Little Miami School District cancels or postpones several events

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) INFORMATION

At Little Miami Local Schools, the health, safety and well-being of students and staff are top priorities.

With several confirmed cases of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) now in Ohio, district officials want to make sure to reinforce preventive safety measures and to offer additional information.

How is Little Miami making decisions?

The Warren County Health District is the lead agency in our community’s COVID-19 response. Little Miami will follow the guidance of the Warren County Health District, Ohio Department of Health and any directives originating from the Governor’s office. On Wednesday, March 11, Governor Mike DeWine announced that the state is not recommending the closure of K-12 schools at this time.

Are we still holding indoor events at Little Miami?

As of March 12, in response to Governor DeWine’s emergency order and the Ohio Department of Health recommendations to limit social contact, all after-school indoor events that include guests/spectators have been cancelled until March 30. The district will re-evaluate the situation at that time and will communicate any further decisions. The district will also evaluate opportunities to reschedule concerts, events, etc.

Events of note:

• March 12: Maineville parent-teacher conferences — On as scheduled
• March 16: All-district skate at Castle Skateland — Postponed
• March 17: No School/Teacher In-Service/Election Day
• March 19: Maineville parent-teacher conferences — On as scheduled
• March 19: Salem 4^th grade music concerts — Postponed
• March 20: Maineville grandparents’ night dinner — Cancelled
• March 20: Jr. High school dance — Postponed
• March 26: High school parent-teacher conferences — On as scheduled
• March 26: Junior Parent Night — Postponed
• March 26: College Athletics Info Night — Postponed
• March 26: Salem 4^th grade music concerts — Postponed
• All after school enrichment classes, postponed

What about athletics & outdoor games at Little Miami?

We are following the OHSAA and Governor DeWine’s recommendations to severely limit spectators to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Each athlete or contestant is allowed four visitors to games or contests until further guidance.

Little Miami athletic teams may continue to have practices.

Any youth/community group indoor usage of district facilities is cancelled until March 30.

When would a school close?

Little Miami will follow the recommendations of the Warren County Health District and the State of Ohio. The current recommendation is not to close schools or the district. However, families need to prepare for the possibility that schools could be closed as the outbreak continues. This includes evaluating child care options.

If your child’s school is closed, you will receive a phone call, email, and text the night prior to closure, or with as much advance notice as possible.

Additionally, a school may be closed if staff absences impact school operations.

If schools close, what is our plan for educating students?

In the event of a closure, many factors go into deciding the best course of action for continuing meaningful learning opportunities for our students. Some of these factors include the length of closure and the grade levels impacted.

Students in grades 7-12 have access to a school-issued device and online lessons are the most likely approach. In grades K-6, online learning is not an option and other methods will be considered. More information will be forthcoming.

What about school-sponsored travel?

All school-sponsored travel and field trips scheduled between now and March 30 will be cancelled.

Can I keep my child home?

Families are always permitted to keep their students home in the interest of safety. As long as district attendance policies are followed, these absences will be excused. If school is in session but you are electing to keep your student home, please report your student’s absence to your school’s attendance secretary.

How are schools and buses being cleaned and disinfected?

All schools are cleaned and disinfected regularly with hospital-grade disinfectants as a standard practice.

In 2018, Little Miami adopted the use of the Protexus system to disinfect student desks, door knobs, hand rails and other frequently-touched surfaces. The Protexus system uses Purtabs and water to create hypochlorous acid vapor that is misted onto porous and non-porous surfaces. Purtabs are less toxic to humans but kill pathogens up to 50 times better than chlorine bleach.

All buses are being disinfected daily with the Protexus system and the Food Services Department continues to follow food safety practices and use approved disinfectants.

How do I talk to my child about COVID-19?

The CDC has created guidance to help adults have conversations with children about COVID-19, and ways children can avoid getting and spreading the disease.

What can staff and students do to stay healthy?

Anyone that has symptoms of any illness should stay home 24 hours without fever and without medication. If students exhibit illness or COVID-19 related symptoms we will isolate them, and contact a parent or guardian to come pick them up immediately.

Please take the precautions that are recommended by the CDC, such as hand washing, covering a cough or sneeze with a tissue, and staying home when you are sick.