Today marks the beginning of week number four of remote learning. In the coming weeks, some of our colleagues will return to school in a hybrid model. This is meant with both excitement and angst among our staff. I think we can all agree that we would all prefer to be back to normal, teaching from our classrooms, working with our small groups, and seeing our students in person. Some are ready to do that right now while others are more hesitant and apprehensive. One of the many things the Union has been pushing for is the proper PPE for students and staff. Late last week, I was copied on an email that laid out the extensive list of PPE that has been purchased for our district. To date, this is what the district has on hand for PPE and is being distributed to each school:

• Desk Shields (for main offices, special education, and additional shields to be distributed at principal's discretion)

• Face Shields (with additional face shields to be ordered)

• Hand wipes (with additional to be ordered anticipating a high demand)

• Disposable masks (at least 4,000 per school to start)

• Non-disposable masks (2 for each staff member)

• Gowns (for nurses and special education staff)

• Gloves (for nurses and special education staff; should be available to other staff as needed)

• Hand sanitizer dispensers have been mounted and filled (if you notice an empty one, please notify your administrator)

• MERV 13 filters are being installed district-wide

• Classrooms will be "fogged" each night

  • • This includes desks, chairs, tables and the floor

    • Book shelves are not included

    • Surfaces will be fogged in the evening in will be ready for use the following morning

    • The products being used for fogging include Viro-Tab and Vital Oxide

    • Non-paper materials such as manipulatives can be left on the tables to be fogged

    • Fogged surfaces do not need to be wiped down after they are fogged before you use them

    • Surfaces can be wiped down with district-provided sanitizing products/wipes during the day as needed

• Sanitizing materials for use in classrooms and between small groups

If you have any questions about any of the materials or where to get them in your school, please start with your building principal. If you are not satisfied with their answer or something is not available to you, please contact me immediately (president@nashuatu.org or 888-7544). The district has been be open and willing to work with us. I expect that will continue when it comes to providing the proper PPE for our staff and students.