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Lincoln Elementary School

Coronavirus Preventative Steps for School Staff and FAQ

Person sneezing into tissue

COVID-19 (coronavirus) Preventative Steps for School Staff and FAQ

The health, safety, and well-being of our students and staff are our top priorities. As the COVID-19 (coronavirus) continues to make headlines, it is important that our district take action to prevent the potential spread of the virus. We have outlined steps the district is currently taking to aid in the prevention of the illness and ways you can help. We have also provided some answers to some commonly asked questions about student absences and potential closures below.

It’s everyone’s responsibility to ensure our schools are safe and healthy environments. We’re asking for your help and cooperation as we work together to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. 

For your protection and safety, please continue to follow everyday best practices to help prevent and slow the spread of respiratory diseases while at home and at school, including:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. THIS IS THE NUMBER ONE WAY TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF COVID-19
  • Avoid close contact with people who are coughing/sneezing.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% isopropyl alcohol. 

What are we doing to lessen the potential spread?
WSD Maintenance and Operations Department has ordered additional pump sprayers and Virex, an ammonium-based disinfectant cleaner for use in classrooms. Custodial staff will be using these sprayers to apply a fine mist of Virex to classroom surfaces this week. Virex bottles will be made available to all classrooms by the middle of next week. At that time, staff will be asked to continue to disinfect their classrooms with Virex to allow our custodial staff to return to providing regular classroom cleaning care services.

How do I use Virex?
Staff are asked to spray a fine mist of Virex on classroom surfaces (desks, counters, door handles etc.,) at least twice a day while students are not present (ideally before and after school). The product does not need to be wiped away and takes 10 minutes to air dry. Do not saturate surfaces. Virex is safe to apply to all soft and hard surfaces. Gloves should be used when applying Virex and are available from custodial staff. All bottles of Virex will be appropriately labeled with safety warnings.

Bus drivers will also be provided with Virex to use in their busses.

Questions regarding the use of Virex can be directed to your building custodial staff or to the WSD Maintenance and Operations Department at (509) 633-0555.

How do I request additional supplies?
If you notice that soap, paper towels or disinfecting supplies are running low in bathrooms or classrooms please contact custodial staff or the WSD Maintenance and Operations Department at (509) 633-0555.

How do we handle student absences?
Should families choose to keep their students home due to illness or out of concern around this emerging situation, this will be considered an excused absence and all student work will be allowed to be made up.

When would the District decide to close a school(s)?
In the event that a school(s) closure is deemed necessary by the Washington State Department of Health and Chelan-County Health District, the Wenatchee School District would notify staff and families in the same way that we would handle a weather closure or emergency alert (email, phone call and posted on our website). Any days that school is closed would need to be made up at the end of the school year or under the direction of the State. 

Where can I go for more information on COVID-19? 
The Washington State Department of Health has established a hotline with a live person to address questions from the public. If you have questions about what is happening in Washington state, how the virus is spread, and what to do if you have symptoms, please call the WSDOH hotline at 1-800-525-0127 and press # then press 2. You will be connected to a live person. This hotline is open from 6:00 am until 10:00 pm.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
Washington State Department of Health

Stay current by visiting our updates page 


 

Upcoming Events

April 1

Spring Break (No School)

Start: Apr 1, 2024 End: Apr 5, 2024

Multi-Day Event

April 9

Board Meeting

6:00 PM

April 15

Board Workshop

1:00 PM

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