Posted Friday, March 13, 2020
We understand the worry about the COVID-19 coronavirus, and the Walton Central School District is keeping a close eye on the situation, as well as being in touch with state agencies to help with guidance.
WCS is also in frequent contact with neighboring school districts, DCMO BOCES, as well as local and state health departments.
Within the district, we are doing everything we can to prevent the spread, as well as making sure our staff and students are as safe as possible.
First, please remember that if your children are sick, please keep them home and allow them to get better. Remember to wash your hands often, and when there is a need to cough or sneeze, please do so into your sleeve.
Walton CSD is working hard to keep the school as clean as possible. Steps taken are as follows:
- Vital Oxide electrostatic sprayer: Used daily in all school buildings (elementary, middle, high schools) in all high-traffic areas. Used every two days for the full school.
- Additional deep cleaning following any events held at the school.
- Additional hand sanitizing stations have been added throughout the district.
- There are tissue stations in the middle school bathrooms next to the sink. If students need to blow their noses, they go there, and then wash their hands right after.
- Handwashing posters have been hung around the district to remind and encourage students to be diligent about keeping their hands clean.
- Every day, buses are wiped down (hand rails, seats, and high-contact areas) each time they return to the garage. Vital Oxide is used at least twice a week on all buses. Common areas at the bus garage are cleaned thoroughly each day.
The district will keep the school community updated on anything else about the coronavirus as it is available.
How to prevent the spread
Though there is no current vaccine, the New York State Department of Health gives the following steps to help stop the spread of this and other respiratory viruses:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
For more information, the Walton Central School District has created a webpage with links and other relevant info about the coronavirus. You can access the page by visiting: https://www.waltoncsd.org/coronavirusinfo.aspx.