Any individual permitted to enter a Springboard Schools location must complete a daily health attestation form and confirm they have no COVID-19 related symptoms as described by the CDC. This allows us to reduce the potential for exposure, limits the number of close contacts and allows us to track potential issues. If an individual does not pass the screening process, they can not enter the building.

The primary COVID-19 related symptoms as reported by the CDC are:

Masks and Face Coverings – Staff wear masks throughout the day. Children two-years and older are encouraged to wear face coverings or masks when possible at the discretion of the parents.

Hand Washing – Hand washing is critical to maintaining a safe and healthy environment. Springboard Schools operates in compliance with the minimum requirements for health and safety and provides adequate supplies to promote effective hygiene behaviors. Enhanced hand washing protocols are in place and conducted throughout the day, especially before and afer handling food, after coughing, sneezing etc., upon entry to the building, after contact with facemasks, anytime a child/adult touches their face and any other instances that may transmit disease.

Social Distancing & Discrete Groups – Classrooms and floorplans have been changed to accommodate a 6-feet apart requirement. Cohorts have been formed so children and teachers remain only with their classmates and students throughout the day either in their classroom or on the playground. Toys are assigned to only one classroom each day. Special events and visitors are not permitted at this time.

Drop-off and Pick-Up – Areas have been designated at each location to ensure social distancing can be maintained during both drop-off and pick-up. Daily health attestation is confirmed prior to entry and teachers will bring children to the designated area of the end of day. Parents are not permitted to enter the building at this time.

Gloves – Non-latex gloves are worn when diapering or helping with toileting activities, food preparation, screening activities requiring contact, and applying sunscreen.

Cleaning, Sanitizing and Disinfecting – Springboard Schools has a targeted enhanced cleaning schedule in place as prescribed by the EEC and uses EPA-registered disinfectants, focusing on items that may have been on contact with respiratory droplets or saliva. Equipment, classroom materials, toys, and/or surfaces (including floors, walls, and tabletops) are washed with soap and water and disinfected as needed to maintain a sanitary environment. Eating areas and high touch surface areas are sanitized and disinfected after each use and as needed throughout the day. All shared items, spaces (i.e. toys, sandboxes, water fountains) and items that cannot be readily and easily wiped and cleaned have been temporarily removed or closed.

Illness

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic period, our illness policy (both COVID and Non-COVID provisions) applies to all staff, children, and their household members. (Household members include anyone living or present in the household on a regular basis). The final decision on whether to exclude an individual from the program due to illness will be made by Springboard Schools. Please see our COVID-19 Addendum and Illness Policy for symptoms list and exclusion periods. To reduce the risk of transmission, children must be picked up within 1 hour of notification of illness.

If a student/teacher or household member is symptomatic for COVID-19 the household is required to remain out of school for a minimum of 10 days unless cleared by an approved medical provider. Please see our COVID-19 addendum for exceptions and requirements to return. A confirmed COVID-19 case (positive test result as described by the CDC algorithm) can not return to school for a minimum 10-day period and must be cleared by a medical provider.

Exposure

If any non-immune member of your household has a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 or has been in Close Contact (as defined by the CDC) with anyone who has a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19, then all non-immune members of your household must remain out of the center. If a school is notified of a confirmed case and that individual has been in our school and a classroom within a 48 hour lookback period, all close contacts within that time period will be excluded from school for a minimum of 10 days.

As vaccinations are distributed, we will follow CDC and our local Board of Health’s guidance regarding immunity. Individuals will be considered “immune” during a 90-day period, which may be extended based on future guidance, commencing:

For vaccinated individual: Two weeks after completing the full course of vaccination.

For previously positive individual (lab-confirmed case): ten days after the onset of symptoms, or, in the case of an asymptomatic individual, ten days after the date tested.

Reporting

Reporting any suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 is crucial to the health and safety of our community. Notification of any suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 in a household is required within 14 days prior to entering our schools or 48 hours after entering our schools.

We are required to report to our local Board of Health, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Department of Early Education & Childcare any confirmed cases and/or exposure for an individual in our school or their household member.