For MUSD Parents, Staff and Community:

The Menifee Union School District (MUSD) continues to work closely with and obtain guidance from local, state, and federal public health agencies to monitor the latest updates regarding the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) and ensure the wellbeing of students and staff.  The County of Riverside Public Health Officer, Dr. Cameron Kaiser, declared a local health emergency yesterday citing the county’s first locally acquired case of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) that was announced March 7, 2020.

Menifee Union School District’s Response to COVID-19:

The communication plan was for MUSD to update our community every Monday and Friday, but we are prepared to provide more frequent communication in response to this fluid situation.  District staff have been participating in weekly calls with the County Public Health Department and we will continue to share information as it becomes known.
The District’s internal Emergency Planning Team (EPT) is developing COVID-19 preparedness in conjunction with our local public health department.  Prior to the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Riverside County, the EPT was meeting once per week to plan and prepare for COVID-19 and the overall safety of Menifee Union School District.  At this point in time the EPT is meeting as frequently as necessary.  One of our goals is to ensure MUSD is prepared and our community and stakeholders understand the measures the District is taking to ensure health and safety of our students and staff.

Precautionary Cleaning

●    Increased custodial support to be proactive in cleaning high traffic areas of schools.

• Each site has been provided one (1) additional hour per day to clean door knobs and common surface areas.  
• Each site will have three and half (3.5) additional hours per day to clean desks every day at each school site.
• Each site will have increased custodial support to address facilities used during off hours.
• Provided specific custodial training for all MUSD custodians related to best practices for school sanitation and preventing the spread of viruses on school campuses. 

●    Increased supply of disinfectant at each school site.

• In compliance with the Department of Pesticide Regulation, employees must complete training prior to using any disinfectant in a school setting.  Training will be made available to employees beginning the week of March 9, 2020.  Sites will receive twenty (20) additional spray bottles of disinfectant and towels for employees to use on campus later this week.
• The District has acquired electrostatic sprayers, disinfectants and sanitizers to ensure all surfaces are properly treated should the need arise.

Precautionary Personal Preventative Measures Provided:

●    Specific health office protocol for suspected COVID-19 illness.

• Staff received the memo and protocol on Friday, March 6, 2020 and were directed to post the protocol in the Health Office by Monday, March 9, 2020.
• Additional supplies on Monday,  March 9, 2020, including surgical masks for instances adhering to the COVID-19 Health Office Protocol.

●    Five (5) additional hand sanitizing stations at each school site on or before the week of March 30, 2020 (depending upon receipt from vendor).
●    Guidance from District Nurses to promote healthy habits to prevent the spread of germs.
●    Daily reminders to students and staff during the student announcements to:

• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue.
• Wash hands multiple times a day for at least 20 seconds. 
• Do not share food or drinks. 
• Practice giving fist or elbow bumps instead of handshakes.

(This message was distributed to the Menifee USD community on letterhead and social media on March 9, 2020)