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Greetings NPS Parents,
I understand that many of you have questions and concerns regarding developments surrounding the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19. I want to assure you that we are closely monitoring the situation and working diligently to ensure that we are prepared for every contingency. We are also following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Oklahoma State Department of Health and are in frequent communication with local health officials.
Information for travelers
We understand many families have plans to travel during Spring Break. We are following guidance provided by the Oklahoma State Department of Health and the Oklahoma State Department of Education with regard to travel. Therefore, individuals returning from a Level 2 or 3 country as identified by CDC must self-quarantine upon return for a period of 14 days before returning to school. This applies to all students, teachers and other school or district staff. Please refer frequently to the CDC Travelers’ Guidance as countries may be elevated to Level 2 or 3 at any time. Travelers returning from Level 2 or 3 countries should:
Stay home and avoid contact with others. Do not go to work or school for this 14-day period.
Take your temperature with a thermometer two times a day and monitor for fever. Also watch for cough or trouble breathing.
Do not take public transportation, taxis, or ride-shares during the time you are practicing social distancing.
Avoid crowded places (such as shopping centers and movie theaters) and limit your activities in public.
Keep your distance from others (about 6 feet).
Our faculty will work remotely with your children to help them remain current in their studies during such time. After the 14-day period, if your child is symptom free, they may return to school. We recognize that attendance is important, however, we are discouraging attendance-based incentives at schools and will be as flexible as possible with regard to student absences. We will work with individual families as needed on how to handle these excused absences, exemptions, etc.
Additionally, we encourage individuals who plan to travel to other international locations, or to areas within the United States that have a large number of COVID-19 cases, to carefully watch for signs of the virus. We also encourage you to consider a voluntary self-quarantine for 14 days upon return if you think you may have been exposed to the virus.
Preventative measures in schools
Several preventative measures have already been put in place in our schools. Many of these processes are also implemented annually during cold and flu season. We have:
Increased the frequency of custodial cleaning at all school sites, focusing on common hand-touch areas and high-traffic locations
Deployed new, highly effective electrostatic cleaning sprayers - used most often by the healthcare industry - to safely clean surfaces in schools.
Installed additional hand sanitizing stations throughout school facilities
Continued to routinely clean and disinfect school buses and activity vehicles
Encouraged staff and students who are ill to stay home
Continued to monitor daily flu counts, which continue to decline
Separated students who present flu-like symptoms from others while they wait to be picked up
If local health officials recommend school closings, it is our intention to continue to provide services for students to the extent possible. We have been working diligently to develop contingency plans should school closings occur and we will communicate details of such plans if they become necessary.
Personal prevention measures
Symptoms of COVID-19 can include fever (100.4 F or greater), cough and shortness of breath. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid exposure to the virus. As a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:
Avoid close contact with people who are sick
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
Stay home when you are sick
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue
Immediately throw used tissues into 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, especially after using the restroom; before eating; 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.
CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
If a staff member or student has been exposed to COVID-19, call ahead before visiting your physician and contact the Cleveland County Health Department at (405) 794-1591.
CDC resources
Once again, I understand that there are concerns and questions regarding this topic. We will continue to monitor developments regarding the virus and will keep you informed. I appreciate your help and cooperation in our efforts to minimize the spread of COVID-19. For more information about our student health policies and procedures, visit www.normanpublicschools.org/health.
Sincerely,
Dr. Nick Migliorino
Superintendent
Current as of March 10, 2020
Norman Public Schools
Values: Integrity | Inclusiveness | Collaboration | Optimism
Email: normanpublicschools@norman.k12.ok.us
Website: normanpublicschools.org
Location: 131 South Flood Avenue, Norman, OK, United States
Facebook: facebook.com/normanpublicschools
Twitter: @NormanSchools
