Keeping DCSD Safe
The safety of our staff and students remain our priority. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that the following mitigation strategies are implemented to lower the risk of transmission within schools. Here is how DeKalb County School District (DCSD) is keeping our community safe:

1-Wear masks at all times

Wear masks at all times. Masks should completely cover the nose and mouth and fit snugly against the sides of face without gaps. Face shields do not replace masks.

2-Social distance

Create safe spaces by practicing physical distancing of at least 6 feet between people. DCSD is also cohorting, which involves grouping students, and sometimes employees, to stay together throughout the school day to minimize exposure. Staggered schedules such as arrival and drop off times and locations by cohort as well as limiting nonessential visitors and activities will also be implemented.

3-Wash Your hands

Hand wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and avoid touching the face. Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue when not wearing a mask and immediately wash hands after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

4-Clean and disinfect

The core principle by the CDC is to routinely and consistently clean high-touch surfaces. DCSD is providing adequate supplies (e.g., soap, paper towels, hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, disinfectant wipes, masks) to ensure safety. Here are other DCSD measures to stay safe: 5Cleaning frequently touched surfaces
5Modifying classroom layouts

5Installing physical barriers and COVID-19 signage

5Discouraging shared objects

5-Contact tracing

DCSD continually collaborates with the Georgia Department of Public Health and the DeKalb Board of Health who promptly identify individuals who have had recent close contact with a COVID-19 positive
individual(s) to prevent further spread. Contact tracing helps to reduce the spread of COVID-19 by:
5Letting people know they may have been exposed to COVID-19 and should monitor their health for signs and symptoms of COVID-19
5Helping people who may have been exposed to COVID-19 get tested
5Asking people to self-isolate if they have COVID-19 or self-quarantine if they are a close contact according to the Department of Public Health guidance

6-Building ventilation

DCSD frequently monitors schoolhouses and facilities for proper ventilation. We have increased ventilation and filtration in our HVAC units to meet the guidance of CDC and industry to the extent possible in each of our units.

The following DCSD school readiness strategies are also in place to keep DCSD safe:

7-Vaccinations

31 DCSD nurses have been trained to vaccinate individuals once the vaccine is available for Class 1B, which includes our teachers. DCSD is ready to follow the plan for the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine in Georgia.

8-Testing
DCSD is excited to work with vendors on providing COVID -19 testing for students, staff, and families. Testing can help people determine if students, staff and families are infected with SARS-CoV-2 – regardless of whether they have symptoms and whether they are at risk of spreading the infection to others.