Health & Safety Protocols A COMMUNITY COMPACT 2021-22 School Year
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The following health and safety protocols will be enacted in partnership with all members of the Webb community as we begin the 2021-22 academic year. Updates will be reviewed by the Medical Advisory Board in response to shifting conditions, including recommendations and requirements from public health and governmental agencies, including the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
The Medical Advisory Board Dr. Carlos A. Baez, MD — Family Medicine Pomona Valley Health Center, The Webb Schools Consulting Physician Stephanie Baron, PA-C ’96 — Surgical Physician Assistant The Webb Schools Health Center Director Dr. Daniel P. Gluckstein, MD P ’05, ’08 — Infectious Disease Specialist Inland Valley Infectious Disease Group Pomona Dr. Prateek Jindal, DO, P’21, P ’22 — Director of Student Health Services, The Claremont Colleges Dr. Sandra S. Lee, MD ’88, P ’23 — Dermatologist Member of the American Academy of Dermatology Dr. Rahmi Mowjood, DO ’90 — Family Medicine Cucamonga Valley Medical Group
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The Webb Schools Health Center Resources Webb has an amazing resource in its Health Center, led by Stephanie Baron, PA-C and staffed with 8 registered nurses, 3 mental health counselors, 1 physician assistant and a consulting medical doctor. The Health Center is located in the middle of the Webb campus. The Health Center offers primary medical care: • Treat common ailments • Administer medicine • Mental health counseling • First aid • Health education • Immunization review In addition, the staff offers transportation to outside appointments: medical, dental, mental health, orthodontics, physical therapy, and others.
Health Center Facilities Expanded Following best practices, this team has established a remote assessment and isolation space in the Perry Gymnasium building. Here, nursing staff will be able to assess individuals with possible infectious disease and, if needed, isolate active cases for top quality medical attention. The existing Health Center will be dedicated to students with non-infectious illness, injuries, and those accessing counseling services.
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Key Concepts and Guidelines COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that emerged in 2019 and is highly infectious. The disease is known to spread by symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals. The Delta variant is a new strain of the virus that is highly contagious. Vaccines are now widely available in the United States, with demonstrated efficacy. To ensure the health and safety of our entire community, we are extending our mandatory vaccination requirements to include COVID-19. Students attending Webb must receive all required doses of vaccines to attend or remain at school. An exemption will be allowed when a student has a medical condition that prevents them from receiving a vaccine. Any COVID-19 vaccines authorized by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the World Health Organization satisfy this requirement. Currently, those are: Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, AstraZeneca/SK Bio, and Sinopharm. We encourage you to consult the CDC website for local vaccination information or to check with your student’s physician to secure an appointment for vaccination. Most of our students will need to receive the Pfizer/BioNTech, which has been authorized for ages 12 and up, and must complete both shots in the series. Webb’s Health Center will assist students who do not have access to COVID-19 vaccines in advance of the opening of school. Families must upload proof of vaccination cards or explain their lack of access as part of completing their Magnus Health Forms for the 2021-22 academic year. In addition, based on growing scientific knowledge, the advice of our Medical Advisory Board and up-to-date guidelines issued by regional, state and national public health agencies, we will continue to enact supplementary mitigation measures. The Webb Schools is committed to meticulously adhering to these best practices, which are shown to protect individuals and slow or stop the progression of community spread of COVID-19. Today, these practices require the following of all community members:
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Mandatory face coverings
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Frequent hand-washing hygiene
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Post-travel quarantine for unvaccinated individuals
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Daily symptoms assessments,
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Cough/ sneeze etiquette
Physical distancing
including temperature checks
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Key Concepts and Guidelines (continued) In addition to adhering to these best practices of personal behavior, Webb will also institute the following institutional practices for all campus residents, all day students and families, and all commuting faculty and staff and families:
1 Community screening testing 2 Contact tracing on and off campus 3 Isolation and treatment for individuals exposed or ill 4 Disinfecting classrooms, bathrooms and all common areas 5 Maximizing use of outdoor spaces for community programming. These protocols will be carried out to protect the health and safety of the entire community — and especially the most vulnerable among us with underlying health conditions and with other special needs.
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Testing Protocols Testing Screening testing is one key layer in Webb’s comprehensive health and safety plan. We will test members of the community (students and adults) using Abbot’s BinaxNOW COVID-19 antigen testing. This test takes about two minutes to perform, utilizes an anterior nose swab administered by a medical professional, and gives results within 15 minutes. More information on this product can be found at https://www.fda.gov/media/141569/download. It is important to note that, while the BinaxNOW test has high accuracy rates, this or any antigen test typically cannot detect lower levels of virus and therefore may yield a falsenegative result. This is one reason why the cadence and frequency of testing is important. As with any diagnostic test, the BinaxNOW may yield a false-positive result; this is why PCR testing, which is highly sensitive, is used to verify results. Still, research shows that the ability to test frequently, with immediate results, is key to controlling virus spread. Screening testing is just another layer of protection for our community, in addition to daily health assessment (Passport), indoor mask-wearing, hand-washing and special cleaning protocols all are needed to keep our community healthy. Following best practices, and the advice of our Medical Advisory Board, Webb’s Health Center professionals have created a community testing schedule for the opening of school. Please know that, depending on the health needs of the community, the testing cadence may be altered at any time, without notice. Any member of the community who tests positive to the antigen test will be taken to our COVID isolation area. One of Webb’s RNs will assess symptoms, ask contact-tracing questions, administer a PCR test and contact parents. Day students and local boarders will also receive instructions to contact your primary care physician and to isolate at home pending the PCR test result. Webb’s nurses will stay in contact with you throughout the testing, isolation, and ultimate return to campus process. Distance boarding students will be cared for on campus or in local facilities as needed.
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Community Notification of Covid Cases Community Notification In accordance with the Los Angeles County Public Health Department’s guidance for schools and HIPAA privacy rules, our nurses will follow established procedures for community notification. When the Health Center receives notification of a positive/suspected case of, or close contact to COVID-19 in our Webb community: • Notice is sent to any student/family who has been on campus during the same time frame as the infected person. This notice will share basic information, but not specific details, and will remind families that if their student had possibility of close contact (from contact tracing information), they will be notified separately. • For those in the same dorm/team/activity as the infected person but without close contact, nurses will send additional communication with instructions to monitor for emerging symptoms. This notice will share additional details about possible exposure. • A nyone identified as a close contact to an infected person will be contacted directly by a Webb nurse, instructed to contact their primary care physician, arrange for a PCR test, and quarantine until negative results are received. (The CDC defines close contact as being within 6 feet of an infected person, without a mask, for a cumulative total of 15 minutes (or more) over at 24-hour period.) • Webb is required to report any positive COVID-19 test to the Los Angeles County Public Health Department within one business day of being notified if the person had been at school any point in the 14 days prior to becoming ill. • No notice will be sent to students/families who have not been on campus. As always, the Health Center team is here to support you – please reach out if you have any questions or concerns: call (909) 482-5253 or email: healthservices@webb.org.
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Community Health and Safety All Webb students faculty, staff and campus residents will adhere to the protocols set out here for the 2021-22 school year. These protocols include, but are not limited to, the following responsibilities:
Personal Responsibilities of Students 1 Participate in widespread community testing 2 Participate in contact tracing on and off campus 3 Isolate and seek medical treatment if exposed or become ill 4 Wear face coverings outside of dorm rooms and private homes 5 Complete frequent hand-washing hygiene 6 Complete daily symptoms assessments 7 Participate in proper cough/sneeze etiquette 8 Practice physical distancing
School Responsibilities in Addition to Ensuring Above 1 Utilize outdoor spaces for student programming as much as possible 2 Ensure all students and adults will not come to school if exhibiting symptoms, sick, or if exposed to person known to have COVID-19. 3 Provide increased cleaning and disinfecting in all common areas school-wide, including again all dormitories, academic spaces, and dining and recreational facilities 4 Provide separate assessment and isolation facilities for anyone who exhibits COVID-like symptoms
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Key Campus Areas and Protocols Access to Campus Public access to campus will be carefully monitored and controlled. Entry to campus will be restricted to students, employees, campus residents and vendor workgroups. Other guests to campus, including family members of students or employees and visitors to campus residents, will be admitted by appointment only and with strict adherence to the protocols outlined here. All visitors must enter campus via the 1175 W. Baseline Road entry, which ends at the Welcome Center and main entry-turnaround unless otherwise directed by Webb security. Enrolled student and employee parking procedures will remain in place, although access through the Upper Webb Canyon Road Gate will now be limited to campus residents and facilities and security staff. Anyone entering campus is required to follow all visitor protocols, including wearing a face covering in indoor public spaces and practicing good hand hygiene. All visitors, including family members of students and employees, must sign in and out at the Welcome Center each time they access campus. At the Welcome Center, visitors will be required to complete a campus health screening, have their temperature taken, state the location of their visit, and provide contact information (name and current phone number). Based on screening results, the school reserves the right to deny access to the main campus; these individuals will be asked to leave immediately and encouraged to contact their primary health care provider. Once access to campus is granted, visitors must go directly to/from their named campus location. All students, employees and campus residents will complete a daily health assessment using the Passport smartphone application before leaving home (or dorm room). The assessment is designed to identify potential illness. The assessment is designed to identify potential illness and will include questions about a student’s COVID-19-related symptoms, about contact with anyone with COVID-19 symptoms or exposure, as well as about family travel outside of California or on airplanes or other means of public transportation for those who are not fully vaccinated. Students who do not pass the assessment must stay home (and call their doctor) or in their dorm room (and call the Health Center). For boarding students, Health Center Staff will respond by visiting the student in their room to determine next treatment steps. All boarding students and on-campus faculty must complete the screening every day when in residence on campus. All day students and off-campus faculty and staff must complete it every day before they leave home when they are coming to campus.
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Key Campus Areas and Protocols (continued) Classrooms and Student Work Areas As indoor public spaces, all classrooms will require masking for students, faculty and staff. We will utilize a mix of indoor and outdoor spaces for our academic program. All classrooms and common spaces will receive frequent and enhanced cleaning and disinfecting. All shared academic spaces and equipment will receive regular sanitization. Disinfectant and related supplies will be available in every classroom and shared workspace.
The Dining Hall and Meal Service The dining hall will offer meal service either as pick-up or served meals for all students, faculty and staff on campus. There will be multiple outdoor spaces available to augment limited indoor dining. Indoor dining spaces will require masks unless seated and eating or drinking. Enhanced cleaning and disinfecting procedures will be practiced throughout the kitchen and dining hall.
Dormitories Signage highlighting health and safety protocols will be posted throughout campus, including in dormitories, classrooms, dining hall, community center, library and elsewhere. When possible, all walking traffic in common areas and on stairwells will be re-routed into one-way routes. Enhanced, frequent cleaning and disinfecting will take place for all frequently touched objects such as tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops and tables in all dormitory common areas. Hand sanitizer, soap and water, disinfectants and paper goods will be available in all common areas. Entry to all dormitories will be restricted to student occupants and designated faculty and staff. Parents and other visitors will be restricted from entering dormitories to protect the health and safety of the community.
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Required Face Coverings Community members may wear fabric masks or disposable surgical masks. The CDC recommends masks have at least two layers of tightly woven cotton fabric. Masks must be over the ear or over the head style, no gaiters and no masks with exhalation vents. Students should bring multiple masks with them and must ensure they clean their masks daily. Webb will have masks on hand as well.
Wear your Face Covering Correctly • Wash your hands before putting on your face covering • Put it over your nose and mouth and secure it under your chin • Try to fit it snugly against the sides of your face • Make sure you can breathe easily For more information on wearing and caring for face coverings, please review information on the CDC website.
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A Community Pledge Health & Safety The Webb Schools is excited to return its students to campus and classroom study in the 2021-22 school year. The school has published safety protocols designed to minimize the potential for exposure to the COVID-19 virus. In an effort to return our students to Webb as safely as possible, it is our stated objective to work cooperatively with all members of the Webb Community to minimize the risk of exposure. In order to accomplish this objective, each and every member of our community pledges and agrees as follows:
1 It is my responsibility to educate myself on how I can help reduce the risk of transmission by staying current on information about the virus provided by public health officials and experts. There is a great deal of information available, including information from the Center of Disease Control (cdc.gov/ coronavirus) and the Los Angeles County Health Department (publichealth.lacounty.gov/coronavirus). Webb will continue to push out this information to the community. 2 B ased on guidance from the Medical Advisory Board, the CDC, and state and local public health organizations, Webb will create policies, including Health and Safety Protocols, utilizing the latest science and best practices to help mitigate the risks of COVID-19. It is my responsibility to review Webb’s student handbook, Health and Safety Protocols and any subsequent updates to these policies as they are provided. The Health and Safety Protocols may be accessed on the resource board at webb.myschoolapp.com. 3 It is my responsibility to consistently follow the Health & Safety Protocols established in response to the pandemic while in attendance at Webb. This includes me/my student completing a daily health assessment and staying home when sick or when exposed to someone who is. I recognize that my/my student’s failure to do so may result in my/my student’s separation from Webb. 4 I acknowledge that my/my student’s attendance at Webb presents certain risks that cannot be eliminated, including the possibility that I/my student may become infected with COVID-19, which I/ my student may spread to others. I understand that my family and I bear all costs associated with any health care services that are incurred for any illness I/my student experiences during my/my student’s enrollment at Webb. 5 I /my student will participate in required COVID-19 testing. I acknowledge that such testing carries a risk of inaccurate test results. If such testing is completed through Webb, I authorize Webb to release my student’s health care information including health history, insurance information and test results with appropriate individuals as needed to facilitate treatment and to minimize the potential for further infection. 6 I will cooperate fully with Webb staff and local public health officials in the process of contact tracing and I/my student will isolate or quarantine as recommended.
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