Disinfectant fogging machine and more are part of Our Lady of Victory’s reopening plans
School might look different this fall, but Our Lady of Victory Catholic School in State College is working to make instruction “as normal as possible.”
Beginning Aug. 18, OLV students and staff will return for in-person learning. With a goal of providing both a safe and educational environment, the OLV Return to School Committee, chaired by student resource officer Terry Stec, released details to families earlier this week — following weeks of work by staff, parents and medical professionals.
“We will have all the safety measures in place for a healthy and safe environment for all students and teachers and staff,” Neil Dadey, OLV pastoral administrator, said in a statement.
The American Academy of Pediatrics released guidelines for schools to follow as kids return to in-person learning.
With more than 300 students expected to return to OLV, the school’s janitorial staff have worked to deep clean every classroom. All furniture will be reconfigured so that students and staff can maintain a safe distance from each other during instruction.
Prior to entering the building, students, staff and faculty will have a daily temperature check, and frequent hand-washing and sanitizing will be “the norm,” according to a release.
Students will also be required to wear masks when physical distancing cannot be maintained, and a disinfecting fogging machine will be used in the facility.
“To assist with the transition back to school, our students will start the year with three half days of instruction,” Stec said. “During this time, our teachers will be educating the students regarding the procedures necessary to mitigate the spread of infections like proper hand-washing techniques, mask use and social distancing.”
Stec said if a student becomes ill during the day, the fogging machine will be used to clean as students will be cleared for 10 minutes while materials are disinfected.
Students can then return to a disinfected room, Stec said.
Students who are unable to return to in-person classes due to COVID-19 or other exposure will be able to enroll in the school’s remote instruction program. According to a survey conducted by the district, 85% of families were satisfied with the remote learning program implemented this past spring.
“OLVCS’s remote instruction program for the coming school year will build on lessons learned in the spring with an emphasis on structure and teacher (and) student interaction,” MaryAnn Stolberg, OLVCS 5th grade teacher and member of the Return to School Committee, said in a statement.
The OLVCS Return To School Committee will continue to meet and create practical plans for the coming school year.
