How DCSD is Monitoring Coronavirus

How DCSD is Monitoring Coronavirus
Posted on 02/28/2020
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Dear Douglas County Community:

The Douglas County School District (DCSD) is coordinating with local public health agencies to monitor the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). We are keeping in close contact with the Tri-County Health Department and the Colorado Department of
Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) on this subject.

We have created a dedicated page about Coronavirus on our district website to share information and tips on reducing the spread of disease: www.dcsdk12.org/coronavirus.

Please also review these important resources.

Resources

  • Coronavirus Fact Sheet (Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment)
  • Tri-County Health Department Closely Watching 2019 Novel Coronavirus
  • Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment Resources and Information
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
If there is a Coronavirus outbreak in our community, what would DCSD do?

While there have been no confirmed cases of Coronavirus in Colorado to date, we want to take this opportunity to provide you information about how DCSD is monitoring this situation and what you can expect in the event of a major outbreak in Colorado.
DCSD would work in coordination with public health agencies to ensure the continuity of learning throughout any such situation.
In the case of a major outbreak, DCSD would follow the Tri-County Health Department’s lead on any quarantines, closures, or other health measures needed. Our focus would first be on ensuring the safety of students and staff, and, then on how education would continue, whether that be via electronic/remote systems, making up missed school days at a later date or other options that may arise as we work with the Colorado Department of Education (CDE).

CDE has assured local school districts that they will provide support and additional flexibilities in the event there is a need for a prolonged school closure.

What is Coronavirus?

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause respiratory symptoms such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath. These viruses spread through coughing or sneezing, much like the flu. There is currently no vaccine for the COVID-19.

It’s important to convey that risk is based on exposure. People at higher risk for exposure are:
  • People who have traveled to China within the last two weeks and have symptoms.
  • People who had direct close contact with someone who was confirmed to have the Coronavirus.
  • And like any other virus, no identity, community, ethnic, or racial group in Colorado is more at risk for getting or spreading Coronavirus.

International Travel

We have received a number of questions regarding students or families who have recently traveled internationally. As you may know, protocols have been put in place to evaluate and, in some cases, quarantine passengers as they return to the United States. Our public health partners are not recommending additional actions by school districts at this time.

What can I do to stay healthy?
The current risk to the general public in the U.S. from this virus is currently considered low. As recommended for other respiratory viruses, people can protect themselves and others through some simple actions.

Protecting yourself from Coronavirus COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses
(source: CDPHE)

If you are healthy:
  • Continue your normal routine. This means you can continue to participate in public gatherings such as work, school, or social activities.
  • Get your flu shot, and stay up-to-date on other routine childhood and adult immunizations.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water or, at minimum, use an alcohol-based hand rub, which may be less effective than soap and water.
  • Avoid close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces such as desks, doorknobs, handrails.

If you are sick:
  • Stay home
  • How Sick is Too Sick: When Children and Staff Should Stay Home from School or Child Care.
  • Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your inner elbow shirt sleeve.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water or, at minimum, use an alcohol-based hand rub, which may be less effective than soap and water.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Avoid close contact with anyone else with cold or flu-like symptoms.
  • Get your flu shot, and stay up-to-date on other routine childhood and adult immunizations.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces such as desks, doorknobs, and handrails.
DCSD has stringent cleaning practices in place at all of our district schools and facilities to help avoid disease transmission.

In sharing this information with you today, our intention is to provide factual information about Coronavirus COVID-19 and tips on reducing the spread of disease. We will continue to update families and staff as we learn more about the potential progression. As a community, we must work together for the safety and well-being of all in our DCSD family.

Sincerely,
Douglas County School District

 



28 de febrero de 2020
Estimada comunidad del condado de Douglas:
El Distrito Escolar del Condado de Douglas (DCSD) está coordinando con las agencias

locales de salud pública para monitorear la Enfermedad del Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-
19). Nos mantenemos en contacto cercano con el Departamento de Salud de Tri-
County y el Departamento de Salud Pública y Medio Ambiente de Colorado (CDPHE)

sobre este tema.
Hemos creado una página dedicada sobre el coronavirus en el sitio web de nuestro
distrito para compartir información y consejos sobre cómo reducir la propagación de la
enfermedad: www.dcsdk12.org/coronavirus
Por favor, también revise estos importantes recursos.
Recursos
• Hoja informátiva del Coronavirus (COVID-19) 2019
Si hay un brote de coronavirus en nuestra comunidad, ¿qué haría DCSD?
Si bien hasta la fecha no se han confirmado casos de coronavirus en Colorado,
queremos aprovechar esta oportunidad para brindarle información sobre cómo DCSD
está monitoreando esta situación y qué puede esperar en caso de un brote importante
en Colorado.

DCSD trabajaría en coordinación con las agencias de salud pública para garantizar la
continuidad del aprendizaje en cualquier situación.
En el caso de un brote importante, DCSD seguiría el ejemplo del Departamento de
Salud de Tri-County en cuarentenas, cierres u otras medidas de salud necesarias.
Nuestro enfoque primero sería garantizar la seguridad de los estudiantes y el personal
y, luego, cómo continuaría la educación, ya sea a través de sistemas electrónicos /
remotos, recuperando los días escolares perdidos en una fecha posterior u otras
opciones que puedan surgir a medida que trabajamos. con el Departamento de
Educación de Colorado (CDE).
CDE ha asegurado a los distritos escolares locales que brindarán apoyo y flexibilidades
adicionales en caso de que sea necesario un cierre escolar prolongado.
¿Qué es el coronavirus?
Los coronavirus son una gran familia de virus que causan síntomas respiratorios como
fiebre, tos y dificultad para respirar. Estos virus se propagan al toser o estornudar, al
igual que la gripe. Actualmente no hay vacuna para el COVID-19.
Es importante transmitir que el riesgo se basa en la exposición. Las personas con
mayor riesgo de exposición son:
• Personas que han viajado a China en las últimas dos semanas y tienen
síntomas.
• Personas que tuvieron contacto directo directo con alguien a quien se confirmó
que tenía el coronavirus.
• Y como cualquier otro virus, ninguna identidad, comunidad, grupo étnico o racial
en Colorado está en mayor riesgo de contraer o propagar el coronavirus.
Viaje internacional
Hemos recibido varias preguntas sobre estudiantes o familias que han viajado
recientemente internacionalmente. Como ya sabrá, se han establecido protocolos para
evaluar y, en algunos casos, poner en cuarentena a los pasajeros cuando regresan a
los Estados Unidos. Nuestros socios de salud pública no recomiendan acciones
adicionales por parte de los distritos escolares en este momento.
¿Qué puedo hacer para mantenerme saludable?
El riesgo actual para el público en general en los Estados Unidos de este virus se
considera actualmente bajo. Como se recomienda para otros virus respiratorios, las
personas pueden protegerse a sí mismas y a los demás mediante algunas acciones
simples.

Protéjase del coronavirus COVID-19 y otros virus respiratorios (fuente: CDPHE)
Si estás sano:
• Continúa tu rutina normal. Esto significa que puede continuar participando en
reuniones públicas como actividades laborales, escolares o sociales.
• Vacúnese contra la gripe y manténgase al día con otras vacunas de rutina para
niños y adultos.
• Lávese las manos con agua y jabón o, como mínimo, use un desinfectante para
manos a base de alcohol, que puede ser menos efectivo que el agua y el jabón.
• Evite el contacto cercano con cualquier persona con síntomas de resfriado o
gripe.
• Limpie y desinfecte objetos y superficies que se tocan con frecuencia, como
escritorios, pomos de las puertas, pasamanos.
Si estás enfermo:
• Quedarse en casa
• Cubra la tos y los estornudos con un pañuelo de papel o con la manga de la
camisa del codo.
• Lávese las manos con agua y jabón o, como mínimo, use un desinfectante para
manos a base de alcohol, que puede ser menos efectivo que el agua y el jabón.
• Evitar tocarse los ojos, la nariz y la boca.
• Evite el contacto cercano con cualquier otra persona con síntomas de resfriado o
gripe.
• Vacúnese contra la gripe y manténgase al día con otras vacunas de rutina para
niños y adultos.
• Limpie y desinfecte objetos y superficies que se tocan con frecuencia, como
escritorios, perillas y pasamanos.
DCSD tiene prácticas estrictas de limpieza en todas las escuelas e instalaciones de
nuestro distrito para ayudar a evitar la transmisión de enfermedades.
Al compartir esta información con usted hoy, nuestra intención es proporcionar
información objetiva sobre Coronavirus COVID-19 y consejos para reducir la
propagación de la enfermedad. Continuaremos actualizando a las familias y al personal
a medida que aprendamos más sobre la posible progresión. Como comunidad,
debemos trabajar juntos por la seguridad y el bienestar de todos en nuestra familia
DCSD.
Sinceramente,
Douglas County School District
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In compliance with Titles VI & VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, and Colorado law, the Douglas County School District RE-1 does not unlawfully discriminate against otherwise qualified students, employees, applicants for employment, or members of the public on the basis of disability, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, religion, ancestry, or need for special education services. Discrimination against employees and applicants for employment based on age, genetic information, and conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth is also prohibited in accordance with state and/or federal law. Complaint procedures have been established for students, parents, employees, and members of the public. The School District's Compliance Officer and Title IX Coordinator to address complaints alleging sexual harassment under Title IX is Aaron Henderson, 620 Wilcox Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, [email protected], 303-387-0127.

Outside Agencies

Complaints regarding violations of Title VI, (race, national origin), Title IX (sex, gender), Section 504/ADA (handicap or disability), may be filed directly with the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 1244 North Speer Blvd., Suite 310, Denver, CO 80204. Complaints regarding violations of Title VII (employment) and the ADEA (prohibiting age discrimination in employment) may be filed directly with the Federal Office of Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 303 E. 17th Ave., Suite 510, Denver, CO 80202, or the Colorado Civil Rights Commission, 1560 Broadway, Suite 1050, Denver, CO 80202.

NOTICE OF DESTRUCTION OF SPECIAL EDUCATION RECORDS

Special Education records which have been collected by Douglas County School District related to the identification, evaluation, educational placement, or the provision of special education in the district, must be maintained under state and federal laws for the period of five (5) years after special education services have ended for the student. Special education services end when the student is no longer eligible for services, graduates, or completes his/her educational program at age 21, or moves from the district. This notification is to inform parents/guardians and former students of Douglas County School District's intent to destroy the special education records of students who exited special education services as of June 30, 2016. These records will be destroyed in accordance with state law unless the parent/guardian or eligible (adult) student notifies the school district otherwise. After five years, the records are no longer useful to the district, but may be useful to the parent/guardian or former student in applying for social security benefits, rehabilitation services, college entrance, etc. The parent/guardian or eligible (adult) student may request a copy of the records by requesting the records at this link ( Douglas County School District Transcripts and Records Requests ).