PTA Survey March 2020

COVID-19 Letter to Families

Dear ASD Families,

The coronavirus, known as COVID-19, is a significant topic of concern in Anchorage and globally. While Alaska presently has no confirmed cases of this illness, the possibility remains real. To that end, please know your District is prepared. Here is helpful information for you to make informed decisions.

Prevention Measures - The best defense against any contagious illness is frequent and effective handwashing. Based on guidance from healthcare professionals, masks are not allowed unless specifically coordinated with the school nurse, as they are generally not used appropriately by children.

Family Actions:

· Wash hands frequently

· Use soap & water for 20 seconds; sing “Happy Birthday” or the “ABCs” to time the task

· Use hand sanitizer when water is unavailable

· Practice coughing/sneezing into the elbow or a tissue

· Keep hands below the chin

· Keep children home when sick

ASD Actions:

· Teach proper hand washing

· Purchase hand sanitizer for use in schools

· Suspend handshaking routines

· Increase sanitization of schools and buses

· Educate all staff on current protocols

· Suspend attendance awards

· Encourage staff to stay home when sick

District Closure Preparation - ASD has an Infectious Disease Plan in place, and school nurses have the most up-to-date information. In an extreme situation, the District may need to close for a time. If a closure takes place, we want everyone to be prepared.

If the District were to close, the effects to families and across the entire community would be significant. Families should take the time to consider how a potential closure would impact their daily lives and take steps to plan ahead. Childcare, work/activity schedules, and other family logistics are a few areas that may be affected if ASD is forced to close.

Family Actions:

· Plan for short and long-term closures

o Work schedules

o Childcare

o Activity Schedules

· Know how to reach your child’s teacher(s) via email

ASD Actions:

· Communicate regularly with our community

o Email

o ASD website

o Social media/text

o Local media

· Engage e-learning opportunities

· Coordinate continuation of meal service for students in need

· Plan for employee absences

· Maintain facilities

Travel Considerations - Due to the risk of contracting the virus or being isolated outside of Alaska, ASD has canceled all school sponsored domestic and international travel for students and staff through April 2020. In-state travel is not affected.

During spring break, many ASD families have personal vacation plans. We encourage them to stay current with the latest travel advisories and the specific status of their travel location. The CDC travel page has reliable and accurate information.

Family Actions:

· Monitor travel advisories

· Plan for long-term stays

· Check regularly for school updates and/or assignments

· Inform your school of absences (stipulate illness, travel restriction, or isolation)

ASD Actions:

· Communicate regularly

· Welcome students back to school

· Reduce stigma related to travel locations

· Be flexible with missed assignments

· Manage fear and misinformation

You may find these reputable websites useful in your effort to stay informed: · Anchorage Health Department · Alaska Department of Health and Social Services · Center for Disease Control

ASD will keep you updated with new developments. Thank you for your continued engagement and cooperation.

Sincerely,

Anchorage School District

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