Take a strategic approach to uncertain times.
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted NYS school district operations on almost every level from the immediate need for distance learning in the spring to meeting evolving disinfecting, social distancing, and other requirements to reopen in the fall.
The current conditions of a district's technology systems—including infrastructure, Communications, AV, and Security—will play a large part in determining how successfully these transformative challenges will be met. Explore the added demand that meeting COVID-19 restrictions may place on your district's technology systems (below). Our COVID19 K12 Tech Planning Kit (at right) provides a pro-active approach for Technology Directors to assess, plan, and manage the various technology systems effected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Select the graphic at right to learn more. |
Free COVID-19 Technology Planning Kit (template, sample and instructions)
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COVID-19-related content developed by Archi-Technology LLC and other organizations is not meant to override any guidance issued from the CDC, NYSED, NYSDOH or other governing bodies. Continue to consult the websites of these and other agencies for specific guidelines and regulations.
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After August 1, 2020, NYS school districts will close if their regional daily infection is greater than 9% over a 7-day average.
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Through July 31, 2020, NYS school districts can open if they are in a Region 4-designated area
and the regional daily infection rate remains 5% or lower over a 14-day average.
NYS School District Technology Systems affected by the current COVID-19 pandemic
NYS Education Department (NYSED) released its NYS Schools Reopening Master Guidance on July 16, 2020.
The expandable tabs below include many Master Guidance requirements that affect existing technology systems including core infrastructure (cable, pathways, spaces) and network connectivity. Other systems probably not in use like space planning software and thermal imaging are also included for school district Technology Directors and staff to consider for future planning. Refer to the Master Guidance source document for complete information.
The Affected Technology Systems and Effects on These Systems information is based on Archi-Technology's extensive experience working with upstate NY school districts for technology planning, project management, and documentation services. You can view a PDF with the complete list or use the expandable tabs below to learn about affected Technology Systems via each NYS Guidance category.
This information is provided to help NYS school districts develop their reopening plans to meet NYSED and community requirements based on local conditions.
The expandable tabs below include many Master Guidance requirements that affect existing technology systems including core infrastructure (cable, pathways, spaces) and network connectivity. Other systems probably not in use like space planning software and thermal imaging are also included for school district Technology Directors and staff to consider for future planning. Refer to the Master Guidance source document for complete information.
The Affected Technology Systems and Effects on These Systems information is based on Archi-Technology's extensive experience working with upstate NY school districts for technology planning, project management, and documentation services. You can view a PDF with the complete list or use the expandable tabs below to learn about affected Technology Systems via each NYS Guidance category.
This information is provided to help NYS school districts develop their reopening plans to meet NYSED and community requirements based on local conditions.
I. PEOPLE
A. Social Distancing and Face Covering
A. Social Distancing and Face Covering
Social Distancing​
Required: Must ensure 6’ of space in all directions between individuals or use of appropriate physical barriers between individuals that do not adversely affect air flow, heating, cooling, or ventilation.
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Effects on District Technology Systems
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Face Coverings
Required: Any time or place that individuals cannot maintain appropriate social distancing, individuals must wear acceptable face coverings.
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Effect on District Technology System
Digital signage can reinforce mask wearing and social distancing. |
Social Distancing for Certain Activities
Recommended: Should ensure 12’ in all directions is maintained between individuals while participating in activities requires projecting the voice (e.g., singing), playing a wind instrument, or aerobic activity resulting in heavy breathing (e.g., gym).
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Effect on District Technology System
Space planning software can facilitate group school space design that meets these specific social distancing requirements. |
Space Configurations
Recommended:
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Effects on District Technology Systems
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Schedules
Recommended: Should consider staggered arrival and pick-up times to facilitate proper social distancing, and assign lockers or other student storage areas by cohort or eliminate their use.
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Effects on District Technology Systems
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Signage
Required: Must post signs throughout the school and should regularly share similar messages with the community, regarding public health protections.
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Effect on District Technology System
Digital signage can be used for both reinforcing hygiene and social distancing as well as Mass Notification. |
B. Gatherings
Meals
Required: Must ensure social distancing between individuals while eating in cafeterias.
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Effects on District Technology Systems
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Small Spaces
Recommended: Should limit gathering in small spaces (e.g., elevators, offices) by more than one individual at a time, unless all individuals in such space at the same time are wearing acceptable face coverings or are members of the same household.
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Effects on District Technology Systems
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Faculty and Staff Meetings
Recommended: May consider choosing to use video or teleconferencing for faculty and staff meetings and conferences to reduce the density of congregations.
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Effects on District Technology Systems
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Ventilation
Recommended: Should increase ventilation with outdoor air to the greatest extent possible (e.g., opening windows and doors) while maintaining health and safety protocols.
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Effects on District Technology Systems
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Common Areas
Recommended:
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Effects on District Technology Systems
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C. Operational Activities
Cohorts
Recommended: Recommended to cohort students to the extent practicable to limit potential exposure.
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Effects on District Technology Systems
Contact Tracing systems may be used to monitor cohort exposures to other cohorts in the event a student tests positive for COVID-19. |
In-Person Instruction
Recommended: Should prepare for a combination of in-person instruction and remote learning to facilitate a phased-in approach or hybrid model, which may be necessary at various times throughout the 2020-2021 school year.
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Most or all of these systems may be needed to meet educational and public health needs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic:
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Effects on District Technology Systems
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Effects on District Technology Systems
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Recommended: To maximize in-person instruction, the district should consider measures that can be implemented to decrease density and congregation in school facilities and on school grounds, when possible, such as:
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D. Movement and Commerce
Student Drop-Off and Pick-Up
Should establish designated areas for student drop-off and pick-up, limiting contact and entry of parents/legal guardians into the building, to the greatest extent possible.
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Deliveries
Should establish designated areas for pickups and deliveries, limiting contact to the extent possible.
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Digital signage (exterior) with updated delivery instructions for vendors.
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Faculty/Staff Entrances and Exits
To the extent feasible, the district should limit on-site interactions (e.g., designating separate ingress or egress for faculty and staff, eliminating bidirectional flow of individuals to the extent practicable).
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Access Control to designate certain doors as entrances and others as exits.
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Shared Objects
Should put in place plans/measures to limit the sharing of objects, such as lockers, cubbies, laptops, etc.), as well as the touching of shared surfaces, such as conference tables and desks; or require students, faculty, and staff to perform hand hygiene before and after contact.
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Need for 1:1 devices to eliminate shared objects.
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II. PLACES
A. Personal Protective Equipment
A. Personal Protective Equipment
Face Coverings
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B. Hygiene, Cleaning and Disinfection
Hygiene
Required: Must ensure adherence to hygiene and cleaning and disinfection requirements as advised by the CDC and DOH.
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Work Order system with daily, weekly and monthly cleaning & disinfecting requirements and reporting (NYSED, DOH).
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Required: Must provide and maintain hand hygiene stations around the school.
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Work Order software w/daily, weekly and monthly cleaning & disinfecting requirements, inventory supply, and other requirements and reporting (NYSED, DOH).
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Cleaning and Disinfection
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Work Order software w/daily, weekly and monthly cleaning & disinfecting requirements, inventory supply, and other requirements and reporting (NYSED, DOH).
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Cleaning and Disinfection Following Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19 Case
Required:
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Work Order software w/daily, weekly and monthly cleaning & disinfecting requirements, inventory supply, and other requirements and reporting (NYSED, DOH).
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C. Coordination and Phased Reopening
Safety Coordinator
Required: Must designate a COVID 19 safety coordinator whose responsibilities include continuous compliance with all aspects of the school’s reopening plan as well as any phased-in reopening activities necessary to allow for operational issues to be resolved before activities return to normal or “new normal” levels.
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All technology systems are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Safety Coordinator ultimately needs to use existing technology systems to help manage, coordinate and monitor all district tasks to:
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D. Communications Plan
Communications Plan
Required:
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III. PROCESSES
A. Screening and Testing
A. Screening and Testing
Health Screening and Temperature Checks
Required: Must implement mandatory health screenings, including temperature checks, of students, faculty, staff, and, where applicable, contractors, vendors, and visitors to identify any individuals who may have COVID-19 or who may have been exposed to the COVID-19 virus.
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Required: Must use a daily screening questionnaire for faculty and staff reporting to school; and periodically use a questionnaire for students, particularly younger students, who may require the assistance of their parent/legal guardian to answer.
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Positive Screen Protocols
Required:
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B. School Health Offices
Testing systems
Recommended: May consider developing testing systems in school facilities or self testing systems in collaboration with local health departments or local health care providers, as able.
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N/A
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Protocols
Required: Must develop protocols for caring for a student, faculty, or staff member who develops COVID-19 symptoms during the school day. These protocols must include:
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C. Tracing and Tracking
Metrics
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Notification
Required: Must notify the state and local health department immediately upon being informed of any positive COVID-19 diagnostic test result by an individual in school facilities or on school grounds.
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Tracing Support
Required: In the case of an individual testing positive, the district must develop plans to support local health departments in tracing all contacts of the individual, in accordance with the protocols, training, and tools provided through the New York State Contact Tracing Program.
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Quarantine, Isolation, and Return to School
Required: Must ensure that reporting plans are in place for individuals who are alerted that they have come into close or proximate contact with a person with COVID-19, and have been alerted to such exposure via tracing, tracking or other mechanism.
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Archi-Technology's Service Delivery Area
Archi-Technology provides direct, onsite services to owners, architects and construction managers who are located in central and western New York State. Select the map to see a detailed view of the NYS counties served.
Organizations in eastern NYS can use our network of credentialed professionals who are certified by Archi-Technology to provide our proven technology services.
Organizations in eastern NYS can use our network of credentialed professionals who are certified by Archi-Technology to provide our proven technology services.
Free resources for your current or next technology project.