WISD gets masks and classroom filtration units

The Wimberley Independent School District was recently selected by a Texas company to participate in a trial of its zinc-infused reusable face covers. The company, Ascend Performance Materials, has provided WISD with 3,500 Acteev Protect™ antimicrobial masks at no cost. The opportunity came about as a result of a connection between WISD school board member Will Conley and Ascend.

“As an elected volunteer I’m always looking for resources I have access to that can assist us in providing the highest level of public safety for our district,” Con-ley said. “I’m pleased to run across this opportunity and add another piece to the safety measures we have in place at WISD for our students and staff.”

The masks were distributed to all district employees in December and offered to secondary students beginning in January. The masks have been a hit according to WISD Safety Director Roz Simmons, who helped distribute the masks. “I’ve received great feedback about the wearability of the masks, they’re soft, light, and washable,” Simmons said. According to the company the masks are antimicrobial, odor and mildew resistant, and can be washed multiple times on normal laundry cycles - while maintaining effectiveness after more than 50 washes. The adjustable masks are sized for students and adults aged 12 and up. Ascend provided the University of Houston football program with Acteev Protect masks last fall.

Ascend has also made the masks available to the entire community at a discounted price. Those who are interested can visit acteev.com/wisd and use the code “WISD” at checkout for a 25% discount.

“Teachers and students wear masks all day to protect themselves and each other from spreading the virus, and they deserve a mask that is comfortable and breathable,” said Lu Zhang, Ascend’s VP of Acteev. “We are proud to support a Texas district who has demonstrated such a commitment to keep their learners, faculty and staff safe.”

The generous mask donation from Ascend is just the latest effort WISD has made to keep its students and staff safe during the pandemic. Currently WISD maintenance staff members are installing the Safe Breathing Zone Units (SBZUs) into classrooms. The purchase of the SBZUs was approved by the WISD board in October at a price of approximately $425,000. The units combine ultraviolet light, bipolar ionization and HEPA filtration technologies to ensure classrooms, administrative and nurses offices, libraries, music rooms, and athletic halls will be supplied with a curtain of super filtrated air. In the fall semester needle-point ionization units were installed into all of the district’s air units that serve large rooms, such as cafeterias, gymnasiums, and hallways. The ionization equipment ensures that the air in even the largest spaces within WISD facilities is being filtered and cleaned. All the filtration system pieces, including the SBZUs, will be installed the next several months on all four WISD campuses.