Coronavirus Guidance & Resources for Families Monday, March 2, 2020 | 3:30 p.m.

Dear Keystone Oaks Families,

With the information in the news over the past week regarding the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV), the District wants families to be aware of precautions that it is taking along with precautions that everyone can take to prevent the spread of this virus. The District also wants to reinforce the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) recommendations regarding the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

The District collaborates with the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) and the CDC to communicate important health-related information. As published by the CDC, the most critical action that can be taken 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

As part of the District’s regular operations, the above practices are reinforced. Additionally, rooms are cleaned and disinfected nightly. Please help us by reinforcing these health practices at home.

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.

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/Infectious-D isease-Epidemiology/2019-Novel-Coronavirus.aspx

We are carefully monitoring the situation. Additional information will be provided in the future 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