Princeton School District Installs Plexiglass, Receives PPE

PRINCETON, NJ - Princeton Public Schools has announced that it has completed most remodeling plans across the district to prepare for in-person classes come October.

In a statement to Patch, the district said it has installed plexiglass dividers in schools and received personal protective equipment (PPE) to be distributed to teachers.

Although the district begins the school year fully remote on September 14, they plan to shift to hybrid mode on October 12. Under the hybrid mode, social distancing rules are mandatory as are masks, handwashing, daily screening and temperature checks.

Plexiglass dividers have been placed in common areas like main offices, entrances and cafeterias, said the statement.

Interim superintendent Barry Galasso said additional PPE and gowns will be provided to teachers working in special education classes and in the autism program.

The district received 6,000 N95 masks, 10,000 ASTM Level 2 certified surgical masks, and face shields. Teachers will be trained on effective ways to use the masks and face shields.

In his statement, Galasso also emphasized that the district has initiated enhanced cleaning protocols across all its school buildings.

Bathrooms have also been modified to meet social distancing requirements. Hand blowers have been replaced with “no touch” paper towel dispensers and toilets modified to touchless flushing. Only one student at a time will be allowed in bathrooms at elementary schools.

The district is focusing on preventing airborne COVID-19 transmission and is installing ionization devices to the air conditioning systems.

In their statement, the district said it has “thoroughly checked all existing heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) operating systems”.

The board of education is scheduled to meet Tuesday, at 7:30 p.m. for an open session.