According to certain sources, summer school classes could be reopening in California as early as July to help bridge the gap in learning losses for the millions of students forced out of the classroom during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cleaning Summer School Facilities After COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic forced an estimated 6.1 million California schoolchildren to abandon their in-class studies for the year, resulting in significant learning losses that Governor Newsom intends to address.
According to the Los Angeles Times;
The academic year could start in late July or early August to address learning losses brought on by coronavirus-forced school closures affecting about 6.1 million California students, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Tuesday.
The magnitude of learning loss because of coronavirus school closures is unclear, researchers said.
A brief this month applied summer learning loss research to the current pandemic.
In one scenario, the report found that students could experience a “COVID-19 slowdown,” in which they would not see gains or losses in reading and math from mid-March until the fall.
In another, more troubling landscape, students would suffer a “COVID-19 slide,” in which they return in the fall with 70% of the learning gains in reading that they would typically see in a school year, and less than 50% in math.
California could begin new school year as early as July, Gov. Newsom says
Before the schools begin accepting the return of students and faculty, several criteria will need to be met, including a thorough deep cleaning and disinfection of the facility.
High-Performance Cleaning for Summer School Classrooms
Coronaviruses are not new, but this variation does appear to be more robust outside of the human body than its predecessors.
Fortunately, COVID-19 is an enveloped virus, which makes it incredibly susceptible to deactivation through standard cleaning and disinfection practices.
- The first step is cleaning with a high-quality detergent and microfiber cloth or mop to maximize the amount of dirt, soil, and oil removed from the surface.
- Next, divide your classroom or facility up into zones and clean from the cleanest to the dirtiest zones in a path that avoids walking over recently cleaned areas to prevent cross-contamination.
- Clean high to low, and work your way back towards the exit.
- Disinfect everything with an EPA-registered medical-grade disinfectant.
- Observe the recommended disinfectant laytime before returning into the classroom.
General Tips to Maintain Health and Safety
- Assign a porter to the restrooms to ensure cleanliness, and promote hand hygiene by maintaining paper towel, soap, and hand sanitizer availability.
- Equip teachers and other faculty members with EPA-registered medical-grade disinfectant wipes and work with your facilities and custodial staff to identify germ hotspots that should be wiped down throughout the day.
- Use no-touch sprayer and vacuum scrubber equipment where possible--restrooms and food prep areas--to avoid direct surface contact and protect facilities and custodial workers.
- During this or any viral outbreak, disinfect high-traffic classrooms and other facilities with an electrostatic disinfection appliance daily.
- Ensure everyone is equipped with the proper safety equipment and that all tools and clothing worn are correctly sanitized after each use to prevent cross-contamination.
References & Resources
- The COVID-19 slide: What summer learning loss can tell us about the potential impact of school closures on student academic achievement
- Education, Protocols And Products To Combat COVID-19
- Cleaning, Disinfecting Both Vital In COVID-19 Protocol
- Electrostatic Sprayers Serve As Accurate Cleaning Tool
- How No-Touch Restroom Cleaning Protects EVERYONE’s Health
Takeaway
Prolonged student absence from the classroom has been repeatedly shown to have a negative impact on long-term outcomes, including health and employment.
However, students, teachers, and other school service personnel should only be allowed to return to the classroom once every precaution has been taken to protect their health and safety, which mandates the following:
- Initial deep cleaning.
- Ongoing high-performance disinfection.
- Training in proactive and preventative maintenance in the classroom, and;
- The training and tools necessary to protect and ensure personal health and safety.
Outsourcing your classroom and other school facility infection prevention and control services to an experienced service provider who possesses the tools, products, training, and experience necessary to safely clean and disinfect your entire campus is a proven and cost-effective method for success.
If you would like more information regarding the effectiveness of high-performance infection prevention and control measures, or if you would like to schedule a free, no-obligation onsite assessment of your facility's custodial needs, contact us today for a free quote!
In Bakersfield CA, call (661) 437-3253
In Fresno CA, call (559) 206-1059
In Valencia CA, or Santa Clarita CA, call (661) 437-3253
In Palmdale CA, or Lancaster CA, call (661) 371-4756
