A Note on Coronavirus Precautions
The following letter was sent to New Rochelle families by Superintendent Dr. Laura Feijóo on February 27, 2020
Dear Families,
There have been a number of questions about the recent warning from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for schools to prepare to protect against the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19).
Our administrative team and Medical Director are closely monitoring the local and global situation. While no confirmed cases of Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) have been confirmed in New York State, we have been notified by Mr. Latimer, Westchester County Executive, that there may be nine (9) suspected cases in Westchester. We must stay calm. We have a plan. Yesterday, we collaborated with principals to go over procedures in place in the school district to safeguard each other and our community from the spread of this and other diseases. The safety and security of our students is a top priority.
Collaborative planning has yielded the following plan in The City School District of New Rochelle to prevent the spread of disease:
- Masks are available in health offices throughout the district to cover adults or students who have fever and are coughing when they come to the medical office. These masks will have to stay on until the individual has left the school.
- Any student out for periods of time due to illness should contact the school to ensure access to ongoing curriculum and instruction.
- Having handwashing facilities available throughout all of our buildings and ensuring that all soap dispensers are regularly refilled.
- Providing a teaching segment on handwashing practices for students and staff in all buildings.
- Increasing each school building’s disinfection program for cleaning student desks, horizontal surfaces and touch points such as doorknobs, drinking fountains, phone receivers and handrails.
- We are asking anyone with fever and/or flu-like symptoms to stay home. Anyone who presents with fever and/or flu-like symptoms in our schools will be provided a mask, screened for a recent travel history and asked to go home. Students can only return to class after meeting with the school nurse upon their return to the building.
- Reporting any at-risk patients and their clinical status to the Westchester County Department of Health.
The NYS Department of Health reports that while there is currently no vaccine to prevent the COVID-19 virus, these simple steps can help stop the spread of this and other respiratory viruses:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Click here for a video on proper handwashing.
- 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 ask, as always, that children, staff or visitors with fever and severe cold or flu-like symptoms remain home until they feel better and are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication. Contact your medical provider if you have any questions.
For additional information about COVID-19, you may contact the NYSDOH Coronavirus Hotline at 1-800-364-3065, or visit https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/coronavirus/. If you have questions, please call the health office at your school or Dr. Brooke Balchan, District Medical Director, at 914-576-4264.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Sincerely,
Dr. Laura Feijóo
Superintendent
City School District of New Rochelle
