Tiger Talk: Safety Protocols
Countdown to In Person Learning
Classrooms and Visitors
Dear Tiger Families and Staff
The LTISD Return to School Protocols for COVID 19 have been updated on the district site. I want to encourage you to read the entire document. However, over the next several days you will receive a message (like this one) from me highlighting a specific section explaining how it will pertain to our campus. Today's topic is Disinfecting and Handsanitizing.
Future topics include:
Arrival & Dismissal - Thursday, September 3rd Newsletter
Specials & Recess - Friday, September 4th Newsletter
1st Day of In Person Learning at WCHE - Friday, September 4th Newsletter
Visits to the Nurse - Monday, September 7th Newsletter
I hope you find these messages helpful. Please do not hesitate to contact the school if you have any additional questions.
Thank you,
Melanie Beninga, Principal of WCHE
Campus Visitors
Campus Visitors
To minimize the risk of exposure, on-campus visitors will be limited to those
essential to school operations. Visitors must be pre-authorized. All visitors
who enter the building will be required to wear a face covering and those
who proceed beyond the reception area will follow all district requirements
and guidelines.
Parents are discouraged from entering the campus except for essential business and will not be allowed beyond the front office area, unless necessary.
Parents will be restricted from walking students inside the school building.
Volunteers are not allowed to visit campuses at this time (including mentors, college representatives, guest speakers, etc.).
Virtual tools will be used to conduct meetings such as PTA/PTO meetings, ARDs, LPAC, etc., when possible.
Protocols for Classrooms
Classroom protocols and procedures will include expectations regarding not
sharing school supplies or snacks; social distancing, when possible; limited
in-person group work; frequent hand washing or sanitizing; frequent
cleaning of high-touch areas, etc. Each classroom will be outfitted with the
following:
Hand sanitizer and/or hand-washing stations with soap and water.
Disinfecting wipes and gloves for students and staff to clean their own spaces and shared objects, including technology such as Chromebooks, keyboards and mice, before use.
Tissue available for students and staff to cover coughs and sneezes. Hand sanitizer should be used immediately following any tissue use and used tissues should be promptly disposed of in the trash can.
Visual reminders to reinforce distancing requirements such as marking off areas for common spaces and posting distancing best practices.
Additional Classroom Considerations
Excess furniture will be removed to allow more space for distancing. In addition, soft furnishings or stuffed animals that are typically shared by students, and floor coverings other than those provided by LTISD will be removed.
Technology should be utilized when students are involved in collaborative work.
Group or pair work can be implemented while maintaining physical distancing.
Teachers should limit student movement within the classroom such as turning in assignments, materials being passed out, etc.
Whenever possible, students and staff will maintain consistent groupings of people.
Elementary students will remain in their classroom and teachers will rotate to the extent possible.
Elementary teachers will transition with students when possible to monitor social distancing and circulation paths for minimal contact.
Recess activities shall maintain their class cohort and maintain social distancing from other classes when possible.
In classroom spaces that allow it, teachers will place student desks a minimum of six feet apart. All student desks should face the same direction when possible. Students will sit one per table when it is possible.
In classrooms where students are regularly within six feet of one another, teachers will implement more frequent hand washing and/or hand sanitizing.
Teachers should prop doors open, with the handle in the locked position if possible, to allow for additional ventilation during class and in between classes so students don't touch doors or handles.
Elementary Specialized Classrooms and Specials
Music
Appropriate social distancing measures will be followed, when possible.
Music equipment will be sanitized and wiped down after each use.
Students will be required to wear a mask in music class to allow for singing in class and rehearsals.
PE
Whenever possible, physical education classes will be held outside to allow for maximum physical distance between students.
Students will be required to wear a mask in PE when not outside and socially distanced.
Any activities bringing students into close physical contact, or requiring multiple students to touch or handle the same equipment will be avoided.
PE equipment will be disinfected and wiped down after each use.
Visual markers will be placed on the gym floor and bleachers as reminders of social distancing rules.
Students should avoid touching their face at all times, but especially while playing games.
Access to handwashing or hand sanitizer will be provided.
Art
Students will have minimal sharing of art supplies, equipment, utensils and supplies as much as possible.
Students should complete cleaning protocols and disinfect their areas in between use.
Shared art equipment will be disinfected after each use.
Students will be required to wear a mask in art class.
Library
Visual reminders will be added and furniture rearranged to help students maintain social distancing while in the library.
Students and staff will wash/sanitize hands upon entering and after visiting the library.
High-touch surfaces (e.g., table tops, chairs, door handles, etc.) will be disinfected regularly.
Occupancy will be limited.
Recess
All students and staff will be required to wash their hands or use hand sanitizer before entering the playground and upon exiting recess.
Students will be required to wear a mask at recess. Students will not be required to wear a mask while outside if they can maintain six feet of social distancing at all times.
Teachers will monitor students to ensure safety guidelines are followed.
Campuses will consider staggered schedules to limit the number of student groups when possible.
Consistent cohorts will be utilized when possible.
Administrators will provide training for staff on guidelines and procedures associated with outdoor play and student activities.
Extended Care
On-campus after school programs will adhere to the requirements for elementary schools as outlined in this document.
Car Rider Hang Tags
Each Tiger who rides home in the afternoon by car will be provided a Car Rider Number. The vehicle picking up a Tiger should have a rear view mirror hang tag with the corresponding Car Rider Number. Returning Tigers have the same Car Rider Number as in prior years. If your family needs one or more hang tags, they will be available at our drive-by event Wednesday, September 2, from 2 - 4 pm.
The first hang tag is free. Additional tags can be purchased for $1 each. WCHE can accept payment in exact cash or check payable to WCHE.
Checking a student out early
To ensure the safety of our staff, students, and families, one family at a time will be allowed in the reception area. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding.
Items needing to be delivered to a student during the school day
Labels should include:
NAME:
GRADE:
TEACHER:
Items will be delivered to the students as soon as possible.
And, speaking of labels...
More Information about WCH
West Cypress Hills Elementary
Email: wchprincipal@ltisdschools.org
Website: https://www.ltisdschools.org/WCHE
Location: 6112 Cypress Ranch Boulevard, Travis County, TX, United States
Phone: 512-533-7500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ltisdschools
Twitter: @principalwch