Dear Parent/Guardian and Patrons,
Last night, at their July board meeting, the Trustees approved the District’s “Reopening Plan”. I would like to thank the staff and parents who participated in developing this plan. This plan outlines the procedures and protocols that the school staff will follow depending “on” the number of COVID-19 cases there are in the community at any given time. This is a multi-level plan that ranges from the schools being open with students and staff being on site with no restrictions, to the schools being closed and students and staff working online. The decision as to what level we will start the school year has not been determined yet. As we get closer to the start of the school year we will look at the active COVID-19 cases in the area and look at the State’s and health department guidelines to determine what level we will open at.
It is our goal and desire to open the school year with all of the students and staff attending on site. To be able to do this we are asking patrons and community members to do what they can to minimize the spread of the COVID-19 virus in our community. Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Jim Doramus
“How and when students return to school will ultimately be up to each district or charter school working with parents and their local health districts. It is essential that we support that flexibility as we provide guidance,” Superintendent Ybarra said. “Communities across the state will be in different stages of the pandemic when school reopens this fall, and districts will choose the approach that best serves their students, staff and parents. That could mean split or rotating schedules, a phased-in opening, online or blended learning, or traditional in-person instruction.” Superintendent Ybarra
Purpose
This webpage was prepared as a guide and communication to the schools, teachers, staff, students, and parents of Salmon River School District 243 with support and guidance from public health resources to assist school administrators and leadership teams in developing pandemic plans for their respective schools. The district reopening plan is available through the following link:
Background
The current coronavirus is COVID-19, which started in China and has spread to several countries around the world resulting in the first quarantines of people in over 50 years in some countries. According to the CDC, spread of COVID-19 is primarily via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, which is similar to how influenza and other respiratory pathogens spread (Retrieved from https://www.gadoe.org). COVID-19 symptoms start with a fever, followed by a dry cough and, sometimes, shortness of breath. The severity of the disease ranges from flu-like to pneumonia-like, and hospitalization is often necessary — although there is no approved treatment or vaccine just yet.
As a part of our community, the school district will do its part to provide a safe environment by following the reopening plan so students can learn to the best of their abilities. However, it is important to note that parents, students, and other community members must follow safety guidelines to minimize the spread of Covid-19, as well as other communicable diseases in order for us to continue to teach in our buildings, offer sports events, and hold other school activities.
CDC recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- Monitor your family and student’s health daily before sending them to school
- Stay home if you are sick
- Keep students home if they are sick or exhibit symptoms of Covid-19 (fever, cough, runny nose or congestion, headache, fatigue, etc.)
- Communicate with your school if your family has been exposed to Covid-19
At this time, our community has not reached community spread of Covid-19. Idaho County has had minimal documented cases.
Click on the links below for more information
Idaho Department of Education Reopening Webpage
Public Health Idaho North Central District