The Agate School is actively monitoring news and information about the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in our region. Please check this page regularly for updates, additional information about our approach, past communications, and helpful links. We will also be posting up to the minute updates on our Facebook page.
School Visitors
We will be asking any visitors to self-report any illness or travel that could potentially put them at a risk for contracting coronavirus, those individuals will not be allowed in the school.
At-School Illness
We continue to stress the importance of keeping any students who are ill at home until they are without a fever for over 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing medication. This applies to faculty and staff as well.
Any students presenting symptoms suggestive of possible COVID-19 while at school will be immediately separated from the rest of the student body and quarantined while the student’s guardian is contacted for immediate pick-up. We will of course handle this in a compassionate, age-appropriate way.
Travel
We ask that you self-isolate your child from The Agate School for 14 days if your child has come in contact with anyone who has traveled abroad. CDC TRAVEL We trust our families to be honest regarding travel to prevent exposure to our community. Accommodations for make-up work and remote learning will be handled on a case-by-case basis during any quarantine period.
Employees and students are also advised to avoid any non-essential domestic travel, especially to areas where community infection has been confirmed or to areas with large crowds. We do not currently have a plan to enforce a quarantine for domestic travel but keep in mind that this may change if guidance from the CDC changes over the next couple of weeks.
Sanitation Measures
We have increased the frequency of our routine cleaning of the school and added the following practices:
-We have switched to hospital grade disinfectants.
-We are frequently wiping down commonly touched surfaces such as doorknobs, water faucets, and drinking fountains.
-We continue to wipe down flat surfaces in classrooms on a regular basis.
-We are also cleaning and sanitizing the cafeteria daily.
Planning for a Potential School Shutdown
At this time, we do not plan to shut down our school due to COVID-19. This could happen, however, if public health officials direct The Agate School or Colorado Schools, in general, to shut down to prevent the spread of the virus. If we face a scenario in which we have to shut down for an extended period of time, we have a plan in place to ensure that education continues for our students. Teachers will meet to discuss the specifics of the plan, and families will be notified. In the meantime, please let us know if you do not have internet access at your home.
Developmental Appropriate Information
The overwhelming news coverage and rapid spread of the COVID-19 is anxiety provoking for many of us, including our children. As parents, children look to us for guidance on how to respond to fear inducing events. To calm their nerves, parents should begin by reassuring their children that they and their teachers are working hard to make sure everyone stays healthy.
To help answer those many questions, accurate, developmentally appropriate information about COVID-19 and concrete instructions on how to limit the spread of germs are necessary. Below are some resources to help alleviate some of the anxiety:
(NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS) TALKING TO CHILDREN ABOUT COVID-19
(CHILD MIND INSTITUTE)TALKING TO KIDS ABOUT THE CORONA VIRUS
(THE NEW YORK TIMES) TALKING TO TWEENS AND TEENS ABOUT THE CORONAVIRUS
(NPR)JUST FOR KIDS: A COMIC EXPLORING THE NEW CORONA VIRUS
(BRAINPOP VIDEO FOR AGES 8+)CORONAVIRUS
(JR. BRAINPOP VIDEO FOR AGES 3+)WASHING HANDS
Additional Resources
Elbert County Health and Human Services
Coronavirus Symptoms- Virus symptoms may appear anywhere from 2-14 days after exposure. The most common symptoms are: Fever, Cough, and Shortness of breath. Call your doctor if you think that you have been exposed to COVID-19. If you plan on going in, make sure that the health facility is aware that you are coming. Follow the steps below if you are sick with COVID-19 or suspect that you are infected with the virus to help prevent the disease from spreading to people in your home or community:
– Remember that children can be carriers of the virus without presenting any symptoms and therefore can be a danger to the elderly or immunocompromised
-Stay home except to get Medical care. Avoid public areas and public transportation.
-Separate yourself from other people and animals in your home.
-Call ahead before visiting your doctor.
-Wear a facemask if you are sick.
-Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and dispose of tissue in a lined trash can.
-Wash hands, clean surfaces frequently, and monitor symptoms.