Dear Parents & Guardians,
The safety and well-being of our students and staff in the Carlynton School District is paramount. Through our partnerships with the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) we are sharing important health-related information to our families. The purpose of this communication is to reinforce the CDC’s recommendations regarding the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV).
Below are the most recent recommendations from the CDC to prevent the spread of communicable diseases:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
- 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 and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe
- The CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a face mask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19
- Face masks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others.The use of face masks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in the close settings (at home or in a health care facility)
- 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.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
Our cleaning procedures are based on best practices to keep our schools safe and healthy throughout the year as well. Please help us by reinforcing these health practices at home.
The Carlynton School District will continue to work with the ACHD and the CDC to recognize and implement best practices for screening any students who may report with symptoms. We further encourage parents to report if their child has a confirmed case of the flu to help us track viral infections and to better target our disinfecting efforts. The District takes any communicable disease very seriously.
If you or a family member have traveled to or from China within the past 14 days, the following should be done to obtain further recommendations and direction:
- Contact the Allegheny County Health Department
- Contact your child's school nurse
- Contact your primary care physician
Additional information regarding the Coronavirus can be found on the following sites:
General Guidance from the CDC
Current Cases in the United States
CDC Advice for Children
Guidance from ACHD
For additional questions specific for 2019-nCoV, please contact the Allegheny County Health Department, (412-687-ACHD) or 412-687-2243.
Sincerely,
Dr. John W. Kreider
Superintendent of Schools