Health and Safety Protocols 

Lynbrook UFSD COVID-19 Health and Safety Plan

The health, safety and well-being of our students, staff and families is a primary priority during reopening and throughout the upcoming academic year. It is essential that we adhere to the CDC and NYS guidelines as we prepare our buildings for the reopening of the school year. We have established safety protocols necessary to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and ensure ongoing sanitation of our work spaces to the health and welfare of all staff and students.

  1. COVID- 19 Resource Coordinators

The principal and school nurse of each building have been designated as the COVID-19 resource persons to assist their building with COVID-19 related questions or concerns.

Dr. Paul Lynch, Assistant Superintendent of Finance, Operations and Technology, has been designated as the COVID-19 District Health and Safety Coordinator. The COVID-19 coordinator is responsible for ensuring compliance with the health and safety aspects of the reopening plan.

  1. Health Screenings

  • Daily temperature and health screenings will be conducted each morning prior to arriving at school by each employee and parent or guardian for their child(ren).

  • Each school will assign personnel to check the temperatures of students who have not been screened at home.

  • Any student or staff member with a fever of 100 degrees F or greater and/or symptoms of possible COVID-19 virus infection must not be present in school.

The following are listed as the most common symptoms of COVID-19:

  • Fever or child (100 F or greater);

  • 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; and /or

  • Diarrhea

Staff will be educated to observe students or other staff members for signs of any type of illness such as:

  • Flushed cheeks;

  • Rapid or difficulty breathing (without recent physical activity);

  • Fatigue, and/or irritability; and

  • Frequent use of bathroom

No records will be maintained of any student, staff, or visitor health data (e.g., the specific temperature data of an individual), but will maintain records that confirm individuals were screened and the result of such screening.

A COVID-19 Symptom Flow Chart is available on the district website which can be used to guide parents and staff in determining the proper course of action when symptoms of COVID-19 are demonstrated.

  1. School Closure and Quarantine Procedures

Lynbrook UFSD will work closely with the Nassau County Department of Health (NCDOH) when a positive case of COVID-19 has been identified. We will follow all directives and protocols provided by the NCDOH.

Lynbrook UFSD will follow Education Law § 906, which provides whenever a student in the public schools shows symptoms of any communicable or infectious disease reportable under the public health law that imposes a significant risk of infection of others in the school, he or she shall be excluded from the school and sent home immediately, in a safe and proper manner. The school nurse shall immediately notify a local public health agency of any disease reportable under the public health law.

The District may consider closing school if absentee rates impact the ability of the school to operate safely. The District may choose to modify operations prior to closing to help mitigate a rise in cases. The District will consult with our district physician, the Nassau County Department of Health and NYSED when making such decisions.


Each school will designate a second room for school health service personnel. One room will be designated for healthy students to obtain medications and nursing treatments. The second room will be an isolation room for ill persons suspected as potential COVID-19 patients.

Students suspected of having COVID-19 awaiting transport home by the parent/guardian will be isolated in that room, separate from others, with a supervising adult present utilizing appropriate PPE. Multiple students suspected of COVID-19 may be in this isolation room if they can be separated by at least 6 feet.

  1. Procedures for Infected Persons

a. A staff member or student comes into direct contact (within six feet) with a person with COVID-19, they must report such to the school District.

  • This is immediately reported to the Department of Health.

  • They are then disallowed from entering school property and would likely be self-quarantined by the Department of Health for 14 days.

  • Subsequently, if they had entered a school or building, said building would be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before students and staff would be permitted to return. This may call for the facility to be closed for a period of time.

b. A staff member or student with COVID-19 enters a school facility.

  • This is immediately reported to the Department of Health and the school is closed until the DOH assesses the situation and makes the appropriate recommendations regarding cleaning, disinfecting and possible self-quarantine of others and/or possible closing of the building.

c. If a person is diagnosed with COVID-19 by a healthcare provider based on a test or their symptoms or does not get a COVID-19 test but has had symptoms, they should not be at school and should stay at home until:

  • It has been at least ten days since the individual first had symptoms;

  • It has been at least three days since the individual has had a fever (without using fever reducing medicine); and

  • It has been at least three days since the individual's symptoms improved, including cough and shortness of breath.

  1. Return to School after Illness

1. If your PCP tests your child for COVID-19, you must stay home:

A. If a COVID-19 test is performed and is POSITIVE :

There is no fever for at least 3 days with no fever-reducing medications AND respiratory and presenting symptoms have improved AND it has been 10 days since symptoms first appeared.

OR

You may return to school when you The Department of Health provides a written order to return.

NOTE: All siblings and household contacts should remain home for 14 days when a child has symptoms consistent with COVID-19, even without a lab test.

B. If a COVID-19 test is performed and is NEGATIVE:

You may return to school if there are no symptoms and submit a note from your PCP indicating the test was negative OR provide a copy of the negative test result.
However, if symptoms persist after a negative test, your child can return to school only if there is no fever for at least 3 days with no fever-reducing medications AND respiratory and presenting symptoms have improved AND it is 10 days since symptoms first appeared.

2. If your PCP did not complete a COVID-19 Test:

Your child may return to school when:

There is no fever for at least 3 days with no fever-reducing medications AND respiratory and presenting symptoms have improved AND it has been 10 days since symptoms first appeared (unless there is a known exposure, then 14 days after that exposure)

3. If your PCP confirms an alternate diagnosis:

If there is an alternative diagnosis, a student may return to school when school receives a note from a licensed MD/DO/NP who managed your child.

The note must attest to a pre-existing chronic medical condition or acute alternative diagnosis (i.e. strep throat) that explain symptoms unrelated to COVID-19.

Confirmation should include:

  • Alternate diagnosis
  • Labs
  • Date of record when diagnosed
  • Other pertinent information
  • Date when safe to return to school




  1. Social-Distancing Guidelines

Social Distancing also called "physical distancing" means keeping a six-foot space between yourself and others. The district has developed, implemented, and will enforce social distancing guidelines in all school facilities and on school grounds, including transportation.

  • The District will allow for approximate six-foot distances between student desks/seating and other social distancing practices to the maximum extent feasible.

  • The District will ensure that student groupings are as static as possible by having the same group/cohort of students when possible.

  • In all classrooms, the size of groups/classes/cohorts of students is determined by the number of students who can be in each classroom while maintaining 6 feet social distancing or if a physical barrier is in place and/or if the persons in the room are wearing masks.

  • Due to potential increased risk of droplet transmission, we will follow the physical distancing of per person per state guidelines for band, choral and physical education classeswhile students participate in activities that require aerobic activity and result in heavy breathing.

  • Desks (including teachers) will be turned to face in the same direction rather than facing each other to reduce transmission caused by virus-containing droplets (e.g., from talking, coughing, sneezing);

  • Individual student belongings will be kept separated.

  • When possible, students will be given individually labeled supplies for their sole use. When individual supplies are not feasible, we will significantly limit use of shared supplies to one group of students and sanitize shared equipment after each use.

  • Schedules are developed so that student and staff groupings are as static as possible by having the same group of students stay with the same staff based on age and developmental level of students. This is most easily achieved at the elementary level.

  • The District will allow for a staggered arrival time within a designated window to allow for increased social distancing. Additional entry and exit points may be designated to attain this goal.

  • When feasible, interactions between groups of students will be limited.

  • When feasible, staggered schedules will be developed to limit the number of individuals in the hallways and during arrival and dismissal.

  • Visual aids (e.g., painter's tape, stickers, posters, cones etc.) will be utilized to illustrate traffic flow and appropriate spacing to support social distancing; staircases will be labeled with signage to designate one-way traffic flow.

  • Gathering in small spaces (e.g., elevators, faculty offices) will be limited to one to two individuals at a time, unless all individuals in such space are wearing acceptable face coverings.

  • The district will cancel/limit gatherings, such as student assemblies, performances, school wide parent meetings and other events and extracurricular activities. These events should be held virtually whenever possible until further notice.

  • No field trips will be permitted until further notice.

  • The district will significantly limit outside visitors to the district. When a visitor is absolutely necessary, the visitor must complete and submit a health screening questionnaire prior to their scheduled appointment. This form must be provided by the building, office or department and the form should be retained in a file.

  • Windows will be opened when possible to improve ventilation.

  1. Use of Face Coverings

  • All students and staff will be required to wear a cloth face covering at all times unless otherwise inadvisable.

  • Face coverings may be challenging for students (especially younger students) to wear all-day so scheduling mask breaks will be provided for.

  • Mask breaks will be scheduled during the day when students are sufficiently socially distanced to remove masks safely.

  • Face coverings should not be placed on:

  • Students where such covering would impair their health or mental health, or where such covering would present a challenge, distraction, or obstruction to education services and instruction;

  • Anyone who has trouble breathing or is unconscious; or

  • Anyone who is incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the cloth face covering without assistance.

  • When necessary, the district will provide one disposable mask per week to students (to supplement a cloth mask provided from home) and disposable masks to teachers if needed.

  • Clear masks and face shields will be provided for faculty who require this type of protective face covering to ensure effective communication between student and teacher.

  • For optimal protection, when worn, face shields must be used with a face mask and:

    • Extend below the chin anteriorly;

    • To the ears laterally;

    • There should be no exposed gap between the forehead and the shield's headpiece;

    • Only be worn one person per shield;

    • Be cleaned between use; and"

    • The wearer should wash their hands after removing the shield and before putting it on.

  • Schools will instruct students, parents/guardians and staff, contractors and vendors and signage will be posted on:

  • The proper way to wear face coverings;

  • Washing hands before putting on and after removing their face covering;

  • Proper way to discard disposable face coverings

  • The importance of routine cleaning of reusable face coverings and

  • Face coverings are for individual use only and should not be shared.

  1. Healthy Hygiene Practices

Healthy hygiene practices will be taught and re-taught in school for both students and staff. Signs regarding healthy hygiene practices will be posted throughout the school. The district will regularly share reminder messages with the school community on these practices.

Signage should be used to remind individuals to:

  • Stay home if they feel sick.

  • Cover their nose and mouth with an acceptable face covering when unable to maintain social distance from others.

  • Properly store and, when necessary, discard PPE.

  • Adhere to social distancing instructions.

  • Report symptoms of,or exposure to,COVID-19.

  • Follow hand hygiene,and cleaning and disinfection guidelines.

  • Follow respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette.

Teaching healthy hygiene practices can be accomplished in person, by videos, announcements, and signage.

All schools will post signage in highly visible areas such as:

  • Entrances

  • Restrooms

  • Cafeteria

  • Classrooms

  • Administrative Offices

Students and staff must practice good hand hygiene to help reduce the spread of COVID- 19. Time will be scheduled for students during the school day to allow for hand hygiene.

Hand hygiene includes:

  • Traditional hand washing (with soap and warm water, lathering for a minimum of 20 seconds)

  • If soap and water are not available, students/staff will use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers by children should always be supervised by adults.

  • Hand sanitizer is available in all classrooms and throughout common areas (e.g. entrances, bathrooms, cafeteria), near high touch surfaces,

  • Signage will be placed near hand sanitizer indicating visibly soiled hands should be washed with soap and water; and

  • Students or staff who may be unable to use alcohol-based hand sanitizers for health reasons will be permitted to wash their hands with soap and water when necessary.

  • Employees, students, and visitors will be required to perform hand hygiene as follows:

    • Arrival at the building

    • Before and after eating or handling food

    • Before and after administering medication

    • After using the toilet or helping a child use the bathroom

    • After coming in contact with bodily fluid

    • After playing outdoors or in sand

    • After handling garbage

  • Posters describing handwashing steps will be installed near sinks

  1. General Guidelines

The district has developed procedures for cleaning, sanitizing, disinfecting, and ventilating learning spaces and any other areas used by students and faculty as per NYS and CDC guidelines.

These include the following:

  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects within the school and on school buses at least daily, including door handles, sink handles, and drinking fountains.

  • Ensure ventilation systems operate properly and increase circulation of outdoor air by opening windows and doors when possible.

  • The use of communal drinking fountains is prohibited; only hydration stations will be available. Students will need to bring and fill their own bottle. Students must apply hand sanitizer before using a hydration station.

  • Additional waste receptacles will be placed around each building for the disposal of soiled items including PPE and in classrooms for lunch waste disposal.

Safety Drill Procedures

Education Law § 807 requires that schools conduct 8 evacuation and 4 lockdown drills each school year. Given the need for social distancing, it will be necessary for our schools to conduct drills in the 2020-21 school year using protocols that are different from current procedures.

Regardless of the modification used when conducting a drill, students should be instructed that if it was an actual emergency that required evacuation or lockdown, the most imminent concern is to get to safety; maintaining social distancing in an actual emergency that requires evacuation or lockdown may not be possible and should not be the first priority.

Modifications to evacuation drill protocols may include, but are not limited to:

  • Conducting drills on a "staggered" schedule, where classrooms evacuate separately rather than all at once, and appropriate distance is kept between students to the evacuation site. Staggering by classroom, minimizes contact of students in hallways, stairwells, and at the evacuation site. If conducting drills using a modified procedure, it is required that the drill be conducted with all students in the school building on that school day, it may be necessary to do so during a class period that is extended for this purpose; and

  • If schools re-open with a "hybrid" in-person model, such as one where students attend school alternate school weeks to reduce the occupancy of the school building, schools must be certain that all students are receiving instruction in emergency procedures, and participating in drills while they are in attendance in-person.

Modifications to Lockdown Drills may include, but are not limited to:

  • Conduct lockdown drill in classroom setting while maintaining social distancing and using masks;

  • Conducting lockdown drills on a "staggered" schedule with smaller numbers of students present to maintain social distancing, however schools must be certain that all students are receiving instruction in emergency procedures and participating in drills while they are in attendance in-person; and

  • Conduct lockdown drills in the classroom without "hiding"/ "sheltering" but provide an overview of how to shelter or hide in the classroom.