OPEN CONNECTIONS COVID-19 MITIGATION STRATEGIES
Welcome to the 2021-2022 program year. Open Connections has many distinct advantages over a conventional school including small program sizes that allow for physical distancing when needed, rooms that allow for outdoor air ventilation, attendance only one to three days a week, and ample outdoor spaces. We also recognize that Open Connections is best experienced in-person, and that on-campus programs allow us to best meet our mission of providing youth with the tools and skills they need for a life of purpose and fulfillment.
For all these reasons, we are committed to on-campus programming when:
Taking into account information and guidance from the CDC, the PolicyLab at CHOP, the PA DOH, the local health departments, and several local schools, Open Connections will follow the mitigation strategies below. We will continue to monitor the pandemic and modify our strategies as necessary.
For all these reasons, we are committed to on-campus programming when:
- It doesn’t interfere with the health and safety of the youth and staff;
- When we are able to staff programs appropriately; and
- When there is no government mandate prohibiting on-campus programming.
Taking into account information and guidance from the CDC, the PolicyLab at CHOP, the PA DOH, the local health departments, and several local schools, Open Connections will follow the mitigation strategies below. We will continue to monitor the pandemic and modify our strategies as necessary.
CURRENT COVID 19 MITIGATION STRATEGIES (AS OF 5/20/22)
Home Health Screening: Prior to arriving on campus, families and staff are strongly advised to conduct a health screening. Youth should stay home if they are showing any SIGNS OR SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19. Families should inform OC by 9:00 am if their youth will not be attending due to illness/symptoms.
Hand Washing & Personal Sanitation: Hand sanitizer stations will be set up at the entrances to each building for use as needed. At a minimum, youth and staff should wash hands prior to arrival at OC, before and after meals or snacks, and after going to the bathroom.
Face Coverings: Per CDC guidance found here and here, Open Connections has adopted a mask optional policy during low and moderate COVID-19 community levels, and an indoor masking policy during high community levels.
Cleaning & Ventilation: Each program space will be thoroughly cleaned at the end of each day by our cleaners using the standard COVID protocols. In order to increase circulation of outdoor air, windows will be opened and fans will be run when possible. Building ventilation systems will operate properly and with approved filtration systems.
Outdoors: We will continue to take advantage of the outdoors when it doesn’t compromise the quality of the program.
Visitors on Campus: Visitors are allowed on campus, but must follow all OC COVID-19 mitigation strategies.
Quarantine and Isolation: Positive cases and anyone exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms are expected to follow the current CDC quarantine guidelines which can be found HERE.
Exposure: Individuals who may have been exposed are able to attend in person, but must remain masked, per the current guidance. *Of note, if you are exposed to a household member with COVID-19, in-person attendance is contingent upon vaccination status per the current guidance: HERE.
Let Us Know: Per the OC Family Handbook concerning Communicable Diseases:
"For the health and safety of OC community, we ask parents to let the Office know if their youth has a confirmed communicable disease that poses a risk to others in OC community. Public health guidance will guide OC’s communications. It may be necessary to alert others in the community who may have had exposure. OC will disclose sensitive medical information of youth no further than is necessary to ensure the health and safety of our community members in a manner consistent with applicable law. OC will comply with all federal and state laws in regard to confidentiality and privacy requirements."
Hand Washing & Personal Sanitation: Hand sanitizer stations will be set up at the entrances to each building for use as needed. At a minimum, youth and staff should wash hands prior to arrival at OC, before and after meals or snacks, and after going to the bathroom.
Face Coverings: Per CDC guidance found here and here, Open Connections has adopted a mask optional policy during low and moderate COVID-19 community levels, and an indoor masking policy during high community levels.
Cleaning & Ventilation: Each program space will be thoroughly cleaned at the end of each day by our cleaners using the standard COVID protocols. In order to increase circulation of outdoor air, windows will be opened and fans will be run when possible. Building ventilation systems will operate properly and with approved filtration systems.
Outdoors: We will continue to take advantage of the outdoors when it doesn’t compromise the quality of the program.
Visitors on Campus: Visitors are allowed on campus, but must follow all OC COVID-19 mitigation strategies.
Quarantine and Isolation: Positive cases and anyone exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms are expected to follow the current CDC quarantine guidelines which can be found HERE.
Exposure: Individuals who may have been exposed are able to attend in person, but must remain masked, per the current guidance. *Of note, if you are exposed to a household member with COVID-19, in-person attendance is contingent upon vaccination status per the current guidance: HERE.
Let Us Know: Per the OC Family Handbook concerning Communicable Diseases:
"For the health and safety of OC community, we ask parents to let the Office know if their youth has a confirmed communicable disease that poses a risk to others in OC community. Public health guidance will guide OC’s communications. It may be necessary to alert others in the community who may have had exposure. OC will disclose sensitive medical information of youth no further than is necessary to ensure the health and safety of our community members in a manner consistent with applicable law. OC will comply with all federal and state laws in regard to confidentiality and privacy requirements."
