MAPS COVID-19 Information (Coronavirus 2019)

June 23, 2020

Good morning, Bluejays!

The WI DPI released their Education Forward guidelines yesterday. These guidelines are designed to guide Wisconsin school districts as we all address student instruction in the Fall. While these guidelines provide a variety of scenarios, we are committed to opening our doors for face-to-face instruction while still providing virtual instruction for those parents initially choosing this option for their children. We are further committed to building and maintaining an educational system that meets the needs of all students while providing families with choices for the return in Fall and beyond. Our planning will blend common sense and reasonable strategies related to COVID 19 and a future-ready instructional model.

Please understand that we are not able to meet all of DPI's suggestions due to constraints and realities. By having local control, however, our planning will involve creating safe learning environments in order to maximize student achievement and social/emotional growth. We will communicate consistently as our plan develops and will seek the options our parents are considering during the online registration process in mid-July. Knowing parents wishes as to face-to-face instruction or opting for virtual learning will allow us to create the best environment for all.

We will keep you informed as information becomes available.

Dr. John Sample

Superintendent of Schools

Coronavirus Preparedness: What You Need to Know

The health and safety of our students and staff is our top priority and we want to reassure our community the Merrill Area Public School District is monitoring the spread of COVID-19 on a daily basis. It is important to note that we have no known cases of coronavirus among our students or staff.

While the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has noted that our region is currently at minimal risk of community transmission of coronavirus, we do feel it is critical to be prepared. We have begun taking extra precautions to prevent the spread of communicable diseases and have developed contingency plans so we are ready to respond in the event the illness becomes more widespread. Our goal is to have systems in place that will help prevent the spread of illness, maintain continuity of learning and minimize social disruption and economic losses for our families.

Expert Guidance
All of our actions are based on guidance from the Lincoln County Health Department, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and the CDC.

Communicable Diseases Precautions

We are taking additional precautions to limit the spread of illness.

• School buses are being disinfected each day.
• Cafeterias are disinfected after each meal.
• School custodians have been instructed to wipe down commonly touched surfaces with disinfectant multiple times throughout the day.
• Sanitary wipes have been made available for use on iPads.
• Additional supplies of tissues, hand sanitizer, paper towels and soap have been made available.

Good Hygiene Practices

Please remind your students that by practicing good hygiene, they can help prevent the spread of illness

• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a sleeve or tissue.
• Dispose of used tissues immediately and wash your hands.
• Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds especially before eating and after going to the bathroom, blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
• When soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Avoid close contact or shaking hands with people who are sick.
• Remain at home when you are ill.