LOUDOUN COUNTY, Va. — Loudoun County Public Schools officials said Friday they would be providing additional cleaning materials for teachers to use, another safety method used by the district to protect students and faculty before the expected fall semester begins.
The fall semester is expected to start September 8 with a mix of in-person and online curriculum, all with safety efforts and cleaning protocols in place. Parents can opt for students to use a hybrid model -- where they attend school in person for two days a week and distance learn the other three days -- or do 100% remote learning.
Earlier this week, the district announced it would extend its return to school scenario deadline to Wednesday, July 15 at 8 a.m.
Until then, the school district released its safety procedures for classroom cleanliness for those who will have in-person learning.
High touch areas, like desk, door handles, and water fountains will be cleaned four times a day with buildings getting disinfected after school daily.
On top of disinfecting classrooms, teachers within LCPS schools will also receive training on how to handle certain chemicals solutions provided by the school. In an email sent out to faculty and family Friday, LCPS stated that only school district purchased supplies may be used in the classrooms in an effort to minimize potential safety hazards.
Social distancing efforts will still be enforced when school begins, LCPS said in Friday's letter. Students will need to remain six feet apart as often as possible and use a mask when the distance isn't possible, with handwashing and sanitizing stations present.
LCPS mother Khadisah Artis said she trusts the school to make the right decision, but is still somewhat wary about sending her daughter back into classrooms.
“You feel like you're kind of putting your child's safety at risk, but she [my daughter] told me that she wants to do the two days," Artis said." And like I said I'll do my part by sending her with her mask and hand sanitizer."