Dear Buckaroos,
As many of you are aware there has been a lot of news coverage and discussion regarding the status of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and what steps should be taken as a nation moving forward. We wanted to let our parents and community know that our district is continually monitoring information from federal, state and local agencies. As stated in prior communication concerning the coronavirus, this information is to remind everyone of the general guidelines to help prevent illnesses and provide the latest updates we have as a district.
Below are some general guidelines to help prevent the spread of illnesses.
- CDC recommends getting the flu vaccine.
- We are asking all staff and students who are feeling ill to stay home until they recover.
- Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth.
- Cover coughs and sneezes with the bend of your arm not your hands.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces or objects.
- Wash hands often and for 20 seconds.
Guidance from the CDC for those potentially exposed to Coronavirus:
Any travelers (students / staff) who have returned within the last 14 days from China, South Korea, Italy, Iran, and Japan should be monitored and should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible. After 14 days symptom free, these people can return to work or school. Any suspected case (with symptoms) of COVID-19 should be reported to ADH immediately at 501-537-8969 (M-F 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM) or 1-800-554-5738 (after hours and weekends).
It is important to remember that handling the spread of a serious illness like the coronavirus is primarily a task for public health agencies. As such, the following information was shared with school districts from the state health department recently. All citizens are asked to review and rethink travel plans to consider whether plans will put themselves or others at higher risk of transmission. SNSD will evaluate school-sponsored travel plans and ask school-district employees to consider risks associated with their personal travel plans, including spring break.
We appreciate your efforts to follow the guidelines listed above and want you to know we will continue to monitor developments and communicate with the community and school family as needed.
Go Bucks!
Jason Black, Superintendent of Schools