Dear Aldine Team,

While we have not decided yet what the 2020-2021 school year might look like for our students, we are moving forward with our staff re-entry plan.

There have been many discussions to make the return to buildings as safe as possible. Our number one priority is the general health and safety of our staff. All of the precautions include recommendations by the state and CDC based on what is currently known about the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Please be aware that each office, department, and school will work together to ensure proper leadership for social distancing.

The re-entry plan for staff that we are sharing is not final. Instead, the plan is based on the current information and guidelines provided by local, state, and national entities like the Center for Disease and Control. We continue to monitor and must remain flexible.

In Aldine, our employees will return in four phases. Our phased approach allows for an organized plan to ensure staff can return safely to their work environment. Employees will hear from their department about how and when they are expected to return to their worksites permanently.

You will note that we are currently still working under Phase 1 with restrictions. The district will implement Phases 2-4 pending CDC and state guidelines at the specified dates.

Please be aware that staff may be required to report back to on-site locations before the stated schedule based on district needs. The schedule may change based on health protocols in July. As mentioned above, our decisions will be based on conditions rather than dates.

You will note that we are currently still working under Phase 1 with restrictions. The district will implement Phases 2-5 pending CDC and state guidelines at the specified dates.

Please be aware that staff may be required to report back to on-site locations before the stated schedule based on district needs. The schedule may change based on health protocols in July. As mentioned above, our decisions will be based on conditions rather than dates.

Aldine ISD Return to Work Plan *as of July 2020

• Phase 1: RED 
  • Controlled access of all campuses and buildings for employees only
  • District and campus staff on campus on an as-needed basis
  • Limited access to the public (by appointment only) following social distancing guidelines
  • Staff to report to facilities to complete essential tasks as directed by supervisor
  • Regular work hours resume (Monday-Friday) on Aug. 3
    

• **Phase 2: ORANGE
  • Controlled access of all campuses and buildings for employees only
  • District and campus staff on campus on an as-needed basis
  • Limited access to the public (by appointment only) following social distancing guidelines
  • Designated campus-based staff can be on campus for small group instruction and to support continuity of learning
  • School in session 
  • Instruction will begin with online-daily engagement
  • 3-Week phased-in-process – staggered teams on campus for specific purposes: device distribution, new student registration, testing of special education students, etc.
  • Staff will deliver instruction from the classroom or designated workspace with health and safety protocols in place (exceptions based on documented health risk)
    

• Phase 3: YELLOW
  • Access to the public (by appointment only) following social distancing guidelines
  • All staff, regardless of role, reporting to district facilities and campuses to support continuity of learning
  • Plan in place for staff and students who chose Learn at School to be at campuses (may be staggered return depending on number of students and facility capacity)
    

• Phase 4: GREEN
  • Plan in place for staff and students who chose Learn at School to be at campuses (may be staggered return depending on number of students and facility capacity) 
• Phase 5: BLUE
  • All staff reporting to district facilities and campuses

**Each department’s plan will accommodate the needs of the department.

Again, your safety at work is our highest priority, and we will continue to monitor the situation and respond accordingly. Depending on the circumstance, the district or your direct supervisor will communicate any changes with you.

District Protocols for Return to On-Site Work

District administration will ensure the following precautions are taken at all facilities:

• Ensure that staff members have access to personal protective safety equipment (PPE) as needed.
• Ensure that staff members are trained in appropriate protocols.
• Ensure employee protocols for return to work are respected and enforced.
• Ensure proper cleaning and disinfecting of workspaces and highly trafficked areas (e.g., bathrooms, cafeterias, teacher lounge rooms).
• Ensure appropriate workplace posters outlining proper protocols are prominently displayed.
• Ensure visitors are limited to conducting essential business that is not able to be done remotely.

Employee Protocols for Return to On-Site Work

Employees are to ensure adherence to the following guidelines to protect themselves and others at work:

• Perform a self-screening for symptoms before reporting to work and entering all buildings.
  • Any employee who is not feeling well or has been potentially exposed, has a fever of 100.0 Fahrenheit or higher, feel feverish, or has other symptoms of COVID-19 (cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, loss of taste or smell) SHOULD NOT report to any district worksite or enter any Aldine ISD facility; and should contact their healthcare provider. Contact your supervisor.
  • Before reporting to work, any employee who answers “Yes” to any of the following “daily health check” questions MUST NOT report to work or access any district building including campuses and contact your supervisor.:
    • Have you had recent contact with someone who was diagnosed with COVID-19?
    • Did you recently visit a state where COVID-19 has a widespread transmission crisis, such as Louisiana, New York Tri-State area (New York, New Jersey, Connecticut), California; Washington; Atlanta, Georgia; Chicago, Illinois; Detroit, Michigan; and Miami, Florida?
    • Do you have a fever, or have you felt hot or feverish in the last two days?
    • Do you have a cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, muscle aches, body aches, headache, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea?
    • DO NOT report to work, if the response to any of the above questions is “Yes.”
    • DO NOT report to work if you are feeling well but live in the same household as someone who has received a positive COVID-19 result SHOULD NOT report to their worksite or enter any Aldine facility.
    • Anyone under quarantine or self-quarantine directed by a local health authority SHOULD NOT report to their worksite or enter any Aldine facility.
• Wear a mask (cloth or disposable) and other necessary PPE specific to their position or work; this includes while employees are in hallways and other common or shared workspaces. Gloves should be worn when appropriate.
• Maintain social distancing (at least six feet apart) at all times, per CDC guidelines, when in a district facility.
• Wash often hands, for 20 seconds or more, or utilize hand sanitizer (60-95% alcohol) if soap and water are not available. The district has created hand sanitizing stations at each of the district’s administrative facilities. Soap is also available in all bathrooms.
• Avoid gathering in staff lounges/break rooms; employees may access the refrigerator and microwave but not stay or gather to eat.
• Avoid small, closed-in spaces, and in-person meetings.

Continue to visit www.aldineisd.org/healthalerts for the most recent updates. If you have specific questions contact your department head or send us a note.

Please know how much we appreciate your patience, flexibility, and resilience, as this situation has evolved since early March. We are incredibly proud of how our community has come together and is working to keep our students learning and the school district running during this uncertain time. We look forward to seeing you and the day when we can all be together again.

Thank you for all you do. We wish you and your family good health.

With Aldine Pride,