The Shadow
LOW MOOR — Alleghany County Public Schools will remain open as the Coronavirus cases have been confirmed in the United States. But officials are preparing for the possibility of using remote learning if schools need to be closed.
County schools will be closed Wednesday to allow administrators and teachers time to develop plans for remote learning.
Schools were already scheduled to be closed Thursday for a teacher workday. They will remain closed Friday and Monday, March 16, for spring break.
“With the recently elevated discussion regarding the Coronavirus … in the news, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have recommended that school divisions and school leaders prepare for all possibilities, including the need to close schools for an extended period of time at some point over the next several weeks or months,” Superintendent Gene Kotulka said.
“Based on the CDC recommendations, Alleghany Public Schools has developed a contingency plan to address an extended outage,” he added.
“Please remember that this action is for preparation purposes only, as there have only been a small number of confirmed cases of Coronavirus in the United States.”
There have been no confirmed cases in Virginia.
Kotulka said that while students are away from classes during teacher workdays and spring break, custodial staff will continue to clean and disinfect each school.
“Alleghany County Public Schools recognizes that the health, safety and well-being of our students and staff are our top priorities,” Kotulka said.
Kotulka and Covington School Superintendent Melinda Snead-Johnson both issued letters earlier this week to update parents on the measures being taken.
“Covington City Public Schools is committed to providing a safe, secure and healthy environment for our students, staff and visitors,” Snead-Johnson said.
Covington schools will be closed Thursday through Monday, March 16. The closure was already part of the school calendar.
Meanwhile, Snead-Johnson said school administrators are stressing to students the importance of washing hands frequently and taking other precautions to prevent the spread of illnesses.
Kotulka said the same steps are being taken in county schools.
“We encourage our students, staff and families to be mindful of key preventative measures,” he said.
Kotulka and Snead-Johnson said the CDC and the Virginia Department of Health are offering tips that could help in stopping the spread of Coronavirus and other illnesses.
The tips include:
— Wash hands regularly, especially after using the restroom and before preparing or consuming food. Wash for 20 seconds, using soap and warm water. Be sure to also wash fingertips.
— Avoid coughing or sneezing into your hands or in the air. Always try to cough or sneeze into a tissue, and then throw the tissue away. If you don’t have a tissue, cough/sneeze into your arm/elbow.
— Avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose.
— If children are feeling sick, keep them home from school. Allow them some time to feel better so that they do not risk infecting others.
— Take flu antivirals, if prescribed, by a healthcare provider, if anyone has the flu.
— Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
“Please be assured Covington City Public Schools is working with the Virginia Department of Health to monitor the status of the virus and follow current guidelines from the VDH and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,” Snead-Johnson said.
Kotulka said the county school division will continue to keep the public abreast of further precautions and changes the Coronavirus may bring.
“Alleghany County Public School staff will continue to communicate with you in the future regarding the coronavirus. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school board office,” he said.
