Special Message
Health & Safety Plan - Fall 2021
General Health & Safety plans & POLICIES
These policies apply to everyone entering The Baum School of Art.
Masks and Personal Protective Equipment
In The Baum School of Art, masks are required at all times, regardless of vaccination status.
Masks should not be worn by:
• Children under the age of 2 years• A person with a disability who cannot wear a mask, or cannot safely wear a mask, because of a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.).
• A person for whom wearing a mask would create a risk to workplace health, safety, or job duty as determined by the relevant workplace safety guidelines or federal regulations.
Feasibility and Adaptations
CDC recognizes that wearing masks may not be possible in every situation or for some people. In some situations, wearing a mask may exacerbate a physical or mental health condition, lead to a medical emergency, or introduce significant safety concerns. Adaptations and alternatives should be considered whenever possible to increase the feasibility of wearing a mask or to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading if it is not possible to wear one. See the CDC’s website for further guidance: Cloth Face Cover Guidance
Masks with Exhalation Valves or Vents
The purpose of masks is to keep respiratory droplets from reaching others to aid with source control. However, masks with one-way valves or vents allow air to be exhaled through a hole in the material, which can result in expelled respiratory droplets that can reach others. This type of mask does not prevent the person wearing the mask from transmitting COVID-19 to others. Therefore, CDC does not recommend using masks for source control if they have an exhalation valve or vent.
Face Shields
CDC does not recommend using face shields or goggles as a substitute for masks. Goggles or other eye protection may be used in addition to a mask. However, wearing a mask may not be feasible in every situation for some people for example, people who are deaf or hard of hearing—or those who care for or interact with a person who is hearing impaired.
Socially Distanced Classroom Design
Limited maximum class sizes ensure that safe social/physical distancing can be achieved within each classroom space. Furniture and equipment within the classrooms have been placed to ensure appropriate social/physical distance between students. All classrooms have lockers and/or bins for personal belongings. Workstations will be arranged so that students do not face one another. Signage throughout the building will help guide students to remain socially distanced throughout their experience.
Cleaning and Sanitization
High-touch areas, public areas, and bathrooms will be cleaned and disinfected multiple times throughout the day. Classrooms will be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized after each class, and during class as needed. We use cleaning products that meet EPA disinfectant criteria as recommended by the CDC. Adult students may be required to disinfect any shared work equipment or tools after use during class.
Healthy Hygiene Habits
Staff and students will be instructed on proper cough/sneeze hygiene and handwashing techniques. Our classrooms are equipped with sinks, soap and water, as well as sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol throughout the facility. All students and staff must wash their hands or sanitize upon entry and exit of classroom, for restroom breaks, and as needed throughout the class.
Visitors and Guests
Visitors and guests are welcome, however, all must adhere to universal masking and social distance protocols. Visitors and guests experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 should not enter the building.
Illness policies and Procedures
Employees and students who are sick, or have recently had a close contact with a person with COVID-19, should stay home and monitor health. Employees and campers should stay home if they have tested positive for, or are showing COVID-19 symptoms.
Anyone displaying symptoms of a communicable disease may not remain in class.
For children and teen students, the student will be isolated from the rest of the children in the designated supervised isolation space. Parents will be contacted to pick up the student and the child will be unable to attend class until they are fever free for 24 hours without the use of medication. Students who become sick during the session are asked to self-report symptoms to school administrators, so that appropriate illness procedures may be implemented.
QUARANTINE?
Quarantine if you have been in close contact (within 6 feet of someone for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period) with someone who has COVID-19, unless you have been fully vaccinated. People who are fully vaccinated do NOT need to quarantine after contact with someone who had COVID-19 unless they have symptoms. However, fully vaccinated people should get tested 3-5 days after their exposure, even if they don’t have symptoms and wear a mask indoors in public for 14 days following exposure or until their test result is negative.
What To Do
• Stay home for 14 days after your last contact with a person who has COVID-19.• Watch for fever (100.4◦F), cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19.
• YIf possible, stay away from people you live with, especially people who are higher risk for getting very sick from COVID-19.
After Quarantine
• Watch for symptoms until 14 days after exposure.• If you have symptoms, immediately self-isolate and contact your local public health authority or healthcare provider.
You may be able to shorten your quarantine
Your local public health authorities make the final decisions about how long quarantine should last, based on local conditions and needs. Follow the recommendations of your local public health department if you need to quarantine. Options they will consider include stopping quarantine:
• After day 10 without testing• After day 7 after receiving a negative test result (test must occur on day 5 or later)
SYMPTOMS
People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:
• Fever or chills• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea
This list does not include all possible symptoms. See CDC’s website for additions or updates to this list.
ILLNESS REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
If employees or students become sick with COVID-19 symptoms., test positive for COVID-19, or have been exposed to someone with symptoms or a confirmed or suspected case, they must not come to camp and need to notify the designated COVID-19 point of contacts below by phone (610.433.0032) and email:
Primary Contact - Laurie Siegfried, Director of Operations and Marketinglaurie@baumschool.org
Secondary Contact - Shannon Fugate, Executive Directorshannon@baumschool.org
CLASSROOM PLAN FOR INSTRUCTOR OR STUDENT EXHIBITING ILLNESS AND/OR POSSIBLE CASE OF COVID-19
A youth student will be isolated from the rest of the children in the designated isolation space and parent/guardian will be contacted to come pick up the child. An adult student will be required to leave the building. All the supplies, and the areas/classroom the student was in contact with, will be sanitized. If necessary, students will be relocated to another classroom until the space is safe to re-enter.
CLASSROOM PLAN FOR A POSITIVE COVID-19 CASE
All the supplies, and the areas/classroom the student was in contact with will be sanitized. In the event that an instructor or student tests positive for COVID-19, in accordance with state and local laws and regulations, camp administrators will notify local health officials, staff, and families immediately of any case of COVID-19 while maintaining confidentiality in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Families of other students in the class will be notified of the confirmed case via email and phone call.
Students who are registered for an in-person camp and need to follow quarantine safety guidelines will be given access to virtual instruction or a credit for future camp, if possible.
WHEN TO RETURN TO WORK OR CLASS
Employees and students should follow CDC’s criteria of when they should return to work or school:
WHEN YOU CAN BE AROUND OTHERS AFTER YOU HAD OR LIKELY HAD COVID-19
Most people do not require testing to decide when they can be around others; however, if your healthcare provider recommends testing, they will let you know when you can resume being around others based on your test results.
For Anyone Who Has Been Around a Person with COVID-19.
Anyone who has had close contact with someone with COVID-19 should stay home for 14 days after their last exposure to that person. However, anyone who has had close contact with someone with COVID-19 and who meets the following criteria does NOT need to stay home.
• Someone who has been fully vaccinated and shows no symptoms of COVID-19. However, fully vaccinated people should get tested 3-5 days after their exposure, even they don’t have symptoms and wear a mask indoors in public for 14 days following exposure or until their test result is negative.
OR
• Someone who has COVID-19 illness within the previous 3 months and
• SHas recovered and
• Remains without COVID-19 symptoms (for example, cough, shortness of breath)
I think or know I had COVID-19, and I had symptoms. You can be with others after:
• 10 days since symptoms first appeared and• 24 hours with no fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and
• Other symptoms of COVID-19 are improving*
*Loss of taste and smell may persist for weeks or months after recovery and need not delay the end of isolation. Note that these recommendations do not apply to people with severe COVID-19 or with weakened immune systems (immunocompromised).
I tested positive for COVID-19 but had no symptoms
If you continue to have no symptoms, you can be with others after 10 days have passed since you had a positive viral test for COVID-19. If you develop symptoms after testing positive, follow the guidance above for “I think or know I had COVID-19, and I had symptoms.”
I was severely ill with COVID-19 or have a severely weakened immune system (immunocompromised) due to a health condition or medication.
People who are severely ill with COVID-19 might need to stay home longer than 10 days and up to 20 days after symptoms first appeared. Persons who are severely immunocompromised may require testing to determine when they can be around others. Talk to your healthcare provider for more information. If testing is available in your community, it may be recommended by your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider will let you know if you can resume being around other people based on the results of your testing.
Your doctor may work with an infectious disease expert or your local health departmentto determine whether testing will be necessary before you can be around others.
Youth student policies
Youth Student Drop-off
Youth students should be escorted into the building by a parent/guardian and check in at the front desk. A Baum School staff member will complete a brief household symptom questionnaire and a contactless temperature check with an infrared no-touch forehead thermometer. Students can then be escorted to their classroom by their parent/guardian, provided their household is symptom free, they do not have a fever, and they are properly wearing a mask. Anyone with a temperature of 100.4° or over, or a temperature over 99.9° after two checks, will not be permitted to enter the building, and will be required to follow CDC guidelines for when it is safe to return. In most cases, we will be able to provide a prorated credit to be used at a later date.
Youth Student Pick-up
Upon arrival for pickup, parents/guardians/authorized pick-up individuals should pick up their student from the classroom. Please keep social distancing in mind as you are waiting for the class to dismiss.
Social/physical Distance for youth Students
The school will follow the CDC recommendation that schools maintain at least 3 feet of physical distance between students within classrooms, combined with indoor mask wearing to reduce transmission risk.
Supplies for youth Students
The Baum School of Art will provide art materials for youth students in an individual lidded bin for use during the class. Shared materials will be limited. Any materials that are shared will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected after use.
Adult student policies
Adult Student Check-In
Adult students do not need to check in upon entering the building. All adult students must be symptom free and properly wearing a mask. Please refer to the Illness Policies and Procedures if you are unsure of whether or not to come to class.
Social/physical Distance for adult Students
The school will follow the CDC recommendation that adults should adhere to the 6ft. social distance guidelines for people who do not live within the same household.
Supplies for youth Students
Adult students are responsible for bringing their own supplies, and taking them home at the end of each class. Shared materials and equipment will be limited. Any materials and equipment that are shared should be cleaned and disinfected by the student after use.
Staff and Faculty Policies
STAFF and faculty WELLNESS CHECKS
All staff and faculty will be required to wear a mask that covers their nose and mouth and are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated against COVID-19. All staff and faculty members will complete a self-screening for symptoms prior the start of their shift. Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 will not be permitted to enter the building, and will be required to follow CDC guidelines for when it is safe to return. All staff and faculty are required to follow the Illness Policies and Procedures outlined above.
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Below is a list of sources used to create this document:
CDC Suggestions for Youth and Summer Camps
Guidance for Operating Youth and Summer Camps: Readiness and Planning Tool
Governor Wolf’s Summer Recreation, Camps and Pools Frequently Asked Questions
Considerations for Community Based Organizations
CDC Guidance on when to isolate or quarantine
CDC Guidance on when it is safe to return to camp/work
CDC Symptoms of Coronavirus
CDC Cleaning and Disinfection
Guidance for Wearing Masks
How to Safely Wear and Take Off a Cloth Face Covering
Social Distancing
Level of Community Transmission Table
Operational Strategy for K-12 Schools through Phased Prevention
Guidance for Fully Vaccinated People
Updated Order of the Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Health Requiring Universal Face Coverings
Information for Vaccinated Pennsylvanians
Local Health Authority–Allentown City Bureau of Health
245 N 6Th St, Allentown, PA 18102-4168
Phone: (610) 437-7760
