AHISD Families and Staff-
I want to assure you that our leadership team continues to diligently monitor updates around the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) news. We are working with local and state agencies as well as relying on the CDC to help us proactively plan for the health and wellness of our students and staff. Throughout all of this, we are committed to focusing on the facts in our city to make the best decisions for all.
At this point, we do not have any plans to close our schools. We will continue to actively monitor developments and communicate with our AHISD families and staff. When students return on Monday, we will continue to teach about proactive steps to prevent the spread of illness and ways students can stay healthy. Additionally, as communicated previously, we’ve taken additional measures during spring break to disinfect and sanitize our buildings to welcome our students and staff back on Monday.
Please understand that the decision of college and university closings is based on significantly different circumstances than our schools. These institutions are challenged to think through the complications of community living within residence halls, etc. Be assured, in the event that our current situation changes, we will communicate that information, and we will be prepared to support our students during a time of closure.
The health and wellness of our students, staff, and community are of the utmost importance to all of us in AHISD. In addition to relying on the information shared through the health agencies, we continue to rely on the supportive partnerships between us and our parents to ensure that when students are sick, they do not come to school. Additionally, procedures are in place to support our staff in making healthy decisions about staying home from work if they are sick as well. This partnership is critically important now as we work to prevent the spread of illness in our community.
I know that the local, state, and national news from the past few days is causing anxiety and concern. I want to assure our community that a disciplined focus on the facts and recommendations that we receive from the Texas Department of Health Services and the CDC is most beneficial. Specifically, because many of our families and staff members traveled during Spring Break, it is important to rely on the recommendations around travel and after-travel practices as published by the CDC: (COVID-19 Information for Travelers). If you or your family traveled over Spring Break, be sure to consult that information.
The CDC is working with our state and local public health officials to attend to after-travel health precautions that are important for our community. If you traveled to a country that has a Level 3 Travel Health Notice, the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District is asking that you stay home for a period of 14 days from the time you left that country. As of today, the following countries currently have a Level 3 Travel Notice: China, Iran, Italy, and South Korea.
It is important that if you have traveled to one of these countries, you notify the district by calling our Health Services Coordinator, Kathi Martinez at (210) 832-5903 and then self quarantine for the 14-day period. CDC recommends taking these steps during the time of quarantine:
- Take your temperature twice a day and monitor for fever. Also, monitor for cough and trouble breathing.
- Stay home and avoid all contact with others. Do not go to work or school for this 14-day period.
- Discuss your work situation with your employer before returning to work.
- Do not take public transportation, taxis or ride-shares during this time.
- Keep your distance from others-maintain at least 6 feet of distance between you and others.
We will work diligently to support any students or staff who need to follow this self-quarantine protocol and must miss school. Additionally, we will thoughtfully consider future actions that need to be taken as we evaluate all updated information that is shared.
Thank you for your continued partnership with us.
Warm regards-
Dana