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The Experience of 2 Independent Schools with In-Person Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic

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Title: The Experience of 2 Independent Schools with In-Person Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Language: English
Authors: Gillespie, Darria L., Meyers, Lauren A., Lachmann, Michael, Redd, Stephen C., Zenilman, Jonathan M. (ORCID 0000-0003-0244-6973)
Source: Journal of School Health. May 2021 91(5):347-355.
Availability: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 9
Publication Date: 2021
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education
Secondary Education
Descriptors: Private Schools, Elementary School Students, Secondary School Students, School Personnel, COVID-19, Pandemics, Diagnostic Tests, Disease Control, Sanitation, Risk Management, School Safety, Educational Environment, Children
DOI: 10.1111/josh.13008
ISSN: 0022-4391
Abstract: Background: In 2020, US schools closed due to SARS-CoV-2 but their role in transmission was unknown. In fall 2020, national guidance for reopening omitted testing or screening recommendations. We report the experience of 2 large independent K-12 schools (School-A and School-B) that implemented an array of SARS-CoV-2 mitigation strategies that included periodic universal testing. Methods: SARS-CoV-2 was identified through periodic universal PCR testing, self-reporting of tests conducted outside school, and contact tracing. Schools implemented behavioral and structural mitigation measures, including mandatory masks, classroom disinfecting, and social distancing. Results: Over the fall semester, School-A identified 112 cases in 2320 students and staff; School-B identified 25 cases (2.0%) in 1400 students and staff. Most cases were asymptomatic and none required hospitalization. Of 69 traceable introductions, 63 (91%) were not associated with school-based transmission, 59 cases (54%) occurred in the 2 weeks post-thanksgiving. In 6/7 clusters, clear noncompliance with mitigation protocols was found. The largest outbreak had 28 identified cases and was traced to an off-campus party. There was no transmission from students to staff. Conclusions: Although school-age children can contract and transmit SARS-CoV-2, rates of COVID-19 infection related to in-person education were significantly lower than those in the surrounding community. However, social activities among students outside of school undermined those measures and should be discouraged, perhaps with behavioral contracts, to ensure the safety of school communities. In addition, introduction risks were highest following extended school breaks. These risks may be mitigated with voluntary quarantines and surveillance testing prior to reopening.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2021
Accession Number: EJ1290509
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: The Experience of 2 Independent Schools with In-Person Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic
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  Data: English
– Name: Author
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Gillespie%2C+Darria+L%2E%22">Gillespie, Darria L.</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Meyers%2C+Lauren+A%2E%22">Meyers, Lauren A.</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Lachmann%2C+Michael%22">Lachmann, Michael</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Redd%2C+Stephen+C%2E%22">Redd, Stephen C.</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Zenilman%2C+Jonathan+M%2E%22">Zenilman, Jonathan M.</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0244-6973">0000-0003-0244-6973</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+School+Health%22"><i>Journal of School Health</i></searchLink>. May 2021 91(5):347-355.
– Name: Avail
  Label: Availability
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  Data: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
– Name: PeerReviewed
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  Data: Y
– Name: Pages
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  Data: 9
– Name: DatePubCY
  Label: Publication Date
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  Data: 2021
– Name: TypeDocument
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  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Elementary+Education%22">Elementary Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Secondary+Education%22">Secondary Education</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Private+Schools%22">Private Schools</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Elementary+School+Students%22">Elementary School Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Secondary+School+Students%22">Secondary School Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22School+Personnel%22">School Personnel</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22COVID-19%22">COVID-19</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Pandemics%22">Pandemics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Diagnostic+Tests%22">Diagnostic Tests</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Disease+Control%22">Disease Control</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Sanitation%22">Sanitation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Risk+Management%22">Risk Management</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22School+Safety%22">School Safety</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Environment%22">Educational Environment</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Children%22">Children</searchLink>
– Name: DOI
  Label: DOI
  Group: ID
  Data: 10.1111/josh.13008
– Name: ISSN
  Label: ISSN
  Group: ISSN
  Data: 0022-4391
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Background: In 2020, US schools closed due to SARS-CoV-2 but their role in transmission was unknown. In fall 2020, national guidance for reopening omitted testing or screening recommendations. We report the experience of 2 large independent K-12 schools (School-A and School-B) that implemented an array of SARS-CoV-2 mitigation strategies that included periodic universal testing. Methods: SARS-CoV-2 was identified through periodic universal PCR testing, self-reporting of tests conducted outside school, and contact tracing. Schools implemented behavioral and structural mitigation measures, including mandatory masks, classroom disinfecting, and social distancing. Results: Over the fall semester, School-A identified 112 cases in 2320 students and staff; School-B identified 25 cases (2.0%) in 1400 students and staff. Most cases were asymptomatic and none required hospitalization. Of 69 traceable introductions, 63 (91%) were not associated with school-based transmission, 59 cases (54%) occurred in the 2 weeks post-thanksgiving. In 6/7 clusters, clear noncompliance with mitigation protocols was found. The largest outbreak had 28 identified cases and was traced to an off-campus party. There was no transmission from students to staff. Conclusions: Although school-age children can contract and transmit SARS-CoV-2, rates of COVID-19 infection related to in-person education were significantly lower than those in the surrounding community. However, social activities among students outside of school undermined those measures and should be discouraged, perhaps with behavioral contracts, to ensure the safety of school communities. In addition, introduction risks were highest following extended school breaks. These risks may be mitigated with voluntary quarantines and surveillance testing prior to reopening.
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  Data: 2021
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  Data: EJ1290509
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        Value: 10.1111/josh.13008
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 9
        StartPage: 347
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Private Schools
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Elementary School Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Secondary School Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: School Personnel
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      – SubjectFull: COVID-19
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      – SubjectFull: Pandemics
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      – SubjectFull: Diagnostic Tests
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      – SubjectFull: Disease Control
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      – SubjectFull: Sanitation
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      – SubjectFull: Risk Management
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      – SubjectFull: School Safety
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      – SubjectFull: Educational Environment
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      – TitleFull: The Experience of 2 Independent Schools with In-Person Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic
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