INFECTION PROTOCOL-WHAT TO DO IF SOMEONE GETS SICK

DEFINITION OF EXPOSURE TO COVID-19
To be considered exposed to COVID-19, you need to have prolonged close contact with a person who has the virus. Close contact includes living in the same household, caring for a sick person with the virus, being within 6 feet of a sick person with the virus for at least 15 continuous minutes without the use of a face covering, or being in direct contact with secretions from the sick person.

PREVENTION 
As outlined in the Health and Safety section, temperature checks of all students and employees will be taken on arrival each morning. Any student, employee (or volunteer) who has a temperature above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit will be sent home and encouraged to contact a doctor. 

Schools will provide professional development in regard to the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 as provided by OSF Healthcare, local public health departments, Catholic Mutual Group, or other medical agencies. 

RESPONSE TO COVID-19 SYMPTOMS 
Contact: Person is without symptoms but has been made aware a COVID exposure has occurred (family, community, work).

• Get tested at least 5 days after the exposure.  Testing done prior to 5 days from the exposure may be falsely negative due to insufficient viral reproduction time.

• May continue to work/school while awaiting results and wearing a mask, social distancing, and hand washing.  

• Check temperature and symptoms twice a day.  Any symptoms should be reported and quarantine begins immediately until test results are returned.

• Family contact (see below).

Symptomatic: 

• Anyone who is symptomatic for COVID (with or without) known exposure will be sent home immediately.

• Should also go for PCR nasal testing immediately.  Return to work will be guided by test results and CDC criteria.  

• Symptoms for COVID include: fever of 100.4 degrees, loss of taste/smell, fatigue/achy muscles, sinus/nasal, sore throat, nausea/vomiting/diarrhea, cough, shortness of breath.

• It is recommended that student’s parents or employee contact their pediatrician or doctor to discuss the symptoms and arrange for an evaluation.

• Quarantine (no work/school) until: COVID negative or an alternate diagnosis is made (ear infection, strep, flu, etc.)  

• If the pediatrician or doctor feels that an alternate diagnosis is confirmed or likely, the student or employee can return with a physician/APN/PA note AND cessation of symptoms for at least 24 hours without fever reducing medication (Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen).

• If the student or employee does not seek medical evaluation, does not receive COVID testing, or no alternate diagnosis is discovered, they should be considered a presumptive COVID positive case and shall remain out of school for 10 days from the on-set of symptoms PLUS at least 24 hours from resolution of fever reducing medication (Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen).  

• No need to notify classmates/colleagues unless COVID test is positive.

COVID-19 Positive:

• Quarantine minimum 10 days with 24 hours from resolution of fever-reducing medication ((Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen).

• Even if not symptomatic, quarantine.

• Any confirmed case of COVID19 within the school will lead to notification of faculty, staff, students, etc., who have pertinent exposure in order that monitoring can begin.

Isolation Protocol:
If any student, employee or volunteer is COVID19 positive, principals will immediately contact the Superintendent of Schools. While every situation is unique, the following steps will likely be implemented: 

1. The student, employee (or volunteer) will be sent home and monitored for ongoing symptoms, as described above. 

2. The principal will distribute the OCS COVID-19 Exposure Letter to all parents and employees. Note: it is essential that the privacy of the impacted student or employee be protected. Principals should not disclose the specific identity of the infected individual to parents or any employees who do not need to know. For example, it would be appropriate to inform a grade level teacher or classroom teacher if a student in the teacher’s class has been diagnosed with COVID-19. However, the principal should not inform other teachers in the school (or any parent). 

3. The student or employee’s classroom/work area will be thoroughly cleaned. Windows in the area will be opened to maximize airflow. 

4. The principal will carefully monitor the health of students and teachers who are part of the infected individual’s cohort (in the high school, the entire school population will be notified). If more than three students or employee in the cohort are diagnosed with COVID-19, the entire cohort will quarantine and shift to remote learning. Principals will contact the Superintendent of Schools for further instructions before initiating a Cohort Quarantine.  

5. For high schools, the local public health department and Superintendent of Schools will be contacted in order for a decision to be made on whether or not to close the entire school and self-quarantine.  

The principal will distribute the OCS Quarantine Letter to all families and employees when a cohort or entire school is placed in quarantine. 

The principal will work with the Superintendent of Schools to decide if and when some or all of the cohort members will return to school. 

The principal will continue to closely monitor the health of all non-quarantined students and employees. 

In cases of widespread infections in a school (particularly multiple cohorts), an entire school may be quarantined. Principals will work with the Superintendent of Schools in determining if a school-wide quarantine is needed. 

Students will be allowed to complete and submit academic work while quarantined. 

GENERAL HEALTH & SAFETY INFORMATION:

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PLAN
Alleman follows the Emergency Procedures Manual of the Diocese of Peoria (available at www.cdop.org)

STUDENT WELL -BEING
Aware of the importance of maintaining the confidence of students, parents, colleagues, and the Church community, Alleman faculty and staff strive to maintain the highest degree of ethical conduct. All Concussions are to be reported to the school, both athletic and non-athletic related.

In day-to-day situations at school, teachers keep student confidences to themselves. However, in practice, teachers will report to an administrator or counselor whenever a student confidence involves the life, health or safety of anyone in the school.

CELL PHONES & SMART WATCHES
Alleman High School understands the desire of parents to furnish their children with cell phones for safety reasons. However, the use of cell phones, anywhere in the building, during a school day is a major disruption to the educational process. Students are prohibited from using cell phones from 8:10-2:50. Cell phones MUST be turned off and should not be visible during school hours and while on school grounds. If it is determined a student is using a phone, consequences will be enforced. We also discourage calls/texts made to student's cell phones during school hours. If you need to contact your child and do not wish to call the office, you may email the student’s AHS email. Students have the use of a telephone in the Main Office. Cell phones provide students with immediate access to social networks. Smart watches, any watch that can connect to the internet by itself, or through a bluetooth connection, are not allowed to be worn during the school day.

STUDENT PRIVATE SOCIAL NETWORK ACCOUNTS
In accordance with state law (105 ILCS 75/15), the school shall not request a student to provide a username, password, or similar information in order to gain access to the student’s private account or profile on a social networking site (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat).  However, the school may require a student to cooperate in an investigation by sharing the content of their private social network account if the principal determines there is sufficient evidence to suggest the student’s social network account violates the school’s disciplinary policy.  Nothing in this policy shall prohibit the school from having unrestricted access to school computers, e-mail addresses given by the school, or anything else owned or operated by the school.  The school has the right to regulate its own equipment, monitor Internet traffic, block social media sites with a firewall, and the like.

HARASSMENT / BULLYING
Alleman provides a safe environment for all individuals. Verbal, written, online, electronically transmitted or physical threats made against the physical or emotional well-being of any individual are taken very seriously. Students making such threats (seriously or in jest) face detention, and/or suspension, and/or expulsion.

Harassment of any type is not tolerated. Students are expected to display Christian values and attitudes in their treatment of all people who work in, study in, or visit our school. Any student who feels that he/she has been harassed in any way should report the incident to the counselor or administration. School personnel investigate all complaints of harassment. Students involved in harassing behavior face detention, and/or suspension, and/or expulsion.

Alleman High School actively seeks to provide a supportive, caring environment that is safe from all forms of intimidation, including bullying. In doing so, the school follows the guidelines established in Diocesan policy D-147.

BULLYING PREVENTION
Bullying, including cyber-bullying, is any severe or pervasive physical or verbal act or conduct, including communications made in writing or electronically, directed toward a
student or students that has or can be reasonably predicted to have the effect of one or more of the following:

1. Placing the student in reasonable fear of harm to the student’s person or property;

2. Causing a substantially detrimental effect on the student’s physical or mental health;

3. Substantially interfering with the student’s academic performance; and/or

4. Substantially interfering with the student’s ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by the school (105 ILCS 5/27-23.7b).

Bullying conduct covered under this policy is conduct that occurs on school property or at school sponsored activities or events, while students are being transported or walking to and from school or school sponsored activities or events, while students are waiting at bus stops for transportation to and from school, or cyberbullying as defined hereinafter.

Cyberbullying under this policy is the bullying and/or intimidation of students through the use of the internet and/or social media sites on any electronic devices, whether on or off school campus or during non-school hours.

Any reported bullying issue shall be promptly brought to the attention of the appropriate party,

the pastor or principal or their designee, and thereafter investigated. Any student who engages in bullying and/or cyberbullying will be subject to appropriate discipline, up to and including

suspension or expulsion and referral to local law enforcement. Behavioral interventions may be included as a component of the disciplinary actions. This may include but is not limited to

mandatory counseling. Retaliatory behavior by a student accused of bullying will also incur consequences. False accusations of bullying will result in disciplinary action taken against the accuser.

Types of Bullying:

1. 1Relational: ostracizing another student, psychological manipulation, and systematic actions to isolate, shun, or exclude.

2. Verbal: name calling, put downs, and/or the spread of rumors.

3. Physical: aggressive acts such as hitting, slapping, choking, kicking, spitting, or pushing, as well as the destruction of property or the writing of offensive notes/graffiti.

4. Cyberbullying: actions associated with one or more types of bullying utilizing email, instant messaging, social networks, text messages, or other means of electronic communications.

Bullying conduct may include but is not limited to:

1. Physical acts such as inappropriate, unwanted, uninvited, or injurious physical contact with another; stalking; sexual assault; or destruction or damage to the property of another.

2. Written or electronic communication of any type that incorporates language or depictions that would constitute bullying, using any medium including but not limited to cell phones,computers, websites, electronic networks, instant messaging, text messages, and emails.

3. Verbal threats made to another; blackmail or demands for protection money.

4. Non-verbal threats or intimidation such as aggressive or menacing gestures.

5. Direct or indirect relationally aggressive behavior such as social isolation, rumor spreading, or damaging someone’s reputation.

6. Blocking access to school property or facilities.

7. Stealing or hiding or otherwise defacing books, backpacks or other personal possessions.

8. Repeated or pervasive taunting, name calling, belittling, mocking, putdowns, or demeaning humor related to a student’s race, color, sex, ancestry, religion, disability, or other personal characteristics, whether or not the student actually possesses them, that could reasonably be expected to result in the disruption of school activities or create a hostile educational environment for the student.

Any of the preceding conduct which occurs off school grounds when such conduct creates, or reasonably can be expected to create, a substantial disruption in the school setting and/or at school sponsored activities and events.

INCIDENTS OF BATTERY AGAINST TEACHERS OR OTHER SCHOOL PERSONNEL
Upon receipt of a written complaint from school personnel, the principal shall immediately report all incidents of battery committed against teachers or other school personnel to local law enforcement authorities.  In addition, incidents of battery against school personnel shall be reported to the Illinois State Police within three (3) days of the occurrence through the School Incident Reporting System (SIRS) in IWAS (105 ILCS 5/10-21.7). 

ILLNESS OR INJURY
In the event of illness or injury at school, an adult staff member will be the primary care giver. Illness or injury should be reported to the teacher by the student or in the case of between class, to the Assistant Principal. If a student is not well enough to attend classes, a parent will be called and requested to come for the student. No student will be released without parent/guardian contact. In emergency cases the student will be taken to the hospital by ambulance for medical treatment.

Parents must notify the school immediately of any change in the student Medical Information Form.

IMMUNIZATION
A complete immunization record must be on file on each student in the school. For students entering school before September 15 of any given year, the proof of immunization must be presented by this date or the student will be excluded from school until the requirement is met. If for medical reasons one or more required immunizations must be given after September 15, then the student shall present, by September 15, a schedule for the administration of the immunization and a statement of the medical reason for the delay. Students enrolling after September 15 must present the immunization record and their latest health examination as soon as possible.

Students not receiving the proper immunization booster shots may be denied attendance until they are in compliance.

MEDICATION
Alleman High School does not distribute medication to any student without a doctor's and parent's authorization. This includes aspirin. If it is determined by a doctor that it is necessary for a student to take medication during school hours:

1. Written orders must be provided to the school from the doctor giving the name of the medication, the dosage and the times it is to be taken.

2. A written request from the parent authorizing the administering of any prescribed medication at school.

3. Medication must be brought to school in a container appropriately labeled by the druggist or pharmacy.

4. If a student is on medication and the parent wishes to come to school to administer the medication, they may do so. If, however, they wish the school personnel to supervise the student taking any medicine, the above rules must be followed. The school will provide safe storage for the prescribed medicines and will keep a basic record in any drug administration.

PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS
Illinois State law requires that all freshmen have a physical before they can attend school. Freshman athletes can have their IHSA Physical Examination Card filled out at the same visit to the doctor. All athletes must have an annual physical exam.

LIABILITY
School liability is restricted to students DURING and AT school sponsored functions. When students leave authorized and supervised school functions, the school is not liable for them.

STUDENT INSURANCE
An opportunity to purchase school accident insurance will be given at the beginning of each school year. This insurance will cover accidents at school, to and from school, and during extra-curricular activities (excluding team members of major sports) sponsored by the school and directed by a teacher.

An injury must be reported immediately to the person in charge, who then reports the incident to the school administrator. The student’s parent or guardian must contact the business office within twenty-four hours to request school insurance forms, if needed. Students participating in interscholastic sports MUST either have personal insurance coverage, or a written waiver on file with the athletic director.

DRUG SCREENING
Students at Alleman High School will be drug screened 2 times throughout each academic school year.

SEARCH POLICY
The administration of Alleman High School reserves the right to search the locker, coat and personal belongings of the student at school or at a school sponsored event. Anything brought into school or to a school event is subject to search. Students who do not cooperate with the search may be dismissed.

POLICE DOGS
Periodically, trained canine unit dogs are invited onto the Alleman campus with their handlers as one phase of our efforts to provide a safe and drug free environment for all students, staff and volunteers.

EMERGENCY DRILLS
Emergency drills improve the chances that all students and staff will survive a sudden emergency unharmed. Full cooperation is expected from everyone in the school during every drill. Failure to behave as necessary during a drill may lead to disciplinary consequences.

FIRE DRILLS
Fire Drills are scheduled at periodic intervals. Students will leave the building by assigned stairways in an orderly manner. Explicit directions for each classroom are explained by the teacher and general directives are posted in each room.

TORNADO DRILLS
In the event of a tornado warning an announcement will be made or the bell will be rung in several short bursts. Students are to move to the corridors and away from glass areas. Classroom lights are to be turned off and windows on the east side of the building are to be slightly opened. Students are to face interior walls. They are to draw their knees up under them, and are to cover the backs of their heads with their hands. The Administration will inform outside P.E. classes of the alert so that students may be brought inside. Students are never to remain in areas with large expanses of roof, such as a gym.

EVACUATION DRILLS
Emergency evacuation takes place if there is a need to move students far beyond the normal fire drill areas. These drills are scheduled periodically by the administration. In a real evacuation, students would be transported off campus to be reunited with their parents/guardians at a safe location.

INTRUDER DRILLS
Occasionally, Alleman High School will perform a drill to simulate a violent intruder in the school.  These drills will be performed in cooperation with the Rock Island Police Department.  The drills will be announced as a drill when they occur.

SEXUAL ABUSE ALLEGATIONS
In accord with the “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People,” the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops promulgated “Essential Norms for Diocesan/Eparchial Policies Dealing with the Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Priests or Deacons” as approved by the Apostolic See. The Charter addresses the Church’s commitment to deal appropriately and effectively with cases of sexual abuse to minors by priests, deacons, and other church personnel (i.e., employees or volunteers). Consequently, the Bishop of Peoria has promulgated policy C- 402 and accompanying administrative regulations setting forth procedural guidelines which apply to priests, deacons, lay employees, or volunteers employed by or in the diocese against whom sexual abuse is suspected or reported. It is intended to clarify the roles and responsibilities of diocesan or parish personnel who have administrative responsibility involving the diocese, a parish, a parish institution, school or organization in situations involving possible sexual abuse. It sets forth the diocesan response to victims. It is intended to inform parties who may wish to report such misconduct. The full text of the policy and administrative regulation C-402 are available at www.cdop.org.