Olney ISD establishes preventative measures against Coronavirus

Olney ISD continues to closely monitor Texas Education Agency (TEA), Office of the Governor, and Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) correspondence in regards to the coronavirus. At this time, and knowing changes could occur at a moment’s notice, it is business as usual with no changes to our school calendar of instruction and extracurricular activities.

Closing schools for matters related to health lies with the local school district, local health authorities, DSHS, and the Governor. Our district will coordinate, and work closely, with the City and Hospital District. Operational decisions will be based on best practice recommendations from these entities.

The following are general preventative measures ongoing in our district:

• Over spring break all buildings were thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. There will be enhanced cleaning daily.

• Student work areas will be wiped down regularly throughout the day in each classroom.

• No sharing of school supplies.

• Continually informing and reminding students and staff of the recommendations of healthy habits and encourage those practices throughout the school day. Campus principals will address this with their student body and staff directly to clearly articulate district expectations.

• Students will be encouraged to wash hands regularly and before/after lunch. Additional reasonable time allowances will be made during the passing periods in order to provide access.

• In addition to the normal cleaning practices, Clorox wipes will be available in the lunch room for students to do additional cleaning of their dining area.

• Hand sanitizer will be available for use by all students and staff.

• Buses and district vehicles will receive extra sanitization on a regular basis.

The health and safety of our students, parents, staff and community is top priority.

We will continue to monitor and adjust on a day to day basis and will post operating guidelines and updates as needed. Below is additional information for our school day Monday and until further notice. We ask for everyone’s patience and support as we attempt to service the needs of our students and community.

1. Neither students nor staff are allowed to come to school if they have had a fever within the last 24 hours. They must be fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications before returning to school. This is current policy and will be strictly enforce. If a student is sent home during the school day with fever, they cannot return the next day. Fever is anything over 100.

2. There will be no discretionary visits to school. Visitors will not be allowed inside the locked doors to classroom wings. The only visitors allowed are those with official business, such as scheduled meetings or conferences in designated areas, or picking up their child.

3. There will be no visitors during lunch periods.

4. Food delivered to school must be left at campus offices. Food may not be delivered to junior high or high school students off Cactus Street as they travel to lunch.

5. All school parties are cancelled.

6. UIL has cancelled all extracurricular activities, athletic and academic, through March 29. Regular practice schedules for extracurricular activities will continue.

7. Field trips are cancelled.

Each campus will provide additional guidelines that target their specific needs. I encourage everyone to monitor social media and our website with this ever-evolving health crisis. I receive daily updates and online conference calls with TEA to do our best at making good decisions. Meetings with our local health providers and the city are also scheduled.