In preparation for the opening of schools in September under the New York State mandates, Department of Health and Center for Disease Control guidelines, there were many demands placed on the buildings and grounds department at the West Babylon School District. The custodial staff – working alongside building teachers and administrators – had to gather and label all student belongings that were left behind when the district shut down in March for pick up.

The regular summer cleaning also needed to be completed. This involved emptying the classrooms, cleaning from the ceiling down to the floor, stripping and waxing the floors, and returning and cleaning the furniture. Floors were stripped and waxed in the large spaces, i.e. gyms and cafeterias, as well as the hallways. Fan belts were changed, new MERV filters were installed, floor stickers were placed for social distancing and signs were posted for hand hygiene and mask wearing.

“Then came the new cleaning/disinfecting protocols,” said Michele Psarakis, Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations. “Working with the representative from the company that supplies our cleaning/disinfecting products, we developed a custodial manual, daily cleaning logs and provided training to staff members at each building. This was to ensure that we had standardized procedures and products across the district.”

By the end of July, the district began to prepare for the reopening of the buildings. Setting the rooms up for 6-foot social distancing, moving excess furniture to storage rooms and using former storage spaces for instruction. “Switching room assignments required furniture be moved from the first floor to the second floor and vice versa, and then back again,” Ms. Psarakis said. “While this was happening, the maintenance department was removing computer tables, moving time clocks, and installing bottle fillers districtwide in addition to maintaining the grounds and mechanical functioning of the buildings.”

“It was a crazy summer and start to the school year but the routine is in place and the buildings and grounds staff make it all appear seamless,” Ms. Psarakis said. “I am so grateful to all the staff members, custodial, heads and chiefs, maintenance, and the office who kept it all organized.”