3.12.20 Lake Geneva Schools Coronavirus Update

3.12.20 Lake Geneva Schools Coronavirus Update
Posted on 03/12/2020
3.12.20 Lake Geneva Schools Coronavirus Update


March 12, 2020


Dear Parents and Guardians,

The health and safety of our students and staff is paramount, and we are closely monitoring the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19).  Please note that our cleaning staff at all schools is taking additional measures to ensure all surfaces are being sterilized daily including desks, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, etc.  Additional hand sanitizer stations have also been added throughout school buildings.

At this time, we have no known cases of COVID-19 among students or staff in Lake Geneva Schools or in the Walworth County area.  Nonetheless, I felt it appropriate to provide an update regarding our planning. We continue to work closely with the local Health Department to monitor this situation and share information in a proactive fashion to enhance preparedness. We have updated our plans and are currently in the process of finalizing details associated with providing for remote educational options, food service options, and other miscellaneous planning should a prolonged school closure become necessary in the future. 

If a school closure becomes necessary and it is longer than a few days (as directed by the Health Department), we intend to distribute necessary curricular materials to students and families digitally where possible. Our primary method for uploading and disseminating schoolwork for grades 6 - 12 is through Google Classroom.  Elementary school work will be disseminated through email or existing classroom communication apps if your child's teacher already uses these platforms (i.e. Bloomz, Facebook Groups, etc.)  Specific details on how the materials will be accessed will be provided to students and families by the specific school their child(ren) attends if long-term school closure takes effect.

We recognize that this approach may not work for every student and every family due to connectivity issues, special needs, and other circumstances; as a result, we ask that parents reach out to their child(ren)'s school(s) principal, counselor or case manager to develop plans to meet your needs if accessing information and resources digitally is an issue. Special education families, please know that if school closes due to COVID-19, your child's special education staff members are here to support your child through this period. During these days of remote learning, your child's special education teacher will be available electronically to students and parents on these digital learning days. All missed additional services will be discussed on a case by case basis once school is back in session. If a school closure becomes necessary, your child's special education teacher will be in contact with you via email to discuss how you would like to connect during these closure days.  

Please note that if schools are closed, there will not be any academic or athletic co-curricular after school activities.  All school buildings will be closed to the public.

The approach described above will ONLY be used IF it becomes necessary to close schools for an extended period of time (e.g. more than 2 or 3 consecutive days).

To ensure your family is prepared for potential school closure, please ensure your contact information is up-to-date, including phone numbers, e-mail addresses, etc. in Powerschool. Also, we recommend that you give some thought and planning for any potential childcare needs you might have should school closures become necessary. 

Finally, a reminder that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends "everyday preventative actions" to stop the spread of COVID-19: 

Prevention

  • We continue to remind students and staff to take everyday preventive actions recommended by the CDC to stop the spread of germs:
    • Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or frequently use hand sanitizer. 
    • Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
    • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
    • Stay home when sick.
    • Cover a cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
    • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
       
  • The CDC is discouraging the use of face masks.  Standard face masks do not prevent the spread of COVID-19 and may cause fear in students.
     
  • We value the importance of student attendance for growth. However, please remember that if children are sick, it is imperative you do not send them to school. Students should be fever-free (unaided by medication) for at least 24 hours before returning to school after an illness. Staying home when sick is critical to prevention. The Districts will provide the appropriate flexibility with our truancy policy.
     
  • We are monitoring our absenteeism for any patterns warranting school closures.
     
  • Students and staff who become sick at school (fever over 100 degrees F) will be sent home immediately.
     
  • Our custodial staff is taking extra preventative measures and using new cleaning products to better sterilize our schools. 
     
  • We will work to limit the number of large group gatherings sponsored by the school district.  Please understand that decisions about continuing with currently planned events will be made on a case-by-case basis due to the rapid change in available information about the community spread of the virus.  You will hear directly from the specific school your child(ren) attends.

Spring Break

As always, the safety of our students, staff, and families remains our top priority. We will act with an abundance of caution to protect everyone’s health and well-being. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and understanding. The COVID-19 situation is constantly evolving and changing. We understand there is uncertainty involved in this situation and plan to keep you as informed as possible. We encourage you to contact the Walworth County Health Department if you have further questions about the virus.

Additional details will be provided as they become available. While this approach (if necessary) is less than ideal, it should provide for continuity of educational programming.

Sincerely, 
Dr. James Gottinger
Superintendent

 

Versión en PDF en español adjunta

Espanol 3.12.20 COVID-19 Email.pdf 

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