We support Superintendent Duran, and the Arlington County School Board, in announcing that under their constitutionally invested authority they will continue to mandate universal masking in our schools. This is an effective health measure that ensures all children have access to in-person education, and in a recent survey of more than 70 studies,...
News and Notes
APS’ Ionizers Got Lab Tested: The Results Weren’t Great
We have received the results from the Illinois Institute of Technology lab that is evaluating the efficacy of electronic air cleaners. They tested the Blueair 211 units (which APS bought). Results are disappointing to us. 📌 Project: https://t.co/ldULfLB2B1 📌 Report: https://t.co/kfEWZTIwKW There was some inaccurate information being put forth...

In the News! Outdoor Lunch Petition Launched
Indoor dining during the pandemic is widely recognized as a high risk activity. The CDC, Dr. Fauci, epidemiologists, experts and the Arlington School Health Advisory Board all recommend that schools hold meals outdoors. Yet, APS has only "encouraged," but not required, outdoor dining in its schools, leaving this critical safety measure to the...
Smart Restart on NBC National News!
We're partnering with teachers and scientists, like Dr. Eric Feigl-Ding and the Covid Action Group, to push for more federal dollars to help schools quickly implement the short-term projects recommended in the new CDC guidance on ventilation and filtration. And we were featured on national news this week, as more of our youngest students returned...

CDC’s New Guidance: Layered Risk Reduction
Late last week, the CDC issued new guidance on K-12 school reopening. It was accompanied by a handbook from the US Department of Education. School districts are no doubt scrambling to digest this new guidance and evaluate their plans in light of it. Parents and teachers are wondering what this will mean for their schools. Â Here are some key...

Using Air Cleaners Correctly
Now that APS has started to deliver 1,450 portable air cleaners to classrooms, we have a few tips for any teachers or staff trying to figure out where to place them. When positioning the air purifiers in the classroom: A single air cleaner should ideally be placed centrally. If several purifiers are installed, the instruments should be...

The Swiss Cheese Model of Reducing Risk
The premise of using multiple strategies to reduce risk is a foundation for workplace management of possible hazards. No single intervention can be expected to work 100% of the time. Having several strategies can help to make sure the virus can't find a way through the holes in the cheese! The national workplace safety lab also ranks possible...