Pasco County Schools Xurt 5. Browning, Superintendent Schools 7227 Land 0’ akes Boulevard + Land O'Lakes, Florida 34638, IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) Maret 12,2020 eat Parens'Guardians ‘Asthe global coronavirus outbreak rapidly evolves, Pasco County Schools (PCS) is continuing to follow the latest guidance fom the Centers for Disease Conrel and Prevention (CDC) andthe Florida Department of Health, We are working together with our lal Health Department officials to protect our school community, slow the spread ofthe virus, and help ensure students havea safe and healthy learing environment. tis Our hope that the following information will sist you in making the best decisions for you and your family moving forward As of tay, the District has no confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-9) within our school system, but we ae aware ofa single coafimed cae ouside of our system in the Pasco County community. We understand that ‘members of ou school community may have had varying eves of potential contact with individuals who have displayed symptoms of illness andor have been diagnosed with coronavirus (COVID- 19), and weare working ‘closely withthe CDC and Heath Departient o respond appopritly to any suc disclosures that are made to tus, We are asking all members of our school community to understand that should such disclosures be made 0 ‘ho Dist, staff willbe limited inthe type and amount of student or employee speific information that can be share, That being sai, we want to assure all of our students, parents, and employees that the District would not ‘knowingly allow ay stadent or employee who has tested positive or who is presenting with symptoms of the coronavirus (COVID-19)oaltend school unless and unl they are cleared by qualified modal professional To this point, the District has not been made avare of any circumstances that would require the closure of any of ‘our school of facilites, The Distct’s After School Enrichment Programs (PLACE) wil remain open as Scheduled through Spring Break, and any change o this schedule wil be communicated |We understand that this situation i fuid and we are therefore aking the proactive measure of conducting ‘eaning for distance leaning with our staff on Monday, March 23, prior tothe planed retur of students from ‘Spring Break, While all of our schools are scheduled to resume normal class operations on Tuesday, March 24, ‘we want to he prepared witha distance leaming option should the CDC or Health Department indicate to us that ‘school closures necessary |We are asking stents and families to adhere tothe mos recent state and federal guidance i someone their household is ravelinghas traveled to areas with travel advisories de to coronavirus (COVID- 19) Information «an be found through the following links: (CDC Guidelines - htpsstwww cde gor/coronavirus/2019-ncov/traveersindes html ‘Florida Department of Education Guidance - p/w flovidalialth go/diseases-nde sondlions/COVID-19fndes html ‘Please Keepin mind tht avel notices are changing almost daily, and we encourage you to check these links regularly ‘Asa result of the above guidance, student absences willbe excused, and every effort willbe made to keep your chilen) up to date on their work. Additionally, PCS will be suspending all awards, recognitions and activites ‘associated with perfec attendance forthe remainder of the school year. Tis action aligns with recommendations provided by the CDC, which has advised that perfect atendance incentives are often (213) 7942000 - (352) 524-2000 « (727) 774-2000 + wuvepascoschools.ors‘ounerproductive to effors designed to stop the spread of illness. "Through this decision, we are encouraging those who are sick to stay home, thereby helping 0 reduce the spread of illness, “To help protect yourself andthe school community, the following re recommendations provided by the CDC to reduce the spread of respiratory illness: Avoid clase contact with people who ae sick ‘Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Stay home when you are sick. Cover your cous or sneeze with a issue, then dispose ofthe issue inthe trash (Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces. ‘Wash your hands often with soap and water frat least 20 seconds, especially after using te restroom; ‘before eating: and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing If soap and wate are not readily available, use analeoho-hased hand sanitizer wih atleast 6O% lohel. Always wash hands with soap and water iThands are visibly city, Avoiding areas wit increased ssk and following CDC guidance ar ertcal as we work together ‘o implement preventive strategies. rust we can count on your support help reduce the risk of transmission of eoronavins “The District has hen collecting useful resources for employees and parents on is webpage at ul Please continue ta check the District's webste and social media accounts for updates, “Thank you for your continued partnership as we work together forthe health and safery ofall Browning itendent of Seals ce: ‘Mike Napier, Health Officer, Department of Health County Administrator, Dan Biles Commissioner Ron Oakley, Pasco County, Distt | Chairman Mike Moore, Paseo County, District 2 Commissioner Kathryn Starkey, Pasco County, District Vice Chairman Mike Wells, Pasco County. District 4 Commissioner Jack Mariano, Pasco County, DistietS ‘Vico Chairman, Allon Altman, Pasco County School Board, Distt 1 Chairman Calleen Beasdon, Pasco County School Board, Distt 2 Board Member Cynthia Armstrong, Pasco County School Boar, District 3 Board Member Alison Crumbley, Pasco County School Board, Distict 4 Board Member Megan Harding, Pasco County School Board, Distt S| Don Peace, President, United School Employees of Pasco (819) 7642000 + (952)524-2000 « (27) 74-2000 + wwipascok2.hus