Lexington, SC (Staff Writer) - Lexington County School District One is continuing to adjust to the impact of the COVID-19 novel coronavirus. They are also continuing to make some adjustments to their normal operating procedures.
Those changes affected student travel first. Over the last few days, they canceled upcoming trips to China, Italy, Japan, and France based on the CDC’s travel advisories. They also canceled or postponed trips within the United States to Atlanta, Washington, D.C., and New York.
Now, they are suspending all out of state travel for students (including athletics) and all out of state professional development related travel for staff. If you are a parent of a student with an upcoming out of state field trip or athletic event, they suggest you check with the trip’s sponsor or coach to find out the latest information.
In addition, they have decided to suspend all internships, co-ops, or apprenticeships housed at any health care facility or affiliate where students would have contact with patients. This includes hospitals, dental offices, physical therapy facilities, hospices, etc.
Of course, they continue to work with the CDC and DHEC health officials to make sure they are doing everything they can to ensure students stay healthy. They have decided, however, to put in place some extra precautions and adjust some of their common, everyday practices.
They are eliminating self-serve lines in their cafeterias and the practice of having a common table with produce, etc. that students can pick up.
They met with principals on Wednesday and emphasized some best practices, such as eliminating handshakes by substituting with elbow or toe taps, making sure their soap dispensers stay full, and providing the appropriate spray disinfectant to teachers as well as custodians.
They continue to work diligently on emergency plans should the virus spread and force them to close school for any reason. Parents will be receiving an email and survey from the District about your access to the internet. This information will help them plan things such as distance or e-Learning opportunities, for instance.
The District is having conversations with the South Carolina High School League and anticipate some changes to their schedules and events for athletics in the future.
This will not be the last time they communicate with you as the District is committed to providing accurate information. Also, remember that they've created a webpage specifically for this purpose. This site includes links to information from the CDC and other agencies/organizations that you might find helpful, including some information about talking to your children about this. https://www.lexington1.net/COVID-19
The District also said they cannot remind you enough how important it is to keep your children at home when they run any fever higher than 100 degrees Fahrenheit before you give them Tylenol, Motrin or other appropriate fever-reducing medication. Once your child’s fever breaks and your child no longer has a fever (without Tylenol or another product in his/her system), please keep your child home for another 24 hours.
Please use commonsense, everyday actions to protect yourself and your families from any type of respiratory virus such as remembering to:
· Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
· Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
· Stay home when sick.
· Cough or sneeze into your elbow or use a tissue and put it in the trash immediately.
· Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
· Avoid contact with sick people.
· Get a flu shot.
Please consult your physician if you have any concerns regarding your child’s or your situation.
