News from Nurse Jess
Hello Yarrabah families,
I’m sure there is a mixture of feelings as we finish up with remote learning and prepare to return to School on Tuesday. It seems we have just gotten used to this new way of life and now it’s all changing again! Although we may be feeling anxious or even relieved you can have confidence in knowing that the Yarrabah staff is working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the return to school is a smooth transition for all.
As you would of seen in the return to school document there are a number of practices being put into place to ensure the health and safety of all students and staff remains our top priority. I have referred closely to the Department of Education guidelines around return to school and have also liaised with school nurses from other local specialist schools to ensure we are doing all we can at Yarrabah.
Listed below are practices we will put into place from Tuesday, these measures I feel will enable staff and students to feel safe and reassured whilst at Yarrabah. Keeping in mind that hand hygiene and frequent cleaning is still our best mode of defence in the fight against COVID-19.
Everyone did a fantastic job at the end of last term in carrying out frequent hand hygiene therefore I have full confidence that we’ll continue to excel in this field!
I look forward to returning to school and seeing all the kids again and as always I’m only a phone call or email away if you have any concerns.
Stay healthy and keep washing those hands!
Nurse Jess
PPE
- Face shields have been purchased for staff working with children with behaviours such as spitting; these will not be compulsory. It will be at the individual's discretion. These must be cleaned/disinfected frequently and after each use;
- each classroom will have gloves, tissues, glen 20 and Bactisan/hand sanitiser/baby wipes;
- if using gloves staff will change them frequently to ensure minimised cross-infection;
- each section will have a PPE emergency pack incl gown, goggles, face mask this will ONLY be used if a child becomes unwell and staff can choose to wear it to transfer them to sickbay;
- Staff will be encouraged to carry their own small bottles of hand sanitiser at all times. DET has supplied some small bottles and we will endeavour to purchase more prior to next week.
Risk minimisation practices being implemented
- asking bus staff to sanitise all kids hands PRIOR to exiting the bus;
- School nurse will undertake spot/random temperature checks of classrooms. Nurse Jess may undertake temperature checks (2-3 classrooms daily) and rotate through. This will provide parents peace of mind that we are being vigilant around possible asymptomatic cases (this is still to be confirmed);
- Daily health checks on students that staff are concerned about working with due to certain behaviours ie- frequent spitting;
- Any child who is unwell will be sent to sickbay straight away and they will remain in sickbay until collected, minimising the risk and exposure to other students and staff;
- the sharing of computers and other personal items will be reduced;
- students will be provided their own essential items for regular daily activities.