Health Screenings, Cleaning and Disinfecting

Information on this page is subject to change based on COVID-19 and direction from the Governor, Arizona Department of Health Services, and the Arizona Department of Education.


Before coming to school

• Parents should screen students for the symptoms below each morning, should self-report symptoms, and must keep students at home if one or more symptoms are present. Students will have the opportunity to make up work missed due to symptoms of COVID-19. 
• Students must not come to school if they exhibit any of the following symptoms:
  • fever of 100.4 degrees or higher, or chills; and
  • shortness of breath or difficulty breathing;
  • muscle aches;
  • sore throat;
  • headache;
  • fatigue;
  • congestion or runny nose;
  • cough;
  • vomiting; 
  • diarrhea; or 
  • new loss of taste or smell.

Note: Schools will not give out attendance awards for the duration of the COVID-19 health crisis. 

On the bus

• Students should not be sent to the bus stop if they are exhibiting the above symptoms.
• Face coverings shall be required on school buses, with the exception of students with medical conditions.
• Buses will be disinfected between each run during the day, and will undergo additional cleaning and disinfecting each night. 
• Students will load from back to front and unload from front to back in order to minimize contact.

At School

• Face coverings shall be required at school, with the exception of students with medical conditions. Face shields are an approved alternative to face masks or pull-overs. Face covers:
  • are not required while eating, recess, or outdoor activities
  • are required in classrooms and other common areas 
  • are required for all employees and visitors
  • Any student who has difficulty breathing or who is incapable of physically removing the face covering on his/her own will not wear cloth face coverings, and alternate methods of protection will be discussed by parents and staff. 
  • students are encouraged to bring their own face coverings in compliance with the dress code. Disposable masks will be available, if needed.
  • Masks should be made out of tightly woven fabric to minimize transmissions while talking, coughing, or sneezing.
• Temperature checks will be conducted daily for students and staff. Thermometers are provided in each classroom and front office. The process will be:
  • A staff member will visually check each student and take temperatures with a non-contact thermometer. Any student with visible symptoms of runny nose, cough, shortness of breath, or vomiting, or one who has a fever at or above 100.4 degrees, will go to the health office. 
  • The health office will use a document to evaluate student health. 
• Classrooms and offices will be provided with cleaning supplies to disinfect learning and high touch surfaces. 
• Hand sanitizer stations will be placed throughout each site.
• Each school will develop social distancing routines for traffic in hallways, which may include signage and floor markings.
• Teachers will arrange classroom furniture to maximize the distance between students.
• Students will continue outdoor recess activities. Playground equipment will be disinfected on a regular basis. Schools may limit the number of students accessing playground equipment.
• Lunch service will continue in the cafeterias.
  • Hand sanitizing stations will be placed at each cafeteria.
  • Cafeteria staff will keep as much distance as possible between students. Outdoor seating may be available.
  • All food will be wrapped or covered.  Beverage fountains at the high school level are not offered at this time.
  • Cafeteria staff will take steps to speed up lunch lines and use touchless checkout. 
  • Schools have developed procedures and schedules to help minimize the number of students in the cafeteria at one time.
• All bathrooms will remain open. Surfaces will be disinfected regularly throughout the day.
• Students will be reminded to wash hands throughout the school day.
• Students will not share school supplies.
• Air is purged from buildings and fresh outside air is brought in and cooled each morning. Air continues to be refreshed by 20% per hour throughout the day.
• Staff have been trained on health and safety protocols and the proper use of Personal Protective Equipment.
• School supplies will not be shared.
• Laptops will be assigned to students, not shared. Devices can be wiped down with damp (not wet) wipes to disinfect.
• Water fountains will be used only to refill water bottles.
• Signage to remind us of healthy habits, hygiene and social distancing.