EBGIS Covid-19 Safety Plan

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East Bay German International School (EBGIS)

Covid-19 Safety Plan (CSP)

Updated Jan. 31, 2021

Name of School: East Bay German International School

Address: 1070 41^st Street, Emeryville, CA 94608

School Type: Private School

Grade Levels Served: K-8 (current school year)/K-9 (2021-22 school year)

Chair of the Board: Rufus Pichler, rpichler@ebgis.org

Principal: Claudia Mueller, cmueller@ebgis.org

Covid-19 Liaison for ACPHD: Rufus Pichler, Chair of the Board
rpichler@ebgis.org, (510) 679-2199

Covid-19 School Site Liaisons: Claudia Mueller, Principal
cmueller@ebgis.org, (510) 679-2199

Joy Heitmann, Office Manager
jheitmann@ebgis.org, (510) 679-2199

This plan is posted at www.ebgis.org/reopening.

EBGIS Covid-19 Safety Plan

Acknowledging the vital importance of schools for the wellbeing of children, families and communities, governmental authorities have identified the provision of in-person schooling as a high priority. On January 14, 2021, the California Department of Public Health promulgated its COVID-19 and Reopening In-Person Instruction Framework and Public Health Guidance for K-12 Schools in California, 2020-2021 School Year (“CDPH Framework”). The CDPH Framework sets forth the guidelines for safe and successful in-person instruction. It is based on an understanding of the low risks and high benefits of education children in the classroom, informed by the latest available scientific evidence regarding the transmission and epidemiology of Covid-19.

This EBGIS Covid-19 Safety Plan (“CSP”) was prepared in accordance with the CDPH Framework and other applicable laws and regulations as well as best practices. It modifies standard EBGIS policies, procedures and aspects of daily operations to mitigate the potential for disease spread. This CSP incorporates and updates our prior schoolwide Covid protocol, pursuant to which we have safely provided in-person care and instruction since June 2020. The mitigation strategies described herein meet, and in many areas exceed, the requirements set forth in the CDPH Framework, reflecting our commitment to providing the highest quality in-person instruction for all our students while protecting the health and safety of students, staff and families.

In accordance with the CDPH Framework, this CSP implements a “layers of safety” approach in which seven categories of mitigation strategies are simultaneously employed to minimize the risk of in-school transmission, with emphasis on those strategies with the greatest proven effectiveness. Those strategies are face coverings; stable groups; physical distancing; ventilation; personal hygiene; symptom and exposure screening; and surveillance or screening testing. Each of these categories is addressed in-depth in this CSP.

As we implement our response within an evolving health and regulatory situation, we are continuously monitoring background transmission in our community as well as the changing regulatory landscape. We also remain in regular, direct contact with health authorities and will continue to update this CSP as needed.

To date, the skill and dedication of our faculty along with the resilience of our students and families have enabled the EBGIS community to thrive in the face of the tremendous challenges posed by the pandemic. Led by our world-class faculty, our entire community is unified behind the twin goals of supporting the physical, mental and emotional health of all our community members while providing uninterrupted instruction of the highest quality for our students. As we prepare to enter the second year of the pandemic, we remain deeply committed to these goals.

References:

• -State of California: Safe Schools for All Hub
• -CDPH: Covid-19 and Reopening In-Person Instruction Framework & Public Health Guidance for K-12 Schools in California, 2020-2021 School Year
• -CDPH: Evidence Summary: TK-6 Schools and COVID-19 Transmission

EBGIS Layered Mitigation Strategies

Face Coverings

Face Coverings Required. In accordance with the CDPH Framework and the CDPH Guidance for the Use of Face Coverings, all faculty and staff as well as all students two years of age and older are required to wear CDPH compliant face coverings over the nose and mouth while in school.

Enforcement of Face Covering Requirement. Teachers and staff are to carefully monitor and enforce consistent and proper use of face coverings and should also remind students not to touch face coverings. A student or staff member failing to wear a face covering properly over the nose and mouth will receive one reminder. In case of a recurring failure to comply with the face covering requirement he or she must be excluded from campus. Individuals refusing to wear face coverings who are not exempt from the requirement will not be permitted on campus. Excluded students will be offered access to our remote learning program.

Staff Use of Face Coverings. Staff are subject to additional requirements in accordance with the CDPH Framework and Cal/OSHA standards. All staff must use face coverings unless Cal/OSHA standards require respiratory protection. Staff coming into routine contact with others are encouraged to use disposable 3-ply surgical masks which are more effective than cloth masks. In limited situations where face coverings cannot be used for pedagogical or developmental reasons such as communicating with or assisting young children or those with special needs, a face shield with a drape combined with distancing can be used temporarily in lieu of a mask. In addition, staff should consider the use of disposable gloves to supplement handwashing when engaged in screening or handling communal-use items.

Provision of Face Coverings to Staff/Students. EBGIS maintains a stock of several hundred face coverings in adult and child sizes for use by staff and students who forget to bring a face covering to school.

Temporary Removal of Face Coverings. Face coverings may be removed temporarily while eating or drinking. When Early Childhood students remove their masks for rest time, masks should be placed in a clean, safe area clearly marked with the student’s name.

Exemptions from Face Covering Requirement. Individuals unable to wear a face covering due to special circumstances are exempted from this requirement. Exemptions apply to those under two years of age; those having a medical or mental health condition or disability that impedes them from properly wearing or handling a mask; those with a communication disability; or when it would inhibit communication with a hearing-impaired person. In such cases, alternatives such as clear masks, cloth masks with clear panels, and face shields with drapes should be considered.

Stable Groups

The CDPH Framework emphasizes the utility of stable groups of students in decreasing transmission, reducing the extent of transmission should it occur, facilitating testing and tracing, and avoiding school-wide closures. CDHP also sets out a variety of means by which stable groups can be achieved and managed. The CDPH Framework sets no numerical limit on stable group membership.

Membership in a stable group is fixed and each stable group is to remain together for all courses and activities for at least four weeks. As new students enroll, they will be asked to provide a negative Covid-19 test before being placed into an established stable group.

Each stable group is assigned a dedicated indoor classroom (i.e., students do not move from classroom to classroom). To the extent possible, movement of staff among stable groups is minimized; in cases where staff teach multiple stable groups of students, physical distancing should be maintained. In addition, alternatives such as virtual teaching may be considered as needed to decrease the rotation of staff among groups, and EBGIS may assign a stable team of teachers to a stable group of students comprising several small classes.

Appendix 1 provides additional details on how stable groups remain separated during the school day at EBGIS.

Physical Distancing

Staff Distancing. The CDPH Framework emphasizes that because adults appear to be more infectious than children, minimizing contact among adults must be prioritized to prevent staff-to-staff transmission in schools. Therefore, EBGIS staff must strictly observe physical distancing from one another at all times. Staff must minimize congregating and refrain from casual in-person interactions. Staff must refrain from eating and drinking indoors in groups; instead, staff are encouraged to eat and drink singly and/or outdoors, weather permitting, abiding by physical distancing requirements. Staff must also strictly comply with all mitigation measures including the correct use of face coverings to reduce the risk of transmission and as an example to students.

EBGIS staff are provided multiple break rooms to maintain separation by division (Early Childhood, Elementary School, Middle School). All-faculty and all-staff meetings are held remotely.

Distancing During Drop-Off and Pick-Up. For children in Kindergarten and up, curbside drop-off and pick-up is required. For preschool children, caregivers should meet their child’s teacher outside the entrance to their respective preschool classroom for drop-off and pick-up whenever possible. If it is necessary to enter the classroom, caregivers are asked do so one person at a time while wearing a face covering and maintaining physical distancing. Drop-off and pick-up should occur as quickly as possible.

Distancing is to be maintained at all times during drop-off and pick-up, with special emphasis on minimizing contact among adult caregivers in accordance with CDPH directives. Visible marks on the sidewalk at drop-off and pick-up locations are provided to aid adults in remaining at least six feet apart from each other while waiting to drop-off and pick-up their children.

Use of Separate Entrances/Exits. Students in different programs enter and leave campus through designated entrances as set out in Appendix 1.

Staggered Start/End Times. School start and end times are staggered to minimize contact between groups of children and caregivers, as set out in Appendix 1. Families are notified of their child’s drop-off and pick-up windows and are asked to be on time and present at school only during these times.

Distancing in Instructional Spaces. Indoor instructional spaces and furnishings are arranged to maximize spacing between individuals. In accordance with the CDPH Framework, at least six feet of space is maintained where possible, and there should in any event be at least four feet of space between student chairs. Teachers’ desks are equipped with plexiglass sneeze guards. Per the CDPH, short term closer interactions between students and staff are permitted, such as when a teacher provides one-on-one assistance to a student, but masks must be worn, and the duration should be minimized. Staff provide instruction to students regarding the maintenance of physical distancing.

Modification of Activities. Activities may be modified where possible to avoid unnecessarily bringing students close together. Group activities may be substituted with individual activities or activities that can be accomplished while maintaining distancing. Singing is permitted outdoors only, provided that face coverings are worn, and distancing is maintained. The playing of wind instruments is strongly discouraged and not permitted indoors. Distancing greater than six feet is strongly recommended when wind instruments are used.

Enhanced Outdoor Access. Teachers and students have access to multiple outdoor classrooms featuring natural tree stump seating, outdoor whiteboards, and shading. Teachers are to maximize the use of these outdoor spaces, weather permitting. Grades students may also use the recently added raised-bed garden space.

Staggered Class Schedules. Student schedules including lunch and recess are staggered so that stable groups do not occupy the same location at the same time.

Management of Congregate Movement. The movement of students and staff on campus is managed to reduce congregate movement, such as by utilizing multiple entry and exit points and marking designated paths for movement. Because all grades classrooms have direct access to the outdoors, no congregate movement in hallways occurs.

Suspension of Food Preparation; Distancing During Mealtimes. To minimize the risks associated with food handling, no food or drink is prepared or served on campus. Students bring a snack, lunch and water bottle from home each day. Food and drink containers should be clearly marked with the student’s name. Mealtimes are staggered and take place outdoors whenever possible; alternatively, they take place in classrooms with each student remaining at his or her desk.

Limitation on Sharing of Objects. Sharing of textbooks, toys, electronic devices and other learning aids is avoided where possible. The sharing of children’s belongings should also be avoided. An individual backpack, other bag and/or cubby is used for each child’s items.

Restrictions on Nonessential Visitors. Adult caregivers and volunteers must remain outside the school buildings unless entry is necessary.

Limitation on Gatherings. Events and gatherings are permitted only to the extent that distancing can be maintained. Large-group, in-person gatherings will not be held until further notice.

Additional details regarding physical distancing measures are set forth in Appendix 1.

Ventilation

Ventilation. Enhanced ventilation is provided in each classroom in accordance with the CDPH Framework and the Alameda County Public Health Department’s (ACPHD) General Business Ventilation Guidance During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Circulation of outdoor air into classrooms is increased by opening windows and doors before student arrival and during the day to the extent possible. Additionally, all classrooms are equipped with window fans, HEPA air filters and HVAC systems with MERV 13 filtration. HVAC filters will be upgraded with HEPA filters in the near future. Inventory tracking software is used to schedule filter maintenance and replacement based on the filter manufacturers’ recommendations.

Outdoor Air Quality Monitoring and Response. At times, the use of ventilation and the use of outdoor space as mitigation measures is complicated by reduced outdoor air quality. Real-time analysis of air quality information, high-efficiency air filtration, and a clear response protocol enable both concerns to be addressed.

A Purple Air particle sensor installed on campus allows real-time monitoring of air quality at the school site. On days when air quality is reduced, this information is combined with readings in the surrounding area and air quality forecasts to inform our schoolwide response. If the adjusted Air Quality Index (AQI) consistently exceeds 150 during a school day, the length of time spent outdoors is decreased while filtered air circulation in classrooms is increased. High-efficiency HVAC systems in each classroom provide a constant flow of filtered air while HEPA filters purify indoor air. If outdoor air remains very unhealthy for an extended period, families may be asked via app and email to pick their children up early.

On days when the AQI on campus exceeds 150 by 7am and is not expected to fall below that value by mid-morning, we inform families via app and email that we will conduct remote learning that day to maximize student health and safety.

Healthy Hygiene Practices

Regular Handwashing. Everyone on campus is to wash their hands regularly using ordinary soap and water for twenty seconds. In accordance with CDPH guidance, soap marketed as “antimicrobial” is unnecessary and not to be used. Handwashing should occur before and after eating or drinking; after coughing or sneezing; after classes in which shared items are handled; and before and after using the restroom. In addition to sinks available in student and staff bathrooms, three additional no-touch (knee-operated), multi-faucet handwashing stations have been installed at key points on campus to facilitate handwashing.

Hand Sanitizing. The CDPH Framework advises that frequent handwashing is more effective than the use of hand sanitizers. Sanitizer should therefore be used as a substitute for handwashing only when handwashing is not possible. As directed by the CDPH, when hand sanitizer is used, it should be the type containing ethyl alcohol as this is the safer than those containing isopropyl alcohol. Sanitizers containing methanol are not permitted on campus completely. Children under age nine are to use sanitizer only under adult supervision.

Covering Coughs. Staff and students must cover coughs with a sleeve or tissue. Tissues and no-touch trash cans are provided.

Provision of Supplies Supporting Personal Hygiene. Adequate supplies of soap, sanitizer containing at least 60% ethyl alcohol, tissues, no-touch trash cans, cleaning supplies, touchless thermometers are consistently maintained on campus. Hand sanitizer dispensers are installed near all entry doors and other high traffic areas at a height that cannot be reached by small children without assistance. Cleaning staff monitors the levels of soap, sanitizer, and paper towels daily and refills dispensers as needed as part of the daily cleaning and maintenance routine. Our Director of Administration monitors the supply of cleaning and hygiene products as well as personal protective equipment and reorders as needed to ensure adequate inventory.

Symptom and Exposure Screening

Staff Symptom and Exposure Screening. Each staff member must self-screen for symptoms of illness daily prior to leaving their home for school. Covid symptoms include fever of 100.4°F or higher, chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea. For individuals with chronic conditions causing Covid-like symptoms, a change in symptoms from baseline is considered a symptom of Covid. Staff are also instructed not to come to school if there has been close contact with someone confirmed to have Covid. A “close contact” is defined as having been less than six feet from an affected person for more than fifteen minutes cumulatively within a twenty-four hour period. Upon arriving at school, staff members undergo screening or for fever using a no-touch thermometer.

Student Symptom/Close Contact Screening. Each EBGIS family has been provided the BrightWheel mobile app and is required to check in each student using the app before leaving for school. Check-in requires responding to symptom and exposure self-screening questions displayed in the app. Students are also screened each morning upon arrival at school. The body temperature of each student is measured using a no-touch thermometer, and staff verify that self-screening has occurred through the app.

Continued Monitoring for Symptoms. Throughout each school day, staff must self-monitor and monitor students for signs of possible illness.

Screening and Surveillance Testing

Semi-Weekly Screening Testing of All School Staff. The CDPH Framework recommends biweekly (every two weeks) asymptomatic screening testing of staff when a locality is in the red or purple tiers. EBGIS exceeds this standard by providing on-site screening testing for all staff semiweekly (twice per week).

In addition to regular semiweekly screening, each employee is tested before s/he returns to work after an illness or contact with a confirmed Covid case so long as background transmission in our locality remains high. Teachers and staff undergoing routine asymptomatic testing continue working while awaiting test results. New teachers and external temporary substitutes must provide negative Covid tests before commencing work.

Staff testing is provided onsite and is also available to employees using the school sponsored employee health care plan and other testing providers. Any staff members with symptoms will be required to obtain testing through his or her health care provider.

Weekly Screening Testing of All Students. The CDPH Framework recommends biweekly (every two weeks) asymptomatic screening testing of students when a locality is in the red or purple tiers. EBGIS exceeds this standard by offering weekly onsite testing to each student during times of high community transmission. EBGIS offers this testing in partnership with CDPH, Valencia Labs and Color. We will continue to offer student testing at frequencies consistent with or exceeding those recommended under the CDPH K-12 School Testing Guidance.

Responsive Measures to Covid Symptoms or Diagnosis

Response to Staff with Covid Symptoms. If, prior to arrival, a staff member experiences Covid symptoms s/he must remain at home. If a staff member experiences signs of illness upon arrival s/he is to notify the Principal and return home immediately. Staff members experiencing any Covid symptoms must obtain testing. While waiting for test results, the staff member is not permitted to return to campus but may teach remotely if physically able to do so.

Response to Students with Covid Symptoms. If, prior to the school day, a student experiences Covid symptoms, s/he must not come to school. If a student shows signs of illness during the school day, s/he will be isolated in one of multiple signposted isolation rooms on campus and supervised by a staff member maintaining distancing. The student’s caregiver will be notified immediately and asked to pick up the child. The caregiver will be advised to seek testing and promptly share test results with the school’s administration. Caregivers will be advised to quarantine at home while waiting for test results. If an individual’s symptoms are severe, such as high fever or difficulty breathing, medical care may be sought immediately.

Asymptomatic Contacts. Unless ACDPH advises otherwise, asymptomatic contacts of a staff member or student with symptoms will be permitted to continue to come to school until test results of the symptomatic individual are known.

Return to School After Exclusion Due to Symptoms. Staff and students excluded from campus because of Covid symptoms may return to school if at least 24 hours have passed without fever (without use of fever-reducing medications) and other symptoms have improved and they either (1) provide a negative Covid test result, or (2) they provide documentation from their healthcare provider that their symptoms are typical of an underlying chronic condition or due to an alternative named diagnosis, or (3) 10 days have passed since symptom onset.

Response to Positive Test Result. Staff and students excluded from campus because of Covid symptoms who obtain a positive test result as well as those who obtain a positive result in a screening test will be excluded from school for at least ten days from the symptom onset date or, if asymptomatic, for ten days from the test specimen collection date, provided that at least 24 hours have passed with no fever (without use of fever-reducing medications) and other symptoms have improved. ACPHD and the school community will be notified of the existence of a confirmed case. Close contacts will be identified, and the local health authority will be notified of the case and the identified contacts. The primary places where the individual spent significant time will be cleaned and disinfected.

Response to Those with Close Contact with a Confirmed Covid Case. Identified close contacts of an individual diagnosed with Covid will be excluded from school for 10 days from their last exposure to the infectious individual. Testing will be recommended for close contacts (ideally between 5 and 7 days from the last contact) but test results will not shorten the ten-day exclusion period.

Support of Contact Tracing. The school’s Principal and Director of Administration will support contact tracing. In the event of a confirmed case within the school, the Director of Administration will create a list of exposed persons and submit such list to the ACPHD as requested.

Maintenance of Respect and Confidentiality. Screening testing and response to suspected illness will be conducted safely, respectfully and in accordance with applicable privacy laws and regulations. Individuals’ health information must be treated confidentially and with care to avoid stigmatization.

Maintenance of Educational Continuity for Excluded Students. EBGIS works to ensure that students excluded from campus because of Covid symptoms or exposure are not penalized or disadvantaged in any way. Each grades classroom features state-of-the-art videoconferencing equipment with a large conference room screen in the back of the room and Logitech Meetup conference room cameras, allowing remote students to clearly see and hear their classroom teacher and their peers in the classroom. Upgraded network connectivity in all classrooms ensures a smooth live remote experience. Remote students also benefit from individual and group sessions with both classroom teachers and additional dedicated faculty. In cases where an entire stable group is excluded, a full schedule of live classes is offered remotely via the Microsoft Teams and or Zoom platforms until a return to campus is possible.

School Closure Determinations. School closure decisions will be based on the number of cases and the percentage of those testing positive for Covid, and will be made in consultation with local health officials. Closure will be considered if an outbreak has occurred in 25% or more of stable groups within a 14-day period, or when at least three outbreaks have occurred in the school and more than 5% of the school population is affected within a 14-day period. An outbreak is defined as three or more cases within 14 days that are epidemiologically linked and where transmission likely occurred within the school.

Regular Cleaning and Appropriate Disinfection

Regular Cleaning. The CDPH Framework advises that although frequent disinfection was previously thought to be a key safety measure, it has proven to have limited to no impact on Covid transmission. In addition, CDPH cautions that the frequent use of disinfectant products can pose health risks to students. High-touch surfaces throughout the school are to be cleaned daily using water and soap or a detergent. High-touch surfaces include sink handles; door handles; shared tables, desks, or chairs; and shared technology and supplies. Furnishings and other items used by only one individual are not considered high-touch. In accordance with the CDPH Framework, outdoor playgrounds and natural play areas require only routine maintenance.

Appropriate Disinfection. The CDPH states that frequent disinfection can pose a health risk to students due to the strong chemicals often used and is not recommended for use in schools except in response to a case of Covid. In such cases, areas where the affected individual spent a large proportion of their time are to be disinfected. Disinfectants used are to be EPA approved and should contain asthma-safer ingredients such as hydrogen peroxide, citric acid or lactic acid. Bleach and other harsh chemicals are to be avoided.

Use of Cleaning Products and Disinfectants. All cleaning products and disinfectants are to be used according to label instructions, kept out of the reach of children, and stored in a restricted access area. Custodial staff will be provided necessary protective equipment and adequate ventilation when cleaning or disinfecting. Students are not to handle cleaners or disinfectants. Cleaning is to occur pursuant to a schedule to avoid under- and over-cleaning. The current cleaning schedule is set forth in Appendix 2.

Staff Training. All staff are provided information and updates about Covid and disease prevention measures at regular staff meetings. Staff are also provided this CSP which includes information about physical distancing, symptom screening, Covid symptoms and spread, cleaning and disinfection, and procedures in response to staff and student symptoms and illness. Staff also receive information about the proper use and handling of face coverings. We will make other relevant informative materials and guidance documents available to staff on an ongoing basis and will provide virtual staff training as needed on health and safety issues including compliance with this CSP.

Student Education. Staff teach children the symptoms of Covid and what to do if they feel sick. Students also learn disease-prevention strategies including the proper use of face coverings, the importance of distancing and not sharing food or drink; a hand washing method lasting at least twenty seconds (e.g. accompanied by a song); the occasions when hand washing is required; the importance of using a tissue to wipe the nose; and to cough or sneeze into a tissue or the inside of the elbow. Staff are also to instruct children not to drink directly from drinking fountains but to use them only for refilling water bottles.

Community Education. Families will be provided with this CSP and informed of drop-off, pick-up and other procedures designed to mitigate the spread of Covid. The school will continue to communicate with caregivers as the situation evolves and relevant school policies and procedures are updated.

Signage. Signs conveying proper handwashing technique are posted in restrooms and near sinks. Additional signage is posted regarding Covid mitigation measures and how to properly wear a face covering. Signage near water fountains will indicate that they are not to be used directly but rather only to refill water bottles.

Vaccinations. Compliance with state vaccination requirements is mandatory for all students and staff. Vaccination records are maintained and compliance is reported annually in accordance with applicable laws. We also communicate to our families and staff CDPH and ACPHD flu vaccination recommendations and any updates regarding the availability of Covid vaccinations.

We provide uninterrupted access to students excluded because of Covid symptoms or exposure through state-of-the-art teleconferencing technology in every classroom. In situations where one or more stable groups are temporarily excluded under this CSP, such as when there is a confirmed case of Covid within a group, we implement our proven Remote Learning Program in which a full day of live instruction is provided online.

Remote learning technology is also used to enable school attendance by students who are at higher risk for severe illness or who cannot safely distance from higher-risk household contacts. In such cases, we work individually with such students to provide access to remote learning or if appropriate to implement a blend of online and on-campus instruction.

Facility Upgrades and Modifications

Safe, in-person instruction is essential to the physical and emotional health and safety of our students, families and staff and is therefore a high priority at EBGIS. We have therefore made significant facilities upgrades and modifications to facilitate the implementation of layered transmission mitigation strategies.

Additional Early Childhood Classrooms. Three rooms were fully renovated for use by our Early Childhood Program to allow instruction in small stable groups. We currently have three dedicated preschool classrooms and two dedicated kindergarten classrooms.

Multi-Station Handwashing Sinks. We installed three multi-faucet no-touch (knee-paddle operated) handwashing stations on campus, located in the main lobby area, the outdoor passageway between the grades classrooms and the lunch area, and on the north side of campus near the restrooms. This allows frequent handwashing by all students and staff without wait time and without having to enter the restrooms.

Availability of Sinks, Soap and Sanitizer. Sinks, soap and hand sanitizer dispensers are available in all classrooms and staff break rooms.

Additional Dedicated Outdoor Spaces. We created additional outdoor areas for our Early Childhood Program, allowing groups to spend more time outdoors while maintaining separation between groups. The gated front yard of the preschool mini-campus now features a new garden and activity area for preschool students, adding over 500 square feet to our outdoor space. An additional outdoor garden area on the southwest side of campus has also been dedicated for use by Early Childhood students. A new raised-bed edibles garden is used by our grades students.

New Outdoor Classrooms. We added multiple outdoor classrooms featuring natural tree stump seating with cushions, outdoor whiteboards, and shading. Faculty are encouraged to hold class outdoors whenever feasible.

Filtration and Ventilation. Each classroom has HEPA air filtration, an HVAC system equipped with MERV 13 filters, as well as window fans providing constant fresh-air circulation. HVAC filters will soon be upgraded to HEPA filters.

Additional Staff Break Rooms. We created separate break rooms for Elementary School, Middle School and Early Childhood faculty to ensure distancing.

Reconfigured Grades Classrooms. All grades classrooms have been reconfigured providing widely spaced seating to allow for physical distancing.

New Videoconferencing Equipment and Upgraded Network Infrastructure. Each grades classroom features upgraded videoconference equipment with a large conference room screen in the back of the room and Logitech Meetup conference room cameras. This allows students who cannot be in class in person because of Covid symptoms or exposure or because they are a family member are at greater risk of illness to participate live from home. We also upgraded network connectivity in all classrooms to provide for a smooth live remote experience for children unable to join in person.

School Community Communications. We communicate openly and regularly with our staff and families regarding our operations, health and safety measures, and any significant developments that may impact our operations or risk assessment. EBGIS maintains current contact information (including email addresses and phone numbers) of all guardians of enrolled students, their additional emergency contacts, as well as contact information of anyone authorized to drop off or pick up students. This information is maintained in our electronic student information system (BigSIS) and updated at the beginning of each school year and as needed throughout the school year. General communications are included in our weekly email newsletter to all families. Additional updates are sent to all families via email on an as-needed basis. From time to time we also host community meetings via video conference to provide important updates and answer questions. Time sensitive or emergency notifications are provided via email and via automated text message using the BrightWheel mobile app that all guardians are required to download and install on their phones. This application is also used for at-home symptom screening and check in.

Communication with Health Authorities. We communicate regularly with the ACPHD and other relevant health authorities. We consistently monitor and implement directives and recommendations from the CDPH and the CDC.

Communication Regarding Covid Cases. If the school learns of a positive Covid test of a student, staff member or close contact, we will inform the affected individual(s) via email and telephone and follow the response steps described above. Communications regarding confirmed cases will be handled by the Board Chair and the Principal and will be tailored to the circumstances and the impacted group. In case of a confirmed case within a stable group, all families of children in that stable group and any other close contacts of the positive individual will be informed via email using the template communication provided by the CDPH. The communication will generally not identify the positive individual by name. We will also contact the local health office, follow its guidance regarding our response, and assist with contact tracing and communication efforts, in all cases respecting the privacy of impacted individuals and avoiding stigmatization.

Appendix 1

Management of Stable Groups and Physical Distancing

The EBGIS grades program is small (about 120 students) and occupies a spacious campus providing an ideal environment for the maintenance of separate stable groups. EBGIS is the sole tenant and occupant of a large former public school campus in Emeryville (the former Anna Yates Elementary School) that has a capacity of over 500 students. Our total student population, including our licensed childcare program, is about 150, allowing ample physical distancing, strict separation of stable groups, dedicated ingress and egress paths, and extensive outdoor time.

• Each of our stable groups occupies its own dedicated classroom; classrooms are not shared by stable groups at any time.
• Each classroom has usable floor space of 700 square feet or more allowing at least six feet of space between student seats in all classrooms.
• The campus has extensive outdoor space totaling more than 30,000 square feet. There are five separate designated outdoor areas for recess and recess times are staggered so that no more than five stable groups are outside at any time. Each stable group uses a designated outdoor area and stable groups do not mix.
• Three separate ingress/egress points are used: the main entrance for Kindergarten groups, a separate entrance on 41^st Street for grades 1 through 4, and the entrance on 43^rd Street for grades 5 through 8. Pick-up and drop-off times are staggered as described below.
• Grades classrooms have direct access to the outdoors; there is no shared hallway space.
• The two Kindergarten classrooms are in separate rooms in the main building. While waiting outside the building to be checked in, children and their guardians observe physical distancing aided by markings on the ground. Children are individually escorted to their room after screening and handwashing.
• The Kindergarten stable groups do not share a hallway. Kindergarten 1 uses the East entrance/exit while Kindergarten 2 has its own door leading directly to the outside courtyard.
• Stable groups’ pick-up and drop-off and staggered recess times are shown in the table below. As noted above, each stable group has a dedicated outdoor area for recess and stable groups do not mix or share indoor or outdoor space (or hallways) at any time.

* Five separate outdoor areas are available.

** Kindergarten does not have a specific recess time. Kindergarten students use outdoor space while the grades students are in their classrooms for instruction.

• Kindergarten stable groups have two dedicated teachers per stable group. The teachers do not move between groups and no other teachers teach in either of the two stable groups.
• Stable groups in the grades each have a dedicated homeroom teacher who teaches most of that group’s classes. In grades 1-4, only two classes are taught by a specialist teacher who maintains distancing of twelve feet or as far as practicable. In grades 5 through 8, additional classes may be taught by specialist teachers who maintain a distance of twelve feet or as far as practicable. EBGIS may assign stable teams of teachers to stable groups of students comprising one or more classes.
• Four separate bathrooms are available for use by the K-8 stable groups, each with multiple toilets and sinks. Bathroom use is limited to one student at a time. Staff supervise bathroom use during recess to ensure compliance with this rule. If the bathroom is in use, other students must wait outside while maintaining distancing with the aid of markers on the ground. Multi-faucet handwashing stations have been installed outside the bathrooms so that children do not need to enter the bathrooms for handwashing.
• Separate staff rooms for Early Childhood, Elementary School and Middle School faculty ensure that there are never more than eight teachers in a staff room at the same time. Desks in staff rooms are spaced more than six feet apart and are equipped with plexiglass sneeze guards. Like the classrooms, staff rooms are equipped with HEPA filters, window fans, and MERV 13 filtered HVAC systems. When practicable, the HVAC filtration will be upgraded from MERV 13 to HEPA.
• No school lunch program is provided. Each student must bring his/her own lunch to school.
  

Appendix 2

Cleaning Schedule

EBGIS has modified our contract with our cleaning service provider to provide additional cleaning services supporting our layered mitigation approach.

Cleaning is performed daily between 6:30pm to 6:00am and includes:

• Hallway
• Main entrance and lobby area
• All restrooms
• All classrooms (preschool, kindergarten 1 and 2, all grades)
• All staff rooms
• Administrative office and copy room

Cleaning services include:

• Clean all tables, desks, counter tops, cabinets and shelves with appropriate cleaner
• Clean all high touch surfaces (light switches, door handles, bathroom fixtures)
• Empty trash and recycling and replace liners
• Sweep and vacuum floors
• Sweep and mop all hard surface floors with appropriate cleaning solution
• Spot clean vertical surfaces
• Monitor and refill soap and towel dispensers
• Clean all toilets
• Wet mop hard surface floors
• Height dusting: air grills, ceiling fixtures
• Main Entrance door full cleaning of all frontage windows, exterior & interior
• Clean toys placed in bins

Additional ad hoc cleaning of high touch surfaces is to be performed by staff and teachers as needed throughout the day (e.g. as they leave or enter rooms).