This page is intended to provide information and answer questions for ASD staff about COVID-19.  We welcome suggestions for enhancing this site to best support ASD staff.

Here is an overview of all of the health and safety strategies. We will continue to update this site. This is an overview of the highlights and more information will be added in this section. This information is subject to change.

Face Coverings/Masks

• Masks/facial coverings are required on all campuses and buses for ages 5 and up. Face coverings are encouraged for ages 3-4.
• The ASD will provide masks based on the Department of Health guidance for Which Mask for Which Task? This guidance has been adapted and we have Auburn Mask Guidelines. 
• Exceptions to wearing face coverings are only determined by Human Resources.
• Masks are required indoors for everyone (the front desk should have masks to hand out to those without a mask).
• Masks are not required outdoors but are permitted if the individual desires.

Physical Distancing

• Assigned seating in each classroom.
• Assigned seating at lunch.
• Staff will physically distance themselves whenever possible, we will strive for 6 feet between adults.
• We will strive for 3 feet between students.
• Limit close contact as much as possible.
• Smaller/shorter gatherings are preferred.

Personal Hygiene

• Hand washing and sanitizing will be required throughout all buildings.
• Hand sanitizer will be provided upon entrance to the building.
• Teach strategies & guidelines for students on handwashing and hygiene practices.
• Post signage on infection & transmission prevention best practices within classrooms.
• Encourage frequent hand washing.
• Hand sanitizer dispensers are installed in every secondary classroom.
• Bottles of hand sanitizer are available in all common areas.
• Touchless handwashing sinks are installed in every elementary portable.

Cleaning and Disinfecting

• Implemented a schedule for cleaning and disinfecting throughout the school based upon Department of Health guidance.
• Use of Environmental Protection Agency-rated cleaners.
• Ensure cleaning and disinfecting of frequently touched surfaces, such as door handles and light switches.
• Students and staff will clean desks and chairs with cleaner and microfiber cleaning cloths provided daily by the district. 
• Computing devices should only be cleaned using materials and directions from the Department of Technology.
• Cleaning kits are provided for every classroom.
• Maintenance and Operations will launder the microfiber cleaning cloths daily.
• Only cleaning solutions provided by the district can be used.
• Disinfecting will be done at the end of each school day by custodial staff.

Bus Transportation

• Assigned seating will be required. Siblings/household members will sit together.
• Riders will physically distance as much as possible.
• Students and bus drivers will be required to wear face coverings while on the bus.
• Maximize outside air by keeping windows open as much as possible.
• Encourage students to wash their hands or use sanitizer immediately before boarding the bus.
• Masks will be supplied for those who do not have one.
• Bus drivers will be responsible for cleaning and disinfecting their bus daily with supplies provided by Maintenance and Operations.

School Logistics.

• Teachers can facilitate movement, mask and hand-washing breaks.
• Water fountains will be available and cleaned regularly.
• No volunteers except for outdoor sports.
• No student field trips to start the year.
• We will have after-school clubs, activities and sports and all COVID mitigation strategies must be followed.
• ASD libraries will be open for book checkout and research.

Staff Safety

• The Department of Labor & Industries reviewed the ASD Personal Protective Equipment plan and we exceeded recommendations.
• Staff are responsible for their personal PPE.
• Face Shields should be cleaned often with soap/water.
• Any questions regarding personal PPE can be directed to the school nurse.
• Will provide higher-level PPE for staff who work with students with mask challenges.

Meals at School

• Meals will be provided for all students.
• Middle and high school students will eat in common areas with as much physical distancing as possible.
• Elementary students will eat in their classroom with as much physical distancing as possible.
• Students will be required to wash their hands before and after meals.
• Students will not share meals.
• Staff will eat meals in their classroom or in physically-distanced staff lounge or other large area.
• Assigned seating is required in classes and at lunch.
• We have added lunches and rented tents at the secondary level so students can spread out further at lunch.

COVID Supervisor Role

• Every building has a designated COVID supervisor.
• Provide resources and information about COVID-19 to staff, students, and families.
• Gather information about close contacts and notify staff members if exposed to a confirmed COVID-19 individual.
• Help determine isolation/quarantine period.
• Communicates with Maintenance & Operations when disinfecting is required.
• Manages external and internal communication regarding outbreak status.
• Serves as a liaison to District COVID-19 Coordinator.

Indoor Air Quality and Ventilation

• Auburn School District has confirmed every building’s ventilation systems are operating properly and provide air quality based upon full occupancy for each space.
• The amount of outside air has increased by double, reducing air recirculation.
• The length of time HVAC systems are in operation Increased by 2 hours before and 2 hours after school
• In November 2020, an Indoor Air Quality Audit was conducted by Elizabeth Jakab, MS, CSRM Industrial Hygiene Consultant with Puget Sound Educational Service District. The audit addressed the main elements of a proactive IAQ program/plan and was based on information from the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and WA State Department of Health. Auburn School District earned 100% on the audit.
• Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality Assessments
• Filters are changed quarterly.
• Windows and doors will be open as much as possible

Separation Room

• Every school has a designated separation room for students who are showing COVID symptoms.
• The health tech and then the nurse will be the primary coverage for this role.
• Every school needs to have a plan to support supervision in the absence of the nurse/health tech with two additional staff identified to support.
• Office staff, paras, teachers cannot be assigned. They can volunteer to support – in which case we will provide additional training/PPE and they will be able to register to receive the vaccine.
• Staff for the separation room may be fit-tested for an N95 mask.
  

Information

• Webpage with information for staff; we continue to build it out-let us know what you need.
• The district maintains this dashboard of positive cases by school for transparency.
• Questions that aren’t answered?  Please email communications@auburn.wednet.edu .