Coronavirus Plans

T-SJ Families, 
News of the Coronavirus, prevention and treatment is on all of our minds and hearts.  Governor Pritzker held a news conference last night in Springfield to address the growing concerns about the coronavirus. Prior to the news conference, there was much speculation that he was planning to impose a mandatory shutdown of all K-12 school districts in the state. 
As of Thursday evening, the governor is not mandating that schools close at this time. He did, however, strongly recommend cancelling any public gathering that would include at least 250 people.  Additionally, public gatherings of 1,000 or more people have been banned. This will certainly affect some of our evening functions and we will update all of you when those decisions are made. 
We are making preparations to keep our students and their families safe.  While I am extremely relieved that schools will remain open at this time, the confirmed coronavirus cases could increase over the upcoming weeks. It is very possible that there may still be a mandatory closing of all Illinois schools at some point. I would strongly encourage all parents to plan ahead and think about potential child care arrangements if this happens. T-SJ will continue to pass along pertinent information as we receive it.
The following plans are being put into action immediately: 

• All homeroom teachers will review proper hand-washing with students.
• Faculty and Staff will provide frequent opportunities for students to wash their hands and monitor this through age appropriate procedures. 
• Our school is cleaned daily and the following touch-points will be given additional attention and sanitation:      
  • Door handles
  • Crash bars
  • Doorknobs 
  • Handrails
  • Sinks and drinking fountains
  • All surfaces that are frequently touched by multiple people
• Faculty and Staff will make cleaning the following touch-points a high priority:
  • Telephones
  • Desks, chairs, tables, lockers
  • Computer keyboards, mouse pads
  • Playground equipment
  • Anything else that is handled frequently by multiple people.
• All classrooms are supplied with antibacterial wipes, hand sanitizer and Kleenex.
• Students exhibiting symptoms of illness will be placed in the office until they are picked up by a parent/guardian or other designated person. 
• Individuals are not to return to school and school activities for at least 24 hours after their fever is gone. Fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine. A fever is defined as 100°F (37.8°C) or higher.
• Administration may require that a student, staff or faculty member be removed from school or school activities if administration deems that a student, staff or faculty poses a health risk to others.  

Future Actions to be implemented as appropriate: 

• Families will be notified regarding changes in the status of the coronavirus and     actions being taken by the faculty and staff of Trinity- St. John Lutheran School.
• When possible, increase space between people at school to at least 3 feet.
• If an excessive number of students is absent, T-SJ may close for a specified period of time.
• In the event of school closure, we will communicate through email and Blackboard messaging.

The administration of Trinity- St. John will continue to monitor CDC and other organizations for updates regarding health concerns. 
Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns.