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Mrs. Gilbert’s Classroom Edit display name

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My district’s reopening plan approved increasing the outdoor air setting to 25% (up from 7%) in addition to increasing cleaning and changing filters in our air systems; however, I do not believe this will be adequate to ensure safe air in my classroom. According to a report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office, “to prevent the spread of the coronavirus when inside schools, more than 41 percent of school districts need to update or replace their heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems in at least half of their buildings” Due to both the age of my building and the issues I’ve witnessed personally with our systems, it likely falls within that 41 percent. Additionally, there have been several studies to suggest that the coronavirus spreads most rapidly in poorly ventilated areas. In fact, if not used properly, not only will HVAC systems not provide any help in controlling the spread of the virus, they “may actually contribute to the transmission/spreading of airborne diseases,” essentially undoing the efforts of our mask mandates. I desperately want to return to face-to-face learning for the social/emotional well-being of my students, but worry that without healthy air to breathe we may be forced back into a virtual learning situation in addition to any community health implications that arise from spreading the virus. I believe that my ultimate responsibility as a teacher is to protect the safety of my students. Given the generous size of my classroom, the fact that it has no windows to provide additional access to outside air, and that it will have up to 17 students present at one time, I am requesting a HEPA Medical Grade Air Purifier not only to give my students the safest air I possibly can, but hopefully a real chance at face-to-face learning.

About my class

My district’s reopening plan approved increasing the outdoor air setting to 25% (up from 7%) in addition to increasing cleaning and changing filters in our air systems; however, I do not believe this will be adequate to ensure safe air in my classroom. According to a report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office, “to prevent the spread of the coronavirus when inside schools, more than 41 percent of school districts need to update or replace their heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems in at least half of their buildings” Due to both the age of my building and the issues I’ve witnessed personally with our systems, it likely falls within that 41 percent. Additionally, there have been several studies to suggest that the coronavirus spreads most rapidly in poorly ventilated areas. In fact, if not used properly, not only will HVAC systems not provide any help in controlling the spread of the virus, they “may actually contribute to the transmission/spreading of airborne diseases,” essentially undoing the efforts of our mask mandates. I desperately want to return to face-to-face learning for the social/emotional well-being of my students, but worry that without healthy air to breathe we may be forced back into a virtual learning situation in addition to any community health implications that arise from spreading the virus. I believe that my ultimate responsibility as a teacher is to protect the safety of my students. Given the generous size of my classroom, the fact that it has no windows to provide additional access to outside air, and that it will have up to 17 students present at one time, I am requesting a HEPA Medical Grade Air Purifier not only to give my students the safest air I possibly can, but hopefully a real chance at face-to-face learning.

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