As a College Track community, we have a collective responsibility to one another, and the health and safety of our students, staff, and volunteers is our first priority. With the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are firmly committed to taking precautions to limit the likelihood of transmission. 

Below, you’ll find information about:

  1. New safety protocols at College Track sites.
  2. Your student’s role in our safety plan.
  3. What to do if you or a family member is exposed to COVID-19.

We’re all doing everything we can to make sure our staff and students stay well, stay healthy, and stay on track to college. 

1. New COVID-19 Safety Protocols at College Track Sites 

To be cleared to come to the site, students must complete a daily check-in questionnaire, accessed via email or text in advance. Based on responses, College Track staff will determine if it is safe for the student to come to the site. 

If a student is required to return home, site staff will help to arrange transportation and keep the student isolated until transportation arrives. Once home, the student should begin home isolation and follow the CDC’s guidance for “What to Do If You Are Sick”. 

In addition to this check-in process, our new safety protocols include, but are not limited to: educating our staff and volunteers on safety protocols, cleaning common areas, providing personal protective equipment, and abiding by guidance issued from the CDC and authorized governmental agencies to do everything we can to keep our community healthy. 

2. Your Student’s Role in Our Safety Plan

As we re-engage with College Track services in-person, we will be following CDC guidelines to limit the transmission of the virus. Our staff will actively monitor and enforce all safety procedures to protect the health and safety of the College Track community. Failure to comply with College Track safety procedures may result in dismissal from the program.

At the site, everyone is expected to: 

  • Wear a cloth face covering (mask) at all times. 
  • Keep at least 6 feet of distance between yourself and other people outside of your home.
  • Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or if not available, use the provided hand sanitizer.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick, even in your own home.
  • Evaluate your health constantly; if you are sick, have a fever, symptoms, or someone at home is sick, then please remain at home.
  • Whenever possible, do not carpool with other students, unless they live within your household.
  • Do not share phones, shake hands, hug, or make direct contact with other students or staff.

3. What to Do if You or a Family Member is Exposed to COVID-19 

If a student might be positive for COVID-19 (including if you discover that someone with whom your family had recent close contact tested positive for COVID-19), if they begin to develop any symptoms, OR if they test positive for COVID-19, please contact the Site Safety Representative (SSR) at your site immediately. The SSR will provide you with instructions to go home and/or to a healthcare facility for further evaluation. 

In alignment with CDC guidance, students who are required to stay or return home based on their symptoms will not be permitted to come to the site until both of the following occur:

  • At least 3 days (72 hours) have passed since you (1) had a fever without the use of fever-reducing medications, and (2) experienced any respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath); and
  • At least 10 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared.

College Track will require a health care provider’s authorization prior to a student’s return to the site. If you are unable to obtain written authorization, College Track may accept, in its discretion, a personal affidavit (from parent/guardian) that you received such authorization. Upon return to the site, the student will still be required to undergo temperature screening and to complete the questionnaire prior to entry.

We have a similar screening process in place for our staff and volunteers and will communicate with families about any needed site closures or programming adjustments that may arise. 

Resources:

  1. CDC’s “What to Do If You Are Sick” guidance: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html
  2. The Department of Health and Human Services provides a list of community-based testing sites for COVID-19 https://www.hhs.gov/coronavirus/community-based-testing-sites/index.html.