New things I'm in charge of:
Keeping track of all COVID-related updates from the state dept of health, city dept of health, and state board of education
Contact tracing for new positive cases
Contacting staff & students in quarantine due to close contact
Contacting every parent of a student out for illness, determining if a COVID test is required based on our protocol
Answering all questions about travel in regards to needed quarantine after travel
Organizing vaccines for our teaching staff
Communication with our local health department
Writing many health related policies, updating many health related policies
New changes:
I see less students throughout the day, most first aid is handled within the classroom and because the children have to remain 6 ft apart there are significantly less injuries during PE and recess
Nearly every child with illness symptoms is sent home
I've had to delegate more than ever this year. The desk receptionists have been a godsend in administering scheduled oral meds if I'm trapped in the isolation room.
I do "classroom calls" and hallway assessments to keep kids out of my office.
I do a lot of public health education for our teachers, parents, administration.
I am grateful that I am working at a school where the administration respects my expertise. My principal often refers to me as the "COVID expert." I've been highly involved in every step of the process of reopening, policy making, policy updating, and implementation of mitigation tools. I even helped in the design of the staff lactation room (2020 brought 8 new staff babies!) so that it is COVID safe.
