Visit this link for a full list of VDOE School Reopening Frequently Asked Question
School Enrollment and Homeschooling
Do parents providing home instruction need to provide evidence of progress for the 2020-2021 school year?
In accordance with § 22.1-254.1 (C) of the Code of Virginia, parents providing home instruction for the 2020-2021 school year must provide evidence of academic progress to their local school division by August 1, 2021. Although this requirement was waived for the 2019-2020 school year due to COVID-19, the evidence of progress requirement has not been waived and is required for the 2020-2021 school year.
The evidence of academic progress requirement for home instruction students is a measure of student growth and proficiency. Similarly, public school students must take the Standards of Learning (SOL) and other end-of-course (EOC) assessments to demonstrate growth and proficiency. The SOL and EOC assessments have not been waived for public school students for the 2020-2021 school year; and parents must also provide evidence of academic progress for their home instruction students.
CDC and VDH Guidance
What are the recommended mitigation strategies for school-based physical education and recess?
Adherence to COVID mitigation measures are critically important in physical education (PE) and recess settings. The CDC School Operational Strategy Document and Virginia’s Revised Interim Guidance for PreK-12 Schools recommend 5 key mitigation measures, and schools should implement them in all school based settings. Below is a summary of current recommendations on these strategies as they apply to physical education and recess:
UNIVERSAL MASKING
- Governor Northam’s Executive Order 72 (EO72) requires every individual age 5 and older to wear a mask in any indoor setting shared with others.
- EO72 requires every individual age 5 and older to wear a mask in outdoor settings when at least 6 feet of distance around others cannot be maintained.
- Under EO72, masks may be removed when exercising. However, VDH strongly encourages individuals to wear masks when playing sports, exercising, etc. during times of high community transmission.
- Please note that removing masks creates increased risk. If students are removing masks while exercising, additional mitigation measures should be implemented - such as additional distance (10 feet is required in private gyms by EO72) or moving activity outside for greater spacing and increased ventilation.
- Proper usage of a mask is critical, it should be well fitting and cover both the mouth and nose.
- Plastic face shields are not a replacement for face masks.
PHYSICAL DISTANCING
- CDC and Virginia’s Revised Interim Guidance recommend maintaining 6 feet of distance, both inside and outside, to the greatest extent possible.
- If students are exercising without masks indoors, it is strongly recommended that distance between individuals is increased to 10 feet. This is consistent with EO72 requirements for private gyms.
- Physical distancing also includes the podding and cohorting of students to the greatest extent possible, so that different groups of students do not mix. Therefore, schools are encouraged to limit the mixing of classes during PE and recess to the extent possible.
In addition, the other mitigation measures (proper hand washing; cleaning and disinfecting; and increased ventilation) are important in a PE or recess environment.
- When possible and safe, schools should conduct PE and recess outside for increased ventilation.
- The CDC recommends saving high intensity exercise for outdoor settings and maintaining distance during such activities.
- Schools should reinforce proper handwashing techniques before/after class and provide hand sanitizer on the way in and out if possible.
- Schools should disinfect and clean shared equipement between classes. See CDC Mitigation Toolkit for recommendations on cleaning products. This includes exercise equipment, mats, recess equipment, etc.
General Resources and Links:
Special Education and Student Services
For children who require suctioning or need breathing treatments during school hours, do schools need to be concerned about aerosolizing the virus that causes COVID-19?
During the COVID-19 pandemic, asthma treatments using inhalers with spacers (with or without a face mask, according to each student’s individualized treatment plan) are preferred over nebulizer treatments whenever possible in the school setting. The use of asthma inhalers (with or without spacers or face masks) is not considered an aerosol-generating procedure.
CDC recommends that nebulizers in school should be reserved for instances where children cannot use inhalers, do not have access to an inhaler or for children who are in significant respiratory distress while awaiting emergency transport.
Suctioning and nebulizer treatments should be performed in a space that limits exposure to others and with minimal staff present, limited to the student and staff member performing the treatment. The staff member should put on proper personal protective equipment (N95 mask, goggles or face shield, gloves and gown). Rooms should be well ventilated or the treatment should be performed outside. After the student receives treatment, the room should undergo routine cleaning and disinfection. Routine cleaning and disinfecting of the room is adequate and the room does not need to be vacated for any period of time. A list of EPA-approved disinfectants can be found on the EPA website.
