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Published by American Nicaraguan School, 2021-08-02 11:53:12

2021-2022 Covid Protocols

ANS COVID Protocols

COVID
Protocol
2021-2022


Content
Instructional models for the 2021-22 school year ........................................................3 Health and safety protocols ........................................................................................4 School Operations ........................................................................................................8
At the American Nicaraguan School, we are committed to the safety and well-being of all students, faculty, and staff. As school resumes on Monday, August 16th for all Primary and Secondary School students, our ANS Leadership Team has identified the following COVID guidelines and expectations for the 2021-2022 school year, following the updated guidelines set by local and international health organizations.
We will continue to monitor the recommendations of the Nicaraguan Ministry
of Health, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Academy of Pediatrics throughout the school year. We ask that all faculty, staff, parents, and students familiarize themselves with the following guidelines and expectations for the 2021-2022 school year.
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COVID Protocol 21-22


Instructional models
for the 2021-22 school year
ANS has identified two instructional models for the 2021-2022 school year: Face-to-face and online learning. We are committed to providing quality instruction while maintaining the health and safety of our students and staff.
In-Person Learning
In-person learning is traditional in-school learning. Families must adhere to the health and safety guidelines as outlined in the approved ANS COVID Protocol 2021-2022 while on campus, at extracurricular activities, sporting events, and on school provided transportation.
Online Learning / E-Learning
Primary School At-Home Learning:
In the case of an emergency, a student may be approved for at-home learning, the student must stay at-home for the entire semester. Primary School students receiving at-home learning will be provided an independent lesson plan to complete with parental support. Opportunities for mentor check-ins may be incorporated in the lesson plan depending on grade-level and subject. Assignments will be provided through email for the parent to print. An at-home learning student is not allowed to participate in any extracurricular activities on the ANS campus.
Secondary School Online Learning:
In the case of an emergency, a student may be approved for at-home learning, the student must stay at-home for the entire semester. Secondary School students receiving at-home learning will access independent lesson plans via Google Classroom. Opportunities for mentor check-ins may be incorporated in the lesson plan depending on grade-level and subject. Students will have some access to synchronous learning through Zoom, but the majority of learning will happen asynchronously. An online student is not allowed to participate in any extracurricular activities on the LMP campus for the entire semester.
COVID Protocol 21-22 | 3


Health & Safety Protocols
Face Coverings
In accordance with the CDC guidelines:
• Masks are required for all students, faculty and staff, regardless of
Social Distancing
Social distancing in classroom and campus educational settings is one prevention strategy to utilize, as feasible, with other key mitigation strategies to implement healthy campuses. With a combination of both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, it is recommended to utilize 6 feet of distancing as feasible while indoors on campus.
Signage
Signage will be utilized to remind individuals, especially in larger congregate areas, to use as much physical distance
as possible. Best practice instructional techniques are recommended to continue (small groups, labs, intervention, etc.). It is critical that instructors in all areas maintain accurate seating charts and attendance records for the purpose of any necessary contact tracing.
• •
vaccination status.
Masks usage will be relaxed for outdoor activities, regardless of vaccination status, as long as there is proper distancing. Our instructors will provide guidance once outdoors. Occasionally, teachers will lower their
mask for direct instruction, but only when outdoors.
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COVID Protocol 21-22


Health & Safety Protocols
Screening for illness
ANS will employ an observational screening protocol for screening of illness of staff and students upon entry. The school will communicate information to parents and employees
about the symptoms of COVID-19 and ask them to self-screen before coming to school. Students and employees exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 are prohibited from coming to
school, and if they do come to school, they will be sent home immediately. Anyone with a known exposure to COVID is required to stay home and communicate directly with the ANS Doctor.
According to current guidelines, symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. The following are COVID-19- related symptoms:
• Fever (37.3 degrees or greater) and/or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Muscle pain (unrelated to strenuous activity)
This list does not include all possible symptoms. In addition, the school may take the temperature of students and employees
in situations where there is reason to believe that the person may be ill. Touch-free thermometers will be utilized and will be provided for use in the school clinic and any other school areas where needed.
COVID Protocol 21-22 | 5


Health & Safety Protocols
Clinic and Isolation Procedures
Our designated school doctor and nurses have been trained in best practice procedures for isolating students who are or become present with symptoms related to COVID-19. These best practice procedures include providing students with socially distancing the student away from others, wearing of mask by school nurse working with symptomatic students, and keeping the student separate from others until parent/guardian can pick up. An isolation room is available for any symptomatic individuals.
The school doctor will phone a parent/guardian to arrange immediate pickup of the sick child. Parent/guardian must arrive at Gate 4 after the infected student has been given an exit slip from the corresponding office.
Returning to School after quarantine
Students and employees should be isolated from school if they test positive for COVID-19 and the school must be informed immediately. Determinations about the need for quarantine and the length of the quarantine period will be made by the ANS Doctor.
Current guidelines require that an individual who tests positive for COVID-19 self isolate for up to 14 days. If the individual is asymptomatic, they are self isolated for 10 days from the date of the positive test.
With non-COVID illnesses, staff and students may return to school with a doctor’s note after 48 hours if they are no longer showing ANY symptoms of illness, including but not exclusive to diarrhea, vomiting, or fever. Students and employees may return to school when he/she has been fever-free for 48 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicine (e.g. Aspirin, Ibuprofen, etc.). This is the most effective way to prevent further transmission of the illness and gives the body a chance to recuperate and the immune system the opportunity to regain full strength.
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COVID Protocol 21-22


Health & Safety Protocols
Confirmed case of COVID-19 on school campus
When it is confirmed that a person infected with COVID-19 was on campus, the school doctor and school administrators will complete/update the contact tracing protocols for documentation and follow-up. The school administration will alert impacted students and families of a potential exposure on campus pending a contact tracing investigation.
Contact tracing involves the identification of close contacts with the positive COVID individual. Close contacts are currently defined as anyone who is within 6 feet of the positive individual for 15 minutes or more within 24 hours of a positive test or symptom onset. Close contacts are considered direct exposure and must be quarantined for 10 days from last contact with the positive individual. If a student or employee chooses to provide proof of vaccination, after an investigation, they may be exempt from quarantine.
As soon as the school becomes aware of a student or employee who has been exposed to or has been diagnosed with COVID-19, the custodial staff will be informed immediately, so that impacted buildings, common areas, furnishings, and equipment are thoroughly disinfected.
Reporting COVID-19 cases
If any student, faculty, or staff member tests positive for COVID-19 or was in close contact with someone who tested positive, the school must be informed immediately so our contact tracing investigation can be completed.
COVID Protocol 21-22 | 7


School Operations
Campus visitors
At this time, only essential visitors are allowed on campus. When on campus, all visitors must: • Adhere to all school health and safety protocols in place at the time of the visit.
CAMPUS EVENTS
When our risk level allows us to do so, indoor and outdoor events will follow these safety guidelines.
Indoor events
• Social distancing and masks are required during indoor events.
• Limited capacity is required for indoor events and will follow all health and
safety guidelines.
• Hand sanitizer stands will be placed at the entry/exit of all venues and
concession stands for spectator use.
Outdoor events
• • • •
Social distancing is encouraged during outdoor events, when possible, for spectators and participants. Masks are required for all spectators.
Limited capacity is required for outdoor events and will follow all health and safety guidelines.
Hand sanitizer stands will be placed at the entry/exit of all venues and concession stands.
Entry to school organized extracurricular events should have cashless transaction options such as: credit/debit card readers or online prepaid tickets.
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COVID Protocol 21-22


School Operations
Dining
All students and employees will be able to order meals through our lunch vendor. Students and employees may also bring their own lunch to campus.
Primary School
• Students will eat in the cafeteria or two outdoor seating areas seated with class.
• Hand washing or sanitizer will be available for all students entering the cafeteria.
• Meals from Hungry Tiger will be pre ordered and delivered to students.
• All payments must be made online with Hungry Tiger.
Team Member Safety Protocols
• Promote continued regular handwashing, as well as cleaning and disinfection of lunchroom tables, surfaces, and equipment.
• Schedule frequent cleaning and disinfection of high contact areas.
Transportation
Secondary School
• All students will eat in the cafeteria or outside common area/courtyard space for additional dining space.
• Sanitizer will be available for all students entering the cafeteria.
• Tables, seats, and contact points will be cleaned and disinfected between services with assistance from Facilities.
• Tables will continue to have plexiglass indoors.
• Wrapped cutlery and packaged condiments will be provided for students.
• Individually packaged lunches are available for grab and go.
ANS will
• • • •
• •
• •

follow the guidelines below for all school provided transportation vehicles:
The safe and correct use and storage of cleaning and disinfection products will be ensured. Students and our driver will wear face coverings while transporting students.
Students will distance as much as possible during morning and afternoon routes.
The touch point surfaces (e.g., seats, belt buckles, doors, windows) will be cleaned and disinfected throughout the vehicles prior to morning routes and before afternoon routes. Doors and windows will be kept open, when weather permits, for cleaning and disinfection between routes to allow for enhanced ventilation in vehicles.
If a student becomes sick during the day, he/she will not use group transportation to return home.
If a driver becomes sick during the day, he/she must not return to drive students. Increased education for drivers on cleaning and disinfection procedures and COVID- 19 symptoms will be provided.
Hand sanitizer will be provided for students to use as they enter the vehicle.
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School Operations
Cleaning & disinfection
CDC provides guidance on cleaning and disinfection of schools and buildings. ANS will support by providing:
• Training on disinfection methods and quality control expectations for custodial employees.
• Central ordering system for disinfection products and PPE.
• Custodians to assist with cleaning and disinfecting all common areas throughout the day.
• Ensure that all disinfectants are stored in a proper location.
• Supply soap, hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, paper towels, and tissue.
• Establish a schedule for routine cleaning and disinfection of school facilities (e.g., tables, desks, chairs, door handles, light switches, railings, faucet/toilet handles, drinking fountains,
playground equipment, gym equipment, cafeteria tables/carts/trays, countertops).
• Require students and staff to bring a water bottle from home.
• Touch-free water dispensers are available in every classroom.
This document was last updated September 13, 2021.
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Lomas de Monserrat Managua, Nicaragua Tel: + 505 2252-7310
PO Box 2670 www.ans.edu.ni


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