JKG COVID-19 Infection Control Policies and Procedures

Last updated August 31, 2021

Jewish Kids Groups provides safe, fun spaces for children to explore, learn and grow, Jewishly and otherwise. As always – and especially now – the safety of our kids, team and community is our highest priority. Jewish Kids Groups has considered recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a group of local healthcare and CDC professionals, and other resources when developing these health procedures and guidelines. Please note that this document is subject to updates and changes. We will continue to adapt our policies and procedures as new guidance emerges.

Please refer to these references and resources for more details:

• CDC’s Guidance for Schools

• CHOA’s School Health Resources

• American Academy of Pediatrics Guidance for School Re-entry

• OSHA's Guidance on Mitigating and Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 in the Workplace

UNIVERSAL BASIC PRECAUTIONS

• Everyone screened for symptoms upon entry of JKG space or vehicle daily. (We will no longer be requiring temperature checks.)

• Face masks are required for all adults and children when indoors, regardless of vaccination status. We encourage everyone to follow CDC guidance on how to properly wear a mask/masks.

• All JKG team members are required to be vaccinated, unless they have indicated a medical reason that they cannot be vaccinated. Any unvaccinated staff members are required to get tested on a daily basis, wear an N-95 mask at JKG, and provide a signed note from a medical professional. All staff members, regardless of vaccination status, are required to get tested before their first day of JKG.

• Hand washing and use of hand sanitizer upon entry and frequently during the day.

• To keep our space safe, parents and non-essential visitors are not allowed inside JKG spaces. (We are planning outdoor gatherings to make up for this!)

• Each family and team member will be required to sign a “community contract” which will serve to ensure everyone is committing to practicing social distancing and wearing masks in public outside of JKG, and will serve as a commitment to be good partners.

• We ask that teachers and families at JKG avoid air travel when possible. If an unvaccinated teacher or student does travel by airplane, we ask that they get tested 4-5 days after travel AND stay home from JKG for a full 7 days after travel. This is in accordance with CDC’s travel guidance.

ARRIVAL PROCEDURES

Health Screenings

• Each day, students and staff will be required to answer questions asserting that they are not showing any COVID-19 symptoms. Students will answer screening questions before entering a JKG vehicle or building. COVID-19 symptoms include:

  • Fever of 100°F or higher

  • Cough

  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

  • Chills

  • Fatigue

  • Repeated shaking with chills

  • Muscle or body aches

  • Headache

  • Sore throat

  • New loss of taste or smell

  • Nausea or vomiting

  • Diarrhea

  • Congestion or runny nose with malaise 

  • Discoloration of fingers or toes

When Entering JKG Buildings

• Students and team members will be required to use hand sanitizer before entering the JKG space. 

• Entrance doors will be propped open as much as possible to minimize frequently touched surfaces during arrival. 

DURING THE DAY

Transportation

• We will leave all windows cracked open when students are riding in JKG vehicles in order to improve ventilation, as this is the most effective way to minimize cross-contamination between occupants.

• Middle seats will be left open if and when possible.

JKG Spaces

• Students will be encouraged to maintain at least 3 feet of distance between themselves and other students in accordance with CDC guidance.

• We will require frequent hand washing and sanitizing several times a day. 

• Restrooms and classroom spaces (especially surfaces) will be cleaned frequently throughout the day.

• To the extent possible, we will reduce materials and supplies that would normally be shared by students.

• We will plan activities that do not require close physical contact between children.

Snack Time

• We will practice proper hand washing before and after eating, following CDC’s COVID-19 food handling guidelines.

• We will clean and disinfect tables before and after meals. 

• Communal water fountains will not be used.

• When snack is served, only individually packaged snacks and whole fruits will be distributed. 

• If a staff member helps a student open food packages or has to touch their food for any reason, they will be required to wear gloves.

• We will implement outdoor snack times when space and weather allow.

Outdoor Play Areas

• We will encourage groups to use outdoor spaces as much as possible.

• Students and teachers will not be required to wear masks while outdoors. We will continue to practice social distancing while outdoors as much as possible.

APPROACH TO CLEANING AND HYGIENE

• Processes to clean and disinfect all high-touch surfaces – such as sink knobs, toilet handles, tables, door handles, desks, phones, keyboards, light switches – will be implemented at the start of each day as well as throughout the day. 

• Cleaning products approved for use against COVID-19 will be used.

• We will designate a container for toys that need to be disinfected before being introduced back into the classroom environment.

• Toys that are difficult to clean (e.g. soft toys) will be removed from the classroom.

• Trash will be taken out daily.

• We will use natural ventilation (i.e. opening windows) to increase outdoor dilution of indoor air when possible, and use portable HEPA filtration units in all classrooms at all times.

• We will implement and enforce strict handwashing guidelines for all team members and students often throughout the day, especially before and after eating, after coughing or sneezing, after playing outside, and after using the restroom will teach children to avoid contact with one’s eyes, nose and mouth, and use tissue to wipe their nose and to cough/sneeze inside their elbow. 

• Students and team members will use hand sanitizer often throughout the day.

• We will post signage at entrance and throughout the building to alert and remind students, staff, and families of COVID-19 protocol and expectations.

• We will ensure co-compliance between JKG and landlords of rental spaces around COVID protocols.

• If a child or team member develops any symptoms of COVID-19, they will be sent home as soon as possible. If child has siblings at JKG, the sibling will be sent home as well.

  • While waiting for a symptomatic child to be picked up, a JKG team member will stay with the child in a space isolated from others (outdoors or in an empty classroom). The team member will remain as far away as safely possible from the child while maintaining visual supervision.

IF/THEN INFECTION SCENARIOS

The following if/then scenarios are based on CDC’s guidelines here and here.

Scenario 1: If a student or teacher has any of the COVID-19 symptoms listed at the top of this page, you can expect the following:

Parent Communication: In this scenario, the JKG Director will only communicate with the parents of the symptomatic student. The parents of students in the rest of the pod will not be sent communication.

Scenario 2: If a student or teacher tests positive for COVID-19, or is presumed positive by a healthcare provider for COVID-19, you can expect the following:

Parent Communication: In this scenario, all families in the impacted pod will be sent communication from the JKG Director.

Scenario 3: If a student or teacher is in close contact with a positive person (within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period, even with mask on), you can expect the following:

Parent Communication: In this scenario, the JKG Director will communicate directly with the parents of the student. The parents of students in the rest of the school will also be sent communication to inform them of the situation.

Scenario 4: If a student or teacher is in close contact with a presumed positive person (within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period, even with mask on), you can expect the following:

Parent Communication: In this scenario, the JKG Director will communicate directly with the parents of the student. The parents of students in the rest of the school will also be sent communication to inform them of the situation.