Updated 8/10/2021

*Please note that this plan is subject to change if and when guidelines change. We are committed to updating you as soon as possible when changes are made.*

Responsibilities by Role

For us to successfully keep our community safe, the district asks that stakeholders adhere to the following set of responsibilities and guidelines:

Student Responsibilities

• Once students arrive on campus in the mornings they will be directed to designated/predetermined areas. Students will not be allowed to congregate in groups.
• While in class students will be spaced to the greatest extent possible to ensure that the maximum amount of space between students is created.
• Students will need to bring a “labeled” water bottle from home.  We are recommending one with a screw top that allows it to be easily filled. Students may fill their water bottles at school, but they cannot use the water fountains for drinking (to prevent touching the surfaces). We have water fill stations at each campus.
• Secondary students (6th-12th) will not have access to lockers.  Students will be allowed to carry a backpack to their classes. 
• Students participating in extracurricular activities or athletics must follow any further guidance provided by the UIL (See Extracurricular section under Student Services for Details).

Parent Responsibilities

• Parents/guardians are expected to screen their students for COVID-19 symptoms and any other health concerns each day prior to sending their students to school. We need parents’ cooperation in not sending children to school who are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms or any other illness, especially if they are running a fever.
• Students may not be dropped off earlier than 7:30 am.
• Parents are welcome in our buildings.  Parents may begin eating lunch in the cafeteria Monday, August 16th.  
• If your student tests positive for COVID-19, please keep your students home and notify the campus nurse.
• If a parent identifies their child as a close contact to a positive case, they may choose to keep their student at home for a 10 day quarantine period.  If this decision is made, the child is required to stay home for the entire 10 day quarantine period and cannot participate (including practices) in extracurricular activities until the quarantine period is over.

Teacher Responsibilities

• All Lorena ISD staff members are required to self-screen daily for COVID-19 symptoms and any other health concerns before arriving on campus.  If staff members have symptoms or are lab tested positive for COVID-19 they are required to report the information to their immediate supervisor immediately.  
• Teachers will monitor students throughout the day and refer to the nurse if symptoms are present. 
• Teachers will instruct students on proper hand hygiene.
• Teachers and staff will limit the use of shared supplies when possible; shared supplies will be sanitized between use. 
• Teachers and staff will have access to disinfectant wipes to sanitize high-touch and working surfaces and shared objects regularly. 
• Teachers can move classes outside when appropriate.
• Desk/student seating will be spaced to the greatest extent possible to ensure that the maximum amount of space between students is created.

Campus/District Responsibilities

• Each classroom will be equipped with visual reminders of required guidelines regarding safe practices. 

• Hand sanitizer will be available in all classrooms and on buses.  
• Hand sanitizing stations will be available at the main entrance of the building, classroom/hallway areas, cafeteria and other commons areas throughout the campuses.
• Traffic patterns will be established throughout the campus that separates individuals to the greatest extent possible. 
• We will be working on schedules and routines that teach children to maintain safe distances from each other.
• Instruction will be provided to students on appropriate hygiene practices and other mitigation practices adopted by the district.
• Create and follow Nurse’s Guidelines for Screening and Exclusion

Daily Cleaning and Sanitation

• Hand sanitizer and/or hand washing stations will be available to all students/staff daily.
• Each classroom and restroom will be disinfected daily. 
• School Buses will be disinfected after each use.
• All high touch areas will be disinfected daily. 
• The cafeteria will be disinfected between lunch periods. 
• Staff will have access to disinfectant wipes to sanitize working surfaces and shared objects after each use and during breaks in instruction. 
• Custodial staff will have access to electrostatic disinfectant devices for quick clean-ups.
• Cleaning products will be stored securely to ensure students do not have access to them.
• Signage will be utilized to promote appropriate health and hygiene for staff and students.

Updated 8/9/2021

Individuals Confirmed or Suspected of COVID-19

When to return to school/work from absence due to being positive for COVID-19 or for COVID-19 related symptoms

The following criteria must be met:

• At least 24 hours (1 full day) have passed since recovery as defined as resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and
• Improvement in other symptoms and
• At least 10 days must have passed after onset of symptoms or positive COVID-19 test OR if the absence is due to symptoms only without a positive test a person may obtain a medical professional’s note clearing the individual for return before the 10 day period 
• Campus nurse approval for return for students and HR approval for return for employees

*If a person’s symptoms persist for more than 10 days, a note from a qualified medical professional is required before returning.

**Students who receive a positive COVID-19 diagnosis and who participate in UIL/Extracurricular activities must also obtain a doctor’s release prior to returning to participation.

***If a parent identifies their child as a close contact to a positive case, they may choose to keep their student at home for a 10 day quarantine period.  If this decision is made, the child is required to stay home for the entire 10 day quarantine period and cannot participate (including practices) in extracurricular activities until the quarantine period is over.

Parent Contact and Safe Return to Campus

• Requirement is for parents/guardians to pick-up within one hour after being notified by the nurse of a child’s illness.  Please understand that the student will be isolated and clinics have limited space.
• Parents will adhere to acceptable/safe return to campuses following illness in accordance with TEA guidelines and current Lorena ISD policy; See “When to return to school/work from absence due to being positive for COVID-19 or for COVID-19 related symptoms” section above.
• The District will submit required reports of positive cases to the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District and to the Texas Department of State Health Services. This process is in place to control the spread of COVID-19.

Parent Notification Regarding Positive COVID-19 Cases

• Lorena ISD is committed to being transparent.
• The primary and elementary school campuses will notify parents via email when a student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19 in your student’s class. In addition, the campus will send a campus-wide email informing the campus of the positive case(s).
• The middle school and high school campus will send an email out to campus parents when a student or staff member tests positive.  The email will include the grade level of the student.
• We will not send district-wide emails this year.  However, the district will maintain the COVID-19 dashboard on our website.  Positive students and staff cases will be tracked via campus and grade level. The dashboard will provide an overview of the number of positive cases in Lorena ISD daily. 

Response Flow Charts

Lorena ISD will use a series of flow charts to determine the appropriate response according to each individual situation.  Please refer to the appropriate “Process Map” flowchart for additional guidance regarding which flowchart to refer to next.

Process Map Flowcharts:

Employee/Workplace Process Map Flowchart

Student Process Map Flowchart

Response Flow Charts - follow after use of appropriate Process Map Flowchart:

Response to Employee Exhibiting Symptoms or Diagnosis of COVID-19

Response to Student Exhibiting Symptoms or Diagnosis of COVID-19