During the recent weeks, the Coronavirus has been a topic of discussion. Warsaw Community Schools continue to take preventative steps within our schools. This past week, WCS assembled a team to review logistics and many of the facets that could impact our schools. The safety and health of our students is our top priority at WCS. Warsaw Community Schools is working closely with local, state, and national public health officials to ensure best practices and preventative measures for the safety of our students and staff. WCS continually monitor and assess as they plan and prepare for the possibility of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) within our school community. WCS has formed a district task force to proactively plan for student needs during cold and flu season as suggested by the CDC and IDOE.
WCS maintain the highest standards for cleanliness. Custodians use approved and recommended disinfectant sprays. Each school targets priority areas with approved additional sprays. Schools use a Victory electrostatic sprayer. This is an atomizer that electrostatically positively charges the particles to adhere to the negative surfaces. WCS has a sufficient inventory of disinfecting products. Buses are also disinfected after every route.
WCS was notified that there was one case identified in Noble County. According to Mr. Galen Mast, Superintendent West Noble School Corporation, the patient at “Parkview Noble Hospital in Kendallville is a fifty-four (54) year old individual with no school-aged children.” The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) is working under the directive of Governor Eric Holcomb and the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) to provide guidance to schools regarding COVID-19.
A letter was sent to WCS parents to provides general information and prevention recommendations to raise awareness of COVID-19 and everyday actions everyone can take to prevent the spread of illness. The letter is available in English and Spanish on the district website. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The virus that causes COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet) through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. There is currently no vaccine or antiviral treatment for novel coronavirus. It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyday preventive measures to control the spread of COVID-19. These include staying home when sick and avoiding close contact with sick people, frequent, proper hand washing using soap and water for at least 20 seconds or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, avoiding touching your mouth, nose or eyes with unwashed hands, practicing respiratory etiquette (e.g., covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or upper sleeve) and routinely cleaning and disinfecting frequently-touched surfaces using usual cleaning/disinfection products according to the product label.
As COVID-19 continues to spread internationally, families may have questions about upcoming travel. All travelers should practice general preventive measures. Additionally, anyone returning from travel to countries with a CDC level 3 travel health notice will be instructed to self-quarantine for 14 days. More information about COVID-19 is available: https://www.in.gov/
Warsaw Community Schools is committed to the health and safety of our students and staff. WCS will continue to closely monitor the situation with local and state health departments and keep the community abreast of any further developments with postings on the district webpage: http://warsawschools.
