New Mexico Register / Volume XXXII, Issue 3 / February 9, 2021
This is an
emergency amendment to 6.12.14 NMAC, Sections 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11, effective
1/29/2021.
6.12.14.7 DEFINITIONS:
A. "At-risk students" means students
who are English learners, economically disadvantaged, Native American, highly mobile,
or who have a disability.
B. "Formative
assessment" means measures of academic achievement during the learning
process.
C. "Full reentry
operating category" means the instructional model that permits all
students to return to in-person learning for the full school week, with
continued use of preventative measures including [mask-wearing,
temperature-screening, and minimizing of group activities] COVID-Safe
Practices and other practices in department guidance.
D. "High-risk
staff" means adult persons employed by a school or school district
with [certain] the following underlying conditions that make them
more at risk for severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19: [including
but not limited to:]
(1) cancer;
(2) chronic
kidney disease;
(3) chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease;
(4) heart
conditions such as heart failure,
(5) coronary
artery disease or cardiomyopathy;
(6) body
mass index greater than or equal to 30kg/m2;
(7) pregnancy;
(8) sickle
cell disease;
(9) smoking;
(10) type
1 diabetes mellitus
(11) type
2 diabetes mellitus;
(12) moderate-to-severe
asthma;
(13) cerebrovascular
disease;
(14) cystic
fibrosis;
(15) hypertension
or high blood pressure;
(16) immunocompromised
state from blood or bone marrow transplant;
(17) immune
deficiencies;
(18) HIV;
(19) use
of corticosteroids or other immune-weakening medications;
(20) neurologic
conditions such as dementia;
(21) liver
disease;
(22) pulmonary
fibrosis; and
(23) thalassemia.
E. "High-risk students"
means students with certain underlying health conditions that may make them
more at risk for severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19, including
but not limited to:
(1) obesity;
(2) medical
complexity;
(3) severe
genetic disorders;
(4) severe
neurologic disorders;
(5) inherited
metabolic disorders;
(6) sickle
cell disease;
(7) congenital
heart disease;
(8) diabetes;
(9) chronic
kidney disease;
(10) asthma
and other chronic lung disease; and
(11) immunosuppression
due to malignancy or immune-weakening medications.
F. "Hybrid
operating category" means the instructional model wherein schools
assign a combination of some in-person learning days and some remote learning
days, while limiting the number of students who may be in the school building
at any given time by the number that can be accommodated while adhering to at
least six feet of social distancing [or 50 percent classroom capacity] and
other criteria provided in guidance documents.
G. "Interim
assessment" means an assessment conducted three to four times a year
to assess specific skills and to identify those at risk academically.
H. "Remote
operating category" means the instructional model that requires all
students to engage in online learning, with limited possible exceptions for
small groups of students with disabilities and students in grades
pre-kindergarten through grade three to engage in in-person learning, such
as students receiving special education services. The student to teacher
ratio in small groups shall be provided in department guidance. Schools should [ensure each student has]
take all practical measures to provide each student with a digital
device and to provide support for in-home connectivity.
[6.12.14.7
NMAC – N/E, 12/3/2021, A/E, 1/29/2021]
6.12.14.8 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS AND
CONSIDERATIONS FOR SCHOOLS IN ALL OPERATING CATEGORIES:
A. All public schools and local school districts shall:
(1) follow
guidelines appropriate to the school or school district’s safe reentry
category, as determined by criteria established by the New Mexico
department of health [medical advisory team assessment] and the
department;
(2) participate
in a surveillance and rapid response testing program for all staff;
(3) adhere
to social distancing requirements according to their safe reentry category;
(4) avoid
large group gatherings;
(5) require
all staff and students to wear face [masks, except while eating, drinking,
or exercising, unless the student or staff has a medical reason for not being
able to wear a mask or face shield] coverings per department guidance
and current statewide public health orders;
(6) administer
daily temperature checks and review of potential symptoms, as well as working
with state and local health officials to have a plan for contract-tracing;
(7) when
providing transportation:
(a) require
all staff and students to wear face [masks] coverings;
(b) limit
the number of students permitted on [one bus seat to one for those schools
in the hybrid category] each bus seat pursuant to department
guidance;
(8) provide
meals to students during both in-person instruction and remote learning; and
(9) to
the extent possible, consider
practices to promote social emotional learning, support high quality teaching and
learning, and effectively communicate with tribal communities and families.
B. COVID-19 safe
practices. All local school
districts and public schools shall maintain communication with local and state
department of health officials, and participate in contact-tracing efforts and
specimen collection efforts as directed by state and local health officials,
and shall:
(1) work
with school administrators, school nurses, and other healthcare providers to
identify an isolation room or area to separate anyone who exhibits COVID-like
symptoms;
(2) require
school nurses and other healthcare providers to use centers for disease control
and prevention (CDC) recommended standard precautions when caring for sick
people, including:
(a) engaging
in frequent hand hygiene;
(b) using
personal protective equipment when there is an expectation of possible exposure
to infectious material;
(c) following
respiratory hygiene and coughing etiquette;
(d) ensuring
appropriate patient placement in quarantine or isolation;
(e) proper
handling and disinfection of patient care equipment and instruments;
(f) careful
handling of textiles and laundry;
(g) following
safe injection practices; and
(h) ensuring
healthcare provider safety, including proper handling and disposal of needles
and other sharps.
(3) require
school nurses and other healthcare providers to use CDC recommended
transmission-based precautions when caring for sick people, including:
(a) establish
procedures for safely transporting anyone who is sick home or to a healthcare
facility;
(b) notify
local health officials, staff, and families immediately of a possible case
while maintaining confidentiality consistent with the Americans with Disabilities
Act and other applicable federal and state privacy laws;
(c) close
off school building if used by a COVID-19-positive sick person and do not use
again before cleaning and disinfection;
(d) wait
24 hours before cleaning and disinfecting, unless it is impossible to wait 24
hours, in which case wait as long as possible;
(e) advise
sick staff members and children not to return until they have met New Mexico
department of health criteria to discontinue home isolation;
(f) inform
those who have had close contact with a person diagnosed with COVID-19 to stay
home and follow New Mexico department of health guidance if symptoms develop or
if a person does not have symptoms, follow appropriate New Mexico department of
health guidance for home quarantine; and
(g) contact
New Mexico department of health to activate contact tracing.
C. Staffing. All school personnel and contractors shall
follow guidelines in current statewide public health orders. All local school
districts and public schools shall:
(1) train
staff in local and state rules regarding health and safety procedures, such as
appropriate use of personal protective equipment and procedures for when school
personnel or students exhibit symptoms of COVID-19;
(2) establish
processes, aligned with school district or charter school human resource
departments to:
(a) [identify
personnel considered to be in a COVID-19 high risk staff, and to consider
formal requests from such high-risk staff to continue working remotely] consider
formal requests from COVID-19 high-risk staff to work remotely;
(b) [address]
consider the circumstances of school personnel who live with someone who
is in a COVID-19 high risk group; and
(c) [require,
with appropriate licensing waivers, high-risk teachers to remotely teach upper
grades, in order to prioritize necessary in-person instruction for younger
students] other criteria as stated in department of public education
guidance.
[6.12.14.8
NMAC – N/E, 12/3/2020, A/E, 1/29/2021]
6.12.14.9 LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND PUBLIC
SCHOOLS OPERATING UNDER THE REMOTE OPERATING CATEGORY:
A. COVID-19
safe practices.
(1) Local school districts and public
schools shall [consider implementing] implement requirements for
COVID-19 safety, including:
(a) closing
off and limiting access to areas potentially affected by COVID-19 exposure and,
if possible, wait 24 hours before cleaning and disinfecting;
[(b) encouraging
COVID-19 testing;
(c) refraining
from blanket reporting requirements for school personnel;]
[(d)] (b) leveraging virtual tools and platforms
whenever possible to conduct essential business, and keep in-person reporting
to a minimum;
[(e)} (c) using social media and other methods of
communication to inform parents, students, and staff about COVID-19 symptoms,
preventative measures, good hygiene, and school district- and school-specific
protocols; and
[(f)] (d) providing support for students,
families, and school personnel in their protection of high-risk students and
staff; and developing and communicating guidelines for how best to support
students, families, and school personnel.
(2) During
periods of school closure, local school districts and schools shall require
in-person reporting only of staff performing essential services such as food
preparation and delivery, cleaning, and sanitation. Provided they wear face [masks]
coverings and practice social distancing, teachers may reenter school
premises at their own choosing to conduct remote learning.
(3) If
feasible, local school districts and public schools may permit school buildings
to remain open for limited numbers of students and staff to continue in-person
instruction and services for students in prekindergarten to third grade and for
students with special needs, at a maximum ratio of five students to one
teacher.
B. Transportation of Students. If feasible, local school districts and
public schools shall transport students with special needs and students in
prekindergarten through third grade who still may be physically attending
school on a limited basis.
C. Meal service.
(1) Local school districts and public
schools in the remote operating category shall:
(a) establish
food distribution sites both at district buildings and at particular bus stops
or routes to the greatest extent practicable and in line with the
accessibility needs of the local community;
(b) practice
social distancing protocols; [and]
(c) [provide
personal protective equipment to all participating staff] provide face
coverings to staff pursuant to guidance from the department;
(d) provide
face coverings to students who left their face coverings at home; and
(e) provide
personal protective equipment to all participating staff.
(2) Local
school districts and public schools in the remote category shall also consider
additional practices to promote COVID-19 safety for meal service, including:
(a) delivering
a week’s worth of meals during a designated time; and
(b) distributing
supplemental instructional materials and printed school and school district
communications along with meals.
(3) During
periods of school closure, school buses may be used to deliver meals to
students and families.
D. Student movement and gathering. If small groups of prekindergarten to third
grade students or students with disabilities are meeting, public schools shall
keep cohorts together and minimize all transitions, including those between
classrooms, to lunch or recess, and to school buses. Local school districts and
public schools shall abide by the maximum number of people allowed to
congregate as defined in current statewide public health orders.
[6.12.14.9
NMAC – N/E, 12/3/2020, A/E, 1/29/2021]
6.12.14.10 LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND PUBLIC
SCHOOLS OPERATING UNDER THE HYBRD OPERATING CATEGORY:
A. COVID-19
safe practices. Local school
districts and public schools in the hybrid operating category shall implement
requirements for COVID-19 safety, including requirements to:
(1) afford
adequate space for all staff and students to maintain at least six feet of
social distance at all times;
(2) post
signs in classrooms, hallways, and entrances to communicate how to stop the
spread of COVID-19;
(3) screen
all students and staff for COVID-19 symptoms to the greatest extent feasible,
such as temperature screenings and daily health check questionnaires for all
students and staff;
(4) inform
and educate parents and families to be alert for signs of illness in their
children and to keep their children home from school when they are sick;
(5) establish
a protocol for students and staff who feel ill or experience symptoms when they
are at school;
(6) isolate
and deep-clean COVID-19-impacted classrooms and other areas of school premises;
(7) teach
and reinforce good hygiene measures, such as handwashing, covering coughs, and
appropriate use of face [masks] coverings;
(8) provide
hand soap, hand sanitizer with at least sixty percent alcohol, paper towels, and
no-touch trashcans in all bathrooms, classrooms, and other frequently
trafficked areas;
(9) clean
and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at least daily, and frequently shared
objects after each use;
(10) provide
face [masks] coverings and other appropriate personal protective
equipment to staff;
(11) require
students and staff to wear face [masks] coverings unless a valid
medical reason is provided;
(12) allow
students and staff to bring hand sanitizer and face [masks] coverings
and shields from home;
(13) to
the extent possible, turn off water fountains and provide bottled water or
allow students and staff to bring bottled water from home;
(14) take
steps to ensure all water systems and features, including water fountains that
cannot be shut off, are safe;
(15) ensure
ventilation systems operate properly and increase the circulation of outdoor
air as much as possible without posing a safety or health risk to students or
staff; and
(16) conduct
deep cleaning of schools prior to students and staff returning, and schedule
additional cleanings during weekends and school holidays and breaks.
B. Entering School
Buildings. Local school districts
and public schools in the hybrid operating category shall [consider] implement
practices for safely entering school buildings, including:
(1) mandating face [masks] coverings
for all students and staff [,except while eating or drinking or exercising,
including exercise during recess, with limited exceptions for students or staff
that have medical reasons for not being able to wear a mask] pursuant to
department guidance;
(2) while
maintaining confidentiality, screening all staff daily before being
permitted to enter school buildings, including temperature checks and reviews
of potential symptoms[, while maintaining confidentiality];
(3) isolating
and sending home [those who register temperatures of greater than 100.4
degrees fahrenheit or 38 degrees celsius]
students and staff who register temperatures greater than 100.4 degrees fahrenheit or 38 degrees celsius
or exhibit COVID-19 symptoms;
(4) working
with state and local health officials to [have a plan for] implement
school contact-tracing;
[(5) to the extent practicable and while maintaining confidentiality,
screening all students for temperature before they enter school buildings, and
isolating and sending home those who register a temperature of greater than
100.4 degrees fahrenheit or 38 degrees celcius;]
[(6)] (5) restricting non-essential school visitors and
volunteers;
[(7)] (6) establishing a protocol for essential
visitors, including calling the front office before entering school premises
and requiring the use of face [masks] coverings;
[(8)] (7) avoiding large group gatherings;
[(9)] (8) marking spaced lines to enter school
buildings and designating entrance and exit flow paths;
[(10)] (9) establishing a protocol for
student drop-off and pick-up, such as staggered entry and release by grade,
class, or bus number, with marked spacing for pick-up;
[(11)] (10) posting signs in classrooms,
hallways, and entrances to communicate how to stop the spread of COVID-19; and
[(12)] (11) establishing a protocol for
students and staff who feel ill or experience symptoms when they come to
school.
C. Protecting high-risk
students and staff. Local school
districts and public schools in the hybrid operating category shall:
(1) when
possible, employ additional nurses, healthcare aides, and fulltime substitute
employees;
[(2) survey high-risk staff members to gauge their intentions to
return to work while maintaining confidentiality consistent with the Americans
with Disabilities Act and other applicable state and federal privacy laws;
(3) survey
families with high-risk students to gauge their intentions in returning to a
traditional school setting, when available, while maintaining confidentiality
consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act and other applicable
federal and state privacy laws;
(4) in
consultation with parents and public health officials, provide remote learning
opportunities for high-risk student and staff populations;]
(2) provide a remote learning option;
[(5)] (3) consult with local school board attorneys and school district human
resources officials to offer special accommodations to personnel who are
members of high-risk populations, such as alternative teaching assignments;
[(6)] (4) adhere to the
requirements of the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and the
federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act; and
[(7)] (5) adhere to state
and federal employment law and extended leave allowances.
D. Transportation of
students. Local school districts and
public schools in the hybrid operating category shall consider practices for
the safe transportation of students, including:
(1) limiting students to one per bus seat to the best of
their ability, including encouraging parents to drive their children to school
when possible, staggering bus routes, and expanding the minimum radius of
eligibility for bus service;
(2) requiring
students to sit in spaced and assigned seating of no more than two per bus seat
when not
possible to limit students to one per bus seat;
(3) assigning
bus attendants or other additional staff to help with safety and screening of
students, to the extent possible;
(4) providing
hand sanitizer for students, bus drivers, and bus attendants;
(5) providing
face [masks] coverings for bus drivers and attendants;
(6) requiring
students, bus drivers, and bus attendants to wear face [masks] coverings;
(7) screening
students, bus drivers, and bus attendants for symptoms of illness;
(8) eliminating
field trips and other non-essential travel, except for travel conducted under
New Mexico activities association guidelines for sports and extracurricular
activities;
(9) cleaning
and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces on school uses at least daily;
(10) establishing
protocols for bus stops and the loading and unloading of students to minimize
congregation of students from different households;
(11) airing
out buses not in use; and
(12) restricting
group transportation, including carpooling.
E. Meal service. Local school districts and public schools
in the hybrid operating category shall provide meals to students participating
in remote learning on a given day per remote guidelines, according to
Subsection C of Section 6.12.14.9 NMAC.
Local school districts and public schools in the hybrid category shall [consider]
implement additional practices to promote COVID-19 safety for meal
service, including:
(1) using disposable plates and
utensils;
(2) if serving meals in the school
cafeteria:
(a) marking
spaced lines to enter the cafeteria and serving lines, and designating entrance
and exit flow paths;
(b) scheduling longer meal periods to
accommodate more staggered meal delivery;
(c) maximizing social distancing to
space seating and utilizing outdoor seating as practicable and appropriate; and
(d) conducting cleaning of cafeterias
and high-touch surfaces throughout the day;
(3) if serving meals in classrooms:
(a) serving
pre-packaged boxed or bagged lunches for each student instead of traditional
serving lines; and
(b) avoid
sharing of food [an] and utensils.
F. Student movement and
gathering. Local school districts
and public schools in the hybrid operating category shall consider practices to
keep student and student groups’ movements and gatherings safe, including:
(1) limiting
mixing among different student groups to the greatest extent practicable;
(2) for
class changes and other transitions throughout the day:
(a) providing
additional time to reach destinations;
(b) designating
flow paths in hallways to keep students separated and minimize the congregation
of students;
(c) planning
staggered class changes to decrease the number of students in the hallways at
one time;
(d) having
the same group of students stay with the same staff – all day for children in
prekindergarten through third grade, and as much as feasible for other
children; and
[(e) when
self-contained classrooms are not feasible, having teachers rotate, rather than
students];
(3) for
student gatherings:
(a) avoiding
large group gatherings, and abiding by the maximum number of people allowed to
congregate as defined by current statewide public health orders;
(b) [discouraging]
prohibiting the congregation of students in parking lots and common
areas;
(c) staggering
the schedules for group gatherings such as recess or meals;
(d) identifying
and utilizing large spaces, such as gymnasiums, auditoriums, and outdoor spaces
as weather permits for social distancing;
(e) working
with local officials and partners to identify other community spaces, such as
libraries, churches, recreational centers, and unused municipal offices or
conference rooms, in which classes can be convened with maximum social
distancing;
(f) following
the New Mexico activities association’s guidelines for extracurricular
activities and similar congregate events to the greatest extent possible;
(g) having
all coaches and student athletes tested for COVID-19 before the competitive
season, to the extent possible; and
(h) when
possible, holding professional development sessions and staff meetings
virtually or in small groups with maximum social distancing.
[6.12.14.10
NMAC – N/E, 12/3/2020, A/E, 1/29/2021]
6.12.14.11 LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND PUBLIC
SCHOOLS OPERATING UNDER THE FULL REENTRY OPERATING CATEGORY:
A. COVID-19
safe practices. Local school
districts and public schools in the hybrid operating category shall [consider
implementing] implement requirements for COVID-19 safety, including
requirements to:
(1) mandate
that all persons on school premises practice social distancing to the greatest
extent possible at all times;
(2) post
signs in classrooms, hallways, and entrances to communicate how to stop the
spread of COVID-19;
(3) establish
a protocol for students and staff who feel ill or experience symptoms when they
are at school;
(4) teach
and reinforce good hygiene measures, such as handwashing, covering coughs, and
appropriate use of face coverings;
(5) provide
hand soap, hand sanitizer with at least sixty percent alcohol, paper towels,
and no-touch trashcans in all bathrooms, classrooms, and other frequently
trafficked areas;
(6) require
students and staff to wear face coverings unless they have a valid medical
reason why they cannot;
(7) post
signs in classrooms, hallways, and entrances, to communicate how to stop the
spread of COVID-19;
(8) clean
and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at least daily, and frequently shared
objects after each use;
(9) provide
face [masks] coverings and other appropriate personal protective
equipment to staff;
(10) require
students and staff to wear face [masks] coverings unless a valid
medical reason is provided;
(11) allow
student and staff to bring hand sanitizer and face [masks] coverings
and shields from home;
(12) to
the extent possible, turn off water fountains and provide bottled water or
allow students and staff to bring bottled water from home;
(13) take
steps to ensure all water systems and features, including water fountains that
cannot be shut off, are safe;
(14) ensure
ventilation systems operate properly and increase the circulation of outdoor
air as much as possible without posing a safety or health risk to students or
staff; and
(15) conduct
deep cleaning of schools prior to students and staff returning, and schedule
additional cleanings during weekends and school holidays and breaks.
B. Entering school buildings. Local school districts and public schools in
the full reentry operating category shall consider practices for safely
entering school buildings, including:
(1) mandating
face [masks] coverings for all students and staff [,except
while eating or drinking or exercising, including exercise during recess, with
limited exceptions for students or staff that have medical reasons for not
being able to wear a mask] per department guidance and current statewide
public health orders;
(2) while
maintaining confidentiality, screening all staff daily before being permitted to
enter school buildings, including temperature checks and reviews of potential
symptoms;
(3) isolating
and sending home students and staff who register temperatures of greater than
100.4 degrees fahrenheit or 38 degrees celsius;
(4) working
with state and local health officials to have a plan for contact-tracing;
[(5) to the extent practicable, and while maintaining
confidentiality, screening all students for temperature before they enter
school buildings, and isolating and sending home those who register a
temperature of greater than 100.4 fahrenheit or 38
degrees celsius;]
[(6)] (5) restricting
non-essential school visitors and volunteers;
[(7)] (6) establishing a protocol for essential
visitors, including calling the front office before entering school premises
and requiring the use of face [masks] coverings;
[(8)] (7) avoiding large group gatherings;
[(9)] (8) marking spaced
lines to enter school buildings and designating entrance and exit flow paths;
[(10)] (9) establishing
a protocol for student drop-off and pick-up, such as staggered entry and
release by grade, class, or bus number, with marked spacing for pick-up;
[(11)] (10) posting signs in classrooms,
hallways, and entrances to communicate how to stop the spread of COVID-19; and
[(12)] (11) establishing a protocol for
students and staff who feel ill or experience symptoms when they come to
school.
C. Protecting high-risk students and staff. Local school districts and public schools in
the full reentry operating category shall:
(1) establish
a point of contact with the local health department;
(2) identify
local COVID-19 testing sites;
(3) provide
hand sanitizer of at least sixty percent alcohol content to students and staff;
(4) allow
high-risk students to complete coursework virtually;
(5) establish
a process for regular check-ins with high risk staff and students;
(6) allow
an early transition period for high-risk students to go to classes; and
(7) avoid
large group gatherings and interactions
D. Transportation of students. Local school districts and public schools in
the hybrid operating category shall consider practices for the safe
transportation of students, including:
(1) following
current department guidance; at the time of publication this includes
limiting students to [one] two students per bus seat to the best
of their ability, encouraging parents to drive their children to school when
possible, staggering bus routes, and expanding the minimum radius of
eligibility for bus service;
(2) when
not possible to limit students to [one] two per bus seat,
requiring students to sit in spaced and assigned seating of no more than two
per bus seat;
(3) assigning
bus attendants or other additional staff to help with safety and screening of
students, to the extent possible;
(4) providing
hand sanitizer for students, bus drivers, and bus attendants;
(5) providing
face [masks] coverings for bus drivers and attendants;
(6) requiring
students, bus drivers, and bus attendants to wear face [masks] coverings;
(7) screening
students, bus drivers, and bus attendants for symptoms of illness;
(8) eliminating
field trips and other non-essential travel, except for travel conducted under
New Mexico activities association guidelines for sports and extracurricular
activities;
(9) cleaning
and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces on school uses at least daily;
(10) establishing
protocols for bus stops and the loading and unloading of students to minimize
congregation of students from different households;
(11) airing
out buses not in use; and
(12) restricting
group transportation, including carpooling.
E. Meal service. Local school districts and public schools in
the full reentry operating category shall provide meals to high-risk students
participating in remote learning on a given day per remote guidelines,
according to Subsection C of Section 6.12.14.9 NMAC. Local school districts and
public schools in the full reentry operating category shall also consider
additional practices to promote COVID-19 safety for meal service, including:
(1) using
disposable plates and utensils;
(2) if
serving meals in the school cafeteria:
(a) marking
spaced lines to enter the cafeteria and serving lines, and designating entrance
and exit flow paths;
(b) scheduling
longer meal periods to accommodate more staggered meal delivery;
(c) maximizing
social distancing to space seating and utilizing outdoor seating as practicable
and appropriate; and
(d) conducting
cleaning of cafeterias and high-touch surfaces throughout the day;
(3) if
serving meals in classrooms:
(a) serving
pre-packaged boxed or bagged lunches for each student instead of traditional
serving lines; and
(b) avoiding
sharing of food an utensils.
F. Student movement and gathering. Local school districts and public schools in
the full reentry operating category shall consider practices to keep student
and student groups’ movements and gatherings safe, including:
(1) limiting
mixing among different student groups to the greatest extent practicable;
(2) for
class changes and other transitions throughout the day:
(a) providing
additional time to reach destinations;
(b) designating
flow paths in hallways to keep students separated and minimize the congregation
of students;
(c) planning
staggered class changes to decrease the number of students in the hallways at
one time;
(d) having
the same group of students stay with the same staff all day for children in prekindergarten
through third grade, and as much as feasible for other children; and
(e) when
self-contained classrooms are not feasible, having teachers rotate, rather than
students;
(3) for
student gatherings:
(a) avoiding
large group gatherings, and abiding by the maximum number of people allowed to
congregate as defined by current statewide public health orders;
(b) discouraging
the congregation of students in parking lots and common areas;
(c) staggering
the schedules for group gatherings such as recess or meals;
(d) identifying
and utilizing large spaces, such as gymnasiums, auditoriums, and outdoor spaces
– as weather permits – for social distancing;
(e) working
with local officials and partners to identify other community spaces, such as
libraries, churches, recreational centers, and unused municipal offices or
conference rooms, in which classes can be convened with maximum social
distancing;
(f) following
the New Mexico activities association’s guidelines for extracurricular
activities and similar congregate events to the greatest extent possible;
(g) having
all coaches and student athletes tested for COVID-19 before the competitive
season, to the extent possible; and
(h) when
possible, holding professional development sessions and staff meetings
virtually or in small groups with maximum social distancing.
[6.12.14.11
NMAC – N/E, 12/3/2020, A/E, 1/29/2021]