HCCS Focus on Campus

To ensure equity in education, HCCS has prioritized efforts to return all students to in-person instruction five days a week for all grades. To ensure continuity of education, HCCS will not offer individual options for hybrid or remote education but will reserve these instructional models as potential interventions as necessary. See Academic Plan below for more details by school.

HCCS will resume programming classes by grade or subject matter with a basic practice for K-6 which will maintain largely self-contained classes of approximately 25 students throughout the day and will minimize intermixing of classes. HCCS will program grades 7-8 in travel classes, as was done pre-pandemic. The academic programming for older students in grades 9-12 phases out travel class structures to support the academic needs of the school. We will use cohorting practices when necessary.

Elementary students in Grades K-6 will return to school 5 days a week at the 94th Street campus for full day, in-person instruction.

• Core academic curriculum will be offered in-person to students with adaptations to labs, performances and activities as required in accordance with best practices of K-12 guidance.
• Class size will be established in accordance with room capacity limits.
• Curriculum planning will incorporate instruction in social emotional skill building and nurture well-being and resilience supports.
• The Campus Schools administration and faculty will develop schedules to coordinate hall traffic planning to lunch and recess between the schools to minimize the number students using hallways.
• The Elementary Administration will return to full access of NYC DOE School Foods program and resume designated eating schedules in the cafeteria.
• The daily schedule will continue to utilize outdoor opportunities in the 94th Street courtyard, NYC Open Streets Program and public parks [if possible] for student use during recess, classes and other activities as the weather permits.

High School students in Grades 7-12 will return to school 5 days a week at 94th Street campus for full day, in-person instruction.

• Core academic curriculum will be offered in-person to students with adaptations to labs, performances and activities as required by discipline in accordance with best practices of K-12 guidance.
• Class size will be established in accordance with room capacity limits.
• The Campus Schools administration and faculty will develop schedules to coordinate hall traffic planning to lunch and breaks between the schools to minimize the number students using hallways.
• For students in grades 11-12, HCHS remains committed to offering a full range of the elective course offerings. Lab and performance-based classes will modify activities to reflect best practices in accepted health and safety precautions.
• Guidance counseling and college advising programs may use a mix of in-person and virtual formats. Individual counseling sessions may meet in-person while observing room capacity limits and physical distancing.
• During the school day, emergency counseling services will be available.
• Students will be encouraged to utilize outdoor opportunities in the 94th Street courtyard, NYC Open Streets Program, and public parks [if possible] for student use during recess, classes and other activities as the weather permits.
• HCHS will resume the open campus policy for students in grades 7-12 during lunch and free periods.
• HCHS will resume full use of designated communal eating spaces.
  • Students will be able to get lunch from the DOE School Foods Grab and Go program or bring lunch from home. See FOOD SERVICES section for more information.

HCCS will provide Physical Education in accordance with the New York State adaptation of the Physical Education standards in light of COVID-19, through a combination of classroom, outdoor and remote activities, specific to their grade levels.

Hunter College Campus Schools resumed High School Athletics through the Public School Athletic League (PSAL) following their Health Guidance, with the following adaptations to comply with State and CUNY guidelines:

On August 20, 2021, the PSAL announced that Covid-19 vaccination will be required for all students and staff participating in high-risk Public Schools Athletic League (PSAL) sports this year. HCCS will require PSAL participants to be vaccinated to play on HCHS teams.

Hunter College will continue to adopt the new PSAL guidelines modified to include any additional CUNY guidance.

HCCS shall resume both programs and extracurricular activities within school hours and within room occupancy limits.

Elementary parents may, as in previous years, bring their child for supervised care from 8:00-8:20 AM in the courtyard (weather permitting) or in appropriately socially distanced assembly spaces under adult supervision.

The HCES after care program, Hawk’s Nest, will reopen with a mix of online and in-person programming in accordance with room occupancy limits and, weather permitting, utilizing outdoor courtyard activity. The aftercare program will be prepared to pivot to a remote format if required by health conditions.

Students who are at increased risk for severe COVID-19 illness and cannot attend school in-person may use the DOE resource Home Instruction.

Vulnerable students will be carefully programmed to address the students’ health or IESP plan accommodations. Seating and technology support for hearing assisted students will be provided as per CSE requirements. HCCS, through special education liaisons, will work with families to ensure full access to accommodations while minimizing exposure risk for students to the greatest extent possible.

Employees who believe their disability requires an adjustment or modification to their job because of COVID-19, can apply for a reasonable accommodation. Requests for reasonable accommodations will be evaluated for employees with eligible health concerns.

The Office of School Health (OSH) has its own protocol for treating asthma. Currently, there are no nebulizer or suctioning orders, and should one be received, it will be addressed in consultation with the parent/guardian and all standards for ventilation and PPE will be met. The DOHMH provides fit tests for the school nurse.

A full range of in-person and virtual supports are available for HCCS students through regular services of the School Psychologist, Learning Specialists and Guidance Counselors.

HCCS counseling and K-12 Psychologist will continue to provide ongoing support for the development of coping and resilience skills for students, faculty and staff through the counseling newsletters and ongoing wellness initiatives. Faculty and staff will be provided regular reminders of resources available through EAP.

NYCDOH provides school nursing services to the Campus Schools at the 94th Street campus.

The NYC Office of Food and Nutrition Services has resumed full-service with both cold Grab and Go and hot meals at no cost to all students on campus according to their program offerings. Further information can be obtained by contacting the appropriate assistant principal for each school.

Meals will be scheduled by grade in both the ES and HS.

Students shall wash hands or use hand sanitizing stations before and after eating.

Sharing of food and beverage will be discouraged.

Students will be expected to clear their eating area before leaving the space and the entrance of the next group of students. Eating areas will be cleaned and disinfected prior to the next group of students arriving for meals.

Hunter College Elementary School (K-6) is a nut-free school. For Hunter College High School, the medical status of students with food allergies will be reviewed and measures to protect students – such as signage, oversight, and where possible schedule – will be incorporated.

Students at HCCS access transportation options through the DOE Office of Pupil Transportation (OPT) and in some cases, through private bus companies provided through family support. OPT is responsible for providing transit guidance and safety planning from the approved vendor to HCCS which will be made available to participating families.

Consistent with State-issued public transit guidance, the HCCS Director will support protocols and procedures, which include that individuals must wear acceptable face coverings at all times on school buses, and that individuals should maintain appropriate physical distancing, unless they are members of the same household.

HCCS encourages parents/legal guardians to drop off or walk students to school to reduce density on buses or consider other private transportation options. HCCS is working with Hunter College and the ES and HS parent organizations to assist families in their planning as they consider transportation options.

Hunter College Campus Schools shall resume all workplace activities. All faculty and staff offices will be open.

Academic and Administrative Offices

Academic and administrative offices will be open and meetings and social gatherings, including faculty meetings may be in-person.

Eating

Unvaccinated individuals may briefly remove their face coverings during meals while maintaining proper physical distancing and may remain at their desks or go to a designated dining space.

Shared food and beverages among employees (e.g., self-serve meals and beverages) is prohibited.

Responsible Parties

The Coronavirus Campus Co-Coordinators, Lisa Siegmann and Galia Galansky shall be responsible for developing the plan, affirming to having read and adhere to this guidance, and meeting the standards set forth therein. The Coronavirus Campus Liaison Office, shall be responsible for all monitoring activities.

PPE and Face Coverings

The Coronavirus Campus Coordinator must maintain protocols and procedures for students, faculty, staff, and other individuals to ensure appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is used to protect against the transmission of the COVID-19 virus when on school grounds and in school facilities.

Due to the low levels of COVID-19 in New York City, the CDC no longer recommends and New York State no longer has a universal indoor mask mandate. CUNY has therefore lifted its temporary mask mandate.

Anyone who would like to continue wearing masks in any setting is welcome to do so at any time. Masks will continue to be available on campus and offices.

While the CDC is not requiring people to wear a mask in communities that have low or medium COVID-19 levels, faculty, staff and students who are still not vaccinated, or those who have been or will be granted a medical exemption or religious exception, are urged to continue to wear a mask. Mask requirements associated with isolation and quarantine as referenced later in these guidelines remain in effect.

Those who choose to wear a mask should continue to follow CDC guidance on acceptable face coverings.

Note, campuses may still require employees to wear protective PPE masks due to the nature of their work. Employers must comply with all applicable OSHA standards.

Hygiene, Cleaning and Disinfection

HCCS will adhere to and promote hygiene, cleaning, and disinfection guidance set forth by NYDOH and the CDC. HCCS will train all students, faculty, and staff on proper hand and respiratory hygiene. HCCS will maintain logs that include the date, time, and scope of cleaning and disinfection, as well as identifying cleaning and disinfection frequency for each facility and area type and assign responsibility to staff.

HCCS custodial staff will be providing cleaning and disinfection services to all classrooms, restrooms, cafeterias, libraries, and public spaces on a regular schedule. Public spaces include, but are not limited to the entry, exit, stairs, elevators, restrooms, corridors, and shared public spaces.

• Cleaning services include the removal of trash, sweeping, dusting, and mopping. This will be completed at least once per day in the public spaces.
• Disinfection services include the disinfection of high touch surfaces in public spaces using an EPA approved quaternary cleaner. Services are scheduled multiple times per day up to once an hour in high traffic areas, such as elevators and entrances.

All high touch surfaces, including sinks, faucets, stall handles, toilet bowl seats and door handles will be sprayed with EPA approved quaternary cleaner.

Custodial assistants and custodial supervisors will log the completion of cleaning and disinfection services. The administrative superintendent responsible for custodial services will review and confirm the accuracy of the log daily. The log will be maintained by Facilities.

Hand-washing with soap and water for 20 seconds or use of hand sanitizer immediately upon arrival is mandatory for everyone and frequent hand-washing during the day is strongly encouraged to reduce contact transmission.

Hand sanitizer dispensers will be installed in public areas and in areas deemed to be high touch, such as elevators and door handles. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to use hand sanitizing stations before and after using high-touch facilities.

Water fountain stations will be reconfigured to bottle refilling stations. Students, faculty and staff will be encouraged to bring their own water bottles or use disposable cups.

Students, faculty, and staff will return for 100% in-person school operations.

HCCS may also be occupied by authorized Hunter College personnel, visitors and/or approved rental clients as capacity permits.

Occupants in such spaces will be permitted to use all public spaces, such as building entry/exit, lobby, corridors, and restrooms, and are subject to all requirements of the HCCS safety plan when in these areas.

When necessary to avoid congestion and overlap with HCCS students and staff, Hunter College users shall enter and exit at staggered times. Occupants in such spaces shall be subject to all requirements of the Hunter College safety plan, including the protocols for screening.

Occupants entering the HCCS building shall enter through the designated primary entrance at 94th Street. Physical distancing shall be maintained at the entry and lobby area, as indicated by signage.

To minimize contact, occupants should physically distance when possible, following signage in each building for designated paths of travel, cuing locations, and using the elevator.

Corridors shall be kept clean, orderly, and clear in compliance with FDNY and NY State law. Only non-flammable materials can be stored in hallways in designated areas. Passageways must be kept totally clear at all times, as not to obstruct emergency personnel and persons evacuating the building. Additionally, corridors shall be kept clear so custodial staff are able to clean, sanitize, and disinfect the floors on a regular basis.

Invited guests may come to campus within capacity guidelines and following all the general guidelines. Vendors and essential visitors are allowed by appointment only to conduct essential repairs or by administratively approved request. Public Safety will be responsible for enforcing the code of conduct on campus and maintaining a log of those essential visitors expected to enter the building.

Shipping and receiving is operational and arrangements can be made for pick-up and delivery of necessary supplies, limiting contact to the extent possible.

Visitors, including vendors, essential visitors, and invited guests are allowed by appointment or RSVP only. Request for vendor services or visitors should be sent to HCCS Public Safety. Anyone entering the college campus must show proof of vaccination or a valid negative COVID test. Public Safety will be responsible for informing all visitors of the code of conduct on campus, for maintaining a log of essential visitors expected to enter the site, and for coordinating screening.

Request for vendor services or visitors should be sent to HCHS or HCES Administration to process with Public Safety at least 48 hours prior to arriving on campus. Please provide names and email addresses of each visitor. Visitors will receive an email with a link to upload proof of vaccination or a valid negative PCR COVID test taken within 7-days prior to their visit Upon approval, visitors will receive an email or text message providing a BluePass to enter the campus.

Visitors who are on campus for 30 minutes or less per visit do not have to comply with any COVID-19 vaccination or surveillance testing requirements applicable to CUNY staff unless the visitor expects during that time to be less than 6 feet distant of another person for a total of 15 minutes or more. Visitors under the age of 5 are subject to policy in general guidelines. Shipping and receiving is operational and arrangements can be made for pick-up and delivery of necessary supplies.

All interior spaces at the 94th Street campus have been thoroughly cleaned. Existing light fixtures have been opened, cleaned and dusted. All existing ventilation grilles have been cleaned. All floor finishes have been stripped and a polymer floor finish has been applied and all carpets have been extracted. All furniture and desks were cleaned.

Hunter Facilities Operations has modified building ventilation systems to maximize the use of outside air and reduce the amount of recirculated air to the extent that we can maintain reasonable building comfort levels. The College will employ enhanced particulate filtering, where possible, in all classrooms and communal spaces. The College will run building ventilation 24 hours per day to increase airflow wherever possible.

Hunter College Facilities shall maximize the use of outside air and reduce the amount of recirculated air to the extent that is reasonable.

In high-occupancy, high-frequency used spaces, such as classrooms and shared offices:

Where windows are the means for introducing outside air, windows should be opened when the room is in use.

Where mechanical ventilation is the means for introducing outside air, enhanced particulate filtration system (MERV-13 Filter) has been installed.

HCCS will run mechanical ventilation, where located, 24 hours per day to increase airflow wherever possible, weather permitting.

Faculty, Staff and Visitors planning to come to a CUNY campus or office for any reason or length of time who are eligible to be vaccinated will be required to be fully vaccinated or possess an up-to-date, valid negative COVID-19 test.

Faculty and Staff

In compliance with a public policy directive issued by Governor Hochul on December 31, all full- and part-time faculty, all non-teaching instructional staff (which includes, among others, NTAs, CLTs and those in the HEO series), and personnel in the Executive Compensation Plan, are required to be fully vaccinated (two dose Pfizer or Moderna regimen, or 1 dose J&J) in order to remain employed by the University, except if a medical exemption, religious exception or reasonable accommodation has been granted.

Proof of vaccination must be uploaded into CUNYfirst by no later than April 1, 2022. Regardless of mandate, faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated and receive vaccine boosters, once eligible.

Booster Shot

CUNY strongly encourages every member of our community — students, faculty, and staff — to get the booster shot as soon as they become eligible. The booster shot provides additional protection against COVID-19 and its variants.

Eligibility for a Pfizer and Moderna booster begins 5 months after the second shot and for Johnson & Johnson, two months after the single shot. The CDC recommends the Pfizer or Moderna boosters in most situations no matter the original vaccine. Students 17 or younger can only get the Pfizer booster. To find a free booster site close to you, visit here or here.

Health Screening

Before sending a child to school, families are expected to check the student’s temperature and monitor for illness. If any individual presents a temperature of greater than 100ºF or is ill, the student should stay home.

The HCCS School Nurse or qualified screener may perform on-site screening. Screeners will be provided with PPE including, at minimum, an acceptable face covering or mask and disposable gloves.

Testing

CUNY is expanding testing for the safety and convenience of the CUNY community, creating a robust testing program using various testing models, some new and some expansions of existing efforts.

• In SY 22-23, HCCS will no longer conduct weekly testing in alignment with NYC K-12 practices.
• At-home COVID-19 testing kits will be distributed following potential exposure and in certain additional circumstances. Families are encouraged to use these tests to monitor their child’s health.
• Overall random testing of faculty and non-matriculated Hunter College students continues. Participation in the random surveillance testing is mandatory and failure to participate will result in the removal of the individual’s Cleared4 access pass to CUNY spaces.

Faculty and non-matriculated Hunter College students, please monitor your email, including your spam folder, for notifications from Cleared4. Please note: if you are selected for random testing, you will need to be tested within the week you receive the email.

• More information on CUNY testing locations and hours can be found here.

• If you test positive at a CUNY site, our Coronavirus Liaison will be notified and will be in touch with instructions. If you test positive at a non-CUNY site, please write an email to COVIDhub@hunter.cuny.edu and you will be contacted with guidance about isolation protocols.

• It is important to note that if you have tested positive within the past 90 days, you will be exempt from the random testing requirement. Similarly, if you do not plan to be on campus this semester for any reason, you may be exempt. Please contact COVIDhub@hunter.cuny.edu for more information.

Campus Access

Vaccinated HCCS students may voluntarily upload proof of vaccination. Student vaccination information is emailed to ev51@hccs.hunter.cuny.edu. PSC represented faculty and staff as well as non-matriculated HCHS/ Hunter College students must upload vaccination information to CUNYFirst. All vaccinated faculty, staff and non-matriculated HCHS/Hunter College students will still need to participate in the random testing program. Accepted vaccination proof will activate ID card for expedited entry to campus, allowing individuals to enter through any available building entrance. Valid negative test results from the CUNY mandatory testing program will activate ID cards for 7 days. ID Cards will be deactivated for anyone who tests positive for COVID and will be reinstated once the individual has been cleared to return to campus.

Metrics and Early Warning Signs

Hunter will monitor NYS COVID-19 infection rate metrics and local testing metrics that will determine the need to scale back or shut down campus operations. The college is prepared to use these metrics to detect early warnings of an infection surge and has a shutdown plan in place to respond rapidly, if necessary, following the Reclosing Protocols: CUNY’s Guide for Safely Closing On-Campus Operations.

CUNY will continue to monitor campus infection rates. CUNY Central Office will consult with campus leadership to determine the best course of action for scaling back campus activity. Final decisions on shutting down particular buildings/areas within campuses, individual campuses, or multiple campuses, as appropriate, will be made by the Chancellery/COO’s Office in consultation with local/State authorities.

In addition, CUNY and campuses will continue to monitor community spread and adhere to CDC guidance in determining any additional safety protocols required for safe, in-person operations.

Contact Tracing

Contact tracing with students, faculty, and staff associated with the campus helps reduce further transmission once a case is identified. CUNY will continue to aid in the identification of exposures, and notify close contacts, as appropriate, of exposure as soon as possible after being notified that someone in the campus has tested positive or been diagnosed with COVID-19.

Students/parents are responsible for entering close contact information in the HCCS database.  HS students are responsible for notifying contacts; ES parents will be notified by HCES of a positive case in a class.

CDC Guidance that CUNY and Campuses will continue to follow:

• Campuses should ensure timely reporting of COVID-19 cases to the NYC and NYS to aid in any investigations, and plan to provide information and records to aid in the identification of exposures.
• Campuses may prioritize their case investigation and contact tracing per the CDC and NYS guidance below.
• Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 or have COVID-19 symptoms should isolate and notify their close contacts that they may have been exposed to COVID-19 and refer close contacts to the state or local health department website to learn about the steps they should take because of the exposure.

School Health Offices

Any student who is feeling sick during the school day should be directed to the school health office and receive on-site screening of their symptoms. School health offices will be provided with appropriate PPE to care for symptomatic individuals.

Symptomatic Individuals

Students presenting with COVID-19 symptoms shall immediately be separated from other students until their parent/legal guardian or emergency contact can retrieve them from school. Parents or legal guardians will be notified to pick up a student presenting with symptoms and receive instructions that the student must be seen by a health care provider. Faculty or staff who develop symptoms while on premises will be directed to leave the premises safely and seek appropriate healthcare. Such individuals will be directed to the school’s website for information on healthcare and testing resources.

Quarantine and Isolation

Hunter follows the CDC guidance on isolation and quarantine.

All individuals should follow the CDC domestic travel recommendations and international travel recommendations.

HCCS will communicate with students, parents/legal guardians, faculty and staff through email and the COVID-19 website. Updates will be posted regularly, and all are encouraged to visit the website to access planning, training, and health and safety management resources.

A robust signage program has been developed for students, faculty, staff and visitors to communicate instructions on-site for safe practices. Additional public service announcements will be posted on digital screens throughout the campus and via existing PA systems.

The School’s Focus on Campus Plan shall be conspicuously posted at the school at the Public Safety desk and on the school’s website for faculty, staff, students, and parents/legal guardians to access.

While every effort will be made to keep the campus safe, Hunter College is prepared to act and communicate quickly in the event of large-spread community contagion that necessitates a rapid shutdown of the campus.

All communications will happen in close coordination with CUNY and state and local agencies, led by the Director’s email communication with faculty, parents/guardians, students and staff informing the details of the shutdown and impact to instructional plans and building operations.

In the case of an emergency, Hunter would trigger the CUNY Alert and HCCS SMS systems to send messages to all registered users at their preferred mobile and/or email addresses. Returning and new employees and students will be reminded to update their contact information. Alerts and Updates to the Focus on Campus Plan will be featured in a high-profile banner on every page of the Hunter College website with links to more details, including timely messages, necessary information and resources, from the Director to faculty, students, parents/guardians, and staff. Hunter staff will share information with respective essential visitors and service providers.

Should any member of the HCCS community, including vendors and essential visitors, fail to receive any outreach and arrive on campus, public safety officers will guide them to the safest departure possible.

Hunter College will follow thresholds set by CUNY, NYSDOH, and the CDC and will work in close communication to understand what community and local metrics trigger closure and shutdown.

Essential employees have remained on campus throughout the NYS Pause and NY Forward reopening phases. These employees have been provided with PPE specific to their line of work. Such determinations have been made by Hunter’s Office of Environmental Health and Safety under the applicable State, City, and CUNY guidance. All employees receiving masks and gloves have been trained in donning and doffing and communication has been given by their supervisors to follow physical distancing guidelines and observe hygiene, cleaning, and disinfecting protocols. Human Resources has managed notification and contact tracing for anyone reporting suspicion of COVID-19 exposure or a positive COVID-19 diagnosis. The College has followed protocols for shutting down the building, or portions of the building as needed, for deep cleaning and safe reopening.

Essential workers will receive equitable treatment in the protections afforded to faculty, staff, and students.