Superintendent of Schools Dr Lorrie Rodrigue sent a message to district parents and staff on February 27 regarding CoVid-19 (Coronavirus.)

The letter reads:

Dear Parents and Staff,

In response to the latest CDC (Center for Disease Control) media briefing on the Coronavirus and the potential impact at the community level, we want to assure you that we are staying updated on the status in Connecticut and within our own community. First and foremost, we are following the guidance of our local health district and information being conveyed from the State of Connecticut. Communication is ongoing, and the situation is being monitored closely at the local level.

As was outlined in the information sent to you recently from our director of health, the CoVid-19 (Coronavirus) is a specific flu in a large family of viruses that causes illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV), which we experienced in 2003 and 2012.

While there have been no confirmed cases in Connecticut, the State remains prepared, including supporting local communities and schools in the event of an outbreak. You can visit the following town link for more information: newtown-ct.gov/sites/newtownct/files/news/covid-19.pdf.

What Can You Do Now?

As the CDC suggests, the best advice is to wash your hands frequently to lower the risk of spreading germs. You should not send students to school if they show any symptoms of illness, and seek medical attention if flu-like symptoms exist. Be sure to reach out to your child’s school nurse if you have any concerns about your child’s health.

What is the Newtown School District Doing?

Our District is in constant communication with the Newtown Health District and will follow protocols should a case be confirmed in the community. In the meantime, custodians are being asked to clean schools thoroughly, including the use of disinfectants to wipe down tables, desktops, door handles, and other touch points where germs and infection are often found. All overseas travel through the Newtown Public Schools has been suspended.

What if the Coronavirus is Confirmed in the Public School?

In the event a case of Coronavirus is confirmed in a school, a decision will be made to take the appropriate steps necessary to mitigate the situation. If the situation at the community level should become a threat, prompting school closures of any kind, parents will be notified with a specific plan in place. While this is not likely at this point, town and schools are prepared to take all necessary actions to protect public health.

The First Selectman, Dan Rosenthal, and I are in regular contact and will continue to share information so that community members, parents, staff, and town employees are fully aware of the situation and have a consistent response. If you should have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our office at 203-426-7621.

Sincerely,

Dr Lorrie Rodrigue

Superintendent