HEALTH & SAFETY AT SPRINGER

Below are Springer’s protocols for wearing masks. These protocols have been informed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Ohio Department of Health. We are happy to announce these changes, effective Monday, March 7th. 

• Masks will be optional for all students and staff UNLESS they test positive for COVID and have completed their quarantine through day 5. 

The CDC does not recommend wearing masks with one-way valves or vents. Therefore, we do not allow these masks on campus. In addition, masks should follow the spirit of the dress code and not be political, offensive or otherwise a distraction to others in the community.

We have partnered with TDG Facilities Management to develop and carry out protocols that follow CDC guidelines which include classroom cleaning between transitions as well as cleaning rest rooms, high-touch areas and common areas multiple times throughout the day.

Cleaning and disinfection will be done after each cohort of students leaves classroom, including between class changes (if applicable), between groups in the cafeteria (when utilized), and after each school day.

If a member of our community has confirmed exposure to or tests positive for COVID-19 we will work directly with the Health Department to make sure we follow the most recent recommendations for schools.

As per the CDC, persons should continue to conduct a Self-Health Assessment of all students and employees at home PRIOR to leaving for school. You will use the information from the CDC found below to self-assess yourself and family members for the symptoms of COVID-19. By arriving at the building, the staff member and parent confirm that the self-health assessment was performed and conditions below are not present.

• Temperature of 100 degrees or higher
• Sore throat
• NEW uncontrolled cough that causes difficulty breathing (for students with chronic allergic/asthmatic cough, it would be a change from their baseline)
• Diarrhea, vomiting or abdominal pain
• NEW onset of severe headache, especially with a fever

If a member of our community answers YES to any of the questions the student should not come on campus. For re-entry and next steps please contact the Springer Health Office (513) 871-6080, ext. 441, or . 

Springer loves to welcome parents and visitors on campus. The safety of our Springer community is our priority, and therefore those granted entry will be subject to the same health and safety protocols as the rest of our community. Below is the Visitor Protocol for entering Springer’s building during this pandemic.

The visitor confirms that they and members of their household have not had any of the following symptoms in the past 24 hours.

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

Parents/guardians will be required to conduct health screenings of their student each morning prior to leaving home. If a student or staff member has symptoms,* they should stay home and contact the Springer Health Office for next steps and re-entry plan. If a member of our community has confirmed exposure** to, or tests positive for COVID-19, we will work directly with the Health Department to make sure we follow the most recent recommendations for schools. Cincinnati Health Department does not recommend rapid testing for COVID-19 and strongly encourages PCR testing. Therefore, if testing is deemed necessary, please be advised that we require a PCR test, not a rapid or at home test. 

*Symptoms

• Temperature 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher when taken by mouth
• Sore throat
• New uncontrolled cough that causes difficulty breathing (for students with chronic allergic/asthmatic cough, a change in their cough from baseline)
• Diarrhea, vomiting, or abdominal pain
• New onset of severe headache, especially with a fever
• Runny nose/congestion

^**Confirmed or Potential Exposure

• You were within 6 feet of someone who has COVID-19 for at least 15 minutes
• You provided care at home to someone who is sick with COVID-19
• You had direct physical contact with the person (touched, hugged, or kissed them)
• You shared eating or drinking utensils
• They sneezed, coughed, or somehow got respiratory droplets on you

Re-entry

• If symptoms are present with no known exposure, you should stay home and contact your doctor for advice.
• If symptoms are present with known exposure, the individual may return when one of the following occurs:
  • negative PCR test, or
  • two negative at home rapid tests, taken 24 hours apart, or
  • ten-day isolation has been completed.
• If a student/staff member tests positive for COVID they must isolate through day five and wear a mask from day six through day ten.
• Notify the Dean of Students of any positive test to confirm re-entry plan.

Sources

• Ohio Department of Health, COVID-19 Health and Prevention Guidance for Ohio K-12 Schools, revised 7/26/21
• Overview of COVID-19 Quarantine for K-12 Schools | CDC
• https://services.aap.org/en/pages/2019-novel-coronavirus-covid-19-infections/clinical- guidance/covid-19-planning-considerations-return-to-in-person-education-in-schools/