NSISD superintendent releases statement

March 19, 2020

Given the rapidly evolving situation with COVID-19, New Summerfield ISD will extend the suspension of normal district operations through April 3rd, 2020 in an effort to support our nation's need to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19. Our health officials report that cases are continuing to spread in the state, and an increase in confirmed cases in our county seems likely. Suspending operations for this length of time will allow us to determine, in coordina­ tion with local health officials, whether the virus is continuing to have community spread or whether it has been con­ tained. We are coordinating with other school districts in the county and will use April 1, 2020 to make any decisions on whether there is a need to extend the suspension further.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has outlined the need for all communities to implement a social dis­ tancing protocol. We want to reiterate a request to our broader community to take the following reasonable precautions to prevent the spread of the illness:

•  Don't shake hands

•  Wash your hands regularly

•  Limit movement within the community, especially avoiding crowded placed and maintaining 3 to 6 ft of distance between people (at least an arm's length)

•  If you are moving around in the community, don't congregate in large groups (more than 10)

•  For those who have traveled to areas with known COVID-19 cases - both inside and outside of the country - we ask that you self-quarantine and monitor for symptoms. Students who have traveled should plan to stay home for two weeks after arriving home. Please contact your campus to let them know, and this will be considered an excused absence.

• If you suspect you have symptoms of COVID-19, call your health care provider for medical advice.

•  Keep your child at home if he/she feels ill, even if you think it is just a cold.

•  Do not leave the house if you are ill, except to access medical care

This is a quickly changing situation, and we will continue to monitor information, will assess conditions throughout the week, and will provide the next update April 1, 2020 via our website, email and social media outlets.

Also during this extended closure, New Summerfield ISD will be offering a free lunch to students from 11:OOam to 1:OOp m Monday through Friday. The lunches can be picked up at the back of the Elementary I High School Cafeteria where normal car drop off occurs. This will be a "grab and go• process and no one will enter the building. Along with the free lunch, students will rece ive a packet of work from their teachers that will allow for learning to continue during the closure.     Please make sure you know the grade your student or students are in. We are asking parents to make every effort to ensure your student or students are taking the time to complete the lessons. Feel free to contact your teacher via email with any questions they might have about the work.

Thank you for your support and cooperation as we ensure that all members of the community in New Summerfield stay safe and healthy.

Thank you, Joe Brannen