Coronavirus Guidance Offered In Arlington Schools Release

ARLINGTON, VA — Amid concerns about the coronavirus (COVID-19) and the possible need to close Arlington Public Schools (APS) in the future, interim Superintendent Cintia Z. Johnson sent out a letter Friday, March 6, on how staff, students and their families can best prepare and protect themselves. In addition, Arlington County hosted a Q&A panel with experts on March 4.

"According to the CDC, risk to the general American public remains low," Johnson writes, in her letter. "However, we have seen the first confirmed cases in the National Capital area. This situation is developing rapidly, and we are continuing to follow CDC guidance. Any future decision to change operations or close one or more schools due to COVID-19 or other health risks, would be made in close collaboration with the Arlington County Public Health Division (ACPHD) based on CDC guidance."

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"We have heard from families seeking additional information about the steps we are taking to prevent the spread of the virus in schools and to prepare to deliver essential services in the event of school closures," Johnson writes in there letter. "The following information highlights steps being taken by APS to safeguard students and staff, as well as a high-level summary COVID-19 plans."

APS Procedures in Schools and Offices

• APS custodians continue to focus on cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and materials in schools and offices, using the CDC/EPA-approved chemicals for this virus.
• School Health is monitoring student health and absentee rates at all schools to assess and respond to any change in illnesses occurring in schools.
• APS continues to work with the ACPHD to reinforce effective preventative steps to reduce the spread of illnesses in school, such as:
  • Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer only if soap and water are not available.
  • Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth as much as possible.
  • Cover mouth and hands with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
  • Stay home when sick – and only return to school when children and staff are symptom-free for 24 hours, including without the use of fever-reducing medications.
  • Keep their distance from people who are sick – and encourage sick people they encounter to go home and seek care as needed.
  • Avoid non-essential travel
• In consultation with ACPHD, updated guidance on proper handwashing, including expectations for students and staff, was shared with all schools on March 4, along with posters on handwashing to display prominently in their schools.

In the Event of School Closures
Any future decision to change operations or close one or more schools due to COVID-19 or other health risks, would be made in close collaboration with the ACPHD based on CDC guidance.

• APS is preparing to provide instructional activities to all students in grades PreK-12, based on available tools, should we need to close school.
  • In order to meet the needs of all students and families, activities and tools will vary by grade level and will be provided online and in hard copy when possible.
  • Examples of options under review include providing book sets and materials for core subjects; using available devices, instructional apps and learning platforms (e.g., Canvas and Seesaw); and making educational materials and videos available on the APS website.
• Depending on recommendations, APS will provide meals for students who receive Free or Reduced-Price Meals at designated locations. APS will communicate this information to families, if needed and available.
• Families and staff will be updated through normal APS communications channels.

Travel Outside of the U.S. Educational and Staff Travel
APS will not approve any international field trips and short-term visitations to and from countries that are highlighted on the CDC’s list as destinations with an alert level of 2 or greater for travelers.

APS will continue to monitor recommendations and information from the CDC and make any necessary changes based on updated information Student/Family Travel APS encourages families to avoid travel to countries that are highlighted on the CDC’s list as destinations with an alert level of 2 or greater for travelers.

If families travel to any of these countries, please follow the CDC recommendations and guidelines upon reentry to the United States. APS continues to update the coronavirus webpage on our website, and we encourage families and staff to visit the page frequently.

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• VA Officials Work To Limit Spread From 1st Coronavirus Cases
• Virginians Warned Of Scams Related To New Coronavirus

COVID-19 Fast Facts

• Coronavirus refers to a family of different viruses. For instance, the common cold is a coronavirus. So is SARS. COVID-19, however, is a novel strain.
• Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning that they can spread between people and animals.
• Symptoms include a fever, coughing, and shortness of breath.
• COVID-19 can spread between people who are about 6 feet apart from each other and through respiratory droplets (produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes), the CDC says.
• An infected person may not experience symptoms for up to 14 days.
• To combat infection, frequently wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth, sanitize frequently touched surfaces and objects, and stay home from work or school if you're feeling ill