Very Important Message: Please read this in its entirety.
With the ongoing concerns about Coronavirus and confirmed case in North Dakota, we want you to know that the safety and health of our students, staff, and community is one of our top priorities. We will continue to do what we can to try to stop the spread of disease causing germs and ask for the parents and community to help in this endeavor.
The Grenora School District custodial staff will continue to clean and sanitize commonly touched surfaces throughout the day. The district did complete a germ fog procedure in all elementary rooms and most of the high school rooms on Friday, February 28, 2020. We were unable to complete the germ fog in the entire school because of the product being out of stock. We are working with our distributor to get more of this product as soon as possible. Adding this step to our cleaning process will only help in the fight against the spread of disease. Disinfecting cleaners and sprays will be distributed to all teachers to help clean surfaces in classrooms throughout the day on Monday, March 16, 2020. School buses will also be disinfected on a regular basis, and the kitchen staff will continue their sanitizing procedures. Teachers and staff will also implement handwashing with the students throughout the day.
The guidance we have received from the ND Department of Health is as follows:
- wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds;
- wash hand vigorously
- sing Happy Birthday twice while washing
- sing the ABC’s once through
- avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands;
- cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and throw it away;
- clean and disinfect frequently-touched surfaces/objects regularly;
- get plenty of rest, drink fluids, and eat healthy foods;
- avoid close contact with people who are sick;
- stay home when you are sick.
- those who have NOT receive the influenza vaccination are strongly urged to get it
Grenora Public Schools stresses these same things with students each year during normal cold and flu season, and we ask that you continue to reinforce this at home.
We ask that students, staff, and community members that are sick do not come to the schools. Those experiencing a fever (99.5 °F or higher) and other flu/respiratory illness symptoms should not come to school. Please note: if an individual has a fever below 99.5 °F but has been taking medicines that help reduce fevers, they should not come to school until their fever is below 99.5 °F without medication.
Students who miss school due to illness will not be subject to consequences contained in the Attendance and Absence School Board Policy; FFB with proper communication with the school. We encourage all families to communicate with the district so that we can mark the absences appropriately and provide appropriate education materials.
Symptoms of the COVID-19 virus include fever, cough and shortness of breath. The symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure. If you develop symptoms, please call your health provider and tell them about your recent travel or exposure and communicate with the school. Communication is key to diminishing the spread of this infectious disease.
If the Coronavirus comes to our community, we will be in close contact with public health officials to help determine the best course of action for the school.
Again, Grenora Public Schools takes the safety of our students and staff very seriously. We will continue to monitor the situation, work with state and local health officials, and follow recommended guidance as it becomes available.
Please contact the school at 701-694-2711or email me at aaron.rudningen@gpsd99.org with any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Aaron Rudningen
Superintendent
Coronavirus Resources:
CDC website re: coronavirus: https://www.cdc.
CDC guidance for schools: https://www.cdc.gov/
CDC recommendations for environmental cleaning /disinfecting: https://www.
Difference between seasonal flu & coronavirus: https://www.cdc.
This is an excellent resource! Talking to kids about Coronavirus: https://www.