CCISD March 27, 2020 Intercom Issue

March 27, 2020

Bravo, CCISD employees! `

EVENTS April 13

Regular Board Meeting: 3:30 p.m. ____________________________

As we move through this developing situation, we will continue to keep you updated regarding the status of district events and activities.

Please stay in touch with your supervisor as well.

Remember: always wear your CCISD badge when on district property.

Thank you! Take care, and we look forward to seeing everyone soon!

We are #CCISDProud of our employees’ eagerness to help our students and our community. From disinfecting schools to feeding children to tech support to preparing and distributing thousands of instructional packets, your work has had an incredibly positive, comforting impact on our city. Thank you for your dedication to CCISD!

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Above the Line Employees of the Month Nominations are always open for Above the Line employee recognitions. Click here to find out how you can nominate an outstanding employee.Thank you to our community partners for providing donations for the Above the Line employees.

Checking Voicemail While Away and Call Forwarding Follow the steps below to check your classroom/office voicemail while away: 1. Dial 361-878-1599 2. Once the call is answered by the

voicemail system, Press * 3. Enter your ID (extension number) followed by # 4. Next, enter your pin (6 digit passcode) followed by # 5. Follow the voicemail prompts to listen to your messages Call Forward classroom/office phone to another number: (Must be done from your classroom/office phone) 1. From your classroom/office phone, Select Forward All or CFwdALL, you should hear a confirmation beep.

2. Dial 7 and the destination phone number (including area code) 3. Press End Call 4. The phone should now display Calls Forwarded To cancel Call Forwarding, press CFwdALL

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March 27, 2020

Social Distancing and Handwashing Tips from the Office of Student Health Services What is social distancing?

Social Distancing is the practice of purposefully reducing close contact between people. The CDC defines social distancing as: • Remaining out of “congregate settings” as much as possible.

• Avoiding mass gatherings • Maintaining distance of about 6 feet from others when possible.

So, what does six feet look like?

Here are a few everyday items to give you a general idea of what 6 feet looks like.

• The length of a sofa • The length of a door • The length of a twin mattress.

Why is social distancing important?

Social distancing is crucial for preventing the spread of contagious illnesses such as COVID -19. When someone sneezes or coughs, small drops of liquid spray from their nose or mouth. If you are standing too close, you can breathe in droplets which may contain the COVID -19 virus if the person is infected. By minimizing the amount of close contact that we have with others, we reduce our chances of catching the virus and spreading it to our loved ones and within the community.

All about handwashing: We have known that hand washing was effective in slowing down the spread of infections all the way back to the 1850’s when Louis Pasteur and Joseph Lister documented the tremendous difference it made. Recent studies have shown that washing your hands reduces the changes of contracting a respiratory illness by 54%! We have all heard about the 20 second rule but rubbing soap on your palms or the back of your hands simply isn’t enough. We need to really focus on our fingertips and thumbs. Using a twisting and back and forth action is essential to remove bacteria. Hot water is not necessary. The temperature of the water doesn’t matter when it comes to eliminating germs, but doctors suggest using warm water when it is available.

Anti-bacterial soap is also not necessary. According to the Food and Drug Administration, there is no evidence that suggests that antibacterial is any better at killing viruses than standard soap.

Also, If everyone is using antibacterial soap we are actually encouraging drug resistant bacteria to develop. So, don’t throw out the ivory, dove or pink liquid soap at school, it works just as well. Soap works by tearing apart the virus. It’s molecular nature strips down the outer lipid or fatty shell that holds the virus together and causes it to disintegrate.

While hand sanitizer is great to use when soap and water is not available, the CDC does not consider it the gold standard of cleaning your hands. If you do need to use hand sanitizer, the CDC recommends that it has at least 60 percent alcohol content.

FROM THE HUMAN RESOURCES FAQ Q: Will BlueCross BlueShield pay for the coronavirus testing?

A: Yes, the District’s Human Resources Department has partnered with BlueCross BlueShield to ensure the cost of diagnostic testing is covered for eligible participants in the Medical Plan to diagnose COVID-19 when medically necessary and consistent with CDC guidance with: No prior authorization needed and no member copays or deductibles. Treatment, such as hospitalization, would be covered as any other medical expense on the plan.

Q: Are flu shots still being offered through the District’s Wellness Program?

A: Yes, the District encourages all employees to get the flu shot if they have not already done so.

Q: If I am not feeling well, how do I contact RediMD to report my symptoms to a doctor from home?

A: RediMD can be reached at 1-866-989-2873. Find more information on the RediMD Flyer, under forms, by visiting the Employee Benefits page.

Q: This is a very stressful time for my family. What do you recommend?

A: The District’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is offered through Family Counseling Service and is provided at no cost to employees to assist with any anxiety/stress during this time. Family Counseling Service can be reached at 8527415. For more information, please view the EAP flyer, under wellness, by visiting the Employee Benefits page.

Q: Now that I am home during the COVID-19 and my childcare needs have changed, can I discontinue my current Dependent Care contributions? If so, how?

A: Yes, you are able to discontinue or adjust the amount you currently contribute to the Dependent Care Benefit by sending an email to insurance@ccisd.us or contact Human Resources at 695-7250. The deadline to request to discontinue or adjust the Dependent Care contributions is April 14, 2020.

Please see the Human Resources’ Frequently Asked Questions document, on the CCISD Employee Information website for more information and updates. As you know, this is a rapidly changing situation. We will continue to share information via this document and other communication methods. Please let us know if you have any questions and/or concerns. We are here to support you.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES The disruption of our daily routine, anxiety and worry around COVID-19 can be overwhelming for you and your family members. It is important to remember we are all in this together. Below are some resources to help you navigate this situation.

• Coping with Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreak • Talking to Children About COVID-19 (Coronavirus) • Tips For Caregivers, Parents, And Teachers During Infectious Disease Outbreaks

UPDATE YOUR INFORMATION As a reminder, the best way to ensure your contact information is accurate in the system is to check your employee account in the District’s portal. To update contact information via CCISD Portal: • Visit portal.ccisd.us.

• Click on Pay Stub/Address Changes link under the Employee Online/Paystub tab • Click on the Home Address link under the Personal Information tab • Click the Edit link in the bottom right corner • Make corrections as needed and click the Save button in the bottom right corner • Update is now complete

CCISD Continues to Provide Free Curbside Meals to Children CCISD’s Office of Food Services will continue to offer curbside meals to children 18 and younger. The packets will now include breakfast and lunch items. The to-go meals will be available from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. each weekday. For more information and complete details visit our website.

EMPLOYEE FAQS

The District will continue to keep everyone informed with regular updates on the FAQ on our website.

Please email general questions to communications@ccisd.us and Human Resources questions to CCISDhr@ccisd.us While we may not be able to answer all individual emails, we will use the topics you raise to update our FAQs.

UPDATES FROM THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI

Our friends at the City of Corpus Christi are providing regular updates and sharing factual information about COVID-19. All updates are archived on their YouTube channel. Their dedicated webpage is cctexas.com/ coronavirus

March 27, 2020

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