Breakthrough Summerbridge COVID-19 Guide

Reopening campus and attending school in person during the pandemic is not without risk for both students and staff. While we are eager to bring our community together, we also know that this crisis remains dynamic, requiring that we proceed with great caution and care, supporting all involved. The San Francisco Department of Health has developed a Risk Acknowledgement Form that students, parents, and guardians must complete prior to returning to campus. Forms will be distributed through our Finalsite platform, families will fill them out electronically, and they will be tracked and filed by the COVID Information Coordinator.

UHS will follow the San Francisco Department of Health guidelines to prepare the campus facilities for in-person use,

All school spaces have been set up and clearly marked to ensure proper physical distancing, according to the SFDPH Protocols. This will be done through a combination of removal, physical placement, clear marking of furniture not to be used, and physical barriers such as plexiglass shields. Access and use of restrooms will be managed to provide physical separation.

University High School has a third-party facilities agreement with Sodexo, an international provider of Facilities services. Sodexo best practice policy and procedures are utilized at UHS, and facilities personnel are trained in regular, enhanced, and reactionary cleaning. We use Maximo, a software program that tracks work orders and maintenance schedules. The advantage of this software is that it tracks the work that has been completed and identifies and schedules the work that needs to be performed (e.g., change the schedule for MERV 13 rated filters, HVAC maintenance, plumbing system flushes, etc.).

Sodexo has provided significant support and information related to creating the safest possible environment in this time of COVID. Additional training for COVID response has been performed for all personnel within the last two months. The facilities team meets weekly to discuss safety issues and concerns and is updated on new cleaning protocols. In addition to the normal daily cleaning, additional COVID-related cleaning procedures have also been implemented.

Daily Procedures

• Electrostatic cleaning is performed at least twice daily in all spaces utilized during the day.
  • Electrostatic cleaning involves spraying a mist over the entire hallway, classroom, office, etc., using VitalOxide, a disinfectant that is safe and dries quickly.
• All high touch surfaces: desks, tables, etc., will be wiped down at least twice daily using Hydrogen Peroxide.
• While students and Faculty, and Staff are present, facilities personnel will be continually walking through campus disinfecting doors, door handles, light switches, etc.
• All bathrooms will be cleaned at least three times per day.
• One final cleaning will occur each day, and the door will be sealed with a sticker, and the cleaning will be logged as complete.
• Each classroom has a sanitation station that includes disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizer, face masks, and tissues. Upon entering a classroom, a student/teacher will use the hand sanitizer and take a disinfectant wipe to wipe down the chair and desk they are using. At the end of class, the student/teacher will wipe down the chair and desk they used.

Breakthrough Summerbridge consists of 3 cohorts (by grade level). Each cohort will have one to two days a week on campus.

Remote programming: Math, humanities, science, ASMs, Club
Mondays - Friday 

In- person programming: Social - Emotional Learning (SEL), High School Advising, grade level team building.
Tuesdays - 7th grade
Wednesdays - 8th grade
Thursdays - 9th grade
Fridays - alternating weekly
7th grade- weeks 3, 5
8th grade- weeks 2, 4
9th grade - weeks 1, 6
 

Outdoor spaces will be utilized for instruction to the extent possible but are more suited to activities such as lunch and small-group meetings. Our upper and lower courtyards, as well as the roof-top on Middle Campus, provide those open spaces on our otherwise urban campus. Well ventilated indoor classrooms are better suited to our program that relies heavily on technology and are currently set up to maintain at least a 3’ distance between all persons.

Breakthrough Summerbridge students will enter and exit campus through the Washington Street entrance to Middle Campus. 

All students, faculty, and staff must carry their entry card/school ID. Signage regarding traffic flow and physical distancing is posted throughout our campus buildings.

All classroom/student spaces and offices will have PPE and safety supplies, including hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, protective masks, and gloves. 

In accordance with CADPH guidance, any employee unable to wear a face covering, face shield with a drape or other effective alternative, or respiratory protection, for any reason, shall be at least three feet apart from all other persons unless the unmasked employee is tested at least twice weekly for COVID-19.

Students with documented medical or behavioral contraindications to face coverings are exempt. They must wear a non-restrictive alternative, such as a face shield with a drape on the bottom edge if their condition permits it.

When an employee or student is alone in a room.

While eating and drinking at the workplace, provided employees and students are at least three feet apart and outside air supply to the area, if indoors, has been maximized to the extent possible.

Hand sanitizer dispensers are placed in every entrance, hallway, stairwell, and public space.

Additional handwashing stations are set up in key places on campus. Signage is throughout campus, reminding everyone of handwashing protocols.

Testing:
SFDPH does not recommend routine testing of people in the following groups:

• Staff and students who are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and have no symptoms
• Staff or students who have had COVID-19 in the last 3 months, confirmed by a lab test.
• Staff without COVID-19 symptoms or known exposures, in Yellow or Orange Tiers.
• Students without COVID-19 symptoms or known exposures, in any tier 

SFDPH continues to recommend testing for the following groups 

• People with symptoms of COVID-19 
• Close contacts to COVID-19, if they have not had COVID-19 in the last 3 months 
• People who play or coach sports where testing is required, per SFDPH Sports Guidance 
• Staff when community rates are high, as listed in the chart below

Screening: 
Because many people with COVID-19 do not have any symptoms, asking people about symptoms when they arrive at school is not very effective in keeping COVID-19 out of school. It is more important to instruct people to stay home if they are sick. Schools do not have to confirm that the students were checked or collect the responses to the questions. Families can refer to the SFDPH Screening For Families.

Please review our Symptom Reporting Guide HERE.

If a family doesn’t think it is safe to send their child to school during their cohort day, if a student has symptoms that require quarantine, or if we have to isolate a cohort, that student is welcome to learn from home. Our remote platform is highly effective and has received positive reviews from students, faculty, and parents.

Faculty and staff are expected to be on campus on their scheduled days of work, unless the daily screening questions indicate otherwise. 

In public health, the patient’s privacy is a mandate. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act, the person’s identity with COVID-19 will not be shared. However, the School will notify the community within one business day if there is a confirmed case on campus through our e-notify system and our text alert system, School Messenger.

Signage has been placed throughout campus to inform students and adults of safety protocols to include:

• Physical distancing
• Regular hand washing
• COVID-19 Symptoms
• Maximum Occupancy of classrooms, restrooms, elevators, offices
• Directions for traffic flow throughout hallways and public spaces

• Breakfast, snack and lunch will be provided on on campus days during summer programming
• Physical distancing (3’) will be required for food pick up and purchase.
• Indoor spaces have been reconfigured for safe distancing and protection during lunchtime.
• Weather permitting, students will eat meals in an outdoor space (additional outdoor seating has been added) by group. Sufficient indoor spaces are available for eating indoors in groups no larger than 14.

Classroom, office and public spaces at UHS are held in four buildings throughout our Urban Campus.

•  All Upper Campus classrooms will have two portable HEPA air purifiers that remove 99.97% of all contaminants. Classroom windows will remain open at all times to provide natural ventilation and will be supplemented by the use of portable fans.
   
• The library level of UHS Middle Campus will have portable HEPA air purifiers that remove 99.97% of all contaminants. Windows will remain open at all times to provide natural ventilation and will be supplemented by the use of portable fans. The remaining levels of Middle Campus have an HVAC system that utilizes MERV13 filters, which exceeds code requirements and provides an enhanced level of capture of small particles. These systems will also bring fresh air into the building. UHS is in the process of adding UV light systems in each HVAC system that is very effective at killing viruses, mold, and bacteria (completed by Dec. 31, 2020).
   
• UHS Lower Campus has an HVAC system that utilizes MERV13 filters, which exceeds code requirements and provides an enhanced level of capture of small particles. These systems will also bring fresh air into the building. UHS is in the process of adding UV light systems in each HVAC system that is very effective at killing viruses, mold, and bacteria (completed by Dec. 31, 2020). All lower level classrooms on Lower Campus will have two portable HEPA air purifiers that remove 99.97% of all contaminants.
   
• UHS South Campus has an HVAC system that utilizes MERV13 filters, which exceeds code requirements and provides an enhanced level of capture of small particles. These systems will also bring fresh air into the building. UHS is in the process of adding UV light systems in each HVAC system that is very effective at killing viruses, mold, and bacteria (completed by Dec. 31, 2020). The top floor also has natural ventilation.
   
• UHS has approximately 50 True HEPA air purifiers available for use on campus as needed.
•  While inside the building, windows will be open during all hours of operation to permit maximal natural ventilation. In Aug., we tested outside air rates to confirm that the outside air exchange delivered to all classrooms exceeds code and best practice standards.
   
• HVAC systems will be run at all times during the school day, and filters will be changed at a minimum of once per month.
  • Where possible, windows will remain open to allow for fresh air.
  • Portable air filters will be utilized as needed.

We will conduct periodic inspections using this CPP Form as needed to identify unhealthy conditions, work practices, and work procedures related to COVID-19 and to ensure compliance with our COVID-19 policies and procedures.
 

For Summerbridge students, faculty and staff, the UHS Chief Financial and Operations Officer,  Michael Novak and the Summerbridge Executive Director, Dara Northcroft, are the designated employees for SFDPH to contact about COVID-19. They will coordinate  record-keeping, notification of exposed persons, and partnering with SFDPH with contact tracing. 

If a staff member or student tests positive for COVID-19 in partnership with the SFDPH, the school community will be notified. Our Administration has prepared draft letters to easily customize and send to various constituents if and when need be. All non vaccinated staff and students within the cohort will quarantine for 10 days, and the School will recommend testing for those who are not vaccinated  in that cohort. During the quarantine period, students who are healthy enough to do so will attend school remotely.

If a household member of a staff or student tests positive, that staff member will be required, and the student will be strongly urged to test for COVID-19 at the beginning and completion of a 10-day home quarantine period.

The 10-day quarantine must be completed for both students and staff. The School will notify the student/staff’s cohort who will continue to attend school on campus.
 

For Summerbridge students and faculty:

• UHS Chief Financial and Operations Officer, Michael Novak and the Summerbridge Executive Director, Dara Northcroft, are the designated employees for SFDPH to contact about COVID-19. They will coordinate record-keeping, notification of exposed persons, and partnering with SFDPH with contact tracing. 

Click here to see PDF of above information.

Individuals who are fully vaccinated with an FDA-authorized vaccine can travel safely within the United States. If you are fully vaccinated, take the following steps to protect others if you travel:
 
Have You Been Fully Vaccinated?
People are considered fully vaccinated:

• Two weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or
• Two weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine

If you don’t meet these requirements, you are NOT fully vaccinated. Keep taking all precautions until you are fully vaccinated.

If you have a condition or are taking medication that weakens your immune system, you may NOT be fully protected even if you are fully vaccinated. Talk to your healthcare provider. Even after vaccination, you may need to continue taking all precautions.

• During Travel
  • Wear a mask over your nose and mouth. Masks are required on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations.
  • Avoid crowds and stay at least 6 feet/2 meters (about 2 arm lengths) from anyone who is not traveling with you.
  • Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol).
• After Travel
  • Self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms; isolate and get tested if you develop symptoms.
  • Follow all state and local recommendations or requirements.
     

San Francisco University High School encourages everyone to be tested every two weeks.

If you are not fully vaccinated and must travel, take the following steps to protect yourself and others from COVID-19:

• Before you travel:
  • Get tested with a viral test 1-3 days before your trip.
• While you are traveling:
  • Wear a mask over your nose and mouth. Masks are required on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations.
  • Avoid crowds and stay at least 6 feet/2 meters (about 2 arm lengths) from anyone who is not traveling with you.
  • Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol).
• After you travel:
  • Get tested with a viral test 3-5 days after travel AND stay home and self-quarantine for a full 7 days after travel.
    • Even if you test negative, stay home and self-quarantine for the full 7 days.
    • If your test is positive, isolate yourself to protect others from getting infected.
  • If you don’t get tested, stay home and self-quarantine for 10 days after travel.
  • Avoid being around people who are at increased risk for severe illness for 14 days, whether you get tested or not.
  • Self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms; isolate and get tested if you develop symptoms.
  • Follow all state and local recommendations or requirements.

Information on COVID-19 safety and protocols will be shared with faculty during Orientation Week and with parents and students during the family orientation meeting.

We will continue to update families and staff as necessary through bulletins and other regular forums for family and staff education.
 

We are committed to the health and well-being of our students and have a counselor who will work with students, families and staff through social-emotional learning (SEL) programming and via individual counseling as needed. 

We have always made decisions, delivered our programming, and supported our students and staff with the guidance of the UHS Equity and Community Statement and our Community Agreements.

We are aware and empathetic to the educational inequities that have been highlighted and exacerbated by COVID-19.  We surveyed every family to determine internet and technology needs. We have supported families requesting support with hardware, academic software, and broadband. We continued to support our families through the dispersal of grocery gift cards. 
The resources at UHS allows us to provide in-person and remote programming thereby allowing our Summerbridge students the opportunity to be in-person in community for the first time since summer 2019. 

We prioritize the equity and inclusion of all community members, ensuring their health and safety first and foremost, and remaining mindful of the essential staff who are working hard to deliver a safe and excellent academic and extra-curricular program.