District warns of potential exposure
LOWER POTTSGROVE » A parent of a Pottsgrove High School student, who is also the parent of a part-time employee at Ringing Rocks Elementary School, was exposed to someone who tested positive for the COVID-19 virus, school district officials announced.
So far, the district has decided against closing any schools.
The parent was exposed while working as a health care provider.
The Ringing Rocks employee has not been in Ringing Rocks Elementary School or any district building since Feb. 27, according to the school district.
The documented date of exposure
by the parent was March 3.
“Consequently, there was no opportunity for our staff and/or students to be exposed by this individual,” according to Shirk.
The parent has not experienced any symptoms as of Monday, but is under quarantine, per the guidelines set forth by the Montgomery Country Office of Public Health.
The parent and her children will remain at home until the 14-day incubation period expires. No one in the family has experienced any symptoms at this time, according to a district announcement posted on its web page.
“In consultation with the Montgomery County Office of Public Health, the district administration decided
that all Pottsgrove schools will remain open at this time,” Superintendent William Shirk wrote in the letter sent home to parents and posted on the page.
“The Pottsgrove Facilities Department has been diligently cleaning its schools and offices, including classrooms and hightouch areas such as desks, surfaces, and doorknobs. As always, we are promoting frequent hand washing and use of hand sanitizer,” Shirk wrote
Earlier in the day, Shirk posted a letter outlining the steps the district is taking as the virus spreads.
“The district has reviewed our emergency preparedness plans and devised a Pandemic Preparedness Action Plan to respond to and prepare for a potential school closure and/or quarantine period. We will move into phases of the action plan as determined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) , PA Department of Health and the Montgomery County Health Department,” Shirk wrote.
“At this point, school will remain in session; however, the district is considering limiting student and staff travel to areas that are a focus of infection or any area with at least one confirmed case of COVID-19,” he wrote.
Pottsgrove is also considering limiting events hosted by outside groups in district buildings and audience attendance at district hosted events and activities.
“As the number of confirmed cases in our surrounding areas continues to grow, the district will transition into the next phase of the action plan, which further limits exposure. School will remain in session, but we will consider postponing all travel and field trips, all athletic and extracurricular activities, along with all district-sponsored events,” Shirk wrote.
In the event of a widespread number of confirmed cases in the Philadelphia suburbs, counties bordering Pottsgrove, “we will transition into the last phase of the action plan and temporarily close all district facilities, including suspending all instructional activities,” Shirk
wrote.
“If this occurs, schools will be closed for a specific period of time based on CDC recommendations, typically a 14-day quarantine, and we handle make up time in a manner similar to when schools are closed for inclement weather,” said Shirk.
All essential employees will be “on call” during this period. The district will seek guidance from the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) and the Secretary of Education regarding options for the make-up of school,” according to Shirk.
The district also offered the following prevention tips:
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available then use alcohol-based sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• 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.
“We will continue to send communications to all families and staff via email and post updates and resources to our website. An illustration of our intended response actions is available on our district website or by visiting www. pgsd.org/coronavirus,” wrote Shirk.
As always, questions about coronavirus can be directed your health care provider and/or the Montgomery County Office of Public Health.