91͵ÅÄ

Health Update: COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus)

The health and well-being of our students, families and staff are always a top priority in 91͵ÅÄ. Recent news/media coverage of the new Coronavirus (COVID-19) has raised questions about the spread of the infection in the United States. We want you to be informed about what we are doing in 91͵ÅÄ.

91͵ÅÄ Health Services and campus nurses are well prepared. We have protocols and policies in place to ensure students are sent home with fever or when ill, and we have protocols for ensuring they are fever-free before they return to school.

91͵ÅÄ Health Services also monitors student/staff absences on a daily basis and is in constant contact with the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Collin County Health Department for updates and guidance. 91͵ÅÄ Health Services works closely with facilities and maintenance to ensure proper disinfection and cleaning.

Much is being learned about this newly emerged virus.  Based on the current information, health officials are recommending local communities and schools take the same steps to protect against coronavirus COVID-19 as we take to prevent the spread of everyday illnesses like the common cold or the flu:

• 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.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick. 91͵ÅÄ’s exclusion protocol is consistent with public health guidance. Any student or staff member who is ill with a fever over 100 degrees, or has acute respiratory symptoms, should stay home and remain at home until fever-free for 24 hours.
• Cover your mouth and nose with the inside of your elbow when you cough or sneeze.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Symptoms for COVID-19 often mimic the flu, so we highly recommend getting a flu shot.
• We recommend that anyone traveling out of the country be familiar with and follow CDC’s traveler’s health notices. Be aware that additional countries have been added to the list of destinations that have an increased risk of community spread of COVID-19. Current travel notices are available at .

We will always be responsive and open with communication to parents and staff about any reported or suspected cases, in addition to sharing the following best practices for staying healthy:

• We will continue to use our preventative cleaning measures at each campus to thoroughly and comprehensively disinfect. We are deep cleaning high-touch surfaces of schools and facilities.
• We will continue to train for and implement good hand-washing practices.

Updated information from the CDC on Coronavirus in the United States can be found at: . The most recent information about Coronavirus in Texas may be found at: . Information from the World Health Organization may be found at:

91͵ÅÄ has plans in place, along with trained staff, to respond to a communicable disease outbreak. The decision to close schools is not taken lightly, as it does cause a major disruption to daily life. 91͵ÅÄ will continue to provide updates when there are changes in the current situation or additional steps are needed.