Open Discussion Forum

  • 1.  Covering ill staff upon reopening

    Posted 06-30-2020 03:55 PM
    We are looking to reopen soon and are wondering about staffing coverage if a teacher is out sick. The guidance is that groups stay together, and staff say with one group. How are you covering ill staff without moving kids or introducing new adults to the group? We have a large center, and even opening at half capacity we'd have over 60 staff. So far we've thought about overstaffing classrooms so there's a person there just in case, but that isn't very budget friendly. Love to hear your thoughts!

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    Kira Hartley
    Program Coordinator
    UWM Childrens Center
    Milwaukee WI
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  • 2.  RE: Covering ill staff upon reopening

    Posted 06-30-2020 05:20 PM
    Hi Kira,

    Our center is not yet open. We were finishing construction at the beginning of all of this. Our new COVID plan is to open at half capacity and full staff so that the lead and assistant will stay with children at all open hours so we do not need floating teachers who may spread exposure from room to room. We are lucky enough to have other departments such as case management and a behavioral health team, and community education team that we plan to utilize if necessary for substitute teachers. While this still introduces a new adult to the group, they would be with them all day and are internal personnel rather than external personnel who would be less accustomed to our policies and procedures around cleaning and distancing.

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    Heather Ha
    PPPIF Facilitator
    Program Manager
    CHI St. Joseph Children's Health
    Lancaster, PA
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  • 3.  RE: Covering ill staff upon reopening

    Posted 07-06-2020 12:12 PM
    Hi Kira- 

    In Oregon, we are required to offer 10-minute breaks to staff twice a day, morning, and afternoon. To do so, we have 1 floating teacher assigned to the same classrooms for the week. These floating teachers are only in these classrooms for ten minute periods twice a day and to cover the lunch breaks. They are also only allowed in two classrooms. So when one of those teachers get sick or are out for testing, we have their break person cover the room. In some instances, myself or the other administrator are covering 10-minute breaks when necessary but doing so as distanced from the group as possible, so as to limit the amount of potential spread to others. The floats are responsible for breaks, sanitizing toys, sanitizing the classroom while kids are outside, as well as any additional needs that arise for their classrooms. We have been exceptionally lucky that we have been able to cover teacher absences but I fear for cold and flu season where we may have multiple teachers out at the same time and not enough staff to safely cover the rooms without risking exposure. Thankfully we are planning ahead and plan to use as many subs as possible to fill the gaps when necessary. I hope this was helpful to you!

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    [Elizabeth] [Nash]
    [Student Services Coordinator]
    [Endeavor Schools]
    [Portland] [OR]
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