In the interest of remaining healthy and safe throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and pursuant to the policies regarding this matter that the Ministry of Education effected, OIA has developed its own COVID 19 Immunization
Policy.
AT OIA, we are an online, asynchronous school. Our students safely learn from home, online. We have developed a three pronged policy in terms of ensuring the health and safety of all our teachers, staff and essential school visitors.
1. Vaccination/Proof of Medical Reasoning – All Teachers and Staff must provide proof of full vaccination or proof of medical reasoning as to why they cannot vaccinate.
2a. Self Screening – At Home – All OIA Teachers and Staff self screen at home for any COVID, COVID like symptoms or cold symptoms .Any staff member or teacher who is under the weather, has any flu, cold or COVID symptoms is asked to stay home and seek testing and appropriate medical attention, if required.
2b. Self Screening – Upon Arrival at OIA – All teachers and staff must self-screen every day before attending school using the school and child care screening tool at the link provided through Ontario Ministry of Health – https://covid-19.ontario.ca/
school-screening/. This is the first order of business upon arrival on school premises. 3. Daily Screening Checks – The Principal or her designate, is responsible for ensuring all staff, teachers and essential school visitors, have completed and passed their daily COVID-19 self screening. All screenings are documented and kept on file for a one year period. Any staff or teacher who does not pass the on-site screening procedures will be asked to return home and self-isolate, until they meet the criteria for return to work.Additional Daily OIA COVID 19 Protective Strategies:Signs are posted at school entrances to remind staff, teachers and essential visitors of screening requirements. All visitors to the school are asked to complete the onsite screening in order to ensure contact tracing as well as the safety and good health of all staff, teachers and visitors to OIA.All staff, teachers and essential visitors to OIA, who are experiencing new or worsening symptoms consistent with COVID-19, must not attend school and instead should seek appropriate medical attention as required, including getting tested for COVID-19.Staff, teachers and/or essential visitors to OIA feeling sick should remain at home while waiting for the test results.If a symptomatic individual tests positive for , they should continue to remain in isolation at home and follow the directions of their local public health unit.Hand Hygiene – Appropriate hand hygiene is one of the most important protective strategies against COVID 19. At OIA, every classroom, office, in every common area, alcohol based hand rub is made available to staff, teachers and essential visitors to the school. To that end, staff and teachers use the provided hand sanitizers several times daily and on a constant basis.Masks – All staff and teachers are provided disposable medical masks for use in OIA. That stated, all teachers and staff have their own fabric masks as well, for use within OIA. Disposable masks are available at the front desk upon arrival in the school.All essential visitors to the school are asked to use the hand sanitizer and to mask up upon arrival at the school.Physical Distancing – Physical distancing is promoted within OIA. This policy is supplemented with other Public Health Measures supported by health and safety strategies such as screening, adapted school environment, hand hygiene, enhanced cleaning and masking.Cleaning Protocol at OIA – OIA has developed a cleaning and disinfecting policy under the guidance of Public Health. Existing cleaning policies have been enhanced, including frequency and timing of cleaning and disinfecting, areas to clean and/or disinfect, choice of cleaning products, and staffing signage.High Touch Surfaces – cleaning and disinfection occurs three times daily, however more frequent cleaning and disinfection is completed when it is necessary, as in the case of the Recording Studio, countertops, doorknobs, light switches, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, touch screens, push buttons, computers, and photocopiers.Privacy – Furthermore, health is a topic that is private and personal, and unless publicly shared by the individual, one cannot delve into one’s personal health situation without prior consent. OIA will abide by the rules regarding this issue, while ensuring that the school remains safe and a healthy place to work in.
