March 10th, 2020
Dear Parents
The emergence of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in China and its spread to other parts of the world has generated a great deal of news, concern, and questions over the last few weeks. Governor Laura Kelly announced that Kansas’s exposure is low at this moment and time. We still need to be vigilant and prepared for if/when the outbreak occurs in Kansas. COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by a novel (new) virus, and we are learning more about it every day. There is currently no vaccine to protect against COVID-19. At this point, the best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus that causes it. Stopping transmission (spread) of the virus through everyday practices is the best way to keep people healthy.
USD #289 wants to assure families that we are taking all the essential precautions and have protocols in place as part of our Emergency Response plan to respond to any outbreak of communicable disease within our schools. Custodial staff has been directed to prioritize and increase frequency of cleaning common and high traffic areas each day including buses. We have been working with the Franklin County Health Department as they closely monitor the current situation. As new information is received by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the Franklin County Health Department, more guidance and recommendations will be given at that time.
While we are still in the midst of cold and flu season, we encourage parents to continue to encourage all family members to practice good hygiene and virus prevention practices.
Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol, dye free and fragrance free) is a good choice when soap and water is unavailable but not the recommended choice for killing all germs.
Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue and discard the tissue after each use.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Stay home or keep your child home except to get medical care with a fever of 100 degrees or greater.
We will continue to communicate with families by email and/or phone using our PowerSchool and Apptegy system if there are updates, changes, or concerns.
If you have any further concerns or want more information, please contact your health care provider or the Franklin County Health Department. You can also visit the Centers for Disease Control website for more information regarding COVID-19 (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html).
Ryan Bradbury Tracie Toman
Superintendent District Nurse
USD 289 Wellsville USD 289 Wellsville