Coronavirus (COVID-19): Updates and Resources from District 96

 
March 9, 2020

Dear District 96 Parents and Guardians,

 

The health and safety of our students and staff remain our top priorities, and I want to provide you with an update. In addition to the protocols and actions outlined in the communication sent out on February 28, 2020.

 

Here is what we are doing:

 

  • We remain vigilant in monitoring news and updates from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH).
  • We continue to follow the recommended protocols from the CDC and IDPH for cleaning and sanitizing our schools. The schools underwent deep cleaning and sanitizing Saturday, March 7. We anticipate continuing this process on Saturdays during this period of pandemic concern.
  • The Pandemic Preparedness Committee met Friday, March 6, to review the District’s up-to-date policies and procedures regarding pandemic illness. The Committee discussed critical topics involved in supporting student and staff safety as well as parent communication. 
    • The Committee consists of Administrators, two School Board Members, Head School Nurse, the Chief of the Riverside Fire Department, and staff.
    • The Pandemic Preparedness Committee is scheduled to meet again Tuesday, March 17.
  • We are monitoring students and staff that are experiencing flu-like symptoms and sending them home if they present any of the following symptoms: temperature of 100 degrees or higher, respiratory infection symptoms, rashes for unknown reasons, diarrhea, or vomiting.
  • School nurses are reviewing hand washing best practices with students. Hauser students will learn the facts about COVID-19 in an effort to dispel myths and misinformation. 
  • The District has two days of e-Learning approved by the Board of Education and will explore adding additional days. 

 

As the discussion about COVID-19 continues, we also want to be mindful of any stereotyping, racism, and discrimination that can be associated with the outbreaks of infectious disease.

 

This from the CDC:

“Public health emergencies, such as the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), are stressful times for people and communities. Fear and anxiety about a disease can lead to social stigma (1) toward people, places, or things. For example, stigma and discrimination can occur when people associate a disease, such as COVID-19, with a population or nationality, even though not everyone in that population or from that region is specifically at risk for the disease. Stigma can also occur after a person has been released from COVID-19 quarantine even though they are not considered a risk for spreading the virus to others.”

“It is important to remember that people – including those of Asian descent – who do not live in or have not recently been in an area of ongoing spread of the virus that causes COVID-19, or have not been in contact with a person who is a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19 are not at greater risk of spreading COVID-19 than other Americans.”

 

For medical questions or concerns, contact your physician.

 

Additional resources are available online:

 

I hope you find this information helpful. We will remain vigilant in monitoring any changes to this ongoing situation. Please contact me should you have additional questions.

 

Sincerely,

 

Martha

 
February 28, 2020
Dear District 96 Parents and Guardians,
 
In response to the growing concern about the potential spread and impact of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus), I want to reassure you that the district is closely monitoring the news and updates from the Illinois Department of Health (IDPH) and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 
 
The health and safety of our students and staff is our top priority. Please be assured we are following the recommended protocols recommended by the IDPH, which include routine cleaning and disinfecting all of our buildings. Our school nurses will remain vigilant in monitoring students, especially those who may exhibit symptoms associated with the virus.
 
There are no reported cases in our school district. The IDPH currently stated that the health risk to the general public from COVID-19 remains low in the U.S. and Illinois. We are focused on prevention, and District 96 is following the recommendations from the IDPH and CDC.
 
The Illinois Department of Public Health Recommendations
 
The best way to control and prevent infection is to take precautions to avoid exposure to the virus, which are similar precautions you would take to avoid the flu. IDHP recommends taking the following everyday actions to help prevent the spread of viruses including:
 
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick
  • Stay home when you are sick
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and immediately place it in the trash (if tissue is not available, cough or sneeze into your upper arm or elbow)
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
 
Colds and respiratory viruses are common this time of year. Please take a moment to remind your child to practice good hygiene, including handwashing and respiratory etiquette. To prevent the spread of illness, the Health Department recommends that your child stay home from school if experiencing flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, and sore throat. If your child is running a fever of 100 degrees or higher, please keep your child home until they are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications. If your child is experiencing vomiting or diarrhea, please keep your child home until these concerns have been resolved for 24 hours, and your child is tolerating food without the use of medication to stop the symptoms.
 
For medical questions or concerns, contact your physician.
 
Additional resources are available online:
 
I hope you find this information helpful. We will remain vigilant in monitoring any changes to this ongoing situation. Please contact me should you have additional questions.
 
Sincerely,
 
Martha
 
 
 
Estimados padres y tutores del Distrito 96:
 
 
En respuesta a la creciente preocupación sobre la posible propagación e impacto del COVID-19 (Coronavirus), quiero asegurarle que el distrito está monitoreando de cerca las noticias y actualizaciones del Departamento de Salud de Illinois (IDPH) y el Centro de Enfermedades Control y Prevención (CDC).
 
La salud y seguridad de nuestros estudiantes y personal es nuestra principal prioridad. Tenga la seguridad de que seguimos los protocolos recomendados recomendados por el IDPH, que incluyen la limpieza de rutina y la desinfección de todos nuestros edificios. Las enfermeras de nuestra escuela permanecerán vigilantes al monitorear a los estudiantes, especialmente a aquellos que puedan presentar síntomas asociados con el virus.
 
No hay casos reportados en nuestro distrito escolar. El IDPH actualmente declaró que el riesgo para la salud del público en general de COVID-19 sigue siendo bajo en los EE. UU. E Illinois. Estamos enfocados en la prevención y el Distrito 96 está siguiendo las recomendaciones del IDPH y los CDC.
 
Recomendaciones del Departamento de Salud Pública de Illinois
 
La mejor manera de controlar y prevenir la infección es tomar precauciones para evitar la exposición al virus, que son precauciones similares que tomaría para evitar la gripe. IDHP recomienda tomar las siguientes acciones diarias para ayudar a prevenir la propagación de virus, que incluyen:
 
  • Lávese las manos con frecuencia con agua y jabón durante al menos 20 segundos. Si no hay agua y jabón disponibles, use un desinfectante para manos a base de alcohol
  • Evite tocarse los ojos, la nariz y la boca con las manos sin lavar
  • Evitar el contacto cercano con personas que están enfermas
  • Quédese en casa cuando esté enfermo
  • Cubra su tos o estornude con un pañuelo desechable e inmediatamente colóquelo en la basura (si no tiene pañuelos desechables, tosa o estornude en la parte superior del brazo o el codo)
  • Limpiar y desinfectar objetos y superficies que se tocan con frecuencia.
 
Los resfriados y los virus respiratorios son comunes en esta época del año. Tómese un momento para recordarle a su hijo que practique una buena higiene, incluido el lavado de manos y la etiqueta respiratoria. Para evitar la propagación de la enfermedad, el Departamento de Salud recomienda que su hijo se quede en casa fuera de la escuela si experimenta síntomas similares a los de la gripe, como fiebre, tos y dolor de garganta. Si su hijo tiene fiebre de 100 grados o más, manténgalo en casa hasta que no tenga fiebre durante 24 horas, sin el uso de medicamentos para reducir la fiebre. Si su hijo está experimentando vómitos o diarrea, manténgalo en casa hasta que estas inquietudes se hayan resuelto durante 24 horas y su hijo tolere los alimentos sin el uso de medicamentos para detener los síntomas.
 
Para preguntas o inquietudes médicas, comuníquese con su médico.

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