WDMCS Staff Newsletter

Infinite Campus will be down for maintenance starting at 11:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 20. It will be unavailable for approximately 30 minutes.

We are dedicated to supporting the health and safety of each student and staff member. Using guidance from Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), Iowa/Polk County Department of Public Health (I/PCDPH), Center for Disease Control (CDC), and the American Academy of Pediatric guidance, we developed the following specific mitigation strategies throughout all of our buildings.

• Social distancing guidelines are being implemented to the extent possible. Floor decals and signage will be utilized to note distances of at least six feet apart.
• Employees were provided with a plastic face shield and expected to use PPE and/or the face shield when outside their work space or when unable to social distance. Cloth face coverings are strongly recommended in addition to the face shield.
• Protective physical equipment (PPE) such as a cloth face covering are required for students if unable to social distance in areas such as on the bus or within a hallway.
• Employees are required to complete a daily health self-assessment prior to the start of their work day. Students may be asked to self-assess depending on the activity.
• Handwashing and hygiene training will be provided to employees and students.
• All students will have regular hand washing breaks scheduled during the school day.
• Cleaning and disinfecting continue in each area, on an enhanced schedule. High-touch areas such as handrails and doorknobs will be cleaned and disinfected regularly throughout the day.
• Water fountains were disconnected. Bottle fillers and sanitizing stations are provided in each building.
• Plexiglass barriers were be installed for public facing employees.
• Cleaning and disinfecting supplies have been provided for each space in the school, in addition to the enhanced cleaning and disinfecting schedule of the custodial staff.

1. Why do we need to use a binder?
   We are researching an online app but for now the decision was made to use a binder. We have been using this process at the LRC and Ops/Transportation for several weeks.
2. Why only one door?
   To limit the amount of time staff spend walking through a building, we are currently asking staff to enter a single door. Once an app is in place, you will be able to enter multiple doors.
3. Do I have to take my temperature in my building?
   You do not need to take your temperature IF YOU TOOK IT AT HOME before coming to work.
4. Do I need to do this every day?
   Yes.
5. What do I do with the signed sheets?
   Please compile several sheets and then send through inner-office mail to Human Resources.
6. What if I need more sheets for the binder?
   Please let the main office at your building know if sheets need to be added to the binder.
7. What are the questions we answer each day?
   View the PDF of the questions and instructions for the check-in.

BEFORE SCHOOL EACH DAY: self-monitor for fever and COVID-19 symptoms. Symptoms can include fever or chills (100.4), cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea.

NINE SCENARIOS: WHAT TO DO

1. Confirmed diagnosis for COVID-19 with NO Symptoms
   Can return to school/work if you have no symptoms for 10 days after testing. If symptoms develop, refer to Scenario #2. (CDC Isolation Guidelines)
2. Confirmed diagnosis for COVID-19 WITH Symptoms
   Can return to school/work 10 days after illness starts AND at least 24 hours have passed since last fever without using fever-reducing medications AND all other symptoms have improved. (CDC Symptoms Guidelines) (CDC Exposure Guidelines)
3. Close contact (within 6 ft for 15 min) of a confirmed case of COVID-19.
   Close contact starts 48 hours before the person began to feel sick. Self-quarantine until 14 days after the last exposure to the confirmed cases. (CDC Close Contact Guidelines) (CDC Self-Quarantine Guidelines)
4. Testing negative for COVID-19 who are NOT a close contact of a confirmed case. Can return to normal activities 24 hours after a fever and other symptoms have resolved.
5. Testing negative for COVID-19 who ARE close contacts of a confirmed case.
   Close contact starts 48 hours before the person began to feel sick. Self-quarantine until 14 days after the last exposure to the confirmed cases. (CDC Self-Quarantine Guidelines)
6. COVID-19 symptoms but did not test for Covid-19
   Must isolate at home. Can return to school 10 days after illness starts AND at least 24 hours have passed since last fever without using fever-reducing medications AND all other symptoms have improved. (CDC Symptoms Guidelines) (CDC Self-Quarantine Guidelines)
7. Tested for COVID-19 with symptoms - waiting for results.
   Must self-quarantine at home. Can return after 24 hours have passed since last fever without using fever-reducing medications AND all symptoms have improved, AND
   10 days since symptoms appeared. If test results are negative, must be fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medications and symptoms are improving.
   Follow WDMCS illness guidelines. (CDC Self-Quarantine Guidelines)
8. When a healthcare provider confirms another diagnosis or a pre-existing condition.
   Follow specific return guidance from the health care provider or follow the WDMCS illness guidelines.
9. If you are in close contact of a person who was in close contact of a confirmed COVID-19 case.
   No exclusion necessary. Self- monitor for symptoms for 14 days.
   

Laine Mendenhall-Buck
buckl@wdmcs.org

515-633-5023

Alexandra Wade

wadea@wdmcs.org

515-633-5022

Aaron Young

younga@wdmcs.org
515-633-5016

Email: scroffice@wdmcs.org
Website: www.wdmcs.org
Location: 3550 Mills Civic Parkway, West Des Moines, IA, USA
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wdmcs/
Twitter: @WDMCS