safety precautions taken by ichs
In addition to asking everyone to wear masks, wash hands, and maintain social distancing, our school has taken several steps to improve the safety of our staff and students. These steps have been recommended by local health authorities to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 and other illnesses. Below are some of the major steps taken by the school to ensure the safety of our students.
REDUCED CLASS SIZES
Class sizes have been reduced. Before COVID, class sizes ranged from 24 to 35 students per class. For September 2020, our class size will be reduced. Most classes will have a maximum size of 12 students, while a few will have a maximum size of 15 students per class. This will help to support social distancing and reduce the possibility of infection.
VENTILATION IMPROVEMENTS
In an effort to maximize air circulation, we are opening windows whenever possible and have added industrial fans to high-traffic areas. All air conditioners at the school have been set to "fresh air." In addition to this, they can be turned on with windows open to increase air circulation. These should make the in-person instruction more comfortable and help reduce the risk of COVID infection.
INCREASES IN CLEANING FREQUENCY
Our custodial team is committed to cleaning all classrooms twice daily: once before the school day and once in the afternoon. In addition, all classroom teachers have been provided with sanitizing wipes to wipe down surfaces and shared resources on an as-needed basis throughout the school day. Built into the routines of the class day, students will be required to clean their computers and other equipment touched in any of the classes, including physical education. They must also clean their desks and chairs at the end of the day using the the wipes provided by the school.
HAND SANITATION
All bathrooms have been stocked with extra soap for frequent hand washing. In addition, we have provided teachers with hand sanitizer for the classroom and added hand sanitizer stations in common areas.
BREAKFAST & LUNCH
Breakfast will be given out while students are on line. On cold & rainy days, students will have a socially- distanced breakfast in the gym. They must clean up and wipe down their tables and chairs and move them to the side when finished. Lunch will be served as a grab-and-go meal in a lunch bag.