3. Response to Outbreak

CANCELLATION OF CLASSES, DISTANCE LEARNING AND REOPENING PLANS

If a student, staff member, or authorized visitor has been present in school and has tested positive for COVID-19, the School Nurse and the building Principal will contact the Superintendent of Schools. The Superintendent of Schools notifi es the local health offi cials (Ledge Light Health District) and Connecticut State Department of Education immediately.

The Ledge Light Health District will assist with the assessment of risk of further transmission in the school/district.

Decisions are made concerning: • CONTACT TRACING • CLOSURE • CLEANING • CONTINUITY OF EDUCATION • REOPENING OF SCHOOL

The decision to suspend or close a school (or the entire school district) will be made by the Superintendent or designee based on information and recommendation from local health offi cials. Board of Education members and Town offi cials are notifi ed of closure as well as the Connecticut State Department of Education.

Schools will likely implement a short-term closure (2-5 days) or longer regardless of community spread if an infected person has been in a school building. The CDC recommends dismissal of students and most staff for 2-5 days. This initial short-term dismissal allows time for the local health offi cials to gain a better understanding of the COVID-19 situation impacting the school. This allows the Superintendent, in consultation with the local health offi cials, to determine appropriate next steps, including whether an extended dismissal duration is needed to stop or slow further spread of COVID-19.

All communications to the school community including staff and families will made by Central Offi ce through Infi nite Campus Messenger and District website.

During school closures, all extracurricular activities, athletics, and school-based afterschool programs are canceled.

The Superintendent of Schools has established a procedure should there be COVID 19 cases in the schools or in the community that could possibly impact the schools.

The district has in place an Emergency Response Plan which includes communication with local health offi cials when a student, teacher, or staff member or a member of their household has tested positive for COVID – 19 and has possibly exposed others in district.

The Principals and Director of Facilities have procedures for isolating an area of the school for a length of time based on (1) a positive COVID-19 case or cases in the school and (2) the risk level within the school/ community as determined by Ledge Light Health District.