In this program we'll learn how to stay safe before going to school, how to stay safe when travelling to school and how to stay safe throughout the school day. Every day, students will need to stay informed on how to keep safe from the virus. COVID-19 is caused by a germ that can make the body sick. The virus enters a body when it's on your hands, when you touch your mouth, nose, or eyes. The virus is so small you can't see it which is why it is so important to wear a mask, wash and sanitize your hands and avoid crowds as much as you can.

Schools are an important part of the infrastructure of all communities. This series is intended to act as a guideline for school administrators and parents as they consider how to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of students, teachers, school staff and their families. Whether staff and students are in-person learning, working in school buildings to support virtual learning, or implementing combined in-person and virtual instruction - all must follow new guidelines to stay safe. It is vital that everyone in the school and community practice preventive behaviors including social distancing, wearing masks, hand hygiene, cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces, increase classroom space and facilitate social distancing. This includes outside spaces and developing a proactive plan if a student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19. The informational material in the program follows CDC guidelines and OSHA standards. Each program is intended to provide guiding principles for healthcare and non-healthcare administrators, school administrators, parents, students, teachers, school staff and their families, employers, employees and their respective health departments, to assist in preparing for potential introduction, spread, and mitigation of COVID-19. This guidance does not address every possible setting or protocol and may not use legal terminology specific to individual agencies' authorities or processes. The guidance can be adapted based on individual facilities' physical space, staffing, population, operations and other resources and conditions. Facilities should contact CDC or their respective public health departments for further assistance, or to address topics that are not specifically covered in the program.

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