Corning Christian Academy
Corning Christian Academy
Corning Christian Academy
Purpose
This plan for in-person instruction has been established in accordance with guidance produced
by the NYS Department of Health. The principles, protocols, and practices outlined in this plan
are an effort to help protect the students, families, employees, and guests of CCA against the
spread of COVID-19 as we provide instruction to our students in the 2020-2021 school year.
School officials at CCA acknowledge that no school activities can operate without meeting
minimum State guidance. Yet more than the desire to meet a minimum set of standards, the
desire of CCA officials is to provide our students and families with an education that is physically
safe, emotionally supportive, socially enriching, and spiritually challenging.
In accordance with direction from government officials and the department of health, this plan
will cover the following four components:
1) Reentry (reopening) of CCA facilities for in-person instruction,
2) Monitoring of health conditions,
3) Containment of potential transmission of COVID-19, and
4) Closure of school facilities and in-person instruction, if necessary, by widespread virus
transmission.
Each of the four components will be incorporated in and organized around three categories:
people, places, and processes.
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individuals. When physical distancing is not likely to be maintained, all individuals must
wear face coverings.
● Hygiene, Cleaning, and Disinfection: All students, employees, and guests at CCA
must follow proper hand and respiratory hygiene. All should wash hands regularly and
apply hand sanitizer often. The staff of CCA will clean and disinfect the facility daily, and
high-touch areas will be cleaned and disinfected multiple times during the day.
● Transportation: Consistent with state-issued guidance, all students must always wear
face coverings on school buses. Students are expected to follow directions from district
personnel when boarding, riding, and exiting the school bus.
I. PEOPLE
Physical Distancing:
● Students and staff must maintain appropriate physical distancing to protect against the
transmission of the COVID-19 virus when on school grounds and in school facilities.
With projected enrollment for K-12 students, CCA can provide physical distancing in all
classrooms with 100% student attendance on Monday-Friday.
● Specifically, appropriate physical distancing means six (6) feet of space in all directions
between individuals or use of appropriate physical barriers between individuals that do
not adversely affect airflow, heating, cooling or ventilation, or otherwise present a health
of safety risk (these may include strip curtains, Plexiglas or similar materials, or other
impermeable divider or partition).
● With the common areas of the building (e.g., hallways, bathrooms), students will be
encouraged to maintain appropriate distances from one another. Staff will monitor,
remind, and correct students as needed during passing periods and other times when
students are in common areas.
Face Coverings:
● Staff will be required to wear approved face masks during school hours while inside the
building in common areas. Once staff are in their respective work areas (teachers =
classrooms, administration = office, etc.), staff may remove their mask if they choose,
provided students are not present and physical distancing can be maintained.
● Students will need to wear face masks where physical distancing is not possible (hallways,
bathrooms, group projects, etc.). Classroom desks and tables will be situated and equipped
for physical distancing, so students may remove their face coverings while seated at their
desk or table for class instruction. Face masks for younger students will be addressed
considering developmental appropriateness and feasibility.
● All staff and students will be prepared to put on a face covering if another person
unexpectedly cannot physically distance.
● Students who are unable to medically tolerate a face covering, including students where
such covering would impair their physical health or mental health, are not subject to the
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required use of a face covering. A note from a health care provider to clarify the medical
condition must be on file in the school office.
● Training for staff and students will be provided on how to adequately put on, take off, clean
(as applicable), and discard PPE, including but not limited to, appropriate face coverings.
● CCA will purchase cloth masks for all staff members to utilize in common areas and or their
classrooms. CCA will provide disposable face masks to visitors who must be in the building
and do not have a face mask upon entering the school and any staff, or students who do not
have a face covering.
● Visitors in the building will be required to wear a face mask while in the building (limited
volunteers, UPS/FedEx deliveries, maintenance workers, etc.).
● After Care/Clubhouse programs will follow the same protocols as staff and students during
the school hours.
Space Configurations:
● With projected enrollment for K-12 students, CCA can provide physical distancing in all
classrooms with 100% student attendance on Monday-Friday. Classroom spaces within
our building will be modified or reconfigured to allow six (6) feet of physical distance
between each student or will utilize a physical barrier between students.
● Shared surfaces such as workstations, desks, and tables, will be cleaned and disinfected
between classes/students.
● The main hallways of the building will be lined with arrows to indicate traffic flow
patterns. Students will follow traffic flow while moving from place to place in the
hallways.
● Signage and distance markers will be placed denoting spaces of six feet in the cafeteria,
as well as any space where a line would be formed.
● Locker use only applies to students in grades 9-12 and will be limited throughout the
day. To minimize congestion in our locker hallway, students will be assigned specific
times that they can go to their lockers, according to their grade level.
● CCA will limit entry to the building to students, staff, and essential visitors only (needed
volunteers, deliveries, maintenance, etc.). Essential visitors and volunteers will be
subject to the same guidelines (i.e., health screening, mask usage, etc.) required during
school operations.
Schedules:
● CCA will use staggered arrival and pick-up times to facilitate proper social distancing;
● Lockers will be assigned by cohorts for grades 9-12. Students will be allowed to use
lockers at staggered times determined by staff, to facilitate proper distancing and masks
will be required any time a student is in the hallway.
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Signage:
● Signs will be displayed throughout the school building and will be shared with our school
community, consistent with DOH COVID-19 signage. Signs will include, but are not
limited to the following recommendations:
✔ Stay home if you feel sick
✔ Cover your nose and mouth with an acceptable face covering when
unable to maintain physical distance from others
✔ Proper storage and disposal of PPE.
✔ Adhere to physical distancing instructions
✔ Report symptoms and/or exposure to COVID-19 to school
administrator/nurse
✔ Follow hand hygiene, and cleaning/disinfecting guidelines
✔ Follow respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette.
B. Gatherings
Meals:
● Lunch periods will be staggered.
● Students who wish to purchase a hot lunch will pre-order. Lunch orders will be delivered
to classrooms at lunch time or students will be able to pick up their meal tray at the lunch
counter, while physically distancing in line.
● Prior to all meals and snacks, and immediately after, staff will encourage all students to
take a handwashing break. Hand sanitizer will be made available in the cafeteria at the
beginning of the food line and on tables.
● Sharing of food and beverages is prohibited unless individuals are members of the same
household.
● Staff who will be eating in classrooms with or supervising students during meals will be
made aware of any food allergies and trained on signs, symptoms, and care for students
with food allergies.
● Students do not need to wear face coverings once seated and eating so long as they are
appropriately physically distanced or physical barriers are in place.
● Students will be monitored to ensure an appropriate distance from one another.
● All lunches will be in classrooms, outdoors, or in the gymnasium (physically distanced).
● Staff will properly clean and disinfect lunch tables and chairs in between lunch periods
with EPA products that meet CDC guidelines for COVID-19.
Small Spaces:
● Small spaces will have limited gathering capacity of 50% of the maximum capacity of the
space. These areas include staff lounge, copy room, and supply room.
● Staff using these spaces will maintain physical distancing and/or wear a face covering.
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Staff Meetings:
● Staff meetings prior to the reopening of school will take place via video conferencing.
● If in-person meetings are preferable, all parties will maintain appropriate physical
distance and/or wear a face covering if unable to physically distance.
● Staff meetings during the 2020-21 school year will be held in an open, well-ventilated
space and individuals who attend will maintain appropriate physical distance.
Ventilation:
● CCA will increase ventilation with outdoor air to the greatest extent possible (opening
doors and windows) while maintaining health and safety protocols, particularly for
younger students.
Common Areas:
● Common areas, such as the copy room, staff room, and office, will have hand sanitizer and
disinfecting wipes available to clean hard surfaces in between staff use. In these areas,
signage will be added to restrict occupancy and encourage physical distancing.
● Break/lunch schedules for staff will be staggered to reduce density and allow for physical
distancing in our staff room.
● Student restrooms that would typically allow for multiple users will be limited to ensure
physical distancing. If the posted number of occupants is maximized, those who desire to
use the restroom will wait until sufficient occupancy is reached.
● Changing facilities (e.g. gym class): To reduce the potential congestion in restrooms,
students will not use the restrooms to change clothes for gym class. Students should come
to school on days they have gym wearing their gym clothes. If students desire to wear gym
shorts for gym class, they must wear athletic pants, sweatpants, etc., at all times outside of
gym class.
C. Operational Activity
Cohorts:
● Cohorts will be utilized throughout our school day and will be grouped according to their
grade level.
● K-8th grade will be in self-contained classrooms, with limited classroom changes throughout
the day.
● 9-12th grade will continue to change classes in our high school wing, while maintaining
physical distance in hallways whenever possible AND wearing a face covering. Cohorts in
our high school will also be based on grade level of students, with accommodations for
single students needing a particular class subject/level.
● All cohorts can be together in a classroom, based on classroom size and student count,
allowing for physical distancing of at least six (6) feet, or while using a physical barrier.
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In-Person Instruction:
● As much as we are allowed by law, CCA plans to host in-person instruction five days a
week, while following the guidance from NYSDOH and that which is laid out in this plan
document.
● With projected enrollment for K-12 students, CCA can provide physical distancing in all
classrooms with 100% student attendance on Monday-Friday. Due to an implemented
enrollment cap per class for the 2020-21 school year, a hybrid-approach will not be used.
● Class/work hours may be adjusted and/or staggered where appropriate and possible to
decrease density in our school facility.
● Class schedules have been modified to reduce congestion in the hallways and building.
● When active cases of COVID-19 are present in Steuben County, CCA will continue to
operate. If students or staff have been directly exposed to individuals with the virus, those
individuals should seek care with their local health care provider, self-report to the School
Administrator, and self-quarantine until advised by a doctor they are allowed to return to
school.
● If students or staff contract the virus, CCA will consult with local and state health offices and
determine all appropriate next steps. CCA will close short term for cleaning and disinfecting
of the school building and require students/classes directly exposed to self-quarantine and
move to distance learning (other students/classes not directly impacted will be able to return
to the building for direct, in-person instruction).
● If the total number of students and/or staff directly infected with COVID-19 is >10%, CCA will
consult with local and state health officials, and if state or local health officials deem
conditions warrant, and closures are mandated, CCA will implement distance learning
protocols.
Deliveries:
● All deliveries to our school shall be received at the lobby door. Food deliveries will be
received at the exterior kitchen door. Any deliveries requiring admittance to the building will
be required to comply with a health check, temperature screening, and face covering.
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● All doors will be utilized for exiting the building.
Shared Objects:
● Students are to arrive at school with a personal supply of all the necessary school supplies.
The sharing of supplies will be limited.
● Any items requiring students to share will be accompanied by proper hand hygiene before
and after use of shared supplies.
● All shared items will be properly cleaned and disinfected.
II. PLACES
● Acceptable face coverings include, but are not limited to, cloth face coverings and surgical
masks that cover both the mouth and nose. Face shields are optional but must be used with
a mask. Staff may also use alternate PPE, such as face coverings that are transparent at or
around the mouth, when deemed appropriate and beneficial to student learning.
● In acceptance with Executive Order 202.16, CCA will obtain necessary PPE and offer it to
staff who directly interact with students at no cost to the staff member.
● Staff and students will be allowed to wear their own acceptable face coverings provided they
meet minimum standards of protection.
● Staff will not be required to supply their own face coverings, unless they prefer to provide
their own and it meets minimum guidelines for protection.
● CCA will request that students provide their own face coverings but will provide it to any
student who does not have their own, at no cost to the student.
● An adequate supply of face coverings, masks, and other required PPE will be on hand for
staff and students.
● Staff, students, and necessary visitors will be advised that they are required to wear face
coverings whenever physical distancing can not be applied, such as hallways, bathrooms,
and entering/exiting classrooms.
● Staff and students will be encouraged to clean or replace face coverings after use and
advised that they should not be shared.
Hygiene:
● CCA will ensure adherence to hygiene and cleaning and disinfection requirements as
advised by the CDC and DOH, including “Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfection of Public
and Private Facilities for COVID-19,” and the “STOP THE SPREAD” poster, as applicable.
● CCA will maintain logs that include the date, time, and scope of cleaning and disinfection of
our facility and assign responsibility.
● Staff and students will be trained on proper hand and respiratory hygiene and will provide
information to parents and/or legal guardians on ways to reinforce this at home.
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● Receptacles will be placed around the school and in each classroom for disposal of soiled
items, including paper towels and PPE.
● CCA will provide and maintain hand hygiene stations around the school as follows:
✔ For handwashing in bathrooms: soap, running warm water, and disposable paper
towels.
✔ For hand sanitizing: an alcohol-based sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol
for areas where handwashing facilities are not available.
o Parents of students who are unable to use alcohol-based hand sanitizers
may inform the school by sending a written notice. CCA will provide
accommodations for these students to use the bathroom sinks for hand
washing instead of using hand sanitizer.
o Students will be supervised by adults when using sanitizer to minimize
accidental ingestion and promote safe usage. Supervision is required for
elementary students.
✔ Hand sanitizer will be available throughout common areas. It will be placed in
convenient locations including, but not limited to, entrances and exits. Hand
sanitizer dispensers are installed in each classroom.
o Staff will remind students that visibly soiled hands should be washed with
soap and water, instead of using hand-sanitizer.
o Staff will remind students that alcohol-based hand sanitizers can be
flammable and may not be suitable for certain areas of the facility.
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✔ Physical barriers will be installed in between toilets.
✔ All staff and students will be required to wear a face mask in the bathrooms at all
times.
● Materials and tools used by staff will be regularly cleaned and disinfected.
● Napping materials for preschool and kindergarten students will be sanitized daily and
assigned to specific students for the school year.
● CCA has designated our administrator, Keila Underwood, as our COVID-19 safety
coordinator whose responsibilities include continuous compliance with all aspects of the
school’s reopening plan, as well as any phased-in reopening activities necessary to allow for
operational issues to be resolved before activities return to normal or “new normal” levels.
D. Communication Plans
● CCA affirms that we have reviewed and understand the State-issued industry guidelines and
will submit this reopening plan prior to reopening.
● CCA has engaged with school stakeholders and community members in developing this
plan. Key stakeholders include, but are not limited to, our administrator, staff, students,
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parents/legal guardians of students, the Steuben County Health Department, local health
care providers, and local leaders/government officials.
● CCA has developed a communication plan for students, parents or legal guardians of
students, staff, and visitors that includes applicable instructions, training, signage, and a
consistent means to provide individuals with information. Modes of communication include,
but are not limited to, parent/staff emails, our school website
(www.corningchristianacademy.com), our school’s Facebook page, our internal parent/staff
online portal (Sycamore Education), SchoolReach phone messaging system, and monthly
newsletter “The Lion’s Roar”.
● CCA students will be educated by staff on how to follow new COVID-19 protocols safely and
correctly, including hand hygiene, proper face covering wearing, physical distancing, and
respiratory hygiene.
● CCA will encourage all students, staff, and visitors through verbal and written
communication to adhere to CDC and DOH guidance regarding the use of PPE, specifically
acceptable face coverings, when physical distancing cannot be maintained.
● CCA administrator, Keila Underwood, will be the coordinator along with Nicole O’Rourke
(Office Manager). Keila Underwood will serve as the main contact upon the identification of
positive COVID-19 cases and is responsible for subsequent communications. Keila
Underwood and Nicole O’Rourke will be responsible for answering questions from students,
staff, and parents or legal guardians of students regarding the COVID-19 public health
emergency and plans implemented by the school.
III. PROCESSES
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✔ Parents or legal guardians of students will be strongly encouraged to fever screen
their child at home before school and keep their child home if they are not feeling
well or have any symptoms of COVID-19.
✔ Screening for all staff, students, and visitors will include a questionnaire that
determines whether the individual has:
o knowingly been in close or proximate contact in the past 14 days with anyone
who has tested positive through a diagnostic test for COVID-19 or who has or
had symptoms of COVID-19;
o tested positive through a diagnostic test for COVID-19 in the past 14 days;
o has experienced any symptoms of COVID-19, including a temperature of
greater than 100.0*F in the past 14 days; and/or
o has traveled internationally or from a state with widespread community
transmission of COVID-19 per the New York State Travel Advisory in the past
14 days.
In-Person Screenings:
● All personnel performing in-person screening activities, including temperature checks, will be
appropriately protected from exposure to potentially infectious individuals entering the
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school, and will be trained by employer-identified individuals who are familiar with CDC,
DOH, and OSHA protocols.
● Screeners will be provided and use PPE, which includes at a minimum, an acceptable face
covering or mask, and may also include gloves, a gown, and/or face shield, as applicable.
● CCA has developed protocols for caring for a student and/or staff member who develops
COVID-19 symptoms during the school day, as outlined in the following procedures:
✔ Students with symptoms of COVID-19 will be separated from others in the nurse’s
office under adult supervision of a staff member until they can go home or to a health
facility, depending on severity of illness.
✔ Staff members providing supervision of a student with symptoms of COVID-19 will be
provided with appropriate PPE, which at a minimum will include disposable face
mask and gloves. Additional PPE, including gowns and eye protection will be
provided where appropriate.
✔ Staff with symptoms of COVID-19 will be asked to immediately leave the school
grounds and a substitute will be provided for their class.
✔ All areas used by the student or staff with symptoms of COVID-19, including
classrooms, common areas, and/or the nurse’s office, will be thoroughly cleaned and
disinfected using EPA approved products that meet CDC guidelines for COVID-19.
● CCA does not have a need to develop protocols for asthma-related acute respiratory
treatment care.
Metrics:
● CCA has identified clearly defined measures that will serve as warning signs that the level of
COVID-19 transmission may be increasing in the school setting beyond an acceptable level,
as defined by New York State and Steuben County Health Department, as outlined in the
following:
✔ When active cases of COVID-19 are present in Steuben County, CCA will continue
to operate with face-to-face classes. If students or staff have been directly exposed
to individuals with the virus, those individuals should seek care with their local health
care provider, self-report to the Keila Underwood (School Administrator), and
self-quarantine until advised by a doctor that they are allowed to return to school.
✔ If/when COVID-19 cases are discovered at school, CCA will consult with local and
state health offices and determine all appropriate next steps. CCA will close short
term for cleaning and disinfecting of the school building and require students/classes
directly exposed to self-quarantine and move to remote learning (other
students/classes not directly impacted will be able to return to the building for direct,
in-person instruction).
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Notification:
● CCA will notify the state and local health department immediately upon being informed of
any positive COVID-19 diagnostic test result by an individual in school or on school grounds,
including staff, students, and visitors.
Tracing Support:
● In the event of an individual testing positive, CCA will support local health departments in
tracing all contacts of the individual, in accordance with the protocols, training, and tools
provided through the New York State Contact Tracing Program. Confidentiality will be
maintained as required by federal and state law and regulations. CCA will cooperate with
state and local health department contact tracing, isolation, and quarantine efforts.
● CCA will partner with local health departments to train older students, faculty, and staff to
undertake contract tracing efforts for populations in school facilities and on school grounds,
where feasible.
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