CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Students should expect several changes as they head back to in-person instruction for the first time for the 2020 school year but not all of those changes are in the classroom.
There have been many changes in place to protect students from the coronavirus who will be riding the bus.
Students must have a face covering and can also expect that their bus will be sanitized before they step foot inside.
“Masks and hand sanitizer and social distancing will be used,” said CCISD Chief of Staff Kimberly James.
When the doors slide open from a CCISD bus, students must load up beginning in the back, proceeding towards the front. Only one student will be allowed to a seat unless they have a sibling or live in the same home.
Keeping the bus sanitized and clean is a crucial step in reducing the spread of the coronavirus.
“We actually have the handless sanitizer on the busses so as every kid gets on the bus, they’re going to be using the hand sanitizer,” said James.
CCISD transportation staff says seats will be sprayed after every trip and at the transportation station, busses will also receive electrostatic sanitation spraying twice a week.
If a parent is unsure or uncomfortable about bus transportation, they are encouraged to take their child to campus because the bus routes will stay the same throughout the year.
“So if the parent chooses to take the child or not the transportation they will still continue to get transportation if that makes sense, so if the parents wakes up and says ‘I’m going to take you’ that’s okay because our busses take the same route every day,” said James.
Along with the measures taken by CCISD, public health leaders stress the importance of having the windows down with outside air moving in and out of the bus.
“Keep those windows cracked, at least 2 or 3 inches that will keep the air circulating that’s much better than any HVAC or AC,” said CC Nueces County Public Health Director Annette Rodriguez.
The district says they will not be conducting temperature checks when students enter the bus because it is not required by the CDC guidelines which is also why the district is asking parents to examine your child for COVID-19 symptoms and if they feel sick to have the student stay home.
