Classrooms have been arranged to space student and teacher desks to meet the Department of Health requirements of six feet between all student-occupied desks with students facing the same direction. Classroom furniture has been rearranged (or removed) to provide more space for staff and student movement and to facilitate effective cleaning.

In the event more spaces are needed for students attending in-person instruction and to comply with the six foot spacing requirement when seated, school spaces such as music rooms, rooms currently being used for non-classroom instruction purposes, or libraries and multi-purpose rooms, may be converted to classrooms. Personal furniture or upholstered fabric items such as stuffed animals, pillows, and couches should not be in classrooms. Classroom procedures will be established for students’ personal belongings to minimize student contact and allow for social distancing during transitions. Teachers will minimize the use of shared items. 

Waiting areas will be identified at each school for use when students arrive without their daily attestation for the school to contact the parent or guardian. These areas are separate from the care rooms which will only be used by those with COVID-19 symptoms.

Dedicated areas for temporary separation of a student or employee who shows COVID-19 symptoms have been identified by district facilities staff, school nurses and the site administrator. When appropriate, outside areas will be used as a care area for students to wait for pickup by a guardian. Each building will identify a COVID-19 response team of staff who have been trained to support/supervise students in care areas to maintain safety. The use of proper PPE will be part of the training provided by the school nurse. Interior care rooms have a window to allow for observation/supervision and to maintain distancing. These areas are designed for medium- to high-risk observation. 

As a result of social distancing requirements and other necessary preventative safety measures, the use of staff rooms, lunchrooms, exercise facilities, conference rooms, or other areas typically used for large groups will be limited.

Administrative and reception areas have been equipped with plastic barriers where six feet of distance cannot be maintained. In areas where it is not feasible to install plastic barriers, staff should use areas with plastic barriers or seek guidance from their site supervisor regarding other safety measures.

PPE dispensers have been placed in all front offices. The dispensers contain disposable masks, hand sanitizer and gloves. 

Protocols for limiting crowding in restrooms will be in place and monitored. Electric hand dryers in restrooms have been disconnected and replaced with paper towel dispensers.

Water fountains in common areas have been disconnected or covered to temporarily remove them from service. Water dispensers with single-use cups are available. Additionally, students can fill their own water bottles from classroom sinks or bottle filling stations. Students are encouraged to bring their own water bottle to and from school each day.

Schools may have periodic needs to collect or distribute school supplies, learning materials, technology devices or other items to support learning. When such needs arise, the site supervisor will create a distribution plan and submit it for approval to the Safety Department. Whenever possible, distribution events will occur outside and will be managed to ensure appropriate health and safety measures are in place.

Signage guidance is provided by governing agencies. Signs have been placed in highly visible areas to promote everyday protective measures and describe how to stop the spread of COVID-19. Sign locations include building entrances and exits, restrooms, classrooms, office areas, cafeteria, auditorium and custodial staff areas. Site administrators may supplement with additional signage including developmentally appropriate signage and in different languages as available.

Building ventilation and mechanical systems are engineered and balanced for intended maximum occupancies for full in-person instruction with all students and staff onsite. Therefore, with significantly reduced student occupancy, buildings are already experiencing increased airflows per occupant. To increase airflows further, Mukilteo School District is following the guidance issued by American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and has implemented changes including:

• Conducting inspections and analyses on all building mechanical systems
• Adjusting existing building controls systems to increase outside air exchanges
• Installing MERV-13 rated filters and changing them more frequently throughout the year

As the year progresses, these systems will continue to be adjusted and balanced for seasonal weather changes, outside air conditions (e.g., wildfire smoke), etc., and continually analyzed with our current and planned occupancies as weather patterns begin to shift. This process will continue throughout the year and any new guidance will be implemented to the full extent possible. For reference, please see the ASHRAE Guidance for the Reopening of Schools

Mukilteo School District has revised cleaning and disinfecting protocols in compliance with Department of Health (DOH) guidelines. Cleaning is a shared responsibility in this pandemic. Employees and students must work together with custodial staff to promote a clean and healthy environment for everyone within each building. Each classroom and workspace will have EPA- and DOH-approved cleaning products and supplies. Custodians may replenish these supplies upon request when they run low.

The DOH requires training on any cleaning or disinfecting products in schools. A staff training has been created using Safe Schools for the Solsta 730 cleaner and hydrogen peroxide-based disinfectant product (DOH- and EPA-approved) that will be used in our schools. Prior to placing the supplies in classrooms, teachers are required to take this training. Other staff who plan to use Solsta 730 must complete the online training prior to use.

Custodian daily routines will include:

• Wiping down tables, chairs and other surfaces
• Disinfecting student desks at the end of each day
• Cleaning and/or vacuuming floors
• Cleaning and sanitizing restrooms
• Cleaning non-classroom areas such as offices, kitchens, locker rooms and care rooms
• Emptying all trash
• Restocking soap, sanitizer and paper towels as necessary

The following touchpoints will be disinfected by the building custodian throughout the day:

• Door handles, push bars and push plates
• Light switches
• Lockers
• Classroom doors
• Elevator push buttons
• Bottle filling stations
• Restroom doors, handles and push plates
• ADA grab bars
• Toilet and urinal handles
• Feminine hygiene dispensers
• Sink and faucet handles
• Toilet paper, soap, and paper towel dispenser and handles

ActivPanels, phone handsets, and district technology devices should be cleaned by the user at the end of the day or between users. Approved alcohol-based wipes for this specific purpose will be supplied in each classroom, work areas, and common use areas, and may be replenished by the custodian upon request. These wipes should only be used by staff and only on technology devices.

Staff share the responsibility of ongoing cleaning and disinfecting of workspaces and equipment. Staff should ensure frequently touched surfaces within their work areas are cleaned or disinfected during the day, especially between users. Items that may need attention include:

• Activ panels and other technology devices
• Phone handsets
• Personal desktops
• Writing utensils
• Surfaces or above touchpoints as needed

Appropriate DOH-approved supplies that students can use to aid in the effort to clean their desks or areas will be available in classrooms. This will be district-supplied soap and water-based wipes.

Cleaning and disinfecting procedures will be updated as new guidance is received.

If a positive COVID-19 case is determined within a school or building, district staff will follow guidance from the local department of health official. In general, response steps include:

• School or room closures for cleaning after positive cases will be determined on a situational basis and on the advice of local health authorities.
• A group of trained custodians will provide supplemental support for schools and facilities that need help to provide the deeper cleaning and disinfecting needed after a confirmed case of COVID-19.
• An EvaClean Infection Control System with the Protexus Cordless Electrostatic Sprayers will be used to disinfect all areas of the school or district facility at which the positive or assumed positive COVID-19 case has been present.

The District Support Services Center, through building custodians, will provide the necessary approved cleaning/disinfecting materials for staff use. Clorox wipes and common household disinfectants are not approved by the Department of Health and should not be brought into district facilities. The Department of Health also states that students are only allowed to use soap and water, or baby wipes. Appropriate wipes meeting this requirement will be supplied for student use in each classroom.