Morris School District update on coronavirus precautions

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From the Morris School District:

Feb. 27, 2020

Dear Morris School District Community,

The purpose of the present letter is to provide an update in light of the CDC’s Feb. 25th announcement that schools should begin preparing in the event of an outbreak of coronavirus, or COVID-19, in the United States.

HAGA CLIC PARA ESPAÑOL

The CDC also stated on Feb. 25th that, although “the potential public health threat posed by COVID-19 is high, both globally and to the United States … for the general American public, who are unlikely to be exposed to this virus at this time, the immediate health risk from COVID-19 is considered low.”

Of course, this is a rapidly evolving situation, and, therefore, it is important that we have procedures in place to ensure the health and safety of our district community and to minimize disruption to our students’ education.

While it is easy, and certainly unsettling, to envision a worst-case scenario, it is crucial that we anchor our decisions and dialogue in evidence-based facts and confirmed information.  To this end, the CDC has urged people to “share facts, not fear.”

Over the last two weeks, we have begun contingency planning in the event that COVID-19 manifests itself more prominently in NJ.  Our contingency planning involves provisions for the following, among other considerations:

  • Centralized communication to families and staff via the District website, social media, and alert system (SwiftK12) to provide regular updates
  • Appropriate disinfection of facilities and materials daily
  • Virtual accommodations via school-issued Chromebooks or other devices to enable instruction to continue
  • Close partnership with state and local health agencies and local government

We will continue to refine our contingency planning as we receive new information from the NJ Department of Education, the Department of Health, and other authorities so that we can best meet the needs of our students, families, and staff.

Please be aware that outbreaks involving COVID-19 evolve quickly, and recommendations from public health officials may change frequently. Any relevant new information that we receive will be added to our website at this link: https://www.morrisschooldistrict.org/quicklinks/update-on-flu-and-coronavirus.  

If your child or members of your immediate family have recently traveled to a part of the world (China, South Korea, northern Italy, Iran, etc.) that is currently experiencing higher rates of infection, please contact your child’s school nurse to discuss their status.

I wish also to remind you of the recommended hygiene practices included in our Feb. 5th update on flu and coronavirus.  According to the CDC, the best protection against viral transmission is frequent handwashing.

Recommended Hygiene Practices

To minimize the spread of respiratory viruses, including influenza and coronavirus, the CDC recommends the following:

  • Keep children home when they are sick, especially if they present with fever (above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, or 37.7 C).  Children should be fever-free (without fever-reducing medication) for at least 24 hours before returning to school.
  • Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

Finally, I refer you once again to the CDC’s and NJ Department of Health’s resources on COVID-19 as official sources of evidence-based information. These are available on our website:  https://www.morrisschooldistrict.org/quicklinks/update-on-flu-and-coronavirus.

We will continue to monitor the situation closely and follow any recommendations proffered by the NJ Department of Education and Department of Health.  There will be another communication within a week to provide any updates or additional information.

Thank you for your attention to these matters. Schools will continue to operate as normal unless we receive new direction from the State.  As always, our counselors are available to support any child who feels anxious or worried about COVID-19.

Sincerely,

Mackey Pendergrast
Superintendent of Schools

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