IMPORTANT HEALTH MESSAGE TO THE FAYETTE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL COMMUNITY

March 10, 2020

COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Update

NOTE: The term COVID-19 will be used throughout this document in reference to the coronavirus. 

Metro area hospitals and designated facilities, including our local hospital, have been set up to address COVID-19. We have confirmed with the Fayette County Health Department that there is one presumptive case of COVID-19 in Fayette County. At this time, we can confirm that these cases are not Fayette County employees or students. We are told that the risk to the general population remains low.

It is likely there will be other “presumptive positive” and/or confirmed cases of COVID-19 among Fayette County residents, and we do not plan to send you a notice about every case.  These cases will be reported by the Georgia Department of Public Health on their website.

Students with health conditions that require them to wear face masks (respirators) are the only ones being allowed to wear them at school, and these students must have a note from their healthcare provider on file at the school. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC ) does not recommend the routine use of respirators (face masks) in the community.

Parents and guardians should verify that their phone numbers and email addresses are correct in Infinite Campus and ensure that notification permissions are set to receive messages.

The superintendent and school system leadership are in constant contact with public health, state of Georgia, and Federal officials, and continue to follow their guidance on developments related to COVID-19.

Should there be a household connection to Fayette County Public Schools and/or a COVID-19 diagnosis among our students and/or staff, you will be notified immediately. The Department of Public Health is not recommending any Fayette  County Public School closures at this time.

There are preventative measures you can take against COVID-19, which are the same as for the flu:

• Wash hands frequently
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Stay home if you are sick
• Cough or sneeze into your elbow or use tissue to cover it, then throw tissue in the trash

To prioritize the safety of our students and staff, we remain committed to following the most current recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH).

Student Attendance Incentives:

Students who provide written documentation from their healthcare provider advising them to refrain from attending school due to COVID-19 will be fully accommodated in accordance with Board Policy JB. Families of these students should coordinate with their school’s administration for additional guidance. For all other students, normal school attendance policies remain in effect.

Student attendance incentives for all schools are suspended for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year with the following exceptions:

• High school exam exemptions for attendance will be based on first semester attendance.

• Perfect attendance calculations will be addressed at a later time.

Employee Attendance

Employees not reporting to work due to coronavirus must provide written documentation from their healthcare provider. The school system will continue to enforce Board Policy GARH. Normal work attendance policies remain in effect.

Enrollment of New Students from Identified High-Risk Areas:

Families attempting to enroll a student from areas with a Level 3 or 4 Travel Health Notice advisory for COVID-19, as identified by the CDC and/or the US Department of State, should contact the Enrollment Center via telephone and/or email.

• Phone: 770-460-3990, ext. 1109

• Email: toney.audrey@mail.fcboe.org
  

Facility Maintenance and Cleanliness:

The school system continues to implement all best practices and materials at our disposal to keep each facility clean and disinfected.

Re-entry of Students Traveling from Identified High-Risk Areas:

Families should inform the local school via telephone and/or email if their student or a member of their household has traveled to areas with a Level 3 or 4 Travel Health Notice advisory for the coronavirus, as identified by the CDC or the US Department of State. Schools, in conjunction with school system personnel and Georgia Department of Public Health protocols, will work with families to determine the appropriate action regarding the re-entry of the student into school.

Staff Travel Restrictions:

Out-of-state, work-related travel for all employees will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis for the rest of the 2019-2020 school year.

Regarding personal travel, employees should inform their supervisor via telephone and/or email, prior to returning to work, if they have traveled to areas with a Level 3 or 4 Travel Health Notice advisory for COVID-19, as identified by the CDC or the U.S. Department of State.

• CDC Travel Updates

• U.S. Department of State Travel Advisories

Student Travel:

Any school-sponsored and/or school system-sponsored travel to areas with a Level 3 or 4 Travel Health Notice advisory for COVID-19, as identified by the CDC or the US Department of State, will be canceled for the duration of the 2019-2020 school year. Currently, travel scheduled within the US, or for areas not identified as high risk, will be evaluated by the school system. We will communicate with all travel companies utilized by the school system to ensure they follow the same CDC and/or Georgia Department of Public Health recommendations.

The Georgia Department of Public Health will continue updating the community through their website, and the CDC is constantly updating their website with the most current information.

• Georgia Department of Public Health

• CDC Website
  

Virtual Learning Options:

In order to prepare for emergency related school closings, Fayette County Public Schools is prepared to offer virtual learning days for our students, supported by our employees. Non-digital, ‘unplugged’ assignments are recommended for prekindergarten, kindergarten, and first grade students, as well as those with limited internet access.

All personnel should be available and accessible during their regularly scheduled work hours.

Facility Rentals:

School system facility rental agreements will continue to be honored at this time; however, lessees will be required to hire Fayette County Public School System custodial staff to ensure system protocols for sanitation and disinfection are followed to the level directed by the CDC. Additional costs associated with these procedures will be the responsibility of the lessee.

School and District Sponsored Events:

Currently scheduled events occurring in closed spaces, or events with 1,000 or more participants, will be reviewed by the school system. All other events will be allowed to proceed as planned. Until further notice, new school and system sponsored events occurring in closed spaces, or events with 1,000 or more participants, will be reviewed for approval on a case-by-case basis. The school system supports the event sponsor and school administrators’ authority to postpone or cancel events. The school system will continue to update information on its website. Please visit this webpage frequently for up-to-date information.