COVID-19 Information (March-June 2020)
Extended School Year Services
Last Friday, Governor Cuomo issued an executive order stating that districts may provide Extended School Year services to students with disabilities who are otherwise eligible for them. The governor’s unexpected decision to permit in-person special education services despite closing schools for the current school year created rather involved conditions. We understood we would have to carefully review the situation in terms of many factors before deciding how to best proceed.
Over the last several days we have carefully reviewed all the information we had at our disposal. We have looked at issues pertaining to staffing, the availability of personal protective equipment (PPE), classroom and common area space configurations, and we have sought public health guidance from federal and state levels as well as our own district medical director and district medical staff.
Following a very thorough review and discussions, we have concluded that Extended School Year (ESY) programming will be delivered through Distance Learning this summer. We will provide a blend of live instruction and self-paced learning activities in order to implement each student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) to the greatest extent possible, given the use of virtual instruction and the availability of staff. ESY will be in session July 6 – August 14, Monday through Friday.
The recently issued public health and safety requirements from the New York State Department of Health for interim in-person Special Education instruction require significant additional planning in the areas of staffing, physical space setup, personal protection, cleaning and disinfecting, bathroom protocols, and bus protocols. While Lakeland may be able to meet these requirements in time for the opening of school in September, it cannot be done by July 6th. We continue to develop a comprehensive reopening plan in coordination with all of the Westchester County School districts, which will ensure the safety of our students and staff. Providing ESY through Distance Learning was an extremely difficult decision. While we miss our students, it would not be appropriate to bring our students and our staff into school when we cannot meet the current DOH state requirements and are still awaiting NYSED guidance. Recognizing the impact of the pandemic on the social/emotional wellness of our students and families, this summer we will be providing ongoing support to the entire school community. We will be updating our website with resources and have counseling staff available. We will send out more details as we get closer to July. We will be sad not seeing you all in person this summer, but we look forward to “seeing” you virtually. As always, please reach out with any concerns or questions you may have.
Dr. Steve Rappleyea,
Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Personnel Services
Thank You to Promise of Hope Foundation, RENU Contracting Restoration, and Millburn Flooring for their donation of 3000 masks to Lakeland Families.Lakeland received 3000 masks that were donated to families in need. This week, the masks were distributed to the families at their weekly Lakeland Food Service meal pick up. George Prine, Lakeland's Facilities Director, and his staff coordinated the distribution.
Posted April 27, 2020
Versión en español haga clic aquí
Posted April 9, 2020
Continuidad de la instrucción - Recursos de acceso a Internet 2020
09 de abril de 2020
Haga clic aquí para obtener recursos para estudiantes y personal que actualmente no tienen la disponibilidad de acceso a Internet.
Posted April 6, 2020
Lakeland CoAI Technology SUPPORT Form, click here
If you are having trouble connecting, logging-in or accessing a required program, please fill out this form.
Publicado el 6 de abril de 2020
Formulario de APOYO a la tecnología LakeA CoAI, haga clic aquí
Si tiene problemas para conectarse, iniciar sesión o acceder a un programa requerido, complete este formulario.
Posted April 3, 2020
New Information about 2020 AP Exams - PDF file
Haga clic para version espanol
Posted April 1, 2020
Posted March 31, 2020
Versión en español haga clic aquí
Message from Assistant Superintendent of Pupil Personnel Dr. Steve Rappleyea
Dear Families:;
In an effort to aggressively slow the spread of COVID-19, New York State’s Governor, Andrew Cuomo, has ordered the closure of all schools in the state of New York first through April 1, 2020, and now through the 15th. In addition, there is an indication that schools may be ordered to remain closed for a longer period in an effort to continue social distancing and slow the rate at which this virus spreads. Just last month the Lakeland CSD Special Education Office hosted an open house for our SEPTA parents. We discussed how it was our intention to schedule “open door Fridays” for parents to come in without an appointment and visit with me if they wished. It is amazing to me how much things have changed in so short a time. Now our doors are closed, and communication opportunities have drastically changed.
As this crisis has unfolded Dr. Stone has made sure to provide regular updates to parents with what we knew to be happening. Since the State and County executive orders have been issued, we now have clarity on our restrictions. We appreciate the concerns of parents and students, especially those who depend on the delivery of special education instruction, accommodations, supports and related services. This letter contains important information about our plan for implementing special education instruction, providing related services, Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE), and Committee on Special Education (CSE) meetings during the extended closures. Administration and staff have been working diligently to develop plans to maintain consistency of special education services. We are committed to doing our best to address your child's needs remotely, but it is possible that not all typical school-based instruction and special education supports can be feasibly implemented through a distance learning model during the present health crisis. Your patience and understanding is greatly appreciated as we work through the logistics of this challenging time together.
Leading up to this moment, the special education supervisors and myself have been meeting with staff and support staff to prepare as best as we can for this event; first in person, then as this pandemic unfolded, via videoconference. Special education teachers have prepared resources in the same way that teachers of students without disabilities have. Related services providers have provided web resources for students with disabilities (Find a link here to the LiveBinder) which can also be located on the District Web page. Related services providers have also begun to implement a plan for the provision of web-based support to students at home. We have set up supports for students who need additional food, and we have begun to structure systems to support students in emotional crises.
Please reach out to us regarding any concerns you have relating to the implementation of your child’s special education services and/or accommodations in the weeks ahead. We are here to support you and your children during this challenging time. Thank you for your patience and understanding in working with us as our school community responds to COVID-19.
I have included below a concise description of our service plan along with a link to the New York State Education Department Guidance for Special Education which was released Friday, and a link back to the District website. We miss you and your children and look forward to the day when we can all return safely to school. Please stay in touch, be well, and be safe.
Yours,
Dr. Steve Rappleyea
Lakeland Central School District COVID-19 Special Education Service Provision
Coronavirus/COVID-19 Resources - Update March 26, 2020
CDC - Coronavirus/COVID-19
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
NY Department of Health - What you need to know.
https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/home
NYS Department of Health - Protect Yourself and Your Family
https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/protect-yourself-and-your-family-coronavirus-covid-19#symptoms
Westchester County - Coronavirus Update
https://health.westchestergov.com/2019-novel-coronavirus
Understanding the Difference Between COVID-19, Allergies & Flu (Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network)
https://www.allergyasthmanetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/COVID-19_3-19.pdf
https://www.allergyasthmanetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/COVID-19-Final-Spanish.pdf
Information about Type 1 Diabetes and Coronavirus: https://www.jdrf.org/coronavirus/
OMH Guidance for Managing Stress and Anxiety During COVID-19
https://omh.ny.gov/omhweb/guidance/covid-19-managing-stress-anxiety.pdf
Posted March 25, 2020
Lakeland Community
I hope everyone is continuing to stay well. This morning we opened our Children's Center at Van Cortlandtville Elementary for health care providers and first responders. A great deal of THANKS to the staff involved in setting this up! If you know of families in our community serving in these roles, please have them contact the Children's Center at bohara@lakelandchildrens.com or visit https://www.lakelandchildrens.com/emergency-child-care.
As a way of keeping our "Lakeland Family" in touch, we are establishing "Photo Boards" on our websites and social media. If you have photos of your children or the family "working from home," please email them to rcarcova@lakelandschools.org. We will try to post as many as we can.
As far as the academic programs, we continue to learn more each day. Several educational videos are being posted, some of which can be very helpful such as the CollegeBoard online AP Classes and Review. Visit https://www.youtube.com/user/advancedplacement for the daily class schedule. Expect to see more postings as we explore how we can better communicate with you.
We also continue to disinfect and sanitize with new equipment that allows us to regularly clean the district facilities, classrooms, and buses thoroughly and quickly.
As far as school closure continuing, we expect to know something before March 31, and obviously for families and planning, the sooner, the better, but at this point, we there is no new information. As soon as we know, you will know.
All for now, stay well!
George Stone, Superintendent
Posted March 24, 2020
Information for Families without the Internet, Wireless Access, and/or WiFi Challenges
If you are experiencing difficulty in accessing reliable connectivity to the internet here are some helpful contacts.
Free Service. During this time, some service providers are trying to help by providing limited free service. Although offers such as this change rapidly, to date, the following providers have publicized offers such as this:
Service Providers
Spectrum
1-855-243-8892
https://www.spectrum.net/…/coronavirus-covid-19-educational…
Comcast
1-855-846-8376 for English and
1-855-765-6995 for Spanish
https://corporate.comcast.com/covid-19
Optimum
1-866-200-9522
Alticeadvantageinternet.com
Verizon 1-800-922-0204
https://www.verizon.com/…/update-verizon-serve-customers-co…
Non-technological options.
- The New York State Education Department (NYSED) has partnered with PBS for help in the area of television support.
- More information can be found at: http://www.nysed.gov/edtech/pbs-live-broadcasting.
- Also, NYSED has identified some early learning activities which do not require technology. These can be found at: http://www.nysed.gov/…/early-learning-non-technological-opt…
In addition, a local news agency, The Journal News, has gathered a list of resources to help families at this time. While some of the items found in this list require technology, others do not. It can be found at:
https://thejournal.com/…/Free-Resources-Ed-Tech-Companies-S…
Spanish Version
El siguiente texto fue traducido usando Google Translate. Pedimos disculpas por cualquier error.
Información para familias sin Internet, acceso inalámbrico y / o desafíos de WiFi
Si tiene dificultades para acceder a una conectividad confiable a Internet, aquí hay algunos contactos útiles.
Servicio gratuito Durante este tiempo, algunos proveedores de servicios están tratando de ayudar proporcionando un servicio gratuito limitado. Aunque las ofertas como esta cambian rápidamente, hasta la fecha, los siguientes proveedores han publicado ofertas como esta:
Proveedores de servicio
Espectro
1-855-243-8892
https://www.spectrum.net/…/coronavirus-covid-19-educational…
Comcast
1-855-846-8376 para inglés y
1-855-765-6995 para español
https://corporate.comcast.com/covid-19
Óptimo
1-866-200-9522
Alticeadvantageinternet.com
Verizon 1-800-922-0204
https://www.verizon.com/…/update-verizon-serve-customers-co…
Opciones no tecnológicas.
El Departamento de Educación del Estado de Nueva York (NYSED) se ha asociado con PBS para obtener ayuda en el área de apoyo televisivo.
Se puede encontrar más información en: http://www.nysed.gov/edtech/pbs-live-broadcasting.
Además, el NYSED ha identificado algunas actividades de aprendizaje temprano que no requieren tecnología. Estos se pueden encontrar en: http://www.nysed.gov/…/early-learning-non-technological-opt…
Además, una agencia de noticias local, The Journal News, ha reunido una lista de recursos para ayudar a las familias en este momento. Si bien algunos de los elementos que se encuentran en esta lista requieren tecnología, otros no. Se puede encontrar en:
https://thejournal.com/…/Free-Resources-Ed-Tech-Companies-S…
Posted March 22, 2020
Temporary Meal Service Announcement
Pickup meal service scheduled for tomorrow, March 23, 2020, will be postponed until Tuesday, March 24, 2020. If you are a family in need of meals for your children during the current school closing, please register for this service. To register for meal service, please click on the following link; https://forms.gle/6zJc2zx8k3gXY9iF8 and complete the registration form. Temporary meal pick up service will be limited to one day per week every Tuesday beginning on March 31. This week, meal service will continue this week on Tuesday, March 24, Wednesday, March 25, and Friday, March 27. Any questions or concerns should be emailed to temporarymealservice@lakelandschools.org. You can also call or text Janet Hernandez at 914-260-9383.
College Board Parent Letter from Lakeland High School Principal Chris Cummings and
Walter Panas High School Principal Joseph Spero
Dear Lakeland High School and Walter Panas High School Families:
Throughout this school year, students have worked diligently in their Advanced Placement courses. As we navigate through the uncharted events regarding COVID-19, we are working to keep everyone updated with the latest information and status of culminating exams. On March 20th CollegeBoard shared information regarding the administration of these exams.
Please carefully read the key points below:
- Traditional face-to-face exam administrations will not take place.
- There will be two different testing dates for students to choose from.
- Those dates will be available near April 3rd.
- Tests will be 45 minutes in length and students will be able to take these streamlined exams on any device they have access to—computer, tablet, or smartphone. Taking a photo of handwritten work will also be an option.
- Material assessed will only consist of the material taught up until March of 2020.
- Colleges support this solution and are committed to ensuring that AP students receive the credit they have worked this year to earn. For decades, colleges have accepted a shortened AP Exam for college credit when groups of students have experienced emergencies.
- Should a student want to cancel their exam, they can do so with no penalty.
- Test security is also a concern which the College Board is addressing.
- The exam questions are designed and administered in ways that prevent cheating; we use a range of digital security tools and techniques, including plagiarism detection software, to protect the integrity of the exams.
- Scoring at-home work for an AP Exam is not new to the AP Program. For years the AP Program has received and scored at-home student work as part of the exams for the AP Computer Science Principles and AP Capstone courses.
As we continue to receive information regarding these exams, we will support our students and families by providing the necessary information to assist in your decision making. As educational leaders will continuously provide the necessary information to guide making these academic decisions during this uncertain time.
To read the entire College Board memo, please visit: https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/coronavirus-updates
Sincerely, Sincerely,
Chris Cummings Joe Spero
Lakeland High School Principal Walter Panas High School Principal
Posted March 19, 2020
Message from Assistant Superintendent of Instruction Dr. Gagliardi
Dear Lakeland Families,
During the time that our schools are closed, LCSD is committed to providing continuity of learning for our students. Given the nature of the challenges our country is currently facing, we think it is important that our students maintain relationships with their teachers, their schools, with one another, and with their families. As always, we are committed to the academic, physical, and mental health of our students.
Our aspiration with continuity of academic instruction would be consistent with our high expectations for our learning community. Our commitment is that teachers will make every effort to provide students with activities that are relevant, authentic, and engaging. It is not our expectation, however, that the continuity of academic instruction can be the same as classroom learning. We ask all our families to understand that this model is new for us, there will be initial glitches, and our skills will grow with time. In light of our commitment to the social emotional wellness of our students, we do not believe in a model that has students in front of screens for the length of a regular school day. Teachers will be in touch with their students on a daily basis, providing learning activities, checking-in, and answering questions.
The continuity of instruction began on March 18 and will continue every school day for as long as our schools are closed. Depending on the length of the closure, it is likely that the models our teachers use will evolve. As we continue to think through how best to provide learning for our students in these most unusual times, some of the guidelines in this document may change, as well. Be assured that we will communicate with you if and when there are any such changes.
Please remember that nothing is more important than the health and well-being of our students, staff, and the broader community. With that in mind, I encourage all to find time for self and family. Do not let school work, or any single activity, become all-consuming. Seek the healthiest balance in life as we continue to deal with many unknowns.
We hope the information will be helpful to our students and our families. Please never hesitate to reach out to us with your questions.
With sincere regards,
Dr. Karen Gagliardi
Assistant Superintendent of Instruction
Posted March 19, 2020
Resources
State Education Department Issues Updated Guidance to Schools Regarding Novel Coronavirus During Statewide School Closure http://www.nysed.gov/news/2020/state-education-department-issues-updated-guidance-schools-regarding-novel-coronavirus
CDC's Get your home ready https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/get-your-household-ready-for-COVID-19.html
Talking to your Children NASP Talking to Children About COVID-19 (Coronavirus): A Parent Resource
CDC’s dedicated 2019-nCoV website at https://www.cdc.gov/nCoV
NYSDOH’s dedicated 2019-nCoV website at https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/coronavirus/
NYSDOH directory of local health departments https://www.health.ny.gov/contact/contact_information/
Posted March 18, 2020
Dear Families of Students with Disabilities,
Please be advised that all CSE meetings previously scheduled for the remaining days in March have been canceled. In the event that you received an invitation, please disregard as all meetings will be rescheduled for future dates. Invitations for rescheduled meetings will be sent as dates become available. We anticipate resuming meetings beginning March 31, 2020 via video/phone conferencing. We appreciate your patience and understanding while we navigate through these unprecedented times.
Posted March 18, 2020
Parent Guide to Google Classroom
Posted March 17, 2020
Lakeland Central School District Pupil Personnel Resources
A repository for resources for your child as we await schools' re-opening.
http://www.livebinders.com/b/2643001
Posted March 16, 2020
LAKELAND’S FOODSERVICE DEPARTMENT TO PROVIDE MEALS FOR NEEDY FAMILIES DURING SCHOOL CLOSURE:
The Lakeland CSD Food Service Department will begin serving meals to needy families tomorrow, March 17th through a pickup service at Lakeland Copper Beech Middle School.
A cold breakfast and lunch will be available for the district’s children ages 18 or younger. These families will be provided meals free of charge. Breakfast will consist of a bagel, cereal, milk, juice, and fruit. Lunch will consist of a deli sandwich, milk, juice, fruit, and vegetable.
Meals will be distributed through a pickup service at Lakeland Copper Beech Middle School from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. We are asking that parents register for this meal pickup service so we can adequately supply the meals necessary to meet the needs of our community. Additional sites/services may be offered following the evaluation of community need. Go to the following link to register. https://forms.gle/5nCycKXnZZhRNfU78 The link will also be on the district website at www.lakelandschools.org. If you don’t have access to the internet, you can call or text Janet Hernandez at 914-260-9383 to register by phone.
BE SURE TO CALL 914-260-9383 BEFORE MEAL PICK UP TO NOTIFY US OF ANY FOOD ALLERGIES.
If you have any questions, or need additional information, please email temporarymealservice@lakelandschools.org. Thank you.
Posted March 16, 2020
School Schedule for Pick Up of Chromebooks and Musical Instruments
On Wednesday, March 18, 2002, students may pick up their Chromebook and/or musical instrument at their school. Please follow the schedule below:
Lakeland High School – 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Walter Panas High School – 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Lakeland Copper Beech Middle School
Grade 6 – 11:00 AM to 12 noon
Grade 7 – 12 noon to 1:00 PM
Grade 8 – 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
*Parents with more than one child at the middle school can choose a time frame.
Benjamin Franklin Elementary School – 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM
George Washington Elementary School – 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Lincoln-Titus Elementary School – 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Thomas Jefferson Elementary School – 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Van Cortlandtville Elementary School – 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Posted March 12, 2020
Lakeland Central School District has been in contact with the College Board regarding the cancellation of the SAT test at Walter Panas High School on Saturday, March 14. The College Board will contact families about rescheduling or refunds.
Posted March 11, 2020
Saturday March 14's SAT exam at Walter Panas High School has been canceled. We are discussing possible alternative dates
Posted March 11, 2020
A MESSAGE FROM SUPERINTENDENT DR. GEORGE STONE
Dear Lakeland Community:
As we await further testing of COVID-19 exposures, I need to inform you that again “out of an abundance of caution,” all Lakeland Schools will remain closed tomorrow, Thursday, March 12, 2020. Friday, March 13, will remain a Superintendent’s Conference Day, however, our teachers will be working from home, and all after school and other activities will be canceled at least through this weekend. We are also trying to identify an alternate location for Saturday (March 14) SAT Exams scheduled for Walter Panas, and will update you as we can.
To bring you up to speed on the COVID-19 health issues, we are diligently trying to get further testing completed for family members of an individual in the community who has tested positive. Our Chief Medical Officer advises that due to the time that has elapsed in identifying the positive result and the fact that we are still awaiting further testing, we need to take these precautionary measures.
As I have noted earlier, we are in communication with County and State Health Officials, the State Department of Education, and the Governor’s Office. Our Yorktown Supervisor Matthew Slater has been extremely helpful in making necessary emergency contacts as we seek immediate action.
We appreciate the cooperation and support of our community as we try and work through this. Should the new tests come back negative, we could reopen shortly. Should the new tests be positive, we may be looking at an extended closing. These decisions will ultimately be made with direction from Westchester County and State Health Departments.
Regardless, keep washing your hands and face, avoid others with flu-like symptoms, and if you are experiencing symptoms please seek medical assistance.
We will continue to keep you updated as new information arises.
Dr. George Stone, Superintendent
Posted March 10, 2020
Out of an abundance of caution, all Lakeland Schools will be closed tomorrow, Wednesday, March 11, 2020. While we do not have a confirmed case in our district (student or staff), we have been advised to close because of a direct connection. While we are closed tomorrow, we will be scrubbing and sanitizing all buildings and all buses. Hopefully, we will be able to reopen shortly. I will provide more details as I have them tomorrow.
George Stone, Superintendent
Posted March 10, 2020
From the Superintendent: COVID-19 Lakeland Updates
In a meeting yesterday with the County Executive, we learned that the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and NY State Department of Education (NYSED) would issue guidelines for school districts. The County Health Department would assist and make recommendations, but official guidance would come from the State. Later in the day, we learned the following:
If we have a confirmed case of COVID-19, the school will be required to close for an initial 24 hour period, to begin an investigation to determine the contacts that person may have had in the school. The investigation will determine any further closing or quarantines recommended by the local health department. During that initial 24 hour period, the school will clean and disinfect the building. Again the closure is required one day but maybe longer if the County recommends, and the State agrees.
Currently, we have members of the school community who have been tested, but as of this morning, we still have no confirmed cases. If and when we do have a confirmed case, that school community will be notified through all means necessary, including an all-call to inform of the initial closure.
We understand that emergency closures are a major disruption to working families, but we want you to know these closures will be required by the State, and we will, of course, comply, clean and disinfect.
I have been asked about the cleaning of buses. We have been scrubbing buses a number of times each week. With the new disinfecting machines arriving, we will be able to disinfect the entire fleet every day in a matter of a few hours.
If a student or staff member comes to school and is exhibiting flu-like symptoms or becomes ill during the school day, they will be isolated and sent home as soon as a contact person arrives. The County and State Health Departments will be notified for follow up and testing.
We appreciate the cooperation of our school community and how members have contacted us for voluntary quarantine and management of their condition. I also want to give a major deal of gratitude to our District Physician, Head Nurse, and nurses in all buildings for their hard work, professionalism, and commitment to our health and safety. We are blessed to have such amazing people, and they have been in contact around the clock every day.
I now have daily morning briefings from the County, and I will continue to keep you updated as I receive additional information. Thank you, and have a great day.
Dr. George Stone, Superintendent
Posted March 9, 2020
Please disregard any rumors you are hearing or reading regarding the COVID-19/ coronavirus at Walter Panas High School this morning (March 9). They are false. Any updates will come directly from the school or district. Thank you.
Posted March 9, 2020
Superintendent Dr. Stone: Update COVID-19
Posted March 8, 2020
Tomorrow, Monday, March 9, 2020, we will provide the school community with updated information on COVID-19/Coronavirus. We clean and sanitize our schools daily. We have no confirmed cases and will be open tomorrow. Our updates will be informational in nature.
Posted March 6, 2020
Rumors are circulating about a Coronavirus case in Lakeland Central School District. These are false. There is no confirmed cases in our District and no students have been quarantined.
George Stone, Superintendent
Posted March 2, 2020
Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Guidance and Resources
A new coronavirus called 2019 Novel (new) Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) was first found in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. This virus had not been found in humans before. This coronavirus can lead to fever, cough and trouble breathing or shortness of breath. There are thousands of diagnosed cases in China and new cases being diagnosed in a number of countries including the United States.
What do we know?
Since this virus is very new, health authorities continue to carefully watch how this virus spreads. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is working hard to learn as much as possible about this new virus, so that we can better understand how it spreads and causes illness. The CDC considers this virus to be a serious public health concern. Based on current information the CDC recommends avoiding travel to China. Updated travel information related to 2019-nCoV can be found at https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/warning/novel-coronavirus-china
How Does 2019 Novel (New) Coronavirus Spread?
Health experts believe the virus probably spreads from animals to humans and from person to person. It’s not clear yet how easily the virus spreads from person-to-person. The 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCov) is not currently a concern for the general public and is not actively circulating among New Yorkers at this time. Therefore, there is no need to cancel school or social events, and there is no need for students or school staff to wear surgical masks at school.
Prevention
There are currently no vaccines available to protect against this virus. The New York State Department of Health (DOH) recommends the following ways to minimize the spread of all respiratory viruses, including 2019-nCoV:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol- based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing. If you use a tissue, throw it in the trash.
- Routinely clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- CDC recommends that travelers avoid all travel to China.
Symptoms
Information to date suggests that 2019-nCoV causes mild-to-moderate illness and symptoms like the flu, including fever, cough, and difficulty breathing.
Are visitors from China being screened?
Yes, as of February 2nd new screening protocols are conducted for individuals entering the US from China at designated airports. PreK-12 schools may have students who attend school and have traveled to various areas in Asia, including China. Students should not be excluded from school or any school activities based on race, country of origin, or recent travel (or a family member’s recent travel), including to any part of China. Schools may only exclude a student if a local health department informs the school that a student must comply with a quarantine order or the student is symptomatic of a communicable or infectious disease pursuant to Education Law §906.
Important Health Information for Those Who Have Recently Traveled to Wuhan, Hubei Province, China and Experience Symptoms
If you recently traveled to Wuhan, China and feel sick with fever, cough or trouble breathing; OR you develop symptoms within 14 days of traveling there, you should:
- Seek medical care right away. Call ahead and tell them about your travel and symptoms.
- Avoid contact with others.
- Stay home, except for seeking medical care.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
- Wash hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- Contact your local health department.
This is an emerging, rapidly changing situation. For questions please contact your local department of health or the NYS DOH Novel Coronavirus hotline at 1-888-364-3065.
We encourage you to keep up to date about 2019-nCoV, its treatment and prevention by visiting the following websites:
Additional Resources
NASP Talking to Children About COVID-19 (Coronavirus): A Parent Resource
CDC’s dedicated 2019-nCoV website at https://www.cdc.gov/nCoV
NYSDOH’s dedicated 2019-nCoV website at https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/coronavirus/
NYSDOH directory of local health departments https://www.health.ny.gov/contact/contact_information/
Lakeland Schools COVID-19 Virus Update
We are all trying to learn as much as we can about the Covit 19/ Corona virus outbreak and its potential impact on our school and family lives.
Posted February 27, 2020
Concerns Over Viral Illnesses Circulating Throughout the World
We know there are concerns over the many viral illnesses circulating throughout the world. While influenza continues to be the most prevalent viral illness locally, the fears of the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) are certainly understandable.
At this time, there are no confirmed cases in the region. However, the district has communication with our District’s Medical Director, the Westchester and Putnam County Departments of Health, and the New York State Department of Health to ensure that we have the latest information and guidance on illnesses that could potentially affect our schools. We strictly follow the guidance that each entity provides to us so that we may create the safest and healthiest environment possible for our students.
As a school district, we have taken some of the most proactive and thorough measures to combat the flu and other viral illnesses. These measures are proactively enacted each year around the beginning of the influenza season in our district to minimize the impact of the flu and other viral illnesses on our school community.
Recently, the district purchased high-tech disinfecting machines to helps us disinfect in all areas of the school buildings.
- All of our classrooms, offices, large-group spaces, the nurse’s office, and bathrooms of our schools are disinfected nightly. We will continue to do this.
- Student daily attendance is being monitored, by homeroom and school, to determine if additional disinfection resources need to be deployed.
After a rise in absences in early February, across all of our schools, our attendance data have returned to more modest and normal levels.
We are pleased to be able to provide this most stringent disinfection schedule to our students and staff in a safe and cost-effective manner; however, the effectiveness of our efforts is maximized when we have full cooperation from our parent community.
We ask that if your child is ill with a fever and/or cough, the child stays out of school. The child should remain home until fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.
We want to remind our school community about the importance of thorough handwashing with soap and water. They universally agreed that thorough hand washing was the most effective step to curtail the spread of viral illnesses.
Always know that the health and safety of our students and staff is and will always be our highest priority. We will continue to provide the most comprehensive cleaning and disinfection schedule, and we will promptly communicate any additional relevant information that we learn.
Resources
NYS Department of Health-https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/coronavirus/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Lakeland Central School District Website - Health Updates and Notices (Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Guidance and Resources)-http://www.lakelandschools.org/district/health_and_safety/health_updates_and_notices.php