Here are some preventative steps you can take to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases like COVID-19 according to the CDC:
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Stay home when you are sick.
What can you do to help Grady?
Coronavirus Preparation Update – March 3, 2020
We know you have questions about coronavirus/COVID-19 and how it may affect our schools and community. Our school district has been in constant contact with the experts at the Florida Department of Health.
Coronavirus is spread just like the flu, through droplets from sneezing or coughing. It can lead to a respiratory illness (an illness that affects breathing and involves the lungs) called COVID-19. If you have specific questions about you or your family’s health, contact your health care provider.
Current situation
1) We are operating our schools as usual, with normal hours. We are taking proactive steps for the health and well-being of our students and staff—frequently cleaning our classrooms and common areas. We are also installing more hand sanitizer dispensers in our schools. At this time, based on guidance from the Florida Department of Health, there is no reason to be scared—just be smart about prevention.
2) It is important to talk with your family about using good hygiene—this stops the spread of most illnesses. Follow the prevention steps here, especially:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds
- Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth without washing your hands first
- Cough or sneeze into your elbow or sleeve—not your hand
3) Stay home if you are sick. This helps stop the spread of any illness, including a cold or flu, and lets you rest and recover. If you have the symptoms of COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus—fever, cough and shortness of breath—call your regular doctor and don’t go to school or work.
Absences due to illness
We always encourage our parents to keep their children home if they are sick. If a student stays home from school due to illness, and the student’s parent or guardian reports the reason for the absence to the school, the absence is excused under our district’s Attendance Policy.
For excused absences, students can make up the work they missed and can work with their teachers for missed assignments and tests.
We are working with our teachers to ensure teachers who use Edsby are posting assignments there whenever possible and all teachers are making arrangements for make-up work.
Spring Break and travel
With Spring Break coming, you may be asking yourself—should I travel? The CDC’s Coronavirus Information for Travelers webpage has the latest information. This is important: There are specific areas around the world and in the U.S. with high numbers of coronavirus cases. If you travel to a place where coronavirus transmission is happening and then you develop symptoms, you will be isolated by the Florida Department of Health for at least two weeks and you will put your family, friends and others at risk.
Hand sanitizer in schools and buses
We have ordered hand sanitizer dispensers to install on school buses and at the main entrances and cafeterias of all district-operated schools. We will be installing them as we receive them over the coming days. We are also looking to purchase disinfecting wipes that teachers can use as needed in their classroom. Because of the large numbers involved—235 schools with 12,000 classrooms—we have to find suppliers who have the large quantities we need and then have them shipped here, so this may take time.
Updates
We will continue to share regular updates via email and on our district website at HillsboroughSchools.org
