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Coronavirus COVID-19 District Letter

Coronavirus COVID-19 District Letter 
Traducción Española

Dear Parent/Guardian,

The health and safety of our students and staff is our top priority, and we want to share important information and resources regarding the novel respiratory illness COVID-19 and keeping children healthy through simple and effective steps. While a new illness can cause concern, it is important to note that health officials believe the risk to our school community is low.

At the same time, we are aware of the recent call for schools to be prepared, and we want to reassure you that we are meeting with Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Infectious Disease and Outbreak personnel, the Assistant State Health Officer, as well as surrounding school districts in order to coordinate plans and procedures.   

Health officials are recommending families take the same steps to protect against COVID-19 as they do to prevent the common cold or flu.

  • Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub
  • Help young children wash their hands well
  • Do not drop off a sick child at school
  • Stay home when you are sick
  • Cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing
  • Avoid close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms

Districtwide, we are following the CDC’s National Pandemic Influenza Plan, which includes the steps listed above, as well as frequently cleaning high-touch surfaces using approved hospital-grade virucidal cleaners.

Our teachers, school nurses, and staff are working carefully to encourage these simple and effective habits. When there are respiratory or gastrointestinal outbreaks, Sheffield City Schools nurses and school leaders will use the existing illness outbreak processes to track illnesses, notify health department officials, disinfect schools, and notify staff and parents.   For more information, here is the link to Alabama Department of Public Health: 
https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/infectiousdiseases/2019-coronavirus.html

Although the risk is low, please know we will continue to monitor this situation closely and report any updates to our Sheffield City Schools families. We also will be posting updates to the district’s home page.

 Sincerely,

Keith Davis, Ph.D. 
Superintendent
Sheffield City Schools