We know that parents and staff may have questions about the possible spread of COVID-19, more commonly referred to as the Coronavirus, in the United States. To assist you with those questions, the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) has collaborated with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) on the creation of the resources to better understand how to respond to an outbreak of the virus in our area.
Please be advised that in the United States the current risk of COVID-19 for the general public is low. It is critical to remain calm and to be vigilant in addressing any misinformation being spread. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website (cdc.gov) and the KDHE website (kdheks.gov) will provide credible and up-to-date guidance as it becomes available.
COVID-19 requires us to take the same precautions as with influenza (flu). Hygiene is key with this outbreak and self-isolation/quarantine should be practiced anytime someone becomes ill. The average length of time a child or staff member could be out of school as a result of this illness is anywhere from 7-10 days.
Decisions to temporarily dismiss school would ONLY be considered after consultation and coordination with KDHE and KSDE. If they advise our school district to close for a time to contain any exposure, we would immediately let you know. We are building a plan to be put in place for our students and their learning experience in the case of school closure. This plan would include online learning options for students as well as alternate assignments for homes without Internet access. All activities, sports, and meetings would be cancelled during the time of the outbreak. Students and staff would need to refrain from gathering or socializing anywhere, like at a friend’s house, a favorite restaurant, or the local shopping mall.
An earlier post provides some information from the CDC concerning the Coronavirus. We do need to stay vigilant for this, having a plan in place, but we also need to stay calm. One of the best things any parent can do with their child is to emphasize the power of correct handwashing techniques. That is just one of the things we are doing at school to help in this matter. Also, please, if you feel your child is sick, please keep them at home. Just give us a call to let us know that the student is sick. Thanks for your help!