School addresses coronavirus precautions
Pea Ridge Public Schools is dedicated to the health and safety of our students and staff, according to a press release by the schools.
Nationally, the Coronavirus has gained a lot of attention for its impact on schools and communities. This memo is designed to provide an update on our plans and precautionary measures in place to provide a safe environment for our school community.
Currently, while there are reports of the virus (COVID-19) within the U.S. borders, there are no cases reported in Pea Ridge or in Arkansas, at this time. The school district is aware of the concerns about the potential spread of the virus and is implementing our communicable disease prevention and response plan.
Coronavirus is a large family of viruses that usually cause mild to severe respiratory illness. Symptoms may appear two to 14 days after exposure and include fever, cough and shortness of breath. Parents, teachers and staff should inform the school nurse if any students or staff have traveled to China or any other affected country within the last 14 days (China, South Korea, Italy, Japan or Iran).
As a preventative measure, the Pea Ridge School District will continue to disinfect and deep clean the school buildings on a daily basis. Special attention is being given to commonly used items such as cafeteria tables, water fountains, light switches, keyboards and door handles. Additionally, school officials are asking for all school patrons to utilize healthy hygiene habits while at school including frequent hand washing, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home when sick.
The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has published recommended everyday actions to prevent the spread of respiratory diseases. Please assist Pea Ridge Schools by following the recommendations of the CDC provided:
• 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 and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe; and
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before eating, after going to the restroom, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
The CDC, as well as, state and local health officials are monitoring the situation closely and providing updates on a continual basis. Pea Ridge Schools works closely with health officials, the Arkansas Department of Health, the Arkansas Department of Education DESE, and follows all recommended guidelines. Additionally, the Pea Ridge School District is monitoring student and staff absences for continuity of education, trends due to illness, and the effectiveness of preventative measures.
More information on the Coronavirus can be found at the links below: cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019ncov/index.html, healthy. arkansas.gov/programsservices/topics/novelcoronavirus
Thank you for helping us keep our students, staff, and community safe.