Capital Region BOCES > Health and Safety

Health and Safety

Updated June 7, 2021

The health and safety of our students, our staff and their families is our top priority. We want students and employees to feel comfortable and safe returning to school campuses. Our reopening plan incorporates recommendations and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and the New York State Education Department (NYSED).

The following protocols and procedures will be in place in all Capital Region BOCES schools for the 2020-21 school year should in-person schooling resume. Training will be provided to all staff and students regarding all aspects of required health and safety protocols.

Staff members with questions about the plan should contact the following individuals:

  • Health Screening and/or Human Resources: Director of Human Resources and Health Screening Monitor at hrcovid19@neric.org.
  • Site Safety Protocols: Jennifer Bennett,
    Director of Management & Administrative Services and Site Safety Monitor, jennifer.bennett@neric.org or 518-464-5118.

Parents/guardians with questions about the plan should contact crbcovid19@neric.org

Students with questions about the plan should contact their teacher or principal.

Health screening

Capital Region BOCES has developed resources to educate parents/guardians and staff members regarding the careful observation of symptoms of COVID-19 and health screening measures that must be conducted each morning before coming to school. The resources include the requirement for any student or staff member with a fever of 100°F or greater in the past 14 days and/or symptoms of possible COVID-19 virus infection to not come to school. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) list of coronavirus symptoms was used to develop these resources.

Capital Region BOCES will implement the following practices to conduct mandated health screening:

  • Staff, students, or a parent on behalf of their child, must complete a health screening that permits the staff member or student to attend school that day.
  • The health screening must be completed every day that a staff member or child will attend school.
  • The screening must occur in the morning and prior to the staff member or student’s arrival on school property.
  • All staff members and essential visitors must enter the building through the main entrance and show their daily clearance upon entry.
  • Student entry locations are building specific and will be posted.

The health screening will be performed using Capital Region BOCES’ health screening tool. The tool is accessed at https://entry.neric.org/crb. If a staff person or student does not have access to the internet, access to a device that connects to the internet, a thermometer or has any other circumstance that precludes them from conducting the health screening at home prior to their arrival on school property, please contact the school building’s principal. Alternative arrangements will be made to support the daily required health screening of the staff member or student that will permit attendance at school that day.  

The daily health screening check will require the staff member, student, or parent on behalf of the student, to attest that:

  • The staff member/student has not experienced any new or worsening symptoms of COVID-19 in the past 10 days, including:
    • a temperature greater than or equal to 100.0° F (37.8° C)
    • feeling feverish/fever or chills
    • cough
    • loss of taste or smell
    • fatigue/feeling of tiredness
    • sore throat
    • shortness of breath or trouble breathing
    • nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
    • muscle pain or body aches
    • headache
    • nasal congestion/runny nose

  • The staff member/student has not tested positive through a diagnostic test for COVID-19 in the past 10 days/is not waiting for a COVID-19 test result.

  • The staff member/student has not been designated a contact of a person who tested positive for COVID-19 by a local health department.

  • The staff member/student has not traveled in the past 14 days internationally to a CDC level 2 or 3 COVID-19 related travel health notice country or from a state or territory with widespread community transmission of COVID-19 per the New York State Travel Advisory.

Students may not attend school if they have had a temperature of greater than 100.0°F at any time in the past 14 days, even if a fever-reducing medication was administered and the student no longer has a fever. [1] Please see the “Return to School After Illness” section of the reopening plan regarding the requirements that permit a student or staff member to return to school.

Per the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), schools are prohibited from keeping records of student, faculty, staff, and visitor health data, but are permitted to maintain records that confirm individuals were screened and the result of such screening (e.g. cleared/not cleared for entry).

Daily health screening attestations will be reviewed by the Capital Region BOCES Health Screening Monitor.

If a student arrives at school and the Capital Region BOCES Health Screening Monitor doesn’t have a record of the attestation:

  • Students will be taken to a screening area so on-site screening can be coordinated in a manner that prevents individuals from intermingling in close or proximate contact with each other prior to completion of the screening [2].
  • If more than one student is waiting to be screened, they must practice social distancing and wear a face covering.
  • A Capital Region BOCES staff member will take the student’s temperature.
  • A Capital Region BOCES staff member will call the parent/guardian to complete the remainder of the screening.

If any student has a temperature of 100°F or greater or who otherwise has signs of illness, and/or a positive response to the questionnaire will be sent directly to a dedicated isolation area prior to being picked up or otherwise sent home with instructions to contact their health care provider for assessment and testing.[3]

[1] Interim Guidance for In-Person Instruction at Pre-K to Grade 12 Schools During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, NYS Department of Health, p.19
[2] Interim Guidance for In-Person Instruction at Pre-K to Grade 12 Schools During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, NYS Department of Health, p.19
[3] Interim Guidance for In-Person Instruction at Pre-K to Grade 12 Schools During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, NYS Department of Health, p.19; State Education Department Issues Guidance to Reopen New York State Schools p.21

Students must notify their teacher or principal if they develop symptoms or if their answers to the health screening change during or outside school hours. Staff members must notify their principal and email hrcovid19@neric.org if they develop symptoms or if their answers to the health screening change during or outside school hours. Guests must follow the notification instructions they received upon entry to the building if their answers to the health screening change during or outside their visitation hours.

Capital Region BOCES reserves the right to check the temperature of staff, students or visitors at any point during the school day if an individual is demonstrating COVID-19 symptoms.     

Social distancing

Capital Region BOCES requires that appropriate social distancing is maintained between individuals while in school facilities and on school grounds, inclusive of students, faculty, and staff, unless safety or the core activity (e.g., instruction, moving equipment, using an elevator, traveling in common areas) requires a shorter distance or individuals are of the same household.

Face coverings and personal protective equipment (PPE)

Students, staff and all essential visitors to our schools (including parents/guardians) will be expected to wear face coverings at all times indoors, including on the school bus and in classrooms, even when six-foot physical distancing is possible.

Face coverings may be challenging for students (especially younger students) to wear in all-day settings such as school, so there may be periods of time when face coverings are not worn.

Students will be allowed to remove face coverings during meals, instruction, and for short breaks as long as they maintain appropriate social distance. Mask breaks will be allowed, and encouraged, especially during warmer days.

Effective June 7, 2021, students, faculty, staff and other individuals are not required to wear face masks outdoors on school grounds. Nothing prevents anyone from wearing an acceptable face mask voluntarily on school grounds. 

Students who are unable to medically tolerate a face covering will not be required to wear one. Please contact your child’s principal or school nurse if your child is medically unable to tolerate wearing a face covering. A note from your healthcare provider is required for students who can not medically tolerate a face covering.

Face coverings should not be placed on:

  • Children younger than 2 years old
  • Students where such covering would impair their health or mental health, or where such covering would present a challenge, distraction, or obstruction to education services and instruction
  • Anyone who has trouble breathing or is unconscious
  • Anyone who is incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the cloth face covering without assistance

Face coverings and related necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) will be provided to students and staff, if needed, at no cost. Staff and students are allowed and encouraged to use their own acceptable face covering. Acceptable face coverings for COVID-19 include, but are not limited to, cloth-based coverings and surgical masks that cover both the mouth and nose. An employee or student is allowed to wear their own acceptable face covering if they choose. Employees with healthcare provider documentation stating they are not medically able to tolerate face covering will not be required to do so.

Infection control strategies

Various infection control strategies that will be in place, including, but not limited to, sinks that are supplied with soap and paper towels, alcohol-based hand rub dispensers, dividers in certain areas and other strategies as outlined in agency guidance. Staff and students will be trained in proper hand hygiene and respiratory practices.

Plumbing Facilities and Fixtures

In classroom drinking fountains will only be used when dispensing into a cup, water bottle or other container.

Ventilation

Adequate, code required ventilation (natural or mechanical) will be maintained as designed. Ventilation with outdoor air will be encouraged to the greatest extent possible (e.g., opening windows and doors) while maintaining health and safety protocols, particularly for younger students. HVAC units will be serviced and maintained including proper filtration requirements considering the capability of the system.

Management of ill persons, contact tracing and monitoring

CRB requires students, faculty, or staff members who develop COVID-19 symptoms during the school day including a temperature, signs of illness, and/or a positive response to the screening tool report to the nurse’s office for evaluation and potentially be directed to a supervised isolation area prior to be picked up or otherwise sent home. Staff experiencing symptoms should also immediately notify their principal and email hrcovid91@neric.org.

If there are several students waiting to see the school nurse, students must wait at least 6 feet apart with appropriate face covering. Capital Region BOCES has designated areas to separate individuals with symptoms of COVID- 19 from others until they can go home or to a healthcare facility, depending on severity of illness. One area will be used to treat injuries, provide medications or nursing treatments, and the other area will be used for assessing and caring for ill students and staff demonstrating COVID-19 symptoms. Both areas will be supervised and have access to a bathroom and sink with hand hygiene supplies. Students and staff who are determined to have COVID-19-like symptoms will be referred to their healthcare provider and provided resources on COVID-19 testing upon leaving the building.

Location of the COVID symptoms isolation and treatment/medication area in each Capital Region BOCES school:

  • Albany Career & Technical School: Room C3 (Former Principal’s Office) (isolation), Nurse’s Office (treatment)
  • Schoharie Career & Technical School: Room 111 (isolation), Nurse’s Office (treatment)
  • Mohonasen Career and Technical School (CAT): Room 133 (isolation), Nurse’s Office (treatment)
  • Maywood School: Room 12  (isolation), Nurse’s Office (treatment)
  • Airline Drive Academy: Room 203 (isolation), Nurse’s Office (treatment)

Personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements for school health office staff caring for sick individuals include both standard and transmission-based precautions. If conditions rise to the level of moderate to substantial community transmission as designated in collaboration with local health officials, eye protection (e.g., goggles or face shield) will be added. When caring for a suspect or confirmed individual with COVID-19, gloves, a gown, eye protection and a fit-tested N-95 respirator will be used, if available. If an N-95 respirator is not available, a surgical face covering and face shield will be used.

School health office cleaning will occur after each use of cots, bathrooms and health office equipment (e.g., blood pressure cuffs, otoscopes, stethoscopes.) Health office equipment will be cleaned following manufacturer’s directions.

Disposable items will be used as much as possible (e.g., disposable pillow protectors, disposable thermometers/disposable thermometer sheaths or probes, disposable otoscope specula, etc.)

Aerosol Generating Procedures

Respiratory treatments administered by nurses generally result in aerosolization of respiratory secretions. These aerosol generating procedures (AGPs) potentially put healthcare personnel and others at an increased risk for pathogen exposure and infection. Capital Region BOCES requires the following personal protective equipment (PPE) be worn during AGPs: gloves, N-95 or a surgical face covering with a face shield, eye protection and a gown. Personal protective equipment (PPE) will be used when: suctioning, administering nebulizer treatments, or using peak flow meters with students who have respiratory conditions.

Treatments such as nebulized medication treatments and oral or tracheostomy suctioning will be conducted in a room separate from others with nursing personnel wearing appropriate PPE. For nebulizer treatments, if developmentally appropriate, the nurse will leave the room and return when the nebulizer treatment is finished.

Cleaning of the room will occur between use and cleaning of the equipment should be done following manufacturer’s instructions after each use.  

Return to School after Illness [1]

If a staff member or student is exposed to COVID-19, Capital Region BOCES and local health officials requires that they complete quarantine and have not developed symptoms before returning to in-person learning/work. Steps that need to be met include:

  • Tracking the status of students diagnosed or not diagnosed by a healthcare provider (physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant) with COVID-19 after experiencing symptoms, receiving a test etc., and those who have indicated close or proximate contact and are or are not symptomatic is the responsibility of the school nurse at the building level in collaboration with the school administration.
  • Tracking the status of staff diagnosed or not diagnosed by a healthcare provider (physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant) with COVID-19 after experiencing symptoms, receiving a test etc., and those who have indicated close or proximate contact and are or are not symptomatic is the responsibility of Capital Region BOCES’ Human Resources department.
  • Once the school nurse or Human Resources department has been informed about a potential or verified case of COVID-19 via in person self-reporting, positive attestations, county notification etc., they should immediately contact Joe Dragone, COVID-19 Coordinator. 

Based on diagnosis, symptoms of exposure to COVID-19 the following protocols apply:

If a person is not diagnosed by a healthcare provider (physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant) with COVID-19 they can return to school:

  • If they have been diagnosed with another condition and has a healthcare provider written note stating they are clear to return to school.
  • If a COVID-19 test was ordered, they must remain out of school until the test results come back and then can re-enter using the above conditions.

If a person is diagnosed with COVID-19 by a healthcare provider based on a test or their symptoms or does not get a COVID-19 test but has had symptoms, they should not be at school and should stay at home and may not return to work/school until: 

  • They have completed at least 10 days of isolation at home from the onset of symptoms or 10 days of isolation after the first positive test if they remain asymptomatic (this applies whether the employee is symptomatic or asymptomatic);
  • It has been at least three days since the individual has had a fever (without using fever reducing medicine); 
  • It has been at least three days since the individual’s symptoms improved, including cough and shortness of breath;
  • They have a note from their healthcare provider stating they are clear to return to work/school; and 
  • They have been released from isolation by the local health department.

If a person has had close or proximate contact with a person with COVID-19 for a prolonged period of time and is experiencing COVID-19 related symptoms:

Please note:The New York State Department of Health considers a close contact to be someone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 10 minutes starting from 48 hours before illness onset until the time the person was isolated.

  • The person may return to school upon completing at least 10 days of isolation from the onset of symptoms.
  • The Albany or Schoharie County Health Department should be contacted if the extent of contact between an individual and a person suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 is unclear.

If a person has had close or proximate contact with a person with COVID-19 for a prolonged period of time and is not experiencing COVID-19 related symptoms:

  • The person may return to school upon completing 10 days of self-quarantine.

Please note: All of the above protocols will be implemented in coordination with the Albany or Schoharie County Health Department. The discharge of an individual from quarantine and return to school will be conducted in coordination with the local health department. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) provides specific guidance for individuals who are on home isolation regarding when the isolation may end.

Health Advisory: Quarantine for Persons Exposed to COVID-19 (December 26, 2020) 

[1] State Education Department Issues Guidance to Reopen New York State Schools (July 16, 2020)

 

COVID-19 Testing

In order for a staff member or student to return to school after experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or testing positive, they must provide documentation from a health care provider following an evaluation, a negative COVID-19 diagnostic test result, and symptom resolution, or if COVID-19 positive, release from isolation.

In the event that a large-scale testing will need to be conducted at the school, Capital Region BOCES administration will work with the Albany and Schoharie County Department of Health to support implementation. Testing sites can be found using this searchable database.

Testing sites in Albany, Otsego, Schenectady, Schoharie and Southern Saratoga Counties include, but are not limited to:

Albany County

  • University at Albany/SUNY Drive Through, 1400 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12206. (888) 364-3065
  • Community Care Physicians
    • Urgent Care Center of Albany, 391 Myrtle Avenue, Albany, NY 12208. 518-  207-2299 
    • Latham (in parking lot at back of building), 711 Troy Schenectady Rd, Latham, NY 12110, 518-785-5881
    • Urgent Care Center of Latham, #102 & #109, 11 Troy Schenectady Rd, Latham, NY 12110, 518-782-3888
  • CVS Health COVID-19 Drive Thru Testing Site (by appointment only), 885 Central Avenue, Albany, NY 12206, 866-389-2727
  • Priority 1 Urgent Care, 2080 Western Avenue, Guilderland, NY 12084, 518- 867-8040
  • Rite Aid #04928 Colonie, (drive-up -tent in parking lot), 1863 Central Avenue, Colonie, NY 12205, 518-456-0418
  • Samaritan Hospital-Albany Memorial Campus Test Center, 600 Northern Blvd., Albany, NY 12204, 518-471-3221
  • Watervliet Health Center, 1804 Second Avenue, Watervliet, NY 12189, 518-465-4771
  • Wellnow Urgent Care – Albany, 1438 Western Avenue, Albany, NY 12203, 518-649-9986
  • Whitney M. Young, Jr. Health Center, 920 Lark Drive, Albany, NY 12207, 518-465-4771

Otsego County

  • Bassett Medical Center, 1 Atwell Road, Cooperstown, NY 13326, 607-547-3456

Southern Saratoga County

  • Quest Diagnostics, 2101 Ellswoth Blvd, Malta , NY 12020, 518) 289-5219
  • RapidPath LLC, 46 Third Street, Waterford, NY 12188, 616-638-2561
  • Wellnow Urgent Care – Clifton Park, 1694 U.S. 9, Clifton Park, NY 12065, 518-930-7486

Schenectady County

  • Wellnow Urgent Care – Niskayuna, 445 Balltown Road, Schenectady, NY 12304, 518-387-3566

Schoharie County

  • Cobleskill Health Center Primary Care, 136 Parkway Drive, Cobleskill, NY 12043, 518-234-2555
  • Cobleskill Regional Hospital, 178 Grandview Drive, Cobleskill, NY 12043, 518- 254-3456

Contact Tracing

Capital Region BOCES will notify the state and local health department immediately upon being informed of any positive COVID-19 diagnostic test result by an individual within school facilities or on school grounds, including students, faculty, staff and visitors of Capital Region BOCES.

To assist the local health department with tracing the transmission of COVID-19, Capital Region BOCES has developed and maintained a plan as noted below to trace all contacts of exposed individuals in accordance with protocols, training and tools provided through the New York State Contact Tracing Program.  

Capital Region BOCES will assist the state Contact Tracing Program by:

  • Requiring screening of all people who enter the school facilities including contact information.
  • Keeping accurate attendance records of students and staff members.
  • Ensuring student schedules are up to date.
  • Keeping a log of any visitor which includes date and time, and where in the school they visited.
  • Assisting the local health departments in tracing all contacts of the individual in accordance with the protocol, training and tools provided through the New York State Contact Tracing Program.

Confidentiality must be maintained as required by federal and state laws and regulations. School staff should not try to determine who is to be excluded from school based on contact without guidance and direction from the local health department.

School Closures

A closure refers to contingency plans, protocols, and procedures for decreasing the scale or scope of in-person education and/or closing the school. Determinations about opening and closing schools for in-person learning as the COVID-19 pandemic continues will be made based on guidance from the state in consultation with public health partners. Capital Region BOCES reserves the right to modify operations prior to closing to help lessen a rise in cases. 

Health hygiene

Capital Region BOCES will emphasize healthy hygiene practices for students and staff by providing initial and refresher education in hand and respiratory hygiene, along with providing adequate supplies and time for frequent hand hygiene. Signs will be posted throughout the school (e.g., entrances, restrooms, cafeteria, classrooms, administrative offices, auditorium, custodial staff areas) and regular messaging will be shared with the school community.

Signage will be used to remind individuals to:

  • Stay home if they feel sick.
  • Cover their nose and mouth with an acceptable face covering when unable to maintain social distance from others or in accordance with any stricter policy implemented by the school.
  • Properly store and, when necessary, discard personal protective equipment (PPE).
  • Adhere to social distancing instructions.
  • Report symptoms of, or exposure to, COVID-19.
  • Follow hand hygiene, and cleaning and disinfection guidelines.
  • Follow respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette.

Hand Hygiene

Students and staff must carry out the following hand hygiene practices:

  • Wash hands routinely with soap (any kind) and water for at least 20 seconds.
  • Dry hands completely after washing. Use paper towels to dry hands if available instead of a hand dryer if they are available.
  • If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol. Hand sanitizer should be rubbed on the hands until it is completely absorbed. Do not dry hands if sanitizer is used.

Hand washing should occur:

  • Before and after eating (e.g. snacks, breakfast, lunch.)
  • After going to the restroom or after assisting a student with toileting.
  • After using a tissue.
  • Before and after using shared materials.
  • Before and after putting on or taking off face masks.
  • After coming in from the outdoors.
  • Anytime hands are visibly soiled.

Respiratory Hygiene

The COVID-19 virus spreads from person to person in droplets produced by coughs and sneezes. Therefore, Capital Region BOCES will emphasize the importance of respiratory hygiene.

Students and staff must carry out the following respiratory hygiene practices:

  • Cover a cough or sneeze using a tissue. If a tissue is used, it should be thrown away immediately. 
  • If you don’t have a tissue when sneezing or coughing, sneeze into your elbow.
  • Wash your hands after sneezing or coughing.
  •  Face coverings are protective. Wearing a face covering will keep the respiratory droplets and aerosols from being widely dispersed into the air.

For more information about how hygiene information will be communicated to students, families and staff members, visit the Communication/Family and Community Engagement section of our reopening plan.

Cleaning and disinfecting

Capital Region BOCES will ensure adherence to hygiene and cleaning and disinfection requirements as advised by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), including “Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfection of Public and Private Facilities for COVID-19” and other guidance, as applicable. View the protocols for cleaning and disinfection.

Examples of facility types where cleaning and disinfection frequency will be distinguished include:

  • Bathrooms
  • Health offices, designated COVID-related isolation rooms
  • Administrative offices (main office, reception area)
  • Frequently touched surfaces in common areas (door handles, elevator buttons, copy machine keypads, etc.)
  • Breakrooms
  • Cafeterias/Kitchens
  • Computer labs
  • Science labs
  • Classrooms
  • Maintenance offices and work areas
  • School vehicles
  • Libraries
  • Large meeting areas
  • Playgrounds (cleaning only)
  • Outdoor seating areas (plastic or metal)

Students, faculty, and staff will be trained on proper hand and respiratory hygiene, and such information will be provided to parents and/or legal guardians on ways to reinforce this at home.

 Capital Region BOCES will provide and maintain hand hygiene stations around the school, as follows:

  • For hand washing: soap, running warm water, and disposable paper towels.
  • For hand sanitizing: an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol for areas where hand washing facilities may not be available or practical.
  • Accommodations for students who cannot use hand sanitizer will be made.

Regular cleaning and disinfection of the facilities will occur, including more frequent cleaning and disinfection for high-risk and frequently touched surfaces. This will include desks and cafeteria tables, which will be cleaned and disinfected between each individual’s use. Cleaning and disinfection will be rigorous and ongoing and will occur at least daily, or more frequently as needed. 

Capital Region BOCES will ensure regular cleaning and disinfection of restrooms. Restrooms will be cleaned and disinfected more often depending on frequency of use.  

For more information about how cleaning and disinfection information will be communicated to students, families and staff members, visit the Communication/Family and Community Engagement section of our reopening plan.                     

Vulnerable populations/accommodations

We recognize that some students and staff members are at an increased risk for COVID-19 illness, or live with a person who is at an increased risk. It is our goal that these individuals are able to safely participate in educational activities. Parents of children that are more at risk of COVID-19 have been asked to speak with their child’s doctor and/or medical professional(s) to determine the best academic and service options for their child. Staff have been notified to contact HR if they have conditions that put them at an increased risk of COVID-19. Students who have family members who are in high risk groups may also need to attend school remotely. If a child is unable to return to in-person instruction this fall, remote academic instruction and related services will be provided to meet the individualized education program (IEP) and/or instructional program to the greatest extent possible.

Persons in these groups should consult with their healthcare provider regarding prevention:

  • Individuals age 65 or older
  • Pregnant individuals
  • Individuals with underlying health conditions including, but not limited to:
    • chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma
    • serious heart conditions
    • immunocompromised
    • severe obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 30 or higher)
    • diabetes
    • chronic kidney disease undergoing dialysis
    • liver disease
    • sickle cell anemia
    • children who are medically complex, who have neurologic, genetic, metabolic conditions, or who have congenital heart disease are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 than other children

Visitors on campus

No outside visitors or volunteers will be allowed on school campuses, except for those individuals essential to the safety and well-being of students. Essential visitors, including parents/guardians, must first complete our screening tool at entry.neric.org/crb prior to entering a school facility and will report to the front office and not go beyond this space unless it is for the safety or well-being of their child. . All essential visitors to facilities will be required to wear face coverings, adhere to social distancing and will be restricted in their access to our areas in our school buildings as related to the purpose of the visit.

School safety drills

Capital Region BOCES will conduct fire (evacuation) drills and lockdown drills as required by education law and regulation and the fire code without exceptions. Schools must continue to conduct mandatory fire and lockdown drills according to the existing statutory schedule. Safety drill protocols will be modified so they can be conducted in a manner that maintains social distancing at exits and gathering points outside the building, while still preparing students to respond in emergencies. Regardless of the commitment to maintain social distancing during a drill, students will be instructed that if it was an actual emergency that required evacuation or lockdown, the most imminent concern is to get to safety. Maintaining social distancing in an actual emergency that requires evacuation or lockdown may not be possible and should not be the first priority.