Employee Training and Community Education on COVID-19
Policy Scope:
Full community
Policy Owners:
Hannah Widgren, Health Coordinator
Last Updated:
Thursday, September 24, at 11:15 a.m.
As part of our Comprehensive Campus Reopening Plan, the school has prepared the following resources to support employee training and community education on COVID-19 prevention and response.
- A listing of our enhanced sanitation practices, as enacted by our facilities and custodial staff
- Guidelines for physical distancing, along with reasoning about their importance
- Instructions for the proper use, removal, and washing of face coverings
- An outline of our screening practices, along with a full FAQ on our partnership with One Medical
- Information about how COVID-19 is spread
- Information about how to identify the symptoms of COVID-19
- How to prevent the spread of COVID-19 if you are sick, including the importance of not coming to work if community members have symptoms, or if they or someone they live with has been diagnosed with COVID-19
- Worker-specific instructions on how to identify symptoms and when to seek medical attention.
- The school’s plan and procedures to follow when children or adults become sick at school
- The school’s plan and procedures to protect the community from COVID-19 illness
A listing of our enhanced sanitation practices, as enacted by our facilities and custodial staff
Sourced from Section 5 of the Comprehensive Campaign Reopening Plan
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Modifying use of shared site resources.
- Use of campus drinking fountains is suspended.
- Use of the shared kitchen spaces has been amended as follows:
- Staff assigned to the Admin Building may use the kitchen appliances in that building.
- Staff assigned to the Multipurpose Room may use the kitchen appliances in that building.
- Faculty in the Early Learning Center may use the kitchen appliances in that building.
- K–4 teachers may use the portable kitchen appliances set up outside the MPR.
- Specialists and 5th-grade teachers may use the portable kitchen appliances set up outside the Library.
- Use of bathroom facilities has been amended as follows:
- We are restricting the use of bathrooms to specific cohorts of students and adults, as follows, to minimize cross-contamination risk (as announced to our community in the Campus Restroom Usage Plan):
- ELC students and teachers are assigned to use the ELC bathrooms.
- Staff whose office spaces are within the Admin Building are assigned to use the “bullpen” bathroom within the Admin Building. This is also the designated visitor restroom.
- The Network and Systems Manager and all staff whose office spaces are within the Multipurpose Room are assigned to use the MPR bathroom. The Music Teacher, who teaches just outside the MPR in the Amphitheater, is also assigned to this restroom.
- Other specialist teachers are assigned to one of the two restrooms on the Specialist Quad, as indicated on the door. The Director of Educational Technology and the Technology and Data Manager are also assigned to the same restroom.
- 2nd-grade teachers and students are assigned to the other restroom on the Specialist Quad, as indicated on the door.
- Kindergarten teachers and students are assigned to one of the restrooms between the Kindergarten and 1st-grade classrooms, as indicated on the door.
- 1st-grade teachers and students are assigned to the other restroom between the Kindergarten and 1st-grade classrooms, as indicated on the door.
- 3rd-grade teachers and students are assigned to one of the restrooms between the 2nd- and 3rd-grade classrooms, as indicated on the door.
- 4th-grade teachers and students are assigned to the other restroom between the 2nd- and 3rd-grade classrooms, as indicated on the door.
- 5th-grade teachers and students are assigned to the portable bathroom facility next to the 5th-grade building, as indicated on the door.
- The restroom in the Health and Wellness Office is designated for use only by those being seen by the Health Coordinator, and only then with a specific need.
- All restrooms are gender-neutral, restricted to a single person at a time, to enable adequate physical distancing and ventilation.
- To reduce the aerosolization and spread of coronavirus-laden droplets and other germs, signage and physical barriers will be in place to prevent the use of any urinals on campus, and each toilet fixture will be outfitted with a lid. Students will be instructed and reminded to close toilet lids before flushing.
- Each member of the community is required to use only their assigned restroom, even during recess or specialist classes.
- Exterior bathroom doors will be kept open at all times to increase ventilation and allow for entry and exit without contamination. Exceptions are made for air-conditioned restrooms in the Admin Building, MPR, and the portable facility outside the 5th-grade building.
- Students will not be permitted to wash hands in the bathroom sink; instead, they will be directed to use the wash stations outside the bathroom.
- Bathrooms will be cleaned throughout the day on a continuous cycle, approximately 6 times a day, and a maintenance log will be kept on a clipboard hanging on each door.
- Teachers may establish, by grade level, additional restrictions beyond these designations to further limit cross-contamination.
- We are restricting the use of bathrooms to specific cohorts of students and adults, as follows, to minimize cross-contamination risk (as announced to our community in the Campus Restroom Usage Plan):
- The Facilities Team has developed a comprehensive cleaning schedule that ensures that frequently-touched surfaces at school are cleaned and disinfected at least daily and, for the most at-risk areas, much more often. The plan is summarized as follows:
- Campus exterior (daytime).
- Exterior door handles on campus will be cleaned twice daily by our custodial staff using Vindicator (hand spray).
- Exterior touchable surfaces, like railings and trash cans, will be cleaned twice daily by our custodial staff using Vindicator (hand spray).
- Playground equipment will be cleaned twice daily by our custodial staff using VitalOxide solution (machine spray).
- Outdoor sinks will be cleaned four times per day by our custodial staff using Vindicator (hand spray).
- Furniture and surfaces in the outdoor classrooms and lunch areas will be cleaned twice daily by our Facilities Team using VitalOxide solution (machine and hand spray).
- Our 20 hand sanitizer stations will be checked and refilled with unscented ethyl alcohol sanitizer (minimum 60%) by our Facilities Team twice per day.
- Classrooms (daytime).
- Teacher desks and work surfaces will be cleaned at mid-day by faculty members using Clorox or Lysol wipes or spray.
- Interior door handles and light switches will be cleaned at mid-day by faculty members using Clorox or Lysol wipes or spray.
- Student desks and work surfaces will be cleaned at mid-day by faculty members using Clorox or Lysol wipes or spray.
- Classroom sinks, soap dispensers, and towel dispensers will be cleaned at mid-day by faculty members using Clorox or Lysol wipes or spray.
- The Early Learning Center will be thoroughly cleaned at midday in between cohorts by the custodial staff using Vindicator (hand spray) and Re-juv-nal (hand spray).
- Administrative areas (daytime).
- Personal desks, chairs, and workspaces will be cleaned at mid-day by the staff member assigned to that space using Clorox or Lysol wipes or spray.
- Interior door handles will be cleaned at mid-day by the staff member assigned to that space using Clorox or Lysol wipes or spray.
- Common area tables and chairs (bullpen, kitchen areas) will be cleaned at mid-day by a rotating duty schedule of staff members using Clorox or Lysol wipes or spray.
- The tables, chairs, surfaces, and interior door handles in the Health and Wellness Office and the Isolation Room will be cleaned four times per day by the Health Coordinator using Clorox or Lysol wipes or spray, in addition to standard cleaning and disinfection after seeing a student.
- Nighttime cleaning of all spaces.
- Every night, custodial staff will clean and sanitize all surfaces, including tables, desks, chairs, door knobs, trash cans, light switches, toilets, sinks, mirrors, appliances, countertops, windows on doors, and floors in all campus spaces using Vindicator and Re-juv-nal. Carpet will be vacuumed nightly. Other floors will be mopped.
- Carpet cleaning will be undertaken as needed.
- Windows not on doors will be cleaned as needed.
- Surfaces not easily in reach will be cleaned as needed.
- Campus exterior (daytime).
- When considering cleaning of commonly touched surfaces, be sure to include door handles, light switches, sink handles, bathroom surfaces, tables, student desks, and chairs.
- Use of shared classroom resources will be extremely limited, and items will be cleaned and disinfected between uses. See Section 7 for more.
- When choosing disinfecting products, the school and our custodial staff verify that they are approved by the EPA for use to kill coronavirus and closely follow product instructions. Custodial staff are required to wear protective equipment as described in Section 3(L)(b).
- The Facilities Team is currently considering switching to a replacement for Vindicator, since the active ingredient can potentially cause respiratory irritation. Any alternative product would be checked against the EPA list above, as well the asthma-safe ingredient list recommended by the US EPA Design for Environment program.
- All those using cleaning products will ensure their correct application and will keep products away from students.
- All those using cleaning products will ensure that they are properly ventilating the room during cleaning and disinfecting. This involves introducing fresh outdoor air as much as possible – for example, by opening windows and doors, where practicable. When cleaning, employees will air out the space before children arrive. The plan laid out above is to do thorough cleaning at night, when children are not present. When cleaning in a room with air conditioning, staff will use the setting that draws in outside air. The Facilities Team will check air filters and filtration systems regularly to ensure optimal air quality.
- Each classroom and office is equipped with an air purifier, and teachers will have class either outdoors or with the windows open as often as possible to maximize the flow of fresh air.
- When the campus is ready to recommission the water fountains, the Facilities Team will take steps to ensure that all water systems and features are safe to use after prolonged shutdown to minimize the risk of Legionnaires’ disease and other diseases associated with water.
Guidelines for physical distancing, along with reasoning about their importance
- Social distancing, also called “physical distancing,” means keeping a safe space between yourself and other people who are not from your household.
- To practice social or physical distancing, stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arms’ length) from other people who are not from your household in both indoor and outdoor spaces.
- COVID-19 spreads mainly among people who are in close contact (within about 6 feet) for a prolonged period. Spread happens when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks, and droplets from their mouth or nose are launched into the air and land in the mouths or noses of people nearby. The droplets can also be inhaled into the lungs. Recent studies indicate that people who are infected but do not have symptoms likely also play a role in the spread of COVID-19. Since people can spread the virus before they know they are sick, it is important to stay at least 6 feet away from others when possible, even if you—or they—do not have any symptoms. Social distancing is especially important for people who are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
- If you are sick with COVID-19, have symptoms consistent with COVID-19, or have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19, it is important to stay home and away from other people until it is safe to be around others.
- COVID-19 can live for hours or days on a surface, depending on factors such as sunlight, humidity, and the type of surface. It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or eyes. However, this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads. Social distancing helps limit opportunities to come in contact with contaminated surfaces and infected people outside the home.
Instructions for the proper use, removal, and washing of face coverings
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CDC recommends that people wear masks in public and when around people who don’t live in your household.
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Masks should NOT be worn by children under age 2 or anyone who has trouble breathing, is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
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Wear your Mask Correctly
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Wash your hands before putting on your mask
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Put it over your nose and mouth and secure it under your chin
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Try to fit it snugly against the sides of your face
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Make sure you can breathe easily
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CDC does not recommend use of masks or cloth masks for source control if they have an exhalation valve or vent
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Take Off Your Mask Carefully, When You’re Home
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Untie the strings behind your head or stretch the ear loops
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Handle only by the ear loops or ties
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Fold outside corners together
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Place mask in the washing machine (learn more about how to wash masks)
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Be careful not to touch your eyes, nose, and mouth when removing and wash hands immediately after removing.
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Masks should be washed regularly. It is important to always remove masks correctly and wash your hands after handling or touching a used mask. How to clean:
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Washing machine
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You can include your mask with your regular laundry.
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Use regular laundry detergent and the warmest appropriate water setting for the cloth used to make the mask.
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Washing by hand
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Check the label to see if your bleach is intended for disinfection. Some bleach products, such as those designed for safe use on colored clothing, may not be suitable for disinfection.
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Use bleach containing 5.25%–8.25% sodium hypochlorite. Do not use a bleach product if the percentage is not in this range or is not specified.
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Ensure the bleach product is not past its expiration date. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser.
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Ensure adequate ventilation.
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Prepare a bleach solution by mixing:
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5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) of 5.25%–8.25% bleach per gallon of room temperature water or
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4 teaspoons of 5.25%–8.25% bleach per quart of room temperature water
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Soak the mask in the bleach solution for 5 minutes.
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Discard the bleach solution down the drain and rinse the mask thoroughly with cool or room temperature water.
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Make sure to completely dry the mask after washing. How to dry:
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Dryer: Use the highest heat setting and leave in the dryer until completely dry.
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Air dry: Lay flat and allow to completely dry. If possible, place the mask in direct sunlight.
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An outline of our screening practices, along with a full FAQ on our partnership with One Medical
To learn more, please read the Healthy Together FAQ, which covers this topic in significant detail
Information about how COVID-19 is spread
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COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly through close contact from person-to-person. Some people without symptoms may be able to spread the virus. We are still learning about how the virus spreads and the severity of illness it causes.
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Person-to-person spread
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The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.
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Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
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Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks.
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These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
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COVID-19 may be spread by people who are not showing symptoms.
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The virus spreads easily between people. How easily a virus spreads from person-to-person can vary. Some viruses are highly contagious, like measles, while other viruses do not spread as easily. Another factor is whether the spread is sustained, which means it goes from person-to-person without stopping.
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The virus that causes COVID-19 is spreading very easily and sustainably between people. Information from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic suggests that this virus is spreading more efficiently than influenza, but not as efficiently as measles, which is highly contagious. In general, the more closely a person interacts with others and the longer that interaction, the higher the risk of COVID-19 spread.
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The virus may be spread in other ways: It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes. This is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads, but we are still learning more about how this virus spreads.
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Spread between animals and people
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At this time, the risk of COVID-19 spreading from animals to people is considered to be low. Learn about COVID-19 and pets and other animals.
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It appears that the virus that causes COVID-19 can spread from people to animals in some situations. CDC is aware of a small number of pets worldwide, including cats and dogs, reported to be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, mostly after close contact with people with COVID-19. Learn what you should do if you have pets.
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Information about how to identify the symptoms of COVID-19
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What you need to know: Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms.Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness.
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Watch for symptoms: People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:
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Fever or chills
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Cough
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Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
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Fatigue
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Muscle or body aches
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Headache
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New loss of taste or smell
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Sore throat
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Congestion or runny nose
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Nausea or vomiting
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Diarrhea
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How to prevent the spread of COVID-19 if you are sick, including the importance of not coming to work if community members have symptoms, or if they or someone they live with has been diagnosed with COVID-19
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Stay home except to get medical care. Most people with COVID-19 have mild illness and can recover at home without medical care. Do not leave your home, except to get medical care. Do not visit public areas.
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Take care of yourself. Get rest and stay hydrated. Take over-the-counter medicines, such as acetaminophen, to help you feel better.
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Stay in touch with your doctor. Call before you get medical care. Be sure to get care if you have trouble breathing, or have any other emergency warning signs, or if you think it is an emergency.
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Avoid public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis.
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Separate yourself from other people. As much as possible, stay in a specific room and away from other people and pets in your home. If possible, you should use a separate bathroom. If you need to be around other people or animals in or outside of the home, wear a mask.
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Monitor your symptoms. Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, or other symptoms.
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Follow care instructions from your healthcare provider and local health department. Your local health authorities may give instructions on checking your symptoms and reporting information.
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When to seek emergency medical attention:
- Look for emergency warning signs* for COVID-19. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:
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Trouble breathing
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Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
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New confusion
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Inability to wake or stay awake
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Bluish lips or face
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*This list is not all possible symptoms. Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you. Call 911 or call ahead to your local emergency facility: Notify the operator that you are seeking care for someone who has or may have COVID-19.
Worker-specific instructions on how to identify symptoms and when to seek medical attention.
Watch for symptoms
People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:
- 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
This list does not include all possible symptoms. CDC will continue to update this list as we learn more about COVID-19.
When to seek emergency medical attention
Look for emergency warning signs* for COVID-19. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:
- Trouble breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion
- Inability to wake or stay awake
- Bluish lips or face
*This list is not all possible symptoms. Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.
Call 911 or call ahead to your local emergency facility: Notify the operator that you are seeking care for someone who has or may have COVID-19.
The school’s plan and procedures to follow when children or adults become sick at school
To learn more, please read the Responding to Illness FAQ, which covers this topic in significant detail.
The school’s plan and procedures to protect the community from COVID-19 illness
The full plan is outlined for the community in the Comprehensive Campus Reopening Plan.