SDP’s Plan to Keep Everyone Safe
After a long and painful for many, mostly virtual school year, students are finally heading back to class. The School District of Philadelphia is laying its Covid 19 safety plan, so you and your student know what to expect.
First, assess your child’s health before sending them to school. If they have any Covid symptoms keep them home.
All students and staff are required to wear masks, vaccinated or not. If your kid forgets their mask, the school will provide them with one. The masks can be removed at lunchtime and when they’re outdoors. Touchless hand sanitizer stations are being maintained in every school.
Testing
Testing is available onsite for students who show Covid 19 symptoms during the day. Staff will be tested once a week, vaccinated or not. Athletes who play high risk sports and students participating in band and choir, will be tested 1 to 2 times a week. If they’re vaccinated, they can opt out of weekly testing.
What If There’s a Confirmed Case?
If a student or staff member tests positive, all impacted families will be informed. The infected person will be required to isolate at home for at least ten days. Students will receive instructional support while at home. The district will work with the Philadelphia Department of Public Health to decide if classroom or school closures are necessary.
Social Distancing
Three feet of distance will be encouraged when it’s possible. Other mitigation efforts like masking and ventilation are in place in case social distancing cannot be maintained at all times. Air and surface purifiers are in all instructional spaces, gyms, cafeterias, and offices.
Cleaning and Sanitizing
A lot of work was done over the summer to get every school ready for the return of students and staff, including:
- Installation of air purifiers
- Cleaning and sanitizing walls, floors, furniture, doors, windows, bathrooms, fixtures and dispensers, railings, light switches and more
- Testing the 1,070 touchless hydration stations to make sure they work and comply with safe drinking water regulations
- Placing supplies at every school to support frequent hand washing
Schools will be cleaned and sanitized throughout the day, every day, during the school year.
