Physical Distancing on Campus

Physical distancing has two main components: keeping individuals a safe distance, as practicable, from one another, and reducing the number of people with whom an individual interacts face-to-face. Reminder signage coupled with floor markers will be placed throughout applicable areas of campus to help with the flow of foot traffic and to avoid unnecessary contact.

Images: Examples from school campuses showing physical distancing markers (in offices, on buildings, in classrooms). Click images to enlarge.

Space Usage

Continue to ensure physical distancing among staff in their work environment to reduce the spread of the virus by:

• Avoiding staff congregation in work environments, break rooms, staff rooms, and bathrooms.
• Avoiding grouping staff together for training or staff development by conducting the training virtually or, if in-person, ensure distancing is maintained.

Image: Picture of a school’s break room

• Evaluate all workspaces, in accordance with Cal/OSHA regulations and guidance, to ensure that employees can maintain physical distancing to the extent possible.
• Rearrange workspaces to maximize the space between employees and students, whenever possible.
• Add physical barriers that cannot be moved to separate workspaces If physical distancing between workspaces or between employees, students, and visitors is not possible.
• Place desks with the maximum distance between students, according to physical distancing guidelines.
• Adjust the capacity of multipurpose rooms or common areas according to the CDPH guidelines for spacing between students.

Cleaning and Disinfection Protocols

• Continue to deliver high cleanliness and disinfection standards at school sites prior to reopening, and sustain this standard during the school year.
• Remove stuffed animals and any other toys that are difficult to clean, sanitize, and disinfect in the school facilities.
• Remove soft furniture from school sites that are difficult to clean, sanitize and disinfect.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces in offices, classrooms, restrooms frequently - at least daily - items such as, door handles, switches, handrails, desks and tables, chairs, office equipment, etc.
• If used, outdoor playgrounds/natural play areas only need routine maintenance. Make sure that children wash or sanitize their hands before and after using these spaces. When hand hygiene is emphasized, cleaning of outdoor structures play is not required between cohorts.
• Use disinfecting products approved for use against COVID-19 on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2, and follow product instructions.
• Reduce the risk of asthma-related disinfecting by aiming to select disinfectant products on the EPA List N with asthma-safer ingredients (i.e., hydrogen peroxide, citric acid, or lactic acid).
• Avoid products that mix the above ingredients with peroxyacetic acid, sodium hypochlorite (bleach), or quaternary ammonium compounds, which can cause asthma.
• Use disinfectants labeled to be effective against emerging viral pathogens, following label directions for appropriate dilution rates and contact times.
• Custodial staff and any other workers who clean and disinfect the school site must be equipped with proper personal protective equipment, including gloves, eye protection, respiratory protection, and other appropriate protective equipment as required by the product instructions. All products must be kept out of the reach of children and stored in a space with restricted access.
• Establish a cleaning schedule in order to avoid both under- and over-use of cleaning products.
• Ensure safe and correct application of disinfectant and keep products away from students.
• When cleaning, ensure sufficient ventilation is provided before staff and children arrive, and disinfect the space when children are not present.
• Isolate areas used by any sick person and do not use the space before cleaning and disinfection.
• Drinking fountains will be cleaned and sanitized regularly but staff and students will be encouraged to bring their own water to minimize the use and touching of water fountains. Automated water bottle hydration stations have been installed at most sites and we will have them at all sites by Summer of 2021. All water fixtures will be turned on and allowed to run so that the water system will be flushed and replaced with fresh water.

Image: Electrostatic Sprayer being used in ESD Classroom

Ensuring Adequate Air Ventilation

• Doors and windows are to be opened to increase air ventilation. Leaving doors open is acceptable, as long as it does not create a safety risk for students or employees. Utilizing open windows and existing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are good options for increasing air ventilation. Maintenance and Operations preventive maintenance protocols are already in place in ESD and all HVAC high efficiency rated filters throughout the District are changed on a periodic basis. Indoor air ventilation is closely monitored and maintained by Maintenance & Operations staff during on-going preventive maintenance efforts.
• Make sure that shared spaces have adequate airflows, provided by an air conditioner or an opened window, weather permitting.
• Keep ceiling fans off.
• Ionizers are being installed into the HVAC system to clean the air in enclosed areas. The air conditioning system along with the ionizer will supply proper ventilation and filtration.

COVID-19 Campus Zoning

ESD is creating a temporary campus zoning program designed to maintain a safer and healthier academic environment. Each school’s Academic Zone identifies campus entry/exit points. All ESD students and staff will be asked to enter and exit through the identified entry/exit locations at their sites. Bike and skateboard rack areas will be available in the Academic Zone to promote active transportation. Specific student and staff restrooms are also assigned. Hand sanitizer will be available at all entry points. These Academic Zones are restricted to ESD students, staff and pre-approved essential visitors on campus. Therefore, parents accompanying their children onto campuses will need to drop off (“Hug and go”) their children outside of these zones if walking their children onto campus. In most cases, physical access to school offices will be limited, and appointments will need to be scheduled ahead of time. School sites will set up processes for dropping off and picking up forms and other materials to allow for social distancing and the reduction of crowds.

ESD seeks to balance state and local guidance with the various needs of our school communities. ESD will limit access within Academic Zones so that only approved students and essential staff may enter and resume educational activities. Guidelines and revisions for all school zones will be shared with each school community.