FROM STAFF REPORTS
Mooresville Graded School District officials notified parents and students on Friday that Spring Break would be extended through Sunday, March 22, for students due to COVID-19.
Superintendent Stephen Mauney announced the decision in a letter to families.
“As previously reported, we have been diligently working on our plans moving forward. We have been receiving daily updates and working closely with our local county and state agencies. The situation is evolving rapidly,” Mauney wrote. “Therefore, we have decided to extend our Spring Break by one week as we continue to monitor the situation and work on planning alternative means of instruction should we have to close for a longer period.”
Although Mauney cautioned that the situation could require additional steps by the school district, the letter contained the following information in response to questions from parents:
School Closure
As stated above, at the time of this correspondence we plan to extend our Spring Break by one week with students returning to school on Monday, March 23. During this time we will monitor the latest data surrounding COVID-19, continue to work closely with health agencies, and put plans in place for alternative learning means. Rest assured, if the situation warrants our district closing school beyond March 23, we will move to alternative means of instruction. This may look differently depending on whether your child is at the elementary, intermediate, middle, or high school level.
School Nutrition
We understand that we have students who rely on our schools for breakfast and lunch. Beginning Tuesday, March 17, the district will have breakfast and lunches available for pickup at South Elementary School at no cost to students. These meals will be available for all MGSD students. A schedule of pickup times for these meals will be shared on Monday, March 16. To help us plan, we do need an idea of the number of students taking advantage of this opportunity. Please take this survey to help us know the number of meals we need to prepare: School Nutrition Survey. If there is a need to close schools beyond March 23, we will study additional options for ensuring our students have access to meals.
School District Travel
MGSD is imposing a temporary out-of-district travel restriction on all district-related staff and student activities, unless specifically approved by the superintendent. This includes travel for meetings, conferences, field trips or any other event.
Activities
Any school sponsored activities, parent meetings, school functions, etcetera, are being postponed for the unforeseeable future. The district will keep you informed as to when we will resume activities.
Field Trips
All field trips are being postponed for the unforeseeable future. The district will be in touch with the various locations and entities and if there are costs associated with the field trip warranting a possible reimbursement, the lead contact at each school will follow-up with those details.
Athletic Events
As of March 12, the NCHSAA has suspended all athletic events (practices, workouts, contests) through April 6. This suspension will also apply to all middle school athletics.
Families and students who traveled over Spring Break
If you traveled internationally, the CDC is requiring travelers who visited Level-3 countries to self-quarantine for 14 days upon their return and follow the guidelines set forth below for all travelers. For a list of these countries and more information, visit this CDC site: Travelers Returning from High Risk Countries. In addition, if you have been in close contact with anyone who has traveled to one of these areas, or you have been in close contact with anyone who has been ordered to quarantine because of exposure to the virus, it is recommended that you self-quarantine.
If you traveled stateside, it is recommended that you self-monitor by following the steps below as a precaution for both your family, as well as our Mooresville community.
♦ Step 1 – Self-monitor twice daily (morning and evening) for 14 days following your return:
Take your temperature. In addition to fever, be alert for any other symptoms of COVID-19, including cough or difficulty breathing. Log your temperature and any symptoms.
♦ Step 2 – If you have a fever (100.4°F/38°C or higher), cough, or trouble breathing: Stay Calm!
Do not go out in public, travel, or come to school — avoid contact with others. Call your primary care physician. Let them know that you have traveled, that you are self-monitoring, and your symptoms.
Keep the school informed.
For more information, please follow this link: After Travel Precautions.
In addition, we would ask that all of our families take the following common sense approach to protect themselves and others from the spread of any respiratory illnesses including COVID-19. These measures include:
♦ Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds at a time. If soap and water are not readily available, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains 60%-95% alcohol.
♦ Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
♦ Avoid close contact with people who are ill
♦ Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community.
♦ Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze
♦ Do not reuse tissue after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose
♦ Clean and disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched
♦ Stay home from work or school if you are sick, except to get medical care
♦ Wear a facemask if you are sick. If you are NOT sick, you do not need to wear a facemask unless you are caring for someone who is sick and cannot wear a facemask.
♦ Adults aged 65 and older, individuals with severe chronic medical conditions like heart, lung or kidney disease and those with weakened immune systems seem to be at higher risk for more serious COVID-19 illness.
The latest guidance received from NC DHHS encourages individuals at high risk of severe illness to avoid large groups of people as much as possible. This includes gatherings such as concert venues, conventions, church services, sporting events and crowded social events. They should also avoid cruise travel and non-essential air travel. There is no evidence that children are more susceptible to COVID-19.
Learn More
More information regarding COVID-19 can be found at the following links:
NC DHHS-DPH: epi.dph.ncdhhs.gov/cd/diseases/2019nCoV.html
CDC: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Iredell County Health Department: https://www.co.iredell.nc.us/161/Health-Department
North Carolina Public Information Hotline: 1-866-462-3821
“We appreciate your understanding as we work to make sure all of our students and families remain healthy. Please do not hesitate to contact us with questions, and we will also keep you updated as to any changes in schedule moving forward via Black Board Connect, our website, and our social media channels,” Mauney wrote.