March
13, 2020
Dear Students, Parents and Guardians:
In addition to the letter that you received yesterday from
Superintendent Dr. Dirth, I wanted to provide you with some additional information
that is more specific to BFA and NWTC. The BFA Safety Committee met throughout
the week and discussed BFA’s preventative measures to COVID-19:
1. First
and foremost we are following the guidance from Vermont AOE and the Department of Health. Their web pages are updated daily.
2. Monday
afternoon the AOE sent out a protocol for responding to COVID-19 and the District
Safety Team met today to review and finalize the MRUSD Pandemic Flu &
Infectious Disease Plan along with two members from the VT Department of
Health.
3. Our
Maintenance staff has installed Antibacterial pumps in bathrooms.
4. Early
last week, our Maintenance staff ordered more disinfectant supplies and we are
distributing throughout the school for everyone’s use.
5. The
best defense we have for any virus is washing your hands. I know I
learned a bit to polish my technique by watching a video provided by Nurse
Val. Here are links to three:
6. The
two health offices have changed their daily structure. If students are showing symptoms of
a viral infection (coughing, runny nose, fever, etc.) they are to see Nurse Val
in the North Building. All other medical
needs, such as, headaches, upset stomach, to name a few, should see Nurse Jodi
in the South Building.
7. Teachers
have been asked to review their PowerSchool class roster and review all
medical alert icons. This information helps recognize any
students that are at a higher risk of developing adverse symptoms to
illness. Also, the Nurses are talking with parents who have a concern or
have children with compromised immune systems.
8. I
am keeping track of school trips and making decisions based on when
the trips are happening and where they are going.
9. A few
people have asked about online learning and we do not have the resources to
support distance for learning for all students at BFA.
Lastly, in our
social media work, we need to keep ourselves aware of the facts. I
do this daily by visiting the websites above and consulting with our
medical professionals at BFA. Also, I remember something I was taught after
going through an anxiety rising event, the best thing for the students is
to keep to as regular a schedule as possible and focus on their learning.
If the kids bring up the conversation around the COVID-19 virus,
acknowledge it, but get back to the daily work that we do every day in
service to our kids.
If you have any
questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at 802-527-6451.
Sincerely,
Bill Kimball
Interim Principal
