The Arkansas Department of Health is monitoring travelers who have returned within the last 14 days from countries with sustained community transmission. At the present time, there are no cases of the COVID-19 in the state of Arkansas.
The virus that a causes COVID-19 is transmitted from person-to-person in close contact with one another (about 6ft) though respiratory droplets, such as when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly eyes, but this not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.
At Heber Springs schools we are aware of the risk of Corona Virus internationally; the District is working with ADH (Arkansas Department of Health) to identify students and staff who might have traveled from the affected countries. We will be taking additional steps to make sure that our students stay healthy. Heber Springs Schools has 5 built in AMI Days (Alternate Methods of Instruction) already approved if the District was to need to dismiss school. We will be suspending attendance incentives we have for the students in the 4th quarter to encourage students to stay home when they are sick.
Education is the key:
Heber Springs is taking additional steps to educate our students to avoid possible exposure to any contagion. Here are some of those that parents and our staff should take to limit the spread of flu like issues:
*Stay home when you are sick.
* Stay home for at least 24 hours after you no longer have signs of a fever.
* Cover your coughs with a tissue and cough or sneeze into the crease of your elbow-not your hands.
* Wash your hands frequently! Wash hands with mild soap and water for 20 seconds or more. If soap is not available, use alcohol based hand sanitizers.
*Clean frequently touched surfaces.
Our teachers will be reinforcing these healthful practices and our staff will be taking additional steps to clean frequently touched surfaces. We plan to update our school community as we learn more about COVID-19, and if the District needs to take additional precautions through the spring months.
For the kids,
Dr. Stauffacher