Building Safe and Healthy Schools

Accelerate CT logo As schools move closer to full attendance and attempt to return to practices that were in place prior to COVID dislocations, it is essential that schools consider safety and wellbeing first and foremost. There are several levels of needs in relation to student and staff health and wellbeing. One such need is the cleanliness of the school facility and below you will find a link addressing ventilation, cleaning, disinfection, contact tracing and mitigation of COVID-related hazards, as well as other supporting documentation.

Resources should also continue to be allocated to support the physical health and safety of our students and staff, (e.g., to ensure adequate personal protective equipment (PPE), cleaning supplies, etc.).

Guidance on Health and Safety – Webinars and References

Optimizing Ventilation for School Reopening – for additional information on ventilation needs and recommendations, refer to Adapt, Advance, Achieve: Connecticut’s Plan to Learn and Grow Together, pages 9 – 11 and on page 46 under Other Additional Resources.

Cleaning and Disinfection Strategies for School Reopening – refer to Adapt, Advance, Achieve: Connecticut’s Plan to Learn and Grow Together, page 46 for additional CDC guidance for cleaning and disinfecting surfaces.

Preparing the School Water System for Fall Reopening – refer to Adapt, Advance, Achieve: Connecticut’s Plan to Learn and Grow Together, pages 9 – 10 and on page 46 under Other Additional Resources for guidance to ensure safe water systems in schools.

COVID-19 Contact Tracing: Recommendations for K-12 – for additional guidance on contact tracing refer to Adapt, Advance, Achieve: Connecticut’s Plan to Learn and Grow Together, pages 11 and 23.

COVID19 and Schools: Mitigation Strategies, Community Spread, and Decision Making – please refer to the entirety of Adapt, Advance, Achieve: Connecticut’s Plan to Learn and Grow Together for complete information of the decision making process for school and district opening, closure and reopening planning.

Information concerning transportation and safe access to schools can be found on page 14 – 16 in Adapt, Advance, Achieve: Connecticut’s Plan to Learn and Grow Together and in 2020-2021 School Year Bus Ride Frequently Asked Questions, along with additional information in the Student/Family Transportation Guidelines.
Additional COVID Resources for Families and Educators

COVID-19 Resources for Educators – this link provides professional development information addressing specific roles and responsibilities for school staff addressing student needs in times of COVID.

COVID-19 Resources for Families and Educators - Addendums and FAQs – this page contains information such as interim guidance advisories, scenarios to illustrate best practices and frequently asked questions.

Connecticut State Department of Education

Building Safe and Healthy Schools