Mary Cariola Center Reopening Plan Spring 2021 - GOAL: Create a healthy environment for all members of the Cariola Community that allows students ...
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Mary Cariola Center
Reopening Plan
Spring 2021
GOAL:
Create a healthy environment for all members of the Cariola
Community that allows students to engage in meaningful,
individualized learning opportunities.2
A Message from Dr. Christine Sheffer, Our Superintendent
On March 16, 2020, Governor Andrew Cuomo issued an Executive Order closing all
schools in the State due to the COVID-19 virus. These closings forever changed
education in New York State and here at the Mary Cariola Center.
As we look toward the summer extended school year and the start of the 2021-2022
regular school year we continue to face uncertainties. The Mary Cariola COVID 19
response team and I have worked to update our comprehensive response plan based
upon the current guidance from the New York State Education Department (NYSED),
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the New York State Department of
Health (DOH). It focuses on practices that will continue to maximize the health and
safety for all of our students and staff while adhering to layered mitigation strategies.
The goal of our updated reopening plan is to allow us to continue opening safely and to
react to changes that will come over the next months due to the dynamic conditions of
the pandemic. For this reason, we have determined that by continuing to use objective
data, a phased reopening remains the safest plan for Mary Cariola. Data will be
collected both internally and externally to guide movement between phases. Internal
data will include student and staff attendance, illness rates and the health of the
school community. External data will be provided by various sources including New
York State Department of Health, NYSED, The Monroe County Health Department and
any Governor mandates that are issued.
A very sincere thank you to all the parents, staff, and community stakeholders who
continue to participate in planning, gathering information and contributing to our
response. Your input and feedback are factors along with issued guidance as we
conduct our planning.
The next school year will be challenging, but the Cariola Community is strong and
together we will create learning opportunities for all students.
Sincerely,
Christine M. Sheffer, Ed. D.3
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
a. Guiding Principles
b. Considerations and Priorities
2. School Schedule Our Phase-In Model
3. Communication Plan
4. Health & Safety Plan
5. School Nursing COVID-19 Safety Plan
6. Buildings, Supplies, & Facilities Plan
7. Nutrition Plan
8. Transportation
9. Social-Emotional Well Being Plan
10. Education and Related Services Plan
11. Attendance and Chronic Absenteeism
12. Human Resources
Appendices:
1. Emergency Suctioning Protocol
2. Modified Attendance Procedures Due to Pandemic
3. Mask Wearing Task Analysis
134
Introduction
Mary Cariola Center serves individuals with multiple and complex developmental disabilities, including
unique chromosomal diagnoses, physical disabilities, autism-spectrum diagnoses, and behavioral
disorders. We address the needs of our community's most complex and medically fragile children,
youth and their families.
Founded over 70 years ago, we are recognized as the regional leader in providing services to these
individuals and their families. Our 853 licensed school serves 450 students ages 3-21 from over 10
counties and 50 public school districts. These districts rely on our full-service array of special education,
Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech, Music Therapy, Nursing and Social Work services.
Our philosophy and models of intervention are developed on an individual basis and it is with this
passion that we continue to address the re-opening of our schools for the extended 20-21 school year
and regular 21-22 year. At this point, like others we have been implementing hybrid learning for the past
school year. We will continue to provide a hybrid model to best serve the varied needs of our students.
We are highly regarded as a community trainer, and also have established “best practice” in re-opening
which we have shared with other schools serving special needs populations.
Guiding Principles
As we embark on the challenges of reopening our school and the return to in-person instruction
as fully as possible, the Mary Cariola Center Reopening Plan Spring 2021 outlined in this
document is fueled by the following guiding principles:
1. Safeguarding the health and safety of our students and staff;
2. Providing students opportunities to return to school using phased re-entry, while
maintaining preparations for remote learning as the need arises;
3. Monitoring our school, students, staff, and the region for levels of COVID-19 -- If the rate
exceeds safety levels as determined by the COVID team and DOH, canceling in-person
school until it is safe to re-open again;
4. Maintaining enhanced cleaning and sanitization processes for all school facilities,
supplies and equipment;
5. Emphasizing equity, access, and support to all students and families;
6. Fostering comprehensive, consistent, and frequent two-way communication with our
partners in education including families, educators, staff, districts, and community
partners; and
7. Factoring into decisions about reopening the challenges to the physical safety, social
emotional well-being, and the mental health needs of our students when they are not in
school.5
Considerations and Priorities
Keeping in mind our guiding principles, we designed our Reopening Plan and all subsequent
updates or revisions with the following considerations.
School Schedule
Prepare dynamic models to respond to changing circumstances
Allow families to opt in or out of in-person schooling on a quarterly basis
Communication: Provide transparent, compassionate, timely, and proactive communication
Communicate with families, staff, districts, Board of Directors, transport providers, visitors
Seek input from stakeholders throughout the emergency
Utilize multiple communication avenues
Share plans, expectations, resources
Collaborate with stakeholders
Connect stakeholders to resources
Department of Health and local government officials as needed
Health and Safety: The health and safety of our total community is the utmost concern.
Our preparations for our school venues and environments must always keep safety at the
forefront.
Preventative actions-health screening
Monitoring health and community transmission in the school and region
Enhanced cleaning and disinfecting
Containment and isolation of ill persons
PPE (inventory, training)
Student/staff interactions
Buildings, Supplies, and Facilities: School buildings and facilities have been modified as
needed to meet safety requirements; supplies are stockpiled to implement safe and
effective in-person programming.
Physical distancing
Ventilation
Pedestrian traffic flow
Enhanced cleaning
Execute emergency response exercises6
Nutrition: Mary Cariola will work closely with district Food Services providers to ensure safe
delivery, storage, and access to nutrition whether in-person or remote.
Enhanced sanitization in food preparation areas
Reusable tableware when possible
Transportation
Collaborate with transportation providers and districts
Proactive communication
Flexibility in arrival/dismissal
Social-Emotional Well-Being: Compassionately supporting students, staff, families, and
community through communication, shared resources, and proactive measures.
Assess and respond to students’ readiness to learn
Provide additional supports to students as necessary to ease back in to school
Provide resources to staff, families, community
Education and Related Services: Our unique students require holistic planning attentive to
education, therapy, and social-emotional wellness.
Classroom schedule
Related services (behavior, speech, occupational, physical, vision therapies)
Nursing
Specials (physical education, music, transition)
Attendance and Chronic Absenteeism: We have a responsibility for the accurate
collection and reporting of daily attendance for both in-person and remote schooling.
Attendance monitoring for students in school
Quality contacts with students and their families engaged in remote learning
Budget and Fiscal: The COVID-19 crisis has significantly impacted Mary Cariola Center’s budget
and fiscal planning. Without exception, we have allocated necessary funds for the purchase of
PPE and other supplies necessary to reopen schools with maximum safety. We continue to
pursue additional funding through FEMA and CARES applications.
Continued efforts to utilize available funds outside of typical tuition to
purchase necessary PPE and other mitigation needs necessary
The content of all data submissions will be consistent with past practice except
where modified by law, regulation, or executive order7
Continue to partner with community stakeholders for the bulk purchase of PPE
Meet mandates concerning the 180-day school year and 30-day extended
summer school program including accurate recoding
Technology and Connectivity: We will work to provide equitable access to technology for students
and staff. We have assessed the need for additional supports by survey and direct communication
with families and staff expected to provide remote learning and tele-therapy.
Continued connectivity and devices for families when needed
Ensure staff connectivity
Equity: It is critically important that we review our policies and practices with the lens of
racial and economic equity. We understand that we must be responsive to all our
stakeholders as we embark on this redesign for the unknown future.
Promoting equal access to technology
Connect families to economic supports
Address language barriers
Human Resources: Healthy staff are crucial to the highest quality education of our
students.
Health screening for all adults entering the building
Comply with NY State travel policies
Reasonable accommodations for staff with health conditions considered high
risk for COVID-19
Mandated personal protective equipment for all staff
Attendance policies that support ill staff remaining at home8
School Schedule
Phase-In Model for School Re-Entry
To accommodate evolving health and safety measures, staffing and capacity constraints, as well as the
unique needs of our families, Mary Cariola is prepared to be flexible and responsive in implementing our
educational models. School reopening will continue to reflect community infection rates in consideration
of DOH guidelines. Mary Cariola will review student progress, procedures, and processes and make
continuous improvements as the pandemic evolves.
Mary Cariola will provide a fully remote option for parents requesting it during the extended 2021 summer
school year and the fall 2021-22 regular school year.
Benefits: This model will allow for flexible response to the pandemic and gradually increase the number of
people in the buildings. It will also provide time for thorough cleaning and disinfection and training for staff
as more people enter the buildings. Further, this model is data-driven and provides adequate planning
time for families, staff, and transportation providers. This model benefits the students as it will provide
consistent weekly contact with the multi-disciplinary team and minimize the number of interactions with
different students/staff.
Up to August 2021 Cohorts: In alignment with the NY DOH recommendations, the student population is
divided into three cohorts-- A, B, and C. Student cohorts were developed to limit potential exposure to the
COVID-19 virus. Classrooms were split in half, those who who have siblings in school will be in the same
cohort to accommodate family and transportation needs. Initially, students in Cohorts A and B were
attending in-person school for two or three days and remote education/tele-therapy for two or three days
with Wednesday being the shared or remote day. Student days in the school building increased in
response to decreased school and community covid transmission rates. Beginning with ESY the schedule
will be four days a week, see chart below. The School leaders and the local health department will decide
if/when instruction needs to return to remote on Wednesdays to allow for deep cleaning and decrease
potential exposure.
Cohort C students are those students whose parents have opted to continue remote learning in lieu of any
in-person schooling. These students may include individuals with underlying health conditions as indicated
in doctors’ orders. Parents may also opt in or out quarterly due to other factors and are encouraged to
speak with their social worker. Cohort C students will continue with the Mary Cariola Remote Learning
program until their parents determine that they can safely return to campus.9 COHORTING: Beginning September 2021, cohorts will be defined as classroom units. Care will be taken to limit interactions between classroom cohorts. Mary Cariola Center will make reasonable efforts to ensure that students in different geographic classroom areas maintain physical distancing per the DOH guidelines for “cohorting”. Mary Cariola is using “cohort” to describe grouping of students within the classroom to decrease class size. Unless prohibited by the governor or other state/local offices from the Department of Health, we will open 5 days per week for all students in September 2021. Guidance, Metrics and Indicators: Mary Cariola Center will refer to the guidance from NY DOH School Team here: “Interim Guidance for In-Person Instruction at Pre-K to Grade 12 Schools –Review of Updates” (https://youtu.be/DYaQpAEF1oA?t=493) and CDC guidance here: “Operational Strategy for K-12 Schools through Phased Prevention” (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019- ncov/community/schools-childcare/operation-strategy.html#anchor_1616080121423). Mary Cariola Center will use Monroe County transmission rates: “Covid Act Now.org (https://covidactnow.org/us/new_york-ny/county/monroe_county/?s=1769690) for measures that will indicate the level of covid transmission is increasing to unsafe levels.
10
Phased Re-Opening
Extended School Year Summer 2021
School Age
Student Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
location
In-building Cohort A Cohort A Cohorts A & B Cohort B Cohort B
learning
Remote Cohort C
learning
Preschool
Student Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
location
In-building Cohort A Cohort A Cohort A or B Cohort B Cohort B
learning alternating
weeks
Remote Cohort C
learning
Regular School Year Fall 2021
The Data Review Committee will continue to meet and anticipate a final decision for September of 2021
by the end of July, 202111
Plans
The following sections address the specific strategies Mary Cariola will implement to maximize health
and safety of all students and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Communication Plan: Compassionately and proactively engaging all stake holders including families,
staff, districts, transportation providers, and community members with a commitment to respect and
understanding. Provide communications to parents/guardians in their preferred language and mode
of communication to ensure that they have equitable access to critical information about their
children’s education.
Mandate/Concern Strategy
Clear consistent Communication Plan provided by Director of Communications.
communication Superintendent designated as responsible party for point of
contact communication.
Documents translated into Spanish and other languages as required.
Mandated posting of Plan to be posted on Mary Cariola Center website:
plan https://www.marycariola.org/
Stakeholder Planning and problem-solving conducted with administrators, staff,
engagement Board of Directors, parents, Mary Cariola Medical Director, Health
Commissioner, Community partners (United Way, 853 Coalition, 4410
Coalition, Finger Lakes Reopening Schools Safety Taskforce). Report
daily covid statistics to DOH school survey, weekly vaccination statistics
to DOH survey. Superintendent provides weekly communication and
updates to staff and parents.
Outreach to parents Contact with Social Workers, teachers, clinicians during
remote learning. Informational webinars and focus groups
provided with interpreters at select sessions.
Return-to-school Parent Packet with Social Worker follow-up as necessary:
health & safety precautions and student attendance expectations.
Interpreters are provided to increase clarity and engagement for all
parents. Parent information letter and plan summary mailed in preferred
language.
Outreach to students Social Stories, Picture Cues, & task boards provided to rehearse new
protocols for students including mask wearing, washing hands, and
social distancing.
Outreach to staff Communication to staff is provided through School Messenger, email,
website, informational webinars and conversation with supervisors.
Staff training before Staff were informed about mandatory health screening, travel
reopening restrictions, mask requirement and physical distancing.
Online training using the Litmos platform prior to school reopening:
Mask Wearing for Staff, Mask Wearing for Students
Handwashing
12
Social-Emotional support to students and staff
Maintaining CDC Recommendations during
behavior management
Physical Distancing
Enhanced cleaning procedures
Outreach to school Letters from Superintendent
districts Letter summarizing plan and website address of complete plan
Outreach to MCC Transportation Coordinator engages with all district and agency
transportation transportation providers to discuss changes to routes, sizes of buses,
providers social distancing and health & safety protocols
Signage Posters are prominently displayed throughout the buildings reflecting the
CDC and DOH guidance on social distancing, mask wearing, and
handwashing, etc.
Health screening posters at all doors used during staff arrival
Visitors Signs reflecting CDC and DOH guidelines clearly posted on entrances
indicating requirement for everyone to wear masks, complete health
screening and submit to temperature reading.
Early communication to colleges which have requested student
observations, tours, internships and student teaching that short term
visits are canceled; long term internships and student teaching may
occur.
Outreach to Mary Cariola is providing webinars and resources on the website
community for families, staff and community members.
Direction from Medical Director
Cariola Cares outlets for questions
Virtual meetings whenever possible
Direct instruction on procedures for students
Feedback to Feedback from all stakeholders to the school and Superintendent is available
superintendent and through Cariola Cares at Cariolacares@marycariola.org. The Cariola Cares
school leaders email address may be sent in a family’s preferred language and
responses will be returned in the same language.
Health and Safety Plan: The Mary Cariola health and safety team established procedures and processes in
accordance with guidelines and input regarding physical distancing, PPE, face covering availability and local
hospital capacity as posted on the CDC website, the NYS Department of Health Interim Guidance for In-
Person Instruction at Pre-K – Grade 12 Schools During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, Monroe
County DOH, and Mary Cariola Medical Director. Should a rise in COVID-19 cases among students or staff
occur, the superintendent, along with the health and safety team, will work directly with the Mary Cariola
Medical Director and Monroe County DOH officials to determine if the schools or any portion of them need
to be closed.13
Mandate/Concern Strategy
Designated COVID-19 Safety Coordinator: Superintendent, Christine Sheffer, Ed. D.
Responsible Parties COVID-19 Resource Person: Nurse Manager Anne Pawlowski, BSN RN
CPN COVID-19 dedicated email: cariolacares@marycariola.org
Monitored by: Marketing & Communications Director
Designated responsible parties will work with school personnel
including: Principals, Clinical Supervisors, Coordinator of School
Operations, and others including: Medical Director, Marketing and
Communication Director, Human Resources, Learning and
Organizational Development Director, and Agency President. All
staff are responsible for observing students for signs of illness and
notifying the school nursing department for assessment.
Health Checks Parents/families and staff will be given instructions in advance regarding
mandatory daily health screening including temperature checks, travel ban
information, health and hygiene expectations, quarantine protocol, and
return-to-school criteria.
Staff are required to notify their supervisor if/when they develop
COVID-19 symptoms or when the answers to the health screening
change, potentially indicating exposure or COVID-19 illness.
Families are required to notify the school if their child develops COVID-19
symptoms or if the daily health screening indicates a potential concern.
They may call their child’s social worker or the main
reception area at 585-271-0761.
Screening Health screening including temperature checks are required for students,
staff, and visitors when they enter the building. The daily screening
questionnaire will reflect current health guidelines, travel restrictions, and
executive orders. Parents will be asked to attest to health screening
questions from home before students return to school and periodically
thereafter.
Health screening sheets will be collected and stored for future reference as
necessary. Health records, including electronic temperature readings, will
not be retained.
Healthy hygiene In advance of returning to work/school, staff receive training on
practices hygiene expectations. Families will receive information in the return-
to-school packet about expectations for students.
Hand hygiene Students will be taught and supported in proper handwashing techniques.
Signs and posters are hung in bathrooms and kitchen areas with age-
appropriate directions. As necessary, students will have their14
hands washed with assistance from staff at arrival, before and after
meals, after hygiene/bathroom, before dismissal and whenever soiled.
Respiratory hygiene Students will be taught proper respiratory hygiene practices.
Specifically, students will be taught and encouraged to sneeze and/or
cough into a tissue, then toss the tissue into the trash and wash hand;
if a tissue is unavailable, sneezing or coughing into the elbow.
Vulnerable Many students at Mary Cariola are medically fragile; therefore, considered
populations vulnerable. Families in consultation with their doctor may choose to have
their child continue with remote learning. Students who have a medical
exemption from mask wearing will have additional safety measures in
their environment including staff wearing face masks.
Vulnerable staff who work directly with students may have additional PPE.
Some staff, depending on their role may be able to work from home.
Personal Protective Protocols and procedures for the wearing of PPE are in place for
Equipment (PPE) students, staff, and visitors.
Training and communication of expectations for staff and
Staff students were provided before re-entering the building.
Adults are required to wear masks unless they are in an office alone or
eating. Staff who have an underlying condition preventing mask-wearing
will be required to submit a doctor’s note to that effect to Human
Resources and their supervisor. All staff may take a five-minute mask break
per hour. They should be physically distant from others when removing
their mask. If a staff member feels overheated, they should inform their
supervisor before leaving the area for a mask break in order to provide for
continued student supervision.
Masks for students Face masks are required at all times except for meals. Students
who are unable to tolerate a mask, including where such a mask
would impair their physical health or mental health are not
subject to the required use of a mask. The ability to wear/tolerate
a mask is NOT a requirement of students in order to return to in-
person schooling. We understand that our students have unique
needs and we will individualize instruction to help those who are
medically able to wear a mask learn to tolerate doing so. Staff
will be provided with face shields when students cannot safely
wear or tolerate a mask. Staff will closely monitor any student
wearing a mask for signs of discomfort or overheating; if any are
noted the mask will be removed. At this time, when they remove
their mask, they will remain physically distanced from other
students.15
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Data care. Confidentially
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students’ in compliance
ability with FERPA
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Mandate/Concern Strategy
Staff and students will be provided mask-wearing breaks frequently
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throughout possible, nursesmay
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the nurse’s office.
instruction has resulted in the following tolerance level.
Respiratory Students who receive treatments that result in aerosolization of
Student Mask Wearing Data 4/16/2021:
treatment secretions (i.e. Nebulizer treatments, suctioning, peak flow meters) will
Never: 28.85% of in-person student days
procedures receive treatments in a separate room which will be sterilized between
Sometimes: 23.79% of in-person student days
uses. Nurses and staff required to be in attendance during the
Often: 13.88% of in-person student days
treatments will be provided additional PPE including gowns, face shields,
Continuous: 33.48% of in-person student days
gloves and N-95 or KN-95 masks. A separate isolated room will also be
provided for any private duty nurses who accompany students to school
Additional PPE for situations in which there is a high risk of exposure to
per their IEP to provided aerosolized treatments. PDN to provide their
bodily fluids includes but is not limited to water-repellent washable
Additional PPE own PPE and must disinfect room after use. (See Appendix 1 for
gowns, disposable gowns, gloves, face shields, etc.
Emergency Suctioning Protocol)
Pursuant to NYSDOH Guidance and the NYS DOH guidance
Management of ill When a staff and/or student at the school becomes ill with COVID-
issued on April 4, 2021 physical distancing of three to six feet will be
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Containment areas unless student instructional, hygiene, or comfort needs require
Immediate Steps:
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orCall the building
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health care provider;
possible. Shared spaces will follow occupancy rates per the DOH,
furniture will be adjusted to maintain physical distance between users,
desks will be turned so students face the same direction, and minimize
face-to-face interactions.16
Containment continued Notify the appropriate classroom, supervisor and COVID risk
assessment team; and
If possible, close the area, wait 24 hours, then clean and sanitize
areas the individual has traveled, especially touch points, using
enhanced cleaning protocols. If not possible, cleanse are
immediately as described.
Staff: Call emergency contacts to assist with travel if
necessary, provide staff with information about free testing sites;
Notify HR and superintendent;
If the individual reports having a positive test result the
Superintendent or her designee will notify the Monroe County
DOH and the County Department of Health where the individual
lives;
Superintendent, Medical Director, Nurse Manager, and DOH will
determine if the school or area of a building needs to be closed
for cleaning, disinfecting, and contact tracing procedures; and
Superintendent and HR will notify others as appropriate
Any individual with symptoms that may be associate with symptoms of
COVID (see below) will be sent home and excluded from school until they
Return to School satisfy one of the following criteria: 1. Documented negative COVID test 2.
Doctor’s note including an alternate diagnosis clearing the individual to
return to the building. 3. Release of order of isolation or quarantine from
the county DOH.
Regardless of COVID, individuals should be fever free without medication
for 24 hours and have improving symptoms. Symptoms of COVID include:
fever, loss of taste/smell, congestion, runny nose,
nausea/vomiting/diarrhea, headache, body aches, shortness of breath,
cough, sore throat. Mary Cariola will follow current CDC and DOH
guidelines reflective of the current situation.17
Contact tracing At all times, confidentiality will be maintained by staff for all
medical matters, except as required for a reportable disease to the
public health department.
The nurse and/or superintendent will notify the public health
department and the agency Medical Director if there is a detected
uptick in cases or clusters of illness with the student body or staff
showing signs of the same illness even if testing COVID-19 negative.
Mary Cariola Center will cooperate fully with the Health
Department who will perform a thorough investigation including
contact tracing. All relevant parties will be notified appropriately by
the school or through contact tracing by the Health Department.
The Health Department will also provide guidance to the Mary
Cariola Center regarding action plans in response to a COVID-19
positive case.
Determining reasonable cause for contact tracing:
o Notification by Department of Health of a positive COVID
case or exposure to a positive case to someone in the school
o Call to the COVID hotline or CariolaCares email with
concerns about symptoms or contact with a covid-positive
person.
o Student displaying symptoms of COVID in person or as
reported by family.
o Staff displaying symptoms of COVID in person or as reported
to supervisor or HR.
Strategies for implementing internal contact tracing
o Student absences are followed up by the attendance clerk.
Cases in which students have covid symptoms are contacted
by the Lead Nurse. COVID concerns are sent to the COVID
risk assessment team for follow-up.
o Staff absences are monitored and followed up by the
immediate supervisor. Cases in which staff have covid
symptoms are followed up by the COVID hotline.
o In the event of a positive case in the school, contact tracing
will occur using the room sign-in logs, room and student
schedule, classroom lists, clinician caseloads and
conversations with all relevant parties.
o The superintendent will share information with the Monroe
DOH.
o The school will post covid data on the DOH website and
notify staff and families as appropriate.18
Testing Mary Cariola Center has obtained a limited service laboratory license for
COVID antigen rapid testing for screening purposes. Mary Cariola may be
mandated by the NY DOH or Monroe county DOH to test both staff and
students based on community transmission rates.
State and County resources:
Individuals who have questions regarding eligibility or access for testing
should call the New York State COVID-19 Hotline at 1-888-364-3065 or visit
the NYSDOH website: covid19screening.health.ny.gov.
Monroe County Department of Health: call 585-753-5555.
Vaccinations Mary Cariola urges all staff members to get vaccinated to protect against
COVID 19. Families are also encouraged to talk to their child’s health care
provider for recommendations and when their child should receive the
vaccine. Asymptomatic individuals who are exposed to covid are required
to report exposure and quarantine until released by the DOH.
Staff are asked to notify the covid risk assessment team when they have
been vaccinated. If you are having difficulty scheduling a vaccination,
please reach out.
We are required to report vaccination status to the Monroe county DOH
weekly.
School Closures Mary Cariola will collaborate with the Monroe County Health department
to determine if a school closure will be necessary. The superintendent and
medical director will continue to communicate with the DOH on early
warning signs such as increases in staff or student absenteeism or infection
rates.19
Buildings, Facilities, & Supplies Plan: Physical spaces are configured and maintained in a way that
provides the maximum possible protection from spreading the coronavirus. Mary Cariola Center
follows CDC guidelines regarding ventilation, square footage per person, physical distancing, and
seating arrangements. Furthermore, a sufficient amount of supplies such as disinfectants/cleaners are
maintained at all times.
Mandate/Concern Strategy
Room occupancy, Pursuant to NYSDOH Guidance and the NYS DOH guidance
square footage, issued on April 4, 2021 physical distancing of three to six feet will be required
and physical throughout the campus determined by CDC indicators unless safety or the
distancing core activity requires a shorter distance. (See CDC guidance). Because most
students cannot or do not wear a mask, in compliance with the Monroe
County DOH instructions, six feet distance will be maintained between adults
and between students and adults, during meals, when singing or playing an
instrument, and in common areas unless student instructional, hygiene, or
comfort needs require closer contact. We recognize that this will be difficult
for some students or in some learning situations. PPE will be used to
maximize safety.
Mary Cariola Center will continue to follow decreased occupancy in common
areas, recreation areas, to allow for safe distancing.
Shared spaces such as conference rooms have been repurposed for therapy
and other uses to maximize physical distancing and abide by capacity limits.
Ventilation Our building landlords have contracted with a local HVAC vendor to
replace all systems with MERV 11 rated filters, the highest rating
compatible with existing equipment. Adjustments made to outside air
intake are now at a minimum of 25%.
Spaces Space will be repurposed as necessary to allow for separation of
students/staff. People using spaces will clean and disinfect after use.
Shared spaces will continue to be utilized as part of our
Shared/Common
spaces developmentally appropriate educational program with additional
safety measures. Atriums, therapy areas, and recreational spaces will
operate at current occupancy guidelines. Signs will be posted to
indicate occupancy guidelines. Shared spaces will be subject to
enhanced cleaning described below.
Offices, conference
These spaces will also operate at the reduced occupancy percentage
rooms, and staff allowed at the time. Markers and signs will indicate where it is safe to
lounges sit to maintain six feet/social distance. In order to meet these
guidelines, office occupants will utilize alternate scheduling in the
office, access other spaces, and/or work from home.
Proactively acquire The Coordinator of School Operations will work directly with the Purchaser to
supplies monitor inventory and proactively reorder supplies. We maintain adequate
supply of hand sanitizer, gloves, cleaning supplies, masks, face shields, hallway
tape, signs, cones, advanced PPE for certain job roles, thermometers, health
screening kiosks (measures staff body temperature and provides an audible
sound if a person is not wearing a mask).20
Coverage Plus NPD® One-Step Cleaner Disinfectant is our primary
cleaning product. It contains no perfumes or dyes. It is on the New
York State Registered Disinfectants list for use against COVID-19. In
addition to Coverage Plus, additional cleaning products have been
procured to use for supplemental disinfection. Staff have been
instructed on safe usage.
Physical distancing Hallway traffic will be one way as indicated with posters, signs and floor
for pedestrian stickers.
traffic Arrival and dismissal traffic flow will be one way, clearly indicated with
cones, signs and personnel directing traffic.
Visitors, guests Routine visitation will be discouraged and meetings conducted remotely
contractors and as possible.
vendors Mary Cariola will deny requests to accommodate college students
for observation hours;
Long-term internships and student teaching will be allowed
with restrictions;
CPSE and CSE meetings will be conducted remotely;
Parent teacher and Program Recommendation meetings will
be conducted remotely; and
Psychiatric and Strong Neurodevelopmental clinic will be conducted
remotely.
Requests for other visitors will be considered on a case by case basis
as it relates to providing quality programming.
All visitors will be required to wear masks and complete the health screening
including the temperature check. Virtual tours developed for intakes and
other needs.
Common and Equipment including vending machines, time clocks, computers, copiers,
shared staff refrigerators are assigned to specific individuals for scheduled cleaning.
equipment In addition, supplies are provided so that users can clean after use. Signs
with instructions are posted.
Enhanced cleaning School staff and cleaning service personnel will implement enhanced
cleaning frequency and procedures during the day and after program hours
for equipment and areas (classrooms, therapy areas, nursing offices,
restrooms, common areas, play spaces, shared spaces and touch points). A
cleaning sign-off log is required.
Adults will be responsible for cleaning any shared areas and items after use
when students are not in the area. Items should not be shared without
sanitization.
Cleaning vendors (Janitronix and Kimco) will provide additional mid-day
cleaning and disinfecting of common areas, high frequency touch-points
and bathrooms. Electrostatic cleaning with a NYS approved disinfectant will
be implemented in the event of a positive COVID case.21
Hand sanitizer There is an abundance of places for people to wash their hands in sinks in
the school buildings; however, hand sanitizer is provided to staff in
dispensers located in adult-only areas, near time clocks, copiers and some
staff lounges. A large supply of hand sanitizer has been donated in gallon
jugs and individual bottles. Even with supply chain interruptions, this is
anticipated to meet our needs for several months.
Parents will be notified that hand sanitizer is not allowed on buses;
therefore, they should ensure that their child does not carry it in their
backpack.
Drinking water Bottle filling stations are installed in the EH1, EH2, and Elmwood buildings. EH3
has a dispenser appropriate in size for their needs. Drinking water is also
available at faucets in staff lounges, cafeterias, kitchens, and many classrooms.
Signs Signs are posted on exterior doors limiting non-essential visitors and
informing others of our health screening requirements. Age appropriate
signs and visual reminders including taped markers are displayed as
reminders for social distancing. “STOP THE SPREAD” posters are posted
prominently in bathrooms, break rooms, and hallways with instructions for
hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, and social distancing.
Safety drills The required 8 evacuation and 4 lockdown exercises will be conducted in
compliance with NYSED and fire code regulation for all students. Each
cohort of students will participate in the required number of exercises.
There will be modifications to egress routes to maintain physical distancing
requirements unless safety requires closer proximity. Safety marshals will assist
with staggering traffic flow for egress. Classrooms will be given instruction about
ensuring physical distancing during all emergency exercises and responses.
Nutrition Plan: School districts’ Food Service Providers act as Mary Cariola’s School Food
Authority. Mary Cariola Center will continue to collaborate with district food service to ensure safe
food delivery, storage, and distribution as in the DOH guidance.
Mandate/Concern Strategy
Food service Food will be delivered in designated food bags by district food service
personnel to the classrooms to decrease hallway traffic. Food bags will be
cleaned and disinfected after use.22
Meals will be eaten in the classrooms following social distancing
protocols. Individual place settings for each student will be kept in the
classroom, washed, and kept separate from other classroom equipment.
There will be no sharing of student food. Students’ hands will be washed
Special diets, before and after meals. Food brought to school from home will be stored
food allergies, in a manner that each student’s food and containers remain separate
parent packed from others. All containers will be sent home for washing. The existing
meals procedures regarding food allergies will continue to be followed, including
staff education and specific allergy precaution signage.
Families facing food Families are encouraged to contact their child’s social worker when facing
instability food instability. The social worker will assist with finding resources including
breakfasts/ lunches provided by the home school district for students whose
parents have opted to continue remote learning. School districts will
communicate the location of off-site centers for food distribution on remote
learning days.
Washing of dishes Student dishes will be hand washed in warm soapy water. Items from
at school different students will not be placed in a dish bin together. Staff must wear
gloves and a face shield when washing dishes.
Transportation Plan: Since the local education agencies are responsible for transportation, Mary
Cariola will work with the transportation providers to accommodate CDC Department of Health
requirements that may result in changes in arrival/dismissal routines.
Mandate/Concern Strategy
Extra support Additional staff (clinicians, social workers, teachers of specials) may
be required to assist with new arrival and dismissal routines.
Vehicle traffic Buses and cars will be directed by facilities coordinators and other
staff in traffic flow.
Parent drop- Parents will remain in their cars to minimize the number of people entering
off/pick-up the building. Mary Cariola staff will retrieve students from the parent’s car.
Adults picking up their child will still be required to show identification and
sign out their child.
Pedestrian traffic We will utilize pedestrian traffic flow practices to minimize people
flow during passing each other face to face. Staff will exit one door while staff with
arrival/dismissal students enter a different door at all locations.
Transportation in In the event that a student or staff is transported in an agency vehicle (e.g.
agency vehicle community based instruction or emergency) Mary Cariola personnel will
follow health and safety guidelines.23
Mandate/Concern Strategy
Sanitization All vehicles will be cleaned and sanitized after every trip with particular
attention to high contact spots.
PPE All drivers and passengers will be required to wear masks and gloves
during the trip. Staff may wear additional PPE as the situation requires,
such as when a student has a medical waiver exempting them from the
mask wearing requirement.
Driver Health All drivers as Mary Cariola will submit to health screening at the start of their
Assessment and PPE work shift.
Training24
Social-Emotional Well-Being Plan
Students: Mary Cariola’s Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) includes use of evidence-based student-centered
behavioral support across the school program. One component of the MTSS is training all school staff in Non-Violent
Crisis Intervention (NCI) which utilizes Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS). Staff recognize and
understand that our students require additional time, instruction, and adult support to learn and adjust to change.
The COVID-19 pandemic has been particularly difficult for many of our students. We continue to implement all of
the principles covered in NCI and PBIS to facilitate the return to school experience for students. If additional
supports are required, Mary Cariola will initiate a referral to CSE or CPSE.
Mandate/Concern Strategy
Staff training Staff are trained in implementing demand fading to adapt student
schedules and routine expectations. Demand fading is a behavior analytic
principle that focuses on systematically adjusting the amount of student
responds necessary to gain reinforcement. This fosters a successful
transition from remote learning to in-person by decreasing initial
demands to promote success, then applies steadily increasing demands
and expectations. This training increases staff skills in supporting students
during and after a pandemic, including use of student social stories.
Gradual return to In the first few weeks of school, the program prioritized safety, comfort,
normal and re-establishing routines for students. This practice continues as more
students return to in-person instruction.
Screening Students’ present level of performance in academic and therapeutic areas
continue to be assessed by teachers and clinicians to determine the need
for additional supports to facilitate return to routines and school
expectations. Students may need staff attention to behavioral supports,
communication, goals, and social-emotional well-being. Social workers
continue to communicate with families for needs and concerns.
Therapy animals Therapy dogs
Staff will use hand sanitizer before and after interacting
with the therapy dogs and wear masks throughout
interactions.
Students will either wash their hands or use a wipe on
their hands before and after interactions.
No more than 1 staff and 1 student will be interacting with
the therapy dogs at one time. If there is line, the visit is
limited to no more than 5 minutes.
Supports for the Mask wearing resources and videos have been on the Mary Cariola
development of mask website resource page. The Behavior Therapy department created task
wearing for students analysis for classrooms to teach students mask wearing (appendix 2).25
Continued Social Social Workers will continue to communicate with families through phone
Work outreach calls, notes home, and email. Enhanced efforts are mandated to engage
with families that are difficult to reach including those who are homeless.
Social-Emotional Well-Being Plan
Staff: Throughout the school closure situation, Mary Cariola leaders have conducted weekly check-ins
with their direct report staff. Mary Cariola currently offers a number of supports to staff and will
monitor staff needs through their regularly scheduled meetings with supervisors, surveys, and
cariolacares@marycariola.org email. Additional training and supports will be offered reflecting the
needs of the staff over time.
Mandate/Concern Strategy
Review available Annual and new staff training include specific details about: resource
services and how to bank, classroom defusing, HR services, advanced support, Spirit
access Committee activities.
Resource bank Life Matters Employee Assistance program provides many resources to
staff including telephonic/video counseling, community resources,
work life resources, critical incident support, and wellness activities.
Some resources are already in staff training on the Litmos online
training platform including coping, self-care, and resiliency.
Classroom specific Classroom defusing- A team of Mary Cariola staff has been trained to
situation meet with staff after an incident occurs, or when a chronic situation is
placing a strain on staff. The goal of the defusing is to give staff the
opportunity to talk about their experience as a team, how it has
affected them, and to share coping strategies.
Advanced support Life Matters can assist employees with counseling needs for all staff.
Consultant psychologist Dr. Matt Kawiak can provide additional on-
site assistance if needed.
Spirit Committee The existing Spirit Committee plans to increase morale-boosting
activities and programs.
Leadership Support Leading through periods of stress and change is difficult. As necessary,
supports will be provided from leadership development organizations
that are familiar with our program.26
Education and Related Services: Individual student needs and equity continue to be the focus of our
learning environment. We are providing a framework that allows for flexibility, keeping in mind the
safety of our students and staff. Our framework ensures a free appropriate public education that
emphasizes special education and related services by implementing Individualized Education Programs
(IEPs) designed to meet the unique disability needs of each of our students from Pre K–age 21. Our
students will continue to work on IEP goals recommended by their CSE/CPSE aligned with New York State
Curriculum and Learning Standards emphasized. Mary Cariola Center will continue to share information
about student progress with families and their CSE/CPSE committees through progress monitoring, data
collection, BIP meetings, and informal means. Cariola follows all NYSED guidance related to the
implementation and access of all IEP indicated supports, including specific components of the IEP such as
accommodations, supplementary aids and services, and assistive technology. The instructional 180 days
are delivered via in-person, remote, and/or hybrid model. Extended School Year services are provided as
determined by the CPSE/CSE committees.
Mandate/Concern
ybrid model. Strategy
Alternative and Mary Cariola provides students with multiple ways to participate in
flexible models learning
Extended School Year services willand
alsodemonstrating
be provided as mastery of skills
determined by theand Learningcommittees.
CPSE/CSE Standards. This
can include in-person (synchronous and asynchronous), remote learning
(paper packets, Zoom interaction, videos, and website resources). These
School Year services will also
plansbeare
provided as determined
designed by the CPSE/CSE
to provide accessible committees.educational
and individualized
opportunities for all.
If appropriate, classrooms will have remote access capabilities so that the
cohort of students who are learning remotely can participate in group
lessons and activities via Zoom or video streaming.
Classroom teachers and teachers of music, physical
education, and transition may enhance remote learning with use of clear
touch, smartboards, and assistive technology.
Addressing Students are continually screened for necessary additional supports to facilitate
instructional gaps return to routines, instructional gaps, and school expectations. Students may
need staff attention to behavioral supports, communication, goals and social-
emotional well-being to help them re-adapt to school expectations.
Classroom set up Classroom furniture and side rooms have been modified to allow for physical
distancing requirements. This includes being mindful of the direction desks
face with preference for all facing in the same direction or turned toward walls
in individual work areas. In some cases, tables have been replaced with desks.
Students will have individual areas for their own furniture, equipment,
instructional materials, and personal items.
Side rooms have been re-purposed for therapy delivery, individualized
instruction, and/or offices. Doorways are left ajar to decrease touch points
unless there is a risk of a student wandering or eloping.27
Classroom routines Hallway transitions are minimized as specials and therapists travel to the
classrooms for delivery of instruction and therapy. Hallway traffic is
one-way wherever possible. Direction of travel is indicated by visual
markings.
Curriculum and Educational programs continue to deliver standards-based curriculum,
Standards including both the NYS Prekindergarten Learning Standards and the Next
Generation Learning Standards utilizing student-centered learning
approaches and aligned with individual student IEPs, whether delivered in-
person or remote.
Goal-related data continue to be taken to monitor progress toward annual
goals and assess program effectiveness.
Geographic area To minimize the number of different people with whom students have
grouped into zones contact, to the extent possible classrooms in close proximity such as a
building wing are grouped together for service delivery from a smaller
group of therapists and clinicians. This is in alignment with the “cohorting”
requirement.
Specials All specials are delivered in spaces that allow for physical distancing or
electronically via Clear Touch technology. Equipment and materials are cleaned
and disinfected between groups or removed from the area and cleaned after
program.
Physical Education is provided in the gym, outdoor play areas, and classrooms.
Physical Education Physical Education teachers use games and activities that require no physical
and Recreation contact and do not require students to be in close proximity to each other.
Recreation spaces will be cleaned between groups and used by one cohort of
students at a time. Six feet of physical distancing will be maintained between
students during activities.
Music Therapy is delivered in the classroom or music room depending on
Music Therapy the size of the group. Per the NYSED guidelines, 6 feet of physical distance
and face masks/face shields are used during singing. Support staff do not
engage singing along, nor will singing occur in classrooms. Technology
may also be used to allow students to sing “together.” Music rooms
have 30 minutes for air circulation between groups.
Transition program Transition teachers travel to classrooms to deliver instruction.
Community based instruction is limited to those students who can wear
a mask and follow social distance protocols. Vehicle capacity is limited to
CDC guidelines. Vans are cleaned and disinfected between use. Hand
sanitizer is prohibited on vans; therefore, hand washing will be
conducted before and after travel.28
Related Services The multidisciplinary team works with CPSE and CSE committees to
OT/PT/Speech/Vision determine whether and to what extent compensatory services are
required.
Therapy spaces will be modified to accommodate physical distancing and
occupancy guidelines. Some spaces such as offices and conference rooms
have been re-purposed for therapy delivery. Therapists collaborate on
scheduling to ensure students with the greatest need for specific therapy
spaces have priority scheduling. Cleaning is conducted between sessions.
Co-Treat models are addressed on a case by case basis. In many co-treat
situations, the therapists can remain physically distant.
Therapists have access to additional PPE for students who cannot wear a
mask or remain six feet away.
Therapists have been provided with laptops and are encouraged to work from
home before and after program to document notes and participate in team
meetings to decrease office occupancy. Shared offices have occupancy signs
along with cleaning and sanitation supplies. Therapists will decrease use of
shared materials, use “clean” and “soiled” bins.
Equitable access to Teachers, clinicians, and social workers may request an interpreter for
critical educational phone calls, tele-learning, tele-therapy, video conferencing or other
information for all learning supports. This must be requested in advance from the
parents superintendent’s secretary. It remains the responsibility of professional
staff to lead conversations and instruction. Interpreters provide critical
supports to enhance understanding for families.
Behavior Therapy The behavior therapy department has been providing the following supports
to facilitate positive experiences for returning to school.
Students/families
Videos posted on the school website for students about how to
wear a mask and respond to adults wearing masks at school
Social stories on school website addressing the importance and
rationale for wearing masks
Sample visual schedules for routine tasks
Classroom supports:
Task analysis for teaching students how to wear a mask and
respond to adults wearing masks
Risk assessment and decision-making training to promote healthy
and safe outcomes
Continuous data collection for mask wearing
Guidance on how to prioritize students’ mental and behavioral
health when assessing their readiness to respond productively to
educational demands
The following guidelines for COVID-19 precautions during interventions will
be implemented:You can also read
