Murrieta Valley USD Closes Schools Due To Coronavirus

UPDATED 1:30 P.M. MARXH 13, 2020:

MURRIETA, CA — The Murrieta Valley Unified School District is closing all of its schools starting Monday, March 16 in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

The district issued this statement Friday:

March 13, 2020

Dear Murrieta Valley Community,
District administration continues to be in regular communication with Riverside University Health Systems-Public Health (RUHS-PH), as well as federal and state agencies, related to the rapidly changing COVID-19 novel coronavirus situation our state and nation is facing. These are uncharted waters and we appreciate your patience and understanding.

Effective Monday, March 16, we will close all Murrieta Valley Unified School District schools and programs until further notice. This includes preschool, and SEED programming. The soonest schools may resume would be Monday, April 6th.

While our school facilities will be closed, plans are being developed for students to continue to learn through a distance learning program. Please know, communications regarding distance learning will be forthcoming.

This is a difficult decision, but necessary, as our nation tries to slow the spread of the virus. Thank you for your patience and trust as we work together to maintain some sense of normalcy in these difficult times.

We will continue to do our best to keep you informed. Facts and circumstances may change quickly so we encourage you to regularly check our website www.murrieta.k12.ca.us or call the following parent phone center at (951) 304-1795 which will be available during regular business hours. You can also email questions to mvusdinfo@mvusd.org

Families, thank you for your partnership during this world-wide concern. Our main goals are to focus on student learning and health while keeping you informed.

Sincerely,
Murrieta Valley Unified School District Administrative Team

PREVIOUS UPDATE AS OF 9 A.M. MARCH 13, 2020:

MURRIETA, CA — Not every Murrieta resident has a child in the Murrieta Valley Unified School District, but district officials are working to keep MVUSD families informed about school closures, activities and other concerns surrounding coronavirus.

Below is part of a letter that went out Thursday to MVUSD families:

Good afternoon MVUSD Families,
District administration continues to be in regular communication with Riverside University Health SystemsPublic Health, as well as federal and state agencies, related to the rapidly changing COVID-19 novel coronavirus situation our state and nation is facing.

In accordance with the California State Governor and RUHS-PH, all Civic Center uses have been suspended until further notice. Including extra-curricular activities, athletics, and events. This means, any nonessential activities outside of regularly scheduled school hours.

Additionally, under general guidance from public health, all Murrieta Valley USD athletic events have been postponed through the end of the month. Our Athletic Directors are in communication with our league partners and working on a plan for the month of April.

We deeply respect the work and dedication our students, staff, and families give to our extra-curricular activities, athletics, and events. We sincerely apologize for having to modify, postpone, and in some cases, cancel these extra-curricular activities.

Here is a full letter that went out on March 11, 2020:

Good Evening MVUSD Families,
We know this is an anxious time for our community and our hearts go out to those who are ill in the nation and the world. We are working closely with local health officials to deal with the situation and will continue to keep our staff, students and families updated with any important information.

In Riverside County, officials have reported seven coronavirus cases, including four in the Coachella Valley. The source of two of these cases has not been determined, so it is considered a community spread. Community spread involves transmission of an illness for which the source of infection is unknown. It indicates that the virus was not contracted through relevant travel history or contact to a known case of COVID-19 and suggests that the virus is present in the community. Riverside University Health Systems, Public Health has issued several guidance toolkits as well as accurate, up-date-information. Please visit www.rivcoph.org/coronavirus to view the information.

We are receiving daily guidance from public health authorities and the California Department of Education. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate through this rapidly changing pandemic.

Below are updated frequently asked questions (FAQs) to include the answers to calls we’ve received this week.

Q: Who will make the decision to close schools?
A: Any school closures recommended or ordered will be made, at the direction of the County Public Health Officer following discussions with local school districts and Public Health authorities. Consideration is also granted to guidance received from the California Department of Education. MVUSD is unable to know if or when individuals are exposed to any illness, which is why we follow guidelines from expert agencies like the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the County Public Health.

Q: If, in a worst-case scenario, a school gets shut down, what “distance learning” protocols are being considered?

A: In the event of a school closing, as a result of the novel coronavirus, the district will implement a distance learning model for all grade levels. Our Educational Services team has been developing the platform to best meet the needs of all staff, students, and families. Plans are in place to train staff and develop modules that are appropriate for home instruction for grades K-12. Should this become our reality, we will be communicating clearly with all families regarding the process and expectations for continuing learning. We are also mindful and aware that many families in our district are 2 parent working households where one if not both parents serve the public at the local, state, and federal level. From first responders to military personnel, we honor you, and are having discussions on how best to support you and your families, if school closures are recommended.

Q: Are there any plans to alter or cancel travel, field trips, school dances, etc... due to concerns?
A: Yes. The guidance to parents, teachers and staff is to practice community social distancing measures which include cancelling group activities or events, after-school classes and indoor special events when the following three conditions are met: 1. Large numbers of people gathered; 2. Indeterminate health and identity of attendees gathered (do you know and could get contact information for everyone in attendance); and 3. Gatherings with attendees in close proximity to one another in confined spaces. This is a rapidly evolving situation; we can expect more events to be canceled or postponed. Please check communications from your school site for a list of events and activities that have already been cancelled or postponed.

Q: Are additional sanitization procedures taking place at sites and in classrooms?
A: Yes, Custodial leads and maintenance staff have reviewed enhanced cleaning procedures as
recommended by the CDC school guidance on dealing with COVID-19. They are adhering to all district procedures and nightly inspection schedules. Some of these procedures include actions such as restocking hand sanitizer in school offices, and universal spaces (library, food lines etc.…) and refilling soap dispensers throughout the day.

Q: Are alcohol-based hand sanitizers allowed in MVUSD schools?

A: Yes. For more details from the California Department of Education please click here.

Q: Does the District have an emergency response plan specifically for pandemics?
A: Yes. As part of our Safe Schools Planning efforts, there is a Pandemic Planning Guide. Staff last used these protocols during the H1N1 Flu pandemic. Administrative staff is currently reviewing those guidelines and updating sections as needed. It is important to note, specific pandemic response activities will be highly dependent on emerging data and direction provided by health authorities. As with any emergency plan, this is a living document and will be subject to updates as this pandemic develops.

Q: How are student absences being handled?
A: Based on the current pandemic declared by the World Health Organization (WHO), the district honors your parent rights and authority related to illness absences. We respect the decisions you may be forced to make regarding the health of your child and the community. All absences due to illnesses are excused with parent confirmation, per California Education Code outlined in our District Board Policies and Parent/Student Handbooks. Temporarily, the district has made an executive decision to suspend chronic absenteeism letters and School Attendance Review Team (SART) meetings. Again, this is a temporary suspension. Our priority is the health and safety of our students!

Q. How do school sites handle requests for Independent Study (IS) related to novel coronavirus fears?

A: Considering the fluid health situation, the district is suspending the traditional independent study option. Schools and staff will not be providing individual students with short-term independent study materials. Again, this is a temporary halt, as we await guidance on providing distance-learning for all students.

Lastly, we are aware that concern over this new virus can make children and families anxious. Therefore, we have attached for you, “How to Talk to Children about COVID-19,” a resource from the National Association of School Psychologists.

Families, thank you for your partnership during this community-wide concern. Our main goals are to focus on student learning and health while keeping you informed.