Community Update Re: COVID-109 Safety Protocols 03/14/20
Good Morning La Tierra Community,
As Spring Break is drawing to an end, we wanted to update you on LTCS procedures for the current coronavirus, COVID-19 pandemic. We have been closely monitoring this situation and receive daily updates from the Arizona Department of Health Services and the Arizona Department of Education. Gov. Doug Ducey, Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman and Cara Christ, director of the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), held a conference call Thursday with school and education leaders from around the state. At this point ADHS is not recommending school closures. Additionally, we have been in contact with the Yavapai County Health Department and a future school closure would be made in consultation with them. If the decision is made to close LTCS you will be notified immediately via email, facebook and phonevite.
In the meantime here are the recommended ways you can keep your family healthy and help prevent the spread of viruses:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
- Stay home when you are sick and for 24 hours following the cessation of symptoms
- 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
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
The staff of LTCS are committed to the health and safety of all the members of our community. During this time we will be modifying our daily schedule to have the children eat snack and lunch first before recess. ALL classes and ALL students will be washing hands with soap and water prior to eating meals. Teachers will also be instituting frequent wipe downs of common areas in the classrooms with disinfecting wipes. We will also be sending any student who presents at school at any time with a temperature of 100 degrees or above home immediately. Additionally, students who have been home with a fever need to stay home for at least 24 hours after their fever has dropped below 100.
We understand that each of our families are different and have unique situations within them. If you feel that the best decision for your family is to stay home at this time please let us know by emailing: office@latierracommunityschool.org so we can work with you to ensure your childs continued success once they return to campus.
For additional information refer to the following documents available from the CDC.
How to talk to children about Coronavirus:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/talking-with-children.html
Coronavirus fact sheet:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/2019-ncov-factsheet.pdf
Be well and take good care of those you love.
Julie Jongsma
