Update on Coronavirus and Our Schools
During this time of uncertainty, I wanted to take an opportunity to share with you FCPS resources for information on COVID-19. On Monday, the Superintendent’s office shared an update with the School Board about our response to coronavirus (COVID-19) and the various contingency plans in place for different response scenarios impacting our schools.
As your School Board representative in the Dranesville District, I encourage you to watch videos of both the COVID-19 response presentation and the subsequent question and answer session that was held with the board on March 9, 2020.
In addition to watching videos from our work session presentation and dialogue, you can stay up to date on this fast-evolving issue by signing-up for email alerts from FCPS and regularly visiting the special FCPS Coronavirus Update Website which includes frequently asked questions, fact sheets, other videos, and additional resources that you may find useful.
The FCPS COVID-19 response team, led by the district’s chief operating officer, is charged with formulating an overall crisis response strategy for our schools. This team is meeting regularly to review updates from the Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD), prioritize division-wide issues, develop internal and external communication protocols, and implement the FCPS Pandemic Influenza Response Plan (currently under review by FCHD).
The plan under review addresses the specific activities necessary to keep schools open and operating while providing a clean and safe learning environment during an outbreak and the essential functions that must be performed by FCPS, if schools are closed. It includes planning for two scenarios:
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Planning Scenario 1: Under this scenario, a large percentage of our schools are in session, but a single school or a small group of schools may have dismissed students from classes to limit/restrict social contact and slow the transmission of influenza virus. The Superintendent may authorize the dismissal of students from class based on recommendations from the local health department director. Instructional program support and division-wide support services may be limited due to high absenteeism or the redeployment of staff.
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Planning Scenario 2: Schools are closed. Under this scenario, students have been dismissed from school either by order of the state health commissioner to limit/restrict social contact and slow the transmission of influenza virus or by order of the Division Superintendent or the School Board due to falling class attendance and/or rising staff absenteeism. There are “snow days” built into the FCPS school year calendar that could be utilized if schools need to be closed for any length of time, but FCPS facilities may remain open to faculty and staff to support continuity of learning.
FCPS has a team working on a tiered plan to address instruction if there are school closures. The school division recognizes that some families lack access to computers and/or the internet at home, and it will make loaner laptops and mobile hotspot devices (MiFi) available through local schools if needed. In addition, FCPS is considering the potential impact on staff members who may be unable to provide instruction in the event of school closure due to their health or responsibilities to care for a family member.
The instruction plan addresses both short and longer-term scenarios that would include the possibility of distance learning. To prepare for that possibility, Monday, March 16, will be designated a student holiday to provide an opportunity for staff to prepare for continuity of instruction in the event of a school closure. The day will be used as a staff training day, and all staff will report to work.
We recognize that this is a fluid situation. FCPS and the Health Department will coordinate in determining appropriate next steps regarding any school cancellation decisions. These decisions will be guided by sound science and best practices in public health.
It is critical that we all stay informed and calm. FCPS will continue to provide frequent updates for the community as new information becomes available. Again, I encourage you to watch Monday's COVID-19 response presentation and the subsequent question and answer session. Do not forget to sign-up for email alerts and regularly visit the special FCPS Coronavirus Update Website, which is updated frequently with additional resources and other useful information.
I encourage you to forward this email to friends, family, and other members of the community who may find it informative.
Elaine Tholen
Dranesville District Representative
Fairfax County School Board
P.S. If you have questions about the illness or symptoms, or how to prevent respiratory infections, you can call 703-267-3511 to speak with a Communicable Disease Nurse at the Fairfax County Health Department during business hours.
The views contained within this newsletter reflect the views of the individual school board member who is the publisher of this newsletter and may not reflect the views of the Fairfax County School Board.
© 2020 Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax County, Virginia
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