Novel Coronavirus Update & District Precautions Tuesday, March 10, 2020 | 3 p.m.

Dear Keystone Oaks Families,

We wanted to reach out to you with the most recent updates regarding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) from the Allegheny County Department of Health (ACHD), the Center for Disease Control (CD), the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), and other agencies that we have been working closely with over the past several weeks.

The ACHD is not recommending that large events or gatherings be cancelled at this time. The Keystone Oaks School District will continue to allow field trips, sporting events, and other activities to be held as scheduled. Please note, however, that individual groups or staff members may decide to cancel field trips or events on their own out of concern for the health and safety of those who will be attending. We are monitoring the spread of the coronavirus closely and may make a different determination at any time.

As published by the CDC, the most critical action that can be taken to help stop the spread of novel coronavirus is to use disciplined hygiene practices. Recommendations include:

● Washing hands often with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds, especially after bathroom use, before eating, and after blowing one’s nose, coughing, or sneezing
● Avoiding touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands

● Using proper etiquette when coughing or sneezing (coughing/sneezing into your elbow, as opposed to your hands)
● Avoiding close contact with people who are sick ● Staying home when sick
● Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces

In addition to the hygiene practices recommended by the CDC, the Keystone Oaks School District is also discouraging hand-shaking at sporting events and is encouraging students to limit hand-holding, hugging, and other close contact that is common among young children. Additionally:

● We ask that you please keep your child home if they are sick. Please refer to our website for our most up to date sick child guidelines.

● Our Buildings & Grounds Department continues to clean and disinfect classrooms and other areas nightly.

● Matthews Bus Company, the District’s transportation provides, disinfects buses after each run.

● If a student or staff member shows respiratory symptoms, school nurses will follow standard precautions and work with District staff and the Health Department to further research individual/family travel histories.

● The District encourages families to follow the CDC’s information for travel, available at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html. We request that parents/guardians notify their school principal if a child or member of their family has been to China, Iran, Italy, and/or South Korea (all are currently on the CDC’s Warning Level 3 traveler’s list) and recently returned to our community. Out of an abundance of caution, we request that these children wait for the 14-day incubation period (beginning the day of return to the U.S.) to expire before enrolling in school or returning to school.

● If you or a family member has traveled to an area in the United States where there are a large number of confirmed novel coronavirus cases, we ask that you notify the building principal or school nurse upon return. You should also notify the Allegheny County Health Department to determine if a quarantine is necessary.

For additional information concerning coronavirus, please see the CDC and the ACHD guidelines at the links below:

● Guidance from CDC:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention-treatment.html

● Cases in the United States: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-in-us.html

● 2019-nCoV and Children:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/children-faq.html

● Guidance from ACHD (Also references CDC):

https://www.alleghenycounty.us/Health-Department/Resources/Data-and-Reporting/Infec tious-Disease-Epidemiology/2019-Novel-Coronavirus.aspx

We are carefully monitoring the situation and are participating in weekly status calls with the Allegheny Intermediate Unit. We will be sure to provide you with updates as necessary. For additional questions specific for 2019-nCoV, please contact the Allegheny County Health Department, (412-687-ACHD) or 412-687-2243.

Sincerely,

William P. Stropkaj, Ed.D.

Superintendent, Keystone Oaks School District