Good afternoon Westlake Academy parents, students, and staff,
As we enjoy a beautiful Friday and make plans for the weekend, I want to share with you the proactive steps being taken in Westlake to monitor the evolving worldwide Coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
With the health and safety of our students, families, and staff members a top priority, we are in contact regularly with our local and state public health agencies, and with the Texas Education Agency (TEA). Staff will follow the advice and recommendations from these health and education experts, while also reviewing and discussing the latest announcements from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) regarding necessary precautions and protocols.
The CDC has indicated that for the general American public, who are unlikely to be exposed to the virus at this time, the immediate health risk from the Coronavirus is low. Your Westlake Academy and community leaders continue to vigilantly monitor the evolving situation and make necessary decisions based on facts, with the health and safety of our school community our primary focus.
And in our continued efforts to assess these risks and provide clean and healthy conditions for the Blacksmith learning environment, please know that many of the steps we are taking during flu season are applicable precautions for Coronavirus - including our teachers’ and staff’s encouragement of proper hand washing techniques. Additionally, our internal and external janitorial teams are increasing the cleaning efforts of high traffic/touch areas to help deter the spread of any illness. It is important to remember that children with symptoms of the flu or a flu-like illness, including fever, should not be sent to school.
As a help, especially to our younger students, you may wish to discuss the following recommendations from the CDC for everyday preventive measures to help deter the spread of any respiratory diseases:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
- Stay home when you are sick
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects (e.g. cell phone, iPad, etc.) and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available for hand washing, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
We will continue to provide information and updates to you as necessary regarding the Coronavirus disease. For further information and the most recent updates, we encourage you to
visit the
CDC’s
Coronavirus reference site
,
including the
“
Share Facts, Not Fear
”
webpage.
Additionally, the
Tarrant County Public Health Department
has designated a
Coronavirus Hotline (817-248-6299
) for community members to utilize for questions or concerns around the illness.
Respectfully,
Amanda DeGan
Westlake Town Manager & Academy Superintendent
