The Shaker Heights City School District has developed the following health and safety guidelines based on guidance from local, state and national agencies for the beginning of the school year. Please keep in mind that these protocols may change based on new information. We look forward to welcoming students and staff back to our buildings for the 2021-22 school year!
The District’s guidelines can be found below and viewed here.
2021-22 Shaker Heights Schools COVID-19 Guidelines
In-Person Learning for the 2021-22 School Year
The District will welcome back all students to full school days, five days a week.
Face Masks
Face masks that cover the nose and mouth are universally required indoors (except when eating) and on buses regardless of individuals’ vaccination status. This is in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s July 27 universal policy recommendation for schools. Masks will be available at all buildings/offices if an individual does not have one. The face mask may not have a valve or respirator, and single-layer gaiters are not permitted.
Face Mask Exemptions
Students: Unvaccinated students may be exempt from wearing a mask if:
The student is unable to remove the face covering without assistance
The student has a significant behavioral/physiological issue undergoing treatment that is exacerbated by a facial covering
The student is living with severe autism or with extreme developmental delay who may become agitated by a mask
The student has a facial obstruction that causes airway obstruction
Staff: Staff members who are unable to wear a mask due to medical reasons should complete the Face Covering Exemption Request Form and provide documentation from your health care provider and return both to Human Resources.
Physical Distancing / Social Distancing
The District will follow CDC guidance on social distancing in schools and implement strategies to maximize physical distancing to the greatest degree possible. Current guidance advises to maintain at least 3 feet of space between students, but when that is not possible, ensure additional prevention strategies, such as masking, are in place.
Cleaning & Ventilation
The District’s cleaning and disinfecting measures will continue to be aligned with public health guidelines. The District continues to maintain safe ventilation practices including air purifiers and fans. Air purifiers remain in place where needed, and HVAC systems, filters and windows have received regular summer maintenance.
Hand Washing & Sanitization
The District will continue to encourage students, staff and visitors to wash their hands and sanitize them frequently.
Health Assessments
The Shaker Heights City School District asks all staff and families of students to continue to assess for symptoms prior to each school day, however, the District will no longer utilize the COVID-19 Daily Assessment tool within the Shaker Heights Schools app as a part of this process. Any individual exhibiting symptoms consistent with COVID must remain home and contact their healthcare provider or MetroHealth’s COVID-19 Hotline. The CDC also has a Coronavirus symptom Self-Checker available.
Becoming Symptomatic While in a School/District Building
Students: Students who become symptomatic while at school should report to the school nurse and a parent/guardian will need to pick up their student.
Staff: If a staff member starts to feel ill at work, they should remain isolated and notify their building principal or direct supervisor.
Reporting Positive Staff and Student Cases
Students: All positive COVID-19 cases among students should be reported to the student’s building principal.
Staff: All positive COVID-19 cases among staff members should be reported to the Human Resources department.
Contact Tracing
The District will conduct contact tracing and notify families and staff of positive cases of COVID-19 in their same classroom, bus or extra-curriculuar activity if the student or staff member was contagious when onsite. Phone calls also will be made to individuals identified as close contacts to notify them and share specific quarantine information.
Quarantining & Isolation
All quarantining and isolation practices for staff and students will follow Ohio Department of Health (ODH) / Cuyahoga County Board of Health (CCBH) recommendations for schools. (Please see this ODH/CCBH guidance flow chart for K-12 schools and fact sheet.)
Proof of Vaccination
At this time, the District is not collecting proof of COVID-19 vaccination from families or faculty and staff.
COVID-19 Case Notifications and Online Dashboard
The District's online COVID-19 Dashboard will continue to be updated weekday evenings when new cases are reported or when cases are removed. The District will continue to notify families and staff of positive cases of COVID-19 in their same classroom, bus or extra-curriculuar activity if the individual who tested positive was contagious when onsite. Phone calls also will be made to individuals identified as close contacts.
Lunch
Lunch periods will be structured at each building to maintain physical distancing when possible, to minimize the amount of time students are without masks and with seating arranged to facilitate contact tracing if it becomes necessary. PreK-4 students will eat in the classrooms. Students in Grades 5-12 will eat in cafeterias.
Outdoor Tents
Outdoor tents will continue to be provided to serve as outdoor learning and/or eating spaces as weather permits.
Movement in the Buildings
Students will be expected to physically distance themselves in the hallways. Students will move in between classes (including specials) in accordance with their school day schedule.
Water Fountains & Bottle Fillers
Water fountains will remain off. Bottle fillers will be operational, and students are encouraged to bring water bottles from home to refill as needed.
Recess (PreK-6)
Students will participate in outdoor recess with their classmates and teachers will monitor which students are together to facilitate accurate contact tracing.
Music
Singing and playing of instruments are permitted as long as individuals maintain social distancing and wear masks when possible.
Indoor Physical Education
Indoor physical education classes will take place. Students and staff should maintain social distancing when possible and wear masks at all times.
Sharing of Classroom Items/Materials
Students will be permitted to share classroom items and materials. The District will continue to use cleaning and disinfecting measures aligned with public health guidelines. Staff members also will continue to encourage hand sanitization frequently.
Visitors
This year, the District will allow visitors and volunteers back into school buildings. All visitors and volunteers are required to follow the District’s health and safety guidelines, including mask protocols and health self assessments.
Extra-Curricular Activities
Extra-curricular clubs and activities, including athletics, will take place. Participants and attendees are required to follow the District’s health and safety guidelines, including mask protocols. Additional information will be provided by the club advisor, coach or athletic director.
Vaccines
Vaccination remains the best protection against COVID-19, and the District strongly urges all eligible members of our school community to get vaccinated. For assistance in finding a vaccine provider, please click here.
Students Medically Unable to Attend School
Students who are unable to attend school in person for medical reasons must submit a completed Home Instruction Request form to the Department of Exceptional Children. Please note that medical documentation must be kept up to date, particularly as vaccine eligibility and availability becomes more widespread. To reach the Department of Exceptional Children, call (216) 295-4314. For students who are unable to attend school in person, the District will work with families individually to provide appropriate educational services.