Health & Safety

The safety of our students and employees is our overriding priority. As the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues, we are closely following the guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local health authorities. 

In order to prevent the spread of the virus and reduce the potential risk of exposure to our workforce and students, we are requiring all staff and students to conduct symptom checking prior to entering the school site. Those who develop symptoms during the school day will be immediately isolated and sent home.  

Staff and Students are directed not to come to school if they answer yes to any of the following symptom checks:

1. Do you currently have, or have you had a fever of 100.4 or greater in the past 14 days?

2. Are you currently experiencing or have you experienced in the past 14 days a cough, shortness of breath/difficulty breathing, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell, chills, headache or muscle aches, nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting?

3. Have you been in close proximity to anyone who has experienced any of the above symptoms or who has tested positive for COVID-19?

The plan for reopening of BUSD schools is driven by safety practices based on the most up to date guidance from health experts. A key component of these practices includes physical distancing.

Staff and students will maintain 6 feet of physical distance in all settings whenever practicable. To meet this goal, the following measures are being taken:

• Limit campus use to students and staff only
• Keep students in stable groups throughout the day
• Stagger recess and passing period times
• Space student desks 6 feet apart
• Turn all desks to face the same direction
• Eliminate large gatherings such as school assemblies
• Utilize personal water bottles and use of water bottle filling stations
• Designate isolation areas for students or staff who are not feeling well

All individuals, including staff and students, must wear face coverings that cover the mouth and nose consistent with public health guidance.

Staff is required to use gloves for administering first aid and for food service. The use of gloves for other activities is not recommended.  Some learning environments may require additional PPE due to specific conditions. This safety gear will be provided as determined necessary.

The district currently has more than a month of PPE equipment in stock. This includes masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, gowns (for specific situations).  We have both 3-ply surgical masks and N-95 masks for anyone working with a student who is medically exempt from wearing a mask and nursing/office staff working with sick students.

Students will be instructed on proper hand-washing techniques, mask wearing, managing coughs and sneezes, and avoiding face touching.

Signs and infographics regarding preventative measures will be placed throughout school buildings in areas of high visibility.  Hand-washing and hand sanitizing time will be built into the schedule during transitions:

• Entry to school
• Before and after recess 
• After use of restroom
• Before leaving the classroom for the day/dismissal

Hand sanitizing stations will be placed in high traffic areas across the campus.  Preventative supplies (hand soap, sanitizer, general-purpose cleaner) will be provided in each classroom and throughout the campus.  

Campus Visitors 

• Non-essential visitors are restricted from all district facilities and school sites.
• Parents should remain in their vehicles for student drop-off and pickup.

Our Preschool facility is the only exception to above.

Common Areas

• Students will not be permitted to gather in common areas such as courtyards or hallways.
• Upon arrival to school, students will report directly to their classrooms/muster area.
• Schools will develop plans to minimize student interactions during class transitions.
• Each school site will identify designated walkways with one-way traffic patterns.
• At dismissal, students will utilize designated exits to leave campus.

Limiting Large Group Gatherings

• All meetings will be held virtually.
• If an in-person meeting is necessary, the meeting should be held in a location where physical distancing guidelines can be maintained.
• Facility Use Permits will be limited to BUSD Daycare partners.
• School campuses are closed to the public. Use of school grounds, including fields or play structures is prohibited. This measure has been put in place in alignment with the county health guidelines. All visitors to the school MUST wear a face covering and follow health and safety protocols.

Confirmed Case

In the event of a confirmed COVID-19 case among our staff or students, BUSD administration will work with the Contra Costa Health Services public information officer to coordinate communication as appropriate for the specific circumstances. At a minimum, the affected stable group will be notified.

Symptom Development

• BUSD will follow CCHS Schools Guidance for any suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases.
• Students showing COVID-19 symptoms at school will wait in the designated Health Room/Isolation Space and parents will be required to arrange for the student to be picked up immediately, if warranted based on Screening Flowchart. Parents are asked to ensure emergency contacts are kept current at all times.
• Students who are in quarantine will be provided assignments and the ability to engage in virtual learning if practicable.

Returning to Work or School Students or staff who have tested positive for COVID-19 may return to school or work in accordance to CCHS Guidance.

BUSD COVID-19 Dashboard All individuals who test positive for COVID-19 and who have come onto district campuses with close contact of other students or staff will be reported on the BUSD COVID-19 Dashboard.

Click here to view the BUSD COVID-19 Dashboard

Cleaning Procedures

BUSD will follow a cleaning schedule that will allow each learning space to be cleaned each and every day.  In addition to scheduled cleaning in each classroom, custodial staff will clean high touch surfaces several times a day throughout the campus. 

Indoor air quality is essential to providing a safe and comfortable environment for schools and offices. BUSD is ensuring proper preventive maintenance is performed on all HVAC units and is changing filters on a regular basis and providing adequate air filters.  The Center for Disease Control recommends increasing air filtration as high as possible (target MERV 13) without diminishing air flow and enforcing the existing or revised indoor air quality plan.  The District has replaced all air filtration systems with MERV 13 air filters and is replacing them quarterly. We are contracting with an outside mechanical engineer to check HVAC systems.

Classroom teachers are encouraged to leave doors and windows open and to utilize designated outdoor learning spaces as often as possible to reduce the amount of time indoors as weather permits.