NewsFlash
March 15, 2020
Special COVID-19 Edition Issued Jointly By The Town of Sunnyvale and Sunnyvale ISD
Message from the Mayor
Dear Sunnyvale Residents,
I want to thank you for your efforts to keep our community safe during these times of uncertainty and concern regarding the COVID-19 health crisis. Currently, there are 14 cases of COVID-19 in Dallas County. The majority of these are from people who have recently traveled.
I assure you that your local government has been, and continues to prepare for situations such as these. Just this year, our entire leadership team completed National Incident Management (NIMS) training and are currently using this model to ensure continuity of government operations so that we may be able to provide services to our residents and get them the help they need. The concept of social distancing has been applied to separate our staff so that if someone becomes ill, they do not infect the entire staff. In an abundance of caution, the following steps have been taken:
- We have issued a disaster declaration along with the County and other regional cities, prohibiting large gatherings of more than 500 people. We suggest avoiding gatherings of any size. Even if you are not vulnerable, someone you may come in contact with could be.
- We are participating in two calls per day with the State and County to coordinate a regional response.
- We have closed the municipal court for the next two weeks.
- We have closed the Library to the public at this time. Staff are still available to answer questions via email and phone during normal business hours.
- We have split our crews into two shifts and are disinfecting work spaces to prevent spread of the virus.
- We have also implemented protocols for our Fire and EMS personnel to ensure they are equipped with appropriate personal protective equipment when responding to calls.
- We are encouraging residents to use our online bill pay system or our drop box for utility payments and avoid coming to Town Hall if at all possible.
As described in the articles below, SISD is taking important steps to slow the spread of the virus and to help the community. Additionally, our 100 Women of Sunnyvale organization, with the support of Riddell Plumbing, is also stepping up to help those who can’t get out and about to get supplies or need financial assistance. See more on this in the article below.
Please enjoy this time to connect with your families as we take these precautions to slow the spread of COVID-19. Blessings to you and your family,
Mayor Saji George
SISD Extends Spring Break
Below is an excerpt from last Friday's communication to the SISD community:
As you know, keeping our students, staff, families and visitors safe and healthy is the highest priority for Sunnyvale ISD. Over the past few days, we have seen things change minute by minute. Please know that students are always at the heart of our decisions and we are managing this situation with them and our entire community in mind. We have been in constant contact with local, state and federal health authorities. We are also in contact with neighboring school districts.
Based on recommendations from all health experts we are extending Spring Break and will be keeping schools closed next week, Monday, March 16 through Friday, March 20. During this extended spring break, all-district events and competitions that have been scheduled during this timeframe will be considered canceled until further notice (we hope to be able to reschedule the third grade NASA field trip and will keep you updated on this as soon as we are able). As families are returning from spring break, we will continue to monitor and evaluate the situation. A decision will be made in regard to reopening SISD schools sometime next week. We will communicate updated information as it becomes available.
For more information about SISD's Spring Break extension and the full text of last week's communication, please click here.
SISD to Provide Free Meals for Children
If you plan to pick up meals for your children, please fill out this form: MEALS.
100 Women of Sunnyvale Extend a Helping Hand
The 100 Women of Sunnyvale, in partnership with Riddell Plumbing, have offered to help those who can't get out and about pick up needed items. To request help, please see their FORM attached here, call 972-679-2184, or email them at 100womenofsunnyvale@gmail.com. To learn more about their efforts, watch this video.
Town of Sunnyvale
Susan Guthrie, Town Manager
Erica Madden, Public Relations and Event CoordinatorEmail: publicrelations@townofsunnyvale.org
Website: www.townofsunnyvale.org
Location: Sunnyvale Town Hall, 127 North Collins Road, Sufnnyvale, TX, USA
Phone: (972) 226-7177
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sunnyvaletx/
Twitter: @TownOfSunnyvale