Crest Ridge is actively monitoring the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation. We look to local and federal health authorities, such as Johnson County Community Health Services, the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services, and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, for facts as more is learned about this newly emerged disease. The health and safety of our students is a priority and our primary goal is to do everything we can to keep COVID-19 from reaching our school district.
All supervisors which include building administrators, food service managers, custodial managers and bus services have been briefed on the emerging threat and informed of our safety plan for such an event. Just this week, school nurses have made it a point to reach every student during the school day to remind them of the importance of proper hygiene and other safety practices that improve chances of staying healthy.
From a facilities standpoint, our routine cleaning schedule in our schools and on our buses consists of using hospital-grade cleaning agents to address areas prone to the spread of viruses, such as Influenza and novel coronavirus, on a daily basis. We will continue to be vigilant in our cleaning practices and appreciate the diligence from our partners from OPS Custodial Services, Apple Bus Company and OPAA Food Management.
Crest Ridge Elementary and Crest Ridge Secondary are currently in the planning phases of creating a way to provide instruction to all students even in the event of an extended school closure. Educating our students will continue to occur even in the event that we must close our school for a length of time due to safety concerns. Likewise, we are investigating options to prepare and make student meals available if it is within our ability to do so.
If we receive word of a case in our area or are directed to take more drastic precautions, we will communicate that with our staff, students, and parents through our website, phone messaging system, and social media. We ask that all parents and guardians help us keep students healthy by following these normal healthy routines at home:
* Washing hands frequently with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds.
* Trying to not touch your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
* Avoiding close contact with people who are sick.
* Staying home when sick.
* Covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
* Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces in your home and vehicles.
* Not sharing drinks, water bottles, eating utensils, or cell phones with others.
For more about exactly what COVID-19 is and what symptoms to look for, we recommend going to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html<http://track.spe.schoolmessenger.com/f/a/eSDKcO2cTjZ8UYxUKeyrmg~~/AAAAAQA~/RgRgS55FP0Q6aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuY2RjLmdvdi9jb3JvbmF2aXJ1cy8yMDE5LW5jb3YvYWJvdXQvaW5kZXguaHRtbFcHc2Nob29sbUIKAADFampes2EX-1IYdGNsYXJrQGhvbGRlbnNjaG9vbHMub3JnWAQAAAAB
There is also a fact sheet available on the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services website here: https://health.mo.gov/living/healthcondiseases/communicable/novel-coronavirus/<http://track.spe.schoolmessenger.com/f/a/lbwkU_6mPVPCXpq6ucVgCg~~/AAAAAQA~/RgRgS55FP0ROaHR0cHM6Ly9oZWFsdGgubW8uZ292L2xpdmluZy9oZWFsdGhjb25kaXNlYXNlcy9jb21tdW5pY2FibGUvbm92ZWwtY29yb25hdmlydXMvVwdzY2hvb2xtQgoAAMVqal6zYRf7Uhh0Y2xhcmtAaG9sZGVuc2Nob29scy5vcmdYBAAAAAE~
For suggestions on how to discuss COVID-19 with your child, the National Association of School Psychologists has a great resource here: https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources-and-podcasts/school-climate-safety-and-crisis/health-crisis-resources/talking-to-children-about-covid-19-(coronavirus)-a-parent-resource<http://track.spe.schoolmessenger.com/f/a/MTRx-At0cdJHR2R_4hicTA~~/AAAAAQA~/RgRgS55FP0TIaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubmFzcG9ubGluZS5vcmcvcmVzb3VyY2VzLWFuZC1wdWJsaWNhdGlvbnMvcmVzb3VyY2VzLWFuZC1wb2RjYXN0cy9zY2hvb2wtY2xpbWF0ZS1zYWZldHktYW5kLWNyaXNpcy9oZWFsdGgtY3Jpc2lzLXJlc291cmNlcy90YWxraW5nLXRvLWNoaWxkcmVuLWFib3V0LWNvdmlkLTE5LShjb3JvbmF2aXJ1cyktYS1wYXJlbnQtcmVzb3VyY2VXB3NjaG9vbG1CCgAAxWpqXrNhF_tSGHRjbGFya0Bob2xkZW5zY2hvb2xzLm9yZ1gEAAAAAQ~~
Should you have further questions, The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) has activated a statewide public hotline for citizens or providers needing guidance regarding the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19. You may call 877-435-8411, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The hotline is being operated by medical professionals.
Brett Gray
Superintendent
Crest Ridge R-VII
Centerview, MO 64019
660-656-3316