Dear Parents and Community,
News coverage of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and how it is impacting nations around the world may prompt you to wonder what safety practices North Royalton City Schools has in place to minimize the spread of illness, including influenza (flu).
As a reminder,
- Do not send your child to school if they are feeling sick.
- The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that can cause mild to severe illness.
- Symptoms of influenza can vary, but generally include a high fever, headache, chills, body aches, sore throat, runny nose and cough.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offer these tips to prevent the flu:
- Get vaccinated every year.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Stay home if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
COVID-19 is a virus strain identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China. Common symptoms
include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
The recommendations for preventing the spread of coronavirus are the same as the flu. We have posted information from the CDC on our
Health Services
page on our website.
In addition to closely partnering with public health agencies to keep up-to-date on this evolving situation, North Royalton City Schools is following existing safety practices to minimize the spread of illness and to encourage good health. Safe school plans are in place at each of our schools. We encourage preventative actions, including:
- Routinely cleaning frequently touched surfaces with government-approved disinfectants. Our custodians daily disinfect high contact surfaces like desks, counters, door knobs and bathrooms.
- Washing hands frequently.
- Encouraging students and staff to stay home if they are ill. If running a fever, it is recommended that students remain at home until the fever has been gone for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicines.
- Using respiratory etiquette (e.g. covering coughs, using tissue and no-touch trash cans).
Our school nurses and health aides are valued partners in our healthy school efforts, and assist if a student falls ill while at school.
If our District needs to make a decision to close schools, it will be made in conjunction with the guidance of the Cuyahoga County and Ohio Department of Health. Districts in Washington State and Idaho are responding to potential cases with a few days of school closures for deep cleaning. This is truly a developing situation that our District, like all districts, are watching closely and collaborating with other agencies. As we gather new information, I will keep our community updated with information as it is released and as we create our next steps. Hopefully, our school community will not feel any impact from the potential spread of COVID-19 and our spring continues with classes, activities and school as planned. I want to thank you for your help and support in these endeavors.
Sincerely,
Greg Gurka
Superintendent
North Royalton City Schools
