Coronavirus Update
Florence 1 Schools: Monday, March 16, 2020
Today's Update
For your convenience, this update contains all communications which have been sent out within the last 24 hours.
Florence 1 Schools is closely monitoring the progress of this novel virus and following the advice of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
From the Desk of Dr. Richard O'Malley
These are unprecedented times that have been unexpectedly cast our way, but I believe we have all been preparing in some way or another for this. Today, we began operating the district as close to normal as possible, but educating all of our students utilizing a totally different platform. Our focus is and will remain the students and community we serve. I applaud everyone’s efforts today to execute the plans that were put in place and by all indications our preparation was helpful, and your execution was nothing less than magnificent.
I understand that some employees are working in different areas or situations that are not your normal schedule, and I appreciate your willingness to help our students and community. Know that this has not gone unnoticed. I also understand that many of you have children or other family obligations that have also altered your daily plans. Please be patient with us as we work through these first couple of days as we develop an understanding of the full operational impact this requires to execute.
We will work with each of you, but please be patient. If you need to take time off to tend to your family obligations, we understand and will work with you. We are in this together and if we work together, we can accomplish much more than we realize.
The plans put forward will be in place during this first week to ensure sustainability in the coming weeks. The workforce needed and adjustments in hours will change over the days and weeks to come. Please know that we need all of you to make sure everything runs smoothly. If you have immediate individual needs, we will work with you to accomplish both your obligations and ours. However, please continue to be patient with us as our operations shift and we execute all of our plans.
I appreciate all of you and what you are doing. Just know that and know that you truly are making a difference as Florence shines throughout the state during these unprecedented times.
Dr. O'Malley on Facebook Live
Florence 1 Schools Provides Meals During School Closure
District E-Learning Protocols are In Place
District eLearning protocols are in place. Students should log on to their Chromebooks each day to complete assignments. Teachers will have virtual office hours each day during which time students can receive assistance. Elementary office hours will be 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m.; middle school and high school office hours will be 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2-4 p.m.
Assignments will be posted each day by 8 a.m. If students do not have an assignment available, they should contact their school. Students will need to complete the eLearning assignments by 10 p.m. each day to be marked present for that day.
PreK-1st grade students who do not take home their district-issued Chromebooks should have received instructional packets at school on Friday. If a student did not receive a packet, they should contact their teacher via email or notify their school so plans can be made to pick a packet up.
Buses will be parked at locations throughout the community for students who do not have internet access at home. District Chromebooks will be able to connect to the Wifi on the buses for students to complete assignments.
Bus WiFi Locations
Buses will be parked at locations throughout the community for students who do not have Internet access at home. District Chromebooks will be able to connect to the Wifi on the buses for students to complete assignments.
- WIFI works within 300 feet of the parked bus.
- Students will NOT be allowed to board the bus.
Bus Wifi Locations are:
- Barnes Street Center
- Boys and Girls Club
- Calvary Baptist Church
- Levy Park
- Maple Park
- North Vista Elementary
- Northwest Park
- Oakland Avenue
- Quinby Baptist Church
- Southern Homes Mobile Home Park
- Tara Village baseball field
- Williams Middle School
- Woodfield
Contact Information
Technology - 843-673-1180 or etech@fsd1.org
Transportation - 843-673-1118
Food Service - 843-673-1123 or 843-673-1120
Main District Office - 843-669-4141
Students Requiring Medicine From School
Postponements/Cancellations Until Further Notice
Florence 1 Schools Battle of the Books (March 16)
Florence 1 Schools Parent Teachers Conferences (March 23)
FMU's An Evening with former NASA Engineer Dr. Christine Mann Darden - (March 23)
The School Foundation's Dancing for Our Future Stars (March 26)
Wilson High School's Tiger Production Dinner & Show (March 27)
How can we support local businesses while social distancing over coronavirus? *
2. Focus on Purchasing Local Produce
3. Buy Now to Enjoy Later
4. Stock Up on Entertainment or Download it to Your Devices
5. Don't Panic, Visit in Person
6. If You Can't Visit in Person, Consider Delivery
7. Buy a Gift Card for Later Use
8. Shop Online
*by Jessica Swannie
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Videos
The following videos were created as part of CDC-TV’s Health Matters series for the general public and public health professionals.
We encourage you to watch these videos and learn more about how you can keep you and your family healthy by practicing improved hygiene. If you are a public health professional, you can use these videos to raise awareness and educate your community on healthy hygiene behaviors.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Coronavirus (COVID-19)
What is the Coronavirus or COVID-19 virus?
The Novel Coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China. Currently, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports several cases in the United States, and no cases in Texas (as of Feb. 28, 2020).
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.
The following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure: Fever, Cough, and Shortness of Breath.
How is COVID-19 spread?
According to the CDC, the virus that causes COVID-19 belongs to a family of viruses called “coronavirus.” There are other viruses in the coronavirus family that can cause illness in both humans and animals These viruses can cause either mild illness like a cold or can make people very sick with pneumonia. This particular coronavirus has not been seen previously in humans. The virus is likely to be spread from person to person. Since the virus is very new, health authorities continue to carefully watch how this virus spreads.
Can someone who has COVID-19 spread the illness to others?
The virus that causes COVID-19 is spreading from person-to-person. Someone who is actively sick with COVID-19 can spread the illness to others. That is why CDC recommends that these patients be isolated either in the hospital or at home (depending on how sick they are) until they are better and no longer pose a risk of infecting others.
How long someone is actively sick can vary so the decision on when to release someone from isolation is made on a case-by-case basis in consultation with doctors, infection prevention and control experts, and public health officials and involves considering specifics of each situation including disease severity, illness signs and symptoms, and results of laboratory testing for that patient.
Current CDC guidance for when it is OK to release someone from isolation is made on a case by case basis and includes meeting all of the following requirements:
- The patient is free from fever without the use of fever-reducing medications.
- The patient is no longer showing symptoms, including cough.
- The patient has tested negative on at least two consecutive respiratory specimens collected at least 24 hours apart.
- Someone who has been released from isolation is not considered to pose a risk of infection to others.
How will I know if I or my children have the flu or COVID-19?
While both these illnesses are respiratory viruses with symptoms of fever and a cough, it is recommended that anyone experiencing these symptoms visit a healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.
What can I do to prevent being infected or spreading the virus?
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Wash your hands frequently.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in a covered trashcan.
- If you do not have a tissue, use your sleeve (not your hands).
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
What is the district doing to protect students and staff?
Ganado ISD is following the guidance of Jackson County Health Department, which is working closely with the CDC, Texas Department of State Health Services, local governments, and health care providers to prepare for and respond to the evolving COVID-19 situation.
Ganado ISD Health Services has issued guidance for our school nurse to use in identifying and assessing the health status of students or staff who are experiencing flu-like symptoms.
What will the district do if someone at a school or office is diagnosed with COVID-19?
If both exposure and symptoms of fever or respiratory illness are present, the nurse is instructed to inform the principal, isolate the individual, and contact our main office for additional guidance.
Where necessary, cleaning and disinfection will take place in accordance with Department of Environmental Health Services Standard Operation Procedures recommendations.
Will warm weather stop the outbreak of COVID-19?
It is not yet known whether weather and temperature impact the spread of COVID-19. Some other viruses, like the common cold and flu, spread more during cold weather months but that does not mean it is impossible to become sick with these viruses during other months. At this time, it is not known whether the spread of COVID-19 will decrease when weather becomes warmer. There is much more to learn about the transmissibility, severity, and other features associated with COVID-19 and investigations are ongoing.
Content sources:
- National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD), Division of Viral Diseases
- Dallas ISD (https://www.dallasisd.org/Page/62300)