Question: What guidelines should schools follow if there is substantial COVID-19 transmission in the community?

Answer passage (source: CDC):
page_title: K-12 Schools and Child Care Programs
section_headers: Administrators
Planning and Responding to COVID-19
What should I do when there is substantial community transmission?
section_content: If local health officials have determined there is substantial transmission of
COVID-19 within the community, they will provide guidance to administrators on
the best course of action for child care programs or schools. These strategies
are expected to extend across multiple programs, schools, or school districts
within the community.
You may need to consider extended school dismissals (e.g. dismissals for
longer than 2 weeks). This longer-term, and likely broader-reaching, dismissal
strategy is intended to slow transmission rates of COVID-19 in the community.
During extended school dismissals, also cancel extracurricular group
activities, school-based afterschool programs, and large events (e.g.,
assemblies, spirit nights, field trips, and sporting events). Remember to
implement strategies to ensure the continuity of education (e.g., distance
learning) as well as meal programs and other essential services for students.

Reviewer feedback on this answer:
Provides clear advice to consider temporary dismissals or restricting large group events during times of high community transmission.
This is a good answer.  It addresses spread in schools and establishes guidelines for schools to follow.

Reviewer ratings:
Excellent
Excellent

Answer passage (source: CDC):
page_title: K-12 Schools and Child Care Programs
section_headers: Administrators
Planning and Responding to COVID-19
How should my school prepare when there is no community transmission in our area?
section_content: The most important thing you can do now is to prepare. Schools need to be
ready if COVID-19 does appear in their communities. Here are some strategies:

Review, update, and implement emergency operations plans.
Develop information-sharing systems with partners.
Teach and reinforce health hygiene practices.
Intensify cleaning and disinfection efforts.
Monitor and plan for absenteeism.
Assess group gatherings and events. Follow current guidance about non-critical gatherings and events.
Require sick students and staff to stay home. Establish procedures for students and staff who are sick at school.
Create and test communications plans for use with the school community.
Review CDC’s guidance for business and employers.


Reviewer feedback on this answer:
Provides an extensive list of what schools should do during periods of high community transmission.
This is a good answer.  It addresses community spread and states what schools can do if they encounter community spread.

Reviewer ratings:
Excellent
Excellent

Answer passage (source: CDC):
page_title: K-12 Schools and Child Care Programs
section_headers: Administrators
Planning and Responding to COVID-19
How should my school prepare when there is minimal to moderate community transmission in our area?
section_content: Work with your local health officials to determine a set of strategies
appropriate for your community’s situation. Continue using the preparedness
strategies implemented for no community transmission, and consider the
following social distancing strategies:

Cancel field trips, assemblies, and other large gatherings.
Cancel or modify classes where students are likely to be in very close contact.
Increase the space between desks to at least 6 feet.
Stagger arrival and/or dismissal times.
Reduce congestion in the health office.
Limit nonessential visitors.
Limit bringing in students from other schools for special programs (e.g., music, robotics, academic clubs)
Teach staff, students, and their families to maintain a safe distance (6 feet) from each other in the school.


Reviewer feedback on this answer:
I think this is a good answer.  It lists a decent set of guidelines for schools to follow.
Provides specific advice for what to do if there's a high level of community transmission.

Reviewer ratings:
Excellent
Excellent