Safe Schools Week: COVID-19 Safety Protocols

COVID-19 safety protocols have been in effect for quite some time, but it is important to review all we have in place to keep our students and staff safe.

Masks

We are following the Oakland County Health Division (OCHD) health mandate that all staff and students PreK-12 (ages 2 and up), including Adult Transition students, are required to wear a mask at all times while indoors, with the exception of eating and drinking, regardless of vaccination status. Our universal masking policies have ensured students are in school as much as possible. In fact, a recent study by the University of Michigan indicates that school districts with mask requirements in place are experiencing lower rates of cases, than those without.

Ventilation

As a result of the 2015 Bond, the Berkley School District replaced all Heating Ventilation Air Condition (HVAC) systems in all buildings. This modernization of the system included new Vertical Unit Ventilators (VUVs) that greatly improves air quality by circulating fresh air into the classrooms. The District's system exceeds the CDC recommendation for ventilation in schools, per the ASHRAE recommended hourly air exchanges for viruses. 

MDHHS Guidelines for Contact Tracing

As soon as we are notified that a child or staff member has tested positive for COVID-19 we begin the contact tracing process. Close contacts are individuals who have been within 0-6 feet of a COVID-19 positive person for more than 15 minutes during a 24 hour period. Once those contacts have been identified, we follow the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) updated guidance for quarantine and isolation. This flow chart determines who needs to quarantine, who needs to monitor for symptoms and who is eligible for a testing program to return to school sooner than 10 days, if they are symptom free.

Testing

Because we are following the MDHHS guidelines for quarantine and isolation, we are also participating in the MI Safe Schools Testing Program. This program allows us to offer COVID-19 testing in the District for students who qualify. The daily testing is offered at our Administrative Offices building in the morning for students who are close contacts and have to quarantine (test on day 7 return on day 8), or if they are close contacts and qualify for daily testing for 7 days. Our school nurses, and additional staff who have been trained, supervise the daily testing process. Having testing options allows more students to stay in school every day.

We also offer weekly testing for staff who would like to participate, or for those who are not vaccinated.

Hand Washing/Sanitizing

Soap and hand sanitizer is readily available in all of our buildings and classrooms and is used often to keep germs at bay. 

Cleaning & Disinfecting

We continue to clean and disinfect our buildings daily. Bathrooms are spray disinfected at a minimum every four hours. All buildings are cleaned and disinfected nightly. Disinfecting wipes are available in every classroom and used to wipe desks in between class periods.

Vaccine Availability

The best protection against COVID-19 is a vaccine. Oakland County Health Division is offering free vaccines to any persons aged 12 years and older. The health division is offering Save Your Spot Community Clinics with the ability to set an appointment online or simply walk-in to receive a vaccine. Many pharmacies and other health care providers also have shots available and are welcoming walk-in visits. Visit the Oakland County Vaccine website for details on the vaccine as well as locations to receive the shot.

Thank you to everyone for connecting with our daily Safe Schools Week messages and for trusting us with your children each and every day.

Have a wonderful weekend.