Message for parents from Dr. Davis
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update for parents March 13, 2020
Dear Richland Two Parents,
Thank you for your support as we continue to monitor the potential impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on our school district, community and state. Today, we decided to take the following preventative measures in an effort to support social-distancing practices. You will find more detailed information about these decisions at the bottom of my message.
Beginning Monday, March 16, 2020, through Spring Break:
all student and staff travel will be canceled or postponed.
all public events at our schools and centers, except for high school athletic events, will be canceled or postponed. The South Carolina High School League has not made recommendations regarding athletics at this time. Therefore until further notice the high school athletic events will continue as scheduled. We anticipate an announcement as early as Monday.
school visitors will be limited to parents/guardians and/or designated emergency contacts.
outside groups will not be able to use/rent school facilities.
In regards to closing school, the following was included in a statement released today by the Office of the Governor: “The governor will direct the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) to consult with the state's Superintendent of Education and local school district leadership to provide guidance on if and when remaining school districts should decide to close schools and for what period of time.”
Currently, we have not received any guidance on closing schools in Richland Two. Please know that while we continue to have school in Richland Two, we are doing everything in our power to prevent the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19). This includes the measures listed above as well the preventative measures we have already put in place. In the event that DHEC recommends closing school, the S.C. Department of Education directed school districts to develop e-learning plans and to submit the plans to the state department for approval. Our e-learning plan was approved by the state department today, and we will now move forward with preparing to implement that plan only if needed.
As you know the impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) on our country and state changes almost by the hour. District administrators are working diligently to monitor, assess and adjust to the constantly changing situation and keep you updated as quickly as possible. Please know that we make all decisions with the understanding that changes to our normal operations do cause disruptions to families. We appreciate your understanding and patience and want to assure that our decisions are made on what is in the best interest for all students in Richland Two.
Sincerely,
Dr. Baron R. Davis
ADDITIONAL DETAILS REGARDING DECISIONS MADE ON MARCH 13, 2020
TRAVEL
Beginning Monday, March 16, 2020, through Spring Break, all student and staff travel will be canceled or postponed. This includes all student field trips and field studies regardless of the destination. Staff travel within the district is not impacted.
SPECIAL EVENTS, EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Beginning Monday, March 16, 2020, through Spring Break, all public events at our schools and centers, except for high school athletic events, will be canceled or postponed. The South Carolina High School League has not made recommendations regarding athletics at this time. Therefore until further notice the high school athletic events will continue as scheduled. Examples of public events include concerts, plays, performances and other events that are open to parents and other guests and have the potential to attract large crowds in confined spaces.
After-school care and after-school tutoring conducted by school/district staff, such as the 21st Century Program, will continue as normal. However, after-school extracurricular activities conducted by outside vendors will be canceled through Spring Break. An example of this type of activity might be golf classes by a local golf instructor. These typically are held at our elementary and middle schools one day a week for a designated number of weeks. The intent of this restriction is to limit exposure at our schools.
VISITORS
Beginning Monday, March 16, 2020, through Spring Break, school visitors will be limited to parents/guardians and designated emergency contacts. School access for parents/guardians will be limited to the front office area. As a precaution, visitors will not be allowed into classrooms, media centers and cafeterias. Events planned for students from Monday, March 16, 2020, through Spring Break that involve outside guest speakers will be canceled or postponed. Parent conferences will continue.
USE OF SCHOOL FACILITIES BY OUTSIDE GROUP
Beginning Monday, March 16, 2020, through Spring Break, outside groups will not be able to use/rent school facilities.
OVERVIEW OF PREVENTATIVE MEASURES IN PLACE PRIOR TO MARCH 13, 2020
- Began monitoring field trips, field studies and staff travel to make decisions on a case-by-case basis regarding cancellation or postponement.
Increased preventative measures already in place for flu season.
Suspended all student clinical, internships and job shadowing experiences in hospitals, nursing homes and physicians offices until further notice.
District’s Lead Nurse provided an update to principals and Faculty Advisory Council
Canceled or postponed non-essential district-level events through Spring Break.
Continued reviewing upcoming field studies, field trips and staff travel to determine the best course of action regarding possible cancellations or postponements.
Began taking an inventory of public events at schools to determine the best course of action for those events.
Expanded discussions and began formalizing plans and organizing resources for the possibility of e-learning should the state close schools for an extended period of time