Education Lab
What are Fresno-area schools doing to protect students from coronavirus?
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Schools and campuses across Fresno County opened classes as usual Monday, two days after county health officials confirmed a local man tested positive for coronavirus.
A Madera County resident also has tested positive for COVID-19, health officials reported over the weekend.
Districts in Fresno County said they had no plans to cancel classes as of Monday morning.
School officials over the weekend shared and updated plans to keep students and staff safe as the spreading virus caused other districts in California to shut down. The Elk Grove Unified School District on Saturday announced the closure of all campuses and suspended all student-related activities, including varsity sports, the Sacramento Bee reported.
But in Fresno County, public health officials did not recommend any closures, school officials said.
“At this time, the (health department) says there is no immediate threat to the general public, and the FCDPH is not recommending cancellation of events, closure of schools, or buildings at this time,” Fresno State officials said in a statement to students.
Public schools in Fresno and Clovis echoed the statement in messages to parents and students.
“Public health officials do not recommend the cancellation of classes as an effective action in this situation,” Clovis spokesperson Kelly Avants said in a statement late Sunday. “We are following their best practices and working arm-in-arm with health officials to ensure we respond appropriately based on the facts we have. It’s important that we not second guess public health officials, who are the experts.”
Taking precautions
Even if a student or teacher were to come down with COVID-19, school would not necessarily close, according to guidelines from the California Department of Public Health.
The local public health department would work with school officials to consider whether closure was warranted and for how long. In the event of a closure, officials should discourage out-of-school gatherings such as sporting events, after school activities and religious services, according to the guidelines.
Central San Joaquin Valley schools were eager to show steps they’re taking on campuses to keep students and teachers healthy.
Clovis schools have been disinfecting “highly used surfaces” like doorknobs and counters and encouraging handwashing.
While the district said it can hold online courses if schools close, it would be challenging.
“Recognizing the myriad of challenges that online delivery of education faces (student access to computers and the internet, consistent delivery across subjects and grade levels, etc.) we do not consider it a viable short-term option,” the district announced.
Avants said on Monday the district would take the following additional steps:
- An age-appropriate video lesson was presented to every student at school on proper handwashing and hand hygiene.
- Prior to releasing students for lunch, students are given time for and expected to wash or sanitize their hands. The same procedures are followed upon students’ return from recess and lunch.
- Signage has been placed in highly visible locations around campus reminding of the importance of good hand hygiene and proper handwashing practices.
Fresno Unified is moving forward with all field trips and school conferences but is allowing staff, students and parents to opt-out, officials announced Sunday. The district says it’s unlikely that families will need to self-monitor and shelter at home, but staff is preparing to help students stay connected to the classroom in that event.
Laptops, surfaces, doorknobs and tablets are also being sanitized at all Fresno Unified school sites.
During Fresno Unified’s board meeting on Wednesday, Superintendent Nelson gave recommendations on how to avoid spreading coronavirus including encouraging those who are sick to “stay home.”
Both Clovis and Fresno Unified said they have been tracking attendance and as of yet have not seen a decrease in students going to school and that it’s to early too confirm any trends but recognize the possibility that “things could change in the coming days.”
Fresno Unified and Clovis Unified say no sporting events have been canceled.
Traveling for spring break?
Area colleges have ended some study-abroad programs and some students began their return trips home. Fresno State over the weekend urged students not to travel internationally during spring break.
But classes have continued.
Fresno State President Joseph I. Castro said the school’s emergency response team was monitoring the situation closely and keeping up to date with health officials.
“There are currently no plans to cancel classes, and we will not plan to do so unless directed by the California State University Chancellor’s Office or the FCDPH,” Fresno State said in a statement. “Also, only the FCDPH has the authority to quarantine community members.”
Fresno State has set up a coronavirus webpage and regularly sends out updates to students via email.
Fresno Pacific University officials are discussing the viability of online courses if classes must be canceled, according to college spokesperson Wayne Steffen.
At State Center Community College District, officials met during the weekend and also on Monday about what will happen should the college need to cancel classes, according to district spokesperson Lucy Ruiz.
Two Fresno City College events were canceled because participants were from areas that have had known community-spread coronavirus cases, according to officials. The upcoming Forensics Conference was canceled and a Philosophy Club guest speaker that would have spoken this past Friday was also scrapped.
Officials said the district purchased 12 misting devices that will help with the sanitation of all classrooms, and have brought groundskeepers in as custodial staff to help sanitize buildings.
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