Things to Consider for a Healthy Campus

This resource was last updated December, 2021.

Introduction

VIRUS TRANSMISSION

Cleaning and Sanitation of Spaces and Objects
Cohorting or Podding
Contact Tracing and Activity Tracking
Handwashing and Hygiene
Masks
Prevention, Transmission
Screening and Testing
Symptoms
Staff Health

INFRASTRUCTURE

Indoor Spaces and Restrooms
Seating
Shade, Tents, and Shade Structures

Virus Transmission

Cleaning and Sanitation of Spaces and Objects

Determine which features of the outdoor learning space, and which shared objects, require cleaning. Determine whether the surfaces to be cleaned require only routine cleaning versus cleaning plus disinfecting, and establish protocols to support the needed measures. Limit sharing of objects when feasible.

• Cleaning, Disinfection, and Hand Hygiene in Schools – a Toolkit for School Administrators — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, April 2021 (NOTE: this resource is no longer being updated and may not reflect current guidance)

• Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Facility: Every Day and When Someone Is Sick — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• Supplies and Storage for Outdoor Learning — National COVID-19 Outdoor Learning Initiative

Cohorting or Podding

Cohorting, sometimes referred to as podding, divides students and teachers into distinct groups that stay together during in-person instruction.  

• Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in K-12 Schools — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Contact Tracing and Activity Tracking

Create policies and procedures for tracking the locations and activity of students, faculty and staff in order to effectively contact trace. 

• Interim Guidance for Case Investigation and Contact Tracing in K-12 Schools — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, December 2020

• A Brief Guide to Local Health Rules — National COVID-19 Outdoor Learning Initiative

Handwashing and Hygiene

Health guidance recommends frequent washing or sanitizing of hands. This article frames current recommendations and suggestions for handwashing stations for outdoor spaces. Provide needed hygiene stations, materials, and procedures for outdoor spaces.

• Handwashing Options — National COVID-19 Outdoor Learning Initiative

Masks

Mask use reduces the spread of COVID-19. Wearing a mask helps prevent spreading the virus to others and offers some protection from being exposed to the virus.

• Considerations for Wearing Masks — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• COVID-19 Basics — National COVID-19 Outdoor Learning Initiative

Prevention of Transmission

According to the CDC, “in general, the risk of COVID-19 transmission is lower when playing outdoors than in indoor settings.”

• Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in K-12 Schools — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Screening and Testing

As testing becomes more available and less expensive, while also remaining vigilant about variants, remain aware of both testing services and strategies that may reduce risk. Please follow the most up-to-date recommendations presented in the CDC guidance below.

• COVID-19 Testing Overview — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in K-12 Schools (in section “Screening Testing”) — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Staff Health 

Policies and procedures addressing issues related to teachers and other staff at higher risk of serious illness should be made in consultation with occupational medicine and human resource professionals, keeping in mind Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) concerns.

• Strategies for Protecting K-12 School Staff from COVID-19 — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

  • See also the section specifically about staff health, “Section 3: School Workers”

• Education Outdoors chapter, including Planning for Staffing and Scheduling and other articles on staffing — National COVID-19 Outdoor Learning Initiative

Symptoms

Create plans to respond if a student, faculty, or staff member exhibits symptoms during the day.

• Interim Guidance for Case Investigation and Contact Tracing in K-12 Schools — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• Information for Pediatric Healthcare Providers (including a list of pediatric symptoms) — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Infrastructure

Indoor Spaces and Restrooms

If some elements of the school day require going indoors (e.g., using indoor restrooms), consider the increased risk associated with indoor spaces and be certain to ensure the wearing of masks, appropriate distancing and proper hygiene. 

• COVID-19 Safety Guidelines for Specific School Spaces [indoors] — Yale School of Public Health

• COVID-19 Basics — National COVID-19 Outdoor Learning Initiative

Seating

Create outdoor learning spaces with appropriate placement of chairs, tables, desks and other classroom items.

• Operational Considerations for School (offers suggestions on spacing) — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• Outdoor Seating and Work Surfaces — National COVID-19 Outdoor Learning Initiative

• Potential Outdoor Classroom Configurations (PDF) — National COVID-19 Outdoor Learning Initiative

Tents and Shade Structures

The use of tents, awnings and other outdoor structures should be considered to mitigate the various impacts of weather while recognizing that creating an enclosed outdoor space is similar to an indoor space and should be treated as such.

• Open Restaurants (see “Tents & Enclosures,” which outlines some suggestions about shade and creating enclosures) — New York City Department of Transportation

• Shade and Shelter — National COVID-19 Outdoor Learning Initiative

Using Outdoor Spaces

Accessibility and Students with Special Needs

Create outdoor learning spaces and enact policies and procedures that maintain accessibility, take students with special needs into account.

• Precautions for People with Disabilities — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• Inclusive Design for Outdoor Spaces — National COVID-19 Outdoor Learning Initiative

Bugs and Other Animals

Identify possible points of interaction with pests and wildlife; seek to reduce those interactions or mitigate annoyance and/or harm from interaction where appropriate. Review student allergy action plans (i.e. bee stings) and keep emergency medication on hand as needed.

• Tips for Managing Pests — National COVID-19 Outdoor Learning Initiative

Meals

Create spaces and plans for eating and drinking that minimize the risk of viral transmission.

• Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in K-12 Schools (see section “Food Service and School Meals”) — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• Planning Outdoor Meals at School (see several case study examples here, as well) — National COVID-19 Outdoor Learning Initiative

Sports and Outdoor Games

Given the close proximity of people and use of shared equipment, it is important that the school evaluate sports and outdoor games as per the CDC guidance.

• Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in K-12 Schools (See section “Sports and Other Extracurricular Activities”) — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Weather

Train staff to recognize indications of weather-related health impacts such as dehydration, heat stroke, frostbite, and hypothermia as appropriate for the area and season. Consider shelter, clothing, activities, and water or warm/cold liquids to help keep students and staff comfortable and healthy in all weather conditions. 

• Outdoor Learning in All Types of Weather — National COVID-19 Outdoor Learning Initiative

• Strategies for Managing Cold Temperatures — National COVID-19 Outdoor Learning Initiative

• Strategies for Managing Hot Weather — National COVID-19 Outdoor Learning Initiative

• Shade and Shelter — National COVID-19 Outdoor Learning Initiative

Community Considerations

Communications with the School Community

Put in place a system to educate staff, parents, students and visitors regarding the virus, steps being taken to mitigate the risk, and the rules associated with school attendance. And keep the school community aware of changes in knowledge which may require revisions of the education program.

• Know Your Goals: Creating Healthy Learning Environments — National COVID-19 Outdoor Learning Initiative

• Education Outdoors chapter, including Planning for Staffing and Scheduling — National COVID-19 Outdoor Learning Initiative

Hazard Assessment

Create a Hazard Assessment plan to identify hazards associated specifically with outdoor activities and the planned space/location. Schedule daily walk throughs to look for changes and new risks.

• Hazard Identification and Assessment — Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Mental Health

Provide education, training and resources on identifying and dealing with mental health issues including, stress, anxiety, depression and others.

• Helping Children Cope — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• Mental Health Benefits of Outdoor Learning — National COVID-19 Outdoor Learning Initiative

Local Health Rules

Consult and monitor local health rules, which will change over time.

• A Brief Guide to Local Health Rules — National COVID-19 Outdoor Learning Initiative

Transportation

Create plans for transporting students to and from school.

• Cleaning and Disinfection for Non-emergency Transport Vehicles — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• What Bus Transit Operators Need to Know (NOTE: This resource is no longer being updated) — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• Planning School Transportation — National COVID-19 Outdoor Learning Initiative

Credits

Frederic S. Goldstein, President, Accountable Health, LLC; Lauren McKenna, MLA, Green Schoolyards America; Mary Michaud, MPP, Health & Social Impact Strategies, LLC; Cathy Nguyen, Landscape Designer; and Zach Pine, MD, Zach Pine Create with Nature in January 2021. It was reviewed by Sarah Gill, MPP and Christina Vassallo, MSN, FNP-BC.

National COVID-19 Outdoor Learning Initiative

The National COVID-19 Outdoor Learning Initiative supports schools and districts around the country in their efforts to reopen safely and equitably using outdoor spaces as strategic, cost-effective tools to increase physical distancing capacity onsite and provide access to abundant fresh air. The Initiative seeks to equitably improve learning, mental and physical health, and happiness for children and adults using an affordable, time-tested outdoor approach to keeping schools open during a pandemic.