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Leadership COVID-19 Information

COVID-19 Information for the Leadership Team

Staying Healthy & Being Prepared -- Spring / Summer 2020

 

Keeping Our Community Informed

Clarke takes the threat of a COVID-19 outbreak seriously and is dedicated to keeping staff, students and family informed.

Check here for Leadership Team reopening information.

Standards for Accessing Clarke Sites During COVID-19 Closures

Clarke sites are currently closed to staff, students, families and patients, however scheduled cleaning services are okay. Only essential work can be conducted at Clarke sites at this time. We understand some team members need one-off access to sites to gather materials or complete work that cannot be done remotely. Follow these standards for all Clarke sites and use the calendars here to track and approve access.

Guidance on In-Person Gatherings and Parades

Reopening policies and protocols vary in the states and districts where Clarke operates. We strongly advise Clarke teams follow gathering and parade guidelines from their states and districts. If not available, please follow these guidelines:

Indoor and Outdoor Gatherings at Clarke Sites (includes reverse parades)

While Clarke locations are closed and only permitting on-site essential work for limited team members, in-person gatherings are discouraged but permitted based on the state’s reopening phase and with:

  • Director approval

     

  • A brief summary of the gathering with the following information reviewed by the COVID-19 Workgroup:

     

    • Mask protocol
    • Distancing protocol
    • Building access protocol
    • Bathroom protocol
    • Cleaning and sanitizing protocol pre-gathering
    • Cleaning and sanitizing protocol post-gathering
    • How materials will be distributed to attendees (if needed)

       

      • Recommended: single staff person drop items in car trunks

         

    • How protocols will be communicated to all people involved in advance
    • Invitation list by category (families and staff)

Clarke team members should wear face coverings and socially distance with at least six feet of separation.

If families are parading in vehicles:

  • Staff should use face coverings
  • Staff should remain at last 12 feet from vehicles
  • Families should remain in vehicles
  • Vehicle windows may be open if families are advised to wear masks and team members maintain 12 feet of distance

During site closures, participation in on-site work is at the employee’s discretion unless the work is deemed essential.

Community-Based Parades
  • In-car only, drive-by parades where Clarke staff optionally occupy their own vehicles and parade by students’ homes are acceptable. We understand this model may not work for all communities, but it may for some.
  • Everyone must travel one-person-to-a-vehicle
  • Remain in vehicles as much as possible. If exiting, wear a mask and maintain 6-12 feet of social distance.
  • If needed, designate one person to:
    • leave any items for students near the home without a direct hand-off
    • drop items in car trunks
  • No candy or other tokens should be thrown to children

Exposure Notification & Communications

School/District/Governing Agencies Communications

Note: different governing bodies may require different information

Letters Sent to Staff

Family Communication Resources

Letters Sent to Families

Staff Communication Resources

Sample “Closed” Voice Messages

  • Thank you for calling Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech. In response to the COVID-19 public health emergency and a commitment to the health and safety of our students, families and staff, Clarke will be closed to students and families through [date]. We anticipate reopening on [date]. We wish you a healthy and safe few weeks.
  • You’ve reached Clarke [location]. While our office is closed through [date], Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech continues to provide services while we support efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19. We will check the messages left on this line and respond as soon as possible. Visit clarkeschools.org/covid19 for local updates. Thank you for helping our community to stay safe and healthy.
  • Thank you for your call. While our office is closed through [date], Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech continues to provide services while we support efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19. We will check the messages left on this line and respond as soon as possible. Visit clarkeschools.org/covid19 for local updates. Thank you for helping our community to stay safe and healthy.
  • Thank you for your call. While our office is closed through [date], Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech continues to provide services while we support efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Clarke’s [insert programs and services going virtual] are transitioning to virtual services. We will check the messages left on this line and respond as soon as possible. Visit clarkeschools.org/covid19 for local updates. Thank you for helping our community to stay safe and healthy.

Slow to Respond Email Response

  • Thank you for your email. All Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech locations are closed to students and families. Nearly all programs are moving to virtual services and remote learning kits to keep learning alive and families fully engaged. [insert any local program details.] If you need immediate assistance, please [insert contact info]. I appreciate your patience and will reply to your message as soon as possible. Visit clarkeschools.org/covid19 for updates.

Sample Robo/Text Messaging

  • Extended closure robo call/text for families (TEMPLATE)
  • Extended closure robo call/text for staff (TEMPLATE)
  • Clarke [School Name]. will be closed on [date] as we continue to assess the situation. We advise families to plan ahead for potential longer-term closure. All Clarke staff will report to the school on [date]. The health and well-being of you, your child and our team remain our top priority. Visit clarkeschools.org/covid19 for updates.
  • There are currently no known or presumptive cases of COVID-19 in our area. We have been advised by the Department of Health to remain open. At this time, Clarke will be open on [date]. We will contact you in the event of any changes. Stay well!
  • Out of an abundance of caution, Clarke [location] [specific programs] are closed/cancelled [date(s)]. There is currently no known evidence of exposure for Clarke students, families and staff. Visit clarkeschools.org/covid19 for updates and details.
  • Clarke [location] [specific programs] are closed/cancelled [date(s)] due to [rationale]. There is currently no known evidence of exposure for Clarke students, families and staff. Visit clarkeschools.org/covid19 for updates and details.

COVID-19 Remote Work Protocol and Technology Guide

    • Guidelines for: Remote Work, Program Closures and Physically Reporting to Work

COVID-19 is an extreme situation. Please follow these guidelines for remote work.

  • Remote Work Technology Guide

    Please follow these guidelines from Clarke’s IT Team during remote work.

 

These guidelines are subject to change as the COVID-19 health crisis evolves.

Cleaning Resources

Additional Resources


According to the Employers Association of the NorthEast:

  • A pandemic is a direct threat and employers are permitted to make medical requests of employees. Requests must be based on objective evidence. Follow EEOC guidance regarding these employee interactions.
  • If an employee is home under quarantine and they want to work it’s fine to let them. However, we can’t compel them to work if they don’t want to.

Our professionals are here to help.

Please contact any of our locations to learn more about Clarke’s broad array of programs and services.
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