER Community Presentation

Additionally, a question was asked during the presentation about SDE guidelines related to School Opening. These Guidelines can be found here:

Addendums to: Adapt, Advance, Achieve: Connecticut's Plan to Learn and Grow Together

Addendum 1: Temporarily Opting into Voluntary Remote Learning Due to COVID-19 (Memo previously sent via COVID-19 Update on July 23)
Addendum 2: COVID Guidance and Considerations for Preschool Located in Public Schools
Addendum 3: Fall Reopening Resource Document for Students with High Needs
Addendum 4: Interim Guidance for Decision-Making Regarding the Use of In-Person, Hybrid (Blended), or Remote Learning Models (Revised October 21, 2020)
Addendum 5: Interim Guidance for Responding to COVID-19 Scenarios in Connecticut School Districts (updated September 28, 2021)
Addendum 6. Reopen Guidance for Educating Students with Disabilities
Addendum 7: COVID-19 Reopening Considerations for Connecticut K–12 Music Programs
Addendum 8: Fire and School Safety During COVID-19
Addendum 9: Contact Tracing Scenarios in Schools (Updated January 4, 2021) (See Addendum 5)
Addendum 10: Reframing and Reopening School Discipline Amidst COVID-19 Guidance
Addendum 11: Interim Guidance for the Use of Face Coverings in Schools during COVID-19
Addendum 12: Reimagining CT Classrooms: Planning the Instructional Time for Remote Learning in Hybrid and Full Remote Models
Addendum 13: Guidance and Considerations for School Nutrition Programs for School Year 2020-21
Addendum 14: Supporting Student Attendance and Engagement during Hybrid or Remote Learning

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CDC and CT Resources for Plainfield Families

CDC Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)

CDC COVID-19 Vaccination

CDC Protect Yourself & Your Family

CDC Coronavirus Information for Travel

CDC Coronavirus FAQs
Sports Guidance CIAC Guidelines for fall 2021

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Periodic Review of Plan

LEAs are required to periodically review and, as appropriate, revise their Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan at least every six months through September 30, 2023. Each review must include seeking public comment on the plan and developing the plan after considering the public comment. Below are the dates that LEAs must submit a refreshed or updated plan to CSDE via eGMS.

Review/revisit Dates:

• June 23, 2021

• December 23, 2021

• June 23, 2022

• December 23, 2022

VACCINATION According to CDC and DPH, “COVID-19 vaccination among all eligible students as well as teachers, staff, and household members is the most critical strategy to help schools safely resume full operations.”
WHY ARE VACCINES IMPORTANT?	Vaccines are safe and the number one mitigation strategy we have in keeping our community healthy and schools open. Quarantine guidelines are currently based on vaccination status.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?	All individuals 12 years of age and older are eligible for a vaccine. Some vaccines are only approved for individuals 18 years of age and older.
HOW WILL MY VACCINATION STATUS IMPACT QUARANTINE?	Fully vaccination status is a critical mitigation strategy and determining factor in quarantine, testing and travel guidelines. Plainfield Public Schools does not require the COVID vaccine for attendance and enrollment in our school system. We have the legal authority to ask the vaccination status of our employees and students and ask for vaccination documentation. In the event, of a potential quarantine, the school nurse will ask for vaccination status and proof. If documentation is unable to be provided or an individual is not vaccinated, then a student or staff will be subject to CDC and DPH quarantine guidelines, regardless of face mask usage. Appendix A School Nurses will be responsible for inquiring and collecting vaccination status information and documentation. Asking for this information DOES NOT violate an individual’s HIPPA or FERPA rights and protections. However, once the documentation is collected and filed in the child’s medical record, this becomes part of the student’s education record and protected under FERPA.
HOW TO SCHEDULE A VACCINE?	Please visit the CT.GOV Vaccine Portal for more information

VENTILATION According to the CDC and DPH, “Much has been learned in the past year and a half about COVID-19. This virus primarily transmit through airborne particles and surface to surface/person spread is highly rare and unlikely.”
WHY IS IMPROVED VENTILATION IMPORTANT?	In compliance withDPH Guidance for the Cleaning and Disinfection of Schools during the COVID-19 Pandemic, cleaning protocols in school have been greatly enhanced, and our custodians have been trained on cleaning in a pandemic. Where possible, we will enable no-touch usage of items such as doors, trashcans, and bathroom fixtures. Plainfield will increase the distance between students during times of increase exasperation, such as; band and chorus. It is important to note that increased ventilation is one of many mitigation strategies, it will not solely prevent an individual from potentially needing to be quarantined.
WHAT AREAS OF THE SCHOOL DAY WILL WE WORK TO INCREASE VENTILATION?	Plainfield Public Schools will work to improve ventilation in areas where mask use will be limited or not able to be practiced. All cafeterias will have increased ventilation and filtrations. When possible, all air handler units will be operated to bring in as much outside air as possible. Plainfield Public Schools has established a ventilation task force to begin the process of identifying our need areas and purchases improved ventilation measures for specific auxiliary spaces.
WILL DESK SHIELDS STILL BE REQUIRED?	In accordance with current research and DPH guidance, desk shields are no longer an effective mitigation strategy to continue to invest in. The benefit of continuing to implement this strategy does not outweigh the cost of having staff and students continue to be separated by a desk shield. Plainfield will discontinue the requirement to use desk shields.