March 12, 2020
NJSD Families-
There is a great deal of uncertainty throughout the country regarding the COVID-19 outbreak. This situation is evolving rapidly and the Neenah Joint School District continues to work closely with local health officials to monitor the latest developments.
Because of the uncertainty and the rapidly changing nature of this outbreak, we advise all students and staff members to bring home their devices each night. At this point, school will continue as scheduled and all after school activities will continue to be held unless the event has more than 250 people in attendance. A communication related to school events of 250 people or more will be sent directly to the impacted families.
The health and safety of our staff and students is always our top priority and we remind everyone to keep children home who may be feeling sick. Those who are traveling for spring break are reminded to practice good hygiene through hand-washing, sanitizing and avoiding close contact with others. If you are in proximity with an individual who tests positive for COVID-19, it may be necessary to quarantine upon your return. More information will be shared regarding this later. If you wish to be tested for COVID-19, please call ahead to an emergency room to make sure they can perform the test and prepare for your arrival.
You may be aware that universities and colleges have been closing their campuses, but it is important to keep in mind that their student populations include international students who are returning to campus from spring break and countries which may have been infected at a high level.
Wisconsin health officials are not recommending closing schools at this time. School closures can have significant negative impacts on our community. If a school has a student or staff member who has been in contact with coronavirus, we will work with Winnebago County Health Services to determine the best course of action. Below are considerations for keeping schools open at this time:
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Children are not known to get seriously ill from COVID-19.
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Closing schools may not be effective because some children may congregate anyway at other locations.
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Many parents, such as healthcare workers, need to be at work. If these critical workers stay home with children it causes significant impacts on the healthcare system and other institutions that are essential for our community to function.
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If schools close, some children might have to stay home with alternative caregivers, such as elders, who are more vulnerable.
Again, the dynamics of this situation are changing rapidly and we are monitoring it closely. We urge you to remain calm about this situation. We will continue to follow the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and our local health department. The District continues to take steps to ensure the safety of all students, staff and visitors in our buildings. Please be alert for any additional updates.
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