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Dr. Terry O. Oatts, Ed.D. Superintendent
To our Parents, Personnel, and Community Stakeholders:
I know there are many questions and concerns regarding novel coronavirus (COVID-19). I want to let you know what we are doing to prepare our schools and to protect our students and staff. We are committed to providing our staff and students with a safe and healthy work and learning environment throughout the school year.
Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) is working closely with state and local health officials to monitor and prepare for the potential of a COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier this school year, I impaneled an epidemiology committee of key staff members who have been working on prevention and response to illness in schools.
Thanks to the RCPS Board of Education for supporting our recommendation that added a district Lead Nurse to help with monitoring illness among students and staff, training our clinic staff, leading prevention measures, and keeping informed of the latest clinical information. Our epidemiology committee recently met with health officials from the Gwinnett, Newton, Rockdale (GNR) Health Departments to learn the latest facts with regard to COVID-19 and how we can prepare for a potential pandemic. Protocols are already in place at RCPS, following state and local health official guidance, addressing an outbreak of respiratory and viral illnesses.
We discussed prevention measures that include some of the same measures we already have in place for preventing the spread of all germs including teaching our students good handwashing techniques, reminding them of proper respiratory etiquette, advising parents to keep sick children at home and asking staff to remain at home when sick.
We will continue to monitor and follow the information and guidelines for schools put forth by the CDC and the Georgia Department of Public Health. RCPS will focus on prevention, response, and preparedness in the event of a pandemic situation. In addition to our district planning team, we participate in weekly conference calls with health officials and attend the Healthcare Emergency Local Planning collaborative meetings to ensure we continue to implement the recommended protocols and that we are part of a coordinated response in our community.
For the latest information, please visit cdc.gov/COVID19 and look for updates at www.rockdaleschools.org/COVID19. If you have any questions, please let us know at rcpsinfo@rockdale.k12.ga.us.
Sincerely,
Dr. Terry O. Oatts, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Rockdale County Public Schools
2 Comments
You need to close these schools before you regret it,what’s the problem? Safer than sorry
Please explain how the schools plan on safely 6ft distancing students and staff in the schools, cafeterias, and on school buses. I very strongly believe the students such NOT be returning to school at this time. They should such still be home schooled. We all know that not everyone one will safely distance themselves,wash and sanitize their hands, wear mask properly ( who will supply the mask-since it’s still hard to get real mask- especially since the coronavirus has started going up in numbers testing positive and lives being lost to it). The proper mask needs to be worn. A lot of these home made and even bought mask are NOT going to protect from getting covid19. They are NOT made from the correct material. And the mask with respirators on them only protect the person that’s wearing it, if that person has covid19(just say they are a carrier-shows no signs and never get sick) if they sneeze or cough the droplets will come through the respirator and could infect those around them. Please explain how are you all planning to 6’distance on the school buses. A child’s LIFE is MORE important than rushing to get them back into a bus or building before it’s time. And your not only putting these children lives on the line, your putting the staff lives on the line. I’m a health Care worker and trust me. This is a very horrible death or if you survive, it’s a torturous survival. With a long lasting recovering period. Please rethink this. Or give the parents the option of them schooling their children from home. Please thank you