COVID-19 Update 3/9/20

Thank you for taking a few minutes to review this important information. In order to remain vigilant and stay ahead of the rapidly changing landscape regarding Coronavirus, we are working collaboratively and urgently to share information and implement a strategy to keep everyone as safe as possible.  It is important that we all take precautions to reduce our exposure to this virus while maintaining calm and perspective. We have been given plenty of guidance from our own Department of Health, MA Department of Health, and the CDC. We will be following their guidance, along with our own community expertise to navigate this challenging situation.  

The information below is intended to provide guidance based on what we know today.  This is an evolving situation and we will need to change and adapt often.  We will need as much support as possible, and your understanding that there will be inconveniences and some sacrifices that will be required in the weeks ahead to get us all through this together.  More information will follow on a regular basis.   

Please feel free to visit the Town of Hanover Public Health website for additional information

Cancellations and Closures

We will be taking into consideration all available information in the event that we need to make a decision to close a school (or district) or to cancel events based on credible information related to confirmed or presumed positive Covid 19 cases in our community.  We are in daily contact with the Hanover Board of Health, Public Safety, MA DPH, CDC and surrounding school districts to evaluate any risks, and to make thoughtful decisions about any significant changes to our regular routines.  

Unlike a “snow day” when you can look out the window and see a thick coat of white on the ground, this process is much more complicated given the fluidity of the situation across the country/world, and how much new information is coming forward each day.  We will evaluate every situation as it comes. It is imperative that we utilize the expertise of our partners mentioned previously, along with our health services staff, to make decisions that we believe will help keep people safe while maintaining as much normalcy as possible.  

We are evaluating our upcoming student trips, and school sponsored events, to determine if they will run as scheduled.  All international school trips have been cancelled and domestic (and local) travel is under review. At the moment, all school athletic and cultural events are on schedule. 

Academic Continuity

In the event of an extended school closure, each of our schools has plans to provide reasonable assignments for students based on age and the academic requirements of a particular course.  The work for a high school advanced placement class will look different than second grade. Most of our teachers and students (and parents) have the capacity to share information and resources electronically to help support the work our students are doing, and to maintain as much continuity as possible.  However, it won’t be business as usual and we will all need to make adjustments for learning expectations and the ability for students and teachers to connect effectively. The length of any closure, and the requirements (or not) to make up missed time, will also inform our strategy for continuity and the expectations for students and teachers.    

We are in uncharted territory with many of these issues, and we will need the guidance and support of the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) regarding standardized assessments, making up missed days, and the options available to districts that are closed.  We are in daily contact with DESE and they are working to help provide options for districts as this situation evolves.  

Students without access to a computer at home, may borrow a Chromebook from their school in the event of an extended school closure.  The student (or parent) can make this request through the principal’s office.  

Handwashing

Regular handwashing with soap and water for 20 seconds each time is the best way to control the spread of infection on a daily basis. We are encouraging all students to wash their hands on a regular basis to reduce the risk of spread of infection, and we are looking at many reasonable adjustments to routines in order to reduce exposure to germs at all levels. At the elementary level, handwashing is being taught and extra time for it is being included in the school day, particularly before lunch.

Transportation

Our transportation provider, Joseph Ingle Bus Company, will be thoroughly cleaning our busses each week using approved disinfectant products. Drivers have been provided with disinfectant spray and wipes and are being extra diligent about cleaning surfaces if any students show symptoms or signs of any illness. 

School Cleaning and Classroom Maintenance

Our maintenance and custodial staff are in constant communication with our Health Services Department about cleaning and disinfecting classrooms, and other priority areas, where there is a known case of student illness. This has been an ongoing practice for several years, but is certainly more urgent presently. The regular cleaning routine includes the wiping of surfaces that are touched on a regular basis such as tables, desks, doorknobs, railings, and bathrooms to control the spread of pathogens.

During periods of higher risk such as cold and flu season, custodial managers meet regularly with school nurses to identify areas of buildings that possibly need extra attention based on student and teacher absences.  The Facilities Department has two Clorox 360 machines that are used to disinfect targeted areas of buildings, and we have trained extra staff to perform this disinfection on top of normal daily cleaning. In response to the recent worldwide COVID-19 concerns, two additional Clorox 360 machines have been ordered along with additional supplies to ensure that we are able to meet any cleaning and disinfection needs that may develop. We are committed to extra vigilance in this time of heightened concern and will adjust our cleaning strategies as necessary to meet the challenges as they evolve. 

We are working with our staff and students on a plan for cleaning school owned devices such as laptops and tablets each day with appropriate products that are safe for the equipment and the people cleaning them.  

Excused Absences: Authority of School Nurses

We are expanding the authority of the school nurses to allow them to excuse student absences for medical reasons. Parents must have a conversation with the school nurse about the student’s illness or absence as part of a prevention effort. After the conversation, the nurse will have the discretion to excuse the absence without a doctor’s note.

Travel outside the USA

All families returning from travel abroad must call the school nurse for a confidential screening before students come back to school. The nurse is in the best position to ask appropriate questions, evaluate the situation, and recommend whether or not a child can return immediately or requires time for additional evaluation with their own health care provider.  

Flow of Information

We will do our very best to share information with you on a regular basis and always in the event that urgent action is required.  Please have faith that we will do our very best to provide timely and transparent communication to our community as this situation evolves using the platforms we already have in place.  

We respectfully ask that everyone exercise good judgement and discretion on what is shared publicly on social media and on the soccer fields.  We will do our very best to address rumors, but we have to be very cognizant of the confidentiality of our students, staff, and families. If you have a concern that isn’t being addressed, please go directly to your child’s principal or to Central Office for clarification.  We can all help each other by keeping information accurate and current.

COVID-19 Task Force

The District and Town have established a COVID-19 Task Force that will begin meeting this week. The Task Force will consist of the Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, Director of Health Services, Representative from the Facilities Department, School Nurses, Teachers, Building Administrators, Hanover Fire Department and Public Safety Officials, the Hanover Public Health Nurse, and community members.  

The goal of the COVID-19 Task Force is to enable communication among all stakeholders with the most current and accurate information available.  This group will also review operational and safety issues, provide effective and accurate communication, and support the implementation of measures necessary to reduce the spread of COVID-19 infection.

Again, thank you for taking the time to read this message. As more information becomes available, we will share it with you using our normal communication platforms.

Sincerely,

Matt Ferron
Superintendent of Schools