Yonker‘ Free Pre‘‘ SUNDAY MARCH 8, 2020 - BRIAN HARROD PUBLISHER “Like school districts across the country, we are tackling the potential for a prolonged school or districtwide closure and how to maintain instructional continuity for all of our students,” notes Dr. Edwin Quezada. Yonkers Public Schools Coronavirus Emergency Health Plans By YONKERS PUBLIC SCHOOLS The press conferences this week by New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo and Westchester County Ex- ecutive George Latimer initiated re- sponses to positive Novel Coronavirus (also called CoVid-19) exposures in Westchester County. The Yonkers Public Schools im- mediately deployed the Emergency Health and Facilities Management Plan and began to develop a Con- tingency Instructional Plan. The Su- perintendent provides ongoing and timely communications to our stu- dents, families and staff. Based on the directives from the New York State and Westchester County Health Departments and the State Education Department, the Yonkers Public Schools proceeded with the Emergency Health and Fa- cilities Management Plan that in- cludes but is not limited to: Health Issues - All school nurses are trained and prepared to recognize potential flu or Coronavirus symp- toms, and take actions in accordance with Health Department protocols. The District’s full-time doctor and supervising nurses monitor all schools. Self-reported information from our students, families and staff about personal potential exposure outside of our schools and district offices are fully reviewed by the District’s med- ical professionals as well as the New York State and Westchester County Health Departments. Limit field trips and large group gatherings to reduce potential expo- sure. Facilities Management - Every day the custodial staffs have and will continue to provide flu season clean- ing and disinfecting procedures in schools. They clean and wipe hard sur- faces (door handles, faucets, railings, drinking fountains, desks, etc.) fre- quently using approved disinfectants. Cafeteria Management - Food ser- vice workers have enhanced cleaning and sanitizing kitchen equipment and cafeteria tables as well as hand wash- ing protocols. Yellow Bus Transportation - School Bus companies increased their daily cleaning and provided drivers with disinfectant spraywipes. The District’s educational leader- ship team is developing an Instruc- tional Continuity Plan to provide 14 days of lessons in English language arts, mathematics, science and social studies for every grade level. The learning materials will be provided to students in hard copies and will be available on the District’s website