Emergency Relief for Elementary and Secondary Schools

Schools across the country face challenges in reopening. The U.S. Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security act to help. The CARES Act Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief fund provides the urgently needed resources for reopening schools safely. In this case, money is made available for K-12 schools to purchase essential equipment to keep students and teachers safe.

Challenges for Reopening Schools Safely

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues teachers and students must be kept safe for in-person learning. To this end, schools must create new seating arrangements and adjustments to hallway traffic flow and classroom sizes. Additionally, school superintendents must work with building staff to create a plan to address these issues. However, these plans add expenses to already-strained school budgets. This is why the federal government has passed the emergency legislation to provide emergency funding to help K-12 schools reopen safely.

What is the Cares Act for Education?

In brief, the CARES Act provides direct funding for American workers, families, and small businesses impacted by COVID-19. As a part of this act, $30.75 billion goes to the Education Stabilization Fund. This fund also provides $13.5 billion for the CARES Act Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund. The act requires states to release 90% of the funds to local education agencies. Subsequently, the remaining ten percent can be kept for future emergencies resulting from the pandemic.

Best Practices the Use of CARES Act Resources

Reducing Risk of Infection in Schools

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers guidelines to help schools reopen safely. In-person learning presents risks but social distancing and smaller classroom sizes help limit that risk. Likewise, surface cleaning and disinfecting are critical, high-touch areas in particular. As a result, paying special attention to issues of indoor air quality remains a key part of maintaining the safety of students and staff. Additionally, students must also be educated on the need for frequent hand washing, proper etiquette for coughing and sneezing, and wearing cloth face coverings.

Improve IAQ for Safe School Reopening

Another important element in the fight against infection is maintaining proper indoor air quality. As a rule, adding disinfection and air purification systems improve IAQ in schools.

3 Ways to a Healthier Indoor Environment in Schools

CARES Act Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief provides funding for essential equipment. Adding disinfection and air purification systems help improve IAQ in schools and reduce the spread of infection. Together with testing these methods helps staff deal with problems of poor IAQ.

1. Plasma Air Ionizers

Plasma Air ionizers create cleaner indoor air. The ionizers reduce bacteria, neutralize odors, and destroy volatile organic compounds. Additionally, ionization cuts energy costs.

2. DIY IAQ Test Kits

Identifying and stopping the spread of the coronavirus requires effective testing. The virus stays active on hard surfaces, such as desktops and door handles for hours. Coronavirus environmental test kits provide an easy option to test surfaces and produce fast, accurate results to help schools have assurance that their sanitation protocol is effective to help see to a smooth and safe reopen. 

3. AeraMax Air Purifiers

AeraMax Professional air purifiers improve IAQ. These smart devices clean inside air using sound, motion, and odor sensors to determine a room’s occupancy. They adjust to the numbers and go to work removing particles from the air. HEPA filters also trap airborne particles and use antimicrobial treatment to reduce bacteria.

Protect Staff and Students

Make the safety of students and staff a top priority this school year. Contact Building Health Check today!