The coronavirus continues to spread in the United States. In Los Angeles, international schools are preparing to manage the crisis.
Receiving instructions from Paris and the embassy in Washington, the Lycée International de Los Angeles (LILA) canceled its CM2 students' annual trip to Paris, which was due to take place next week. The precautions don't stop there: " Wipes are installed in the establishment. Our cleaning teams disinfect door handles and sensitive areas every hour Explains Juliette Lange, director of admissions. Director Michael Maniska explains preparing a " contingency plan in the event of a closure. This option is to be envisaged in two cases, either by a directive from the city of Los Angeles or a case of coronavirus detected on one of the five campuses of the school group. “Online courses and exercises will be implemented ” adds the director, using tools from the CNED (National Center for Distance Education). Bad news for dunces: there is no question of canceling the lessons.
Containment protocols to be respected
In the Alouette crèche, director Olivia Dupré is also taking measures to limit the risks: “ Parents were warned to be even more vigilant about their child's hygiene. In addition, children or parents who have traveled to countries at risk must respect the quarantine time. A family returned from Japan last week and the child can only return in 10 days to comply with the protocol. We don't want to take any chances with the coronavirus. At the small School House, sick students cannot return to school without the advice of a doctor. Director Maritza Ramirez does not take the problem lightly: “ Classes are cleaned every night to minimize the chances of getting sick. "
At Phoenix Global Green School, principal Céline Chouteaus made a radical decision: " Parents were asked to avoid entering the school as much as possible. We know that it is often adults who spread the virus so that it does not contaminate the interior of the school. As in the Alouette crèche, Céline Chouteaus has drawn up a list of countries at risk in which it is not recommended to travel.
Communicate to better protect yourself
Other Los Angeles schools like L’Héritage Français are also deciding to step up school cleanup. " Classes and common areas are washed and disinfected every evening for safety reasons. Even more powerful disinfectants are used to limit the risks Says Rob Lanthier, the vice-principal. The school insists on hand washing but above all on dialogue: " We talk about it because it's essential but nobody panics, it's the most important " The Word Speak School has also relied on dialogue: “ Every day, we have meetings with young people to talk about the virus. We try to be as much as possible for the parents Explains Angelika Putintseva, the school principal.
Follow the directives of the Department of Education
Parents too must be concerned about the position of the school. " We try to act as usual and to be available to parents. We explain to them clearly what we do in the establishment and we forward them the emails and the directives of the California Department of Education Says Janet Daley, Director of Language Garden.
For its part, the California Department of Education encourages school groups to plan solutions if schools are closed. It also encourages communication with families. In a press release, schools are reminded to trust the institutions to manage this problem. The Department urges anyone with symptoms of coronavirus not to approach schools or crowded places.
