YONKERS, NY – “While there are no confirmed cases of Coronavirus in our schools at this time, we must be prepared,” noted Superintendent of Schools Dr. Edwin M. Quezada. The press conferences this week by New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo and Westchester County Executive George Latimer initiated responses to positive Novel Coronavirus (also called CoVid-19) exposures in Westchester County. The Yonkers Public Schools immediately deployed the Emergency Health and Facilities Management Plan and began to develop a Contingency Instructional Plan. The Superintendent provides ongoing and timely communications to our students, families and staff.

Based on the directives from the New York State and Westchester County Health Departments and the State Education Department, the Yonkers Public Schools proceeded with the Emergency Health and Facilities Management Plan that includes but is not limited to:

Health Issues - All school nurses are trained and prepared to recognize potential flu or Coronavirus symptoms, and take actions in accordance with Health Department protocols. The District’s full-time doctor and supervising nurses monitor all schools.

• Self-reported information from our students, families and staff about personal potential exposure outside of our schools and district offices are fully reviewed by the District’s medical professionals as well as the New York State and Westchester County Health Departments.
• Limit field trips and large group gatherings to reduce potential exposure.

Facilities Management - Every day the custodial staffs have and will continue to provide flu season cleaning and disinfecting procedures in schools. They clean and wipe hard surfaces (door handles, faucets, railings, drinking fountains, desks, etc.) frequently using approved disinfectants.

• Over this weekend – March 7 & 8, additional custodial staff will deep clean all schools, therefore all school and community activities including sports, taking place in our schools are canceled with the exception of Saturday’s PEARLS evaluations and Cross Hill Academy activities. These schools will be cleaned on Sunday.

Cafeteria Management - Food service workers have enhanced cleaning and sanitizing kitchen equipment and cafeteria tables as well as hand washing protocols.

Yellow Bus Transportation - School Bus companies increased their daily cleaning and provided drivers with disinfectant spray/wipes.

“Like school districts across the country, we are tackling the potential for a prolonged school or districtwide closure and how to maintain instructional continuity for all of our students,” noted Dr. Quezada. The District’s educational leadership team is developing an Instructional Continuity Plan to provide 14 days of lessons in English language arts, mathematics, science and social studies for every grade level. The learning materials will be provided to students in hard copies and will be available on the District’s website, www.yonkerspublicschools.org.