Coordination with Health Officials
Successful in-person instruction requires consistent implementation and compliance with all health and safety protocols and rigorous adherence to required mitigating strategies in partnership with the district, families, and the community. District leadership will continue to collaborate closely with State and local health officials for guidance and feedback when updating district policies and procedures for health and safety strategies. District leadership representatives will attend all relevant state and local training.
Topeka Public Schools will follow the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Shawnee County Health Department (SCHD) guidelines. TPS guidelines will be updated every six months and more frequently, as needed.
District and Building Leadership will help monitor each schools’ adherence to mitigation strategies for COVID-19. They will conduct random onsite spot checks, deliver education and resources, and report data. District leaders will also monitor health data to contain transmission of the virus within our schools.
Proper Hand Washing Techniques
Students and staff should exercise hand hygiene frequently throughout the school day.
Handwashing: When handwashing, individuals should use soap and water to wash all surfaces of their hands for at least 20 seconds, wait for visible lather, rinse thoroughly, and dry with an individual disposable towel. Hand Washing Tutorial
Hand sanitizing: If handwashing is not feasible, hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent ethanol or at least 70 percent isopropanol content can be used. Hand sanitizer should be applied to all surfaces of the hands and in sufficient quantity that it takes 20 seconds of rubbing hands together for the sanitizer to dry. Hand sanitizer should be placed at key locations (e.g., building entrances, cafeteria, classrooms, etc).
Cleaning and Maintaining Healthy Facilities and Ventilation
Cleaning and Disinfection
TPS follows a schedule for increased, routine cleaning and disinfection that includes the following:
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces ( i.e door and sink handles, water dispensers) within the school at least daily or between use as much as possible. Use of shared objects (e.g., gym or physical education equipment, art supplies, toys, games) should be limited when possible, or cleaned between uses;
Custodial staff and building administration will ensure that cleaning/sanitizing supplies are always fully stocked;
TPS replaced water fountains with touchless bottle filling stations.
On district-operated vehicles, drivers should practice all safety actions and protocols as indicated for other staff (e.g., hand hygiene, cloth face coverings). To clean and disinfect school buses or other transport vehicles, see guidance for bus transit operators.
TPS contracts bus transportation with Kansas Central. Kansas Central will be expected to develop policies in accordance with CDC guidance and local health department guidelines.
Ensure safe and correct use and storage of cleaning and disinfection products, including storing products securely away from children. Use products that meet EPA disinfection criteria.
Ventilation
Ensure ventilation systems operate properly and increase circulation of outdoor air as much as possible by keeping doors and windows shut. Contrary to popular belief, ventilation systems operate with increased efficiency and introduce an adequate volume of outdoor air when doors and windows are closed.
Ensure heating, ventilation and air conditioning settings are maximizing ventilation.
Room and hand held foggers will be continued to be used to sterilize room air.
Portable Germicidal-Sanitizing UV Light Fixtures will continue to be used, per CDC and KSDE guidance to perform regular disinfection of high touch surfaces overnight.