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Adapt, Advance, Achieve: Connecticut’s Plan to Learn and Grow Together
6. Health Practices And Protocols
Standard Public Health Practices and Adequate Supplies
6’
Requirements
• Ensure that students are educated and engaged in the new expectations related to
all public health policies and protocols. As part of this requirement, assess the best
approach to communicating the information for the age group, and plan to set aside
time at the beginning of the school year, as well as frequent reminders, to review the
new policies and protocols.
• Familiarize all participants of the standard public health practices used to prevent the
spread of diseases. These practices include, but are not limited to:
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social distancing,
frequent hand washing and use of hand sanitizer,
use of face coverings that completely cover the nose and mouth,
respiratory and cough etiquette, and
enhanced cleaning/disinfection of surfaces.
• Provide adequate supplies, including soap, hand sanitizer with at least 60% ethyl
alcohol or 70% isopropyl alcohol (for staff and older students who can safely use
hand sanitizer), paper towels, tissues, disinfectant wipes, cloth face coverings (as
feasible), and no-touch/foot-pedal trash cans.
Guidance
• Educate and train the school community in the standard public health practices,
to help them make appropriate decisions and comply with school health policies
and practices. The CDC has more detailed information on this topic. Related to
schools as workplaces, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
has also provided important measures for control and prevention that should be
communicated to the school community.
• Provide frequent reminders to students and staff of the importance of these
precautions. Consider weekly refreshers on the key public health strategies.
Immunizations and Health Assessments
Requirements
• Immunizations: Guidance from the Department of Public Health was issued dated
June 17, 2020 emphasizing the importance of protecting students by staying up to
date on immunizations.
• Health Assessments: Guidance from the CSDE was issued dated June 26, 2020
outlining the requirements for Health Assessments prior to students enrolling in school.