March 6, 2020
Dear Families,
You are likely aware of the coronavirus, or COVID-19, that has become prevalent in other countries around the world. I'd like to provide an update of what has been done to prepare, in the event an outbreak occurs in Pennsylvania, and where you can access additional information. As with any potential wide-scale health concerns, our school district relies heavily on the PA State and Erie County Department of Heath as well as the PA Department of Education. If the coronavirus should appear in our area, we will be taking direction from these authorities.
The best way to prepare for an outbreak in Pennsylvania continues to be ensuring we practice good hygiene, including washing hands, covering coughs and sneezes, keeping surfaces clean, and encouraging people to stay home if they are sick.
• Below is a link to the Department of Health for more information on coronavirus:
https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/Pages/Coronavirus.aspx.
You may recognize the Department of Health precautions to stop the spread of the coronavirus, as similar to their recommendations for reducing the spread of the flu.
As you are aware, we are currently in the middle of the flu season. According to the medical authorities, the flu is much more likely to affect students than the coronavirus. The good news is that the reported cases of the flu in our schools remain low at this time. Nevertheless, we are working with our custodial staff and reviewing cleaning protocols for frequently touched surfaces, common areas, and classrooms. Surfaces are disinfected daily here at school.
Parents and guardians always have the responsibility for making decisions that are in the best interest of the health and safety of their own children. This includes decisions about keeping a student home if they are sick.
Symptoms of the flu include the sudden onset of:
· Fever
· Chills
· Headache
· Body Aches
Please be alert for any signs of illness in your children and seek medical attention for the above symptoms, as well as for complaints of:
· Severe sore throat
· Vomiting or diarrhea lasting for more than a few days
· Cough lasting more than 2 weeks
· Severe earache
· Shortness of breath
· Fever lasting more than 1 day
Also, please encourage your child to cough or sneeze into their elbow or a tissue, not their hand. Finally, remember the best way to prevent illness is to frequently wash your hands for at least 20 seconds using soap and water. If soap and water is not available, hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol content will suffice.
As a reminder, if your child has a fever greater or equal to 100 degrees, we ask that you keep your child home. When your child is fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication, it is safe for your child to return to school.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. Please do not hesitate to contact your child's school nurse should you have additional questions.
Sincerely,
Shane Murray
Superintendent of Schools