Listed below are descriptions of some of the health and safety measures that will be in place on school buses, in school buildings, and in classrooms. Please click the links to be directed to the appropriate section for more details. Complete details can be found in the District's approved Health & Safety Plan.
As per the July 1, 2020 order from the Pennsylvania Department of Health, face coverings must be worn by students or staff in the buildings when a distance of 6 feet cannot be maintained.
Any student who cannot wear a mask or face shield due to a medical condition, including those with respiratory issues that impede breathing, a mental health condition, or disability, and students who would be unable to remove a mask without assistance are not required to wear face coverings. Individuals who are communicating or seeking to communicate with someone who is hearing impaired or who has another disability, where the ability to see the mouth is essential to communication, are not required to wear a mask; however, individuals should consider using another type of face covering such as a plastic face shield. PDE is not requiring documentation for an exemption, but Keystone Oaks is requiring a note from the parent/guardian.
Click here to read full order on the Department of Education's website.
Elementary: Time for regular hand-washing will be built into the master schedule. Students will wash hands before lunch, upon return from recess, and any time students move to a new classroom and return to their original room. Hand sanitizer will be available in every classroom.
Secondary: Regular hand-washing will be expected, especially before lunch. Hand sanitizer will be available in every classroom.
Signs will be displayed throughout the buildings and video tutorials will be developed to demonstrate proper hand-washing techniques.
District -Wide: All staff members will commit to a daily self health check. Families will commit to checking students' health daily before school. Anyone exhibiting a fever of 100.4 or above, or another symptom of COVID-19, must stay home for the day and may not return until cleared by a medical provider.
The District will utilize a weekly symptom check form to monitor health conditions and potential exposure to COVID-19.
The District is awaiting further guidance from county and state health officials to determine when a student or staff member should be quarantined, isolated, excluded from school, and permitted to return after exposure or potential exposure to COVID-19.
Per current PA Department of Health guidelines, anyone with a positive case of COVID-19 will be required to isolate at home for at least 10 days after symptom onset and being fever free for 72 hours without medication.
Keystone Oaks' attendance policy will also be adjusted to reflect any state laws or guidelines that address excused or unexcused absences.
Elementary: In the Yellow Phase, students will be served lunch in the classroom. In the Green Phase, students will be permitted to eat in the cafeteria, with appropriate spacing. Meals will be boxed individually.
Secondary: In both the Yellow & Green Phases, students will be permitted to eat in the cafeteria, gymnasium, and other spaces. Meals will be boxed individually.
The District is also exploring the use of outdoor tents to allow students to eat lunch outside.
District-Wide: Cleaning supplies will be provided for students and/or teachers to regularly clean desks throughout the day as needed. Commonly touched surfaces and restrooms will be cleaned and disinfected throughout the school day. All areas of the buildings will be cleaned and disinfected as per CDC and/or state health guidelines.
Windows and doors will be open, when possible, to circulate air. Staff and students will be encouraged to utilize outdoors spaces for instruction and meals. New air filters will be installed.
District-Wide: To help minimize the number of students on a bus, families will be surveyed to determine if they can provide transportation.
There will be a maximum of two students per seat, when feasible. Siblings will be seated together. Face coverings are required.
District-Wide: The District will maintain 6 feet of separation among students and staff throughout the day to the maximum extent feasible. Class sizes will be balanced as much as possible. Classes that are unable to maintain six feet of separation will be assigned an alternate space to the extent possible.
Movement throughout the building will be limited, with students walking in one direction when possible. Multiple entrances and exits will be utilized.
Elementary: Students will be permitted to have recess outdoors. Sports or games with physical contact will not be permitted, but students will be permitted to play catch, shoot baskets, etc. Additionally, teachers will be encouraged to hold class outdoors as feasible. Physical education classes will be held with precautions in place.
Secondary: Teachers will be encouraged to use outdoors space as feasible. Physical education classes will be held with precautions in place. Locker use by students will not be permitted.